The fluorescent lights made the walls of the medical ward gleam in pure white. The floor, a mesmerizing blend of blue and green, served as a striking contrast to the white walls. Delicate flakes adorned its waterproof surface, concealing any blemishes and enhancing the overall visual appeal. Interestingly, I had this exact type of flooring in my workshop.
As I entered the examination room, it did not differ from the rest of the building. The day's doctor entered after the nurse's basic questions. Like last time, he gave me a look. Then, he requested a blood sample to harmonize the healing magic with my body and improve healing time. In just a few minutes, I could already feel my body experiencing rejuvenation.
Just a heads up, it's common to experience headaches and nausea when using aether on the same day as intense meditation, especially with reinforcement methods. Although it's rare, there's a slight chance of experiencing hallucinations. If that happens, it's important to return. Other than these potential effects, you're good to go ahead.
I smiled, enjoying the results, and had no further concerns.
"Thank you."
The doctor led me back to the lobby. When reaching the door, a wall window was present. I could see Riya waiting lobby room. She was clenching onto her gauntlet, a sign of anxiety. She was rigid, avoiding eye contact with the people in the room. It made me happy that someone like Riya, an elite knight, can go above just meeting her job requirements. This was also reflecting the king's judge of characters. Riya heard the click of the door, and her body lost any sense of tension upon meeting my eyes. However, the door opened and our eyes met, and I saw the stern expression soften. She relaxed as she scuttled across the lobby to meet me.
"It's good to see that you're okay."
"I'm fine, I've gone through worse."
I reassured her, though inside, I questioned if anything could compare. She had enough worries of her own. Perhaps I shouldn't let my curiosity get the best of me so much. It could ease her stress.
"Enough of that" Riya interjected. "Councilor Sirena Vortexus is waiting for you."
Elara strolled into the lavish lobby just a few moments ago, the sound of her footsteps echoing against the marble floors. As she entered, her keen ears caught the faint murmur of Riya's words. A mischievous smirk crept onto Elara's face, her eyebrow arching in amusement. With her arms confidently crossed, she tapped her arm, feeling the coolness of the room against her skin.
"Tsk! Yes, I had to stay with her the whole time because of you. It's been 20 minutes since you were left alone. Did your curiosity get the better of you again?"
"Yeah, sorry to the both of you, I shouldn't let my curiosity get so out of hand."
"Volkner it's okay, that brain of yours is the reason why we were able to work together in the first place. She waiting though, come on!"
We walked to the lobby doors, and the outer hallways had the familiar matt black walls and marble flooring. The same blue strip kept the area at a comfortable level. We arrived at the desk involved with the arena matches. Elara spoke some short words, and we walked in without a problem.
Riya, Elara, and I walked through the quiet corridors of the arena and arrived at the secluded VIP section. The doors opened smoothly, thanks to precision-engineered hinges. I couldn't help but admire this insignificant detail.
Upon entering the VIP waiting room, the deliberate luxuries surrounding us struck me. The deep navy carpets covered the floor, absorbing our steps. I noticed subtle gold patterns threaded on the carpets, resembling celestial constellations. They served both a practical purpose of reducing noise and providing a visual feast. Above us, a crystal chandelier hung majestically. The light carefully diffused to brighten the room without causing a harsh glare. It was a thoughtful integration of aesthetics and functionality.
The walls were an elegant tapestry of dark mahogany paneled with gold trim, reflecting not just the light but the stature of the room's intended occupants. Each element in the room spoke of a meticulous design philosophy that balanced luxury with practicality, resonating with my own principles as an engineer.
Councilor Sirena Vortexus stood with poise by a wide window, gazing out at the bustling arena below. The grandeur of the view stressed her silhouette, both authoritative and elegant. As she turned towards us, the plush navy leather furniture exuded a sense of comfort and the faint aroma of polished wood. The low, ornate gold coffee table, adorned with delicate carvings, seemed to await the beginning of our conversation.
"Welcome," she began, her voice carrying the calm assurance of power. Her presence seemed to fill the room even more completely than the physical furnishings. "Our fight is to begin in 5 minutes, I figured it would take some additional time. In the meantime, I'll let you know."
She gracefully lowered herself onto the plush navy blue chair, feeling its smooth fabric against her fingertips. As she crossed her legs, she observed the elegant surroundings, with the soft glow of the room's golden lighting casting a warm ambiance. The faint scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, adding to the cozy atmosphere.
"Volkner, I will not be going against you myself and instead, you will fight my puppets instead. I want to see what you are capable of at such an early stage. My ability to scale an opponents difficulty is great for testing new students. This arena will also allow me to push you to the very limit of failure. Achieve excellent results, and I'll see to it, that you get benefits out of this."
"I am already indebted to you, Councilor Sirena Vortexus, if you have any requests, I shall fulfill it."
As I observe the situation, a feeling in the pit of my stomach compels me to offer help. The reasons behind this instinct remain unclear, but it's as if an invisible force guides me. Her mention of "students" hints at the possibility of future tutoring opportunities, which could benefit me. However, there is an undeniable risk involved. Her unique perspective may provide valuable insights, yet it also carries the potential for disadvantages. I must seize this opportunity, despite the uncertainty, in order to find my way back home.
"Alright Volkner, we're about to teleport now. I look forward to fighting you!'"