88 Touring the Tower (1/2)
Roland cleared his throat as the two left the embassy. ”As your prince has already informed you through our conversation,” he said hoarsely. ”My name is Roland. I will be the one to show you around Crown Embassy Tower today and showing you to your new living quarters.
He went behind his desk once again, but this time, he placed his hand on a panel which Will recognized instantly as an aura panel. A red glow shone within Roland's hand, and a resounding click could be heard through the large lobby. A large door appeared which wasn't there prior, right next to the desk he stood behind. ”As you can see, the tower security will only allow wielders to enter, unless a wielder escorts one without the gift.”
Roland entered the door and gestured for them to follow. When Will and Maya entered behind the group, they entered into a large open area. He looked around and his eyes went wide.
He could see at least twenty floors up. Where his eyes landed, there were at least a hundred wielders with blaze red auras practicing aerial drills over a grassy outcrop with what looked like a small wood line.
”We took a page from how you learned to fly, Prince Ragnos.” Roland said with a smirk. ”What you are seeing is the fire aura training grounds.” He gestured towards the trees. ”Within the wooded area, there's at least ten combat arenas in order for the initiates to hone their skills. There's room for at least three hundred trainees in this room to move freely.”
Roland pointed to the walls around the facility. ”Each initiate needs to learn how to fly within the first month. Until then,” he pointed at ropes which hung down neatly over ledges. Will looked closer and saw orderly doors lining the walls on the upper floor. ”They have to climb to their rooms.”
”What about their ability to hold the aura?” Will asked casually. ”I had to meditate daily along with my workouts in order to manifest the flame.” He shrugged his shoulder. ”Even then, the flame was like a muscle I had to exercise hourly.”
”Each room has a meditation room.” Roland said. ”The rooms are made out of the same material that the affinity crystals are made from, so they won't burn up. You have one too.” He walked to the wall to his left and placed his hand on another panel. ”If you all will follow me this way, we will continue the tour.” He turned and walked through the next doorway that opened behind him.
”This reminds me of an intern tour for one of the multi-billion corporations from my world.” Will whispered in Maya's ear. She rolled her eyes and continued walking with the rest of the group. ”Tough crowd.” Will smiled as he followed her through the door.
Will was once again taken aback as he walked into a spacious room which reminded him of a college dining facility, only a hundred times larger. ”Welcome to the dining lounge.” Roland smiled as he took in the astonished expressions.
They walked past a large pond which had a waterfall splashing down, yet when Will looked up, he only saw a stone as the source of water. Tens of tables surrounded the pond, only a few were occupied by initiates who either conversed with each other, or studied while they ate. ”As you can see, this location is for nothing but relaxation. There are many different food outlets within the court, as well as many different environments.”
Roland walked them through many of the different locations of the dining facility. Will saw many other ponds with stone producing water. Though there were also locations which had sandy surfaces with rock formations that had students who balanced one legged on very thin rocks, giving Will a nostalgic look. He remembered when Michael had him train the same way. He remembered balancing on a rock himself for hours. If he slipped, he had to start over again. The longer it took him, the longer it took before he could eat. Somehow, Will knew by the looks on the students faces, that his uncle set up the dining facility. He noticed one man staring longingly at a couple who were eating by a fountain.
When they entered the next room, Will didn't even have to guess what laid beyond the door. He saw a quarter mile track of grassy terrain. He could see a few students running the track with bands on both their arms and legs. ”How much weight is on each of those bands?” Will asked Roland as he finished his explanation.
”Michael ensured that the bands could be adjusted to any weights.” Roland smiled while looking at one of the students. ”This one is promising though.”
”Oh?”