Magic Life in the Empire-Chapter 105: Bar

"So you also have a brother?" Emily exclaimed with interest.

Cedric eventually began sharing his story. He retold basically the same thing Cyril heard from him.

It worked better on Emily; by the end of it, she looked touched.

"Yeah... This is what family is all about!" She sniffed her nose and turned away, pretending to look at the passing scenery.

"How is your relationship with Leo now?" Cut in, Cyril.

Leo Arken has acted rather quietly lately; since the exam, he hasn't made any moves at all.

Though maybe something happened in private?

Cedric's smile froze, and he awkwardly scratched his cheek before replying. "Well... not as bad as it could've been."

"So much for all his speeches about family."

"After we are done with Jack, if you need my help, then call me. It's only right for me to make up for your help." Emily turned back, eagerly offering her help.

"Thank you." Cedric slowly replied.

...

In such a touching atmosphere, they arrived at their destination.

It was one of those entertainment streets, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and other similar places around.

Even though the sun was still high in the sky, there were already a lot of people going around.

It was Saturday, and some are relaxing with all their being, while some are only now waking up after a Friday gone right.

The number of bars in this place was a bit overwhelming; the group didn't even know where to go.

So they asked a few people on the street to give them directions.

It took quite a bit of tries before they managed to find anyone familiar with the place.

The Hidden Merit is not a popular establishment it seems.

After wasting some time walking, they finally reached it.

It was a comparatively out-of-the-way small bar adjoined to another building near it. There wasn't even any signboard outside.

It looked rather ordinary, even cozy to an extent.

Once they went inside, they were greeted rather warmly by the bartender.

"Good day! What can I do for you?" The man behind the counter said in a friendly voice.

Be it because they looked old enough or people here didn't care, no one asked them about their age.

"What would you recommend?" Thoughtfully replied Cyril.

His other two companions stared at him with some surprise, not expecting such a casual action.

Cyril, however, felt it was a fitting action to show their willingness to talk.

He heard all about their wild fantasies of getting Jack out of here by force if necessary, but Cyril felt there was no need for violence.

At least when he saw him, Jack didn't appear to be working unwillingly.

"I would recommend Fresh Strawberry." The man said the name of their signature drink.

Cyril nodded and walked across the old wooden floor to take a seat behind the counter. Emily and Cedric cautiously joined him.

This place wasn't big on the inside either. A bar counter took up half the room, while the other half was left to empty tables.

"So you are a beast tamer then?" The bartender asked while mixing the drink in smooth, practiced motions.

Morpho and Tigris curiously looked all around the bar. It was a first time for them.

Not that Cyril would allow them to drink. And even if he did, Rhamn would object.

"Drinking is bad for you." Rhamn appeared on the bar stool nearby.

"Yes, I would say so." Answered Cyril and took the finished drink.

Over time, Cyril grew increasingly uneasy whenever someone referred to Tigris or Morpho as mere beasts—but there was nothing he could do.

He drank it all in one motion, like he saw others do in the past. It felt unusual to drink something from such a small glass.

"It's... alright, I guess?" Rhamn said with mixed feelings.

Cyril didn't really like the taste. It was too strong, reminding him of that one time during his childhood when he curiously took a sip out of a mysterious bottle in the bathroom.

You couldn't even feel the strawberry flavor that well.

"Beast tamers are somewhat of a trend these days." The bartender nodded and took the empty glass back.

Then he looked at the other two guests. "And what can I get you?"

Cedric actually scrutinized the menu hanging on the wall, trying to see if there was anything he would like.

Emily, though, went straight to the point: "We are here to find Jack. He told us to look here."

The bartender raised an eyebrow at her words and grew silent.

He slowly took another look at the students present. When his gaze passed Cyril, it was as if a switch was flipped.

"Ah, right. Jack told me about you," he exclaimed in realization.

The bartender pointed to an inconspicuous door nearby "Go through there, down the corridor; he should be inside."

Afterwards he stopped paying attention to them, returning to wiping glasses while humming a tune.

...

Emily immediately started moving, entering the door in a moment.

Cyril quickly paid for his drink and went after her, not wishing to miss the reunion of two siblings.

Cedric did the same, though he didn't order anything in the end.

They caught up with her and walked together down a stone corridor.

There was only a single door there at the very end of it.

Once she got close, Emily suddenly stopped, her hand refusing to reach for the door handle.

She took a step to the side and quietly said, "One of you go first..."

It seems she was getting cold feet.

Obliging this trivial request, Cyril quickly opened the door and went in.

The room looked like a lounge—a relatively spacious area with a few sofas arranged around a table. Further in, there was even a table tennis setup

Currently there were a few people seated in the room, playing cards. They all turned their heads at this intruder.

"Cyril, you came!" After a pause, a familiar voice rang out.

Jack stood up from the sofa, placing his cards face down on the table.

"You are just in time, I must say," he said, pressing his palms together.

Seeing that it wasn't an enemy, the others went back to their game.