The Eternal Sanctum (Holy Knight Headquarters)

[Bloodedge]

Once all that information had been delivered into Yume's body, the time had come to solidify all she knew. She'd already been informed of the difference between flow of time here, and the flow outside. The pair's session would continue for some time yet. Alas, that alone would not be the whole of Yume's stay here. Whenever the lass was sated, there would come a time of wandering the realm, discussing various topics, and generally living as normal. Of course, Solomon would never be one to limit another's experiences ─ especially one of the apprentices. Yume's interests would be explored in accordance with her whims over the course of several days.

In time, Solomon sat upon the throne of his realm once more. Chunks of earth were floating around as if the center of gravity was the throne itself. What of Yume? Well, the girl's actions were her own. Over a week had passed, but it would amount to less than a blink in the outside world. She could do as she pleased, regardless of what that meant. The only important thing by this point was that Solomon make one offer to the girl, regardless of her activities in the moment. "Do you feel you've learned a great deal this past week?" he wondered aloud.

[Apollymi]

Yume found satisfaction with Solomon and a great deal of things to study independently once their loins separated. The man himself, never seemed to keep anything from her, and allowed her a certain amount of freedom with which they explored his realm. He answered her questions and allowed her to experiment with her own curiosities and magic. She spent a week or more figuring out the more practical uses of her magic and having a good time in his company in all the ways such a thing happened. Mind blowing sex, and personalized driven lessons she'd been having quite the good time.

In her time here, she'd even made herself a strange woodwind style instrument which she'd been fine tuning the enchantments of while sitting casually on the arm of his throne. She'd done a great deal of things, and her new found instrument was one of her favorite tools. There were a few others she'd make use of by this point, but it might be her favorite thing. She held a deep look of concentration while she stared at the item she'd created. He was saying something again? "Umhm, I learned lots of things, Mon-sama. It's really weird how much time has passed, but I can't say I haven't enjoyed every minute of it," she mused as she twirled that instrument around in her hand. "I also feel like everything I learned as a really practical use, my understanding feels more complete now, I think~" she added soon after. "At the very least, I am going to be an amazing mage!~" she said with a certain amount of confidence.

[Bloodedge]

Yume sat at Solomon's immediate side, tweaking one particular Artifact of her own creation. He noted a particular attachment to that piece, and rightly so as it was immaculately constructed and quite the useful tool. "You favor that one? You have a good eye for Artifacts already," he commented absently. Her gifts did clearly lean in the direction of forbidden, but much like her mentor, Yume appeared to be a jack of all trades who sacrificed no potential mastery by fitting everything into a core theme. Her growth would be magnificent.

Much had been taught, and much had been learned. Even Solomon himself managed a few discoveries during this recent week, having a few reasons to make another adjustment to the current situation. Of course, that change would not affect Yume herself... not yet. Those three portals still existed around the throne. All three took the form of closed doors as Yume shared her excitement over her magical potential. "You will be one of the greatest mages of this era, certainly. Your magical signature is written in its own realm, visited only by the likes of your mentor, Miwa and... Sakura currently. Remember to do something with that core building inside you. Earlier, Ailen addressed you formally as a princess. Do you understand why?"

[Apollymi]

Yume sat herself atop the arm of Solomon's throne adding to her flute an enchantment which could multiply it at will, up to a certain number of devices. Her aim in doing this was a particular kind of multiple control aspect but she hadn't tried it out yet. Though she figured it would work after she got in a little bit of practice with it as an instrument. It would be, musical, magical and destructive which was a perfect combination. "Hai hai, I might use it as my favorite. I think it will be easier to learn than the biwa, though... I do plan to learn that one too. I might have to get Mi-chan's help with that though... her musical expertise might make it easier~" she chimed seeming not to think too much about it one way or another.

Ah, but there was a matter of all the other things. She'd learned a great number of things and she'd helped him figure out some things. Whatever else he wished to use her for, she'd likely let him. He even claimed she'd be one of the greatest mages of the age, with her magic being the sort which had only been touched by a very few number of people so far. "I don't know... that's a pretty interesting list so far~" she said of the group who'd touched the domain of magic which already belonged to her as a person. She could easily see a few others making use of it, if they wanted. As for his question about Ailen and his term of address for her, she hadn't really given it much thought, nor had she thought about the long term thing being done with her core, but she had a few ideas. "Yeah, the core thing is a work in progress. It might need a little extra before I decide what way I am going with it, but no worries, I won't just leave it~" she said. "As for what Ai-aniki calls me... I figured he was one of those focused on the truth people and saw me as consort and all the other random relations I technically have with Mugen-sama, in that case it would make a bit of sense, is it something else?" she asked wondering if there was a nuance she'd missed in her own creation.

[Bloodedge]

"The biwa? That's quite the undertaking. If you learn it, you'll likely have an interesting time doing so. It will definitely serve you better in this world than in the other ─ especially if you intend to use it magically." In light of such a random instrument being on Yume's mind, Solomon enforced the seeking of one's desires in all regards. Such was the core of creation and destruction alike, if one took the time to reach the base of either.

Regarding the list of those who dabbled in the Forbidden, Yume shared her opinion on the lot. The four who made that list were so similar in structure, yet so different in execution. Each of them had the power to shape the world, and Yume herself was only on day two in said world. That core they spoke of wouldn't even be necessary, as there was something about her existence beneath the core which called to destiny itself. Perhaps the same could be said of all five apprentices, though... three were yet missing. Well, that was a problem soon to be solved. First came the matter of how Ailen addressed Yume. Her assumptions were correct, though there was indeed a bit more to it. "Miwa is the Goddess of Arcane Wisdom, the certain Empress of Munetsuchi. By that assumption, Sakura is the princess, and there are five kings. That is objectively false. There are five Kings of Wisdom, but not five Kings of Munetsuchi. In Munetsuchi, there are only four. Zheng calls himself an emperor due to his own former status as the Emperor of Qin, but in truth, the Emperor of Munetsuchi is none other than Mugen: Miwa's truest husband. If Miwa were to disappear, his would be the right to rule. As such, you are the first to be considered queen consort, which warrants the title of princess alongside Sakura. One could even say that you are the leader of the Tenbu in the same way Mugen stands above the Myououbu. You may even use that privilege now by knocking on these three doors. You'll understand the weight of these words eventually."

[Apollymi]

Yume was being encouraged once more. Ah... this time her interest in the biwa was being touted as interesting and likely good if it was something she wished to use magically. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she considered potentials and possibilities. "Eh? Well, if it could be that good, maybe I'll get Mi-chan to give me a quick lesson, hm? Cover all the basics~" she said with a flirty smile. Ah, she supposed doing such a thing would put her right in the sights of one like Anais but that wasn't really a problem. In the week she'd been in Solomon's care she'd decided to have a bit of fun potentially exploring that particular route.

Beyond the point of her own interests, she would be getting the answer to her question for clarity. It would seem that the line of descent in Munetsuchi was indeed very clear, but that beyond that point there was a very clear delineation between the various Wisdom Kings. Yes, they were equal in their application to the status of Wisdom, but with Miwa as Empress of Munetsuchi only one of them was truly Emperor... and that was Mugen. Yume could understand this from a couple of different points of understanding. After all, there was something particularly appealing about Forbidden Knowledge and in truth even a goddess would have trouble keeping track of anything else. Sakura's placement as princess because of her direct relationship to all Kings made sense, and Mugen's placement as above the rest of the Kings given his placement so directly next to Miwa was the reason for this. Her placement as 'Princess' was because there was a certain truth to her being so directly connected to Mugen, and it had to do with the potential for her to be Queen Consort under the same circumstances which would leave Mugen in charge of Munetsuchi.

"Sou ka... that is a bit of a leap, but I suppose the old imperialist ways of thinking make that a sensible bit of understanding," she commented. As for the doors she was now looking at them with a smile on her face. As for the three doors there was an idea which popped into her head. After the hours of conversation she'd had with Anais in the days prior to this one. She knew what kind of organization the Tenbu would end up being. And while her placement was above the other three... there was a different kind of truth to their placement. One which made more sense in context of a modern world and one which would lead the Tenbu to functioning a bit differently from the Myouou, that that all of that was completely clear. She was only working with a little bit of conversations and some hints, but this world and the magic in it, seemed to answer to the demands of those who knew what to ask for. So why not? Why shouldn't she do the thing both she and her friend actually wanted. "But you know, Mon-sama... Mi-chan mentioned that she missed her 'pushy' Vice President..." she said as she raised a fist to a specific door and knocked four times. "So, I'm not really using a privilege just facilitating the start of a meeting like I always do~" she said with that same flirty tone. She'd proceed to knock on the other two doors the same way. The order was done in such a way as to connect back to the decision made by Anais, but that was barely a conscious effort. The Treasurer, the Historian and the Secretary... people who were very familiar to her.

[Bloodedge]

Yume had only one remaining requirement here in Solomon's realm. She needed only to knock upon that trio of doors after receiving his most recent explanation. First, though, she pointed out the imperialist view connected to her position within Munetsuchi. "I can see why you view it that way. However, these methods aren't based in imperialism. Rather, imperialism comes from the notion of kingdoms feeding off their monarchs. Your mana is the third-closest to Miwa, and is therefore among the most capable of sustaining Munetsuchi and all its residents. Take that as an early pseudo-lesson; the great emperor himself can teach you the rest."

As to not step on any toes with other Myouou, Solomon silenced himself there. There was much to Asakura Yume's position that could not be quantified in societal terms and logic. That, however, was not his lesson to teach. Yume's penultimate lesson from the five Myouou would tell her all she needed to know, but first would come the matter of those doors. It would be the work of a 'pushy' vice-president which paved the way for three others in sequence. "It seems she's reacquired exactly that. On the other hand, you'll find there are many cases in which one title does not supersede another... though one from Gaia may expect them to. Those doors will open in sequence, and the perfect group will be assembled in due time. You're free to go as you please. Remember, Ars Paulina remains open to you as well. Perhaps we'll even see one of those esteemed 'meetings' here one day."

[Apollymi]

Yume received in the moment a slightly expanded lesson. It would appear that the connection to imperialism was superficial. Instead Solomon explained that Yume currently possessed mana more like Miwa which would lead her being able to sustain Munetsuchi and its people in her place if need be. That was an odd way for that sort of thing to work. "So, more like top-down communism... a benevolent dictatorship?" she summarized her understanding in a way which was likely considered odd. But she remembered that the Emperor of Qin, from the gushings of a young Iino Miko, imposed his will upon his little piece of the world and in so doing created a near utopian society. It was interesting that such a lesson would be his to give, but that was also fine. "Ah, well... it looks like I'll be taking that lesson around the same time as Mi-chan at this point... so, I suppose I'll hold any extra questions~" she mused. Yume wasn't truly concerned with that aspect as she was content the way she was and had no misgivings or desires concerning her current placement in this world.

It seemed that Solomon was mostly content to leave that topic as well... but instead of anything normal he commented on the return of the pushy Vice President who was content to do do the job that she was made for. "Hai, she really did. I'm really glad she's actually happy to see me. I had such a hard time reading people before, it might be overly relieving being able to so easily now~" she explained. Ah, that was something else she'd figured out about the nature of her abilities through the use of Solomon's lessons. But that didn't matter at the moment either. Apparently the perfect group would be assembled by her machinations and she could go if she wished. Well, there was also the addition that she could return to this place whenever she wished. "Oh? Well isn't that nice... I'll make sure to stop back and check in if I end up with some strange questions related to my magical or evolutionary advancements~" she teased gently, she'd step a bit closer to Solomon standing between his legs and peck his lips as she prepared to depart. "And you might have to prepare an epic meeting table, or that bed. I think they'd be excellent~" she chimed about a future meeting of the Student Council.

Ah, but what of the next person to appear? A young girl with a shapely build sat in a white uniform dress with a dark colored high collar. She had an ashen complexion which was complimented by her large blue eyes. Her desk space was surprisingly very clean and exceedingly well organized. Every pen in place every paper with perfectly aligned edges and even her mouse was spotless and placed delicately. She signed looking through a spread sheet which caused her to click the button on the mouse rather hard as she ignored her phone vibrating across her desk. 'I wonder if there is a way to explain it to Kaguya-neechan without it seeming odd? I wonder if she'll be mad because I didn't tell her about my suspicions? She deserves to know, but I don't want her to be mad at me...' she curiously pondered. Each of the lines in this spread sheet made her scoff as she complied the numbers which let her see something very specific in her family's spending habits. She was pulled from her thoughts by a set of knocks at her door. It's number was odd, and not one chosen by very many people. "Kaguya-nee, I...." a pause occurred because as she opened the door she'd simply disappear.

[Bloodedge]

The political views of Gaia were disturbing in this world. Each form had a functionality that stemmed from magical rule, but all the major concepts were lost to the wind. As such, there were several blurred lines and impossible translations. "More communism, less dictatorship, and an afterthought of imperialisms, I suppose. There's hardly a way to quantify it fully ─ at least not without giving an entire lesson far too early for you," Solomon concluded. Yume would learn that lesson eventually, and indeed, it seemed to fall perfectly inline with Anais having the same experience. The two heads would not be separated when governing became a topic of discussion for them.

It seemed Yume's soul-scanning abilities had grown since she entered this realm. There was never a doubt that she would be the type to use different teachings in various ways, turning one instructor's lesson into an improvement what she learned from another. She couldn't have been more aligned with her mentor if she tried. As for the preparation of a meeting table or bed in the event of entertaining multiple apprentices, Solomon figured he had no need. "I believe it won't be necessary. There are some exciting avenues ahead of you all. Be ready for them," he urged. Meanwhile, the first of three doors was opening on this side as well. That small lass from the other end would be rocketed through this reality as a spark of light, trailing out into the subspace and disappearing into the ground. Solomon's eye followed its path even while his lips pursed against Kaguya's. He knew the journey that one would take.

[Apollymi]

Apparently a true explanation of governance couldn't be reached on the terms that Yume already understood. Given the magical nature of the world, she could accept that her general thoughts about it wouldn't make sense to the new logic of this world. Given his honesty during the time they'd spent together, she could take Solomon's word that the nuances weren't easily deciphered. "Hai hai, waiting on the bird emperor's explanation~" she mused seeming to find it funny.

After their kiss ended she stepped away from Solomon seemingly pleased, whether she saw or felt that particular door opening didn't really matter in the long term as she obviously had something she should be getting back to. "Ja ne, Mon-sama. I'll look forward to our exciting future~" she mused as she disappeared and found herself back in the hallway of the Sanctum. As for the girl who'd slipped in, her life would lead her to a certain set of dungeon depths were she'd be born as part of a brood of a creature called a Queen Terratect.

At the same time, that second door she'd knocked upon held behind it in a modern bedroom setting, a girl sitting atop said bed. She looked as if she'd been sleeping recently but instead of that her bed was covered in stray pages. She seemed to be organizing something of a scrap book, with decorative pages and pictures strewn about. In the middle of a certain page there was a picture of five girls one tiny brown haired girl in the middle. A black haired girl with a large bow to her right. To the right of that black haired girl a blonde with bright blue eyes. She was wearing a blue scrunchie in her hair holding a ponytail on her left side, and hse was currently laying in that bed, sighing heavily while watching videos of a hydraulic press, crushing... an apple. "Ah, that's so satisfying~" she mused. To her right was a notebook which she was using to write down potential story ideas and fantasies. Though she was better at handling technology she did enjoy the idea of a fantasy or two. "I wonder how her date went. She didn't call after and she gave me the weekend off..." she said beginning to rummage through her bedspace looking for her phone to begin the search. Of course, she'd be distracted by an identifiable knock at the door. "Oi oi... I need a second~" she said stumbling out of bed, she was trying and failing to button up the white shirt over her chest which spilled out. "I was just thinking about yo...." when she opened the door... she disappeared as well.

[Bloodedge]

Whenever Yume got around to learning from Zheng, she'd have more than enough answers regarding her placement in Munetsuchi. She may not have been worried about it, but her position mattered nonetheless... though it didn't make said position a thing of world-changing importance. Whatever the case, Yume's departure was soon to become a reality. Her timing couldn't have been more perfect, as the second door she knocked upon would soon open into this very room. "I look forward to it as well. Farewell, and enjoy your studies and adventures," he bid. While Yume took her exit, Solomon's eyes traveled toward that second door.

What would occur when the door finally opened? Solomon was watching as a second light entered the realm of Ars Paulina, though this one was not a streak like its predecessor. Instead, the second light was a bright glow in the form of a new gateway. That blonde girl who disappeared from her own world would find herself regaining consciousness as she walked through a portal into this realm. Once she manifested, Solomon took in her full visage in its... disheveled state. "Interesting," he muttered under his breath. This girl appeared before him in lace undergarments and a button-up shirt that could hardly be considered buttoned at all. It seemed she had recently been in a very, very relaxed state. "This is something I didn't expect. Should I say good morning, or good evening?" Solomon wondered. He spoke the common tongue of Alaya, however. Perhaps something should have been done about that first.

[Apollymi]

Solomon's alternate space was abandoned and Yume found herself looking around the hallway she'd previously been in. She was dressed again, though she'd matured quite a bit since her last moment standing here, it still barely felt real to have been gone for a week. Now was the time to test the alternate part of that theory, she slipped back into the room she'd come out of and looked in on the scene before her. What she expected to find was an exceedingly tall blonde elf, making out with a mostly naked deer girl in bed. Everything else about this space felt the same but, this moment was one which had to be witnessed with her own eyes. Solomon lived an interested life to do something like this and drop her back where she was after well-wishing her for both her studies and adventures. She'd left his space confidently and with a particular bit of experimentation in mind now that she had his lessons within her repertoire. "Why didn't you tell me that Mon-sama had a voice like melted butter!?" she exclaimed as she reentered their shared bedroom less than a few blinks of time after leaving.

[Bloodedge]

Yume's journey passed no time whatsoever in the overworld. Between one heated breath and another, it seemed she'd merely opened and closed a door. She returned to precisely what she left ─ only to have before her a pair of wrestling tongues and entangled upper bodies. It had only taken that moment for Ailen to have an arm wrapped around the elafia's midsection, while the other was gliding along the side of her face.

There wasn't much that could interrupt the goings-on, but there was something noteworthy in Yume's return speech. She'd obviously been in contact with Solomon; that made sense of the knock no one but her could hear. He could assume the girl had been gone for quite some time. Now that he thought about it, her path of choice was quite obvious, and thus required Solomon as her second visit. That meant... Ah. He was the third, wasn't he? This could become quite the interesting morning. Oh well; there were more important things afoot than that. 'Butter again? I'll have to keep in mind that it has different purposes when melted. Something to do with voices. Smoothness? Yes, that is likely the case. With that interjection occurring at such a time as this, I can only imagine things will soon become interesting in this very room. I suppose I am agreeable to an impromptu lesson in that case,' he thought. Even then, Ailen had done nothing to pull his tongue away from Anais's. If she thought to offer a response, he supposed they would separate by her machinations, if at all.

[Apollymi]

Anais was exactly where she had been previously, completely wrapped up in her mentor. That statement was now more true than it had been, as there was now an arm around her midsection and a hand gently caressing her face. It was quite the engagement happening, and thoughts of butter had all but been abandoned as she fell into the simplicity of early morning debauchery. She found herself in the mood for it after just a bit of conversation anyway. It wasn't too much of a problem whether Yume returned or ran interference.

But... her ears would begin twitching as her brain was assaulted by a statement which questioned her lack of warning towards the other girl. She'd been interrupted by Solomon, oh... well her path must have been one which required his interference in some way. That was simple enough, he'd given Anais a pass into his world so there was an assumption that he could move at will. Between breaks of her tongue lashing out against Ailen's she'd cut her eyes towards her friend and scoff. "Don't talk to me about Magic-sensei's voice, I hear it in surround sound," she mentioned only to find herself continuing. Something about that wording made Yume giggle, "Shimen no mimi!~" she said, a play on words about four sides and ears on all sides. It was direct, but also had a rounded bit of sound to it, and embraced the colloquialism of almost calling someone four-eyed instead as a joke. It was funny in truth. "Too early," was Anais's reply to the pun though it came with a bit of a giggle just the same. Word play was something that Kaguya had enjoyed, it was nice to see the girl still so much herself. "Tehehe~ Anyway, I've been gone for a week and I have a magical girl transformation I want someone to witness and I need a favor~" Yume found herself giggle. Anais was breathing pretty heavily and hadn't let go of Ailen but perhaps there was something more to what the girl had to say which required a bit more attention? A favor she claimed, but she'd not specified who she wanted the favor from. Well, this was bound to be interesting.

[Bloodedge]

Having two human ears and two beast ears, Anais had every reason to be more affected by sounds than others. Apparently, she was conscious enough about that fact to provide a rather snippy response to her friend. Ailen was still busy wondering about melted butter, and further considering that he had little reason to care presently. Anais's mouth and his own had only parted because she saw fit to speak. All the while, however, Ailen's lips were continuing to press against the corner of her mouth.

Such would continue even throughout a full exchange between Anais and Yume. Speaking of Yume though, the girl apparently had some sort of transformation she intended to have seen. A theory had once been tossed around by the Myouou about such a thing. When they took apprentices across the varying cycles, the possibility of Spiritual Core creation was brought up by none other than Mugen. Ailen had yet to give proper consideration to the idea, but once again, it seemed Mugen would be proved right. He could sense the start of yet another existence within the demoness. "Intriguing," was all he said. Ailen's eyes had shifted toward Yume, though he wouldn't keep away from Anais's mouth. He assumed this alleged favor had little or nothing to do with him. Regardless, he was very interested in seeing what Yume chose to take from Solomon.