"That was refreshing," Mane sighed pleasantly once he was out of the bath house.
"Mane?" A voice filled with surprise exclaimed as Mane walked towards his room.
"Lily?" Mane was just as surprised to see Lily as Lily was surprised to see him. But they were surprised for different reasons.
Mane was surprised to see Lily because this was his home. Since he arrived in this world several weeks ago, he had never had any guests, and Dan never had any guests either. So it was surprising to see someone here waiting for him.
But Lily was surprised for another reason. The bath house wasn't Mane's private bath. It was shared by both Mane and Dan. After all, since Dan lived alone there was no need for him to have a house with multiple baths. The issue was the location of this bath house. The bath house was outside the main house and Mane had to pass right in front of the main house, through the compound before he could get to his room. And since Lily was waiting outside his room, he had to pass right by her to get back into his room. The issue was how Mane was dressed.
Due to the fact that he went to take his bath, Mane was very scantily dressed. He did go to the bath house fully clothed, but he didn't return that way. Back in the real universe, Mane had his own bathroom. His bathroom was right within his room, and he never needed to get out to take a bath. And since he was very young, he was used to leaving the bathroom with only his towel wrapped around his waist, and a smaller towel wrapped around his head to dry his hair if he did clean his hair that day. And he was 'dressed' the same way now. Only he was taller and more masculine than he was in the real universe. And he wasn't fully dry.
"What are you doing here?" Mane asked seeing that Lily was silent. He didn't realize that he was the reason for the young girl's lost expression and blushing face.
"Lily?" Mane tapped her covered shoulder to call her back into the real world.
"Ah yes!" Lily jumped up slightly with an embarrassed expression.
"I was asking what you were doing here," Mane reminded her.
"Oh yes. Well Sir Dan came over and said you fought against your first Magical Beast today. I came to see how you were." Lily announced the reason for her visit as she scrutinized Mane's exposed upper body with the eye of a doctor examining her patient. Once she announced the reason for her visit she forgot about her initial embarrassment and started to check Mane's body for injuries.
"Oh I'm fine. It wasn't a threatening situation." Mane reassured Lily seeing her worried expression. Her concern made him feel warm. She was truly a kind person.
"That's good to know," Lily smiled in relief hearing Mane's reply. But she still checked Mane's body for injuries before letting him go.
"I'm also here by the way," a person whom Mane had ignored suddenly stated.
"Oh Lam! What are you doing here?" Mane turned to the corner and saw the figure of Lily's twin brother leaning against the wall. The young teen had a wry smile on his face from being ignored by his friend and his sister.
"I came for the same reason Lily did," Lam stated. Mane smiled apologetically upon seeing Lam's expression and hearing his words. He was so deeply in thought about Edict that he didn't even sense the presence of others near his room. As a scholar he should be ashamed of this. He couldn't help but wonder what would have happened to him if it wasn't the twins that had come for him, but assassins instead. With how lax he had been, he would have surely been taken by surprise and would have been injured badly, if not maimed or killed.
"Have any plans today?" Mane asked. Dan was an early hunter, so he and Mane had gone out really early to hunt. Since they had left so early, and returned quickly, it was still morning. The day had barely began for some people, so Mane was wondering if Lam and Lily had any plans. He was planning to relax today. After all he had gained a lot, and he was eager for a break.
"Nothing really," Lam shrugged and said. "Weren't you planning on going to the village square?" Lily suddenly asked her brother.
"Oh yes!" Lam nodded his head quickly and replied.
"Why were you going to the village square? What's happening there?" Mane asked curiously. When he first met Lam and Lily, they showed him around the village. The village square was right next to the village centre. It was filled with blacksmiths and traders who dealt in Magical Beast remains and weapons obtained from larger cities. There were also people who sold information and could get you information on whatever you were curious about for the right price.
"It's said that Asher City is hosting the final phase of its grand tournament in 2 weeks' time. I wanted to find out who was competing." Lam responded with an excited gleam in his eyes. His expression stunned Mane a bit. The boy was used to seeing the gentle Lam, so seeing Lam looking so excited because of a competition was a bit surprising. Then again, this wasn't the strangest thing that happened to him today.
"Is Asher City a great place?" Mane asked with a puzzled expression.
"Yes! It is a First Class City with 20 Predators and several Thrashers. It can definitely hold its own against even Mythic Class led Overflows." Lam stated excitedly and Mane had a bitter expression on his face.
Since the day he had learned of the history of the village from the donkey's own mouth (Old Fan), he understood just how powerful the village was a few decades ago. But now this village that used to boast of over 20 Predators, which included 15 Tigers, was reduced to nothing. Well, with Dan protecting the village it didn't matter if 50 Predators attacked them, they would still be fine. But it was still a shame that their glorious era had come to an end.
Now only Village Head Samoa was a Predator, the rest were mob characters. Even the Hands of Samoa who were the best in the village beside the hidden dragons like Old Fan and Dan, and Village Head Samoa, were nothing but peak level Thrashers. It was a pity indeed.
"In those days we wouldn't have been so excited about the competitions they hold, but times have changed," Lam's expression was clouded a bit when he spoke this sentence. He also knew about the golden generation, and was saddened by its end. Especially when he was reminded that his father who was now dead was part of this bright generation. But there was nothing he could do to change the past. All one could do was focus on the future. A future which was full of possibilities.
"So, what is this competition like?" Mane asked as he sought to get Lam's mind away from the painful past which none of them had been alive to see. Luckily, Lam didn't dwell on the issue and answered his question.
"Well, it's a competition that is held annually. And it goes on for months. Asher City serves as the host, and several other First Class Cities join in on the fun. There are about 8 First Class Cities involved, with Asher City serving as the host. Each City presents 4 teams, with each team led by a Predator and three other team members who are usually peak level Thrashers. The teams are mixed up and randomly placed into 8 groups: Group A to Group H; with four teams being in each group."
"The groups are pitted against each other in each group, and with each win comes the gaining of points. The first two months are filled with these group matches, and after the two months are over, the top two teams from each group are chosen to enter what is referred to as a knock-out phase. This time, once you lose, you are out. The knock-out phase lasts about two months as well, until finally only two teams are left. These two teams would battle in the final to crown the victor."
"Sounds exciting," Mane's eyes gleamed at the prospect of fighting several strong opponents on a grand stage. His battle lust grew exponentially, and a cruel light flashed in his eyes as he thought about fighting against powerful opponents, people who would actually bring him some improvement.
"Unfortunately outsiders cannot take part in the competition," Lam shook his head when he saw Mane's flashing eyes. He knew just what Mane was thinking, so he thought it wise to let his friend know that what he wanted was never going to happen.
"Oh I got that from your explanation," Mane said. "So which stage have they gotten to now?" Mane asked.
"Oh they're in the knock-out phases right now. They are actually left with only 4 teams." Lam answered.
"Okay let me get dressed, then we can go together," Mane said and dashed into his room to change. He had been wearing only his towel all this while. Lily was just looking at the two boys as they spoke about sports. She had no idea why they were so eager to see people beating up each other, but she didn't care. All she knew was that they were at least going to spend some time together, and that left her pleased.