The man straightens his back. Now Eve can see how he looks. He looks odd. And that comes from someone who looks worse for wear.
His face, pale, his irises a type of golden yellow. Blond hair fell in loose, uneven strands around his face, the longer strands touching his cheekbones. Not an ounce of facial hair on his face. His garment, a white robe with golden straps from the shoulders, falling to his waist. Two golden circles, one in the front, in between the straps and one on his back. The symbols of the God of Heaven.
"Hmm, you a priest from the church of heaven? I don't want anything you sell. And I also don't want to deal with your stupid face. Leave, before I kill you"
"Oh?" The man seems quite taken aback and offended.
"My my, what strong words you use. But I will have you know, I'm not someone from the church. Hell, who wants to be one? No, I'm not. I found this robe along the road a few days ago, and I took it. And for having a stupid face, I will let you know, I'm a smart guy."
Eve stops reaching for her sword and goes back into a natural position.
"Aha...sure, so what's your deal? What do you want with me anyway? I don't have all day to waste with a goofball like you." Their voices drown in the tavern's chatter.
The man turns around and walks a couple of steps back to leave the restaurant, and turns back again to face Eve.
"I want to train you"
Eve raises her eyebrow in confusion.
"Why would I want to be trained? I'm already strong enough. And you don't look like much of a fighter." She takes a couple of steps in front of him.
"Are we clear?" Anger starting to wash her face.
"We are not clear. I want to train you. You have potential, and I want to harness it"
"For what purpose? I don't intend to perform at the zoo for you."
"To kill the gods"
The anger starts to disappear from her face. In its place, confusion and an intriguing smile
"Hmm....What's your deal with the gods? You don't seem as cursed as I am. So why do you want to kill them?"
"Boredom"
Now, confusion dances on her face.
"You are insane if you think I will help you kill the gods just because you are bored."
"Then how about this, if you can land a strike on me. I will leave you alone. If you can't, you will let me train you."
She gets closer to his face. "Why should I accept?"
"You've got no reason to accept. That is only if you are happy with your current life."
Frustation is readable on her face "Fine, I accept. But if I accidentally kill you, that is not my problem."
"That is okay, you won't. Because you can't."
"How are you so sure about that?"
"Because you are weak."
"Let's get this over with already. I'm sick of your guts."
"Follow me."
They start to walk, the man walking ahead and Eve falling behind him, deep in thought. As she puts her hood back on.
Who is this guy? Well, it won't matter. I will just kill him in a single swing and call it an accident, then move on with my day.
They walk and keep walking in silence until they leave Scholar's Rest's main streets, and the village's end is in sight. Where not a soul resides here, just abandoned houses and stone roads. All its residents left for the middle of the city and its growing expanse for human innovations.
The man turns around.
"Before we start, my name is Elyon"
Eve stays silent and just stares at him. Then pulls out her sword, Nightfall.
"Just give me a couple of moments to prepare"
He takes a couple of steps back, then something weird happens. His pupil changes form. Instead of his normal pupil, in its place sits the number "25" Eve doesn't even notice it.
"Strike"
Eve pivots from one foot to another, then dashes forward. Her guard, high and Nightfall ready to strike Elyon and end him. She gets closer and closer to him, then once she is front of him. Her sword plunges with murderous intent. Before it can connect with him, it comes to a total stop. Like it came into contact with an indestructible wall.
"What the hell?" Eve dashes back to her original position
"What did you do?"
Elyon's pupils go back to normal, unbeknownst to Eve.
"That was a part of my power"
"Power my ass, what kind of trick did you use. Because I know for a fact I didn't hit anything. Yet I hit something."
"You hit air, feel free to try again. As many times as you want, actually."
She dashes again towards him and starts slashing the air in front of him. Every time the sword is about to hit Elyon, it comes to a full stop. His pupils switch back and forth.
"Are you done?" He asks as he puts his hands behind his back.
After two more unsuccessful strikes, she stops.
"Fine, I forefit", Eve gives an annoyed sigh.
"You win, happy now? Now tell me what your powers are."
"I will, but not now. It's too early; once the right time comes. You will know" Elyon looks from his left to his right, then back at Eve.
"Oh yes, I almost forgot. I won the bet, so I have to train you."
"And if I leave? What would you do, come running after me? Beg me to let you train me?"
"No, I would probably just kill you."
Eve looks quite taken aback but decides it's for the best not to push him any further.
"Okay, fine, I accept your deal."
"Good, now let's go back to my home. That place would be your new training ground."
Elyon turns around and begins to walk away, his hands folded neatly behind his back. Eve stomeping behind him. And Scholar's Keep disappearing in the background as they both walk to the man's house.