Sergiad was relieved to no end to find that the felinoids of the university were as had been explained to him. They were as noble as the most noble people he had experiences with. Intelligent, wise, and as full of the same sorts of hubris as he was already used to as well. They hid that behind court faces and words, too, but it still came out to one who was practiced in seeing it.
The Adventurers weren't any more surprised by that than they were by anything. They also understood, just like they understood him and the other nobles of the land. They handled the newest residents the same, too. Politeness, firm but kind correction where necessary, setting the boundaries and expectations early, and not being flustered nor swayed from their positions.
The Dean and his council often had eyes flick to Purrcy and Nyanta as they began to learn this way of the Adventurers. Sergiad was sympathetic. It was sometimes hard to believe that the example of a few really was the example of the many, while at the same time so very different from expectations.
This forum of a formal meeting was easy in comparison to what learning to live in the city would be like, though. If Purrcy had been allowed to be unrestrained at all during the time they'd lived in the Gate of Time, the newest arrivals would eventually see that reflected in the city as a whole as well. The relaxed Adventurers were even more confusing and surprising, usually because they were both noble and wild at the same time.
Once the initial pleasantries, expectations, and other such things were over, headed by Crusty, it was passed to another Adventurer Sergiad didn't know.
The thin Adventurer leaned forward clasping his hands in front of him. "I'm Roderick of Roderick Trading Company." Sergiad sat a little more stiffly, but not to be noticed. He knew this man by reputation and word of the Head Tutor.
"While Crescent Moon League," Roderick nodded his head at Henrietta who nodded back so she could be recognized, "is in charge of the Akiba Adventurer Academy, it's considered a junior school here, and mostly geared to Adventurer-centric education.
"My guild is the closest we come to already having a university in Akiba. We are a guild dedicated to research. Together with Michitaka's guild, Marine Organization, and Soujirou's guild, West Wind Brigade, we form the center of technological advancements for the region." The other two guildmasters had moved sufficient to be recognized as well. They understood that single introductions were often easily forgotten in the middle of chaos.
Roderick leaned back a little. "It will be nice to have another facility of higher learning here, particularly one that is diverse from what we already provide. We'd like to hear the details of what degrees you offer, with a sampling of courses for each of them, if you would?" He looked with anticipation to the Dean. The Dean gave it over to one of his staff, likely his head over curriculum.
That felinoid had a bit of a nervous habit to him, but spoke competently. When the listing was done, Sergiad was a little disappointed. While some level of management and administrative coursework would be helpful to middle managers, perhaps a few shopkeeps, and not a few of his own middle lords and their secretaries, there wasn't anything that would really benefit the region as a whole like the Adventurers were already providing. The temple-centric coursework was pointless, in his viewpoint.
Soujirou sat forward a little. "Your coursework for direct kami staff, does that include understanding the spells and magic of clergy?" he asked it rather innocently.
The staff over curriculum gave a sharp nod of his head. "Yes. We teach those who are hoping to go on to Priest or Priestess level the basics of assisting with spells, and some of the general ones they can use."
"Wonderful," Soujirou beamed. "We'd love to send a few of our own to meet with that department to discuss in further detail where we could learn and help with. Our guild is the teaching guild. We have several who are shrine maidens already who would love to compare notes and see where we might have missed things or where we might have learned things since the catastrophe you might not have seen yet."
Several pairs of ears pricked up at that from the visiting university delegates. There was some confusion as well. Sergiad shifted to get attention. "I'm not sure what effect the coming of the Adventurers has had on the Gate of Time. We People of the Land call that time the Awakening." That seemed to clear up the confusion a little.
The rest of the confusion was cleared up by Purrcy. "Since that time, we Adventurers have been changing the world as a whole, including the magic systems. We've discussed some of the changes that affected the Gate of Time specifically, but it hasn't been limited."
She turned back to Roderick. "Roderick Trading Company has been researching those changes, keeping track of them over time. West Wind Brigade is tasked to take those understood changes and let the Adventurers know what they are.
Soujirou nodded. "Once we've had the opportunity to talk to your department, we'll take that data back to Roderick so they can add it to their data."
Roderick took back over. "We'll probably want to get with you ourselves at that point to make sure we've fit your data in properly with ours. We can answer any questions on anything else you might have discovered as well. I'm sure we'd enjoy collaborating with you."
He turned slightly towards Michitaka. "Marine Organization takes our other physical research and turns it into usable things. I'm sure they'd love to give you a tour of what we've been able to create."
Michitaka smiled, making his face pleasant rather than stern. "It makes people's eyes pop to tour our steamship, so we love showing that off. I've had the opportunity to talk to Log Horizon, home guild to Purcy-san and Nyanta-san, and home to MeowLi-chan.
"She's been helping them out with the cooking when they need it and they've found some interesting differences. We'd like to understand why your stoves are more modern than the ones here. We've come up with our own modifications, but they still seem somewhat primitive compared to what MeowLi-chan has described."
He looked down the table. "We call it technology transfer - sharing how to make life easier, a little better. If you've got people who aren't perhaps university staff, but who will need to know how to just live life here - cooks, gardeners, the like - we'd love to get with them and discuss the differences. Then we might be able to make this place a little more like home for you, or introduce you to things that you might like better."
Sergiad sat back, a little astounded. He would have never thought of that path to take, but it was exactly what he was looking for. It didn't have to be a course for something useful to be learned. He was in slight awe of the Adventurers again.
He joined the topic. "Lord Michitaka, I'd like to send some of my own to do the same, if we could. I know you've all lived here long enough to believe you've seen it all, but since most of you don't actually live with us, I think there are some things you might be pleasantly surprised by."
There was a pause. They didn't know what to do with that interruption. Roderick pushed up his glasses. "Would you mind giving us an example?" he asked.
Sergiad lightly interlaced his fingertips. "As I understand it, Lady Purrcy is still the only Adventurer willing to actually learn about the Creatures of the Land. Only she has ever visited the stables at Maihama, and then only twice.
"She was quite surprised by the level of sophistication required to care for the Summon horses of the region when she came the second time. We were pleased to learn methods from her for keeping mares alive during foaling so that there could be more horses available now that the Adventurers use them so frequently as to have disturbed our own use of them."
He got a lot of surprised looks. "No, I don't believe we've ever considered that at all," Roderick had to admit. "I'm sure we would appreciate having more open collaboration with the People of Eastal as well." He got slight positive responses around the table.
Sergiad relaxed slightly. It hadn't been a waste at all to come. He'd been wanting the Adventurers to open up a little more for some time. It had been one of his greatest frustrations, as a matter of fact.
He should finish while he'd interrupted, though. "I'd also be open to having an Ambassador from the University come back to Maihama with me, now or after you're all feeling comfortable. I'm sure there are plenty of People of the Land who would also like to know what they could learn at the University of Administration."
He looked up with a testing look to the Dean's council. "Particularly now that every child born to the People of the Land will have the right to choose what they will do with their lives. Not already knowing because of their parent's path will confuse many for a while. They would be happy to know what their options are, I think."
Only one person on that council didn't blink in surprise. Purrcy hadn't told them all, then. Sergiad couldn't be surprised. After a bit of thought, they did seem a little intrigued by the prospect, if as worried as he and all the other adults were.
"When did that happen?" Roderick asked in confusion.
Sergiad blinked at him, then turned a stern look on Purrcy. Purrcy sighed. "During the sub-quests of level six, Roderick-san," she answered. "It was one of the sub-quests run by Inari. I thought Shiroe would have told you about it?"
Roderick shook his head. Purrcy paused and interlaced her fingers in front of her on the table. "Please be kind to her. Ambassador Raynessia is the First Child of the Land to get to choose. She still maintains the game requirements of being a Princess, however. It came out when it was time for her to become engaged.
"If you'll be gentle, I'm sure she wouldn't mind telling you her story. Following that line of change will take some time, but I believe there was an element to it that the game restrictions on individuals in general will be lifted over the generations."
Purrcy returned their attention to the original topic, "Being able to collaborate between all three bodies would certainly be a productive and intriguing activity to keep everyone busy for some time. I do hope that you all enjoy your opportunities to do so.
"I'm equally sure there will be quite a bit of education in the practical living of every day as well." She turned to Roderick, "You'll have to learn how to use messengers first off, I'd think. It will be different to collaborate with those who can't chat."
The Adventurers at the table smiled understanding grins. Sergiad cleared his throat. "I don't know if it's applicable, but Lord Shiroe has learned how to communicate with me over the distance. He said it's similar to the chat, but it appears in my communication globe."
That got a lot of interest and Roderick's eyes went hungry. "I'm going to have to pin him down and make him fess up everything, I think," Roderick said in light threat. "He moves too fast without sharing."
"He is a Communication Mage," Purrcy warned.
Calasin shook his head. "Yes, but the rest of us can all learn what he does. Your own guild has taught us that."
Purrcy's whiskers twitched and she sat back, giving in. "Very well. I'm glad you shared what you knew with him at the time we needed it. Shall I add a monthly summary meeting of the collaboration meetings to the Akiba Corporation Board Meetings, then?"
There was a groan, very slight. "If you keep it a separate meeting from the Board meetings," was grumbled.
Sergiad was pleased to see her teasing look. "Then you'd be left out, wouldn't you, and you'd not know what the rest of us know. If you're okay with that?" The grumbling went to mutters of reluctant acceptance.
Sergiad smiled. Yes, he really did like to play with the Adventurers, particularly when Shiroe or Purrcy was playing the room. Crusty was frightening to play with, until just now. Sergiad hadn't known Purrcy knew how to handle him. However, if he didn't want to sit in on those meetings that would be fine.
"I'd like to be included in those meetings, please," Sergiad politely but firmly requested. He got a simple nod from Purrcy - and Roderick, Soujirou, and Michitaka.
Crusty scowled slightly and rolled his eyes. "And Shiroe's going to be okay with that?" he grumbled at Purrcy.
Purrcy calmly teased him further. "He's not here to complain, and when Roderick's done with him, he's going to refuse?" She lightly lifted an eyeridge of whiskers.
"Fine." Crusty slumped and put his chin on his hand, going back to the "bored but listening" look.
Purrcy turned to the Dean. "You'll remember Archmage Shiroe. He'll be here in about two days. He's out on assignment at the moment. He's asked if he can see you when he's settled back in. I'll let your secretary know when that is to put it on your schedule."
The university side of the table went from confused to a little stiff as the Dean tipped his head in acknowledgement. Sergiad smiled to himself. Everyone felt that way about the man, and Purrcy still knew how to subtly distract from things the Adventurers didn't want attention paid to. She knew they weren't ready for being drowned in that much confusion over Adventurers yet.
-:-:-:-:-
There was movement at the edge of the stage in the university's great audience hall, which was filled to over-capacity since they had to fit everyone in that wasn't in the Dean's council. The Associate Dean, who had been sitting calmly on a chair towards the side to keep everyone else calm, rose to his feet and bowed towards the unseen side of the stage.
The Dean's secretary walked onto the stage followed by a group of people. Setsubou sat up straight in excitement, noticing his two more wild siblings also perked up. They'd done good so far to not get into too much trouble with all the waiting.
Setsubou was particularly glad to see their oldest sister looked okay. She always looked calm in front of people, even if she wasn't. He was sure she wasn't today. Still, she did look like her long hard tasks hadn't done damage to her.
To really see Adventurers (other than their parents) for the first time was exciting and a little different, for all of them of course. The secretary looked at the blond elf that had followed in directly after him. She stepped forward with a smile on her face.
"Hello everyone!" Her voice rang clear in the room. She was using a spell like their mother would use to be heard, he was sure of it. "I'm Marielle, Guildmistress of Crescent Moon League and member of the Akiba Round Table Council. We wish to welcome all of you here to Akiba, your new home. We're glad to have you."
Next to Setsubou, Meiki had sat up a little more. They knew Marielle by name and reputation from the stories of their parents. To finally be able to see her for themselves was to have a lot of anticipation. They'd never really understood what their parents meant by the term "cheerleader" and were looking forward to seeing it.
If the smile had anything to do with it, that part was working. Her smile was inclusive, warm, and genuinely happy. It was really hard to not smile back. "We know that the transition time is a little complex, so we've set up some things to help you get started. There's no rush, either. We'll be here to help you all until you're all settled in.
"If at any time things get hard, feel free to talk to any of us. We understand how hard change can be." Marielle was serious as she said that. She turned to the people who had walked in with her. "Try to remember us," she said with a wave of her hand, "we're the main part of the welcoming committee.
"There are going to be others who will be helping, though. If you ask for anyone in my guild or in West Wind Brigade, you'll get whatever help you need. You'll get used to who we are over time, just like we'll get to know you. Everyone's nice, though, and will answer polite questions.
"We are honored to have with us in Akiba Princess Raynessia Cowen, granddaughter of Grand Duke Sergiad Cowen, head of the council of the League of Free Cities of Eastal," Marielle introduced the next person to speak.
The beautiful young woman, with long silver curls of hair spilling over her shoulders took a breath and stepped forward. She definitely was a princess, particularly when in the setting of Adventurers. She curtsied slightly. "Welcome to Akiba and Eastal," she said in a soft, kind voice that only rolled through the room because of the spell. "We of Eastal are pleased you have come and are looking forward to learning from you as well as helping you to become as comfortable as possible here.
"We are glad you've been able to come with enough notice for us to prepare to meet with you. The Adventurers have been very kind to be concerned that your changes be eased as much as possible. Having learned from the difficulties we had when they came, we hope to alleviate most of what could have been difficult for you.
"Once you're comfortable with your new home here and the city of Akiba generally, we hope you'll begin to explore the other places where we live. My home of Maihama is closest and near the coast, where there is beach to stroll and enjoy the water. Between here and there are many beautiful places to view.
"Each city of the League of Free Cities also has their unique offerings. Please, feel free to explore all of Eastal, and if you desire, there is all of Yamato and all of Theldesia as well. The Adventurers enjoy exploring it as well, so you don't have to walk it without someone to help you understand.
"Asking around until you find one willing to go with you isn't hard, although often payment is expected. You can also put a request up on the Adventurer request board and they'll contact you themselves if they're interested. While we already understood this from before, since the Awakening it's much more like asking a fellow being. Many will be disinterested, but eventually one will come who is willing to help you.
"We were rather shocked to learn that their intelligence is above and beyond most. Everyone one of them can plan, read maps, strategize, and lead. If you have a problem of any kind and need help with it, there is surely one who can be of assistance if not many."
Setsubou noticed many were shifting slightly uncomfortably around him. He supposed they would. Raynessia was being rather open with Adventurers standing behind her. They didn't seem overly concerned, however. His mother was like that, too. She would only say, "We know we're strange." His whiskers twitched up at that.
Meiki, and to some degree Miru, was even more excited. He was likely to not see them ever once they were allowed out of the city. They were definitely going to be finding groups of Adventurers to befriend and talk into taking them out on adventures all the time.
Princess Raynessia finished with, "If you have a need with the People of the Land or any of the cities of the League of Free Cities, you may contact me at Water Maple Manor and I'll do my best. Most of the shopkeeps, grocers, and many others are People of the Land living in the city. Please also talk to any of them as we'll answer your questions as well as best we can.
"Ah...there are a few parts of the city that are perhaps not the best to wander into. The welcome committee members will point those places out. There are a few People of the Land who still cannot settle to having the Adventurers fully Awakened and they gather to plot against them.
"I'm not sure they'll care so much you've come, but it's best to avoid them, I think." She curtsied one more time and moved back to her place in the line, not knowing that even Marielle was staring at her in surprise she'd been that open. Meiki snickered into her hand.
Miru gave a nod of agreement. "Been hanging around the Adventurers too long already," he teased in a whisper.
Setsubou's ear gave a flick of agreement and rebuke. She was one of the few of their mother's friends after all. It wouldn't be a surprise to have her rub off in some way.
"Well, that was actually a good example of one of the things we all want you to learn quickly," Marielle said with a bit of a grin on her face. "We don't take offense at openness. As a matter of fact, we are quite open ourselves. It's a side effect of everyone being independent.
"We also don't hate those people for not liking us so much. Some Adventurers don't like the rest of us either. It's still important to get along, and to allow everyone to have their own opinions. We try to work things out peacefully first, before we resort to harsher means."
Marielle motioned to the line again and a foxtail dressed in familiar clothing stepped forward. "Nazuna-san is the lieutenant of West Wind Brigade. Her guild is the police force of the city, but really we call them the neighborhood watch. If there needs to be a neutral party to help settle an argument or a concern, there are always a few on duty in the city that can be called on. You'll get to know a lot of them today since they're helping as the welcoming committee also."
Marielle shut up and Nazuna's bushy tail waved in slow contented motions that said she was both comfortable addressing large groups, and was used to being in control. It was almost more exciting to get to see a real foxtail as it was to see the Adventurers. Setsubou understood why her clothes were familiar. His mother had probably designed them.
"Welcome to Akiba," her voice was smooth and low. "What we've planned to help you get started on learning the city and it's current residents is going to take a bit longer than we'd thought, so we hope you'll be patient with us.
"We'd like to take groups of twenty into the city. We'll give each group the basic tour so you can get a first taste of the layout of the city, what you can find here and where, and not have to do it all in confusion.
"That will allow you to get your first look at a city of Adventurers and them to get their first look at you also. Once the university council has met with the city council, together they'll make the formal announcement to the city of your arrival. Then we'll begin the tours of the city.
"Given just how many of you there are, it's going to take days rather than a few hours. We highly recommend that you follow our plan." Her look went wry. "If all of you swarm the city at once the Adventurers will feel a bit threatened, I'm afraid, even if it isn't intended and they're trying to be nice.
"I think what we'll have you do when we excuse you is have you stop by any of the Adventurers waiting outside the hall. They will have sign-up sheets with them. If you'd sign up for a tour, we'll do it in a scheduled manner. That way you can all settle in here where you're already comfortable, and then see the city in a way that is best for all of us.
"There are a lot of us who volunteered, it just isn't quite enough for it all to be done today. I'd think that within four days we should be able to have all of you at least introduced to Akiba. If we can, we'll get a few more volunteers and get it done sooner, but we don't want to fill up the city with the tour groups either so we might make it take five. We'll see how the first run goes.
"Just south of your facility," she pointed the correct direction to orient them all, "is the Akiba Adventurer Academy outdoor practice grounds. We'll set up stations there for you to find your tour guide at and post the times for each group to meet there so you can find your time for your turn. Your tour guide might not be the person you sign up with, if we can get more volunteers.
"Tour guides, I think we'll do one page per twenty people. Put a unique identifier on each page and make sure that the people who sign up on that page have something in hand with that same identifier on it so they don't forget and we can match them up to the lists. We'll just do first come first serve. When a sheet of paper reaches twenty just move on to the next. Make sure you've marked the sheets in numerical order, too."
Setsubou had to take his turn to shift in excitement. That had to be the chat function. Nazuna had to be talking to a lot more Adventurers than were in the room at the moment for the tours to be done in shorter than a week. He really wanted to watch that sort of thing the most. He was personally glad he was going to be so fortunate as to be living with them so he could. Meiki gave him an amused glance and he took a breath to settle down.
Nazuna pulled herself straight into a stern stance, folding her arms. "As the lieutenant to the chief of police, I get to say the hard and harsh things. Please pay attention. If you remember a few important things, life will remain simple and nice for everyone."
Ears the whole room over pointed just as tautly at her as her taller ones were pointed at them. Marielle slumped a little behind her but nodded.
"Adventurers are the strongest creatures on the planet. Do not anger them to the point they lash out in that anger. Back down, get help, apologize, run, whatever it takes. Don't get there to begin with. With casual effort they can kill you." There were shivers down a lot of backs in the room.
"Adventurers cannot die. Don't go anywhere near that thought. It's not been worth it for any creature that got upset with us. Almost all Adventurers will negotiate. Go that way instead.
"While on the tour you will be shown where the Cathedral is. That is where we resurrect. Don't go there either. We will kill without warning if that place is threatened. We want to go home. This is our home until we get there, and that is what allows us to eventually get there."
Everyone had to take in long cautious breaths at that point. As a group, they'd been unconsciously holding their breath. So far it was easy to obey those things, but it definitely was hard to hear.
"Thank goodness for all of you, those very things are what will keep you safe in Akiba. We will keep anything that attacks the city from killing you. We will expect you to hide in your buildings if we have to have a battle like that, so you don't get caught in the crossfire, but Shiroe-san got rid of most of that, so we'll hope it won't happen any more."
The room relaxed a little. That would be a nice side benefit, that they wouldn't have to worry about the things of the base realm they'd never had to worry about before in the Gate of Time.
"As far as the nicer things, Adventurers like to have fun, like to relax, and prefer to be approached politely. We're rather easy to get along with if you remember those few things.
"We're like everyone else, really. If someone's in a hurry, frowning, grumbling, feel free to step aside and let them pass. If someone's laughing, relaxed at a food stand, feel free to strike up a conversation. We'll likely be the same until we get to know you." She waved her tail and bowed slightly, then moved back to the line on the stage.
Marielle smiled. "The Dean asked that one more person be allowed to address you today. MeowLi-chan has agreed to let you know some of what she's learned while living with us for the past two months."
As MeowLi stepped forward, Setsubou's brain was calculating. That meant...that their entire lives up until now had fit in only two months of base time. It was rather astounding, actually. Did that mean they were only two months old? Surely not. They'd actually lived real time, just in a speeded up time zone.
Was it even possible to know how much older than the rest of them MeowLi was since she'd also been in the non-linear Gate of Time? He decided he'd think of her as just two months older for now. That was short enough to almost be ignored.
MeowLi was dressed like the Adventurers, in something their mother had probably designed as well. It looked good on her. "Welcome to Akiba, although I'm not much of a resident yet," she said. "It has been interesting to be in the base Theldesia. Hahaue and Chichiue tried very hard to explain to us their children what it was like, but I learned that being told something, and imagining it, are nothing at all like actually experiencing it.
"The experience is always harder than the thinking. It was that way with me. You will discover first of all that Theldesia is full of creatures, sounds, smells, and things you have never before experienced. Those things in themselves are very overwhelming.
"Take your time to just step outside the doors and visit the Academy grounds and the grounds just around the university. Cat senses are very sharp. You'll want to sit and just let yourself get used to that much for a few hours or even days.
"I spent a whole day asking my guildmates what all the little things were, from insects, to birds, to even the different plants, so I could put names to the things I could hear and smell. That will keep your attention until it's time for your tour."
MeowLi's eyes were going a little wide. "The Gate of Time is big. Akiba alone is bigger." She paused and people blinked, trying to fathom it. "The outside world is so vast, the sky is so high above, the sun so warm, the wind so variable, that you will be perhaps even months trying to learn how to accept that difference.
"Every time you step outdoors will be a new learning experience. Please do a lot of it now while you can. If you hide inside it will be worse later to be surprised by it."
She took a breath. "Again, the saying and imagining pale in comparison, but to prepare you a little bit... There is a tree in Akiba that's branches are so high in the sky as to be higher than the top of the space of the Gate of Time. The Gate of Time in total could have resided within its canopy.
"Adventurers do things big. The rest of us are small in comparison, but each of them is, too. To have a place so large is commonplace to them. Now that we live here, it must also become such to us. Once you've been on your tour, make yourselves go into the city at least once a week until it's properly familiar to you, as familiar as the Gate of Time was. It isn't a place to be afraid of, just understood.
"There are a lot of fun, new exciting things to do here. Take your time doing them. Savoring the city is a pleasant way to learn it and will help you not become overwhelmed every time you come out. Doing those things with friends, or asking an Adventurer to go with you is very helpful.
"If you don't know one to go with you, asking any one your questions will help you. They don't mind answering even the smallest of questions. They do understand that change is hard and they are kind and willing to help us in the transition time.
"Some might laugh at the question, and I suppose some can be unkind, but most are only surprised that it would be something to wonder at. It's okay for them to learn that it would be by someone. They also had their own strange questions when they came."
Behind her most of the Adventurers nodded in agreement. That helped everyone relax a little, too. Scholars didn't like to appear stupid so it was often difficult for them to ask questions that might make them look stupid.
MeowLi clasped her hands in front of her. "Learn who the Round Table Council members are quickly. I hope they will introduce themselves to you. Treat them with highest respect. They are like all leaders - busy but kind. Guildmasters are the highest level of Adventurer. The Round Table Council doesn't have all of the Guildmasters on it, but it has the biggest ones and some of the most important ones on it.
"Watch the other Adventurers. They treat each other equally, but they treat the Guildmasters with a greater respect. That will help you learn how to see them, as will asking to confirm what you've seen. The guilds are like the temples of the Gate of Time. They work together on the larger things, but mostly take care of their own specific duties. There are plenty of Adventurers who are not part of guilds, also."
MeowLi's ear turned as she tried to think of anything else to say. Marielle stepped up to stand next to her, putting her hand on MeowLi's shoulder. "They're just done with the joint council meeting and are moving to the stage for the announcement, so we need to wrap things up. We wanted to allow a little bit of time for a question and answer session, although we'll have to answer most questions on the tour, I expect."
She looked over the audience hall. "Are there any pressing things any of you would like to know that either I or MeowLi-chan and I could answer, that hasn't already been addressed?"
Not having expected the opportunity, there was silence for a while as everyone thought about it. Eventually Marielle smiled her kind smile. "Well, it's already more to take in than anybody ought to have to hold at one time. We'll answer any that come up later." She patted MeowLi's shoulder and MeowLi moved back into the line with the others.
"We have our tour guides set up outside each door of the audience hall. It will take a bit to get everyone out of this room, and I'm sure you're all ready to go. Please have patience and make sure you get signed up for a tour. Hold on to your tour identification so we're sure we've not forgotten anyone.
"Then, as MeowLi suggested, if you'd like to step outside and wander around the university grounds and the Academy grounds, you're welcome to. Please don't go past the road to the west of the university or off Academy grounds. We don't want anyone lost at the beginning. We would miss you and it would likely be rather frightening. That's what we're trying to prevent in your behalf. We were all so afraid to come here at first. We don't want that for you, too."
Marielle bowed and stepped back. The Associate Dean rose to his feet from his chair again. "You are dismissed. Please be obedient. We'll announce when classes will begin again. The usual rules will be in force for night curfews in the dorms during this time as well. Thank you."
Those at the outer edges rose to their feet and moved out of the doors. It quickly did get backed up at each door, but it was easy to be patient. MeowLi had rather made everyone concerned again, or at least cautious. Still, it was hard for Meiki and Miru to contain their excitement. Even Setsubou had to breathe deeply to stay put for now.
Suddenly there was sound around them. "Meiki-chan, Miru-kun, Setsubou-kun, please come up to the stage." Their heads jerked up and around to look at the stage. MeowLi was standing next to Marielle, an orange-haired boy with them. They were all looking at the three of them. Taking deep breaths, the three rose to their feet and struggled their way through the row, then the packed aisles, up the stairs, and onto the stage.
"We'll let MeowLi and Tetorō take you three to Log Horizon's guild hall now," Marielle said kindly. "Your mother wishes to give you the tour herself."
"Thank you, Guildmistress," Setsubou bowed politely. His wayward siblings tried their best.
Marielle smiled at all three of them. "Welcome home," she said softly. "We're all glad to have you here - except one guildmaster. They'll warn you. Stay out of his sight as much as possible. We are trying to keep him contained as much as possible. He's in his guild hall, outside of the city for today, and hopefully at least tomorrow."
Her eyes went to Tetorō who gave a nod. "Thank you, Marie," he said soberly. Then he was shepherding the four siblings off of the stage. They left out of the back door, to bypass the lines at the tour guides. Setsubou had to wonder why his parents hadn't ever given them a description of Tetorō. It was hard to keep his eyes off the odd coloring of the Adventurer.
His pale purple eyes looked closely at each of them as they walked out of the large hall and into the open. All three of those newly come had ears that wanted to both press down against their heads and to scan to hear everything all at once. Eyes narrowed against the new air, and noses were assailed so much they almost hurt.
"Yeah, that's rather a lot," Tetorō said. Setsubou felt his hand being taken by someone. "Just move your feet. We'll get you to a place you can just breathe until all the new stuff settles. Is in the guild hall better or outdoors?" he asked MeowLi as the tug on Setsubou's hand got his feet moving.
MeowLi sighed. "Well, I'd say the guild hall because there are less things there, but as I told everyone, getting all of it at the beginning is a lot faster."
"I want it all right now," Meiki said dreamily.
They all laughed. "Of course you do," Setsubou grumbled. "I'd take a nap. It's already been too much today, and I've only sat." They all laughed at that, too. He was glad when his feet were allowed to stop moving and he could sit down. It took over an hour for his senses to settle down.
It was good Tetorō had seen their reaction. He was able to warn the rest of the welcoming committee, who were able to then lead overwhelmed felinoids to clear spaces to sit and experience Theldesia for the first time. There were enough staff and teachers who had been to the base realm as part of their work to also help fellow felinoids become adjusted to the newness.
-:-:-:-:-
The area around the main stage in the central gathering zone of the Adventurers of Akiba was full to capacity and people were hanging out of windows of the buildings around it, even up in trees to be able to see the stage better from above the press of bodies. The large TV over the market building was showing the stage as well, where Isaac of Knights of the Black Sword had walked up onto not five minutes before to stand relaxed but firm with his arms folded as he waited.
There were murmurs in the crowd as the door to the Guild Hall opened and members of the Round Table Council walked out with others. Half were felinoids who walked with grace, like the city had been told would be coming. Duke Sergiad was also with them.
The two who were getting the most upset murmurs were the two felinoids the city already knew, flanked by Crusty and Soujirou. They were dressed in dapper H12b-style clothing and walked with grace without comment or complaint between their guards. Still, the Adventurers weren't too pleased.
Before those murmurs could get too loud, or the faces too dark, Isaac calmly said, "I think we'll let them tell their story first, eh? Crusty and Souji didn't kill them so I think that much could be allowed?" Some were disgruntled, but that settled the Adventurers enough.
Crusty walked up the stairs, then stood and waited for those with him to arrive on the stage. Purrcy and Nyanta walked to stand near Isaac, who gave them a silent, sober nod. Roderick led the rest of the party across the stage behind them so that the full complement stood in a line to be seen while they waited to hear from the two felinoids who had been at the center of so much difficulty for the city.
When they were settled, Crusty walked to stand on the other side of Purrcy and Nyanta from Isaac. When he opened his mouth, the entire city (other than the University) heard him. Purrcy had cast the amplification spell for the stage.
"By now most of you should have heard that the Gate of Time quest has been completed. The result of that quest is that we have new residents of the city we need to help integrate into a life they've never had to live before. However, before that, these two need to explain why they're here also." He waved his hand at Purrcy and Nyanta and let them have their say.
Nyanta took Purrcy's hand and they both bowed. "We're sorry for the troubles mew have gone through because of our cursings to become the Oracles of the Inari," Nyanta began. "Thank mew very much for meowr efforts to help break us free from those cursings." The Adventurers blinked as the couple rose again to face them.
"I had entered the Gate of Time as an ambassador for Shiroe-ichi of Log Horizon," Nyanta explained. "I was able to gain information about that quest that had come with us, but received my cursing at that time, being the first Adventurer to find and enter it.
"Shiroe-ichi had already seen signs of it in Purrcy-san, who had received her cursing similarly, but not from within the Gate of Time. While the cursings brought troubles to Akiba and beyond, it was necessary for both her and me to be sent into the Gate of Time for us to be able to remove the cursing. Only in defeating the Gate of Time quest could we find any relief."
Nyanta's whiskers turned in disgust and his ears tilted towards unhappiness. Purrcy's reaction was similar. She took up the story. "I was imprisoned at the time of the difficulty, and also completely taken over by Izanami, when Izanagi had completely taken over Nyanta's avatar. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to be of help at that time.
"It took all of the Eagles and the help of Duke Sergiad and his men to free me from my prison and help me enter the Gate of Time so that I could help end the punishment and imprisonment of Nyanta-san."
Nyanta nodded. "Once she was in the Gate of Time with me, we were able to walk the quest together. When Purrcy defeated the boss of the Gate of Time, she was very weak. The traitorous Inari at that time tried again to defeat her, contrary to their purromises to allow us to have her help in gaining our way home to Earth again."
Nyanta was angry and everyone in the crowd knew it. His tail, ears, and posture told it, as did the cold tone of his words. "I expected them to do it," he said plainly.
"I had discovered during our time there the secret door into it. When they moved to attack Purrcy, I opened the door and called for the kami of Adventurer and Alv anger, the same one mew all used with Shiroe-ichi's help to send Izanagi into the Gate of Time.
"Using the drops we had received for defeating the quest and the strength of Ōkami-chan, I was able to chase off the Inari so that they couldn't use us as Oracles, and to purrotect Purrcy until she was recovered."
He waved his free hand in a slightly frustrated gesture. "We cannot erase that we are their Oracles. However, with the drops we received and the power of Ōkami-chan fed by our own great anger against them, we can remain free of their influence as long as we are within the city.
"A shrine has been built for her attached to our guild hall. We will be safe there, as will all of mew. We hope to learn how to keep that purrotection outside of the city as well. It is most distressing to be abused by a construct of a game."
There were a lot of grimaces at that. Everyone happened to agree, only having had to watch and receive the same abuse of them being used as the Oracles. That didn't mean everyone believed them at just that. They'd watch them and see if it stayed that way, and kick them out again if necessary.
Purrcy took her turn again. "Because we completed the Gate of Time quest, the Gate of Time itself has ceased to exist as of this time. It was a place of learning, knowledge, and wisdom. It would have been sad to have that no longer exist.
"The five universities of the Gate of Time have been placed onto Theldesia proper. While it perhaps might not be everyone's favorite university to have here in Akiba, as the winners of the quest we were given the University of Administration.
"I know Marielle-san, Soujirou-san, their guilds, and many of you have been working very hard since we were able to get the notice out that they would be coming. Thank you very much for your efforts," Purrcy bowed slightly towards Soujirou, then the listening crowd. "Please continue to welcome them and help them integrate. We all know how difficult that can be. Again, we're sorry for the sudden trouble. It was an unexpected side-effect of winning or we would have told you much sooner."
Nyanta and Purrcy moved to the side. The most formally dressed of the felinoids behind them moved up to stand at the center front of the stage. He put a hand to his chest and bowed his head. "I am Dean Laurenz Montague. On behalf of the University of Administration, thank you for receiving us kindly. We hope to be able to quickly become pleasant citizens of Akiba, and do the Gate of Time no shame here in our new home.
"We're grateful for the warm welcome by the Round Table Council of Akiba, and Duke Sergiad in behalf of the lords of Eastal. Once we've been able to sufficiently adjust to our new place to live, we'll resume classes." He smiled with a wry turn of his whiskers. "We've brought our students with us, so we can't afford to allow them to waste too much precious learning time." That brought chuckles from the crowd since most everyone was or had been a student.
"Our classes are open to any who wish to take them. Our Admission's Office will have clear directions to it. Course lists will be available there, as will be the required fee schedule. We'll hope to see many of you there - Adventurer and Person of the Land alike." Dean Montague bowed again and stepped back to his place in line.
Duke Sergiad stepped out, to have his proper say. "On behalf of the People of the Land of Eastal, we also welcome the university. We are looking forward to having the opportunity to learn even more about our world and those who we share it with. We are grateful for the Dean and university's willingness to allow us access to the courses that will be provided there.
"We also are looking forward to collaborating with both Adventures and scholars on future endeavors." There was a certain look on his face that the Adventurers didn't quite get, but the watching spies of the lords of Eastal did. "My granddaughter Princess Raynessia will continue to be an ambassador to the university as she is to the Adventurers of Akiba."
He stepped back to the line satisfied with his short speech. The Adventurers were, too. They didn't really like long boring political speeches, so were glad he understood.
Roderick stood forward. "We're grateful to have the University of Administration here. I'm sure it will benefit Akiba to have them here. We're also looking forward to learning new things from what they knew in the Gate of Time that we haven't discovered here yet.
"Collaborative studies have been agreed on between all three groups that reside in Akiba. We hope to be able to have new things to show you at the Academy and on the shelves of Shopping District 8 in the near future.
"Marielle-san and the welcoming committee are presenting to those who've come with the university. When they're done with that, they'll be bringing tour groups into the main part of the city to help them learn the streets and to show them what we have available here in town.
"Please be friendly but try not to overwhelm them too much," he gave everyone a wry scolding look and they grinned back at him, completely understanding. "On behalf of the Round Table Council, we are looking forward to having them here, and we thank you all for your understanding." He bowed and moved back to his place.
Crusty turned to Purrcy and Nyanta. Purrcy took down the loudspeaker spell and gave him a nod. He held out his hand to them and let them go first, but followed them closely. Soujirou went down the steps first and kept as close an eye on them as Crusty did. Knowing two upset guildmasters were going to watch them allowed most of the Adventurers some level of comfort. Others disappeared to rant and complain.
In particular, one guildmaster who'd watched from his guild hall with the help of one of his Hackers. Ains rose stiffly from his chair in the gathering hall without saying anything. Stiffly he walked to his room. There he proceeded to have the worst temper tantrum ever. Then he collapsed on his bed, completely wrung out and depressed now that he'd gotten the anger out and earned a migraine for it.
Ains fell asleep trying to come up with any thoughts on what he could do about it, but his brain just wouldn't engage after such a long unusual emotional outburst. When he didn't come out for dinner, he was checked on by his lieutenant who could only shrug. Ains was still sound asleep and couldn't be woken. It took until morning for his system to recover.
