Chapter 9: The Simulation and Bloom's Test
A month passed, during this time Erasiel had continued teaching the Trix more on the subjects of advanced magic and how to utilize the Dragon Flame, he also during this period had gone on several dates, mainly with Flora, Musa, and Tecna, but also with Riven and Trix this kept him on his toes and allowed him more time to build a relationship, he was focused however on Tecna; but he hadn't forgotten Bloom, Musa was good on her word not telling her about Sky and the two continued to date. In fact, that was the reason he and Darcy were now at Alfea, to help Professor Palladium put the finishing touches on the simulation designed to test Bloom's powers and confirm if she was who he thought she was beyond a shadow of the doubt. Though day by day his suspicion leaned further to the truth as Bloom's visions multiplied and became clearer and more vivid, also she had made more drawings of what she had seen, and these further confirmed his suspicions, now all that was needed for Bloom to fully awaken her magical potential.
"Professor Palladium how has the work on the simulation progressed" Erasiel asked the Elf, he had pointy ears, dark colored eyes, long dark orange hair, his bangs split in the middle and swapped to each side. His build was skinny and as graceful as you would expect in an elf, strong but agile, and he wore a pale yellow long sleeved puffy collared shirt, with a red bow, a dark olive collared vest, light brown pants and shoes with red above-ankle socks. Palladium was a Wood Elf, from the Elven Kingdom of Goldenwood on Magix and had been on the staff for centuries, he was the school's teacher about the subject of magical creatures, but also the school's non-magic combat instructor, he had on Erasiel's request given Bloom an education in sword-fighting a skill that Erasiel knew she would need in the future, if his suspicions were confirmed and she was indeed the Princess of Domino then she would need to know how to wield a sword if she was to use her father's blade.
"I have done the most that I can, the simulation is rather effective, a combat simulation that has progressively harder levels of enemies, Bloom will have to face wave after wave of opponents to draw out her magical power and to heighten her awareness, on top of this she will have to survive the hazards on numerous environments" Palladium explained.
"Excellent, now there are two things, I trust you will be grading Bloom on the standards Faragonda and I outlined with regards to this test, also there are some adjustments I would like to make, this is why I brought Cloud Tower's resident tech expert Darcy Trix with me" Erasiel responded.
"Yes, Indeed I will be grading Bloom on the standards outlined, defeating wave 10 warrants a B, defeating wave 20 an A-, Wave 30 an A, and anything higher then wave 40 an A+, As to your adjustments would you explain them to me" Palladium responded.
"The adjustments I would like to make are simple, Darcy if you would be kind to explain for me" Erasiel stated, then Darcy walked forward with a specialized device.
"The first adjustment will be this device here, it will allow a measurement of the power output by Bloom and any other student using the simulator we will also be tracking Bloom's power output at Cloud Tower via my sisters vacuums, the following adjustments apply solely to Bloom; for starters each wave after the first 10 will not be AI controlled but controlled by me and my sisters remotely, secondly we will increase the difficulty for every five waves, the final touch is a well an endgame boss if you will forgive my game terminology, my sisters and I will face Bloom as the final challenge should she manage to beat all the other waves, All opponents will vary in ability and power, from the simple group of Goblins to mighty Dragons, to wizards and warlocks, then of course at the end three senior witches from Cloud Tower boosted to max stats within the engine, hopefully the results of the testing will show how powerful Bloom is at the moment and predict how powerful in the future she can become" Darcy explained.
"I see, well is there a risk to you and your sisters entering the Simulator" Palladium asked.
"No, I've already figured that out with these" Darcy explained then pulled a wax doll out of her pocket, the doll resembled Darcy flawlessly. "This is a shadow Doll, it allows me and my sisters to project ourselves into any location as if we were actually there, it applies to the simulation, we can channel our power thru these and they will use our abilities, Bloom will face identical copies of us, the copies will look exactly like us with maximum abilities provided by the simulation but will not be actually us" Darcy explained.
"I see, then there is absolutely no risk to you or your sisters" Palladium responded.
"Yes, now do I have your approval to make the necessary modifications?" Darcy asked.
"Indeed, go right ahead" Palladium stated, then Darcy began to modify the programing doing her magic, the process took a matter of ten minutes to make the necessary modifications, then she brought out a laptop which she interfaced into the main computer, allowing her a remote uplink which allowed her to control the simulation's enemies as well as the environments, she also hooked up the device for measuring power output, in 30 minutes she had finished her work.
"Done, everything is in place for Bloom's test, it should all be in working order, in fact I know it is because I triple checked my work" Darcy explained.
"Excellent Darcy, I will monitor the testing here, head back to Cloud Tower and wait for that actual testing to commence, you are free to do whatever you want to do until then" Erasiel stated, Darcy walked out. "If you will excuse me Palladium I have important matters to tend to, I'll see you when the testing is ready" Erasiel stated then departed.
The important matters in question involved him and Flora sitting on a bench in courtyard making out, before discussing stuff with her. "So, Flora how have you been lately" Erasiel stated, his face covered with her lipstick.
"Pretty Good actually, don't forget about our date tonight" Flora stated.
"I won't sweetie" Erasiel stated, then wrapped his arm around her holding her close to him, she held his hands with her own.
"I love it when you call me sweet" Flora stated.
"That's because you are Flora, how's school doing" Erasiel stated.
"Well I have a project I'm working on" Flora stated.
"Need help with it?" Erasiel asked.
"We'll see, come by my Dorm tomorrow, there aren't any classes tomorrow, but I have to get my project done, it's due soon" Flora replied.
"I'll be glad to, also what subject is it?" Erasiel asked.
"Alchemy believe it or not, it's not my best subject and Professor Gelt gave me this project to make up for failing other assignments" Flora stated.
"Well it shouldn't be too difficult, I can help with that easy, and that's what friends are for, also that's why boyfriends are for" Erasiel stated, and Flora laughed, a sweet laugh, like that of forest nymphs or elves.
"I have to go, the simulator testing will be starting soon, and I can't be late" Flora stated, looking at her watch.
"I'm going with, I'll be observing the tests" Erasiel explained, but before Flora could get up, he pulled her into another kiss and a hug, this was a relationship he was happy with; however, he wasn't going to rush Flora into any major commitments, he wanted to take this relationship at the pace she wanted to take it.
They quickly departed and arrived at the simulator where numerous Students were gathered outside along with Palladium and Faragonda. "Welcome students to the Simulator, today is Mid-term testing for the semester, here each student will proceed to take the tests, these are varied depending on the student, the simulator is capable of simulating various scenarios and locations, there are few things this isn't capable of" Palladium explained.
"Is it capable of simulating virtual dates" Stella joked, the girl next to her by the name of Anastacia who had brown honey hair that came to her shoulders. She wore a blue dress with cuts on the left shoulder and a red belt and brown and white shoes as well as blue eyeshadow, commented "I might finally get one!" this caused the crowd to break out in laughter.
"You know if you really want a date Anastacia you should try dating Erasiel" Musa commented, this elicited more laughter.
"Enough Students this is serious, this is your mid-term exam, fail it and your grades will be near irreparable for the rest of the semester" Faragonda stated, and everyone fell back in line.
"Thank you Headmistress, now the testing will begin in alphabetical order, each student will come forward as I call their name, the simulator has numerous rooms, 25 to be exact, each student will come forward when I call their name: the starting 25 will be Ahisa, Anastacia, Alyssa, Amaryl, Arabel, Ariadne, Audrey, Bloom… " Palladium stated, his list went on further but focus was on Bloom, something which was a surprise, as there other people above her in the name list who's name started with B, but she had been first followed by regular order, anyway Bloom wasn't given much time, she followed Anastacia who had been standing by her and Stella, and she went into the Simulator, Erasiel to her surprise was waiting inside.
"What are you doing here?" Bloom asked Erasiel
"I'm here to monitor your testing, just in case you have one of your well episodes, also I have a suspicion and if you succeed in your testing you might confirm it, in fact it may answer a lot of questions for you" Erasiel replied, Bloom was confused, but she assumed he meant those related to the dreams she had been having.
Bloom walked past Erasiel and proceeded to the nearest open simulator room, she then put on a suit designed for interfacing inside the virtual world of the simulator, she finally put on VR headset and within her eyes flashed with digital data, to reveal a grassy plain on a cloudy day. To Bloom's surprise Darcy was there in her witch form. "Welcome Bloom to your test, this simulation has been specially crafted by me and Professor Palladium, this will be the test of your abilities, the simulation is designed to bring out your true magical potential, there will be 100 waves of enemies, each progressively harder, the first 10 waves will be AI controlled, further waves will be controlled remotely by yours truly and my sisters, defeat 50 waves and above for the highest grade, defeat the challenge as a whole and you will receive bonus points that will count for extra credit, your success is dependent on your skill, also don't worry about time your test isn't timed only dependent on how many opponents you defeat, the environments will change depending on the opponent, also you will be facing the environment itself as a hazard or an advantage provided you know how to use it, defeat all waves and there will be a final boss fight, you will be facing the hardest challenge you could possibly face with regard to this simulation, know this, outside this simulator I am your friend, in here I am your enemy and I will try my best to destroy you" Darcy explained, then she summoned Bloom's first opponents and vanished.
Bloom faced her enemies, she noted that they were Goblins with spears, they let out their battle cry, Bloom transformed into Charmix and began to unleash fireballs, flying out of the reach of her opponents, the Goblins were quickly defeated and soon the next wave appeared and they were replaced by an angry mob of peasants, she made quick work of the peasant mob, and they were replaced other opponents, she cleared wave after wave, orcs, trolls, knights, wizards, shaman, barbarians, troglodytes, lions, tigers, bears, ogres, warlocks, necromancers, undead skeletons, zombies, ghouls, Ghuls, imps, fiends, horned demons, lizardmen, a hydra, dragon, a Tendral (a two-head Dragon), a manticore, and so on, numerous monsters, the first 10 waves were relativity simple with later waves being much harder progressively as the Trix who were controlling the opponents employed different strategies, some fights Bloom was without her magic and had use weapons provided by the challenges, also she had to make use of terrain, after each 5 waves she was allowed to rest at a safe room, which allowed her regain HP, during these fights her health was monitored by a HP bar, as the waves progressed the amount of healing supplies she got were limited, however she was allowed upgrade herself with equipment, the whole simulation functioned like a video game, however it was far too realistic wounds she took blead like they would in real life and she had to use potions constantly. She was congratulated by Darcy when she reached Wave 51, and she had passed the test, however she soldiered on, Darcy had constantly taunted her throughout the test and Bloom was determined to prove she was more than capable of finishing the whole simulation, it didn't help when Stormy and Icy were also taunting which made her angrier, she was aware that this was a just a test and the Trix were just the DMs of this simulated game, but she her annoyance with Trix at the present mirrored a version of herself in another universe where Erasiel didn't exist and the Trix were her enemies.
Bloom soldiered on, each wave becoming harder, the environments more fantastical, eventually however she had gotten to wave 100 where she battled a 7 headed Dragon, also known as a Waylor, after a titanic clash she slew the monstrosity and she expected the simulation to end, instead, she was faced by a frozen hellscape, the place she recognized from her dreams, it was Domino, then she heard it: clapping.
"Excellent Bloom, you have come far, you have defeated every challenge we could throw at you and not only have won, you have triumphed" Darcy stated applauding, Bloom turned to face Darcy and realized she wasn't alone, Icy and Stormy were with her and like Darcy were in their combat forms though these were slightly different the usual suits were replaced by orange ones and they wore masks.
"I've defeated all your challenges, all your warriors, all your monsters, everything, all 100 waves, now why isn't this over and why am I here" Bloom responded.
"Why are you here, well this is the final challenge the boss fight at the end of the dungeon, take a look Bloom, behold the world of Domino, once glorious and one of the mightiest kingdoms in the Magic Dimension, now a frozen wasteland, brought low the by an ancient evil, the Ancestral Witches, our ancestors, now here you will face your final challenge" Darcy stated and assumed a combat stance.
"Us" Stormy stated, charging a lightning bolt.
"The Trix, we are your final test Bloom, you'll need to use all your power to defeat us!" Icy stated readying ice darts.
"Show us your true power Bloom, you'll need it, we aren't holding back in here, our powers are beyond those we would use outside this simulation for the purposes of this test, here we are as powerful as the Ancestresses" Darcy stated then sent a cascade of shadow energy in the form of a Penumbral Pendulum, Bloom dodged out of the way and responded with a fireball, Bloom's attack was easily blocked by a wall of Ice, here Bloom realized she was playing with the big girls now and would have to up her game to stay alive, well in the simulation that is. Bloom then began to unleash more advanced spells these put the Trix on the defensive but not for long as they began to develop more effective counters, Bloom had to resort to dodging the Trix's attacks her equipment though max level would only offer so much protection, and the Trix's magic was very strong and they were not pulling any punches, they were literally out for blood at this point and Bloom was getting hard pressed, her attacks could only do so much before she was overwhelmed however before the Trix could finish her she was protected by a powerful barrier, something Bloom hadn't know she had in her and wasn't something she did.
The Landscape changed, and Bloom was inside her mind, a white plain and a figure standing in front of her, she recognized her as the woman who had appeared in her dreams. "Bloom awaken, you are of the blood of Dragon, you wield the Dragon Flame, rise Bloom, feel your strength unleash your true power, don't let your emotions cloud your mind let go, unleash Bloom, unleash the Flame!" the Woman told Bloom, and soon reality shifted, and she was behind the barrier which soon gave way and she dodged out of the way, then she saw something that horrified her, Darcy holding Keko above the ground.
"You have been holding back Bloom, we know you are better than this, if we have to resort to driving your magic potential out of you with sheer anger then we will!" Darcy stated, then dropped Keko to the ground below Bloom rushed to grab him, caught him and put him on a rock outcropping, only to receive a combined attack from the Trix, Bloom was beyond angry at this point she had gone berserk her eyes glew with fire to the point that they were literally burning orange coals, the attacks redirected by a great wall of Fire which the Trix dodged, Bloom's fairy form was transformed into an avatar of Fire, and a great Dragon surged forward and the Trix were battered by it, their eyes glew red as they focused a powerful spell, but this was too late, Bloom sent a tsunami of flame as she wrapped the Trix in a vortex, they were literally disintegrated, at Cloud Tower the Shadow Dolls that the Trix were using to control themselves in the simulation melted into hot wax, which burned them before falling to the ground they quickly healed their wounds and measured the power with the Vacuums which shined red with the amount of energy, the readings were absurd, near Erasiel levels of absurd but not that high, but extremely powerful, and they recognized the power as that of the Dragon Flame. "Incredible, she has the Dragon Flame, that can only mean one thing" Darcy stated.
"That she is the lost Princess of Domino" Icy stated.
In the simulation Bloom returned to her normal Fairy form, then looked at Keko who smiled then faded into digital glyphs, along with the rest of Domino as the world faded. She found herself in the simulator room, and left out the door, allowing Kimmie to take her place, she was surprised it took her so long to finish testing that they were now on students whose name began with K, she walked out and found Erasiel. "Come with me Bloom, we need to talk, and I need to show you something, I've finally figured out who you really are" Erasiel explained, Bloom was confused but followed him anyway, he led her out of the simulator into the courtyard, where he took off, Bloom assumed Charmix and followed him.
Erasiel lead Bloom to a placid lakeshore, it was one of the two lakes near Alfea and the larger of the two, Lake Roccaluchee. "Approach the shoreline" Erasiel ordered, and Bloom complied. "Close your Eyes" he said, she closed them, "Reach out" she outstretched her hands "With Mind and body" she reached out with her mind, "at last wake up" Erasiel stated, she came to full alert.
"Now what?" Bloom asked to which Erasiel replied by tapping his staff on the shoreline, suddenly an ethereal figure appeared, a figure Bloom knew well at this point. "Who are you?" Bloom asked.
"Bloom, you have come, and you have awoken your powers, Bloom I am Daphne, Nymph of Sirenix and I am your sister" Daphne stated.
"My sister how?" Bloom asked.
"I had my suspicions at first Bloom, but your test in the Simulator confirmed them, and now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, you are Bloom, daughter of King Oritel and Queen Marion of Domino and the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Domino" Erasiel explained.
"Wait I'm a princess, no this can't be how?!" Bloom stated.
"You are my sister Bloom, I can see it in your face, your eyes, those eyes of our father, I know you well, I nursed you when you were an infant as mother and father were away at war, Erasiel my betrothed and me took care of you when they weren't able to tend to you" Daphne explained further.
"How I am a Princess and how did I end up on Earth?" Bloom asked her confusion mounting.
"You were sent there for safety, the Ancestresses invaded Domino, they bypassed our defenses and attacked the Royal city of Sparx, we were left with only the option of leaving, during the escape we were cut off from the portal room by Mordan, the monstrous foot soldiers of the Ancestresses' army, Erasiel broke thru them but it was too late, the Ancestresses blocked our path, we sent you to Earth for your safety, it was the only place on short notice the Ancestresses wouldn't look, after we sent thru the portal to Earth we were attacked by the Ancestresses they turned me into what I am now, I can't leave the Lake, I'm glad to see you're still alive, reclaim your birthright and rule justly, and if you can find Mother and Father" Daphne explained, she then strolled up to Bloom and kissed her. "I love you my dear sister" Daphne stated hugged her which felt solid to Bloom as if she was a normal person, then she faded beneath the surface of the lake.
"So now what?" Bloom asked Erasiel.
"We- "Erasiel started to say when a pair of forest goblins snatched his staff and ran off with it laughing. "We get my staff back, come back here you thieving gretchins!" Erasiel yelled then ran off leaving Bloom behind laughing.
Daphne appeared again "Well my dear sister, you continue your education at Alfea and gather strength one day you'll be able to claim your birthright, Erasiel will teach you more about your past among other things" Daphne explained then joined her sister in laughing, in the background Erasiel chased the Goblins who were running faster than a jackrabbit running from a pack of coyotes laughing like maniacs.