After reserving the entire training hall, we were led by Fina to one of the rooms inside the large building. After walking for a few minutes, we finally reached a door with the number 124 written on it.
"This is our room?"
I asked out of curiosity. After all, it was at the end of a long corridor. The next room was only a few meters away from this one, meaning there shouldn't be a lot of space available.
"Fufu, don't be surprised, alright?"
Fina, however, was chuckling with amusement. She opened the door with a clack, and before us, a whole new world spread.
"What...?"
As I stepped inside, I saw a vast field that seemingly had no end in sight. To my right, I could see a large mansion, about three floors tall, that could probably house hundreds of visitors.
"This place—is it within an expanded pocket dimension?"
I remember the Luo main residence using a similar technique, expanding a small area into a larger one through the use of spatial manipulation skills. With this much area, I guess they're using tons of energy just to maintain it.
"No wonder it was that pricey..."
I can't help but sigh.
After everyone entered, we first checked the mansion in the distance. After looking around it, it was already filled with all the facilities we would need, including food and water, and even a bath and bedroom were prepared.
"Is this a training room or a place to have a vacation?"
Well, it should be for training use, I guess, so they would at least make the other necessities accessible so that we could focus on training, and training alone.
One thing I noticed was that after entering this place, a string of numbers and bars appeared on top of everyone's heads. After checking a mirror, it seems like even I had one on me.
The string of numbers varies. For example, Fina had 2,400, Ember had 14,779, Fang had 16,794, and Igni had 101,003 written. The two little beasts both possess exactly 5,000 points.
"What's with these numbers?"
Curious, I asked someone who was experienced with this, Fina. She immediately smiled before replying.
"It's the amount of energy detected from you. As long as you have enough energy to radiate around, the surveillance system detects it and displays it as a number."
"I see... Then why are mine just strings of question marks?"
"The measurement is only instant for tamed monsters; for tamers, it would take about 5 to 10 minutes before the number would settle."
Great. I thought it was like some novels where the energy level was so high that the system couldn't tag a number for it. Still, this should be a system of Information Manipulation, right? I somehow recalled the City Lord Yu Na, who had those twin tamed monsters that were adept at information manipulation. Maybe she had a hand in this system.
As I was lost in thought, the number above my head started changing.
"Oh, finally!"
I was excited to see what number I would have. I expect something between Fang's and Igni's numbers since I should be around the 6th stage in strength right now. However, after the figure settled, I was puzzled.
"Zero? Why zero?"I think you should take a look at
"Weird... Did the system misjudge your energy level?"
Even Fina was lost for words.
Even when I tried to circulate my energy, it still stayed at zero without budging. I felt slightly downhearted that I couldn't measure my strength with the numbers. Anyway, it's not my time to shine here. Right now, I should train all the girls!
"Okay, everyone, gather!"
I clapped my hands and made everyone focus on me. After seeing that they were all paying attention, I started distributing their assignments.
"First, Ember and Fang, you two will form a team and fight Igni in a mock battle. Your aim would be the simultaneous activation of at least 5 skills. Alright?"
Ember could probably clear this easily, as she was accustomed to using 3–4 skills at the same time. Fang, however, was only able to use 2–3 skills in concert with each other. After all, she lacks body-enhancing skills, unlike the others.
"For Igni, you can do that already, right? Your aim in this exercise would be to not let the two land a hit on you. Good luck, three of you."
"Yes, master!"
"Roger! Leader!"
"I'll definitely meet your expectations, My Lord."
The three energetically replied before rushing out of the mansion and moving to a slightly far-off location. As they vanished from our sight, I turned to the three newbies and nodded.
"For the three of you, let's start with chaining skills first."
Turning to the snake, Yorm, I thought for a bit before giving a command.
"Yorm, for you, try to use [Bite] with your [Tackle]. If you succeed in activating them one after the other, then you can visit me and ask for your next task."
The little blue-green snake hissed excitedly as she slithered out of the door and into the nearby courtyard, immediately practicing her most basic skills without any complaint.
"For you, Judy, Try using [Quadruple Scratch] and [Spit Poison]. Same with Yorm; come to me when you're done."
Without even waiting for me to finish, she immediately went out of the door and to the other part of the yard, opposite Yorm. Watching the two try to chain their skills with extreme focus, I smiled in satisfaction.
"Last, Fina..."
After I turned to Fina, however, I wasn't able to think of anything. After all, she hadn't even mastered any of her skills, which were awakened after she became a tamed monster.
"First, what stage are you in? I guess third?"
Since her energy level was half that of Judy and Yorm, she should be below the 4th stage. Furthermore, when I use the Monster Appraisal on her, it only shows her race as the Seductive Succubus Manipulator. Following the naming conventions, she should be at the third stage.
"I think I am at the third stage... It feels weird, really, now that I'm using a monster's power reference instead of a tamer's."
Fina smiled wryly after replying.
Well, she did become a monster after all. Although I do pity her circumstances a little, now that she's one of my tamed monsters, I will do my best to make her powerful!