Julian's reputation in Flocaster received mixed reactions from the general public, well mostly const.i.tuting to scorn, especially from men who only want to bring him down due to their jealousy of his ability to turn hearts into the fluttering of a b.u.t.terfly. Well, at least that's what the Bard has quoted with his own words.

As a result, many would come and go to express their malcontent towards Julian, and as a result, right at this very moment here at the Musician's Pub, the people of the tavern simply shook their own heads at this regular occurrence of men accusing Julian from taking their beloved. Of course, such disgusting action is totally out of the line even to the Bard as he would never consider anyone who's currently in a loving and loyal relations.h.i.+p. Julian only targeted women without any commitment to a man or maybe a woman. He may be a womanizer, but he's definitely not an ingrate stick in the a.s.s stealing lovers left and right. Although there may be some exceptions like, for example, if the woman herself is in an unhappy marriage and relations.h.i.+p, which in that case, he'll be more than glad to oblige the woman if she so desires.

Which begs the question in this troublesome situation that Julian finds himself at.

"Do I know you, kind sir?" Julian eyed the angry man and his status bar with a pa.s.sive and calm look while sitting leisurely with a gla.s.s of wine on his right hand.

Young man

Level 20

Health: 3,001 / 3,001

Stamina: 1,256 / 1,256

Mana: 350 / 350

Speaking of the man, he wore long-sleeved leather armor and was not alone. Behind him are three armed mercenaries wearing a set of chain mail armor with their own swords sheathed and strap on their hips. Each mercenary is at levels 21 and are all Warriors as per their get-up and stats. 

"I am the son of the fair woman you have slept with two nights ago, you insufferable p.r.i.c.k!!" The man gritted his teeth in rage. 

"Ah!!" Julian's eyes lit up in realization upon hearing the young man's statement. "So you're the son of the beautiful G.o.ddess, Melody. Your mother is quite something, I can tell you that. Did you know that she also talks about you while we were in bed with both our bodies exposed to one another? She also mentioned how a remarkable good son you truly are. Haha, I suppose the insult, 'Motherf.u.c.ker,' actually fit in this context. I applaud you for the correct usage of the terminology, unlike the usual nitwits I had the displeasure of meeting."

Indeed, the man was utterly disgusted as he stared at Julian with a judgmental look. 

"Oh don't give me that look, Matthew, if I'm correct?" Julian merely chuckled at the man's reaction as he also remembered the name from his conversation with the man's mother after love-making. "Your mother has been a widow for many years, and she has every right to be happy by sleeping with anyone she pleases. As a gentleman who appreciates her mature beauty and intellect, I was more than happy to serve as we find solace towards one another."

"Not by a filthy womanizer like you!!!" Despite Julian's reasonable response, it was fallen into deaf ears as Matthew flew into a blind rage and ordered his men. "I've had enough of your chit-chat!! Teach this perverted defiler a lesson!!!"

The armed men obliged with Matthew's request and step forward to deal with the Bard in front of them. The trio surrounded Julian with their swords now unsheathed and pointing towards the Bard.

"Well, I suppose there's no more room for diplomacy." Julian a.s.sumed a c.o.c.ky grin. In an instant, he flipped the table, sending the three men and Matthew disoriented. Julian then quickly summoned a rapier from his Inventory and a.s.sumed a combat stance that pointed the thin blade to his adversaries with his legs spread, issuing a challenge in an attempt to provoke. "Come at me whenever you are ready."

Matthew and his men were all enraged by Julian's act and display of arrogance as they all charged into the Bard with weapons in hand. As the sword slash from above was initiated from the first mercenary, Julian gracefully side-stepped away from the attack and instantly countered by stabbing him in the vulnerable, non-armored portion of his torso. The mercenary felt the puncture of the attack, causing him to be staggered by the sudden pain. The second mercenary attempted to stab him, but Julian did not give any chance for the attack to connect as he expertly disarmed the mercenary with his free left hand and pushed him to the third mercenary was trying to find the perfect opportunity to join in the fray. 

Matthew was bewildered indeed at the sight of Julian tormenting his mercenaries like it was all just a game to the Bard. He thought for sure that the mercenary that he had hired would get the job done since this particular company is renowned for doing so.

Aside from Julian's reputation of being a Bard and a d.a.m.n womanizer, he was also renowned as a highly regarded u003cDuelistu003e with his excellent fighting intuition and quick thinking. With a rapier always in the ready, Julian made quick work of anyone opposing him with flash speed and deadly precision in his a.r.s.enal. His combat style or, more specifically, his Discipline of u003cSwashbuckleru003e emphasized in stabbing and poking along with his swift movement to his enemies with the use of his exquisite rapier, a slender and sharply-pointed two-edged blade. 

The whole crowd inside the tavern could not help but be deeply mesmerized at the outstanding combat performance Julian is exhibiting. It's as if the Bard is no longer fighting with his enemies, but rather, dancing with elegant poise and ch.o.r.eography with the playful use of his rapier to take down the mercenaries. 

If the patrons don't know any better, they might think that this is some sort of stage play that's being enacted by one of the Bardic University's schemes of theatrical endeavor. Of course, this was the infamous Julian Kallistus, younger brother of the even more infamous Headmaster, Ezkiel Kallistus, and the Kallistus, aside from being Bards, are actually renowned for being a family of u003cDuelistsu003e as well, with their own unique style of swordplay that outs.h.i.+nes almost every other combat techniques that have existed.

"Alright, I believe that it's time to enter the grand finale!!" Julian was yelled excitedly to entice the crowd to feel the same while eyeing the Mathew and the mercenaries who were backed off exhaustingly at a near corner. He then a.s.sumed his rapier stance and prepared a unique skill of his that came from the Kallistus swordplay. "I believe that you fine young men will get to witness my u003cMirage Executionu003e."

With his skill activating, a blue aura suddenly engulfed his body as he quickly charged in. His whole body turned into an apparition of a sharp blade pointing towards his enemies, a deadly sight for them to witness no doubt. At this point, Julian indeed became one with his sword, das.h.i.+ng straight with a flash speed and instantly knocking Matthew and the mercenaries down.

With his adversaries all down to the ground and injured, Julian grinned in triumphant at his efforts and masterfully handled his rapier in a spinning motion in putting it back to its scabbard on his hip. 

Fortunately for Matthew and the mercenaries, they will all live, since Julian did go easy. If the Bard truly wanted them dead, then he would not waste his time in the elegant display that he has marveled for the crowd to witness. It's simply not worth the trouble, and he did owe Matthew's mother, Melody, for comforting him ever since he was saddened by Finnegan's imprisonment. Besides, it would be fun to see the disgruntled look on their faces right after their utter defeat.

[+1 GOOD], [+2 CHAOS]

While the crowd wanted to cheer for the Bard's spectacular triumph, they were aware that Mathew and his mercenaries needed some medical aid. Sure, Matthew was the one who started the fight, but they can't exactly blame him for his grievance towards Julian. Thankfully, the tavern-keeper was quick in his actions, and during the bout, he was able to call the local guard authorities to handle things from here. Knowing Julian and his connections to the University and the Kallistus family, he will only be receiving some light reprimanding from the guard captain herself. In this case, Julian was legally not at fault and won't be in deep trouble this time around. 

After Matthew and his goons were all brought out by the guards to treat their injuries, the cat-folk tavern-keeper could only sigh deeply at the fiasco that was occurred in his establishment. Although he has seen the broken tables and chairs in his vicinity, the cat-folk simply dismissed his annoyance regarding the matter since Julian usually paid his debts back thanks to the wealth of his family. Overall, things turn out to be still okay.

"This is getting old, Julian." The cat-folk frowned as he approached the Bard, someone whose actually an everyday patron at his tavern. "Aren't you bored of people wanting to slice your throat open every single day?"

"Meh, they should be the one getting bored instead." Julian replied with a smirk. "They do know about my prowess in the art of grand swordplay. Their futile attempts at apprehending me is always a delightful entertainment."

"Your perversion will one day be the death of you." The cat-folk shook his head. 

"And if that happens, the ladies will weep sorrowfully on my grave." Julian retained his cheerful demeanor. "Let everyone know the Legend of Julian and his exploits throughout Silverhart!! Flocaster is merely a stepping stone, the beginning of my ill.u.s.trious adventure!!"

While Julian was in his fantasy of being in a majestic tour throughout every place of Silverhart, he was suddenly approached by a certain elf together with his three companions, each of them unique on their own.

***

u003cAround a minute ago.u003e

"That was… amazing!!" Gray was definitely in awe at the combat display that was performed by Julian. He then asked Isamu regarding this outstanding event. "Based on his stats and the way he moves, I can a.s.sume that he's a Rogue. What cla.s.s is he, exactly?"

"With quick swordsmans.h.i.+p and flashy movements, he must be a u003cDuelistu003e, I believe." Isamu answered with the same reaction as Gray. "I've had the pleasure of sparring some of them at the Guild, but none had ever shown such exceptional talent compared to him."

"He sure is splendid, that I can say." Lily smiled as she made her comments about the Bard. "Not to mention, he's also quite handsome and clearly skilled with the blade. Although I did hear him mentioning that he slept with his foe's mother."

'Hmm, his fighting style, I too favored quick movements and strikes with the use of my u003cBane's Embodimentu003e.' Selena voiced out her view in a telepathic manner, a.n.a.lyzing the Bard with meticulous eyes. 'If I were to fight him without magic, no doubt I'll be completely defeated. And even with magic, I'm still not confident with my chances.'

While the gang kept on eyeing at the Bard, who was in a conversation with the cat-folk tavern-keeper, they all heard some murmurs coming from the crowd.

"That was spectacular!! He always never fail to impress us with such dignified combat style."

"Despite his infamy towards women, one can't deny the magnificence of the Kallistus swordplay!!"

"Julian Kallistus, he's definitely a prodigy in both swordsmans.h.i.+p and the Bardic arts."

Upon hearing the Bard's name, the gang turned to look at each other in consultation.

"So, that's Julian." Gray nodded as he turned his attention back to the Bard. "Heh, no wonder Steph seemed to be all over the man when she talked about it during our dinner. He's practically everything that most women would find appealing."

With the new information in mind, the gang proceeded to approach the Bard, Julian, to fulfill their task from the Lady of delivering the letter on her behalf.