104 Pride and Honour
"… This can't be real…" Esmond was overlooking the education district what was near the Necthea Institute and Xavier Mansion, that educated a majority of the members within the Spatial Ark Star World.
There were plenty of faces wondering around the district, with people heading to classes or to the shops to eat.
All sorts of life were stirring below Esmonds and Gabriels feet who were hovering in the sky.
Their eyes were glued to the large building that seemed to look like a medieval castle.
Esmond thought to himself that it looked like Hogwarts, but he knew that it was entirely possible for him to actually got and see Hogwarts, so he wasn't going to make such a statement so easily.
Either way, the first thing that came to his mind was one of the rewards he just received.
"It's the Library of Raibeelze…" Gabriel spoke before Esmond could say a word, "… a place of magic and wonder.
There are all sorts of facilities within the library, but I think its best you come have a look first…"
Gabriel only spent a small amount of time going through the library which left her overwhelmed to the point that she felt it was necessary to call Esmond.
To her surprise the Library of Raibeelze was just as expansive and powerful like the library on the Halo Ringworld.
The technology might not be the same level of advancement, but the magical mechanics were astounding in Gabriel's mind compared to anything that was being researched at the Necthea Institute.
They slowly flew over to the entrance of the library that had great large doors that stretched as high as 30 metres with a width of around 10 metres.
Esmond was going to push the door open, but it happened to automatically open itself, much like the sliding doors at malls.
Suspecting them to be detection magic involved, Esmond kept a close eye out for any spell incantations while they walked around.
When they entered the sprawling castle, they entered directly into the main library, with more bookshelves Esmond have ever thought possible.
Looking around, the whole place seemed to be filled endlessly with books of all sorts, with many levels present that were similarly filled as such.
"Space Magic…" Esmond noticed the enhancements and inscriptions in the walls that made the library much larger than the building appeared externally.
"This is just the beginning…"
Gabriel found it harder to explain the other functions within the library and left it down to exploration.
.
"Welcome to the Library of Raibeelze…
How may I help you…?" a wise grey-haired scholar floated through the air, over to Esmond and Gabriels position near the entrance of the library.
"I'm Kizelar, the Keeper of the Library," he introduced himself while carefully combing through the grey hairs of his beard before Kizelars red pupils landed on Esmond, "… and its an honour to meet the Lord."
Esmond didn't know what to say at first, but he slowly moved over and lifted the kneeling Kizelar before going over to greet the scholar.
"Its an honour to meet you Kizelar, would you do the honours and explain to me what the capabilities of the library are?"
Esmond and Gabriel closely listened to Kizelar and followed him from behind while they went through the library.
"The current functions and facilities within the library aren't exactly… prepared…
However, over the next few days, they should all be functional and useable."
Kizelar told the two there were rooms being prepared for people to train and practise without being disturbed, and at the same time giving the users enough protection to ensure they can develop.
The thing was all the rooms that were being created for individual or group study had been reenforced by the space.
They would be incredibly important to stabilise the Cores of mana practitioners and those that practised Spiritual Energy.
Esmond believed the rooms would be vital for the growth of his residents, however he soon learnt it wasn't anything compared to the other functions of the library.
Kizelar soon introduced Esmond to the training grounds that looked like a stadium with a circular field in the middle that was filled with fine sand.
.
"This here are the Training Grounds…
While it seems like only a pair could use it, the grounds are enchanted and inscribed to allow up 50 battles to occur simultaneously.
The battles will be shown up above in the sky of the arena, but those that have taken a seat in the stands will have access to watch any battle as a small viewing screen will appear before their eyesight.
At the same time, the Training Grounds can also create combatants that can fight fiercely against those who wished to practise."
Kizelar was about to ask Esmond to give it a shot, however he felt it wasn't the right time for that and instead continued to look round with Kizelar and Gabriel.
Eventually Esmond was left stunned and delighted by the facilities within the library.
He'd stumbled various facilities that were created to teach alchemy, inscribing, rune smithing and much more while also giving the students their own working stations that could be expanded upon.
There was a slight urgency in Esmonds heart and mind to train his residents in Mana, especially the rarer occupations, all for the hopes to increase the ability of his Empire.
.
"Kizelar… take this…" Esmond handed Kizelar a Spatial Stone Ring with an enormous amount of space, "I'll have Isabelle fill it with all sorts of resources and materials to help you with anything that you may need.
For now, please get to know the space and its abilities as well.
I hope the space will give you a better sense of our capabilities and where we are lacking…"
Esmond wanted to leave already from the library since he felt there was nothing else here that could keep him around any longer, but he was amazed to see Kizelar seemed to have something else to show him.
"My Lord, thank you for the gift you have given me…
However, before you leave, may you please follow me to the last destination that've yet to show you."
In a corner of the library, Kizelar led Gabriel and Esmond to a secure part that was heavily locked and guarded by all sorts of spells and traps to keep people out.
"My Lord… this here… is the entrance to the forbidden knowledge that shouldn't ever be used or practised…
It is all stored here."
"… Why are you showing me this Kizelar, if it's supposed to be forbidden..."
Esmond struggled to understand what Kizelar was trying to do but he waited patiently until they entered through the large, sealed door.
Similarly, to the library, there were plenty of bookshelves filled with various books.
Because of the magic used to keep the room clean and the books from damaging, Esmond couldn't understand how long the books had been stored within the room.
Looking around there were swords, armour, spears, and various other items sealed behind glass or stored high on the walls.
Esmond felt like testing out one of the weapons but chose to continue following Kizelar who was heading deeper into the forbidden section of the library.
Eventually they went deeper underground until they came before another set of large steel doors.
"My Lord… in ahead… the knowledge contained inside has been sealed even within the forbidden section of the library.
The first Lord, who established the library, is said to have contained his knowledge behind this door…
None who have come after the First Lord have successfully opened the door…
I was hoping… My Lord… could be the first."
Kizelar was nearly kneeling by the end of his words, but Esmond kept him up by controlling the Lifeforce around them.
Esmond was curious to see what was behind the sealed doors but before he could place his hand on the cold steel, Gabriel stopped him.
.
"While I can understand the space has the ability to keep you safe to an extent and your pretty strong as you are now…
I highly suggest you wait for the time being…"
Gabriel felt something off about the power dwelling behind the door and believed Esmond would have trouble containing whatever mysterious energy behind the door.
Kizelar wanted to insist to his Lord that he was more than prepared but Esmond had already made his mind up to leave and come back later on.
Having left the library, taking Kizelar along with them, the group of three arrived at the palace of the Second City.
It seemed the Yautja race had sent members of its council come over who all wished to meet with Esmond.
Their race was similarly going through the Military Education Training Pods as the other soldiers who'd joined the armed forces of the space.
However, since they weren't heading out of the space onto Earth, their training was slowed down, giving their race the freedom others who were in the Military Education Training Pods couldn't have.
Now that things would get more difficult in Stovi, Esmond wanted their training to be similar as the others in the Pods, however the Council of Elders who managed their people wished otherwise.
They'd come to the palace requesting time with Esmond to discuss terms and conditions for their people, much to Esmonds surprise when he heard from Carter while back in the library.
Now that Esmond had arrived at the palace, he wanted to the talks to beginning as soon as possible.
.
"Please…
Let me hear what you have to say…"
Esmond was sitting at the head of a large mahogany table lightly wrapped with gold, as it curved out in a circular manor to allow for others to be side on the sides.
Currently seated around the dark rich colour of the mahogany table were 6 members of the Yautja race who all their masks removed and were staring in Esmonds direction.
They were surprised to be given an audience with Esmond in the first place but more than anything, none had prepared themselves for the carefree attitude of their Lord.
"My Lord…" one of the Elders, Tau'oul, decided to speak up where the others failed too first.
"… we hoped to learn more about the future assignment.
News has reached us that we might be heading to Stovi first off…
Is that true, My Lord?"
"What if it is…" Esmond found it surprising the news about his plans for warfare in Stovi had reached the residents.
He wasn't annoyed one bit, but instead was confused about what the Elders were going to ask however it happened to be much different then what was going through his mind.
"Then… we ask you allow us to prepare the Un-Blooded and the Young Blood for the war.
The current numbers of the Blooded and Elite Yautja aren't large enough in comparison to the young…
We've heard the world of Stovi is much different and full of danger that could further our strength and honour…"
