"What does it mean to be a part of the Floating Sect?" Rui asked cautiously. "What are the obligations and duties of a member? What are the rules?"
"Despite the name, the Floating Sect is not a singular cohesive group," The Martial Squire replied. "It is more of… an association of those bound by some mutual interests. As for duties and obligations, the biggest one is that you're obligated to fight to protect the Floating Sect from those that wish to destroy it in order to assume control over the island. You're also obligated to handle the initiation of newcomers every once in a while as I am doing to the two of you."
"…That's it?" Rui raised an eyebrow with suspicion.
"That's it," He replied. "Asides from that, you can train and live here for as long as you wish, assuming you can protect your chamber from those who seek to steal your position, and you follow the rules."
"Since only Martial Artists can step onto this island, how is the Sect maintained? With such infrastructure, as well as the acquisition of necessary goods and services, the training Martial Artists can't possibly undertake such duties themselves."
The Floating Sect sounded and looked like a place that was difficult to maintain. Furthermore, the chambers sounded like they were taxing facilities that most certainly required constant maintenance and supplies.
These were tasks that were maintained by logistical employees and specialists. They were not tasks for high-grade Martial Artists.
"The Floating Sect's management department is comprised of ordinary humans and enslaved Martial Squires," Squire Veelioen replied. "They handle all of the necessary tasks in this regard."
"Enslaved Martial Squires?" Rui's eyes narrowed.
"Yes," The man simply nodded. "Those that came here to undertake a challenge and failed, but were given a choice between death or servitude. Those that chose the latter became part of the staff."
"And how long is their bondage supposed to last?"
"Forever," He calmly answered. "Of course, they can end their servitude by trying to escape, in which case we will swiftly execute them before they are able to take a single step off the island."
"…"
It appeared that the Floating Sect was even more cutthroat than the Shionel Confederation but for Martial Artists as opposed to merchants.
"How do the human employees of the management department you mentioned survive in this environment?" Rui asked about another thing he had been curious about.
"There are specialized facilities and infrastructure that are meant to create a human-friendly environment. They also have access to special full-body suits that can temporarily allow them to step out of the human-friendly zones.," The man replied. "This is also something you need to keep in mind because causing damage to these particular facilities or to any human by mistake or by intention is punishable by death. Be sure to steer clear from them, both as a guest and as a member."
Rui could actually understand the rationale behind this strict rule.
Logistics, administration, and management were boring elements of any group or society that were overlooked, but they were actually extremely important.
This was especially true for the Floating Sect, whose foundation was unique and extreme due to their environment. It made the duties of the management department extremely important. If a clumsy Martial Artist caused damage to the personnel or the infrastructure that was needed to sustain them, then it could end up being quite crippling to the Floating Sect. Given that they were so isolated from the rest of human civilization, and even entering and leaving the Floating Sect was a challenge, it meant that if an emerging problem arose that couldn't be solved by the personnel and the resources on the island, fixing it would be extremely difficult.
That explained why the punishment for causing any problems to the management department as a Martial Artist at least was heavy. Especially when there were many Martial Squires that treated human life as worthless. Capital punishment was needed to get the message through to psycho Martial Artists.
"I've never heard about the enslavement part," Kane remarked.
"That's because not a single one of them has left Floating Sect ever since," The man smiled.
Soon enough, they arrived at a block of buildings.
"This is the initiate block," The man explained. "It is your housing, for the time being, you may stay here for about twenty days before you are to initiate a challenge, or you will be required to leave the Floating Sect."
It made sense to Rui that there was a time limit. Otherwise, someone would be able to stay in the initiate block indefinitely while benefitting from the environment and training all that time.
"The staff inside will help you with any of your needs," The man replied. "Inside each room is a booklet containing all the information you will need in order for your time here in the Floating Sect, and in your venture to become a member of the Floating Sect. If you have any further questions, you may contact the support staff, and they will alleviate them."
"Good luck," The man replied, before turning away and heading deeper into the island.
The two of them took a good look at the initiate block.
"Not exactly the most hospitable," Kane murmured.
"This isn't a resort," Rui huffed. "Let's get going."
The two of them entered the guest block's main entry. They were immediately greeted by reception staff equipped in what looked like futuristic space suits. The ones that Rui would constantly see in sci-fi movies that looked impractically small and perfectly sleek.
"Welcome to the initiate housing block of the Floating Sect," They bowed to the two of them with deference. "Please come this way so we may register a room for yourselves."
Rui studied the suit carefully. His scholar degree in general sciences combined with all he had learned on esoteric material sciences allowed him to get a better idea of how the suit functioned.
From what he could see, it relied on the same esoteric substance that made the island float.
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