The tavern remained silent.
Kael calmly picked up another mouthful of noodles.
To him...
The matter was over.
The broth was still warm.
That was what mattered.
Around him, however, dozens of eyes remained fixed on the quiet young man.
Some stared at the four groaning hooligans sprawled across the floor.
Others looked at the single broken chair.
The comparison alone was enough to leave them speechless.
Emma finally found her voice.
"...Is..."
"...is everything alright?"
Kael looked up from his bowl and nodded politely.
"Yes."
"The noodles are excellent."
Emma blinked.
"...I wasn't asking about the noodles."
"Oh."
Kael glanced around the tavern.
"Then yes."
"I believe everything is alright."
Several customers couldn't help but laugh.
The heavy atmosphere finally eased.
---
The front doors burst open.
Bang!
Five village guards hurried inside, spears in hand.
At their head stood a broad-shouldered man in his forties wearing light leather armor.
His sharp eyes swept across the room.
"Where's the fight?"
Silence.
The guard captain frowned.
"I said—"
His gaze landed on Rolf and the others lying on the floor.
Then he noticed Kael quietly eating.
Then the perfectly intact tavern.
He blinked.
"...What happened?"
The innkeeper Owen stepped forward.
"It has already ended."
"I can see that."
The captain rubbed his forehead.
"...Someone explain."
---
Before anyone else could speak, Rolf struggled to his feet.
His face burned with humiliation.
"He attacked us!"
Several villagers immediately frowned.
Emma looked ready to protest.
But before she could...
Old Morris cleared his throat.
"I believe that's incorrect."
Ben folded his arms.
"You four started it."
Clara nodded.
"So did half the tavern."
One by one...
Customers began speaking.
"I saw everything."
"They were harassing people all afternoon."
"They threw the first punch."
"They nearly ruined the young man's dinner."
Even the traveling bard raised his hand.
"I can confirm that."
The captain quietly listened.
When everyone had finished...
He looked toward Kael.
"You."
Kael swallowed the noodles he had been chewing.
"Yes?"
"Did you attack them?"
Kael thought seriously.
"...I don't think so."
"You don't think so?"
"I mostly moved out of the way."
A few people chuckled.
The captain looked toward Rolf.
Then toward the broken chair.
Finally...
He sighed.
"I've warned you four enough times."
Rolf lowered his head.
"We..."
"Save it."
The captain motioned toward his guards.
"Take them."
The four hooligans immediately protested.
"This isn't fair!"
"He embarrassed us!"
"He—"
"Quiet."
Within moments, the guards escorted the disgruntled troublemakers from the tavern.
As Rolf passed Kael...
He glared at him.
Kael politely nodded.
"...Goodbye."
Rolf nearly stumbled from frustration.
---
Once the guards had left, life slowly returned to normal.
Conversations resumed.
The musicians cautiously began playing again.
Emma finally placed fresh drinks on Gareth's table.
Ben leaned closer to Kael.
"...Do you know those techniques you used?"
Kael looked puzzled.
"...Techniques?"
"The way you threw them around."
"I didn't throw anyone."
"I only redirected them."
Ben stared.
"...There's a difference?"
Kael nodded.
"If someone is already moving..."
"...it's easier to let them continue."
Morris stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"What an interesting way of looking at things."
---
Not long afterward...
The innkeeper approached carrying a small wooden tray.
On it sat a slice of warm honey cake.
He placed it before Kael.
"This is from the tavern."
Kael blinked.
"I didn't order this."
"I know."
"It's a thank-you."
Kael looked uncertain.
"...I should pay."
Owen smiled.
"You already have."
"You reminded those fools that this village isn't theirs."
Kael hesitated.
"...Then..."
"...thank you."
He carefully tasted the cake.
His eyes widened.
"...It's sweet."
Lily giggled.
"You've never had cake before?"
Kael slowly shook his head.
"...This is dangerous."
Ben laughed loudly.
"I said the same thing the first time I tried it."
---
As the evening grew late, most of the customers retired to their rooms.
Outside...
The village became quiet.
Only the chirping of insects disturbed the night.
Kael stood on the tavern's wooden balcony.
The stars overhead looked almost identical to those above the mountain.
Yet somehow...
Everything felt different.
Footsteps approached from behind.
It was Gareth.
"Couldn't sleep?"
Kael shook his head.
"I'm thinking."
"About your grandfather?"
"...Yes."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Finally...
Gareth broke the silence.
"You asked about Martial High earlier."
Kael nodded.
"I don't know much."
"I can tell you a little."
Kael turned toward him.
"The Entrance Tournament isn't simply a competition."
"It's the largest gathering of young martial artists on the continent."
"Thousands participate."
"Only a fraction enter Martial High."
Kael listened quietly.
"Some come from famous clans."
"Others from powerful sects."
"Many train since childhood for that single opportunity."
Gareth smiled.
"And then..."
"...there are people like you."
Kael looked confused.
"People like me?"
"Those I've never heard of."
"The ones no one expects."
"The ones who surprise everyone."
Kael scratched his cheek.
"I don't plan to surprise anyone."
Gareth laughed softly.
"Somehow..."
"I don't think that decision will be yours to make."
The night breeze drifted across Green Willow Village.
Far away...
Beyond countless mountains, rivers, and cities...
Young geniuses from every corner of the world had already begun their journeys.
Princes.
Clan heirs.
Disciples of renowned masters.
Prodigies whose names were already famous among martial artists.
None of them knew...
That a quiet mountain youth who worried more about cold noodles than glory had also begun walking toward the same destination.
And before long...
Their paths would inevitably cross.
End of Chapter 11