I hurried down the stairs of the inn. The savory aroma wafting up from the lower floor made my stomach growl. Behind me, Elfea followed while humming cheerfully, as if mocking my small defeat from last night.
When we arrived downstairs, thin steam was rising from the dining table. The mouthwatering food turned out to be made by none other than Parcival.
"Good morning, kid. How did you sleep last night?" he greeted with his wide grin.
I let out a low grunt. My sleep had been absolutely terrible—obviously thanks to Elfea, who wouldn't stop teasing me all night. If only I had enough money, I would've booked separate rooms. Sharing a room with Elfea only brought me closer to divine-level insomnia.
I shot Parcival a suspicious glance. "Don't pretend to be nice, Parcival. I know what you're thinking."
"Fufufu," Elfea giggled behind me, making me want to bury my face in a bowl of hot soup.
Tch, just you wait, Elfea... I grumbled inwardly, of course not brave enough to say it out loud.
"Alright, alright, come on over. My wife's making meat soup—you're gonna love it," Parcival said, waving us over.
Of course I didn't refuse. The smell alone was too good to resist. Elfea and I quickly sat at the warm wooden table. But somehow… this didn't feel like just an ordinary breakfast. It felt more like… a preparation for something big.
"Eat up, kid. You'll need your strength. Who knows, maybe you'll even beat your enemy in the tournament," Parcival said with a chuckle. "Oh right, what's your name?"
I turned to him and gave a small nod.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Rey Elaxdor, from Hago Village," I said. Then I glanced at Elfea, who was already devouring the soup without shame. "And this gluttonous girl is Elfea."
Before I could even finish my sentence, Elfea was already holding out her empty bowl to the woman who appeared to be Parcival's wife.
"More, please, Auntie," she said without a shred of shame.
Parcival's wife, a kind-looking middle-aged woman with a gentle smile, promptly poured more soup into Elfea's bowl. Watching the scene, I could only sigh deeply.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot," Parcival said as he patted his chest proudly. "Her name is Lusi Jumarun. And I'm… Parcival Jumarun."
"I see… Now I know your last name, Parcival. Nice to officially meet you," I replied, offering my hand.
Parcival shook it warmly and firmly. Maybe this was a good sign. At least I had someone I could trust in this unfamiliar city.
"Alright, let's eat before Elfea finishes everything," I said, scooping soup into my bowl.
The clinking of spoons echoed in the room. The rich aroma of the broth mixed with the spices made my stomach roar even louder.
Elfea was already showing a triumphant grin as she slurped the hot soup like a child who just got her favorite candy.
"Ahhh… this is so good, Auntie! I could eat this all day!" she said, her cheeks flushed from the heat, but her expression was genuinely happy.
I could only look at her with half disgust, half hunger.
"If you keep eating like that, Elfea, your stomach's gonna explode before the tournament even starts," I said.
"Hmph, better a full stomach than an empty head like yours, Rey," she shot back, still chewing.
I flinched. This barbaric woman...
Parcival laughed so hard, his tea almost shot out of his nose. "Hahaha! You two are like a young couple having a spat! Lusi, did you hear that? Aren't they hilarious?"
Lusi simply smiled as she refilled Elfea's bowl again. "Yes, yes. Very funny. But if you two keep bickering, the soup might run away, you know."
At her words, Elfea and I simultaneously glared at our bowls, as if the meat soup might suddenly sprout legs and escape.
Parcival slapped the table, laughing heartily. "Hahaha! It's been ages since I've seen young folks like you. Everyone in this city's always too serious. You bring a fresh breeze."
I scratched the back of my head, a little embarrassed. I came here intending to join the tournament seriously, and now I was the punchline at the breakfast table.
"Parcival... are you sure this is just regular meat soup? It tastes like it was made for a hero," I joked.
Parcival narrowed his eyes and leaned in closer, wearing a mysterious expression.
"Who knows? Maybe it's a magical soup. Eat enough of it, and you might just slay a dragon or charm a princess," he whispered, like it was a national secret.
He's not wrong, actually. That dragon he mentioned has already been slain—just look at her eating like that.
I rolled my eyes. "If that's true, then Elfea's already a high-ranking sorceress."
Elfea just shrugged, then casually grabbed some bread from Lusi's basket and dipped it into her soup.
"Well… if that's the case, I'd gladly eat the whole pot."
Parcival burst out laughing again. Lusi simply shook her head, clearly enjoying the lively breakfast table.
I looked down at my bowl and, for a brief moment, my mother's face flashed in my mind. For some reason… simple mornings like this felt warmer than anything else.
"Alright... let's eat our fill. The tournament can wait," I said, raising my spoon.
"Agreed!" Elfea answered enthusiastically.
And just like that, our morning was filled with laughter and the rich aroma of incredible meat soup.
My stomach was so full, it felt like it reached my throat. I patted it with a long sigh, feeling like a dragon that had just swallowed a whole sheep.
"Ahhh… not sure I can stand up now…" I muttered, slouching in my chair.
Next to me, Elfea looked the same. She leaned back with a satisfied expression, like a cat who just finished a bowl of cream.
"I told you, Rey… a good breakfast is the key to victory," she said, sounding wise—even though she'd eaten like someone who hadn't seen food in three days.
Parcival approached, placing two small pouches on the table. "Here, kid. A little something for the road. Don't let your stomach go empty in the middle of the arena."
I looked at the pouches, then at Parcival. "You're… really kind, Parcival."
"Haha, I told you—I like young people with fire in their eyes. You two… remind me of Lusi and myself in our younger days. Except Lusi never ate as much as Elfea," he said, glancing fondly at his wife, who smiled quietly.
Elfea huffed. "Hmph, I need the energy for the battle."
I shook my head slightly. Classic excuse.
The warmth at the table gradually shifted as the town's bell began to chime loudly. It was a sign—the tournament was about to begin.
Parcival gave me a hearty pat on the back. "Go get 'em, kid! Show your fangs in the arena. Don't just be a sleepy spectator."
I stood, straightening my clothes as best I could. "Of course. I came all the way from Hago Village—there's no way I'll just be a spectator."
Elfea also rose, her steps a bit heavy from being too full. "Hehe... Rey, if you lose, you're buying me another bowl of meat soup."
I glared at her. "If I win, you owe me a whole pot."
I took a deep breath.
This is it… Rey Elaxdor of Hago Village. Time to show them who I really am.
Elfea smirked at me. "Don't start shaking, Rey."
"Me? Shaking? Please."
But deep down… I was trembling just a bit. Not out of fear. But because... my real dream was finally about to begin.