"I hope you understand why we are doing this." Vital Orange stood quite a distance away from Mane and softly spoke to him. The two were standing on a field within the mansion used for training.
Vital Orange was topless, wearing only his shorts and his combat boots. His ripped physique was exposed to everyone, and anyone who saw him in this state could already feel the power contained within those muscles. In contrast to Vital Orange's battle hardened physique, Mane looked like a noble going out for a stroll. He wore loose clothes and had a small smile on his face even though he was about to battle. He was barefoot but wasn't truly exposed. His arms, legs and feet were completely wrapped up in black bandages, and two swords were strapped to his back – one heavy sword and one light sword – making it difficult for one to analyse what exactly his fighting style was.
"I do. You said you wanted to understand my level of strength." Mane nodded his head and replied. He didn't look too concerned by the fact that he had to fight someone. He was very calm, and wasn't bothered in the slightest.
Hildegarde was seated on Mane's shoulder as usual. She, just like Mane, had a relaxed look on her face. She didn't try to fly off or anything. This was simply because she felt that Vital Orange wasn't Mane's match. And this was due to the changes Mane had gone through when he achieved Enlightenment. Mane's period of Enlightenment caused his inner and outer energy to merge into one and break into the 3rd Stage of the Profound Realm. This pushed his true fighting ability into the early stages of the Earth Realm! So even though Mane was a 3rd Stage Profound Realmer, he had the strength to battle against the average 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th Stage Earth Realmer. Although he couldn't battle anyone beyond the 5th Stage of the Earth Realm, this state was only temporary. When Mane was on Zandor, his fighting ability was an entire realm above his energy level. So this boost in battle prowess that the merging of outer and inner energy had given him was nothing amazing to Mane. To him, it was just like regaining his former fighting ability. But it was only temporary. Once Mane's Soul-Body Integration reached 90% or above, he would regain his actual fighting ability, and then not only would he be able to able to fight those a realm above him, he may very well be able to fight those two realms above him!
There were a few more people standing with Mane on the training field, but these people stood on the sidelines. These people were Lam, Lily, Ivor, Tucker, Orange Ivy and Black Hand. Lily and Lam were slightly worried as they gaze unblinkingly at Mane's silhouette whereas Tucker was actually excited to see how strong his new employer was. As for Ivor, it was hard to tell what he was thinking since he had his signature smile on his face. Orange Ivy and Black Hand weren't eager to watch the match though. To them, Vital Orange was going to win easily. Although it was impressive that the kid was a Predator at the young age of 15, Vital Orange was a Tiger, and his strength exceeded that of ordinary Predators by a large margin.
"The kid isn't taking this seriously," Orange Ivy wrinkled her lovely brows and stated. Black Hand was right next to her, and he was the one she was speaking to. Both of them looked at Mane's laid back expression and disapproved of his attitude going into the practice match. It might only be a practice match, but their Captain was clearly taking this seriously. The only thing missing from Vital Orange's preparation was his huge axe which was discarded elegantly onto the ground right next to him. But Mane didn't look like he had any intention of taking this fight seriously.
"He may be a genius, but he's too arrogant," Black Hand shook his head with a dissatisfied look on his face.
"Is that what you think?" Ivor suddenly appeared between the two Orange Team members and asked. His sudden appearance startled the two; and it was especially so for Black Hand. Black Hand was an assassin, yet even he didn't sense Ivor when he approached. If it wasn't for the fact that Ivor said a few words, he wouldn't have realised that the big man was no longer at his initial position!
"He could kill us easily," Black Hand realised the fearsomeness of the one known as Ivor the Tattler. He finally understood why this man was so feared in all the land. For even he, a Predator, felt helpless before Ivor's might.
"Watch. You would understand in a bit why he looks so relaxed." Ivor smiled and said.
"When was the last time you checked your status?" Hildegarde asked Mane. "It's been a while actually," Mane smiled wryly and replied. He had been so focused on Edict and True Eyes that he forgot he had this ability as well. He wondered if he had missed any Daily Quests since he hadn't checked them in a while.
"Status"
Name: Mane
Age: 15
Current Setting: Healthy
*Energy Level: Profound Realm Stage 3
Test Difficulty: Chaos
Testing Ground: Chaotic Era
Daily Quest: Go to Asher City [Completed]
Tomorrow's Daily Quest: [Not Applicable]
Goal: End Goal – Become Chaos
Completion Rate: 7.25
Skills: Speedy Chaos [Active skill] – You have caused chaos after only one month of entering the testing grounds. You run towards chaos, and it runs towards you. Run Wild Supreme. Be Chaos! {Permanent increase in Agility stats by 1.5. Additional 10% increase in speed when activated}.
*Devour: You have been blessed by the powerful Selfish Titan King with the ability Devour. You can now devour Edict unscrupulously from the living and the dead; from elements and from nature.
Soul-Body Integration: 57%
"There are some changes," Mane remarked seeing his new Status window. The physical attributes weren't there any longer. It was only his Energy Level that had been mentioned, and it was the replacement for his physical attributes. Mane could understand this. Since his Inner and Outer Energy had been merged, there was no need to classify his physical attributes as an entirely different subject. And that was why it was his Energy Level that was displayed instead. He also noticed that his Soul-Body Integration had increased by a whole lot. It went from 40% to 57%! This was no doubt a benefit of Enlightenment.
"You may have to re-evaluate your combat prowess," Hildegarde smirked and remarked. Mane nodded with a bitter smile on his face. He assumed that his strength allowed him to take on Early and Middle Stage Earth Realmer up to the 5th Stage, but he may be wrong. Since his Soul-Body Integration had increased, it was highly likely that he was stronger than what he had initially assumed. Maybe now he could very well take on 6th Stage Earth Realmers as well! But it would be difficult to test that out since no warrior on this planet had reached the Earth Realm. People like Ivor and Dan had skipped right over that great chasm and jumped directly into the Heaven Realm. But Mane could never be sure since he hadn't met a lot of people yet. There were likely people who had reached the Earth Realm; he just hadn't met them yet.
"Are you okay?" Vital Orange asked seeing that Mane was nodding his head and opening his mouth. His words woke Mane up and he blushed slightly. He had forgotten where he was and ended up making a fool of himself.
"Pardon my lack of decorum," Mane apologized. Then he looked at Vital Orange and mumbled, "Status"
Name: Vital Orange
Age: 49
Physical Attributes – Strength: 7.9
Agility: 6.5
Stamina: 7.1
Path: Strength New Type
Mane was disappointed with what he saw. Vital Orange was strong, but he was too slow. Even before Mane's breakthrough into the Profound Realm, his speed was greater than Vital Orange's. And Mane didn't doubt that he was stronger as well. To him, this fight had very little meaning.
"If you are ready, then prepare yourself," Vital Orange kindly reminded Mane. He still couldn't sense Mane's aura and was giving Mane the chance to condition himself before the fight.
"I'm already ready" Mane smiled. His words caused Vital Orange to frown as he felt that Mane wasn't taking him seriously.
"In that case I won't be polite," Vital Orange nodded his head and rushed towards Mane.
"Fast."
The twins, Tucker, and Orange Ivy couldn't see his movements. To them it was like tracking a fly's movements. One second it was there, and by the next it had disappeared. However, Black Hand was able to track Vital Orange's movements. As an assassin, speed was his strongest factor, so Vital Orange wasn't that fast to him. As for Ivor, it went without saying that he was so strong that Vital Orange looked sluggish to him.
"He is full of openings," Mane smiled and moved slightly to the side to avoid Vital Orange's blow. Then he struck the wide open Vital Orange three times in quick succession. He only used his palm, and struck only his shoulders.
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
Vital Orange's figure rolled on the ground a few times. He looked pathetic, his formerly majestic aura doused in defeat. He was completely covered in dust, and his eyes were filled with shock and shame.
"How is that possible?!" Orange Ivy exclaimed, unable to believe what she had just witnessed. How did her captain lose, and so miserably at that?
"This kid…" Black Hand was stunned, unable to believe what had happened.
Ivor smiled and patted the two on their shoulders. "You see, it wasn't that he wasn't taking the fight seriously, but your captain didn't have the qualifications to make him take the fight seriously. To Mane this wasn't a fight"
"It was a thrashing"