The driver arrived in less than five minutes. A black, luxurious, and impeccably clean sedan pulled up silently by the curb. The driver, a man in a suit who looked more like a private security guard, stepped out and opened the rear door with a restrained bow, without saying a word.
"So this is my first time riding in such a beautiful car!" Bia exclaimed, her eyes shining as she got in, amazed by the leather seats and the spacious interior.
Gustavo whistled, trying to appear indifferent, but his surprise was obvious. "Finally, some comfort. I was already tired of walking."
Zeki got in last, settling into the seat with his usual calm. He observed the details of the car, the driver's professional demeanor, and the suspicion he had felt before deepened. This wasn't just wealth—it was power.
The ride was short and quiet, taking them to one of the most upscale and exclusive neighborhoods in São Paulo. Buildings gave way to tall walls, electric fences, and imposing gates that hid true fortresses. The car stopped in front of a wrought-iron gate that opened automatically, revealing a driveway lined with a meticulously maintained garden. In the background, a mansion stood tall—a modern structure of glass, concrete, and wood, with multiple floors and an architecture that screamed wealth and power.
"My God..." Bia whispered, her face pressed against the window. "This isn't a house, it's a palace! You live here, Isadora?"
"It's just a house," Isadora replied, arms crossed, her tone trying to sound casual but failing to hide a hint of pride.
"Just a house?" Gustavo burst out, his jaw nearly dropping. "This is bigger than our entire neighborhood! Do you have a soccer field in there? An Olympic pool? A private zoo?"
Zeki looked at the mansion, his expression neutral. "Nice," he said simply. To him, it was just a building—big and expensive, but still just a place. There was no fascination like Bia's or shock like Gustavo's. It was simply… a fact.
Zeki's indifference seemed to bother Isadora for a brief moment. She was used to people reacting with awe or envy to her home. His lack of reaction was, in a way, more intriguing than anything else. She gave a small sideways smile, brushing the feeling aside.
The car stopped at the main entrance. The driver opened the doors, and they stepped out.
"You can come in," Isadora invited, guiding them through a massive double wooden door that opened into an entry hall with a very high ceiling and a crystal chandelier that looked like a work of art.
"I'll take you to your rooms," she announced, walking up a floating staircase made of glass and steel.
"Our rooms?" Bia asked, confused but excited. "Are we going to sleep here?"
"Not necessarily," Isadora replied without turning around. "But it's good for you to have a space. And afterward, we'll have a review about the guild and the monsters. Consider it a favor, after you helped me against Chapo's gang."
"Helped?" Gustavo scoffed. "We saved you! If it weren't for us—"
"Debatable," Isadora cut in, stopping in front of a hallway with several doors. "This is your room," she said, pointing to one door. "And, Zeki, yours is next door. Get ready. I'll meet you in the study room in ten minutes."
Ten minutes later, the three of them met in a room that looked like a private library, with bookshelves stretching from floor to ceiling, filled with books, and a large wooden table in the center. Isadora was already there, positioning a large whiteboard on an easel.
"Sit down," she ordered, picking up a marker. The casual atmosphere from before had vanished, replaced by a focused seriousness. "Since we're going to compete together—and against each other—in the Challenge, it's better if we're all on the same page. I've noticed that you have potential, but you lack basic knowledge about how this world really works."
She turned to the board, her expression intense. "Let's begin."
Isadora's proposal, although seemingly friendly, felt like it had a hidden layer.
Isadora noticed Zeki's gaze, and an even more enigmatic smile appeared on her lips. Then she began to explain.