As time passed, Lilith soon found herself at the entrance the next day, only to notice a large amount of adults in suits waiting outside as well, as a receptionist came up to Lilith.
"Spectator or Contestant?" They asked, as Lilith just awkwardly took her ticket out. "Ah. Contestant. Go around back, the other contestants are waiting." The receptionist told Lilith, as she nodded and went around, before looking up and noticing a large amount of tubes and floors above the building.
...Was that always here? Lilith wondered.
Meanwhile, in another room, a man with flowing brown hair and a pair of glasses was discussing things with a team of what appeared to be scientists.
"Well? Have you found anyone who might be strong enough for our cause?" He asked.
"All signs are pointing to contestant Aria Ein, the girl you sent that invitation to. Leader of the Red Gang, and almost equally as undefeated as our strongest, Maurus Adilet." A scientist said. "However, Maurus has also uncharacteristically used his invitation on an unknown fighter named Lilith Saira."
"Maurus of all people extended an invitation?" The man asked, tapping his chin in thought.
"That's what it looks like, Chairman Vanir." The scientist affirmed.
"If he of all people wanted someone in this tournament...Then perhaps we have two people of interest in this tournament. Let's hope Matt and Aoi found interesting people to invite, as well...We could use all the help we can get, if they perform admirably enough...although speaking of Matt, heavens only knows who he chose to invite." Vanir said, sighing.
"Felix? Yato? What are you two doing here?" Lilith asked, walking over to them.
"Well, a girl I met invited me here...and Yato said somebody threw a plushie at him, and the invite, "dabbed on him", and said to check out this event if he wanted to test his skills. Said he knew you, saw him at school fighting a few times, and then he just walked away." Felix answered.
"...What the hell, Matt..?" Lilith asked herself quietly.
"Okay to be fair, the dab was me almost tripping on a pebble." Matt suddenly commented, Lilith yelping in surprise. "Besides, it's a good plushie." He added.
"Oi, what's with all the noise?" Aria asked, before noticing Lilith. "Hm? Thought you learned last time not to get in the affairs of the red gang. Guess if we end up meeting in the tournament, you'll learn that lesson again, eh?" She asked with a grin. "Especially since I'm not holding any bars this time, and usin' my full deck. Once I win this thing, the whole town'll know that the red gang's the strongest!"
"I'm not scared of you, Aria. As a matter of fact, I plan on winning this thing, myself." Lilith said.
"Ha! Now you've got my attention, blondie...You better not lose until I get my hands on ya." Aria said, before walking away with a grin.
"Man...things are heating up, and the tournament hasn't even started yet." Yato said, awkwardly. "Still, Matt, was it?" he started.
"That's the name, don't call me Matthew." Matt commented.
"Right...If you're capable of giving out invites, how are you and that girl who gave an invite to Felix able to still enter?" Yato asked.
"Oh, that's a long story, really boring actually. Our job is hosting the event, so they wanted us to find people we thought were cool or interesting to also join the event." Matt said, waving his hand.
"So you think Yato's cool?" Felix asked.
"Wow, that sounds worse than you probably meant it." Matt commented, as Felix flinched. "But yeah, guess Aoi thought you were cool, green guy, and uh...I'm surprised Maurus thought ANYBODY was cool or interesting, really." he admitted to Lilith. "Even if I know why he did it."
"MAURUS invited you?!" Felix and Yato both asked Lilith, shocked, as she nervously laughed, before a speaker and screen turned on.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! It's time for the Junior Youth Cup! I know you're all probably excited to get fighting, but first! A word from the chairman of this event, Vanir Moros!" An announcer girl commented, as Vanir walked up to the podium, as people in the audience were applauding.
"Thank you, Thank you. Welcome to the Vanguard Junior Youth Cup. If you were looking for the Senior Youth Cup, you have the wrong address, or simply need new glasses." He commented, as some of the audience chuckled. "The rules are simple. When the contestant's names are called, they will enter the elevator, and ascend above the earth itself to have their fight. The last fighter remaining will win the tournament, as well as the prize." He explained. "With that, I wish all of our passionate young fighters the very best of luck! Let us call the first names!" Vanir said, as the screen popped up, and started to rotate names on both sides. "Yato Apollo versus Akio Ryuji!"
"Looks like you're up first, Yato." Lilith commented. "Do your best, buddy."
"Yeah..." Yato agreed, going up to his side of the elevator, as a blonde boy with dark blue streaks in his hair went into the other, as the elevators shot up into the air...and into the dome arena, which suddenly simulated a rather heavenly looking castle.
"So, you're my opponent, huh?" The blonde boy asked, stretching. "Then let's have a good fight!" He declared, as Yato nodded.
"Yeah...I'll give it my best." Yato said, putting his Neo-Fight system on, Akio doing the same.
"Stand up, Vanguard!" The two boys called out, as their starting vanguards broke through the cards and appeared in front of each other.
"Eclipse Caller, Yuna!" Yato called out, as a young woman with a white dragon floating behind her appeared.
"Saga Knight, Pengu Brave!" Akio called out, as a green penguin with a fighting spirit appeared.
Gold Paladin..? Yato thought to himself.
"Ooh..! Shadow Paladin, but I've never seen that one before!" Akio said, before grinning. "I can already tell, it's gonna be a great fight!" He said, as the announcer appeared on the screen.
"The first move will go to Yato Apollo!" The announcer declared.