Tower of Paradise

Chapter 55: Members (2)

—Alice, don't be so hard on your companions.

Suggested a young woman with immaculate white hair and eyes red as rubies. She was tall and of slender figure. She wore armor that protected the upper part of her body, and a sword hung from her waist while she quietly enjoyed a tea, sitting at one of the tables.

Her face evoked the perfection of a finely carved statue, beautiful and distant at the same time. She also wore a shining crown, adorned with a single radiant gem. It was as if the light of the seven suns had subtly intensified. I felt something stir in the depths of my heart and, for a fleeting moment, my soul was invaded by an inexplicable and profound yearning.

—Huh? Are you teaching me how to do things, Anastasia? —Alice snapped, defiantly placing one foot on the chair and the other on the table while raising her voice.

—I'm not teaching you how to do things, I'm teaching you how to be a person. —Anastasia's gaze was a mirror of calm water reflecting serenity.

—Oh, do you want to fight? —Alice got into a fighting stance and visibly tensed her body.

—If that is what you wish, I have no problem facing you. —Replied Anastasia, rising with elegance while naturally resting the palm of her hand on the hilt of her sword.

The gazes of both young women seemed to shoot invisible rays, and the atmosphere between them became as dense as a cauldron simmering over low heat.

Whistle!

An icy voice interrupted the tense exchange when Ivan roared with barely contained fury:

—How many times must I repeat it?! You cannot fight inside the guild! Are you two deliberately ignoring my words?! —No one knew precisely from where or when Ivan had appeared, but his imposing presence was undeniable.

—Hmph! —Alice and Anastasia snorted with disdain in unison before silently returning to their seats.

I understood then that each of these children had awakened, which made them potentially dangerous individuals. The most sensible thing was to assume that these young people carried out the guild's missions, which is why Ivan had accepted us so easily.

Initially, I had felt special due to my early awakening, but now it was clear that I was far from exceptional. Ivan's protégés seemed like authentic monsters in terms of skills and power.

Was Ivan raising them for some specific purpose?

It made no sense that these children possessed such capabilities unless Ivan himself had raised and personally trained them. Only someone with Ivan's power would have the ability to obtain stellar cores and cause them to awaken at such an early age.

I moved cautiously to avoid being accidentally run over by some guild member, descended the stairs, and approached the bar where a woman, presumably the barmaid, diligently cleaned some glasses.

The woman had intense golden eyes and light brown hair meticulously braided. She wore the guild's regulation uniform: a yellow jabot, a white shirt covered by a navy blue vest, a long black pencil skirt, and a three-striped black belt that accentuated her figure.

I made a discreet gesture with my hand to get her attention, took a seat, and politely asked if she had anything for breakfast and if she could serve me.

She gave me a warm smile and nodded before opening a small wooden window located in the wall, from which she extracted a plate of oatmeal with fruits cut into small cubes sprinkled on top.

—A healthy breakfast for a growing child. —The woman commented sweetly, while caressing my face with her hands and giving me a maternal smile. Her eyes shone with genuine appreciation before returning to her tasks, but not before affectionately pinching both cheeks and releasing me.

I wondered, not for the first time, why adults always made that gesture with children.

Personally, I had never felt the urge to do it.

While savoring my breakfast, I couldn't help but analyze the situation in which I found myself. The guild was a fascinating microcosm, filled with complex personalities and power dynamics that I didn't yet fully understand.

The oatmeal was surprisingly delicious, with a perfect balance between the creaminess of the cereal and the natural sweetness of the fruits. I allowed myself to enjoy that small pleasure while continuing to observe the dynamics of the hall.

For now, my priority had to be Cassie. Her recovery was imperative, not only because of the affection I professed for her—though I would never openly admit it—but also because her ability as a Priestess could be crucial for our future plans.

I finished my breakfast and thanked the barmaid with a courteous gesture and prepared to plan my next move. The Paradise Tower awaited, and with it, perhaps, the solution I was seeking. But first, I needed to gather more information, assess risks, and, above all, ensure that my temporary absence would not compromise the safety of the other children.

One thing was clear: I could not blindly trust Ivan or any other member of the guild. My natural caution had intensified since our arrival at this place, and so far, that wary attitude had kept us safe. I had no intention of abandoning it.

I got up and decided to visit Cassie in the infirmary. Perhaps her condition had slightly improved during the night, and although I knew it was unlikely that she would be conscious, I felt the need to see her before embarking on any risky endeavor.