When Ari entered the kitchen, Lana and Marissa were setting the table.
“Good morning, Ladies.”
Lana stopped what she was doing and approached him.
She smiled and kissed him. “Good morning, Darling.”
Marissa observed their interaction with a faint blush. When Ari’s gaze met hers, she instinctively averted her eyes.
Ari approached her and whispered in her ear. “We can keep what happened last night a secret.”
He smiled and offered his cheek.
Marissa hesitated for a moment, then kissed his cheek. “Good morning, Darling.”
Maya entered the kitchen with her device in hand.
“Ari, how many days will you be spending in the tower?” she asked.
‘Hmmm, that’s tough, considering the Malen Forest.’
He couldn’t confirm the exact length of time due to a number of factors, but it would likely be considerably longer than they were expecting.
Judging by Maya’s gaze and body language, Ari surmised that she had something in mind that required his confirmation.
A safe answer was best.
“A few days or so, but I’ll definitely be back before the exams.”
“Okay,” she remarked, then started typing on her device.
Lana and Marissa shared a look of concern.
“Do you really have to go?” Lana asked.
“It will be your first time in the tower since...and for so long,” Marissa remarked.
Ari chuckled causing the girls to frown.
“I appreciate your concern girls, really. But, I’ll be fine,” he remarked.
“I’ve faced worse things than the monsters on the lower floors,” he added. “Besides, it’s important for my growth.”
His words seemed to have put their minds at ease, their expressions softened.
Maya approached the table. “It’s important to fuel your body first, so, let’s eat.”
After finishing his breakfast, Ari excused himself from the table to prepare for his expedition.
“Mom, you made arrangements, right?” Marissa asked.
“Yeah, despite what he said, Darling doesn’t look prepared to spend a few days in the tower,” Lana remarked.
Maya smiled. “Don’t worry, I took care of everything.”
Later that day; after some private, and shy goodbyes, Maya drove Ari to the Divine Tower: Lumus.
The road leading to the tower had four lanes to accommodate the enormous amount of daily visitors, each passing through a tollgate before entering the parking lot.
Ari did his best not to look like a tourist.
He had prior knowledge, and his backstory placed him at this tower before; however, just like with everything else he experienced thus far, the comic didn’t do it justice.
Large buildings were constructed around the base of the tower, acting as both security measures and financial opportunities for vendors.
Maya and Ari exited the car and headed toward a contemporary building with a glass and steel facade.
Expensive coffee shops, restaurants, high end clothing stores, weapon and armour boutiques, as well as a raw material exchange, it resembled an airport with a singular terminal that led to the tower’s entrance.
As they walked up the stairs, a woman in a blue suit greeted Maya.
“Ms Reese, it’s good to see you.”
Maya glanced at Ari. “Wait here.”
“Sure.”
“Angie, it’s good to see you too. Thank you for coming at such short notice,” Maya said as she approached the blonde woman.
“Anything for you, Ms Reese.”
She glanced over Maya’s shoulder as Ari leaned on the rail, taking in the sights.
“I trust there were no issues obtaining what I asked for?” Maya asked.
“N-No, not at all. Please take a look.”
The woman handed Maya a small black box.
Maya opened the box and scanned it’s contents, sending a wave of Mana into the object within.
“Thank you, Angie. Everything is in order.”
“Of course.”
Maya smiled. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Yes.” The woman nodded then walked off, but not before stealing glances at Ari.
Noticing her gaze, Ari smiled and winked, causing a faint blush to appear on her cheeks.
Maya approached Ari and presented the box to him. “This is for you.”
“What is this?”
“Why don’t you open it and find out?”
When Ari opened the ornate box, he whistled instinctively.
An engraved obsidian ring rested on a red velvet pillow.
Ari knew what it was immediately.
“Maya, I had no idea you felt this way....even going so far as to do it in such a public place.”
“The answer is yes. I will become Daddy Reese.”
Maya giggled. “Has Darling become insufficient overnight?”
“You can call me whatever you want, honey.”
Maya flashed an amused smile. “You have a week’s worth of food and water. I have taken the liberty of selecting a D-Rank short sword, and leather armour suitable for the lower floors.”
“I will settle the matter regarding your permit while you get changed.”
Ari placed the ring on his right middle finger and confirmed the contents via Mana.
“Thank you, Maya.”
She smiled. “Let’s get going.”
The pair entered the bustling building, then separated after setting a designated place to meet.
Ari headed for the restroom by following the signs overhead, trying his best not to get distracted by his surroundings.
‘This really feels like an airport.’
He felt slightly awkward having to change in a restroom stall, but he couldn’t complain.
Having gone through two deadly trials in a T-shirt, cargo pants and boots, he figured that it would suffice for the lower floors as well.
He only needed a new weapon, which he requested from Maya, but in hindsight, he realised that he was overconfident in his abilities.
He was rushing to increase his level before the exams, and nearly made a grave mistake.
As unthinkable as it was for a TO veteran, he forgot a cardinal rule.
Regardless of your level, if your gear is trash, you might as well be a level 1 player.
Granted, his judgement may have been skewed by his knowledge of the comic, the power of Actualisation, and the skills at his disposal, he kicked himself for the oversight.
He entered the stall and changed into the three piece black leather armour set, comprised of a chest piece that extended to his elbows, bracers, and trousers.
When Ari checked the armour set via SOV, he confirmed that each piece was indeed D-Rank, then checked the short sword for good measure.
He left the restroom and headed for the terminal, passing many ascenders in different types of armour.
Maya stood at the entrance to the terminal, talking to one of the staff members.
When she noticed his approach, she waved him over.
“How does it fit?” she asked.
“Great. Feels like it was made just for me.”
Maya smiled. “Glad to hear it.”
“Excuse me, Ma’am. Is this the cadet you mentioned?” the staff member asked.
“Yes, this is Ari Haynes.”
“Alright, one moment please,” the staff member remarked.
“Are you ready?” Maya asked.
Ari nodded. “All set."