32 Fantasia (1/2)

”Nice to meet you, Zeno. My name's Hoemis.” Hoemis extended his hand for a handshake.

Zeno shook Hoemis's hand. ”Nice to meet you too.”

Zeno was a pretty small child. He is an Ancient One with short white hair. His body was very skinny, and he looked like he hadn't eaten for days.

Zeno's family was very poor. His dad had died from a local gang, forcing his mom to work for the family. She was working three jobs, but every day, the gang that killed Zeno's dad, stole most of the money that his mother earned.

That was why Zeno wanted to get stronger, much stronger than his dad. He tried to venture into the dungeon to get stronger, but he was told that he had to be at least level 10, and even then, it was still very dangerous.

Hoemis inspected Zeno's condition. He was a child and looked severely undernourished, but he would make it work. The first thing he had to do was feed him.

”The first thing you need for your training is food. Let's go, we're going out to eat,” Hoemis told Zeno.

”Why? Food won't make me stronger, leveling up will,” Zeno said.

”There's a lot more to being strong than just levels. Plus, look at how skinny you are. You need food to build muscle.”

”I don't have money for food though.” Zeno looked down at the floor.

”I don't either.” Hoemis laughed. ”I'm friends with the king, so don't worry about it.”

Zeno looked up at Hoemis. ”Really?! You are?! What is he like?!”

”Follow me, I'll tell you while we walk.”

Zeno followed beside Hoemis as they walked to a restaurant. ”So, what's the king like?! I heard he's super strong.”

Hoemis looked at Zeno, chuckling at how excited he was. ”Well, he's strong, but if you ask me. I'm way stronger,” he said, flexing his arm and showing off his big biceps.

”I don't believe you. Everyone knows the king is the strongest.”

”I'm not lying. I even fought the king.”

”Really?! Who won?”

”Me of course,” Hoemis said, smiling at Zeno.

”Sure you did,” Zeno said in a sarcastic tone.

”Fine, don't believe me.” Hoemis crossed his arms, looking away from Zeno.

After a few minutes of walking, the two arrived at their destination. It was a restaurant called 'Fantasia', the restaurant that Aphy was eating at.

The restaurant looked fancy and was expensive. Only the rich ate at this restaurant because of its ridiculously high price.

”Whoah, this place looks expensive,” Zeno said, looking at the fancy restaurant.

”It does? I don't know, I just saw my friend eating here and the food looked good,” Hoemis said.

The two walked inside the restaurant and were met by a man in a black suit. ”Good morning, welcome to Fantasia. My name is Ron, and I will be your waiter today.”

”Good morning, Ron. Me and my student are here to eat breakfast,” Hoemis told Ron.

”Alright, please follow me to your table,” Ron said, finding an empty table for the two.