Darkflare

The mecha maid bowed before leading the two to an arena. "My records show no reservations for this arena. You are free to use this one."

"I suppose I could play with you for a while. I have been wanting to see your capabilities for a while."

"After this place really got going, there haven't been many dull days. The investment has been worth it." "Ren-san, if you're free perhaps you could be our guest's opponent. "Hmm..." "Hmph, it's just a title. Sure he has a kingdom to rule, but other than that he's like any other human to me. Nothing to get worked up about if you ask me."

"I have no interest in prey that won't fight back. Besides, weren't you eyeing Kiske earlier?"

"Hm? He seems like an amateur to me, but I guess you wouldn't mind a warm up first." "Well well, I was wondering when you would visit us Light. I've actually seen you a few times in the city. Of course, I never told Flare. I assure you that this place will seem like heaven for someone like you." "Hmph, coward..."

A woman entered the arena. "Hey kid, you're supposed to have an opponent before you enter." "No reservations have been made for the current time. You are welcome to wait for someone or I could see if there's someone available."

"I can reserve it for you. Please state the date and time you would like to make the reservation and I can verify if it's available."

"It would take me quite a while to give you a full tour, but I will do what I can to explain what we have to offer." She turned toward one of the arenas. "The arenas are open to all members. Reservations can be made in advance in order to ensure a spot. Otherwise, you may enter with a partner, wait for someone to challenge you or ask to have one assigned to you." She then turned toward the one hosting the sport "We sometimes have special drills happening at certain moments. We list these in our special events section of our info booth." She then turned toward the elevator and stairs. "The upper floors have a restaurant as well as a designated rest area. The lower floors have additional arenas as well as training machines. The offices are also there but they are off limits to the public." She then turned toward Lightflare. "And that concludes what the facility has to offer. Are there any other questions?"

Female clerk: (as she hands over the forn.) If the arenas aren't reserved, you are free to enter one with a sparring partner. If you don't have one, you could wait to see if one accepts your challenge or ask to have one assigned to you.

Female clerk: Thank you. The clerk typed in the info and handed the passes after a few minutes. Female clerk: Here are your member passes. It's not only for entry, but it also stores your training information so you can keep track of progress. Make sure not to lose them! If you have no further questions then that will be all. Welcome to the hangout. "Greetings sir, do you require assistance?" She doesn't seem to be the same Mech Hisui as before... The clerk proceeds to do so, taking their information and handing their passes after some time along with the explanation for them.

Female clerk: Certainly. If you could form a line, I will make sure to.hand you all your registration forms. Female clerk: I'm sorry sir, but we don't have an area for that. I must ask you to refrain from playing your instrument so as to not disturb the other guests.

The female clerk began writing down the information. After a few minutes, she gave a card to Lightflare Female clerk: Here's your member pass. It's not only for entry, but it also stores your training information so you can keep track of progress. As you can see, it's very important. If you have no further questions then that will be all. Welcoms to the hangout.

Female clerk: Certainly. Oh my, you're all in the same group. This is the first time for all of you? Just then a Mech Hisui approached the clerk and talked to her before leaving. Female clerk: Ah, I understand now. Just fill out the registration form please. Mr. Flare has kindly waived the registration and the first month.

Female clerk: Before the renovations? Oh, you must have been here back when it was just a base. That means you must know Mr. Flare personally. Anyway, just fill out this form and pay the registration fee. It's 40 pompadillions and includes the first month. Every additional month is 15 pompadillions.

BGM: Twisted Base If the outside wasn't enough of an indicator, the inside made it clear exactly how huge the place really was. As if that wasn't enough, stepping inside felt as if one would have taken a time warp to the future as the whole place seemed like a technological marvel. The first floor had the registration desk and info booths as well as what appeared to be a set of arenas. While some of them had sparring bouts going, there was one that was the host for what seemed to be a sport that resembled a combination of soccer and football. Farther ahead, an elevator and sets of stairs could be seen. It appears that not only were there floors above,but it seems there was more underground as well. As expected, one could see a few Mech Hisuis running around attending people, but it appears that the staff wasn't all just the mecha maids. Female clerk: Right this way sir. Is this your first time in the hangout?

(Wait, you actually LIVE here and never visited this place before?) "Not here, per se. The kingdom of Illyria. Ky is one three kings from there. He's considered the first king so he has the most power. And I hate to admit it, but Ky didn't really need much training, just enough to keep himself sharp. He's always been a prodigy even back during his time as part of the Holy order. He has yet to lose his touch." (That girl has been coming here looking for a sparring partner for a while. She did seem to be bothered by Light's praise of Ky. She will inevitably find out that Ky IS here. If I'm right, that pride of hers will make her challenge him.) "If you'll excuse me, I must head back inside. When you're done with your preparations please come inside. I'll have someone prepare your registration." With that, he walked back inside.

"That was her way of sizing you up. Not surprising she considers you a worthy opponent." "Not that I don't think you can take her on, but I have to warn you against sparring with her. You've seen her in action, she can be quite brutal. The concept of a formal duel is foreign to her, I can assure you that she won't lose any sleep if she accidentally kills her opponent." "URK! "It's part of a system I have set up meant to benefit members. It should.be explained further during the process. There's normally a fee for this, but I'll waive it off this time in light of the circumstances. Consider it a complimentary trial." "Except for you, Light. You live in this world, you don't have an excuse."

"Working with Kain back in Second Southtown, I believe. Despite being well recommended, mercenary businesses has been slow. A lot more "heroes" these days. I do still see everyone from time to time, especially Ren. She says she stops by to check on things since her company was one of the investors but I'm sure she only comes to keep her bloodlust in check." "Sure, no problem. You're welcome to come in. In fact, you should probably get a move on. There's a registration process you need to go through first."

"A facility run by the leader of one of the most successful teams that were around who consistently formed strong combinations and to this day still has a highly recommended mercenary group? That's the kind of reputation that attracts people." "As well as investors to fund the damn place in the first place. Fortunately, I actually had some particular wealthy members among my ranks. Don't get the wrong idea, it was because of their skill, not their money. I was able to convince them when I proposed this facility. Of course, some of the prize and bounty money I've accumulated over the years went into it as well." "Of course, I just had to make sure those training machines of mine were put to good use. I seem to recall you had fun with one of them before."

"Odd question, but sure, kid. If you think you can take it, you can go ahead and get into a spar or one of the machines. Though, if fighting ain't your thing I guess you could grab a bite inside instead." ((Well, maybe the handshake wasn't THAT dramatic...)) "I can tell you've gotten stronger. Heh, you would be even stronger with some serious training from here." "And I can tell you want a rematch with me. But to tell you the truth, it wouldn't be right."

"That would be me. You guys must be the group Hisui was with. If you guys are interested, you're welcome to come in."

"I should have know you were involved with this group as well. Always were the kind to somehow get roped into conflict." "...that is quite a strange look for you."

"How could I not? Besides becoming something of a regular, you kinda make quite an effort to stand out." "Anyone can, really. I do have a variety of training machines and drills to cover as many situations as possible. This also includes some group oriented ones."

The doors slide open as someone steps out to take of the commotion. He was known as the owner of the place. "Huh, finally made the time to come early. Is it impossible for you to not announce your presence every time you come here?"