Beginning the Journey

---- Last Time ----

"Well," he started, "I don't think it is a good idea for three Irregulars to all be together on Evankhell's Floor. She would not take kindly to any disruptions you could cause."

"Is that so?" I asked.

"It is," he replied, "Therefore I will be sending you straight to the 3rd Floor."

---- Present -- Caleb's POV ----

"The 3rd Floor?" I ask, "If me being on the lower Floors is a problem then why don't you just send me to the 20th Floor so I can start the real climb up the Tower?"

"I'm sending you to the 3rd Floor because it could cause problems if you just appeared on the 20th Floor not having taken any prior tests," replied Headon.

"Alright then," I turn to the two High-Rankers, "Yuri, Evan, I'll see you two higher up the Tower."

"Sure," Yuri said, "and when you do, I'll make you spill all your secrets!"

I grin, "Maybe... Alright Rabbit, send me up."

As I'm about to walk through the portal Headon conjured up, I hear Yuri yell, "When we meet again I'm gonna test your power myself so be prepared!"

Smiling to myself, I walk through the portal.

----

And I immediately find myself face to face with the biggest fucking whale-like creature I have ever seen. 'Are you fucking kidding me?! Did that rabbit actually sent me straight to the 3rd Floor's Guardian?! That son of a bitch! He definitely wants me killed!'

As I was having my internal crisis the giant that was the Guardian interrupted me, "Well, well, well... what do we have here?" His voice reverberated throughout the surrounding Shinsu, "Seeing how confused you look, it seems that you were not intending to come here little one. Do you know why you are here?"

'Well fuck, might as well tell him.' Speaking out loud this time I said, "Hello Guardian. You are correct to assume that I didn't plan on coming here, for that you can thank Headon."

"You mean to say that Headon sent you here?" the Guardian asked, staring at me with one great big eye.

"That's right," I explained, "I completed Headon's test and he was supposed to send me to the 3rd Floor otherwise I could cause problems with Evankhell."

"Your story does not make sense boy," said the Guardian, "If someone wants to come to my domain, even if it is Headon, they still have to ask for my permission. Headon never asked to come here."

"Are you sure?" I ask confused, "I did tell Headon that my wish was to explore and unravel the secrets of this Tower, maybe that played a part in my ending up here?"

"Ahh," hummed the Guardian, "If you told Headon that was your wish, then it is likely that the Tower itself decided to send you to me first." He observed me in silence, contemplating, before saying, "Let's make a contract boy."

"A contract?" I say, "Why would you want to make a contract with me?"

"I don't know," said the Guardian, "I'll admit that I've been very bored recently. I've decided that the Tower sent you to me because it believes that you will bring about a wave of change. So tell me, Irregular... what do you desire?"

"What do I desire? I already told you what I said to Headon so why are you asking me the same question?" I asked after mulling the question over in my head.

"You misunderstood my question Irregular," hummed the Guardian, "I did not ask about you what you desire of this Tower... I asked what is your truest desire. You come from outside the Tower so you must have some desire for what lies beyond its doors. Don't you?"

'My desire for what lies beyond the Tower?' I took a minute to think back to what I told God and Headon. Grinning, I gave the Guardian my answer, "I am going to unravel the secrets of the multiverse outside this Tower then, using those secrets, I will become the only one powerful enough to ignore all of its rules and restrictions."

"Why is it that you want to become the strongest boy?" asked the Guardian, "Do you want to rule with an almighty fist? Do you want to make every one fall under your might? Do tell, Irregular."

"I don't want to rule over people," I said, "What I want is to be free. If I was to rule over people I wouldn't be able to do what I want. I'm going to become the strongest so that nobody can every try to rule over me or tell me that something isn't possible for me to achieve."

Silence reigned between us before the Guardian let loose a roaring laugh that shook the Shinsu around us. "You are an interesting one, aren't you!?" he boomed, "When you arrived in my domain I thought that you were just like King Zahard. He too said that he wanted to conquer the Tower, but throughout his journey, he became disillusioned and decided to stop his climb and become an immortal king and put all in the Tower under his rule." He paused before saying, "I hope that you keep true to your desire and are never swayed from your goals Irregular, for continuing to chase your dreams when in reality you have already lost sight of them is a curse."

(A/N: BTW I would appreciate if you guys would tell me whether you prefer I use "Zahard" or "Jahad" for the King and his Princesses. Personally, I want to call them "Jahad" because that's how it is in the story in it sounds better in my opinion but the wiki has it as "Zahard" so you guys choose.)

"Thank you Guardian," I said, feeling slightly touched, "I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations, not only for you but also for myself."

"Good on you boy. Now, back to deciding what to do for your contract... instead of your desires, is there anything that you need from the Tower at this time or for your coming ascent?"

'That's a very good question... what do I need? I could ask for his knowledge or techniques involving Shinsu, but I feel like there is something else that would benefit me a lot more than that. Hm, I have enough power for many Floors to come, I don't need powerful teammates as I will be acquiring those elseware... the immortallity they offered Zahard is tempting but I doubt he would be able to give that to me right now, plus there are many other ways to gain immortality in other worlds.' I was having a lot of trouble deciding what would help me before a light went off in my head and I realized what I wanted.

"For the contract I would like all of your knowledge about all the Floors of this Tower," I said.

"Hoh, well that is not possible Irregular," replied the Guardian, "The most I would be able to give you is my complete knowledge about the Floor under my rule. Any other Floor's knowledge you want to aquire would need to come from that Floor's Guardian, after all, no one knows a Floor better than its Guardian, besides the Tower itself of course."

"Then what would I need to agree to in order to receive all your knowledge about your Floor?"

"Hmm, it's good to be wary Irregular, but you will be providing me entertainment in the near future so you will not have to give anything or agree to any terms," said the Guardian, "As soon as you agree to the contract I will send you to my Floor with all my knowledge of the Floor and its secrets. You are free to do as you wish with that knowledge but be prepared to take responsibility for anything you do."

I gave a half-bow to the Guardian, "Thank you for the warning Great One." Then straightening myself I said, "I agree to the contract."

"Very well boy, but be careful as the other Guardians may very well ask for you to agree to many terms when you go to make contracts on their respected Floors," the Guardian gave a final warning.

I nodded my head and proceeded to walk through the portal that had appeared behind me, hopefully taking me to the long awaited 3rd Floor.