Leo talked to the Battle Hall Master once they got to the college, he was a canine beastman with scars all over. He changed his name to Clash upon settling in Lankani City and soon took over Battle Hall position being in his second Shattering.
The Battle Hall Master was direct but friendly. He was glad to finally to have met Leo after hearing about him from Shadow during her visits. Shadow and Clash talked for a second or two until the Cultivation Hall Master walked over.
This man was a winged human clad in silver and red armor. His name was Gladier and was the proudest warrior. He only left the Angel Corps because he was asked to by Paziel to teach at the college and be on the lookout for talented humans. The thing that detested Gladier was he had to give lectures and tips to the other races.
"Cultivation Hall Master," Leo said reaching out his hand to shake.
Gladier gave Leo a once over. This was the most famous human in Lankani City, Gladier thought to himself. Gladier folded his hands behind his back and said, "Pleasure to meet you, Beast Master." Since Leo used his title he returned the favor.
Seeing the look Shadow received, she didn't bother introducing herself. Gladier gave an even nastier look towards Clash. With Gladier being an Avatar warrior he always looked down upon the beastman.
Aarav looked on a little surprised. All of his interactions with Gladier had been pleasant.
"Gladier, the two of them are here to help us with the tournament."
"That's unnecessary. We have enough manpower." Gladier said to Aarav.
"It won't hurt having a few more warriors that the council and the college trust."
Seeing Aarav being so adamant about it, Gladier didn't push the issue. "Fine, so be it." Gladier turned away and said, "fine, that will give me more time to train my direct disciple."
Gladier took a few steps and spread his wings. His grey feather wings expanded and he flew away.
"He's a treasure," Leo said turning and smiling at Aarav.
Aarav just shrugged his shoulders. As long as no one conducts evil deeds then they are welcomed into Lankani City. For the most part, Gladier trained the students well.
"You should let Pedro compete if he comes with an emissary of Machu Pichu, he should get here in time."
"He is not apart of the school."
Aarav gave Leo a smirk and said, "he can transfer in when he arrives."
"Were you planning this?"
"I figured if he was here you might stay too."
"You know you're a manipulator, right?"
Aarav shrugged his shoulders and just smiled. Shadow watching all of this couldn't help but chuckle watching Aarav intrap Leo. Shadow then finally spoke up.
"Could Isabella also join? I think it would be good for her to have more peers than just Pedro."
"We would have to ask her mother, but I don't see a problem if Pedro also comes," Leo responded seeing his two good friends team up against him.
Seeing Leo give in, Aarav just nodded his head with satisfaction. "So, before the tournament starts the instructors will hold exhibition matches."
Hearing Aarav say what he wanted to hear, Clash chimed in. "Shadow, I wish to challenge you in front of everyone."
The three of them were caught off guard, but Shadow said, "Fine, I wish to fight you too."
"Leo, you will face off against 1st Shattering opponent. Are you ok with that?"
Leo was a full level lower than the opponent, but he wouldn't concede. "That is fine. I will try to put up a good show."
"Fair warning. She is the Lecture Hall Master and a mermanian. She used to be the queen of a mermanian base until she the Renegades stole a ship from her."
Leo's eyes opened really wide. This was the same woman that Hiro fought on their first mission together. As soon as Leo started thinking about his old teammates he frowned. "Lucy..."
"Just a heads up. I told her you apart of that team."
"What? Why would you do that? She might actually try to kill me." Leo retorted.
Aarav and Shadow busted out laughing.
"This is no laughing matter."
"Oh, Mr. Beastmaster scared to face the mermanian?" Aarav jested.
The two laughed as Leo stood there with a worried look. Shadow cleared her throat and said, "I'll send a message to see if Pedro and Isabella can accompany whoever they send." After saying that Shadow disappeared.
Aarav walked over and placed his hand on Leo's shoulder. "Hey, come with me and have a drink. I have this special wine they make here in Lankani City."
Leo relented and followed Aarav to this restaurant named Mermaid's Tale. A mermanian named it after learning about mermaids on this planet. Once, the two men walked in, Aarav waved over a waitress and said, "Please show us to the VIP suite upstairs and bring the bottle the owner holding on for me."
The beautiful mermanian woman smiled and said, "Please follow me, Council Member." She kept her head down and brought them to a room upstairs with a window and mats on the floor to sit. A small table was in the middle with cups and silverware on it. The waitress left for a few minutes and brought back a green bottle and placed it on the table.
"Thank you, that will be all."
"Let us know if you need anything else." She walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.
Aarav poured them a drink a piece and hand Leo a glass. He then lifted his glass up and said, "I know we had our differences with the Renegades, but this drink is to all the men who lost their lives."
"To the Renegades," Leo said clinking his glass to Aarav's.
The two of them caught up and talked about old times. They even shared cultivation tips and experiences they each had run into. Aarav incorporated a lot of techniques he had learned from the mermanians in Lankani City and his control over the element of water far surpassed those at his level.
As the moon drifted into the black of night, Leo and Aarav stared at it out the window. "It's about time for me to head back home. I have work in the morning."
"Must be rough being a council member," Leo said with a laugh.
"Keep this up and I'll have them reinstate you."
Leo quit laughing quickly and shook his hand and head. "No need to do that."
The two men started to laugh. They bid each other goodnight and headed to each other's respective house. Right before Leo walked into his old home, he looked up into the sky and thought of Lucy.