The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

The hovercar glided smoothly through the sky, leaving Gaia Hospital far behind.

Aisha rested her cheek against the glass window, watching the world stretch endlessly below.

The city was divided into twenty sectors. Sector 1 held the Imperial Palace, military headquarters, the Imperial Star Academy, and the Guide and Sentinel Association. Sector 2 belonged to the nobility. Sector 3 through 5 housed the wealthy and well-connected—those with ties to the different powers in Sector 1.

From Sector 3 onward, each district was split into A and B: families with sentinels or guides of high rank lived in the A-side. As for those with lower-ranked family members, they were relegated to B.

The Novalis family was currently in Sector-A—one of the empire’s most affluent districts. With their abundant wealth and children who are sentinels and guides themselves, they certainly made their way there.

To be honest, this world was nothing like she had known before.

Massive white arches curved overhead like ribs, weaving through spires that rose so high their peaks reached the clouds. Some buildings even looked almost alive. Sleek hovercars floated lazily between towers, gliding in the air unhindered.

Below, a wide canal cut through the center of the district. The water was so clear it mirrored the sky, with star yachts and small boats that didn’t look like anything Aisha had seen in her previous world.

Aisha could make tiny figures strolling along the water’s edge, purchasing something from vendors and shops.

It looked like paradise.

A part of her, the part that still remembered the stench of rotting corpses and the silence of a dead world, wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. How strange that a place this beautiful could exist while somewhere out there, a world was being swallowed by contamination and chaos.

But then again, wasn’t that always how it worked? The privileged lived in glass towers while the rest of the world burned.

It was the same in her previous life, and it won’t change in this lifetime either.

"We’re almost there," Erika said from the front, maneuvering the hover car with a single hand.

Aisha said nothing, simply watching the city gradually shift. And then, she saw it.

Rising from the hillside like a cluster of silver blossoms, dozens of circular structures floated above the ground, connected by curving bridges of white stone. Each one was a villa, suspended in the air, defying gravity. Some were in a smaller size, with balconies and gardens. Others were bigger, multi-tiered constructions.

Aisha spotted one of the larger structures near the center. It was the Novalis Villa, which has been in that spot for three generations.

She studied it for a moment. It was beautiful, she had to admit that much. But it wasn’t what she could call home. Not to her.

The hover car descended smoothly, gliding onto a platform extending toward the villa’s base. As it touched down, Erika sighed. "I really need to have your father change to a newer version of this shuttle. Go on ahead, I’ll be there shortly."

Aisha stepped out of the car, Daisy following close behind with a small case of her belongings clutched tightly in her small hands. They made their way toward the entrance.

The doors slid open before she even reached them, revealing a grand foyer bathed in soft, golden light. Marble floors gleamed beneath luminescent stones, and the scent of fresh flowers drifted in the air.

"Irene, you’re entering the academy soon. Do you know which class you will be assigned?"

"Hm... I don’t know."

"Come on, tell us."

"It’s probably the class for higher ranks, right?"

"That reminds me, I heard your evil sister was moved to a lower class."

Voices were coming from the living room.

Their light and airy laughter spread even in the front entrance, catching Aisha’s attention. Without even seeing their faces, Aisha knew who they were.

She stepped further inside and instantly saw them.

Three girls sat in the living room with the demeanor of someone who had nothing to worry about in the world. Pampered and excessively spoiled by what this world can offer to them.

But Aisha glanced at the only person who could take her notice.

Irene Novalis.

She sat curled elegantly on a plush sofa, her light blond hair falling over one shoulder, and dressed in a soft baby-blue gown that made her look every bit the picture of youthful innocence. On either side of her sat two girls, both dressed in equally fine dresses. They were sipping tea and chattering happily amongst themselves.

The moment Aisha entered the scene, their chatter died down. Their eyes instantly landed on her, expressions shifting quickly from elation to displeasure.

"Sister!"

Unlike the two girls who blatantly showed their dislike of her, Irene rose from her seat quickly and rushed forward with wide, glistening eyes. "You’re finally home. I was so worried about you that I could barely sleep."

She reached her hands out, as though she was going to hug Aisha, but just shied away from touching her arms.

Aisha looked at her silently.

Before she could even respond, one of the girls scoffed.

"Irene, don’t waste your concern on someone like her. "The girl with the short, black hair crossed her arms over her chest. "Everyone already knows what kind of person she is. When did she ever consider your feelings? She ruined your birthday party last week and made everyone else worry."

The other girl beside them giggled, nodding in agreement. "It’s too dramatic. Honestly, it’s like she’s been begging for attention."

Aisha Novalis would have already screamed by now. Aisha remembered in her memories how she once made a scene in front of everyone else after hearing such insults before. Today, too, she was being mocked, and yet, contrary to how they expected her to react, Aisha only curled the corners of her lips into a small, gentle smile.

With the magnanimous grace of a saint, she glanced down at her younger sister and said, "I didn’t know you’ve been worried sick, Irene. You don’t need to fret over me like that anymore. I’m perfectly fine now."

Her hand gently patted Irene’s outstretched hand before stepping aside.

Irene hadn’t expected Aisha to respond like that. The image in her head was for Aisha to jump in anger and curse at them, then everyone will see that she’s still the problematic person in their family. Caught off guard by this, she wanted to recover and hold Aisha’s hands to display her sisterly affection in front of others. But Aisha didn’t give her that chance.

She could only say awkwardly, "As—as long as you’re okay now, sister. That’s all that matters to me."

The two girls behind Irene frowned. They clearly felt something weird, but neither could pinpoint what felt off. They could only turn to Irene and, as expected, they were once again amazed by her kind-heartedness.

Aisha didn’t care about the performance Irene wanted to start, turning to Daisy, who stood a few steps behind her quietly, she said, "Daisy, take my things up to my room."

"Yes, Miss Aisha."

Daisy hurried up the grand staircase without hesitation. It took only a few minutes before she came rushing back down, her expression slightly off and flustered.

"Miss Aisha," she breathlessly said. "Your room... It’s gone. It seems like what the madam said is true."

Hearing the maid, the black-haired girl laughed and clapped her hands together as if she were delighted by something. "Oh my! Isn’t that unfortunate? You just came back, and you no longer have a room to stay in? Irene, don’t you have other rooms in your house?"

"Ah? We have... but they’re all locked." Irene looked troubled as she continued speaking, "My father said we don’t have guests coming over, so he locked all the rooms. Sister, do you mind if you stay with Daisy for now until Father returns and unlocks the rooms?"

To allow her to stay with Daisy, wasn’t this the same as having the same status as her maid?

At this moment, the front door opened again, their mother stepped inside, and saw all of them in the living room.

Irene happily rushed toward her and snuggled close to her mother. After showing such an affectionate display between the child and mother, Irene continued the interrupted discussion. "Mother, where will sister stay?"

"Aren’t there other rooms in the mansion?" Erika frowned at the question. "She can stay there."

Irene shook her head, innocently replying, "But Father locked them already."

Remembering that it was indeed the case, Erika was slightly troubled. She completely forgot that her husband had locked all the other rooms in their house, saying that there was no need to keep them open when there were no guests. They can be cleaned out once a week instead.

"Then, where will Aisha stay?"

Irene suggested, "Daisy’s room is twice as large as the other servants’. Why don’t we let her stay there for now? As for the maid—"

"Mom."

Suddenly, a gentle voice came from the other side. Irene saw Aisha staring at their mother, completely ignoring her.

"You remember your promise, right?" Aisha said.

Erika frowned and nodded. "Yes."

"Good," Aisha was satisfied with her answer before turning her attention toward her younger sister. "Irene, which room are you staying in these days?"

The question came so suddenly. After being interrupted by her so many times already, Irene was momentarily thrown off guard. "M-me? I’m staying in the east wing, the one that used to belong to Grandmother, remember?"

She didn’t know why Aisha was asking her about this. It was something everyone in this family knew already.

"Oh, your room is absolutely gorgeous. When you took us there last time, I couldn’t stop gushing about it to my mom. The view alone is—"

"Perfect."

Aisha smiled, sweet and delicate, as she turned back to Daisy. "Take my things to the east wing. That’ll be my room from now on." She looked at her mother and raised her brows, "That’ll be fine, right, Mom?"

The room fell into stunned silence.

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