Supreme Magus novel Chapter 1297

Chapter 1297 - Great Minds and Fools (Part 1)

"Are we getting punished?" Leria traced a circle in the ground with her foot, trying to remember if she had done something wrong.

"No, you are getting rewarded." Lith put his hands on their shoulders, using water magic to remove their sweat while darkness magic canceled bad smells and killed head lice.

"This isn’t funny, big bro. How is fasting a reward?" Aran complained.

"Remember what I said just yesterday? That I can’t reach a place I’ve never been before?" Lith waved his hand and opened a Warp Steps leading straight to the Hot Pot.

"Food?" Aran asked.

"A real bath with some soap?" Leria was tired of smelling.

"All the food you can eat, real baths and beds. I know I’ve been a bit strict with you, but this is a vacation, not a boot camp. You deserve some fun"

"Thanks, you are the best!" Aran and Leran said in unison while hugging him.

A split second after, they darted through the dimensional gate, quickly followed by their magical beasts who also demanded their due.

A sudden crash told Lith that an accident had happened yet no one yelled or cursed. Two carriages had bumped into each other while their owners were arguing about who had the right to enter the stables first.

The Steps’ appearance had scared the horses, making them attempt to run away with predictable consequences.

"Sorry, my bad." Lith said in reply to the stupefied gazes of the merchants. They couldn’t stop staring at the hole in the space nor at the lake that seemed to be in the middle of the road.

Or at least they tried to.

"I’m on vacation. I offer my apologies but no compensation. The next time, watch where you go." Lith’s tone was kind but only because the kids could hear him.

His stone-cold face and his eyes blazing with mana left the merchants frozen in place, incapable to even draw breath until he walked through the inn’s door.

Winter was drawing near and all cities needed to stock food and supplies before the first cold wave arrived, isolating them until spring. The road at the base of Mount Sartak led directly to Xaanx, the nearest city with a Warp Gate, making it one of the busiest trading routes during fall.

The Hot Pot didn’t accept reservation and worked on a first come, first served basis because after sundown there would never be an empty table or room. When the kids stepped inside, most of the benches lined up against the walls were already taken by the merchants’ staff and the mercenaries protecting their goods.

Only a few tables in the middle of the restaurant were still open.

"A table for three, please. We’re with my big brother. He’s an Ant Mage." Aran puffed out his c.h.e.s.t with pride, as if the title was his own, or at least it made any sense.

A waiter with his c.h.e.s.tnut hair greased with sweat was about to send them off rudely when the blonde waitress that had served them the last time recognized them.

"This is no place for kids, go back-"

"Is your brother really a mage?" She cut her colleague short while making way to a still empty table for four people.

"Yes, but don’t listen to him." Leria’s reproachful look was identical to Elina’s when she scolded Aran for his poor vocabulary. "My uncle doesn’t work with ants."

"What does he do exactly?" The waitress handed them the menus while also taking an order from a nearby table.

The rush of blood from the work and her curiosity reddened her face, making her freckles almost invisible.