Mortal Elder Kyle addressed the Children.
"Question: Do Unawakened Twin Demons have separate bedrooms, or do they sleep in the same room? Unawakened Twins of any kind all share a bedroom, and Twin Demons continue to do so even after Awakening."
"Question: Are female-to-female relationships allowed, or are they taboo? These relationships are not forbidden; however, for an Estrus or Rut to end, Knotting must be completed, and only a male can perform this. As a result, such relationships rarely occur because no one is willing to share their Mate."
"Question: Is it safe to consume Nutri products from Clans other than your own? Eating food from different Clans won't cause irreparable damage, but it may make you feel queasy. Therefore, it isn't recommended."
"Question: How do you increase your Stats? Stats can be increased through training and cultivation, but Tian Dao will provide more detailed information."
"Question: Can you decorate your dorm the way you like? Within reason, yes."
Immortal Elder Lucius then continued.
"Question: How do Teachers help you master the Knowledge inscribed in your Sea of Consciousness? The approach varies by the type of Knowledge. Some is explained in detail; for others, only vague guidance is given. The specifics depend on the Knowledge, with Tian Dao offering general explanations."
"Question: Do we receive guidance from Teachers within a lecture hall, or do they roam, allowing us to approach them for one-on-one help? Both methods are used, depending on what kind of guidance is needed."
"Question: Is there extracurricular Knowledge we can learn if interested? Yes, depending on your Class. However, Slayers and Twin Demons must learn all Knowledge."
Infernal Elder Caine took over.
"Question: Have any members of the Heavenly Clans ever broken the rules, resulting in a Trial? Once, an Infernal Clan member unknowingly broke the rules and underwent the Trial of Judgment. Tian Dao ruled him innocent because an Outsider had taken control of his mind, causing him to act against the rules. He still had to undergo mandatory mental training to improve his defences. The Outsider was hunted by the Slayers and is now imprisoned in the Abyss."
The Elders rechecked their screens, then Celestial Demon Sky addressed the Children. "Not all questions were answered, as some were screened out due to content beyond your age or cultivation. Tian Dao will address the rest after your registration. This brings your Orientation to an end."
"New servants will arrive shortly to transport you to the Med Bay. Please cooperate with them. If there are items you want to bring, let them know and they'll collect them for you."
As he finished, new servants appeared, each with a floating circular platform.
Eleven of these were large enough for Twins; the rest were for single Children.
One by one, the light pillars deactivated as the Children were settled onto the platforms by the servants, and a dome enclosed them.
The servants pushed the platforms in one direction while the Elders waited for all the platforms to gather.
Once assembled, Celestial Elder Soleil clapped his hands and spoke. "Children, get ready. We're about to leave the Hall for the Med Bay. We'll travel by carriage, with the platforms connected to our carriages via a ManaTech link, so they'll follow us autonomously. The platforms have stabilisers to prevent collisions and ensure a smooth ride despite our speed."
"The journey from the Hall to the Med Bay takes about an hour, and we'll be able to communicate throughout. Your platforms have translators so you can speak your native tongue and still understand one another. You'll travel with your Clan Elder and their Mate. Please feel free to ask questions during the trip. Without further ado, let's depart!"
With that, the Elders and their Mates exited the Hall through a large double door, platforms following silently.
They passed through a large hallway, the light growing brighter until they stepped into the open air.
The Children gasped at the breathtaking view: they were atop an enormous mountain range.
Below, lush forests and scattered buildings stretched as far as the eye could see. To either side, the mountains stretched out, buildings appearing at intervals. Above, the sky was vast and brilliantly blue, with fluffy white clouds. Behind them stood the Hall they'd exited, resembling others in the distance.
Directly ahead were four large carriages, each painted a different colour and pulled by various beasts.
The Children struggled to take in all they could see, hear, and smell.
Meanwhile, servants connected the platforms to the carriages and organised the Children by Clan. The Elders boarded their carriages and sat on the balcony at the back, smiling warmly at the Children's expressions.
They waited as the Children recovered from the overwhelming sight.
The Elders addressed the Children through the platform's comm channel. "Welcome to the Nursery Orientation Planet, your new home for the coming year! Here you'll become healthy, grow, learn, and train until you Awaken. This Planet has one hundred Orientation Halls, each summoning one hundred Children every month. Currently, there are one million Children living here, and soon we'll add ten thousand more. There are one hundred such Planets in the Nursery."
Servants finished linking the platforms and retreated into the Hall, closing the doors behind them.
The brown carriage started its controlled descent; the teal-green, white, and black carriages followed.
"Here we go! Ha! Finally free of those stuffy, nagging brats! Bairns, if there's anything you want to know, ask and I'll answer," Infernal Elder Caine exclaimed, more relaxed now.
Infernal Demon Lucifer laughed, waving and smiling at the Children from the carriage balcony.
The Children giggled at the adults' antics.
"Infernal Elder Caine, how big is the forest?" Mark asked.
"No need for formalities! Call me Elder Caine; we're all Infernals. The forest takes two days to cross from one end to the other; it's about one hundred million acres, according to the cartographers. Beyond the forest are plains, seas, swamps, and ice fields. Ask your Mammy for a tour," Elder Caine replied casually.
"You can relax now—those stuffy brats aren't here," Demon Lucifer added in an easy tone.
The Children relaxed, chatting among themselves and with the Infernals, admiring the view.
They hadn't left the mountains yet, so the pace remained quick.
"We'll slow down in about five minutes when we enter the forest—the carriage can't go fast with all the trees and bushes!" Elder Caine said with a wink and grin.
"Can we address everyone by Class only, or just our own Clan?" a Child asked.
"Smarter to shorten titles just for other Infernals; the other Clans are sticklers for manners," Elder Caine snorted. Demon Lucifer nodded in agreement.
"Are the dorms separated by Clan or mixed?"
"You're lucky—Infernals are kept apart so we don't frighten the others too much. The rest are mixed," Elder Caine grunted.
"What time is it? And what will we do for the rest of the day?"
"Let me check," Elder Caine said. "It's half past eleven now. We'll arrive at the Med Bay around half past twelve. You'll have a nice lunch, then start registration, a health assessment, and Healing sessions with the Healers. That'll last until around four. After that, it's dinner, then into the Med tank for your overnight soak in conditioning potion. You'll be woken at seven, have breakfast, meet your Mammy, and have a check-up to ensure you're healthy."
"After that, you'll move to your new dorm and settle in before starting lessons and training. Once Healed and conditioned, you'll no longer need the barriers around you, so you'll be free to explore!" Elder Caine explained.
By then, they had entered the forest and slowed down.
The Children gaped at the scenery, chattering nonstop.
This forest was very different from those on their home worlds.
The trees were larger, the colours more vibrant, the foliage lush and abundant.
Flowers were bigger and more vivid, filling the air with pungent, aromatic fragrance.
Small animals and birds abounded, filling the air with birdsong.
The Children were so engrossed that none asked questions; their minds filled with the untouched majesty of nature.
They giggled at the antics of animals and birds, who seemed unfazed by the carriages.
"It's splendid, isn't it?" Demon Lucifer said. "But remember: don't enter the forest without a guardian. There are still predators, and you are Unawakened—you might struggle to defend yourselves. Most of our natural world remains untouched because we prefer to live among it. You won't find cities here like those from your home worlds; instead, our settlements are spread out to live amid nature."
"Homesteads vary by Bloodline. Slayers and Twin Demons prefer cliff dwellings, only accessible by air: a section juts out from the cliff, with the rest excavated inside. Entrances are at least a furlong apart to suit their territorial natures."
"Everyone is notified if there are Slayer or Twin Demon homesteads nearby so that they can avoid trouble. It's spectacular to see them take off or land on their perches."
"Other homesteads may be built by water or swamps. Forest-dwelling Bloodlines prefer treehouses; there are burrow-like dwellings as well."
"All homesteads and gathering places, like dorms, have barriers to keep out large animals, ensuring safety and peace for everyone," Demon Lucifer finished.
"Will we live in those kinds of dorms, too?" one Child asked.
"Not while you're Unawakened," Elder Caine replied. "You'll live in cabin-style dorms for now, which are smaller and better suited to you. When you Awaken, you'll move to dorms appropriate for your Bloodline."
"Why are the dorms different sizes?"
"After Awakening, you'll be at least eight feet tall! Imagine living in a home built for that size and larger when you're still so small. You'd really struggle!" Elder Caine laughed.
The Children chatted as they worked through these revelations.
At this point, the carriage had travelled more than two-thirds of its journey.
"We're making good time; it won't be long 'til we arrive at the Med Bay!" Demon Lucifer announced.
"What does the Med Bay look like?"
"It's best described as a mix between a log cabin and interstellar design, but scaled up to hangar size. I hope that helps. I really can't think of any other way to describe it!" Demon Lucifer admitted, a bit sheepish.
Elder Caine laughed. "The Med Bay's design can be quite bewildering at first! The intention was to create a space that felt unmistakably medical, but not so clinical as to be intimidating or uncomfortable. Instead of a typical sterile white environment, they blended elements from different architectural styles—warm-toned wooden beams arch up to meet sleek, metallic walls, and softly glowing panels balance the scent of antiseptic with the cosy impression of a rustic lodge. It's an odd, almost whimsical fusion of log cabin charm and interstellar hospital, giving the entire facility a strange, yet oddly welcoming personality. Over time, this unique aesthetic stuck, and now all the Med Bays follow this unconventional template. You'll get used to it soon enough."
"You might be able to get used to its appearance over time, but trying to put it into words—without making it sound utterly bizarre—is a whole new level of difficulty!" Demon Lucifer grumbled, pouting.
Elder Caine chuckled and quickly agreed with her to avoid upsetting her.
"Bairns, let me give you a word of wisdom: never let your Mate get truly angry with you—if you're on the wrong side of their temper, they'll freeze you out so thoroughly you'll feel like you've vanished from existence itself. Trust me, being ignored by your Mate makes the rest of the Universe seem warm and cosy by comparison!"
Elder Caine winked as he dodged Demon Lucifer's swipes.
"You impossible oaf! Stop corrupting these poor bairns with your terrible habits!" she squawked, making wild, theatrical swipes at him—though she couldn't quite reach, her indignation was apparent, and her effort only made the scene more entertaining.
Elder Caine quickly gathered her into his arms, settling her on his lap, then pressed a gentle kiss to her temple and murmured a few soothing words to calm her ruffled feathers.
"Only teasing, of course—but honestly, it's advice worth remembering."
She grumbled but didn't contradict him.
He winked at the Children out of her sight, making them giggle.
A few nodded thoughtfully, apparently determined to remember the advice at all costs.