Chapter 163: Invite to Detour
———Wiina———
<9: 52 ante meridiem>
“Hope you’re not feeling uncomfortable.” They said as we sat down with the plate of food. “I’m surprised Rico isn’t here to guide you around, considering this is your first time here.”
“Eh, she probably has her own reasons. Sure, I’m only here because she invites me over, but it’s not like I’m here to participate.” I said while leaning back on the chair. “How many times have you been here, by the way?”
“Not that much, honestly speaking. I never turned it down due to the time shenanigans, but I am a bit of a newcomer, relatively speaking.” They said before they started eating the pizza. Always so weird when an artificial body like theirs starts eating. It’s a mental compulsion rather than physical compulsion. There is no need to eat, but the social aspect alongside the joy of eating itself causes them and others like them to crave it despite not needing sustenance.
“I see.” I said before picking up the plate of cake… I don’t really need much sustenance as well. My body can manage itself extremely efficiently, and I’m not particularly hungry right now.
I look around while I eat, observing the colorful cast of characters that showed up here in the VIP lobby. “By the way, how exactly do they deal with the time differences?”
“They try to hand out invites on each occasion based on how much time should’ve passed for each guest, which based on how time works in general, isn’t all too hard to do.” They explained. I suppose it would be that simple…
“By the way, where is that angelfriend of yours? I thought you two would’ve been together.” I asked, since I didn’t see that person anywhere.
“Oh, she is part of today’s exhibition match. While the match doesn’t start until the afternoon, she is talking to her opponent right now.” They explained. I see. So she is in today’s batch of fighters. “Oppourtunity to talk with people from a different world is quite rare, you know? This place is like a hubworld in many ways, if you ignore all the hostile demons that could show up.”
“Well, compared to the border between worlds where those glowing eye things existed, this is much more quaint in comparison.” The power of demons are only a fraction of those abominations.
“Heh. I suppose that is true.” They said with a small smile. “It’s almost time for the match, and Mori probably won’t be here to accompany me, so what do you think about following me and finding the seats?”
“...If it weren’t for the fact that you were already hooked up, I would’ve thought that was some kind of invitation to flirt.” I said before putting the empty plate down. “Very well then. Lead the way.”
Both of us walked through the big doorway and onto the VIP section of the colosseum. The audience is filled to the brim, and chatters drowned out any other noises as everyone seems to be eagerly waiting for the fight to start. Let’s see what this is all about.
“By the way, this tournament has quite a high power ceiling, nowhere close to us, of course, but I just want to point that out.” They said once we found the seats, as well as the headsets. Huh, looks like a device to help spectate the battle. Why isn’t this in our colosseum yet?
As for me, I don’t actually need it. My vision is perfect as is, and it is probably the same for them. There is also a screen we can pull up with a few options like ordering snacks and drinks.
“So how high are we talking here?” I asked, just to see what they would come up with.
“Above most humans in our world currently. Those two troublemaker friends of yours are the closest comparison at the moment.” That is quite powerful, all things considered.
“And the average?” I asked, since they are implying that the participants usually aren’t this powerful.
“Probably around the strength of your other classmates.” They answered. So still quite above the average of normal humans at current time. They still have a long way to go. “You should probably check the powers of the spectators to get a good average, right?”
“You know what they said about peeking, it’s quite rude.” Besides, it’s not as if everyone is here in the colosseum anyway.
“Fair point.” They said while shrugging their shoulders. Anyway, it looks like the two contestants are here. One has quite a lot of hype.
I looked down to see a demi-human with a big sword and rather shaggy set of clothes, and on the other side is a fully-armored individual wielding a giant dark battleaxe, armor is mostly pale dark red, and they are wearing a worn-down dark blue cape with its color greatly faded, and a helmet of the same color. One looks a lot more competent than the other…
<12: 04 post meridiem>
“So what did you think about all of it?” They asked once we got back into the lobby with the buffet starting up again. They are not skimping on their budget for this at all, but considering the people who seem to be involved…
“I think it’s a fun watch. It’s quite different seeing real people fighting versus people in games or shows doing it, but it is still entertaining.” I said, not having super strong feelings about it. “Hmm… Say, what do you know about the people who ruled this part of Fantasy Land? Rico barely gives me any details at all. I did catch a glimpse of them and they seem quite powerful.”
“You want to know? I guess I could give you some details, though I’m not exactly a close friend to any of them.” They said while both of us sat down. “This part of the realm was modified by a few powerful figures from the World of Petals. The Sage, the Devil, the Worldkeeper, and a few more joined in. It seems like they are creating this little pocket space for all these demi-humans from that world that doesn’t really have the place for it.”
“Sounds like a long story if all of those people are involved…” Some big names, it seems. I don’t really know all the intricacies that came with all of those titles, but I do know that those that possess those titles aren’t ones to be trifled with.
“Indeed. I am not super acquainted with any of them, unless you count Rico who is close to me and them, which does have a degree of separation.” They commented. Honestly this all feels like a bit too much for me to look into at the moment. Heck, the thing I am most worried about right now is how Karra’s stream will go this Friday.
“I think… I’m good with the current information. I don’t really want to know what will happen if I pry too much into the specifics.” I said, not wanting to seem like I am digging into the details for some nefarious reasons.
“I wouldn’t worry about that, personally. I mean you also have a backup, don’t you?” They said out loud. Now that just makes both of us sound even more suspicious!
“Eh. You could say that. Not that I think it’ll help.” I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a way to trace us back to our world and shank us. “...I hope I don’t have to deal with any of them right now. I don’t think I’m mentally prepared for that.”
“Well thankfully they are usually quite elusive.” They said while their eyes darted around. “Where is Rico, actually.”
“If you don’t know, how am I supposed to know?” I said while tilting my head. “...Does she have to participate today?”
“No. She’s not involved today, or even tomorrow…” They answered. So where in the world is she then? She’s not even the one who brings me where, I have to follow Edea here. “...By the way, do you know the Sage that controls this area is also a Superhuman?”
“I did get that vibe that someone similar existed around here.” It’s weird how that works, it’s like a radar going off.
“So you must be today’s newcomer.” Suddenly someone called out to me, and both of us turned around to see a woman with gray hair looking straight at me. This is the one we were talking about. “It’s rare to see someone like you nowadays. New to the scene yet so clearly ahead of the pack.”
“Uhhh… Nice to meet you?” I said, not really sure what I should do in this situation.
“Nice to meet you as well. Someone like you is quite rare… Say, how did you become one, exactly? She never told me.” She said while her expression remained affable if a bit unnerving.
“It’s due to the Eclipse… You’ve heard of it, right?” I feel like that kind of event she should be aware of if she even so much as takes a glance at other worlds. It’s quite an important event and all.
“Of course. An event that was supposed to bring out a new self, reflecting that of yourself from a different time and place. It’s a rather bold plan, all things considered. I suppose for the overseers who are probably bored of the modern world for many reasons, such a thing naturally came about.” She said before sitting down next to us. And here I thought these people are supposed to be elusive.
It looks like even Edea doesn't really know what to make of the situation.
“...You have it quite easy.” She muttered without her expression changing. “So, how have your day here been?”
“The food is quite nice?” I said since I’m not too sure what I should say. The fight is entertaining but nothing too spectacular so far. The first fight was a stomp. “It hasn’t even been half a day yet, I don’t have any strong feelings right now.”
“That’s only natural.” She remarked. “From the looks of it, being plucked from your own world and coming here no doubt is causing a lot of stress.”
“Yeah?” I said, wondering why she is stating the obvious, and why she is looking so intently at my face.
“Looks like you shut down most of your abilities by default.” She commented, probably noticing it because we are of similar nature. “Can’t say I don’t understand where you are coming from, sensory overload aside, having all the power does make you feel extremely bored.”
“Yeah, that’s true…” I said while scratching my cheek. Just where is she taking this conversation?
“Have you been doing anything particularly impactful? I haven’t looked into your world that much, but it seems like you have been on the downlow as far as my understanding goes.” She asked. Just how much does she even know in general? I can’t tell at all. A sage of her caliber tends to have a way of observing, not to mention her myriad of abilities…
“I just… don’t have anything grand in mind, I guess.” Nothing else better to say than that. I can’t quite follow her line of questions. “I never really dreamed of making something on the scale you have made. I’ve always been a bit modest.”
“...I see.” She muttered before standing back up. “Well then, see you two later. Also, Rico is kinda busy with something right now, so she won’t be around for a few hours.”
And there she goes… Something about her definitely makes me feel very stressed.
“Is it common for that to happen?” I asked despite knowing the answer already.
“Obviously not.” They replied. “...Anyway, I’m gonna go get something to eat. We have quite a long waiting period.”
“Yeah, that’s true…” I said before also getting up and following them. I think I’m fine with just getting myself a lot of sweets. There is also stuff like alcohol and other foreign dishes, but I’m not too interested in those.
Both of us get our food and go back to the table. I didn’t make eye contact with anyone else, no doubt they all got their own unique and interesting story to tell, but I don’t really want my mind to be occupied with everything.
“...Ah. Edea, there is one thing I want to ask.” I said before I started eating. “That knife you gave to Karra, it was made by an elf, right?”
“Yeah. A relative of a friend of mine. I don’t think she put her all in that particular craft.” They elaborated.
“...Do you think she could upgrade it or something? Aside from the fire thing it doesn’t really have anything special going for it.” Those fires feel more decorative than anything, I could make something way stronger and practical than that.
“Well, I guess I can go ask her at some point. For now though, eating time.” They said before digging in. I guess this conversation needs to be postponed.