The Greater Testing Hall of Scholastica was considered one of the most special places in the entire city, with very few individuals allowed to see what was inside.
Rumors floated among the students about what happened within.
Some compared it to the Lesser Testing Hall that was open to students and served as a library, storage hall, and testing ground.
Others felt it was more, that apart from serving as a library, storage hall, and testing ground... it was also utilized as a mystical ground in which professors merged science and technology with the supernatural, seeking to find a way to perfectly merge the two concepts.
Some others went a bit further, claiming that it served as sacrificial grounds where most professors went to sacrifice students to Devils in exchange for knowledge which they then shared to all those that cared to listen.
Regardless of the rumors, it remained that the Greater Testing Hall was an enigma to those unable to pass its gates.
For Ulysses, though, it was merely a gathering place for the most daring folks of Scholastica, a space that was used to carry out the most dangerous experiments that could potentially kill thousands if not carefully done.
The walls were reinforced with steel, concrete, and an outer layer of Quillion that was insulated to ensure it didn’t interfere with mystical items that were brought in.
Despite the amount of reinforcements though, there were clear signs that some areas had been destroyed, judging from the patchwork that had been done to cover it up.
Ulysses couldn’t even begin to fathom what sort of experiments they did and in truth, he didn’t wish to know.
In any case, the reason the Testing Hall was to be used today had to do with him. He walked into one of the sixteen halls the Hall was demarcated into.
There, a team of nine professors accompanied by almost fifty guards armed to the teeth with Quillion weapons and ten Mystics were waiting to receive him.
The academicians had been discussing before his arrival with his uncle, but once their presence was felt, silence swiftly descended on the hall.
"Kallias, you are late." One of the professors said in a reproachful tone.
Ulysses recognized him to be one of those in the History/Geography department who disliked the fact that the Nester family had a strong hold over the department.
What was his name again?... Ah yes, Professor Agamedes.
According to what his uncle had told him, Agamedes, along with a few other professors, had been sending anonymous letters to the Vice Chancellor’s office, citing reasons why Kallias was unfit to serve as head of the History/Geography department.
Naturally, their letters were tossed aside, but the fact that they’d do something so hateful was truly telling of their feelings towards Kallias.
In any case, though he was inclined to tongue lash the old fool, he felt it best to leave things in the hands of his uncle who did not disappoint with his response.
"Apologies, Agamedes, I had some matters I had to take care of," Kallias said, deciding not to take Agamedes’ poorly placed bait.
Agamedes snorted. "You knew this was to happen today. Perhaps, if you were as wise as you claim, you’d have made preparations to ensure your punctuality."
"Unfortunately, that did not happen so unless you wish to waste even more time, I’d suggest we be on our way."
A smile lingered on Kallias’ face, in sharp contrast to the sour look on Agamedes’ visage.
Just as the latter tried to speak up again, yet another spoke up, this time, a female professor, one of the few in all of Henos that had managed to achieve the title of professor.
In truth, if not for Kallias, she may have never had that achievement.
"Dare I say we focus on why we are here or do you both intend to bicker all day long?" She inquired.
Ulysses had to search his memories properly before he recalled her name.
Agamedes snorted. "Of course you’d say that, you always have to support him!"
"And what do you mean by that?" Megara questioned with furrowed brows.
"You and I both know what I mean. In any case, Scholastica is built on a set of principles and punctuality is one of them. If the head of a department can’t even take it seriously, do you really think anyone would take our department seriously?"
Two other professors appeared to agree with Agamedes’ sentiment as they nodded while whispering to each other.
Just as it appeared about to turn into a full-blown political argument, Ulysses acted.
He closed his eyes and reached for the essence hidden within him.
A mishmash of divine and abyssal, he needed to dig deep to ensure he had the right part of the essence before he proceeded to wield the Authority while exerting his Will.
In an instant, his body began to glow, radiating a divine glow that caught the attention of everyone present.
It was... awe-inspiring, even for the Mystics that were present.
Ulysses glanced at Kallias who nodded with a smile, clearly in support of his actions.
Satisfied with this, Ulysses took the next step as he, utilizing the two-pronged connection of bloodline and past worship, divined the location of Cybele Nester.
Then, he stretched both arms out. "Grab hold of me."
Kallias was the first to move as he placed his hand on Ulysses’ shoulder.
The others hurried over so as not to be left behind. After all, what was about to happen was considered unprecedented in the history of Scholastica.
One of the ten Mystics accompanying them activated his Spirituality as his eyes flashed a golden shade and then exerted his Will on the aether, creating a metal cube around the entire party as a protective measure.
Yet another did something similar but instead of steel, his exertion of Will caused a miniature Lightbringer to appear within the cube, serving as a source of light and warmth, while also dispelling any negative energy that could arise.
Finally, there was a slight breeze, a result of another Mystic acting.
Only when all these were completed did Ulysses pull the ’trigger’ causing them to be enveloped in a brilliant glow.
And then... they traveled.