Chapter 5 - Part 9 (Book 1 - Fantasy World)

As they approached the stairs, Han appreciated the care that went into designing them. The one thing he noticed was how the stairs were the same color as the rest of the lobby. It was as if they used milk to create the stairs. He couldn't help but notice how the light interacted with the material, possibly some type of rock or mineral.

But what impressed him was how there weren't any rails on the side to prevent someone from falling off. The width of the stairs was staggering as well, comparable to a five-lane street.

"I wonder if they decided against railing due to how wide it was?" Han tilted his head slightly to the right, contemplating the thought.

"It looks so smooth!" Brittany giggled as she bent forward so that her head was close to the material of the stairs, carefully observing what it was made from.

Hearing Brittany's words that reflected his own thoughts, Han couldn't help but wonder if walking on the stairs would be perilous for people. But when his eyes looked up at the students making their way up and down the stairs, he slightly furrowed his brow.

The guide walked onto the stairs without any hesitation.

Seeing the guide walk on the stairs, Han moved close and placed a foot on the first step. His eyes immediately widened in surprise.

"It is not slippery," Han softly spoke before looking to the guide.

"There is no need to worry, My Lord. While the stairs look precarious, I am sure you have noticed that slipping will not be an issue." The guide smiled understandingly.

While the step wasn't sticky, Han couldn't help but think that the stair was grabbing his foot to ensure he didn't fall. What made the experience even more surreal was how the step felt smooth despite the firm grip. If he had done skateboarding in the past, he imagined what he felt would be similar to the grip tape skateboarders used mixed with the surreal surface.

Han started to bend down, his hand outstretched and desiring to touch the surface, but then stopped. He straightened his back and shook his head, not believing what he was about to do. A slight warmth could be felt, blushing from how childish he likely appeared to the other students.

Glancing at the guide, Han appreciated that the guide turned away, whether out of coincidence or to respect Han's dignity, was left for interpretation.

Helania stepped onto the first step, pausing as she also felt the unusual sensation of the material the stairs were made out of.

After seeing how Helania and her Master had acted, Queen didn't have as much of a reaction. However, she took a brief moment on the step before continuing.

"What is this? It is so smooth, but it feels like it will not let go of my feet!" Brittany giggled as though she were a child discovering something new. She pulled on the sleeve of Han's uniform, "Master, can you believe this? I feel like I could run up the stairs and not fall once!" Her eyes glimmered like a diamond with her innocence.

Han couldn't help himself and chuckled slightly.

"Just be careful," Han gently warned her as though he were a parent letting their child play in a play area.

Aside from the material the stairs were made of, another difference was that each step was different in length. After five steps of equal measurements typically found on stairs, the next one was long and made you walk several feet forward before starting the cycle again. With the entire surface of the step milky white, it wasn't easy to notice the unusual design until a person reached the long, flat surface.

"What do you think, Helania? Why do you think they designed the stairs in this manner?" Han asked his creation as he continued to walk up the stairs.

Though it was unusual, he didn't find it challenging to adapt. There was a learning curve, stepping onto the fifth step and then walking forward like on a path.

Helania was silent as she walked several feet away from him.

Walking next to Helania, Queen's eyes roamed along the stairs and across the lobby, which they were now several feet above the tallest tree in the tiny forests inside. She also seemed to be trying to find an answer to her Master's question.

Not needing an answer immediately, Han left Helania alone so that she would think of an answer. Though there wasn't a correct response to his question, hearing what his creations thought was something to enjoy. While he created them to serve him and improve his experience in the new world, it didn't mean that he saw them as robots to just wait for and obey his orders. Since he had never had the ability to create life before gaining his ability, a sense of wonder still existed inside of him. He was curious how far his creations would be able to grow beyond his initial desires.

He turned his head towards the lobby and walked up the steps, making sure not to trip after taking the fifth step.

A few of the students making their way down from the second floor casually looked at his group. This was especially the case for the male students. The werebeasts were far more obvious than the other nonhuman and human students. While the elves did look curiously at Helania and Queen, not paying much attention to the frivolous behavior from Brittany, their reactions were similar to people who had seen something unexpected.

Han chuckled to himself, knowing the look the elves were making and sensing that they thought his creations were beneath them.

While he did have creations that would be considered elves, Han had left them all behind at The Stronghold. The elves he created would be currently making sure that his home was kept immaculate and ready for his return at any time.

Just thinking of all of his creations back in The Stronghold, he couldn't help but imagine them to be similar in number to a small city. Though he may not be back in his home, the staff would still be going about their duties while on duty and taking time to do other activities when their shifts were over for the day. Han wouldn't be surprised if The Stronghold was at all times as each shift was responsible for their tasks.

"Master," Helania's voice pulled him away from his thoughts.

Han changed his focus on the lobby to his creation. A smile came to his lips, his curiosity rising in anticipation.

Ahead of him, Helania stopped her progress, which also caused Queen to stop. Quite some way ahead of them, Brittany was still having an adventure, going up the stairs or even sitting down on the edge to view the lobby as she waited for everyone else to catch up to where she sat.

Turning to face her Master, she said, "Though the Academy was likely not the one to design this place, I still suspect that the stairs were built so people walking up them could change up what muscles they were using while they walked up these winding steps." Helania furrowed her brow and raised a hand to place a finger on her chin.

Queen listened intently to what Helania said as though she were in a lecture at a conference, paying attention to a fellow expert presenting their research findings. There were moments when she raised an eyebrow or drew her brows together, causing the skin to wrinkle.

Once Helania gave her thoughts, Han tilted his head to consider the theory he'd heard.

He slowly nodded, not entirely agreeing with the theory but not seeing anything that would be a good counter. His eyes slowly moved to look at Queen.

Sensing her Master's gaze, Queen turned her body to face Han. "While I think Helania has some correct assumptions, they might not be complete."

An eyebrow slowly rose on Helania's face as her lips drew a thin line. As though wanting to appear that she didn't mind Queen having a different opinion, Helania casually brushed back her hair with the back of one of her hands.

Han turned his head towards Queen, trying to fight a grin that wanted to emerge on his face.

"I want to believe that whoever designed these steps was thinking of some other purpose aside from breaking up the exertion necessary to make the climb." Queen walked onto the vast area between the steps, raising her hands to indicate the area. "Though there's not enough room to place a stall like the ones we had seen in the lobby, I still feel this place was planned to be large enough where people could take a moment -- even possibly converse with others on the stairs who are also hoping for a break."

Han slightly turned his head, his eyes flickering ahead of them to the students making their way down. He noticed that none of them were taking a moment to rest.

Seeing that her Master was observing the students on the stairs to see that her theory didn't hold water based on what was observable, Queen quickly added, "Master, considering this path is miles in length, I think that it is likely that we would see people resting at the midpoint."

Nodding at the idea, Han simply said, "I think it sounds like a sound theory. Even if it does not turn out to be true, customs may have changed from when this structure was built to the present. Students may not need to take a break, having adjusted to the amount of walking they would need to do each day."

Han didn't notice the slight crack in Helania's lips as she looked at Queen.

Queen took a slightly deep breath, seeming to accept the truth of her Master's words. She turned to look at Helania, who had an emotionless and somewhat cold expression. Seeing Helania not showing anything, Queen merely rolled her eyes slightly.

While Queen and Helania shared a silent discussion, Han continued up the stairs.

As he walked up the stairs, he was surprised how he hadn't needed to breathe in deeper compared to if he were to take multiple flights of stairs for some reason. Han thought back to his own workplace, which fortunately had an elevator. He couldn't remember a time that he'd taken the stairs, which were mandated by law for buildings to have a path for people to use during an emergency. However, he didn't have difficulty imagining how badly he'd look once he reached his floor. While wearing a suit, there would be massive streaks of sweat under his arms. His hair would also become disheveled from all the perspiration. Even his friends who were frequently active wouldn't take the stairs up to where they worked due to the number of flights they'd need to walk each day.

Han cracked a smile. He couldn't help but imagine that walking up so many flights of steps each day would be a great way to get into shape.

"Management even had events where people were encouraged to walk instead of taking the elevator. This was likely one of the many things that work tried to do in order to appear to be a fun place to start a career." Han chuckled, remembering when his coworkers would roll their eyes whenever the announcement was made.

Ahead of them, Brittany rested on the edge of the stairs with her legs childishly swinging back and forth. With one hand, she twirled her ruby hair with her fingers. Staring out onto the lobby as though a god, watching mortals go about their meaningless day, her eyes grinned as she observed such insignificant beings from where she perched above them. As if sensing they were approaching, Brittany leaned back, resting on her palms behind her. She turned her head and had a bright smile upon seeing her Master. She quickly got up, straightening her uniform before skipping over to where Han was.

When Brittany got close to him, Han laughed, "Did you have a fun time?"

Han noticed that she didn't immediately latch onto his arm.

"She likely doesn't want to make it difficult for me to walk up these stairs," Han thought to himself.

He could see that her eyes glanced a few times to both of his arms as though wanting to grab them, but stopped herself at the last moment each time. It was clear that she was attempting to restrain herself.

Raising a hand and putting it on her head, he gently stroked her hair. Han smiled, "I am happy to have someone so attentive as you."

Brittany's face slowly turned bright red after receiving the compliment from her Master. Whether it was due to being overcome with emotions, no words left her mouth, and she simply accepted her Master's words. Once Han removed his hand from the top of her head, she said in a quiet voice, "Thank you, Master. I am also happy to have you as my Master." She used a hand to begin playing with some of her hair, like some young woman who didn't know how to act after receiving such attention from someone she admired.

Whether due to his pace being slower than others, other students walked around Han and Brittany, as well as Queen and Helania. The two also matched the pace of their Master. Noticing this, Han picked up his pace, not thinking too heavily about how the increased speed wasn't particularly felt. Though they had yet to walk that far, relative to the entire length of the stairs, it was still the distance of several floors for a typical building. But his feet felt light even with the distance he walked.

Progressing up the stairs, Han couldn't help but enjoy how peaceful it felt. Though there was some talking within groups of students, there was also a refreshing breeze on top of the unobstructed surroundings outside the stair area. There was also the sun, which basked them in a gentle warmth. He couldn't help but enjoy the feeling of the sun on his skin with his creations nearby. The experience was akin to a relaxing day where nothing was expected from him on the rare occasions he was able to get a long enough break from work.

The guide ahead of them would periodically glance behind him to ensure there were no issues.

Han didn't expect the guide to talk much, but he was still glad that they were able to enjoy such a relaxing moment in the relative silence. His eyes glanced at Brittany, who was looking at the area beyond the stairs like a child at an aquarium.

"Master, it looks like some kind of resting area?" Queen's voice called out to him.

Nodding, Han saw what appeared to be a small outdoor cafe. It was the type that would be seen inside malls where there were no walls or doors. Just a tiny workstation area for the employees and tables arranged in front where customers would take a seat and enjoy people walking past them. There was a small line of students waiting to make their orders. He quickly counted to see more than ten students sitting on sofas or chairs.

When they reached the same level as the cafe, the guide turned and asked, "My Lord and my Ladies, would you care to take a break? This is about the halfway mark, and students sometimes want to take a breather before they continue down or up."

Han looked at the cafe, the smell of something akin to coffee wafting through the air.

"Master, I want to see what is on the second floor," Brittany gently pulled on Han's sleeve, her eyes wide.

He placed a hand on Brittany's head before he looked at Helania and Queen. "What do you think?"

Helania bowed her head. "We will defer to your wishes, Master."

"I agree. Though, I also think it would not be long before we reach the next floor. We can always stop by here on our way down." Queen bowed her head, offering up her suggestion.

Hearing his creations' thoughts, Han turned to look at the guide, "I think we will just continue up ahead to the second level. While curious, I feel we have kept the Lady Knight waiting long enough." He chuckled at the last part.

"As you wish," The guide lowered his head before head before he started up the steps again.

While he knew that the Lady Knight would not mind waiting while he enjoyed a short break, Han did think that it wasn't necessary to keep the woman waiting for such a long time. He didn't believe that the Lady Knight was waiting in one place the entire time, factoring in the amount of time necessary for Han to get through the city and, once inside the Academy, to reach the Tower. But she was likely now waiting on them since it would be unprofessional to have someone who had contributed so much to wait after such a long journey.

Han's eyes glanced casually in the direction of the light as it lit up the ceiling of the lobby dome. Just based on light entering through the windows, Han was relatively confident that it was sometime after lunch. He thought about the amount of time it had taken to arrive at Illumin and then to his current location in the Tower. If he hadn't eaten so much food on the way to Illumin, it would likely be that his stomach would be rumbling for some food.

"I need to take a shower after that training session." A girl's voice was heard.

Han's eyes searched for the loud voice. It didn't take long before he spotted a girl with yellowish cat ears walking beside other werebeasts. Some of them with dog or wolf ears.

"Want to stop by one of the public baths and freshen up before we head out?" A girl with scales on the side of her neck and head asked, a long tongue easily spotted as she talked.

A few students glanced at the students, talking loudly, interrupting the tranquil atmosphere permeating the stairway. Compared to the group making their way down from the second floor, most students were having conversations that didn't leave too far away from them. Still, the group's sound had escaped only after they had made it around the curve of the stairs.

Han couldn't help but chuckle, remembering how he and his friends likely talked raucously when they hung out together before any of them headed to college or even had to travel back home for military service.

Curious about the group, he looked over at them. While he had seen werebeasts inside of Illumin, it was the first time he had seen such a large group that all hung out together. Many of them he had spotted only had one or more with them, while the others were often either human or some other nonhuman.