Before leaving Asgard's treasure vault, Ronan took a reluctant glance back.
"Don't worry, my precious little ones. You wait here for a bit; I'll be back to pick you up soon!
You're all my little treasures~"
Then, Ronan was mercilessly kicked out of the vault by the guards.
Ronan couldn't help but glare at the soldiers.
When Ragnarok comes, I'll make sure to capture you and bring you to Earth to guard my treasure vault!
Such dedication to your job—I'll give you a thumbs up for that.
On the way back, Thor kept insisting on throwing Ronan a grand welcome party.
The kind of party Ronan had seen earlier wasn't even in the same league as what Thor was talking about.
Rumor had it that the best dancers in all of Asgard were already waiting for Ronan's call.
Hearing Thor's suggestion, Ronan repeatedly refused.
He claimed he was still a kid, and such things were too adult for him—he wasn't ready for that.
Unfortunately...
Yes, unfortunately, Ronan couldn't win against Thor. After some light coercion, Ronan was forced to agree to attend the party.
Thor had even brought up the friendship between Kamar-Taj and Asgard!
What choice did Ronan have?
Yes, Ronan had no choice at all.
For the sake of Kamar-Taj, he could only sacrifice himself.
When they returned to the hall, Ronan realized that the Ancient One was gone, as was Odin.
After asking one of the guards, he learned that the Ancient One had already gone back.
She left Ronan with a message:
"Enjoy your time in Asgard, just don't forget to return for school tomorrow."
Upon hearing that, Ronan was dumbfounded.
"Teacher, I don't want to play here; I just want to..."
Gurgle, gurgle-
Without thinking further, Ronan was dragged to the banquet hall by an overly excited Thor.
With Thor's enthusiastic shout, a thousand voices responded, nearly flipping all of Asgard—
Oops, I mean, nearly filling the entire banquet hall!
The Asgardians seemed completely used to this.
Before Ronan even had a chance to sit down and get a good look at the people around him, all kinds of dishes were placed in front of him.
There was roasted beast meat that Ronan had never seen before, strange fruits that resembled geoducks, and even a whole roasted lamb.
Well, how to put it?
It was mostly meat—just meat, and more meat. Even the small amount of vegetables and fruit looked like meat!
And then there was the Asgardian specialty—endless amounts of Asgardian wine.
According to Thor, these wines were brewed every year in Asgard, and the ones Ronan was drinking were aged over a hundred years.
Oh, but for Asgardians, there wasn't much difference between a hundred-year-old brew and one that was a few years old.
Looking at the massive barrels of wine stacked like mountains, Ronan couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Drinking that much would surely knock someone out, right?
He thought about making an excuse, saying he was too young to drink.
But in Asgard, there were no rules about minors drinking.
Thus, for the first time in this world, Ronan tasted alcohol—and it was alien alcohol at that.
The taste?
Well, let's just say that after drinking it, everything seemed so white and so big.
"Oh dear sister, I know you Asgardians are warm and welcoming, but don't hug me so tight—I can't breathe!"
"Oh, and you over there, sister, if we're having a drinking contest, why are you standing on a chair?"
Never mind the rest, but the wind is strong and, uh, breezy!
I'm worried you might catch a cold!
"Oh my, auntie, you should sit this one out. I'm still young and know nothing!"
"Also, what's up with you older sisters covering my eyes?"
Hmm? Blindfold drinking?
No, no, I'm still a kid! I can only drink milk!
Oh dear, what's happening? Why am I lying on two hams?
This is inappropriate!
What? My pants got soaked with wine? You're going to change them for me?
...
In terms of hospitality, Asgard claims first place, and no one dares claim second.
Ronan now truly understood what a real party meant.
Yes, in the literal sense.
It felt like he had done everything, but also nothing at all.
Regardless, he held onto his last line of defense and even managed to take advantage of the situation.
Ronan had to admire himself.
Even when drunk, he still managed to come out ahead.
He was still the same guy as before, unchanged in the slightest.
The next morning, Thor woke Ronan up, ready for another round of breakfast feasting.
"Good brother, your stamina is amazing!"
"You actually managed to drink me under the table!"
Thor enthusiastically slapped Ronan's shoulder, clearly impressed.
Thor's strength was considerable, and his slap snapped Ronan out of his drowsiness.
Ronan grimaced, rubbing his shoulder and gasping for air.
Good thing he didn't tear the seams of his newly bought clothes.
"It was alright, I guess. First time drinking, so not much experience."
"I didn't do anything crazy last night, did I?"
Ronan rubbed his shoulder and sat up on the bed.
Hmm...
He staggered and almost face-planted like a clumsy anime girl.
The hangover from last night still lingered, and standing felt like walking on clouds.
"You didn't do anything too crazy."
"Although at one point, your pants did get soaked with wine. A few sisters wanted to change them for you, but you refused."
"See for yourself."
Thor gestured to Ronan.
Ronan quickly covered himself, his face changing colors.
Young and reckless—totally normal.
Especially when it's your first time drinking. Spilling your drink is no big deal.
It's just that the location of the spill... was a bit awkward, nothing more!
Yes, nothing more!
"Forget it, I'll just change when I get home."
"So, what's for breakfast?"
Ronan steadied himself, picked up a cup nearby, and took a sip.
Blegh!
It's still wine!
"Breakfast? Nah, it's time for another feast!"
"Everything's already prepared; we're just waiting for you!"
Thor slung his arm around Ronan's shoulder, clearly having accepted him as a drinking buddy.
Especially after last night's party, he had seen Ronan's strength firsthand.
"No, no, no, no, no! I can't do this again."
Ronan shook his head wildly, fully demonstrating his training from Kamar-Taj.
His head shook like a helicopter blade.
If Thor hadn't been holding him, Ronan might have taken off.
"Today's a school day, if I don't go, I might—"
"Wait!"
"Thor, what time is it? Earth time!"
Ronan suddenly remembered something important.
"Hmm?"
"It's 7:10, why?"
Thor glanced at the ancient clock hanging on the wall.
Ronan's face froze.
7:10?
Doesn't that mean...
I'm going to be late?!