With no idea of how much time had passed, Lucas opened his eyes and realized he was lying in a different place. His body ached as if he had just undergone intense training in a gym for the first time.
The pain, though bearable, persisted as a constant discomfort, limiting his movements and leaving him momentarily confused.
— Where am I? — his voice murmured almost involuntarily as he struggled to sit up from the bed.
Looking around, Lucas noticed he was in a simple room with stone walls and a window that allowed soft sunlight to filter in.
— Am I back at the inn? — he reflected internally, his memory hazy about the events that had brought him there.
Getting up carefully, he stretched his limbs, trying to alleviate the painful sensation that coursed through his muscles. Despite his efforts, a sense of weakness persisted.
Aside from the weakness, he felt dirty, and remembering the shower at the inn, Lucas began to consider the possibility of taking a bath.
— …I don't have the key to the room, but I can lock the bathroom, so there shouldn't be any problems — he reasoned as he locked the door and turned on the shower. — If this were an anime, someone would walk in while I'm in the bath...
Lucas decided to stay alert, considering the seemingly unhelpful anime system.
— Anyway, Domingos should show up later...
While Lucas cleaned himself and his clothes, Domingos returned to the race venue and witnessed a heated argument between organizers explaining the situation to disappointed spectators and competitors.
As he approached, he saw the Incêndio Family girl confronting someone who seemed to be leading the event.
— What do you mean someone invaded and stole the prizes!?
— I-I also don't know! — stammered the person, trembling in fear. — Our group was in charge of the event, but someone forcefully took control!
— And you don't even have any idea what she looks like!?
Seeing the furious little girl and the almost crying organizer, Domingos decided to intervene.
— That's enough. He seems to know nothing — he said calmly as he approached.
— How is that possible? And why are you interfering?
— Haa... impulsive youngsters — sighed the old man, trying to calm the situation.
As he placed his hand on his forehead, realizing the person in front of him was problematic, someone stopped her.
— Sister, I think that's enough. We can't do anything — said the Incêndio Family young man.
— I won't calm down until I catch the bastard who stole my prize!
— ...Dad said your prize would be a marriage.
— Eh!?
The little girl jumped in surprise, looking to her brother for confirmation. Seeing his seriousness, all her anger vanished as she lowered her head.
— W-Well, it was a great race, but it's a shame we ended up losing — she said softly. — L-Let's go! I have things to do at home!
While the girl walked away, the organizer continued to deal with the competitors. Domingos considered returning to the inn where Lucas was, as he knew he wouldn't get any more information from the event. As he pondered this, the girl's brother, still present, approached the old man.
— My sister has been causing problems. I apologize for her behavior — said the young man, with a slight smile.
— Forget it — replied Domingos, turning away.
— Ah, can I ask you some questions? — he asked, interrupting the old man's departure.
— Tell me, do you need something?
— No, I just want to know your name and the name of the young man who was with you.
— Our names? You can call me Domingos... And if you want to know the young man's name, just go ask him.
— Thank you. By the way, my name is Daniel...
While they talked, the old man observed young Daniel more attentively. It wasn't strange for him to want to speak with Domingos, considering the display of power in the event.
However, Domingos noticed something behind Daniel's smile, making him more cautious.
— So, Mr. Domingos, where are you and that young man going now?
— I'll probably go back home, and... I don't know his plans.
— Hmm... How about letting him come with us? Although not strong, he fooled Miss Cubo de Gelo three times in one day.
— I'll ask him — said Domingos, turning. — If he wants to, I'll take him to your territory later. No need to wait.
With that, the old man returned to the inn where he left Lucas. Upon entering the room, he saw that Lucas wasn't there, but he heard the noise of the shower.
— Lucas, are you in the ba-
Before Domingos could finish, the bathroom door was flung open, and from it, a girl ran out, her face all red, her hands covering it, before colliding with the wall.
Due to the impact, tears welled up in her eyes as she crouched down, massaging her forehead, without daring to look back.
After a moment, Lucas' face appeared in the bathroom door.
— Yo, Domingos, I'm almost done. Just wait a bit.
In this way, Lucas closed the bathroom, leaving the girl and the old man alone in the room.
— ... How did this girl get in here? — he wondered, looking at the room key in his hands.
[To be continued...]
??? — Seriously? You stole the event prizes!?
??? — No one won, so I couldn't leave the prize with anyone!
??? — And why didn't you return them to the organizers to hold another event?
??? — Well... that meat smelled so good...
??? — ... Sometimes I really think about throwing you out of here.
??? — A-Anyway, who is this girl who just appeared out of nowhere!?
??? — Well, I have no idea, but... don't you find Lucas's reaction a bit strange? If we think about the reasons for that, then it suggests that...
[Answer will be revealed in the next chapter.]
??? — We'll have to wait and see!