Chapter 106: Third Eye
The pool area was brimming with life and vibrant energy. Sunlight streamed through the glass-like dome overhead, making the place feel more like a beach resort than an indoor pool.
The pool area was massive and could easily accommodate every hero attending the convention. Clearly, it had been designed with gatherings like this in mind.
No one wore their hero costumes. Since the arena was reserved exclusively for heroes, there was no need to hide their identities.
"This is so fun! Water is so relaxing," Julie said as she rested on the floating bag in the water.
"Come out of the water! We’re meant to see the others first!"
As Nicholas walked over, he could already see Thinker and Light waiting by the side, with Selena yelling at Julie.
"Supervisor Selena, I don’t think you get it. Sometimes in life, you just have to relax. Hakuna Matata, darling," Julie said as she closed her eyes in relaxation.
"You can come join m—"
BAM!
The beach ball slammed straight into her face, sending her into the water. A chunk of water streamed into her mouth.
Julie struggled frantically until she made it out of the water.
"Supervisor! You almost killed me. I haven’t made my goodbye stream yet!" Julie yelled as she finally made it out of the water.
"Get out of there, or you won’t have the chance to ever make a last stream," Selena fumed.
Julie wriggled out of the pool like a frightened worm before running back to the group.
"You’re no fun," Julie said with a huff as she walked towards them.
"You should’ve listened to her when she warned you," Thinker said bluntly.
"You can still take a dip after we’re done discussing things with the others," Selena said.
"Phantom, good morning," Light said as he noticed Nicholas’ figure.
"You both always know how to gather attention wherever you go," Nicholas said with a sigh.
The two quickly turned around and noticed dozens of heroes staring in their direction, whispering among themselves.
"I bet she’s a Mami Water spirit."
"Indeed, she must be a messenger of the Water Goddess," two black figures said, looking in their direction.
Julie looked back at Selena and Nicholas, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"I’m sorry."
Selena sighed.
"The others should be here soon."
"You really should listen to her, Selena. I mean, we did come here to relax and have fun after all," a voice suddenly came from the side.
Wearing her swim pants and her hair tied into a ponytail, Dana walked forward.
Julie’s eyes lit up.
"That’s right, Dana! Supervisor Selena is always—" She felt the sharp glare behind her before she could finish her sentence. "Worried about me. She’s a really nice person, right? Hehehe."
Behind Dana, Vixen walked out, her sharp figure accentuated by the blue bikini she had on. Her sharp brown eyes sparkled with warmth, and her long hair sprawled over her back as she walked forward.
It was Nicholas’ first time seeing her without the mask, and he couldn’t help but pause for a second. She was far prettier than he’d expected.
"Hi, Phantom," she said sheepishly, with a pink blush on her face as she stood behind Dana.
"Phantom, it’s a pleasure to meet you again," Nectron said as he walked forward.
Nicholas shifted his gaze to him and couldn’t help but be amazed as well. He genuinely had the build of an athlete.
He only wore a pair of shorts, exposing a well-built physique, six defined abs, toned muscles, and a broad chest.
He was handsome—not that Nicholas considered him competition—but handsome nonetheless. Perhaps his only advantage was the fact that he was slightly taller.
And just behind them were a few other faces Nicholas had yet to see before.
"These are all the heroes that’ll be joining you guys for the tournament," Dana said as she turned to the group of heroes.
"For the racing event, we’ll be having both Catboy and Light go. We’ve already planned that out earlier, and I bet they already know who they’ll be going up against," she said, turning to Light, who nodded.
Catboy behind her nodded frantically as well, his two feline ears perking up as he heard his name being called.
Dana went on to explain the pairing for each match. Since they only needed two people for the racing, three for combat, and three for simulation.
In total, they had eight heroes.
Catboy and Light for racing.
Thinker, Nile, and Oxford for the simulation.
Nectron, Vixen, and Phantom for combat.
"I believe the pairing is complete. Before each event, you’ll be called for planning. Now we all know what role we’ll be taking part in, let’s have some fun...." Dana said with a stretch as she went headfirst into the pool, both hands stretched forward like the tip of a spear. With one leap, she sliced cleanly into the water, moving with feline grace.
"Hey! I’ve got the ball! Let’s play and have some fun!" Julie yelled as she carried the ball with her into the water.
"Been a while since I entered a pool. Hope my skills haven’t gotten rusty," Nectron said as he walked over to the pool.
Selena turned to Nicholas.
"Will you take a dip?"
"No, I’ll just watch from the bench. Don’t feel like it," Nicholas replied bluntly.
Just then, Catboy walked up to the two, his sharp vertical pupils fixed on Selena as he approached.
His hair was sleekly pulled to the side with a dark sheen, and his feline ears perked up by the sides of his head, two pointy canines sticking out from his mouth.
He walked with exaggerated confidence, every movement clearly meant to look attractive.
"Supervisor Selena, it’s been a while. Seems you forgot this poor boy," he said, a seductive smile playing on his lips as he swept his hair dramatically to the side.
’Seriously? I thought I was finally free from this idiot. Why did he just have to be thrown into the event this year?’ Selena thought exasperatedly, her voice dropping by an octave as she replied.
"I’m going to take a dip. Maybe we can talk later... well, unless you’d love to enter the water with me."
"You know I don’t like water that much!" Catboy stood dumbfounded by Selena’s shamelessness. Even Nicholas couldn’t help but raise a brow at her dark humour.
"Then I guess it’s not my fault," Selena replied with a casual shrug as she walked to the rail, entering the pool.
Vixen walked over to Nicholas.
"Will you be entering the pool as well?" Her face carried a tint of red as she asked him.
"No," Nicholas replied. "I’ll stay out."
"I wanted to get into the pool... but I don’t mind staying here with you if you’d rather not go in" she asked, her eyes bright as she stared at him.
"You can go have fun in the pool. You don’t have to stay with me," Nicholas replied.
"I’ll—"
"Vixen! Fancy seeing you here. It’s been a while," Catboy was already in front of her as he spoke, a seductive smile playing on his lips as he stared at Vixen. "You can always hang out with me."
Vixen’s expression turned cold in an instant as she stared at him, the warmth she’d shown Nicholas earlier disappearing completely.
"No, Catboy. I’ll pass... I have no interest in hanging out with you. Besides, I’m going to take a dip in the water," Vixen replied as she walked over to the pool.
"Tsk..." Catboy hissed.
"She was just offering to stay with you now!" he said as he turned to Nicholas. "They all want to hang out with you, and you’re not even interested," Catboy said with a sigh.
"Seems you’ve got quite the reputation among the girls. Maybe you should try girls from another country," Nicholas said calmly as he walked over to the bench.
"Oh damn! That’s right! Thanks, Phantom. You’re really a hero. Hehehe," Catboy said as he quickly went to the other side of the pool.
"Bro’s dumb. Does he really think anyone would want to talk to him if he approaches them like that?" Nicholas thought as he sat on the bench.
His gaze followed Catboy as he confidently walked toward one of the Russian heroes.
"His ability must be the thing giving him the cat form. Let me see if the Third Eye ability can help me see what he looks like in his normal form," Nicholas thought as he looked at Catboy.
{Skill activated}
"Hey there," Catboy waved at the girl who was sitting on a bench as he approached.
"Woah!"
Something snagged his legs. His hands swailed in an attempt to hold something.
BUMP!
There was nothing to hold.
He fell face-first to the ground. A sickening crunch echoed as his knees twisted.
"Ahhh!"
Everyone instantly turned to the scene.
"What happened?!"
Nicholas, who was sitting in the distance, couldn’t help but frown at what he’d seen.
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