I followed her in with Iris as Tessa remained close. The previous missing pedestal now reappeared in the middle of the room but with a slight difference. A large ruby pendant; deep dark and red enough to match the color of her eyes laid centered on it.

She glanced back at me one final time before placing a hand onto the gemstone. Her fleeting smile disappeared, closing her eyes to focus.

“Is sister okay?” Tessa stepped forward in concern.

“Her mind has begun the trials.” This must be what Eris was left with when I attuned and entered into the virtual world.

“How are things coming along with you and Eris?” The mention of Eris being called sister caught my attention.

“I want to help her but she doesn’t open up. There always seems to be something on her mind.” That’s Eris for you, though she is changing even if it is slow.

“Just being by her side is more than enough... Though make sure to socialize with the others, you should get to know everyone to a certain extent.” I didn’t like the current cliques that were forming or want any walls erected, making it harder to learn about one another.

“I will always stay with sister!... Tessa will try her best to get to know the others.” Her words burst with emotion, reminding me of the night and day shift of her demeanor from back when she was still with Marcus. Her boyish red hair had gotten longer and it seemed she intended to let it grow out.

I returned a satisfied nod and opened with another question “How is your training going?”

“Good, would master be willing to spar with me again, to offer some more guidance?” She bowed her head, waiting for a reply.

“Sure, get ready.” This room was large enough to allow for a quick sparring session and I gestured my hand to begin. Her feet spread apart in a widened stance, ready to push off.

“Waaaaiit--, fighting is not allowed in the altar room!” Iris’s voice cranked up several octaves as she freaked out from the sudden escalation.

“Oh…, Okay.” I didn’t expect that to be an issue.

“Please use the training facility if you wish to spar.” Her follow-up surprised both of us.

“I can show you the way to the elevator. It is located on the bottom floor of this structure.” I could already tell, Eris would be annoyed that an elevator existed to skip all those stairs.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Please, show us the way, I didn’t know there was one... What else is hiding away in this place?” We both followed Iris out of the altar room.

“We’ve got a whole range of facilities that would assist our inheritors. Anything to improve odds of success. Just ask and it will most likely exist, if not it can be created on request.” Iris stopped before an empty section, clear of people. The metallic floor in front of us split apart with a see-through cubicle, rising up from within. The newly emerged elevator opened its glass-like doors to us.

I had already imagined the fright on Tessa’s face before having to glance back at her. The fear written all over it matched my expectations. Would she be okay riding it down if she had so much trouble with the one back home?

“Are you going to be okay?”

She resounded a few low and defeated murmuring shudders, finally lifting her head to submit to her fate.

“Wait here, let me tell the others.” Might as well have everyone who wishes to join, tag along. I rushed over to Alexa and Rhea chatting together.

“There seems to be a training ground on a lower level here. I want to gather anyone who wishes to join. Rhea, please gather anyone interested.” Rhea walked away, calling out to the surrounding people as I turned to face Alexa.

“Would you look after Eris for me please? She’s undergoing the trials in the altar room.” I didn’t want to leave Eris all alone when she came out of the trials.

“Of course, master. I will let you know when she finishes the trials.” Alexa made her way towards the altar doors after accepting my gratitude.

Seemed everyone would rather join us than stay up here with nothing to do. The elevator wasn’t capable of transporting everyone at once and we ended up having to take turns to reach the bottom. I decided to stay behind with the last group, which consisted of only Nathan and Selka. A perfect chance to have a brief chat with the two.

“Don’t let Selka take advantage of you.” I smirked at the two of them.

“He’s like a little brother! Don’t get the wrong idea…” I couldn’t help messing with her after all the trouble she put me through. Nathan’s stance looked clueless as to what we both implied as he remained in silence.

“I’m glad there’s someone you can confide in. I was beginning to feel bad for having to ostracize you from everyone.” With her powers, it couldn’t be helped but didn’t mean her feelings wouldn’t be affected by the loneliness.

“You worry too much. I’m used to it.” Selka offered a faint smile.

“Master, I will take care of Selka. Please, do not worry anymore!” Nathan spoke up, replying to both of our responses with a firm, yet childlike tone.

“Good, make sure not to let anything happen to your older sister in the future.” His determination and Selka’s embarrassment incited a chuckle to escape during my command.

The transparent elevator doors opened to the training facility in front of us. Sleek metallic corridors led to a massive open area gymnasium, several times larger than our old warehouse’s first floor. Everyone gathered around in the center area, following after Rhea and Iris. The padded flooring added a rubbery bounce to our steps as we made our way over to them.

“I’ll be sparring with Tessa first, please observe and learn what you can. After that, I’ll be assisting each person one by one. If you wish to rather spar like Tessa, please raise your hand and stand over there.” I pointed left, to have the ones that wanted to spar separate from the others. My intentions were to handle all the combat first, then assist those in technical matters, since that would take longer than a sparring match.

One by one a hand rose up until everyone merely shifted their whole group to the specified spot. I facepalmed together with a sigh at the silly shuffling they did, all wanting to have a match with me.