Quash walked into the Inn and looked around, he quickly found Gagon with Timothy. Unlike standard Inns, Dwarven Inns looks more like travens. Their seats and tables are also smaller for obvious reason. Quash made his way towards the teo. He noticed few heads turning to him but that was the extent of it.

The people here were also for the entrance exam but they were mostly dwarves, so they didn’t came much about the Ranking Battle because the usually don’t participate. Because they aren’t a race who specialises in combat.

"Yo, look who we have here. That man himself."

Timothy said sarcastically when he spotted Quash walking towards them. Gagon was chugging down beer, he slammed the mug on the table then looked back.

"Haha. Come come! Sit! We have left one for you!"

Gagon said with a heartily laugh. He extanded his fist towards Quash. Quash chuckled. He fist bumped Gagon and sat down on the chair that was the size of a baby chair.

"What do you want to have? Beer? That shit is good here."

"Nothing. I just came to return this."

"Oh come on. Don’t be shy. Bills on me."

"How about braised duck?"

"Your freeloader side is kicking in I see."

Timothy couldn’t help but comment when Quash agreed immediately after Gagon said the bills on him. Quash just shrugged indifferently.

Gagon shouted his order to the owner. Then he turned to Quash.

"That was a sick match! I would probably freeze the next second someone pulled Demonification Potion on me. Hahaha!"

"It’s nothing impressive. But that really had me worried for a second to be honest. But regardless. What about you guys?"

"Are we really just gonna ignore this dude just dunking all the paparazzi like that?"

Timothy chimed in.

"Nah dude. We still don’t know their reaction. Let that role in. The fun begins then."

"True."

The three of them went silent for a moment before Quash shamelessly ordered a lemonade. He handed Gagon his artifact in the mean time. They waited while they watched TV. A few moments later, a waiter came and served Quash the lemonade.

There was an interview going on at the moment. Because of Quash’s hype, many big news channels broadcasted the match.

And now they were interviewing his opponent. They asked why did he use Demonification Potion. The dark mage basically said that he had a win streak of 10 and didn’t want to lose because he was ranked 1st among the 2nd Battle Hall. And if he won that battle, he would have had a very meaningful rank up.

And when he saw Quash, he knew that he would lose if he just fought Quash in his normal state. That’s why he used that Potion.

The dark mage looked exhausted and sad. Throughout the interview, he never looked up.

Quash felt a bit bad but game is game. He could do nothing if it came to skill issues. He is a firm believer of never underestimating his opponent.

He would give his all, regardless of gender, age, strength and viceversa.

’I must be the embodiment of equality.’

"The lemonade tastes sweet somehow."

He said while taking a sip of the lemonade.

"Look at this bitch smiling."

Gagon said with disdain in his voice. Timothy also nodded. Quash looked at them a bit stunned. He was just complimenting the lemonade you know?

"Hold on! You basterds didn’t answer my question! Are you purposefully avoiding the because your embarrassed!?"

Quash said while taking another sip of the lemonade. Judging the two heavily.

"I’ve been already admitted into an Academy."

"Makes sense. What about you Timothy?"

Quash then asked Timothy who looked too nonchalant for someone who started around the 51st Battle Hall.

"I also got admitted into one. As his assistant."

Timothy pointed at Gagon while Quash raised an eye braw.

"Dwarven Royal Academy?"

"Nah, Darren Mountain Peak Academy."

"Ahh. Makes sense."

Quash nodded at Gagons reply. He understood Gagons reasoning. From what he knew of both Gagon and Timothy, neither of them were a fighter guy. And Dwarven Royal Academy not only taught how to craft, but also how to fight. While Darren Mountain Peak Academy was purely craft focused.

He quietly watched the two dude chugg down beers then he ever drinks water.

’Guess Dwarves really do love beer.’

Quash thought.

"By the way, I find it very... interesting that you would take the guy whom you have a beef with as your assistant Gagon. Very interesting to be honest."

"There’s nothing to be surprised of. If he wants to return to his homeland, he knows what to do. Buahahaha "

Quash immediately looked at Timothy with a glowing expression full of smiles. But Timothy’s expression was dark. Even though he wanted to say that he was going get paid well, it didn’t matter at this point when he has been labeled as a slave. He could do nothing but to swallow his pride.

Talking will get him roasted alive.

As they were talking, their order arrived an the three started eating when Gagon asked a question.

"By the way Quash, didn’t you say you wanted to be a MagiCrafter? Wanna join my workshop? We can split the profit 50/50."

Quash looked up from the meat. Started chewing fast then gulped down to talk.

"Nah. I would like to start a workshop of my own. It was one of the resolution I came here with."

"You’ll face a lot of hardships you know? The bitchs here before us won’t sit quiet. They will definitely try to pull some strings. Without a proper backing, it will be hard and you may crumble. There are people here from my land so I already have significant standing already, you should reconsidere."

Gagon said solemnly. Timothy nodded along whole enjoying the duck.

"It’s fine. It’s more fun that way. It it comes to that, I wanna see who falls first and the hardest. Because if I go down, I will take the whole economy with me."

Quash smiled and said Without hesitation. Gagon and Timothy stopped mid bite and looked at Quash with wide eyes. They expected some cheap but cool line, but not this.

"You serious dude? The whole economy? You know what that means?"

Timothy asked in disbelief. He wanted to dismiss it, but he couldn’t shake it off. Which made him feel unease. Quash nodded again without hesitation.

Timothy just shook his head while Gagon laughed heartily saying that’s what a man is.

They talked over the food and Quash stood to leave immediately after it was over.

"Leaving so soon? You should rest a bit before going to the Battle Hall again."

Timothy said while looking at the TV.

"Nah bro. I’m going to the Inn to shower. My 11 year long streak is on the line."

"11 years? For real? Holy Smokes dude! That’s hella impressive! My highest streak was like the whole summer before I broke it because I felt cold. Aha haha."

"Ew. Unhygienic shorty."

Quash said with disgust. Gagon choked on his beer when Quash called Timothy shorty. He felt validated in ways he hadn’t felt even when he made Timothy agree to work for him.

"Hah- Ah? Bro what fuck? I’m 5’4"!"

"And I’m 6. See you later moron."

Quash said with a smug smile and left. Timothy could say nothing other than to garnish his teeth. Even though he was half human, because of his Dwarf lineage, he was still very short.

To calm his anger down, he chugged down more deer while watching Quash’s departing figure. Ploting revenge. But he needed a flawless plane or he will be the one that gets eating alive.