Adrian and I got so carried away with gaming that we lost track of time. It was only when Alicia came over and rapped us over our shoulders that we realized how close the time was to the start of the engagement party.
"Oh no!"
"Holy s…!"
The second sentence came from me, and I realized I wasn't allowed to swear in front of kids and I trailed off. Especially when Alicia gave me a stern look.
"Let's get changed. Adrian, where's the changing room?"
"Right here!"
Adrian led us to another couple of rooms, which was a little smaller than the gaming room. Fortunately, they were split between male and female, so Adrian and I went to the male one while Alicia entered the one reserved for females.
It didn't take long for Adrian and me to change out of our casual clothing and into the formal attire that we brought along in our backpacks. I found myself dressed in the blue long-sleeved I wore all those months ago, when I visited the opening ceremony for Stewart Stuart's hotel. The same dark blue, almost black blazer with a tie decorated with penguins.
What? I like penguins. They are cute.
Checking my reflection in the mirror, I raised an eyebrow when I saw how I resembled one of Stuart Corporation's executives than a participant in a party. Ugh.
Once I was done, I stepped out of my cubicle and ran headlong into Adrian, who was already dressed in a smart-looking maroon suit with a bright red tie that matched his shiny blond hair. Placing the color of his suit under some scrutiny, I eventually decided not to say anything.
Adrian reminded me of an apple for some reason. Don't ask me why.
"You look good, Brother!" Unaware of my dark thoughts, Adrian remarked on my attire with all the honesty from a fourteen-year-old.
"Thanks," I responded as I unconsciously straightened my penguin tie. "You look awesome."
Adrian burst out laughing. "That can't be good, Brother! You are the one who has to make a good impression!"
"…huh?" I stared at him blankly. "Why do I have to make a good impression on anybody? Who's going to notice me anyway?"
"Didn't I already tell you?" Adrian frowned. "Uncle Lionel wants to recruit you over to his side. That's why he's interested in you, especially after your battle with the Crastrates. Apparently your huge nuclear spell outside Jing Tian City impressed him, and he's hoping that you'll be among his close circle of executives in future."
"Huh? Executives? What the hell is that?"
"People working for the Stuart Corporation." Adrian sighed. "I don't know. I don't understand all these political stuff. But Uncle Lionel is seeking to consolidate his power and recruit people he can trust into the ranks of the corporation, to secure his position as the company's president."
He frowned, as if trying to wrap his mind around stuff he didn't really understand.
"Father said something about factional infighting or splits. I don't really get it, but apparently there are a lot of people after Uncle Lionel's position." He shrugged noncommittedly. "To be honest, I think Father also has his sights on the president company. He complains a lot about Uncle Lionel's decisions and says he could have done better in his place."
If I wasn't mistaken, Adrian's father was the brother of Lionel Stuart, who was Cecilia's father. That meant Cecilia and Adrian were cousins on their paternal sides. Even siblings seemed to harbor a rivalry against each other instead of…you know, standing together in a united front and cooperating to advance the company.
Absolute power corrupted. It was only human nature to be greedy and lust for the statuses and wealth of others.
"But it's not just Father. There are a lot of relatives among the board of directors and the Stuart Clan who are secretly aiming for Uncle Lionel's position. Father said something about having to be careful of them after he succeeds the position."
What the fuck was Adrian's dad doing? Talking about all these conspiracies and sinister schemes within earshot of his son?
"Well, it's too complicated for me to understand, so I don't really care," Adrian continued breezily. "All this family squabbling has nothing to do with me."
Obviously. He was ten years or perhaps even twenty years too young to worry about fighting for the position of head of the Stuart Clan.
"Anyway, just be careful. I'm sure you don't want to get sucked into my family's politics!" Adrian laughed. I then understood why he was raising all these complicated family matters that he didn't understand. Even as young as he was, he realized that it was unfair and immoral to involve me in their clan affairs.
"Yeah, I certainly don't want to get involved," I agreed whole-heartedly. Sighing, especially when I already began to dread the evening ahead, I tried to push my reluctance out of my mind. "Shall we go, then?"
"Hold still for a second." A familiar feminine voice spoke up. Alicia stepped into the room, dressed in a light violet evening gown. The smooth, flowing fabric was cut at the waist and back, revealing her pale shoulders. There was also a long slit along her skirt to allow her easier mobility. Her long, purple hair had been tied up in an elegant bun, emphasizing her pretty face. "Let me adjust your tie. It's a little too long."
I was too stunned by how gorgeous she looked that I couldn't muster a reply, and Alicia took the opportunity to untie my tie and tie it again. She pulled a perfect knot all the way to my collar before releasing it and stepping back to admire her handiwork.
"That's better."
"Uh, thanks." I struggled to stop ogling her. Trying to ease the awkwardness that swamped me, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "You look great."
Alicia gave me a small smile. "Thanks." She then turned toward Adrian, confusion clouding her features. "Where is the engagement party held? I checked the invitation letter, but it only told us to come to the seventy-fourth floor."
"Er…good question." Adrian looked just as lost as her. He scratched his head. "Sister didn't tell me. They were still deciding the exact venue this morning."
"That is exactly why I've been sent here. To escort you to the hundred and ninety-fifth floor."
The three of us almost jumped out of our skins when a gruff voice spoke up from out of nowhere. Spinning around, we caught sight of the owner of the stern but polite voice. A huge man dressed in a smart military attire stood sharply in the corridor, just outside the door of the changing room, watching our every move attentively. I felt like a virus under an electron microscope.
Returning his scrutiny, I caught sight of expensive-looking ornaments adorning his uniform, along with shiny, gold buttons (I bet they were authentic gold) decorating the crisp and starched fabric. A golden chain hung from his left pocket, drooping above a metallic tag that neatly spelled the words STUART SECURITY.
"Uncle Yuan Dao!" Adrian exclaimed excitedly. The military man cocked his head toward the kid in greeting. Meanwhile, I frowned, trying to remember if I had heard the name from somewhere before. It was mentioned once before, I was sure, but where exactly…?
"I am Yuan Dao Yue Guang," the tough-looking security personnel introduced himself with a stiff bow. That still didn't answer my question, but obviously the guy also seemed to think he had met me for the first time. Yet I was sure I heard his name from somewhere before. Pushing the thought out of my mind, I nodded, and Yuan Dao continued without missing a beat. "I am the chief of Stuart Security. I was instructed to lead you to the venue of the party."
Security chief…wait, I did meet him before. Wasn't he the huge guy Cecilia was talking to after our clash against Selina Wright in the graveyard?
"It's been a while, Uncle Yuan Dao!" Adrian excitedly approached him. He rummaged his suit for something, and a few moments later, he produced a white letter and passed it to the burly security chief. "Father asked me to pass this letter to you."
"Master Sacha did?" Yuan Dao frowned in puzzlement. He stared at the letter, his head tilted. "He could have just sent me an email instead of going through the trouble of crafting a handwritten letter. What does he need?"
"I wouldn't know." Adrian shrugged. Then he brightened. "But he was asking about your family."
"My thanks to him for his concern. Tell Master Sacha that my wife is doing fine." Yuan Dao nodded, but I noticed that his movements had turned imperceptibly stiff, as if he was reluctantly broaching a subject he didn't want to talk about. He tucked the letter into his uniform, and turned away from us to make his way toward the elevator. For some reason, I had the impression that he was averting his gaze. "Shall we proceed then?"
The three of us obediently followed him to the elevator. Yuan Dao stepped aside and waited for us to enter before pressing the button for the hundred and ninety-fifth floor. With a humming sound, the doors slid shut and the elevator jerked before ascending.
"If you do not mind me asking a question," Yuan Dao began as the elevator slowly rose toward the hundred and ninety-fifth floor.
"I mind," I retorted, but shrank back when I saw his expression. The security chief was scarier than even my dad during a training session in his dojo. "I was just kidding. Please go ahead."
Yuan Dao cleared his throat. "Aren't you the first young man of your generation who defeated Lady Cecilia?"
"That was a fluke," I muttered under my breath.
"Begging your pardon, but I hardly think someone capable of nuking an entire valley and obliterating three rank B monsters with a single spell would require a fluke to best Lady Cecilia. That is not to say I look down on her abilities, but…"
"Cecilia is strong," Alicia agreed. "But not that strong."
Yuan Dao fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Precisely."
I raised my hands in a helpless shrug. "Well…okay? What exactly is your point…sir?"
"…no. It's nothing." Yuan Dao was casting his glance from me to Alicia, and then back to me again. "Your relationship with the young lady of the Violet family is known to Lady Cecilia." He sighed. "It might have been very different otherwise."
For some reason, Alicia reached out to grip my arm tightly. The gesture was not lost on Yuan Dao, who bowed apologetically.
"I mean no offense."
"None taken," Alicia replied sweetly, though for some reason there was an undercurrent in her tone that sent a chill down my spine. Yuan Dao paid it no heed, however, and raised his head to regard the climbing numbers at the top of the elevator.
"Uncle Yuan Dao, what do you know about this Shawn Franklin?" This time it was Adrian, his tone curious. "I've never met him personally before."
"Hmm…" Yuan Dao paused for a moment as he pondered the question. "Just as much as you, I suppose. You probably already heard about how he had defeated Lady Cecilia in a proper duel, haven't you?"
"Yeah." Adrian nodded excitedly. "I heard that he's among the strongest and most talented in our generation!"
"That's correct. This probably isn't known as much, but also prior and after his duel with Lady Cecilia, Master Shawn also defeated ten students from the elite class of Southampton Academy in a row. His skills with the sword are exceedingly remarkable for someone of his age. Furthermore, he comes from the prestigious Franklin Clan, which is one of the top ten great families along with the Stuart Clan. His pedigree and upbringing alone is impressive."
Cool, I guess?
"Heh…" On the other hand, Adrian didn't sound very impressed. Instead, he smiled mischievously. "But is Shawn Franklin a match for Brother Richard?"
"I think he is obviously stronger than me," I replied, but Yuan Dao didn't seem to pay any attention to me.
"To be honest, I'm curious about the answer to that question as well."
"Didn't I just answer the question?" I complained, but the rest of my retort was cut off when I suddenly felt an enormous killing intent suffocate me. My hands twitched and my knees buckled as the very air around me distorted.
What the hell?! Blinking, I suddenly realized that the vast ocean of raw killing intent was emanating from Yuan Dao. Cold perspiration dripped down my spine even as my vision of him warped the security chief into an image of a terrifying demon. Struggling to breathe, I stood my ground. This guy is the real deal!
All around me, I saw Adrian buckle and pass out. Alicia fell to her knees, gasping for air. I wanted to reach out to her, but I found my body completely paralyzed, refusing to obey my mental commands. Only Yuan Dao was still standing, and his currently demonic visage appeared to swallow up my entire perspective. I could almost see the incredible killing intent radiating from him.
In fact, it was warping the very air around him, distorting it into what seemed like a mirage. Probably the same effect that made him resemble a monster to me.
He's much stronger than anyone I had ever faced before…even Hades, even the three Crastrates from a month ago…even Dad…! What the hell is he?! Some kind of monster?!
Gritting my teeth, I defiantly stared him down, refusing to submit, refusing to crumble before his formidable might. Even though I had been totally immobilized by the deadly aura that emanated from him in tsunami-like waves, I was determined not to allow him to intimidate me.
"Not bad. Even Shawn Franklin couldn't handle this amount of killing intent. Yet you can still stand even after such an onslaught." As if he had hit an off switch, the killing intent completely disappeared in an instant. He nodded thoughtfully. "I am thoroughly convinced that you truly are capable of unleashing a spell of mass destruction and slaying rank A monsters, even at your young age."
I helped Alicia up to her feet. She was still pale and trembling from the earlier pressure, but it was impressive that she didn't pass out and managed to maintain her consciousness. Yuan Dao bowed apologetically.
"I apologize, Lady Alicia. I ended up indulging in my curiosity at your expense."
"No, it's okay." Alicia forced a smile, but I could feel her still trembling as I held her hand. She glanced at poor Adrian, who was slumped at his corner of the elevator. "Adrian is worse off than I am."
Once I was sure she was all right, I let go of her hand and knelt by Adrian's side to check on him. He had just barely regained consciousness.
"What the hell was that?" he demanded, breaking out in cold sweat. "I felt as if a giant hand had just crushed me to death."
"It was the answer to your stupid question," I replied, unable to suppress the irritation in my voice. After all, the kid was responsible for the whole thing when he asked Yuan Dao that dumb question about whether Shawn Franklin was stronger than me.
Before Adrian could protest, the bell chimed and the elevator jerked to a stop. The doors slid open to reveal the hundred and ninety-fifth floor in all its glory.
Yuan Dao stepped into the corridor, as if to make sure the coast was clear and it was safe to proceed, and then turned back to us with a smart bow.
"Shall we?" he asked.
Well…given that the alternative was to stay in the claustrophobic elevator, none of us objected and we followed him into the new level.