My burst of jovial euphoria after evoking Dollzerka, is met with smiling giggles, and teasing comments from the females in the Tower's living room

I can't deny i'm the sole culprit of their reaction, allowing my excitement to overflow at finally have Dollzerka available, ready to back me up with unconditional support whenever i need her, permeating me with a weird sense of assuring comfort.

We resume with our conversation, enjoying the tea Verulkya brought.

After an hour, my Ex Fiancée has to depart, her schedule is busy with the joint training she has with Dafvianch.

The Thova is her partner for the Paired Combat we'll have tomorrow, after the arena we were assigned as Rookies, gets repaired.

"I like what the Head of your House suggest to us, Vurckair". Comments Cadrissa, after Seinnissia's departure. "But we have no way to verify the hypothesis, because you already told us, that you don't intend to enter in another Amalgam or Umbral for the near foreseeable future".

"Indeed, Rissa…".

I admit shortly, because Ines interrupts me with her sudden concern. "What about our return to the Relativistic Portal, Lustful Beast?. Are you not joining us?. You seemed angered at the Hand of the Nydrikoff House".

"I'll discuss with Vosha later, Barking Bitch. I need to have a good chat with her. However, Bridgette is not here on Nrahtuol. We cannot establish the Beacon without her".

Verulkya intervenes. "Instead of waiting for the Relativistic Portal. Why don't you go somewhere else, my Cherished Nephew?. Larissa has an excellent, and variated array of Passages to other Worlds, not only Umbrals for you to practice. In fact, i would recommend you to form a Trinity to delve in a Passage".

"I'm not enthusiastic about this idea…".

"Are you sure, Vruck?". Says the Hot Aunt with insidiousness. "You must reconsider this thought after what happened. And i'm not referring to the altercation involving the Berezovsky Clan. If not the Daughter of Camarssia in the arena".

"Rissa?. Why?".

"Is not obvious, Lustful Beast?. Cadrissa's exemplary performance in the Individual Combat was more than outstanding. We are in the same Box as her. We cannot have a less remarkable participation, or the Academy could separate our Box to not hinder her development. And while we will have the same opponents as her, the amount is going to be problematic".

I sigh, conscious of how relevant, and intrinsic is in their culture to save face, or keep appearances.

"I strongly disagree on this. Our offensive capabilities are too wide and different, Barking Bitch. Wanting to integrate us and adapt quickly, even if we gain a few days due to Dilated Time in the Umbral or Passage. It's simply a dream plagued with delusion…".

I raise my palm, preventing Ines's reply, avoiding an interruption. "Having said that. If we form the Trinity. I have conditions. First: Nothing lengthy, and i'm not only talking about the environment size, we must return for dinner. Second: We keep the integration simple, nothing flashy or exaggerated. Third: We won't expose ourselves. If someone or something wants to establish a Beacon, it's not of our concern. We let them do their thing, and return to the Tower. Fourth and the most important point. This is just for today. And none of you will ask or insinuate about delving again, unless is part of Takctoor's schedule".

Cadrissa and Ines immediately agree in excitement, clearly forgetting what i said, urging me out of the living room to choose an Umbral or Passage.

All the options available have a minimum duration of 30 Hours, meaning we would return pass midnight.

"Don't get mad, Lustful Beast. This Passages are for One Person. But the duration is affected by the number of participants".

By positioning ourselves in a triangular formation, we integrate the Trinity. What changes the duration from 30 to 10 hours, but simultaneously, increases the Dilation from 5 Hours to 15.

In general, the total stay at the other side of an Umbral, is the same, 150 hours. But with Nrahtuol's time, if we go in as a Trinity, is doable to enter a second and third occasion, while a person alone could only enter once for the same amount of time.

I prepare to cross a Passage, knowing we are not constrained, or limited by time. In reality, we can stay indefinitely. That is the biggest advantage of Passages over Umbrals.

{Larissa stabilize each Passage on her own?}.

My question is answered with Verulkya's graceful nod. Leaving me in awe. Because the Landlady becomes more extraordinary with every new aspect i learn about her.

I trespass the Passage with Cadrissa and Ines, but we are repulsed by a surge of nothingness. It's not Verulkya with her telekinesis, if not something else, foreign to me.

I ask baffled. "What happened?".

Yet, my two Boxmates are more stupefied than me.

"It's a «Dimensional Blockage»". Explains Verulkya, deactivating all Passages and Umbrals. "Go to the Library and Study. I'm sure it's the best way to invest your time".

The Hot Aunt leaves no room for doubt or misunderstandings. It's obvious something is happening, and she doesn't want to inform us.

Without complaining, we arrive to the reading room, the Emeneld active on the exterior and interior of the chamber.

{It must be serious}.

The Violence Vengeance Virus didn't cause nearly as much of a stir, nor did it elicit such a visible response.

The Assistants and Librarians are wearing reinforced attires, showing their weapons, and depicting how ready are they for possible conflict.

{I don't like to be on the sideline, as if i were a bystander. But Verulkya didn't even flinch at her choice. Despite i clearly state my discomfort and aversion to this type of treatment}.

For more intense that my grumbling may be, i remain in the reading room, enriching my knowledge.

Time passes, and Ines falls asleep in the armchair, bored after sixteen hours of uninterrupted study.

Cadrissa is accustomed to read, yet, she is struggling. "What is bothering you, Rissa?".

"I don't know… , Well, i feel disconnected from myself, Vurckair". She gets closer, sitting in the same couch as me.

"After what we did yesterday. I thought, that i could finally have the courage to be intimate with Brenna, and today. Today i can't be with «Her» anymore, with «Him»… , I don't even know what to say. I'm so confused. I wish i had known what to do before, to be more like you".

"Now you are, Rissa. I also had my engagement canceled against my will"…

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