Chapter 194: Change of Scenery
Ty quickly changed into the new clothes, making sure to transfer the crystal from his discarded dark outfit to the pocket of his new attire. As he adjusted his clothes, a thought struck him. "Hey, now that I think about it, what happened to my blue fairy? I thought she was sleeping in my pocket."
The Lieutenant responded with a light laugh. "Technically, she doesn't have to fight, so I snatched her away while you were walking out. I'm surprised you didn't notice," he said, showing his pocket. From within, the blue fairy peeked out, slowly waking up. She gave Ty a light wave, her presence a small but reassuring comfort to him.
As the Lieutenant donned a black blazer paired with sleek black slacks, his long white hair cascading down his back, Ty couldn't help but comment on the change. "Getting fancy just to go to bed?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
The Lieutenant replied with a hint of humor, "Well, I can't just walk over there looking like a bum, can I? After all, we do have to maintain some standards." He then took out a mobile-like device from his coat pocket and dialed a series of numbers.
Speaking into the device, he said, "Hello, sir, it's the Lieutenant and Mentor for that Demon Child in the Arena of Life. I will have him back to his jail cell by morning. But for this evening, I need to teach him about our world, so he will be under my custody until further notice."
The Lieutenant's conversation, interspersed with slight laughter and assurances, hinted at his adept handling of situations, even those involving higher authorities. After hanging up, he seemed ready to leave, prompting Ty with a casual demeanor.
"Well, let's get headed out. It's almost 11:00 already," the Lieutenant suggested, glancing at the time.
Ty nodded in agreement, following the Lieutenant down the corridor they had entered earlier. They exited through a side door, stepping into the bustling nightlife of the city. The streets were alive with the buzz of cars and the glow of city lights.
As they walked, Ty took in the sights, especially the giant black cube adorned with purple lights. It showcased highlight clips from the evening's fights, replaying moments of intense battle that now seemed like a distant memory in the lively atmosphere of the city.
As they approached a parked car, Ty couldn't help but express his surprise at the public display of the arena fights. "I'm surprised they showcase these horrific fights for everyone to see," he remarked.
The Lieutenant, opening the back door of the black car with blue trimming, responded, "Well, it's been going on for so long that it's become an accepted tradition.
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Though there are those who think it's barbaric and outdated, I believe it has its place. But let's save that discussion for another day." He gestured for Ty to get in before walking around to the other side of the car.
Once inside, Ty was taken aback by the absence of a steering wheel. He immediately questioned, "How are you going to drive this without a wheel?" His curiosity was piqued, indicating not just his unfamiliarity with this aspect of their technology but also his eagerness to learn more about the world he was now a part of.
As Ty settled into the back seat of the sleek black car, his eyes widened in disbelief. The interior of the car lit up with a soft blue glow, unlike anything he'd seen before. He leaned forward, trying to make sense of the controls.
"A wheel? Like the tires?" The Lieutenant seemed momentarily puzzled by Ty's question, then understanding dawned on his face. He placed his palm on a flat surface in the center console and pressed a button. Suddenly, a crystal-like sphere emerged where a gear shift would normally be.
The Lieutenant spun the sphere, and the car roared to life. Ty gripped the edge of his seat as they sped off, the car moving with a smoothness and speed that was both exhilarating and a little terrifying. He watched, fascinated, as they weaved through the city traffic with effortless precision.
As they zipped through the city, the Lieutenant glanced over his shoulder, a hint of seriousness in his voice. "Don't worry, we'll be there in a few minutes. And yes, we do have a lot to discuss. If you're to win the Arena of Life, you need to understand how magic works here. For some reason, you act as if you were born yesterday."
Ty, puzzled, leaned forward. "Why do you care? Don't you hate every demon?" His question was laced with a mix of curiosity and a tinge of defensiveness. The world outside the arena was as much a mystery to him as his role in it,
and he couldn't help but question the Lieutenant's motives. The Lieutenant's admission about a personal wish granted by the King if Ty won the Arena of Life piqued his interest. It was clear now; there was more to this partnership than mere duty. "Also, if you end up winning, I get any wish granted by the King himself.
So, there's a lot at stake in more ways than one," the Lieutenant explained, spinning the sphere to navigate the car into a tight parking spot.
As the car settled between two others, the Lieutenant announced, "Well, here we are. Let's get going." Ty nodded, his mind racing with thoughts about the competition, the King's wish, and what all of this meant for his future in this strange, new world. He stepped out of the car, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
"I see, so you see me as full of potential to help you win. I guess I can respect that," Ty remarked, pushing the car door open. A light chill swept through the night air as he stepped out, looking up at the towering hotel that stretched upward, possibly 20 stories high.
At the entrance, two people clad in silver armor, adorned with polished underclothes, greeted them. "Welcome to Hotel Evangial, Sir," they said, snapping to a salute.
The Lieutenant waved off the formality. "Nonsense, stand at ease," he instructed.
After a brief pause, their attention shifted to Ty. "And who is this, sir?" one of them inquired, eyeing Ty with a mix of curiosity and caution.
The Lieutenant quickly concocted a cover story. "Oh, that's just my cousin from the outer districts, one of the lesser families. He will only be staying for the night, so don't worry about him."
"Sounds good, sir," the armored attendants responded, stepping aside as the doors slid open automatically.
Ty stepped into the hotel, his eyes taking in the opulence around him. He let out a low whistle, impressed. "Wow, this sure is fancy, with nice red carpets and everything," he remarked, his voice tinged with awe.
The Lieutenant, leading the way, responded with a hint of pride. "Yeah, this is my favorite place to stop by when I'm away from home. They really have everything here. Let's go ahead and see if my usual suite is still open." He strode confidently towards the reception, Ty trailing behind, his mind still trying to process the rapid shift from the harsh arena to this world of luxury.
As they approached the counter, the Lieutenant greeted the staff with a familiar ease. "Good evening, ladies," he said, acknowledging the four women working there. Two were busy assisting other guests, but the one wearing a hat labeled 'manager' promptly approached.
"Good evening, Lieutenant. What can I do for you?" she asked, her tone respectful yet efficient.
The Lieutenant replied, "I was hoping to get my regular suite for the night. We have a busy day tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to some good food and sleep."
The manager gave a slight bow and responded, "Sure, let me go ahead and check that for you, sir." She moved away to make some phone calls.
Ty's interest piqued at the mention of the man with the orange beard. It was an unusual detail, one that seemed to resonate with him for reasons he couldn't immediately place. His eyes widened slightly, a subtle reaction that he managed to keep under control.
The Lieutenant, still a bit taken aback by the news of the suite being booked, pressed further. "That's quite the expense for someone to cover. I'm surprised too. Not one of the other generals, you say?" His tone was a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance.
The manager, with a thoughtful finger on her chin, confirmed, "No, definitely not one of the generals. It's not someone I've seen before, but the orange beard was quite distinctive."
Ty, listening in, felt a stirring of intrigue. The description of the man sparked a series of thoughts. 'It makes sense for him to be involved in some of these things,' he thought to himself. There was a deeper story here, one that he felt was gradually unfolding around him.
For now, he kept these thoughts to himself, aware that there was much he still needed to learn and understand about this new world and its players.