It was around nine in the morning when, in one of the rooms on the third floor, a series of noises and hurried movements began. The room, spacious and bright, seemed divided into two completely different worlds.
To the left, simplicity reigned: a desk with a basic computer, a perfectly made single bed, a nightstand with a modest lamp, and several shelves overflowing with books on military and historical topics. In contrast, the right side displayed obvious luxury: a large bed covered with silk sheets, a state-of-the-art television, and a desk with advanced technological equipment.
The center of the room served as a point of balance: a small sitting area with four cushions and a rectangular polished wooden table.
In the left-hand section stood a young woman, about 4 feet 9 inches tall, with dark skin and short black hair. Her intense yellow eyes shone with an enigmatic calm that contrasted with the tattoos of chains and ravens that covered her body. Her understated demeanor was accentuated by a conservative black swimsuit that covered her to her elbows and knees, giving her a serene, almost monastic appearance.
On the other side, at the far right, stood another young woman, her complete opposite: she was 1.75 meters tall, with pale skin and Georgian features that enhanced an almost ethereal beauty. Her golden hair, tied back in a ponytail with a white scarf, shone like the midday sun. Her eyes, an indefinable pearly hue, seemed to reflect everything without revealing anything. She wore a white bikini with denim shorts, radiating a natural and carefree confidence.
– Do you need anything, Miriam? – the shorter girl asked in a calm and polite voice, as she leisurely combed her hair in front of the mirror – Remember, once we leave here, we won't return to the room until the party is over.
– Yes, I know, Aisha – Miriam replied serenely, her voice so soft and melodious it almost sounded like she was singing – I haven't forgotten anything; I've already finished getting ready with everything I need to enjoy the party.
– Then that means we can leave – Aisha said with a slight smile, watching her sister nod enthusiastically – Grab what you need, we're leaving right away.
With that, Aisha took a small backpack and carefully placed it on her back, while Miriam simply grabbed her phone. Without further ado, they both left the room, encountering a maid.
She was a woman with tanned skin that had a warm, almost sun-like hue, beneath which crystalline veins seemed to run. Her coppery-brown hair fell in two thick, perfectly groomed pigtails, and her large, kind eyes shone with an earthy amber. She wore a discreet service uniform: a light brown dress with a reinforced beige apron, short sleeves, sturdy leather boots, and dark work gloves. An olive-green ribbon adorned her neck, adding a touch of color to her otherwise practical and tidy appearance.
– Hello, Diana – Miriam greeted the maid kindly upon encountering her by chance – Do you have any work to do here?"
– Yes, miss – Diana replied respectfully, giving a slight bow to the two sisters – The cleaning staff planned to attend to your rooms while you're at the party.
– I see – Miriam murmured calmly, placing a finger on her chin in a thoughtful gesture – Tell me something before we continue, has the party already started? I didn't pay much attention to the time and I don't know if we're running late or early.
– The celebration will begin in about an hour – Diana replied serenely, maintaining her posture while Aisha silently observed the exchange.
– Perfect, that means we won't be late this time like last week – Miriam said to herself, a small smile playing on her lips – Let's continue then, Diana. You can get back to cleaning the rooms.
– As you wish, miss – replied the maid, bowing her head again before turning away.
The two sisters, meanwhile, continued toward the stairs, descending briskly to the second floor as the echo of their footsteps mingled with the quiet murmur of the mansion as it prepared for the party.
– I wonder how Lefki, Talia, Quang, and Olivia are doing – Aisha suddenly remarked, breaking the silence – Since they started handling the meeting with the UA representatives two days ago, and the rest of us have been busy with preparations for next week's party to celebrate our admission to UA, I haven't had a chance to see them."
– I spoke with Darha about that last night, before we went to bed – Miriam replied, stretching lazily – She told me that UA accepted everything we asked for, and that the arrangements they made for our admission aren't anything out of the ordinary.
– Then I'll ask Olivia or Quang about those arrangements during the party – Aisha said calmly as they both went downstairs – I'm interested to know what they think of them; perhaps some of the arrangements have a problem for us that Darha didn't mention.
– Relax a little, Aisha – Miriam replied with an amused smile – We're not going to a battlefield where you have to exterminate enemies, nor will I have to duel a giant. We're going to a superhero training school. And if any of those arrangements were to cause a problem, Quang or Olivia would surely have detected it by now."
– You should enjoy this moment and relax – she added humorously, ruffling her sister's hair – so that when we get to UA, you'll still be the same paranoid killer you've always been. Do you want to do anything while we wait for the others?
The two girls were the first to arrive at the pool, so they took the opportunity to relax in an area with lounge chairs. Aisha sat on the edge, back straight, while Miriam settled in completely, enjoying the sun.
– Maybe we could talk about what we think about our entry into UA – Aisha suggested, looking at her sister – What do you think about the situation?
– Honestly, I don't really care – Miriam replied calmly, offering a slight smile. – Most of the family is excited about the experience, but I'm just worried about everyone's safety. As long as it stays that way, I'll be happy no matter where we are. What about you? How do you feel?
– Same as you, I'm neither very excited nor very worried – Aisha admitted serenely – I'm just thinking about some potential risks, but I'm probably worrying too much."
– I finally got you to relax! – Miriam said triumphantly, laughing happily – Hey, have you seen Darha's new video? It went viral.
After that, the two sisters continued chatting animatedly until some of their siblings began to arrive. With their arrival, the party officially kicked off at ten o'clock. At that moment, the final preparations were complete and all the brothers began to spread out around the place.