Yuga, the Wave Controller teacher, waddled across the 2nd Floor platform, his stubby legs barely visible beneath his rotund body. His single eye, embedded in his wide, toothless mouth, blinked as he stared at the glowing screen of his Pocket. The symbol of King Jahad pulsed on the screen, casting a soft light over his strange form.
"The Black March and Green April will be retrieved shortly," Yuga reported, his voice steady despite the bizarre contrast between his appearance and the seriousness of his task. "The Regulars we've been monitoring are progressing as expected. They'll pass the final tests."
He ended the transmission and allowed the Pocket to float back into his robes. Yuga's eye scanned the horizon, lingering on the distant outline of the Testing Grounds. His thoughts drifted toward Bam. The boy was special—there was no denying it. If he could survive the trials, he might prove useful, perhaps even a recruit for Jahad's schemes. But Yuga couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that Yu Hansung, the Test Director, had plans of his own. The connection between Hansung and Evankhell, the powerful Ranker overseeing the 2nd Floor, felt too convenient.
Just as Yuga was about to retreat, he felt a presence behind him. His eye flicked in its socket, turning his mouth toward the figure now standing at the edge of the platform.
Yu Hansung, with his calm demeanor and flowing white robes, smiled slightly. "Yuga," he said, his voice smooth. "Or should I say… Ren of the Royal Enforcement Division?"
Yuga's legs stiffened. The playful mask he often wore as a teacher dropped instantly. He knew Hansung was no fool, but for him to know this much… "What are you talking about?" Yuga croaked, trying to sound unfazed.
Hansung's smile widened, his eyes narrowing with amusement. "You're not as discreet as you think. The moment you went off alone, it was clear something was up." He stepped closer, his presence dominating the space. "Ren, the 67th member of the Royal Enforcement Division—Jahad's hound sent to retrieve the 13 Month Series."
Yuga's mouth twitched, his eye narrowing as he shifted his stance. The gig was up. He had been found out.
"You're meddling in dangerous waters, Hansung," Yuga hissed. His stubby legs braced themselves as his body wobbled slightly, ready for action if needed.
Hansung tilted his head. "The same could be said for you, Ren. But I wonder, what would Evankhell say if she knew Jahad's spy was wandering around under her nose?"
The two stood in silence, the weight of their confrontation heavy in the air. Yuga knew he was cornered, but he also knew that this game of secrets was far from over.
At a concealed location on the 2nd Floor, Ren stood tense, preparing to battle Yu Hansung. His sharp eyes gleamed with bloodlust as he ordered his eel to attack. With a single command, the monstrous creature lunged, its jaws wide, ready to devour its target. But in a swift, effortless motion, Yu Hansung unleashed his power. A flash of Shinsu cut through the air, and in an instant, the eel's head fell, severed cleanly from its body.
Ren's eyes widened, but not in fear—in excitement. A twisted grin spread across his face as he watched his eel collapse. "Interesting," he muttered, his voice brimming with anticipation. "Finally, someone worth my time."
But before Ren could launch another attack, Yu Hansung raised a hand, his expression calm, almost disinterested. "I'm not here to fight you," he stated.
Ren froze, confusion breaking through his excitement. "What?" His voice was sharp, incredulous. "You kill my pet, and now you're walking away? What kind of game are you playing?"
Yu Hansung's gaze met Ren's, unflinching. "I know why you're here," he began, his voice smooth and measured. "You've been sent by the Jahad Family to retrieve the Black March and Green April. And to eliminate Anaak—the fake Jahad Princess."
Ren's confusion deepened, his brow furrowing. "How do you—"
"I'll make it easy for you," Yu Hansung interrupted, his tone now low and deliberate. "I'll give you a chance to complete your mission."
For a moment, Ren was speechless. The offer hung in the air, thick with tension and mystery. "You want to help me?" Ren asked, his voice edged with suspicion. "Why would you do that?"
Without answering, Yu Hansung turned, walking away as if the conversation were already over. "You'll understand soon enough," he said, leaving Ren standing alone, more puzzled than ever.
Meanwhile, Lero-Ro sat in deep thought, the events of the past days swirling in his mind. Something was off. Two 13-Month series weapons, two Jahad Princesses, two Irregulars—it was too much to be a coincidence. Yu Hansung's cryptic comments about "dangers" to the Tower echoed in his mind. Something bigger was at play, something dangerous.
"There might be a way to get Rachel into the final test," Lero-Ro said. Khun's sharp eyes narrowed, always ready to grasp at any advantage. He listened closely, already calculating the possibilities.
Back in his office, Yu Hansung mused over the unfolding events. "A storm is coming," he thought, his lips curling into a smile. "A tsunami that will shake the very foundations of the Tower."
—-
As I entered the Position Test hall, the tension was thick. Khun stood before Yu Hansung, poised for a battle of wits, not fists. "I want Rachel in the final exam, despite her injury," Khun said, his voice steady.
Yu Hansung smirked. "Ridiculous. It's against our rules."
But Khun, always one step ahead, revealed his trump card. "I'll take a test directly from the 2nd Floor Guardian."
Everyone froze, even I, my wings twitching in surprise. This wasn't something Regulars were supposed to know. The room buzzed with whispers, but I remained silent, watching as the plan unfolded. Yu Hansung's eyes narrowed. "How do you know about that loophole?"
Khun didn't flinch. "I know enough."
I clenched my fists, realizing the gravity of Khun's statement. As an Irregular myself, I knew what this meant. It was a direct challenge to the system, one that could change everything. But Yu Hansung wasn't finished.
"There's one problem," he sneered. "You can't take the Guardian's test without an Irregular."
Bam stepped forward then, the room echoing with collective gasps. "I'm an Irregular."
My breath caught, even though I knew it was coming. But now, standing in this hall, with the weight of that truth hanging in the air, it felt real. The Tower trembled in response. I felt a understanding of Bam at that moment, both of us outsiders, both of us with a path set apart from the others.
Yu Hansung's expression faltered for a brief moment before his smile returned. "Very well. But don't expect mercy from the Guardian."
Bam, resolute, nodded and left to meet with the 2nd Floor Guardian. The air in the hall was thick with anticipation. Shibisu broke the silence, his voice a low whisper that carried across the room. "Irregulars… they're dangerous. The Tower's rules don't apply to them."
My wings twitched. I knew the truth of those words firsthand. We weren't just climbing the Tower; we were rewriting its rules. But Khun wasn't done shocking everyone.
"I'm not going to help him," Khun said, turning his back.
Hatz's outrage was immediate. "What?! You're just abandoning him?"
Before Hatz could react, Rak, still in his smaller form, stomped over to Khun and delivered a sharp slap to the back of his head. "Oi, turtle! Bam is my prey. You can't just leave him."
Khun winced but didn't stop smirking. "Calm down, crocodile. It's part of the plan."
I felt a flicker of respect . Khun had orchestrated everything to push the Regulars into supporting Bam. It was a genius move. Yu Hansung, however, wasn't fooled by Khun's theatrics.
"You all have a choice," Yu Hansung said, his eyes scanning the room. "You can take the Rankers' test or join Bam in his Guardian test."
Rak puffed out his chest, his small frame not diminishing his bravado. "I'm taking the Guardian's test. Bam is my prey, and I won't let him go alone."
Endorsi folded her arms, glancing between Bam's retreating figure and Khun. "I don't trust you, Khun, but I trust Bam. I'm in."
I felt my resolve solidify. Bam was an Irregular, like me. He needed our support. I wasn't about to let him face this alone. The other Regulars followed suit, each one deciding to join Bam's test, their determination clear.
Meanwhile, Bam stood before the 2nd Floor Guardian, the massive, gray eel towering above him. Its voice rumbled like thunder. "Why do you climb the Tower?"
Bam's response was simple but powerful. "I want to help Rachel see the starry sky."
The Guardian's eyes glowed with interest. "Very well. You may take my test, but know this—the path ahead is treacherous."
Bam nodded, unwavering. "I understand."
Back at the Position Hall, Yu Hansung addressed the remaining Regulars. "I knew Bam was an Irregular from the beginning. Every challenge, every danger he faced was my doing. Irregulars are a threat to the Tower's stability."
I clenched my fists. How could someone be so cold? But Bam didn't flinch when he returned from the Guardian. He looked Yu Hansung dead in the eyes.
"You've never found anything worth cherishing in this Tower, have you?"
I noticed something Yu Hansung's smile faltered for the briefest of moments. "Cherishing things makes you weak."
But Bam wasn't deterred. He turned and walked away, ready to train for the upcoming test. As I watched him go, I felt a surge of respect. Bam had something worth fighting for. And whether Yu Hansung liked it or not, we weren't going to let him face this battle alone.
Just as I made up my mind to join Bam, Rak stomped back to Khun, their plan unfolding perfectly. They had manipulated the situation to provoke the Regulars into rallying behind Bam. I couldn't help but smile at their brilliance.
The Tower was changing, and we were at the center of it.