I made the tour a rather short one as I was really worried about Shirayaa’s condition, and the only people I could think that would be able to truly help and even know what this was is the Illuminati.
The tour itself was rather simple since there wasn’t actually a lot left to show them, but I wanted to show them anyways since I now owned it.
On the right side of the building was the servants’ quarters, some bathrooms for them and the kitchen, which had a pantry attached to it. The room below the game room on the first floor was obviously the dining hall we just ate in.
And on the left side of the manor, there was a small library filled with different kinds of literature, ranging from stories to history books. As well as a connected study next to it, filled with various books on politics economics and more similar and connected topics.
There was also a nice lounge area to relax in with a fireplace for the colder nights of the year. And also because it just brings a nice atmosphere at night regardless.
Finally, we were onto the basement, which honestly didn’t have much to it. There was some space for storage, as well as some wine racks with wine sitting in them. There was also just an open area with nothing in it, which I was told by Tryzara was a secret stash of items that was likely to be used for some kind of uprising or something when the Cult wanted to make their move.
I didn’t tell them that last part obviously, and thankfully nobody seemed to question it either. But with that, the tour was now complete and I kind of rushed Shirayaa out of there as I was worried about her condition.
Grabbing her hand, I rushed her back up the ramp out of the basement and towards the front door.
I may not know her much, or even have much reason to help her. But I can’t exactly just let her die like this, that’d be too cruel for her, especially since she hasn’t actually done anything all that bad towards me, at least not this version of her.
And I know that even before the time alteration she was mildly annoying at best. But that was still no reason to just leave her to die like this.
Also... I feel like this is somehow my fault, so I want to make it up to her, and at the very least get her to the people who can hopefully fix her, or maybe even just stop whatever is happening to her from getting worse.
Which is why I have to get her to the capital Gilded Ophidian Institute since I know they have a portal to the Illuminati headquarters.
But as soon as I opened the front door, I remembered that I have no fucking clue where the Institute actually is. I know where my current location is in relation to the Sect Palace and the Royal Palace, though the latter is only because I can still see it from where I live on the ground.
The Institute though, was another matter entirely. And while I might know what the building might look like, I still have no idea in which direction to start looking. Also, while this might seem insignificant, I can’t see colours when using spatial vision.
It might not seem like much, but if there are buildings similar to the Institute in architectural design, then I wouldn’t have any way of differentiating them.
Thinking quickly, I sought to ask one of the Acolytes if they knew where the Institute was. "Stay out here." I told Shirayaa to wait whilst I went to find a servant, preferable the one in charge as she’s likely the more senior Acolyte.
Once back inside, I headed right towards the servants’ quarters and asked the first person I came across, "Do you know where the Gilded Ophidian Institute is?" My voice came out slightly erratic and panicked.
The Acolyte seemed momentarily stunned before shaking their head and answering me, "Uhh... It should be somewhere south east of the Royal Palace, nearly as large as the Sect palace itself in terms of area, but not nearly as tall."
"Thanks." I gave a rather curt response to her and headed back outside and grabbed Shirayaa by the hand before immediately teleporting us near the Royal Palace’s entrance.
Our arrival in the middle of the street was of course noticed, and it sent a lot of people into a slight state of distress due to our sudden and mysterious appearance.
I ignored all the stares and immediately closed my eyes and began to search for the Institute towards the south east. It thankfully didn’t take long and just as we arrived, we left, appearing in front of a large and looming building build in a Glossy black stone.
There weren’t anywhere near as many people as outside the Royal Palace, but there were still people around. But because we appeared outside the Institute specifically, we got less stares as something like this was to be expected. Especially after I put my Academia Robes on.
After I put them on, I began to forcefully drag Shirayaa into the building, and although there were guards stationed outside here unlike in Krara city, upon seeing my uniform, although a tad apprehensive and uncertain, giving a quick glance to one another, they let me pass.
Now inside the building, we filtered through the students that were slowly filtering between classes. All the one’s we passed looking at the both of us in confusion.
When they saw me passing by, they were confused by my attire as it looked like the same robes as theirs, yet was still completely different to anything they’d probably seen before.
When they saw Shirayaa whom I was dragging along behind me not wearing anything, they were even more perplexed as to what was going on.
As for why nobody stopped me, I was exuding such an Aura of determination and confidence that I don’t think any of them dared to stop me.
And although I didn’t know my way around this head branch of the Institute, I could see a pattern and it was ultimately just a much bigger version of what was in Krara city, meaning that the headmaster’s office should be on the top floor.
Soon, I was exactly where I wanted to be. Headed down the corridor that led to the headmaster’s office.
And unlike the headmaster in Krara city, this one had two assistants waiting outside as well as seemingly two guardswomen.
Upon seeing me not stopping and confidently striding towards them, the guards were slightly offput by my sudden and unexpected arrival. Still, they were guards, and they blocked me off from entering by crossing their spears together in front of the headmaster’s door.
That didn’t sway me though as I just kept going. And when I reached their spears, I just swatted them away and opened the door.
The guardswomen were too stunned by my brazen actions and just let me past with Shirayaa, who this entire time had just been in too shocked a state to really resist after I grabbed her hand.
Upon entering the headmaster’s office however, we found her talking with someone I didn’t expect to see here.
It was Krytaraa, the Empyric Coil.
"Traytora? What are you doing here?" She asked, but upon seeing Shirayaa, she knew why. "Oh my Goddess! What happened to her?"
"I don’t know, but I think I know someone who can help." Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the headmaster squinting her eyes at me, wondering if this was okay.
It was then that the two guards finally acted and barged into the room to take us away. Or attempt to at least, as the moment the brandished their spears, Krytaraa regained her composure and ordered them to leave.
"Out." Was all she said, yet that was that was needed as the two guardswomen shuddered, bowed and then left.
Once they left, it was now just the four of us in the room.
"What are you doing here?" The headmaster finally spoke up, her voice carrying a commanding tone not filled with a domineering pressure, but underlined with a sense of responsibility. "And who’s that you’re dragging along."
"Shirayaa, and I don’t know what’s happening exactly, but I need to see Thalor immediately. He’s the only one I can think of who might have some idea of what’s happening to her." I responded quickly and concisely.
The headmaster squinted her eyes at me, scrutinising my words. I knew that she’s probably been informed of me, even without the Illuminati informing her of my status.
Hence why she wasn’t surprised by my sudden appearance or what I’m wearing.
"Wait, who? Traytora, what’s going on? Why did you come here seeking help for Shirayaa?" Krytaraa asked in complete bewilderment.
I opened my mouth and began talking.