David watched as Hestia and Loki's bickering escalated, the two goddesses arguing over who had emerged victorious in their earlier dance-off. Hestia insisted that her performance had been flawless, while Loki stubbornly maintained that she had been the superior dancer.
"Oh, please, Loki," Hestia huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Everyone saw how I wiped the floor with you. Admit it, you couldn't keep up!"
Loki scoffed, her crimson eyes narrowing. "That's where you're wrong, my dear Hestia. I was merely warming up. If we had continued, the outcome would have been very different."
The two goddesses continued to bicker, their voices rising as they refused to concede defeat. The members of the Loki Familia and Hephaestus watched the exchange with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Tiona leaned in towards Aiz, a mischievous grin on her face. "Bet you a hundred Valis that Hestia ends up tackling Loki to the ground," she whispered.
Aiz raised a brow, her expression calm and composed. "I'd rather not participate in such wagers," she replied, her gaze fixed on the arguing pair.
Finn, ever the diplomat, stepped forward, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Now, now, let's not get carried away," he said, his voice smooth and level. "Why don't we move on to the next part of the tour? I'm sure David has more wonders to show us."
David, sensing the need to diffuse the situation, nodded in agreement. "Absolutely, Finn. There's still so much more to see!" He gestured towards a set of ornate double doors. "Right this way, everyone."
Hestia and Loki paused their bickering, momentarily distracted by the prospect of more exploration. With one final glare, they fell into step behind David, the rest of the group following closely.
David led the group through the ornate double doors, revealing a vast, open space with stark white walls, floor, and ceiling. "Welcome to the battle simulation room," he announced, gesturing grandly. "This space can recreate any environment or enemy using advanced holographic technology."
The members of the Loki Familia and Hephaestus stared in awe, their eyes wide with wonder. Hephaestus stepped forward, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "Holographic technology?" she murmured, her voice tinged with curiosity. "This level of sophistication is unheard of in Orario."
David nodded, a proud smile spreading across his face. "That's right. This room can generate incredibly realistic simulations, allowing adventurers to train and prepare for the challenges of the Dungeon without risking their lives." He turned to Aiz, whose gaze was fixed on the featureless white space. "Aiz, I believe you'd find this room particularly useful. Would you like to give it a try?"
Aiz met David's gaze, a spark of interest flickering in her pale gold eyes. "Yes, I would," she replied, her voice soft but resolute.
David gestured towards a wall, and a selection of weapons materialized, ranging from swords and spears to maces and axes. "Feel free to choose any of these. The room will adjust the simulated enemies to match your chosen weapon."
Aiz approached the array of armaments, her eyes scanning each one with a practiced gaze. After a moment of consideration, she reached out and grasped the hilt of a slender, straight-bladed sword. "This will do," she said, her fingers curling around the grip.
Tiona, her eyes shining with excitement, nudged Aiz playfully. "Ooh, going with your classic sword, huh? I can't wait to see you in action!"
Aiz offered Tiona a small smile, then turned her attention back to David. "What do I do now?"
David gestured towards the center of the room. "Just step into the middle, and the simulation will begin. Remember, this is a safe environment – the holograms won't actually harm you, but they will challenge your skills."
Aiz nodded, her grip tightening on the sword's hilt as she made her way to the center of the room. The others stepped back, their gazes fixed on the Sword Princess.
Suddenly, the once-blank space came alive, the walls, floor, and ceiling transforming into a dimly lit, winding dungeon corridor. Aiz's eyes narrowed, her body tensing as she scanned her surroundings.
A low growl echoed through the corridor, and a massive, hulking figure materialized before Aiz. The Minotaur, its red eyes glowing with malice, charged towards her, its hooves pounding against the stone floor.
Aiz's muscles coiled, and she lunged forward, her sword flashing as she met the Minotaur's charge head-on.
Aiz battled the minotaur, her movements a graceful dance of blades and wind. The Sword Princess parried the creature's powerful swings, her sword flashing as she delivered a series of swift, precise strikes. The minotaur roared in pain and fury, but Aiz remained calm and focused, her footwork light and nimble.
The group watching stared with fascination. The Loki Familia adventurers were quite familiar with minotaurs, having faced them countless times in the Dungeon, but the holographic creature before them was indistinguishable from the real thing. Tiona leaned in, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Wow, Aiz is amazing as always!" she exclaimed. "That simulation looks just like the real thing."
Finn nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Indeed. The level of detail is truly impressive." He turned to David, a hint of interest in his gaze. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to inquire about the possibility of the Loki Familia utilizing this training facility sometime. I believe it could be invaluable for our adventurers."
David smiled, gesturing towards the ongoing battle. "Not at all, Finn. I'd be more than happy to make the simulation room available to your Familia. Of course, there would be a fee involved, but I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that works for everyone."
Finn inclined his head. "Excellent. I look forward to discussing the details further." His gaze returned to the fight, where Aiz was steadily gaining the upper hand.
The minotaur, its massive form battered and bruised, let out a final, agonized roar before disintegrating into particles of light. Aiz sheathed her sword, her expression serene, as the simulated environment dissolved around her.
David watched intently as Aiz effortlessly dispatched the simulated minotaur. The Sword Princess sheathed her blade, her expression calm and composed.
"That was nothing," Aiz said matter-of-factly.
David nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "In that case, how about we up the ante?" He tapped a few commands into the console, and the environment around them shifted.
The once-dimly lit dungeon corridor morphed into an expansive, open chamber. Towering medieval-style doors loomed before them, and in front of the massive entryway stood a truly formidable foe - a Cerberus, its three heads each capable of unleashing a different elemental onslaught.
The monstrous creature fixed its piercing gaze on Aiz, a low, rumbling growl emanating from its three maws. The Sword Princess met the Cerberus' challenging stare, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
Aiz looks at the enemy, and tightens the grip on her blade. Even though it is a simulation, Aiz knows the enemy before she is strong.
Aiz narrowed her eyes, studying the Cerberus intently. The three-headed beast glared back at her, its eyes burning with malice. Aiz could feel the weight of its gaze, the sheer power radiating from the creature.
"A formidable foe," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Gripping her sword, she took a step forward, her movements fluid and graceful.
The Cerberus let out a thunderous roar, the sound echoing through the cavernous chamber. "Leave at once!" the left head snarled, its voice deep and guttural.
"None shall pass!" the center head bellowed, its jaws snapping menacingly.
"Or else we shall feast on your flesh!" the right head growled, its eyes gleaming with hunger.
"And gnaw on your bones!" the three heads concluded in unison, their voices blending into a terrifying chorus.
Aiz remained unfazed, her expression calm and focused. "Come," she said, her voice clear and resolute.
The Cerberus let out a deafening roar, its three heads rearing back. Aiz tensed, her muscles coiling as she prepared for the onslaught.
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