Chapter 14: vs Zahard's Princess (4)
"Why would they even bet that? Who decided that? And why are you so calm about it, noona?"
"Well, I'm a Ranker, you know? From the Arie family. Even if we lose the floating castle, I'll just get transferred to another one, so whatever."
"So being a Ranker from one of the Ten Families really is a guaranteed lifetime job, huh. But then what about us?"
"Hmm… probably scattered across different floating castles, I'd say? Now that I think about it, the thought of you four being split up is kinda sad."
What? No way!
"Don't say stuff like that! We haven't even lost yet — don't jinx it."
"Honestly though, I don't think you have to worry.
Aside from Zahard's Princess, everyone else here's still below your level."
"So what? If I lose to her, that's it. Game over."
He wasn't wrong. Betting something as massive as a floor's dominion rights or even a floating castle over a battle between trainees who aren't even Regulars yet — the scale was way too big for the participants.
But since Regulars and Rankers can't exactly join a festival like this, I guess they had no choice.
Either way, now that it's come to this, I have no intention of losing.
The thought of being separated from my friends after four years together — especially Anna — is unacceptable.
And there's no way I'm handing over my beloved floating castle to someone else.
While I steeled my resolve, we entered the stadium and took our seats in the VIP section to watch the matches.
The current bout was between the Lo Po Bia family and the Khun family — surprisingly, Lo Po Bia won.
"Oh, looks like Lo Po Bia's got some decent talent after all."
"Well, they are one of the Ten Families. It's only natural that a few gems pop up here and there."
As we kept watching and commenting on each match, I fell silent.
Khun Maschenny Zahard.
It was her turn.
She appeared in a new outfit, looking completely fine — not a trace of the injuries from yesterday.
The Ranker noona elbowed me playfully.
"Hey, she looks fine to me. You sure you actually cut her arteries?"
"You saw it yourself, why ask again?"
Maschenny's opponent was from the Ha family.
With her overwhelming stats compared to her peers, she won easily.
My supervising Ranker commented that Maschenny's physical ability surpassed most members of the Ha family — proof of how powerful Zahard's bloodline really was.
For a moment, Maschenny's gaze flicked toward my direction — then she turned away and left the stadium.
Wait, was she… looking at me?
"Our Hoaquin sure is popular, huh?"
"...."
Without replying, I jumped straight down from the spectator stands onto the arena floor.
It was my turn now.
My opponent — another Arie.
Since each family could field multiple participants, this kind of matchup happened sometimes.
"Good to see you again, Hoaquin."
Arie Lune — the same guy I fought most recently. We just can't seem to stop running into each other.
"This time, I hope you draw your sword from the start."
At the starting signal, he rushed at me — and, as he wished, I unsheathed my blade.
The Arie Mixed Flow Sword Style, passed down only to direct descendants, is a hidden technique. I had no plans to use it — I'd only shown it before out of respect for his determination.
This time, I'd simply overwhelm him with pure skill.
The same scene as before — yet different.
Each time our swords clashed, several new cuts appeared on Lune's body.
It wasn't some special technique — just the difference in our speed and mastery.
"Ugh—!"
His short cry marked the end of the duel.
Honestly, with my home on the line, I had no choice but to go all out.
He could afford to lose — I couldn't.
And with that, the day's festival matches ended.
The next round would be in two weeks, under the excuse of a "recovery period."
Which just meant it'd take even longer before I could go home.
If it were longer, I'd at least have time to visit the floating castle — two weeks was annoyingly short.
Might as well read a bit.
I returned to my room, opened Po Bidau Gustang's Introduction to Shinsu Studies, and before I knew it, I'd fallen asleep.
....
Before the boy, something red and black appeared.
It beckoned to him.
He shook it off.
It withdrew.
But the very fact that it appeared at all—was proof that the boy's heart was wavering.
....
"….."
A nightmare?
Guess reading that book yesterday really took a toll on me.
Page 7.
Unlike the other day, I'd actually slept last night — so I'd only managed two more pages.
I tossed the book onto the soft bed and stepped outside.
The Ranker was already in the lounge, sipping a drink.
"Up early, huh?"
"Rankers don't need sleep."
Lucky her.
I grabbed some ice from the freezer, poured myself a drink from the bottle she was using, and gulped it down.
Ahh, refreshing. Maybe one more—
"Headon came looking for you."
I froze.
The hand that was pouring my drink froze midair.
"You're scheduled to be chosen as a Regular one week after the festival ends. The main family will be officially notified soon."
"…Really? Falling from Ranker back to Regular level, that must be tough for you. Stay strong."
"Not me, you, you idiot!"
Wait—what?
"Why is Headon the one deciding that?"
"…? Who else would decide it if not Headon?"
"No, I mean—"
This is a breach of contract, you scam artist, Headon!
If this was going to happen anyway, why even give me that Floor 2 Ticket in the first place?!
"Oh, right. Headon also told me to pass along this message: 'Sorry for the sudden notice, but congratulations on becoming a Regular.'"
"Congratulations, my ass… You con artist—ah."
"Regular."
The reason I needed that Floor 2 Ticket in the first place was just to pretend to be a Regular—to hide the fact that I was an Irregular.
But now that Headon himself has made it official, anyone who sees this—whether it's Zahard or even one of the Ten Family Heads—will believe without a doubt that I'm a genuine Regular.
After all, being born inside the Tower as an Irregular is an impossibility—a case so rare it's practically unthinkable.
From a results standpoint, this is actually good news…
But why now, of all times?
I still wanted to spend more time with the others.
I had wished so badly to live as a "Regular," hiding my true identity…but now that the moment to achieve that dream has finally arrived, I feel strangely hesitant.
To gain something, you must give something up.
Perhaps this was the law of the Tower Headon meant all along.
My supervising Ranker, noticing my darkened expression despite the "good news," gave me a wry smile as she thought of the three people I was always with.
"Hey, they'll all become Regulars eventually. From what I've seen, it won't even take a few years. You'll meet again then, right? Regulars forming teams and climbing together—it's common enough."
"…Hah, that's true."
"Anyway, I'm going back to the floating ship to report in. Why don't you go out for a bit, relax or something? The next festival's in two weeks anyway."
"Noona."
"Yeah?"
"Don't tell them."
It's impossible to travel from here, the 77th Floor, to our floating castle on the 99th Floor within a week.
If I'm going to leave without being able to see them, it's better that they don't know.
Especially Anna. Like the Ranker said, we'll meet again in a few years anyway.
"…Can't promise that'll be easy, but… alright."
After she left, I spent my time exploring the leisure facilities aboard the Archimedes.
Might as well enjoy myself properly while I still can.
First things first—breakfast. Off to the food court!
....
I lost track of time wandering around; I swear it was dawn when I went out, but now the sun was already high in the sky.
My clean white uniform from this morning was long gone—I'd swapped it for a sleek black coat and casual clothes, complete with silver earrings and a matching necklace.
Even had my long hair tied up into a neat ponytail at the salon.
Of course, I didn't just play around. I bought plenty of gifts for the others, too.
Vicente's got a bit of a childish palate, so I sent him a box of grilled skewers—Shinheoe skewers made from a species called Crayfish. They were delicious, so I mixed up several flavors.
If you ask me, there's a 100% chance he'll love them.
For Albelda, I bought a scarf.
She's probably going to ignore her condition again
and wander around outside while I'm gone, and since the 99th Floor should be entering winter soon, I sent it so she could stay warm.
She wouldn't… go without wearing it because it feels "too stuffy," right?
According to the Workshop, if I use the VIP-exclusive high-speed floating ship service, the delivery should arrive at the 99th Floor within three weeks.
So, I paid for both the Workshop VIP membership fee and the express delivery cost—naturally, using the Floating Castle Administrator's card.
That's what cards are for, right?
It probably came out to several hundred million points, but to a High Ranker—the Administrator of the Floating Castle—that's nothing. Probably.
The cost wasn't the problem.
The problem was Anna.
I still hadn't decided what gift to get her.
She loved that White Irrawaddy scale before—called it beautiful—so I wanted to buy her some accessories made from Shinheoe scales.
But every single one of them was earrings, and that's not really appropriate for a kid her age, so I gave up.
Ah—right. A stuffed toy!
It's been nearly three years since I bought her that seal plushie; it's about time I got her a new one.
Actually, maybe I'm way overdue.
Anyway, if I hurry and find something cute…
"Arie Hoaquin?"
A slightly high-pitched voice called my name.
It didn't sound too unfamiliar, so when I turned around, I saw an unexpected face.
"…Maschenny."
Ah, crap. I didn't bring my sword.
There's a practice one I've been using lately, but I doubt it'll be any use.
For now—at least a defensive stance.
Even without a sword, I gathered the surrounding Shinsu to prepare for an attack.
These days I've been fighting more as a Fisherman, but I'm technically a Wave Controller too—and a fully awakened one at that.
"What's with that look? Hair tied up and all. It probably makes fighting easier, though."
"Got it done at Dotori Salon. Not planning to fight, so you should just go have fun somewhere else. This outfit and hair cost a fortune a few hours ago, and I'd rather not get fried by your lightning again."
"Hmph. I wouldn't find much joy in fighting an Arie without a sword anyway."
Oh, thank god.
For a second, I was worried she might actually charge at me in the middle of the street, but looks like she's got some sense after all.
Maschenny gave me one more quick look, then turned around and started walking away.
I was about to do the same when my eyes caught a signboard near the game zone.
....
"2-Player Shinsu Tournament (Until 14:00 Entry Close)"
The winning team will receive the Tower's cutest Shinheoe!
Limited-Edition Black-Nosed Bear Plushie (Only 10 exist in the entire Tower)!
....
Holy crap, that's it.
That's Anna's gift!
"Pocket! Connect me to Ranker noona—!"
Just as I was about to call my supervising Ranker, I noticed some fine print at the bottom of the sign.
To ensure fairness, Rankers are not eligible to participate. We appreciate your understanding.
What the hell do you mean, "fairness"?!
It was already 13:16.
At this rate, Anna's gift would end up in someone else's hands!
What to do? What to do? What to do—?
Ah!
A miraculous idea hit me.
Okay, maybe not good, but it's all I've got.
"Hey, Maschenny!"
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