They soon reached a large set of double doors at the end of the hallway. Remy pushed them open, revealing a spacious room filled with various equipment. There were weapons hung on the walls, dummies for combat practice, and a few advanced-looking machines Solar couldn’t quite identify. The room had a strong metallic smell, a mix of oil and sweat, that hinted at its frequent use.
“This is the training grounds,” Remy said, walking towards the different sections of the room. “You’ll probably spend a lot of time here. Mim’s training is really hard again with the help of our supreme coach.. He's really scary, trust me but I'm sure his training will do good!”
Solar nodded, taking in the space. This room had a different kind of energy—one that was intense and focused, but not unfriendly.
As if reading Solar’s thoughts, Remy added, “It might seem intimidating at first, but it’s not as bad as it looks. Everyone here had to start somewhere, and we all helped each other out. You’ll be fine.”
Solar gave a small nod, “I guess I’ll have to get used to this place, huh?”
“Yep, but don’t worry, you’ve got us to help you,” Remy replied, patting Solar on the shoulder. “And besides, you’re not alone in feeling out of place. We all had to adjust when we first joined.”
They exited the training grounds and continued down another hallway, which led to a series of smaller rooms. “These are the quarters,” Remy explained. “This is where most of us sleep. But of course if you have a place you could stay there if you want, You’ll get your own room too, once we figure out where you’ll be staying permanently. For now, we can set you up in one of the guest rooms.”
Solar looked at the doors lining the hallway, each one labeled with a different name. It felt strange to think of this place as a home, but there was a sense of comfort in knowing that there was a place for them here, even if it was temporary.
After passing through the living quarters, they reached another large door. Remy pushed it open to reveal a bustling cafeteria, filled with the sounds of clattering dishes and lively chatter. The smell of food wafted through the air, making Solar realize just how lively the place is
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“This is the mess hall,” Remy said with a grin. “The food’s not bad, and it’s a great place to catch up with everyone after a long day. We can grab something to eat here after the tour, if you want.”
“ mmm.. Yeah sure..” solar hesitated,
“ what? You don't feel hungry?”
“ As far as i know, hunger means.. Need for things to consume..?”
“.. yeah? Food?”
“Well I don't feel hungry at all. “
“.. huh? Do you even have a digestive system?“
Solar confused; “ a digestive whaaaa?”
Remy is unsure what to say..
“It's fine- how about we also check you in with Nicholas about your health too?”
“Yeah..? i don't know what health means..but you know best anyways..”
They continued the tour, Remy pointing out various other rooms and areas, including the armory, the communications hub, and the briefing room where missions were planned and discussed. The more Solar saw, the more they began to understand just how complex and well-organized the SJA was.
Finally, they ended up back at the main entrance, where the tour had started. Remy looked at Solar with a satisfied nod. “Well, that’s pretty much the grand tour. Like I said, it’s a lot to take in, but you’ll get the hang of it.”
Solar exhaled, feeling a bit overwhelmed but also more settled. “Thanks, Remy. I appreciate you showing me around.”
“No problem,” Remy replied with a smile. “Now, how about we get some food? You must be starving.”
As they headed back towards the mess hall, Solar felt a little more grounded. They still didn’t know what their next steps would be, but for the first time since arriving in this strange new world, they felt like they had some footing. There was a lot to figure out, and it wouldn’t be easy, but at least now they knew they wouldn’t have to face it alone.