Goku explained some things to Rudeus. They mostly just went over his head.
"So you channel your ki like this and then that produces-" Goku demonstrated some ki techniques. He didn't fire them but showed them off. Bundle of energy spinning smoothly and so perfectly symmetrically over his palm.
Rudeus tried himself and was unable to produce anything. So instead of relying on this 'ki' thing, he tried the same but with mana and was able to produce a ball of oddly squiggly energy that refused to clump together and scrawled around like jelly. Rudeus didn't quite understand the process but he did have a hunch what this was and what he wanted to do. So he kept trying.
Yet it didn't work. After a while he took a small break.
His wives brought dinner, some snacks and tea over.
It was a little over midnight yet Rudeus had totally forgotten about dinner or his family. His mind was only on the man before him, on Goku.
If a fictional character could be real and was interacting with him as though he was real and not bound by the laws of physics, could it be that he too was… fictional or in a fictional setting? The mere thought gave him goosebumps as he picked the tea up with a shaking hand and took a sip. The familiar, fragrant taste rejuvenated his mind but at the same time almost drove him insane. Of course, the caffeine had barely entered his system and it was probably going to take a couple of minutes before it would enter his bloodstream, but his mind raced regardless.
No, no don't get confused. What if it's the man-god… Sufficed to say his mind churned even more. He couldn't help but overthink and overthink and there came a point when Eris dragged him out of the living room and straight to the bedroom. She was going to rail the thoughts out of his mind…
Literally.
***
Goku didn't have many thoughts on his mind. On one hand he knew things would be fine. And on another, he needed a break. Even without him, earth had Vegeta and Gohan. Things would be fine if he was missing for a couple of days. He needed a vacation- or so he kept telling himself. But he knew perhaps the reason he was so excited to be here was to go fight the so-called strongest warriors of this world- the gods. Maybe the gods were as strong as Lord Beerus or maybe even stronger!
But how would he find the gods?
It embarrassed him a little to admit it but he couldn't really sense the energy of the people here. Just like Rudeus couldn't use Ki, Goku couldn't use Mana as though the two were incompatible. Actually, he couldn't sense anyone else's energy either. Was something blocking his skill?
Even so, Goku tried to figure out a way to better get around. But since he couldn't do this alone, he decided to ask Rudeus to show him around, mostly in the hopes Rudeus would be able to introduce him to someone strong.
The limitations were only making him more excited.
"Say, Mr. Goku."
"Just call me Goku."
"Okay, Goku… do you think I can go Super Saiyan?"
"Do you have Saiyan blood in you?"
"No?"
"Then no."
"But can we like… try?"
"Why?" The more Goku asked, mostly out of curiosity, the paler and more disappointed Rudues got, as though all his dreams were being shattered one by one.
A crowd was in front. Some snow on the ground, people wore stuffy clothes. Most of the shops were closed apart from the food and hot beverage stalls. Some high-end shops were of course open but there were hardly any customers. Yet there was a crowd ahead.
"I just… want to go super Saiyan you know!" There was a fire in his eyes, almost literally.
"What even is that?" Goku stared, eyeing something just in front of the crowd. A faint smile arose as he slowly moved past the people, steadily getting closer to the source of his amusement.
An obsidian man stood there with four arms folded and two raised. The man immediately noticed Goku and laughed showing his teeth. "You sir, would you like to have a duel!" he roared.
"Count me in!" Guku struck his fighting pose.
***
Grab!
The obsidian man slammed his two fists together at Goku's head but Goku grabbed it kicked the man away before he could use his other arms.
The man laughed, closing in immediately and punching with three hands from one side. All of which Goku dodged, effectively walking on air before getting behind the man and slamming his leg on the back of his head.
"Very interesting technique," the obsidian man remarked. "Are you a warrior from far north?"
"I'm a warrior from Earth."
"Earth… never heard of it."
"Badigadi?" Rudeus managed to sneak into the ring of people.
"Ah, Rudeus. Look at this fine man!"
"You two know each other?" Goku said, the smirk on his face still present.
"Yes, Goku this is-"
Slam!
Obviously neither party were listening.
They punched, kicked each other and with smiles. Neither party were doing any damage and perhaps were only gauging the other party but Rudeus could tell, if he somehow got mixed up in that… he was dead meat.
So… "Le-let's go have lunch!"
"Lunch?" Both of them stared his way while they very nearly held fists at each other.
"Yes, lunch. Aren't you two hungry? It's so late… let-let's go get some lunch and then fight!"
"Right! And Rudeus can join!" Badigadi declared. "Did you know he's an excellent mage who blew off my top?"
"Really? Amazing. Can you do that to me too?"
Some snickers came.
"C-can you not make it sound so wrong!" Rudeus yelled, trying to maintain his composure.
It was not working, no.