I gaped upon seeing a huge tower in front of me. I knew Mr. Evander said it was mysterious, but he never mentioned how huge it is. Just how many floors does this tower have? You plan to hide this expedition from the government but I think that'll be impossible. They're probably going to send people as well to enter this tower.
I roamed my eyes and there were other people here besides the three of us. Of course they're also here to enter the tower. Some people have caught my attention, they all look unique and quite strong. Also, there's a white haired girl that seems to be meditating while standing. She's closing her eyes and is being quiet.
I flinched when she suddenly opened her eyes and turned her head to me. Wow, those blue eyes are beautiful--wait, no, that's not the case. Did she feel my stares? That's why she's...
Heading this way!?
I quickly looked away from the lady and gulped. How did she even know I was staring at her? Darn, she looks like a wealthy person too judging from the way she dressed. I don't want to cause trouble with wealthy people.
"Hey," I was startled when I heard a voice of a lady from behind.
I slowly turned around to face her, I forced a smile and bowed to her.
"Hello," I greeted, she looked at me with that blank expression on her face and then her eyes narrowed at me. Was observing her earlier gave her strange thoughts in mind?
"Do you like me?" Huh? I cocked my brow and tilted my head. What is she saying? I knew it, it was a wrong move to observe her.
"I'm sorry?" I asked. She creased her forehead and clipped her chin.
"Strange. Lupin said that if someone's staring at me, it means they like me. But your reaction doesn't seem like it," You're even more strange, miss.
"It could also mean that they're observing you, Miss," Mr. Evander joined the conversation when he noticed that I was being silent after this lady relayed her words.
"Observe me? Why would they do that if they don't like me?" What's with her? I think she might have a screw loose.
"Observing someone is essential. It helps us with a lot of things, Miss," I stayed quiet and listened to Mr. Evander. What's the point of explaining?
"Huh? I don't get it. And why would I believe you? I don't even know you. I only believe Lupin," Who the heck is Lupin? I looked at Mr. Evander who forced a smile after hearing the lady's response.
"Don't mind, Mr. Evander." I spoke. He sighed and secretly shook his head.
"What strange people," the white-haired lady turned around and started walking away from us.
We're the strange ones?
"That girl is weird, Tantan," Tantan? I looked at Miss Ione and when she saw me looking at her, she hid behind Mr. Evander.
"Yeah. But based on her appearance, I think she's the rumored daughter of the CEO of Zing Company," Zing Company, a huge brand company that produces snacks and drinks. Their products are famous all over the world, so they're really wealthy. I'm glad I avoided getting in trouble with that person.
"The daughter he's been hiding from the public?" Hmm, she's been hidden from the public? What is she doing here, then?
"Yeah, I think so," Mr. Evander answered.
"She seems ignorant about a lot of things too," I said. Both Mr. Evander and Miss Ione turned their heads to me, then looked at each other before nodding at me.
"R-right...m-maybe it's an e-effect of b-being hidden for...for so long..." Wow, she's stuttering very very much. It looks like she's only comfortable around her cousin.
"I wonder why she's here? Is she actually strong?" I asked. Mr. Evander turned his head to the lady again. This time, the lady's talking to someone again, and I can see how annoyed they were.
"I heard that she has abnormal strength. I think that was the reason why she was kept away from other people," Seriously? That slender body hides 'abnormal strength'? Well, I think that's what the other people in our town think of me as well. I don't look like someone who is branded as the 'strongest' street fighter at all.
"Hmm, interesting," I mumbled.
"Anyway. I should explain to everyone about this expedition," Mr. Evander roamed his eyes. He held his cousin's wrist and pulled her beside me.
"Can I ask you to watch over my cousin?" I nodded at him and looked at his cousin, who's hanging her head down as if she doesn't want to see me at all.
"Ai, behave," she nodded her head without even raising it.
What a shy person...
"I'll be going," both Miss Ione and I watched him as he walked away from us.
"You're also weird, you know?" I spoke, Miss Ione flinched and a small noise even slipped her mouth.
"I-I'm sorry..." Why is she apologizing?
Seriously, are all females usually this difficult to understand? I can understand my Mom and Morning just fine though?
Am I the problem here?
"Everyone! Greetings! I am Ethan Evander! The heir of the Eden Law Firm!" He really just announced his status like that. He looks like a spoiled young master, what if you get beaten up, Mr. Evander?
"I am beyond happy that everyone is able to come here right now. I hope you all have read the contracts! Once we entered the tower, there's no turning back! I hope you all are ready to risk your lives!" I roamed my eyes and everyone was just staring at him, none of them were giving him a response at all. Looks like everyone here is serious.
"I can see your seriousness about this situation. Now, our friends here brought a device for each of us! We will use this to record everything that will happen inside the tower. I hope that everyone will cooperate and not fight amongst themselves, because we are all aiming for the same goal here, which is to find out the hidden secrets in this tower!" Mr. Evander's got some skills in public speaking. As expected of an heir to a huge law firm. But, I think he's got this all wrong.
Most of us here are probably just here because of the huge rewards waiting for us at the end of this expedition.
"Brother Tantan is amazing," Miss Ione spoke. She didn't stutter this time.
"Yeah," the shy girl finally raised her head. I secretly looked at her, and I was surprised to see how she looked at her cousin. Her eyes are full of admiration, and she seems amused by her cousin. It's similar to how my siblings look at me sometimes. She's even smiling.
She looks pretty when smiling.
"He can talk properly with other people without getting nervous at all..." She says that but, look at her talking to me without stuttering now. Could it be that her admiration for her cousin made her forget about the nervousness? Mr. Evander indeed is amazing.
"Hmm..." That's all I can say for now.
"I want to be like him," she added. I smiled and made sure not to look at her this time.
"I'm sure you will," I answered. It's because her eyes had that courage that is yet to reveal itself. There's always room for improvement, I'm sure she will become someone who she wants to be.
I can feel her stares.
"Really?" She asked. She's like a kid when she asked that question.
"Of course," it looks like she can actually hold a conversation if you don't look at her. What a weird lady.
"I really hope so..." I stayed quiet and chose not to respond.
I looked around the place where everyone was gathered. I think there are over 70 people here that were invited to join this perilous exploration. And it seems all of them are actually serious about this journey, because their expression shows their determination and resolution about this expedition.
"Now, please accept these devices," Mr. Evander grabbed three devices from the box that one of the staff is holding and then walked towards our direction. It looks like he already got some devices for us. I think something about this device is written in the contract.
"Ai, Mr. Aster," Mr. Evander handed the devices to the both of us. This is the device? It's only a palm-sized round shape lens. How do we actually use this? I turned it around and saw a clip attached behind it.
"So, we attach this to our clothes?" I asked. Mr. Evander nodded his head.
I clipped it to the chest pocket of my blazer and finished. It feels a bit heavy for my blazer though. Are they sure this won't come undone once we move around inside the tower?
"Are we entering now?" One of the guys asked. He's got long and straight red hair, it's tied up, and his eyes are heterochromic? The right side is amber, while the other side is black. They're like marbles, and they look really pretty too. Not to mention that this guy also has a face. I mean, his face is not bad.
"That's right. We're just waiting for the gate to open...three minutes before it opens," Mr. Evander replied to the red-haired guy. The guy placed his hands on his waist and faced the gate.
"Oh, sorry. I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Damon Callisto, I already know Sir Ethan Evander, so may I know the names of you two?" The guy who called himself Damon offered his hand in front of Miss Ione and I, Miss Ione flinched and then hid behind her cousin.
"Oh, did I startle you, Lady?" He's polite, huh?
"I-I...I am..m-my name..." Oh, boy, she's stuttering again.
"I'm Luck Aster, you can call me Luck," I accepted his hand and we both smiled at each other.
"Your name is really cool. Luck, huh? A unique name," He crossed his arms and then chuckled before tilting his head to the side and peeking at Miss Ione.
"How about you, Miss?" He asked.
"A-Amethyst...Iris Ione..." She finally succeeded in introducing herself.
"What a beautiful name! Really suits your flowery appearance," Flowery?
"F-flowery?" even Miss Ione is confused.
"I mean, you're as pretty as a flower, Miss," Oh, is he flirting with her?
"The gate's opening. Shall we go?" Mr. Evander asked, looking at the huge and creepy gate of the tower. When I say huge and creepy, that's really what it looks like. There are even seven dragon designs on the gate with different colors. The seven dragons form a circle together, and in the middle of them are two human figures. The female figure is white in color, while the male one is black.
I wonder if there is any meaning to that?
"May I come with the three of you?" Sir Callisto asked. Mr. Evander smiled as he turned his head to me. Now, why are you looking at me?
"You can ask our leader," Oh brother...
"Luck is the leader? Can I join your team, Luck?" He's actually asking if he can join the team, not just come with us anymore. Well, he looks like he doesn't have any bad intentions. I guess there's no risk in accepting him.
"No problem," And after that, he lined up with me as we all started walking towards the opening gate.
I'm kinda nervous. But, I also feel something strange within me. Am I actually looking forward to it? I feel excited.
I just hope this excitement will last long. I mean, if I died, there would be none of these feelings anymore. I wonder what we will find inside this tower? And why is it so high? I can't even see the top because it's already covered with mist and clouds.
Creepy.
***