Meanwhile, on the Werewolf Quadrant of New Sparta, a large crowd of humans, demi-humans, and Beastfolks gathered around to celebrate the official start of the Lunar Celebrations.
The venue was held at a giant bonfire circle. At the very center was a towering stack of drywood reaching up high into the skies. If Michael was here, he would have noticed its similarity to an event back in his previous life who was also famous for burning things for fun.
Surrounding this giant bonfire were twelve unequal pieces of the circle. Each one contained one of the Werewolf Tribes where they could set up for the celebrations.
Now, the total area allotted for the Werewolf Tribes was equal in size. However, one could argue that the locations of some tribes were a lot better than the others.
The Fanged Moon tribe, said to be the strongest Werewolves in recent history, found their space 'coincidentally' perched atop a cliff beside a mountain's face. This allowed them to be high up in the skies, allowing them a pleasing vista overlooking the entire venue. They could see everything from up there, while those down below couldn't.
This didn't only give them a tangible advantage for the Lunar Celebrations, but also a symbolic one. After all, they would be much closer to the moon, thereby giving them more blessings during the celebrations.
Meanwhile, situated at the opposite side of the mountain, smack dab in the middle of an open area devoid of any trees, boulders, or caves to protect themselves from the pelting rain or scorching hot rays of the sun was the Brownblood Tribe.
Forced into such a horrible location, many people pitied Chief Lupan and his tribe. Today's temperature was especially hot.
But inside their hovels and makeshift tents, who would have thought that the Brownblood Tribe were having the best time during this summer haze.
Metal contraptions inside the tents blasted cool, refreshing air to the Werewolves and Rebornians inside, giving them the relaxation they needed during these tumultuous times.
"Ahhh… I'll never tire of being surprised by the inventions of the Reborn company," Chief Lupan said, taking a deep breath right in front of the air conditioner. "Is he really not going to be here any time soon?"
Sheina, the white-scaled Dragonborn shook her head. "Apologies, Chief Lupan. Lord Michael is currently away on important business."
"...I know he told me not to worry, but I can't help but be consternated. The first competition is about to start—"
Just as he said those words, a blob of amorphous shadow suddenly emerged from the ground.
The vague, tenebrous shadow slowly solidified into something more vibrant, something more violet.
Fudge jumped out of the shadow, revealing himself to the rest of the group.
"I'M BACK!"
Immediately, a red shape blurred across the room before taking Fudge in his arms.
Zion clasped the violet slime in victory. "Hahaha! Caught you!"
And before Sheina could even scold her troublesome little brother, a different shape blurred and wrested Fudge away from Zion's grasp.
"Wha?"
Everyone turned to the new figure, only to see a hooded figure amongst them.
Immediately, Sheina straightened her posture out of pure instinct and routine. She recognized that shape, the mien of someone she appreciated very dearly.
"Lord Mich—" But she stopped as soon she peered through the hood. The person obscured by this cowl had the same golden hair as their Lord Michael. And if one were to take a cursory glance at his face, one would even mistake him for the real thing. The features on his countenance looked eerily alike to the beloved leader of the Reborn company.
But Sheina knew better. He looked the same as Michael, but he wasn't him. It could never be him.
"Who… who is he?"
Fudge immediately jumped on top of the hooded figure's head. "What do you mean? This is Master!"
"No… he's—"
But before Sheina could argue, Fudge immediately jumped into her arms. "Shh! From now on, this is Master!"
Sheina frowned, still in complete disbelief of the ninja slime's antics. Fudge hasn't really presented himself to be the most honest person in the world.
"Are you sure this isn't another one of your pranks?"
Fudge widened his 'eyes'. "I'm appalled! This really is Master! Well, you know, a clone of him."
Sheina glared at him, still unconvinced.
"Come on, Master wouldn't lend me this clone if he doesn't approve of what I'm doing, right? And besides, I'm feeling lonely most of the time, you know. Master is always busy, so it's nice to have him by my side."
His reasoning was met with silence.
For a few seconds, the two people just stared at each other. Sheina with her look of reproach, and Fudge with his entreating puppy eyes.
In the end, the little slime won out.
"Sigh… fine."
"Yes!"
Fudge bursted out of her arms and perched atop Bravo as if it was his proud steed.
"Michael… is that him?" Chief Lupan asked, a bit confused.
"Yep!"
"That's great! The first Werewolf Competition is about to commence, and it's something we haven't prepared for! It's Archery!"
Fudge guffawed. "HAHAHAHA! Then it's easy, let Miss Sheina handle it. Easy!"
Chief Lupan knew about Sheina's Maugnetism, but he also knew that she had just awakened her Aubility. She was still in the 1st stage of Body Formation!
The competition they'd be facing in the Lunar Celebrations were certainly a lot stronger than her, despite her unique powers.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, oh ye of little faith," Fudge chuckled. "That's why Master sent me back here."
Fudge's pudgy, amorphous body suddenly turned edgy, forming the frame of a treasure chest.
And with a satisfying click, the lid bursted wide open, with white blinding light emanating from the objects inside.
Everyone peeked inside the violet, jelly-like treasure chest and saw multiple drops of liquid metal, each one engulfed in a white holy fire.
It was GodForge pieces!
"Master gave me 20 kilos to distribute to all of us!"