11. State-of-the-Art Facilities

The gym was nearby, so we didn't have to commute too far. Sage Kingdom was the name displayed on the building. I couldn't tell how big, but at the very least two or three times larger than the coliseum I destroyed a few days before. It had a modern new feel to it, everything inside was shiny and clean.

The membership cost made my head reel, everything the receptionist said was describing their gym as a state of art high-class training area that was released to the public. They also talked about their dojo which included inner sect members that joined by invite only or through other means apart from the public members that joined the gym.

It seemed like this was a rather large sect with multiple locations throughout the kingdom since they could afford such a large place that also housed their own sect members.

I acted as calm as possible, interested in their one-day trial membership, which had access to all activities available in the gym. They provided us with a set of trial member clothes to change into as an assigned employee designated guide waited to begin our tour. One gold per person was held as collateral but was mainly to address gathering only those that we're serious about becoming possible members.

They equipped the gym with many various rooms from target practice, strength to endurance training. Strength training was a specially sealed room once inside, your magic was weakened exponentially the more mana that was used. It was harder to activate your spells, and the outcome was a far cry from using it normally, allowing you to push your limits. To avoid mana deficiencies, the endurance room had multiple settings of difficulty, like the strength training room, but aimed at prolonged exposure.

It shocked me at the amount of precision that this gym had considered for improving everyone's magical abilities. I didn't recognize over half of the machines and was clueless as to their purpose. Eris seemed uninterested as she followed closely behind me.

I asked if there were any classes being taught today as I remembered the conversation from the pizza joint. It's not like I didn't understand how to harness mana which everyone learned during first grade. I knew the basics of magic as did everyone who made it through the schooling system. My issue was knowing these things and still not being able to muster forth any previous aura of mana at all.

"You're in luck. A new class is being taught as we speak. Only the fourth day and we're getting a lot of positive feedback from members who partook in the sessions." Our guide led the way further into an enclosed gymnasium where the class was being held.

We took a seat in the bleachers and noticed that instead of an instructor teaching everyone all at once on theory or improving upon mana formations, this guy had everyone separated into sparring matches.

To gain experience through actual combat; exactly my preference. I understood why they said the class was fun since sect's normally don't allow sparring matches between inner sect members and the general public.

I asked the guide if there were any instructors that taught martial arts or anything physical related. His stare said it all, as it felt like I'd lost all form of respect and may have even garnered animosity.

"Sir, we pride ourselves on innovative advancements in dealings with magic. There is no need to learn hand to hand combat when the situation will never arise." He said it so matter-of-factly that I didn't even want to bother questioning his logic.

"Eris, would you like to give it a try with me?" I'd rather show than argue, since this may very well turn into a new job possibility.

"Yes, master as you wish." Eris surprised both of us as his opinion of me did a complete flip, while it left me wondering why she was back to calling me master again.

The guide told us to wait a moment while he went to set everything up for us. My attention fell on a group of guys making a racket off to the side of our bleachers.

"Hey, Seric! Where did your sister go?"

"Oh, she left already after dropping off some food for me. Why, what's up?" A guy with chubby cheeks replied.

"Didn't we tell you to have her stick around today?" One guy took a step forward eyeing the lunch box in Seric's hands.

"I tried, but she's very busy today and had to hurry to her third job." Seric responded as one of the other guys led him towards a glass training cubicle.

"You remember yesterday when we all joked about you introducing us to your sister and teased that if you couldn't we would hold you to it." They all laughed along as one pushed Seric into the training cubicle.

"No need to listen to him. Here let me take that. We will give you some personal pointers and tips today on aura strengthening." The one that pushed Seric said.

"Oh really, Thank you! You guys almost had me there. I thought everyone was mad?" Seric chuckled as he entered.

"We wouldn't do that to you, you're our fellow brother. Get ready, focus all your strength into channeling magic around your body." The moment he said that the dial was cranked to the maximum setting.

"AHHHH!!!" Seric slammed to the floor, not able to withstand the gravity amplification.

"Keep it up Seric, you're doing great." One guy snickered.

"Feeling pain is a good sign. We'll be back in fifteen minutes, do your best!" The group of thugs left while ignoring the struggling call for help.

I had some time until my guide was back and something, maybe the premise of bullying captured my attention. I found myself drawn to the commotion and already staring at the glass cubicle before I knew it. There were no longer any calls for help. I worried that the guy somehow died.

I ran to the entrance and noticed no movement from his body. I rushed my hand across the dial and turned off the system. Without waiting for it to gradually lower the gravity, I went in to carry the guy out. Outside of the door, I laid him down from over my shoulder with his back against the glass.

"Eris, could you?" It seemed like the gravity was too intense that it stopped his lungs from expanding, causing him to fall unconscious.

Eris leaned over and placed a hand on Seric's shoulder, beginning the healing process. Having finished, she went back to her spot a few steps behind me.

Seric's hand twitched and moments later his eyes opened up. Now that I knew he was going to be alright, I went back to the bleachers to wait for the guide.

"Huh, what happened?! How did I get out here? Who was that?" Seric questioned aloud, staring at me as I left.

It seemed like the guide was searching for us, since the moment I got back he rushed over.

"Sir, I've settled everything. The instructor will allow you to take part. Please follow me." The guide motioned us over to the padded flooring in the gymnasium's center.

Whether it was the guide talking to the instructor directly or our trial member outfits, Eris and I were the center of attention as the instructor took care of the both of us. Eris was up first. They found a suitable sparring partner based on her age. She was up against a rookie who probably wasn't a member for longer than three months.

This situation was uncommon, but no one doubted the ten-year-old girl's power or else why would she be here after paying the holding fee. They both got into position inside a circular ring; her opponent was a thin, lanky man in his early twenties. This class specifically prohibited the use of any weapons or aids, hoping to simulate circumstances where you found yourself unprepared.

There was no suspense in who I thought would come out the victor, but I was still in awe at how ridiculously overpowered Eris was for her age. Her mana manipulation was incredible, accompanied by her near limitless supply of mana put her in a league of her own. The lanky fellow's fireball dissipated upon contact of her mana shield.

For the first time in a while, I felt pity for someone as he furiously threw fireball after another, only to lose confidence instead. I have to hand it to him, he never gave up till the end as he laid on the ground unconscious from severe mana depletion. Eris stood as if nothing happened, waiting for her next sparring partner.

Everyone stared mouth agape in disbelief as chatter went around the crowd spreading rumors of Eris being a slave and that I was her master, garnering all attention onto me.