Chapter 21: The Floor of Tests (1)
"Auuuugh, why are you doing this to me…"
"You're not asking because you don't know, right?"
Do you know how expensive this outfit was… ugh…
Maschenny finally scored 650 points on her 21st attempt, placing 2nd in her personal record list. Though honestly, if that Yeon Hwarang kid tries a few more times, she'll probably get pushed down again.
"Hmph, anyway, Hoaquin. What are you doing here? Did you always enjoy casinos?"
…Great. Even she thinks I'm a gambling addict.
"...I came here with people from my family. For the game corner, not the casino. I didn't know they turned it into this at night."
"Hey, Hoaquin! Don't tell me you're sulking just because we teased you a bit. It's not like you didn't come and—huh?!"
Albelda had approached without me noticing, and when she saw my completely scorched outfit, she let out a shocked sound. Vicente, who arrived right after, widened his eyes slightly.
Don't let Anna see this!
Thankfully, Anna's eyes were still covered by Albelda's hands, so she hadn't seen me yet. I desperately gestured and mouthed words to Albelda to convey my message.
"Sis? Is big bro in front of us? Move your hand."
"Haha… I-I must've mistaken someone. Let's go over there. There are still lots of things Ana shouldn't see, so keep your eyes covered a bit longer, okay?"
Hurry and go solve this!
Albelda was burning with curiosity about what was going on, but for now she gave me a look and took Anna outside. Vicente, seemingly aware of the situation, glanced toward Maschenny.
"Attacking someone in the middle of the Archimedes shopping district… seems the Khun family lacks basic common sense."
"Looks like the Arie family has a naturally low ability to assess situations."
"Hey, hey… guys, please don't fight…"
I didn't expect things to spiral this badly. Maybe I shouldn't have teased her.
….
"So why are you here?"
"No particular reason—nowhere else to go. And it's fun being with you."
"Well… I feel the same, but… isn't your assigned Ranker gonna freak out if you wander around like—"
"?"
"?"
"Guess she didn't tell you."
And so, somehow, Maschenny ended up joining our group. After explaining the situation to Vicente and forcing a half-hearted truce between the two, I pulled out a white training uniform I had bought earlier, put it on, and rejoined Anna and Albelda—with an unexpected extra guest in tow.
"Sis, sis! If she's a princess, that means she's super important, right?"
"Huh? Uh… yes."
"Wow! Sis, you're amazing!"
"…Thanks."
…Maschenny is weak to pure, innocent praise. Maybe that's why Anna and Maschenny clicked surprisingly well. For a moment I thought they'd clash, but nope. Of course, once Anna learns she electrocuted me, things might flip.
"So then, what happened next?"
"Wow, Hoaquin was kinda mean. You teased her over that?"
They've barely known each other for five minutes, and Albelda is already laughing and chatting with Maschenny. That cold, prickly Maschenny looked overwhelmed but still accepted everything. Well, she is our floating city's top social butterfly.
"Hoaquin, should we go back to the department store? I wanna buy something for Maschenny too."
And buy you new clothes to replace the burned ones.
Albelda mouthed that last part and pointed to the far-off department store. For a moment, I almost agreed—then froze.
"No."
"Eh? Why not?"
That department store burned my clothes twice already. At this point, it feels like some sort of curse. I can't do it.
"Mm… it's too far. Let's try a department store nearby instead."
But honestly, she has way more money than us and tons of clothes already. Well, a gift has meaning just by being a gift. Besides, we're all recklessly splurging today with the mindset of "we're only wearing this for one day anyway."
"Welcome, honored guests of the Ten Families. Shall we prepare tea for you?"
"Oh, it's fine. Hey, Hoaquin! This is a department store too, but the atmosphere is totally different!"
If the previous store had a Western vibe, this one was the exact opposite—full of Eastern aesthetics. Which naturally meant the products were different as well.
This place mainly sold traditional Eastern-style clothing similar to hanbok, so each of us picked out something that caught our eye.
"Uh… I don't really—"
"It's fine, it's fine! Don't refuse, Maschenny. I'll pick something for you!"
Albelda looked unusually excited. Maybe because it was her first time really talking to a girl her age.
We Arie Four chose elegant white hanbok-like outfits that suited our mysterious Arie style, while Maschenny ended up in a sky-blue hanbok embroidered with a grapevine pattern. Looking at us together, it really felt like we had all just rented modern hanbok from a traditional clothes shop.
"You all look absolutely beautiful. Would you like me to take a commemorative photo?"
"Oh, that would be great. Maschenny, what about you?"
"I'll pa—"
"Maschenny wants to do it too!"
Albelda hugged Maschenny tightly, completely ignoring her opinion. Maschenny always has trouble dealing with genuinely innocent kids like her, and on top of that she's too afraid she might hurt Albelda—who's frail—to push her away. Haha… she's been countered perfectly.
Click.
Our group of four—now five—took the photo, wandered around a bit more, and finally returned to the lodging, where everyone immediately knocked out and fell asleep.
Only me and Maschenny remained awake on the rooftop, looking up at the night sky (well, the ceiling).
"You've always been with them, have you?"
"More or less. I disappear for weeks or months pretty often, but yeah… they're my friends of four years."
"You all looked happy. You, and them as well."
"Haha, you're the same, aren't you? You complained so much earlier, but you still haven't changed out of your hanbok."
I thought she'd deny it, blushing or getting defensive, but instead her unexpected answer made my eyes widen.
"Yeah. I was happy. Really happy. There aren't any kids my age in the Khun family who treat me this sincerely."
Maschenny looked at me.
"Hoaquin… you're becoming a selected regular in about six days, right?"
"…Unfortunately, yeah."
Maschenny suddenly fidgeted with her fingers. Ah—this is the reaction she shows when she's embarrassed. What's going on?
"Then… um…"
"…I won't tease you. Just say it."
"Really? Then…"
She hesitated for a long time, then finally spoke.
"Hoaquin… when I become a selected regular… let's climb together."
…Wow. I really didn't expect that.
"It's fun being with you. Unlike those boring guys."
She tried to sound cool as she said it, but the moment she finished her face turned bright red. Even so, unlike her usual self, she didn't turn her head away. She kept her eyes directly on mine—maybe her way of showing sincerity.
Her blushing face staring straight into my eyes was cute, but more than that, I could feel a firm and unmistakable emotion in her gaze.
"Wow, that's… unexpected. It's kind of surprising when you suddenly ask something like that."
"…So it's a no, after all."
Maschenny gave a bitter smile. I hadn't even answered yet—why jump to conclusions?
"Huh? When did I ever say no?"
Her eyes went wide. God, why is she so pure. She's actually cute.
"And really, even if you can't catch up to me right away, I'll wait for you. With your princess-level skills, catching up to me might be a bit… difficult."
"Honestly, I was already planning to go up slowly when my friends become selected regulars. I'd wait for them anyway. So this works perfectly."
"Then…"
"I'll go up slowly. Call me when you get selected."
The moment I said that, Maschenny broke into a bright smile. So she can make a face like that. I took out the Arie traditional liquor I had hidden in my pocket-inventory earlier.
"Well then, a celebratory toast for our new teammate—"
"…I don't drink anything except wine."
"….."
So our celebratory toast ended up being grape juice from a vending machine.
…..
Maschenny returned to her family the next day. She looked far more relaxed than when we first met, so I felt relieved.
Albelda was unusually sad to see her go, but since Maschenny left her a gift before departing, she perked up again almost immediately.
And so six days passed. The happiest days of my life—spending every moment with Albelda, Vicente, and Anna—flew by, and finally, Headon arrived.
"I came a little early on purpose. That gives you about an hour of free time. Call me whenever you're ready, young man."
That day, I received a mountain of messages congratulating me on becoming a selected regular.
Direct-line members of the Arie family from other floating castles whom I had fought before, most Rankers working in our floating castle, the administrator of the 77th floor's Arie floating castle, our own floating castle's administrator, Maschenny… Thanks to that, I realized my network was wider than I'd thought.
— Hoaquin, the family head will visit this floating castle soon, but it's a shame you won't be here. Thanks to your victory at the festival… (omitted)… Anyway, I'm on your side, so don't hesitate to contact me anytime.
"Yes. Thank you, Administrator."
After replying with simple thanks, I went to say my goodbyes to my friends.
"Albelda, it's only natural that I worry about you, so don't feel bad. Your health is improving, right? That's a huge relief. So relax your mind. I'll go up slowly and wait until you become a selected regular."
Her goal was to become a Ranker and do something greater than her father, Arie Hon. Very similar to Vicente. Every time she told me her dream, I always ended up giving a wry smile.
"Thank you, Hoaquin. I'm always thankful. I'll become a selected regular soon, so you won't have to wait long."
Tears welled up in her eyes. I gently ruffled her hair.
"Don't cry. We'll meet again soon. For us Ten Families, even a few hundred years is short, right? It won't take long."
"…Yeah, I know. But… why does it feel so long…? Maybe I caught it from you… haha…"
I hugged her without saying anything.
Leblanc-noona approached us, handed a handkerchief to Albelda, and then presented something carefully wrapped to me.
"This is…"
"A sword. The family head ordered me to present it to you personally. It shouldn't break this time."
"Noona, thanks. And… please take care of the others."
"Of course. Honestly, why are all of you so gloomy? Normally people dance with joy when they're chosen as Regulars. You guys really are unusual."
"Hahaha… Vicente, with me gone, you're basically the boss over there, so good luck. And take your time with your conclusion."
"Yeah, I know. Not sure if you heard, but my father's visit to our floating castle has been scheduled. I'm planning to tell him my goal directly. I'm hoping to find the clue I need for my answer."
"Good. Like I said before—I support your resolve and I believe in you. And Anna, big bro will come back to see you soon, okay? Just wait a little."
Anna nodded silently, hugging the teddy bear that held the sword I gave her.
Albelda stayed buried in my chest for a long time before finally pulling away and giving her farewell.
"Ahem, I must've been too clingy… hehe. Take care, Hoaquin. See you next time."
"…Yeah. See you next time."
With that, I signaled Headon. He immediately moved his staff, and a beam of light descended upon me. In an instant, the world shifted.
Shhhhhh—
"…You still have something planned for me, don't you, Headon."
"I am very sorry in many ways, but the Tower desired this outcome. I cannot refuse its will. And… it's not as though I have nothing to say."
"You don't have nothing to say?"
"It's a petty excuse even by my standards, but… our deal was to 'give you a ticket to the 2nd floor,' not to 'send you whenever you want.'"
Ha. Technically… he's right again.
"Very well then. If that's the case, I suppose we have nothing left to discuss. Please send me to the 2nd floor. Unless you want me to tear the ticket and walk there myself?"
"…I'll send you quickly and comfortably, young man. Consider this a parting gift."
Headon tossed a bundle toward me; it sank into my pocket inventory.
"Now then, farewell."
FWOOOOSH—!
A blinding flash overwhelmed my eyes. When the light faded and I opened them again, a completely different scenery lay before me.
A bright sun-lamp shining from the ceiling.
A clear sky with only a few small clouds.
A golden field of reeds swaying in the wind.
And, far away, an island floating in the air.
I had arrived at the 2nd Floor.
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