Ryder and Lassie dropped off at the academy just as planned while Vienna left in search of Brenna. Upon getting to the academy, Ryder had no idea where to go, however Lassie pointed towards the academy halls without him saying a word. He wasn't sure but it seemed like Vienna was aware he wouldn't be able to find this place. This caused him to feel slightly on edge.
Walking through the halls of the academy, him and his fiancee eventually got to a tile of a different color than the one he knew. To be precise, this floor tile was black in color. Feeling hesitant about the whole thing he paused in place. Though he was assured things were okay by the calming look on Lassie's face.
Stepping on the tile, the duo was transported to a room Ryder had never been in before. The room had a cosmic look just like the students training room, however it was different. Unlike the other, the space had a blue color and this place seemed to contain just a door room.
"This should be your first time here master Ryder", Lassie spoke snapping him back to reality. "Unlike the students training room, an entire building is contained in here."
Now he understood why Vienna had sent Lassie with him. His edgy feeling from before soon calmed down before taking a step forward. Opening the door in front of him, it shot out into the infinite space creating multiple open doors that seemed to spawn for eternity.
'It seems we have a long walk ahead of us', Ryder sighed.
Few minutes walking through each door, Ryder felt that Lassie was holding out. Strangely she had not said anything to him in the carriage or even as they walked. Was that not a weird thing if one person was engaged to another, even if they were shy? He knew it could also be because of his strange actions as of recent. Maybe she didn't just trust him yet.
"Lassie, can you tell me who is at the top of the hierarchy in Mageia?", Ryder eyes stared intensely at her.
He believed that if he was going to be walking through an infinite number of doors, he might as well learn a bit about this world. Lassie looked at him with a hint of surprise before smiling with a blush.
"You have really changed, Master Ryder. This is the first time you have ever spoken to me."
Ryder in an instant turned his gaze the other way in an awkward manner when he heard her remark.
'Not again! What the heck is up with this guy!? Did he ever speak with any of his fiancees?'
"Though sadly it is about our world's hierarchy. I will gladly answer your question though?", Lassie smiled widely.
"Our hierarchy is kinda difficult to understand. As you are already aware our people consist of the low breeds, hybrids and even pure breeds. Out of this came to being the Strageia, the most powerful and exceptional people to ever set foot in Mageia. They usually originated from the pure breeds but on rare occasions hybrids. The Strageias are believed to be the ones at the top however 'the Academy' seems to carry out that role. The Academy was never the school, it was actually a gathering of some of the strongest people in the world whose reach stretch out across Mageia in search of powerful people to join there course. Of course the Strageias would have taken this role but it is obvious that they hate involving themselves with one another. You should know how since you are a Strageia too."
Ryder nodded his head in a slow pace.
"Anyways the Strageia and the Academy also hate to get involved with one another. This is simply because the Strageias hate the Academy trying to impose their will on them. This has resulted in a power struggle between the two as to who is on top. Though I wonder why you asked when you already know all of this? Is it a test?", Lassie ended with a sigh.
Ryder gave a brief smile indicating that he was grateful for the information she had shared. She quickly caught on to this and smiled in return. From their brief talk, Ryder realized that Lassie wasn't the shyest person in the world. She was only shy in certain situations.
From everything she had told him, it was quite clear what his major obstacles would be in this world as a Strageia. The Academy and others of his kind. Now the only thing he had to do was see if the Academy was with him or against him.
"We are almost there", Lassie alerted him.
This was strange as he could still see an infinite number of doors in front of him. That all changed though when he passed the next door. A room had revealed itself to them all of a sudden causing Ryder to shudder a bit.
'How could she tell?', he pondered.
In front of him was what looked like a counsel of five people sitting on a high stage surrounded by wooden structures that stretched out all over. In short it was almost like a court designed to make a person look small.
Walking up to two chairs beneath the stand, he and Lassie sat down. Looking at the environment, he noticed that the space around the room changed colors occasionally. Lassie before these people looked more tense than she was some minutes ago. This only told him that he was on his own in this room. To add to the mix, the two out of five of the people above seemed to be inhuman. They looked more like beastmen to him.
"Welcome, Master Ryder. You too as well, Lady Lassie", the man in the middle of the gathering spoke.
Ryder and Lassie bowed their heads in return.
"You must be wondering why you are here. Well in light of the recent events that had happened we decided it was best to having a meeting. Let's cut to the chase shall we. First I would like to know why you lost your match against Dalt Advans in the first place. You have clearly shown that you were capable of handling him with ease."
Ryder knew he couldn't answer this question so he kept quiet. It would only cause him more issues in advance. To his greatest surprise his silence had angered one of the beastmen among them.
"Answer Master Lorde right now, you cocky brat!", The beastman resembling a lion roared as he stood up from his chair with great vigor.
He was huge in stature and had an intimidating aura around him as he stared at Ryder. An intense surge of power could also be felt from him conveying that he was indeed a dangerous one. This showed early on that he had some sort of beef with him.
"Calm down Master Fanxaus. You should be aware of his unique personality by now", Lorde intercepted.
Fanxaus snarled before sitting down on his chair. To be honest, Ryder didn't feel like he was being defended, he felt more like he was being insulted to his face.
"We just wanted to tell you that because of your loss of as of recent to that insignificant low breed. A surge of energy has entered into the low breeds causing them to believe they can defy us pure breeds. It gave them reason to believe they can defeat us. As a result of this we are telling all hybrids and pure breeds to be watchful, especially you Master Ryder. A riot or attack may take place anytime soon, be prepared."
Believing this to be all, Ryder stood up with Lassie following up shortly after. As he walked to the exit he was interrupted by Lorde.
"One more thing Master Ryder. This whole thing is as a result of your embarrassing loss earlier. That should never happen again or we will have to take action against you."
Ryder at this point rose his right eye brow up as he looked at them perplexed.
'Did they just threaten me!?'
Unable to hold back everything he was keeping in, Ryder talked back to the counsel in front of him.
"What exactly do you have against the low breeds, huh? Or are you all cowards afraid of what they are capable of doing?"
Clearly he had touched a nerve as they reacted in surprise. Lassie however was drawn back the most by the remark of his. They were astonished by the fact he said something but were swift to get pissed off by his questions.
"What did you just say!?", Fanxaus reacted violently as he stood up from his sit.
"You heard me. Don't you ever threaten me again. I will do whatever I want when I whenever I want. Good day", Ryder said before leaving the room with a shocked Lassie.
It was obvious that he had enraged all of these people but he didn't care in the least. After his encounter with Dalt Advans he didn't appreciate the low breeds being viewed like dirt.