Once Lam and Lily were ready, they joined Mane, Vital Orange and Black Hand in journeying to Asher City's Enchanted Forest. They informed Tucker that they were going out and would be back soon, and left the Thrasher at the mansion. Soon they reached the periphery of the Enchanted Forest. The perimeter of the Enchanted Forest was littered with guards evenly spaced to limit entry into the Enchanted Forest. Once they were close enough, Vital Orange and Black Hand walked ahead of the group and shared some words with the guards. The wary guards let down their guards once they learnt of the identity of the group. They nodded their heads at Vital Orange and Black Hand, before opening a path to the Enchanted Forest so that Mane and the twins would be able to go in.
"Since you don't need our protection we won't be going in with you," Vital Orange walked back to the group and said. He had a small smile on his face as he spoke. Mane had already proven that he was more than enough to protect the twins, so they didn't need to go in with him to protect him. Besides, they could tell that Mane wasn't keen on going in with them.
"Thank you for all your help," Mane was grateful for the efforts of Vital Orange and Black Hand in helping him gain access to the Enchanted Forest. Predators weren't that free, and for Black Hand and Vital Orange to leave everything just to escort them wasn't a favor Mane would take lightly. Although Mane was also a Predator now, that didn't mean that Black Hand or Vital Orange was obliged to help him. Also, it would have been difficult for Mane to sneak into the place since his abilities as a Spiritualist were blocked without the presence of Chaos. Add the twins to it, and it was impossible for even Mane to do so. And this was because Mane could feel that there were a few Thrashers guarding the place, and there was even a Predator hidden nearby!
"It's no problem at all," Vital Orange replied with a small laugh whilst Black Hand just stood silently next to him.
"We were able to get you about 2 hours' worth of time. I hope that is good enough?" Vital Orange asked.
"It is more than enough. Thank you again." Mane nodded his head and replied.
"Then we'd leave you to your task. We still have some things to take care of so we won't be here when you come out." Vital Orange gave Mane a shoulder pat and stated.
"Alright. Thanks again." Mane wasn't expecting Vital Orange and Black Hand to wait for two hours whilst he and the twins went training, so he wasn't surprised by their words. After all, it wasn't like they had nothing to do.
Mane and the twins waited for Vital Orange and Black Hand to leave as a sign of respect and then walked towards the Enchanted Forest. The guards Vital Orange and Black Hand had spoken to had curious expressions on their faces as Mane and the twins approached them. Mane had three swords on him. Two light swords were strapped vertically along his back, and a heavy sword was strapped horizontally across his belt on his waist. But the twins didn't carry any weapons with them. The guards were curious about the three who had Vital Orange, a Tiger, come and make a request for them. As for Black Hand, few people knew that he was actually a Predator and the guards weren't part of that exclusive group.
"Thank you for allowing us to use your Enchanted Forest," Mane expressed his thanks to the guards for their help. Although they had only been given permission to use the place because of Vital Orange and Black Hand making the request for them, Mane knew that it was prudent to offer his thanks.
"It's no problem at all. Remember, you only have two hours. You should return before time is up. Be careful when you go inside. I would recommend that you stick to the Outer region and avoid the Inner Regions." The guards nodded their heads and advised Mane and the twins. The Inner Regions were filled with High and Mythic Class Magical Beasts, so they thought it prudent to offer the young trio some advice. Although Mane looked well-armed, the two guards couldn't feel any power from him and thought it best to offer Mane and the twins some advice. After all, with how young they looked, it would be a miracle if they were even Animal Hunters. If it wasn't because of the fact that Mane and the twins had arrived with Vital Orange and Black Hand, they would have been ignored.
"Thank you very much. We will heed your words." Mane nodded his head and proceeded to enter with the twins.
"It's funny that such weaklings are advising you," Hildegarde snickered from atop Mane's shoulder. Mane could only smile bitterly at her words. Then he ignored her and started observing the twins. Both Lam and Lily were slightly anxious, which was to be expected since this was their first time entering an Enchanted Forest. But underneath their anxiety and fear were hints of expectation and excitement. Lam especially was very excited. After all, this was something he had wanted for a very long time.
"We'd go straight to the Inner Region," Mane announced. Lam and Lily nodded their heads; their palms a bit sweaty. Mane didn't try to comfort them. After all, what could he possibly say to them? It was their first time and there was nothing he was going to say that would make them feel any better. He could engage them in lively conversation to take their minds away from it, but that wouldn't help. He needed them to understand how dangerous the Enchanted Forest was. So he wasn't willing to make the atmosphere lighter and cheerier.
Soon they came across their first Magical Beast. It was a Low Class Magical Beast called Furry Rabbit. It was a cute creature, and Lily's eyes sparkled once she saw it. She subconsciously tried to approach the beast, but Mane stopped her. Although she gave off an aura that was calming and soothing, it wasn't safe for Lily to approach the little creature. Unlike Red Maned Horses which could be tamed, many Magical Beasts like the Furry Rabbit were naturally violent.
"Don't think it is harmless because it's cute. Everything in an Enchanted Forest can kill you." Mane advised as he bent down to pick up a stone. Lam nodded his head, agreeing with his friend. He had read much about Magical Beasts and knew about this harmless looking creature. Although it looked cute and innocent, it was actually very sly. It used its looks to get closer to humans and then once they let their guards down it would strike. It had powerful hind limbs that could smash the head of a human into paste with a stomp and it wasn't shy of using them. The furry rabbit looked at the group of three curiously, yet they didn't get closer to it. Its eyes shined ominously as it opened its mouth to reveal its sharp teeth and then it leaped towards the three. Mane simply flung the pebble he was holding at it.
*Poof*
The airborne creature plummeted to the ground with a small hole in its head. It didn't even have the chance to scream before it was killed.
"To Magical Beasts, humans are nothing but food. If you don't hunt them, they would hunt you." Mane stated and walked past the carcass of the Furry Rabbit. He didn't even spare its corpse another glance.
"Are you okay?" Mane asked seeing the pale faces of the twins.
"Yeah. We'd be okay." Lam replied and lightly tapped his sister's shoulder.
"Let's go on then."