Tucker was amazed by what he just saw. He knew that his new employer was a genius given that he was able to become a Predator at such a young age, but he didn't expect him to be so tyrannical. One had to remember that Tucker used to serve the House of Sir Oswald who was a Predator, so Tucker understood the gap between a Predator and Tigers who stood at the peak of Predators (since Lions had long disappeared from this world). He knew that his former master wasn't a match for Vital Orange a year ago when Vital Orange was still a Predator at the level of a Tiger Cub. Now that Vital Orange was a fully grown Tiger, Tucker knew that his master wouldn't be a match at all. Yet Mane had made short work of such a powerful figure. He was tongue-tied!
Lam's eyes shone brightly. And if one were to look into his eyes they would see a myriad of emotions swirling within them. He didn't have great understanding of the strengths of Predators because he wasn't a strong warrior yet. But he had seen Vital Orange's fight against Blue King and was awed by the strength of the two. Yet Mane had easily dealt with this man who had fought and injured a Predator. He couldn't help but remember what Mane told him two days ago when only he and his friend were left seated next to the bonfire.
"When we get to Asher City we would ask to access their Enchanted Forest."
"What for?"
"To find a suitable beast for you. I have a few special abilities that would allow me to impart the strength of a powerful beast to you. After that, all that would be left is to teach you how to wield that power and fight best with it. And how to nurture that power so you can keep getting stronger. You are intelligent, so it wouldn't be difficult for you to comprehend. All I need is for you to keep this to yourself. You cannot tell Ivor about it."
"Can I tell my Grandfather?"
"Of course. He is your family. Besides, I would do the same thing for Lily so there is no way Elder Fan wouldn't notice. Ivor would notice as well, but please keep me out of your explanations."
"Okay. But can I ask you a question Mane?"
"Sure. We are friends."
"Good. Who are you really?"
"I could ask you the same thing. But to answer your question, where I come from is too far from this place. Over there, people like me are called wielders. And after your power infusion, you would become a wielder too."
Seeing Mane's strength, and recalling their conversation, Lam was filled with a great sense of expectation and excitement. He couldn't wait to possess power like this.
Lily was also surprised by what she saw, but unlike Lam who understood a bit about the strength of a Tiger, she knew nothing. So she didn't understand how ridiculous Mane's actions were. However, she wasn't daft. She was also very intelligent and understood from everyone's reaction that Mane had done something quite extraordinary.
The eyes of Orange Ivy and Black Hand were filled with loss. Their powerful captain had been defeated by a 15 year old kid? And not only had he been defeated, he was defeated easily! They all thought that Mane was being too arrogant by not taking the fight seriously, but they were wrong. It was just like Ivor said. Mane didn't take the fight seriously because Vital Orange wasn't strong enough to push Mane to his limits. Mane didn't think it necessary to be in peak condition because his opponent was too weak to force him into such a condition!
"Is this what one calls the helplessness of the common people?" Black Hand thought bitterly. He was a Predator, and the few who knew of his real strength respected him and referred to him as a genius. For it wasn't easy for one to become a Predator. Apart from talent, luck and a huge amount of good fortune was required to break into the level of Predators. He didn't have the greatest of talents, but he was lucky and very fortunate. Fate smiled down on him, and he had been able to become a Predator when many others more talented than him were stuck at the peak of the Thrasher Level. Whenever he had been called to action, those who witnessed his strength would sigh and say that he left them helpless like they were common people. He had heard that phrase so many times, but never in his wildest dreams did he think that this phrase would one day resonate so deeply with him.
He looked at Mane with a slightly lost expression. The young man didn't look impressed by what he did at all. His face still had that small smile, but Black Hand could tell from Mane's cold eyes that he wasn't concerned by what happened in any way. The boy's vision was beyond them. It looked like he was looking at them, but Black Hand didn't feel the piercing gaze of a warrior tearing him apart. He couldn't feel anything at all. He understood that Mane wasn't watching him. He was focused on…
Ivor!
Looking at Ivor who also had his trademark smile on his face, Black Hand was able to understand something.
"They aren't friends"
That was what Black Hand saw when he looked at the two men who were looking at each other. They weren't enemies either. But Black Hand could tell that they were closer to being enemies than they were to being friends. And he could sense that the reason for their volatile relationship was the pair of siblings who stood right next to Ivor.
From the brief introductions they shared, Black Hand knew that the two were twins. And although they weren't identical twins, they shared some features. They were both very good looking. Black Hand had been to many cities and towns. He had seen all sorts of people and met several pretty boys and beautiful women. But even he had to admit that this pair of siblings stood at the top when it came to looks. The boy was handsome with a pair of bright and intelligent eyes, and the girl was so beautiful that everything around her seemed to be an illusion. Her eyes were brighter than her brother's, and although there was a hint of naivety in them, the innocence of her green eyes seemed to blend perfectly with nature. She carried a different sort of charm from her brother. Her brother gave off the feeling of one who could absorb anything like a sponge. He was someone who could easily adapt to circumstances and use his intelligence to make up for his shortcomings. She was different. She possessed a different sort of intelligence – the innovative kind that sort to make the things around her adapt to her instead of her adapting to them. But that wasn't the most fascinating thing about them.
There was this air of majesty that they gave off that was far superior to what he felt from even the City Lords of First Class Cities! That shook him to his very core! Yet this aura was subtle, and only those with really keen perception would be able to sense it. And this was the major difference between them and Mane – apart from their strengths of course. Just like the twins, Black Hand had to admit that Mane was also very good looking. The boy was good looking enough to be placed on the same pedestal as the twins, yet that wasn't enough to draw the attention of anyone. Strength was more important than looks, and in this world a good looking person without strength was bound to be the plaything of the rich and powerful. But Mane didn't seem to have this problem. However, Mane was very different from the twins. Unlike the twins who had a subtle aura of nobility, which suggested that their origins were unusual, Mane's aura was unhidden. The aura of the twins was subtle because even they didn't understand their origins. But Mane's aura was full of pride and power, a clear sign that he knew who he was, and was proud of it!
"Cough. Cough." Vital Orange picked himself up from the ground and coughed pitifully. It was only then that Orange Ivy and Black Hand returned their attention to their leader.
"Captain!" Orange Ivy and Black Hand rushed to Vital Orange and tried to help him up.
"I'm fine," Vital Orange rejected their help and stood up on his own. He stretched a few times and said, "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything," Mane shook his head with a smile.
"Are you a Control Type?" Vital Orange asked.
"No," Mane smiled.
"Then how did you avoid my vitals?" Vital Orange asked, but all he received was a helpless shrug from Mane.
"So how was it?" Mane asked.
"You are much stronger than me," Vital Orange admitted.
"But you still don't know how strong I am. Wasn't that the reason for the test?" Mane smiled and shook his head.
"What are you saying?" Vital Orange knew that Mane must have something to add, and that was why he was saying all this.
"Why don't you all come – the entire Orange Team? Why don't you attack together?"