Before Desser could leave with Isla, he asked that the prototype wheelchair be brought in. Sonia rolled in the wheelchair while Cornelius began his monologue:
"Here, we have the top-of-the-line chair with wheels or, as I like to call it, 'a cheel.' This cheel comes with a comfortable cushion…."
Sonia spun the wheelchair to display its beauty. The whole act seemed like a cheap remake of Cornelius as the car salesman and Sonia as the beautiful assistant. Cornelius continued:
"As you can see, the cheel also comes with reinforced Magic iron. Your bones would brake before the cheel does! It even comes with a horse tail!"
Cornelius was very excited to display the horsetail. His excitement stemmed from the fact that he put the tail there. He thought it would make the cheel more majestic and princely.
"STOP!" Desser ordered. "Bring the chee—I mean the wheelchair over here!"
Sonia and Cornelius were unsure why the prince was so upset. They brought the wheelchair closer. As soon as the chair was at arm-reach, he pulled the tail off and flung it at the door.
"Stop doing unnecessary shit." Desser used his arms to transfer himself to the 'cheel.'
Again, they were both surprised by the prince's outburst. The old Magi was surprised because he thought he pimped Desser's ride. The maid was surprised because she thought the tail was a cute addition.
"Let's go." The prince commanded those in the room. 2 knights, one of them was Vince, Sonia, and Cornelius, followed him out.
The prince finally felt a sense of freedom and pride. Being able to move on his own and leave without asking for help were liberating feelings for him. However, with every success, there is always another hurdle.
"Fucking stairs!" Desser exclaimed in annoyance…he proceeded to say his thoughts aloud without realizing it: "Why do all you bipedal idiots need stairs? Off with everyone's legs. Let's all just attach wheels to our hips."
"Immediately, your highness," Vince replied while unsheathing his sword, ready to swing it down on his legs and then down on everyone else around.
"I'll stop the bleeding," Cornelius replied in agreeance with Vince's resolve.
"Enough, you fuckin idiots!" Desser sighed…
The prince had forgotten how his words are law and words from Brutreq. He had to be careful of what he said or have another "war on the sun" fiasco.
Although everyone's actions seem ridiculous for most people on Earth, the resolve of the Mogarian people was not to be underestimated. They would sacrifice everything for their religion and monarchs. In many ways, the monarchy's success was the success of the people below them.
Their behaviour is extreme but can also be seen throughout Earth's history. Some would call crusades to wipe out whole religions because of one man's word. Others would commit genocide because of one ruler's word. And more would enslave endless generations because of one scientist's word.
Desser reminded himself of these facts before judging the people of Anthul.
"Just carry me down the stairs in my wheelchair. Also, replace one side of the staircase with a ramp for me." The prince said with a defeatist sigh.
After reaching the bottom, he rolled towards the main doors, where he saw Isla in her full form waiting for him.
"Ready to leave? Or should I wait until everyone is crawling on their bellies?" Isla asked sarcastically.
Desser rolled his eyes. "Not you too… let's go."
Isla spread her enormous wings that could almost envelop his dwelling. As she flapped her wings and began to take flight, her hind legs grabbed onto Desser's armrests. The Aguila lifted the cheel and Desser above the building; being high up started to make him feel queasy.
Some might have loved to see the world at such a height, but that wasn't the case for the prince. Even the height of a swing when you kicked off the ground would be too much in his former life. He'd rather just sit on the swing than use it.
As Isla began to pick up speed, he asked her: "Where are we headed?"
"I'm taking you to the Playground."
The prince's confusion was written all over his face. Why was it called that? And that didn't seem like a good place for training… Instead, it seemed to Desser like a place for children to have fun.
Isla began to elaborate: "the place we are going is where most beasts send their young. Even during mating season, the griffons go to the Playground to raise their offspring."
"That seems like a dangerous place to be if all the protective beast parents are there to defend their kids…." Desser asked with an even more confused expression than before.
"Of course, there are beasts that are very protective of their young like the Ursi (bear-like beast) that you previously encountered; most beast bring their young to the Playground to make them stronger. They get battle experience by fighting other races or themselves. Even if a child dies in the struggle, it is a lesson to the others to be cautious of the 'killer.' In other words, it's a learning experience for which races to avoid angering."
Isla's explanation was a shock for Desser. Desser would think about how these beasts could make their young go through something so barbaric. However, he also understood that the way of life in Anthul was different from Earth. He could not apply the same standard from there in this new world.
A question popped into Desser's head that he asked the Aguila. "Are the parents allowed to interfere in the playground fights?"
"No. Any adult that does will be killed by their race, or war will break out between the two parties."
"So…if I get into trouble, you can't help me…."
"That's right. You are on your own. However, these beasts are still as young and inexperienced as you. Even though they are powerful, the Playground is perfect for you. You are also powerful but lack the combat experience to use your power effectively. That's why I'm taking you there as a member of my species.
"Don't worry too much, strange one. Although fighting happens in the Playground, it also is a place for socializing. Many species team up and mingle to create bonds amongst themselves or others. I hope you will experience both…but mainly fighting."