Hey Star Stream?
[ What is it? Heir of June.]
How exactly do I get back?
[ Simple. First take a left at the next juncture…]
After some time passed, Everest finally got up. He followed the Star Stream's instructions, and surely enough, he arrived at the exit.
Then… is there anything else?
[No, there isn't.
However, I advise you remain regardless.]
And why is that?
[…]
[Heir of June, it is unbecoming of you to spend another night at an abandoned building.
Worry not though, 'HE' has already arranged your accommodation beforehand.]
Everest gave a dry laugh but only nodded subtly.
[ Then, this way to the dorms…]
They actually have that?
For some reason, Everest found it hard to believe that some icons actually live in the vicinity of Stellar High.
Even still, he shrugged and—under the guidance of the Star Stream—made his way to his apartment.
Strangely enough, it was no less opulent than a lounge in an expensive hotel.
All this is free…
In reality, Everest had seen even more exquisite abodes once upon a time… but it was a really, really long time ago. Frankly, even though he wasn't exactly amnesiac, he was rather forgetful when it came to his past—it all happened too long ago, and he was too little then.
The apartment consisted of a living room, a dining room, and one bedroom inlaid with a washroom.
Everest only managed to observe a few key things though, namely: the big screen in the living room, as well as the greyish walls with matching furniture, and the red lights—because he was finding it rather difficult to grasp all he had encountered today.
Up until now, Everest had led a simple life for a change after his overly eventful childhood, so it was quite a shock to encounter so many abnormal events in such a short span.
Granted, it was what he wished for. Why else would he be here, in the home of madness?
But still…
As he switched off the red lights to better appreciate the sunlight in the room, he fell into deep thought—while of course making sure his thoughts didn't wander to the extremities of his mind where prying eyes could see them.
The Benevolent Housemaster cannot save the world from going mad?
Heh, it's ironic when you think about it… the three Enigmas who are the original saviors of this world are all helpless to do just that.
To be honest, part of the reason I came here stems from the bizarre amount of paranormal events in the wake… if the world is indeed going mad, then I need to save myself.
He took a deep breath.
I need to delve into the abyss of madness, and reach its very core. That is the only way.
I don't know the subsequent ranks for a madman. All I know is the final and most profane one—
Abyssals.
Just the thought of it made Everest shudder somewhere in the depths of himself he didn't even know he had. An ordinary person has no business thinking about the depths of true madness—such thoughts could even get him killed.
Anyways… for now I need to grasp all that a normal person can. Who knows, maybe I can get a beneficial head start when crossing the thresholds of sanity as a result?
On that thought…
He immediately thought of a brilliant idea.
Hey Star Stream?
A deafening silence ensued, and just when he was about to rain ancient curses, the soothing voice of the Star Stream echoed in his psyche.
[ You called. Heir of June?]
First of all, I've been meaning to ask…
Why don't you call me Everest?
To be honest, it's a bit off-putting.
[… Because 'HE' wants you to forget that name.]
Hehehe…
I swear, if I ever get powerful enough, you are the first one going to hell.
You and your master. Yeah?
[…]
[ And after me and my master?]
Hehe, me, of course. Why?
So I can kill you again—you and your master, yeah?
And not only you two either. No. To be honest, I have a lot of dead people I'd like to say hello to… but we'll see.
[ You're funny too.
Heir of June, you're really going to make a great performer…
'HE' says he's proud.]
Suddenly, Everest snapped and immediately stood up in fury.
"Don't you dare be proud of me!!!"
Then he looked around in horror and shrunk. His voice suddenly losing all its force, as if it were tainted with powerlessness and defeat.
"Okay? Nobody gets to be proud of me…
That… that's a big mistake, I'm telling you."
Then he revealed a broad smile.
"Just kidding."
But he was too late. He reached into his home clothing—silky black robe—and produced an exquisitely engraved halo card that glowed faintly. His eyes couldn't help but watch helplessly as the numbers changed.
[ 1, 456, 666, 225 ]
Oh, no… no, no, no, no.
[ 1, 332, 556, 789 ]
[…]
[ 1, 199, 999, 999 ]
Hahahaha!
Haha!
Ha!
[…]
[ 1, 323, 776, 227 ]
Phew…
He awkwardly sat back down and crossed his legs, staring blankly at the big screen.
Star Stream?… Star Stream?
Everest closed his eyes ruefully and let out a silent sigh.
He continued calling out desperately, but the Star Stream did not respond.
---
Graduation Day. England: Stellar High
There were cameras lining the walls, placed in almost every corner of the theatre.
Everest found himself in a front-row seat and casually sat down as if he were listening to a morning programme.
He looked even more magnetic today than at the interview. His glistening hair had been styled rather meticulously for once, now obscuring his forehead and framing his face, and the glimmer of his eyes was especially hypnotic in the dim lighting. Looking at him now gave one the poignant feeling of looking at royalty, at a relic.
By his sides, many students were visibly shivering; some even finding it hard to keep still. While a few stole glances of different intentions at him.
And in his head, countless thoughts—equally or even more nervous—could be heard.
[Yay! Uncle Everest, you're definitely the most handsome out of all the male icons.]
Hehehe, you flatter me—wait, uncle?!
[How dare you insult him that way?! He's obviously the most beautiful icon out of all.]
That's better… no, that's too much Everest, and you know it.
[But still, he hasn't shown us his talent until now. I'm worried it might be because he's reluctant to display some petty talent.]
Well, you keep those unwanted worries to yourself. Yeah?
To his surprise, by his right a male icon kept muttering to himself:
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not like that."
"Give me another chance, please."
And all around him, the icons were going through similar dilemmas.
Haha… and they call me the fraud.
This is priceless, I must say.
Suddenly, he noticed a stir. All the icons around him turned their heads in unison towards his right. Their eyes were a mix of awe and obvious wariness.
He shifted slightly at first, then casually glanced in that direction. At least, he intended to—but the moment his eyes met the cause of the stir, he found it impossible to look away.
It was a tall, lithe figure, towering at 2 meters, and yet her figure was appropriately proportioned—neither thick nor thin. She had a straight face but soft features and bright red lips that gave him goosebumps.
Her wavy blonde hair cascaded like a waterfall of gold, and her sapphire eyes had a similar piercing gaze to Everest's. It was those eyes that ensnared him.
She proceeded gracefully, and the lights in the room seemed to chase after her. No—they were definitely chasing after her, which could explain why she had a subtle glow. Finally, she exuded a noble and reliable air.
A royal of England? But the king has no daughters…
Suddenly, an uproar boomed in his psyche.
[You—you mean you don't know Princess Lisselotte Terissa?]
T-Terissa? So she is actually a royal?
Ah, I see… she must be a daughter to Prince Alexander Terissa, and not the direct royal family. Hehehe,
Not good.
[Yes! She's also a genius in talent and a prodigy second only to the princes, and yet she's still so beautiful…]
[Don't plant such scandalous thoughts in his head!
She's nothing but a princess who doesn't know her assigned duties, I would know.]
[I know, I know… but—]
[But nothing!—]
[You guys… she's staring back.
Ohh, I can't breathe.]
[It's true…]
Everest nodded in enlightenment, before chuckling lightly at his unraveling fans. Then he froze in horror as he realized she was indeed looking back—and she was not pleased.
At that moment, he realized that he had been looking at her for a long time, all the while showcasing a wide range of emotions.
"I—I can explain," he was going to say, but he swallowed the words.
He looked around at the other icons and realized they were in similar conditions to his.
Why is she only staring at me then?
He visibly eased and leaned back in his chair before tearing away his gaze forcefully.
That's that.
But she did not stop there. Instead, she calmly walked opposite him and said without emotion:
"We need to talk."