It looked like what a top tier university would look like in a dystopian landscape. The towering buildings, the sophisticated architecture. The neatly laid out rows and rows of artificial greenhouses. Everything screamed academia.
The people moving around did not have a single atom of sluggishness. They all moved with a purpose. Not with the culture of haste that prevailed at rushour in most modern societies. This was not blind hurriedness that prevailed, it was the exact opposite. Scarlett and Eliana was instantly drawn to this place. On the spot, they knew that this was where they were supposed to be.
It was easy to be drawn in by the infectious atmosphere of productivity. This place clearly had so much to offer.
They covered a decent portion of the 'campus' grounds as they made their way towards their designated lodgings. The Guardians really outdid themselves with the accomodation. Alex and the others had been expecting some strict rule that separated both sexes. But, the apartment was a three bedrooms and one bath. Suggesting that it was a co-ed space.
While the girls excitedly went to check out the fully tastefully furnished apartment, Alex voiced his thoughts to Mina;
"Mina, are you really saying the organization really doesn't mind guys and girls living together in the same space?"
She shrugged. "Freedom is a great value here. We respect that."
"And I respect that too. But aren't you bothered you all might be endorsing an environment that encourages hedonism?"
For the first time ever, Alex saw something that resembled a smile on her face as she replied him;
"Trust me mister Alex, by the time you get fully immersed in what this place has to offer you, the pleasures of the flesh would seem so inconsequential and mundane to you. There's so much more out there. It's yours to take, if you have the will to reach for it of course."
Much later on, Alex would come to understand what the lady had meant by that mysterious sage-like statement.
That night, they all settled in nicely.
Moving into a new place was always a pickle, especially when one did not plan to move in right away. But efficiency was part of the core creeds of The Guardians. So, the trio's transition into their new environment was more than blissful. Every single thing they needed had been provided for them. It went beyond clean sheets, and towels and the standard provisions that were common with hotel lodgings.
It was The Guardians' attention to detail that seduced them.
It was stuff like the neat rows of books that had been arranged in each room, each textbook offered a basic understanding about the mage lifestyle to beginners. Small scale fitness equipments had been installed in each room. The fridge in the kitchen was fully stocked. And the apartment had a scent that was not generic. It genuinely smelled like home.
Eliana, being a reader, began to devour the books voraciously. Scarlett, grateful for the in built gym equipments, began to run on the treadmill. Alex took a tour of the new apartment, checking for any loopholes or any hidden surveillance cameras. Basically, he was searching for anything at all that could potentially be a red flag. But he found none. All things seemed to point towards the fact that this place was actually legit.
He took the master suite of course. And sat down on the bed to perform a wide range scan of The Guardians area. There was no trace of darkness in sight. This place was certainly too good to be true.
Satisfied, he finally resigned to the fact that this organization was certainly what it said it was. Of course, he was expecting to see some twists along the way. And he knew he would welcome them gladly. But for now, he just had to see what this place had to offer. No one knew he was a god. As far as they were all concerned, he was just an exceptionally gifted mage.
All things considered, it was indeed safe to say that the future definitely held some interesting prospects- for both him and the sisters. The New Order had been his target, but fate had brought him a much bigger fish. He certainly was going to grill the hell out of it. He had no difficulty sleeping that night. None of them did.
Work began the very next day.
Like a guide to the afterlife, Mina appeared at their door the next morning at exactly 8:00 am with her hair done, her outfit perfectly dry cleaned, and without a trace of tiredness in her eyes. This lady was definitely something.
"Alright I haven't got all day! Let's go, let's go!"
Thankfully, they were all prepped and ready to go. Eliana was a bit disappointed that she did not have time to whip up something to eat. She wanted to protest, but somehow, she knew that the intense looking lady did not give a single care in the world. Breakfast would have to wait.
Alex inquired what was on everyone's mind;
"Where are we going Mina?"
"Oh don't worry. You'll see."
They got into a vehicle that resembled a golf cart, and eased out of the residential area into the real work space. Eliana and Scarlett gawked at just how tidy, organized and efficient the streets were. It was a little past 8'o clock, and yet, the entire town was already ablaze with activity.
Calling it a 'town' was a big slur. It was not up to the size of a city. But it was mega in every way. They could spend years here, and still wake up mesmerized every single day.
Mina led them to one of those glossy skyscrapers. A huge billboard at the top said;
'RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT- IV'
Mina announced; "Welcome to research and development. This is where is where the magic happens. Here, each and every single one of you will be tested. Brace yourselves."
The elevator ride to the top was a tense one. Especially for the girls who were automatically nervous about anything 'test' related. Alex remained as placid as the deep waters, knowing whatever was to come, he was more than capable of handling.
The door opened at the seventh floor- the testing area.
The entire space looked like one giant warehouse or studio apartment. But instead of the ruggedly ambience that was synonymous with the engineering and research wing, this place was the complete opposite. It was all white, and shiny, and clean- perhaps too clean, like a laboratory. To further augment this facade, huddled over the rows and rows of tables were people in white coats and transparent googles.
This was definitely the testing area alright.
Mina did not allow them the luxury of soaking in the scene this time. She promptly headed them towards the only part of the space that was not in the open. It was simply called 'The Box.' In name, it resembled that exactly. It was a sturdy, black opaque room that had been fortified with titanium fittings that was more than capable of containing any kind of accidents within it. It was situated right in the middle of the open space, and stuck out like a sore thumb in the middle of the all white space.
Mina brought them to the entrance and gave them intructions;
"Okay, here's how this is going to go; each and everyone of you will be thoroughly tested to determine your exact status on the spectrum. This data will be inputed into The Guardians' database for records purposes. In the future, when you might have advanced further, you will return here for another test to verify and update your new status. Understood?"
She did not need an answer. It was very much a rhetorical question.
"Mister Alex, you're up first. Follow me into The Box. The rest of you, stay here and wait your turn."
Alex followed Mina in. Inside the mysterious cage-like box, things were not at all what he had expected. At the very least, he thought it might have been a conduit that contained a bubbling amount of energy. The room was empty, save for a clean white table in the middle. And on that table, positioned carefully was a very peculiar crystal ball. It was relatively large when compared with the regular ones that were typical with gypsies.
Mina nudged him from behind;
"Go on. All you have to do is place your hand on the crystal ball and we'll take it from there..."