With Xena already being so forward, Felix saw no reason to hold back. He swept her up in his arms and rushed upstairs at lightning speed.…When Felix awoke the following day, he could hardly believe how easily things had progressed with Xena, especially without having to deal with Curtis. He quickly checked his body, but his face fell as he made a shocking discovery."How is this possible?" he muttered, noticing that Madam Spring's mark was still clearly visible.As a thought struck him, he turned to look at the woman beside him, who had just rolled over to face him. He gasped in shock, exclaiming, "Averill?"Lying next to him was not Xena at all, but Averill. At the sound of her name, Averill opened her eyes, blinking innocently."Oh, seems like the illusion spell wore off right on schedule," she said casually. Felix was speechless. With Averill's level of power, there was no way he could have detected her disguise.Averill sat up and playfully tilted Felix's chin toward h
Felix and Averill jumped at the sudden interruption, finding Wendy standing in the doorway. When her eyes met Felix's, Wendy realized how awkward the situation was."I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed before turning and fleeing. Felix realized he had been so caught up in the night's passion that he had forgotten to close the bedroom door. Nonetheless, he was not too concerned."She—" Felix began, but Averill pushed him back down. "Don't say another word about her right now. Let's continue!"...After their passionate encounter, Averill felt deeply satisfied. This time, she had been able to be with him as herself. She giggled and said, "Finally, I'm on equal footing with Leslie! I can't wait to tell her the good news!"Felix shook his head, feeling like a prize being fought over. "Come on, Averill. You didn't just randomly show up at my place, did you?"After all, Averill would surely be aware that he had recovered his strength. Hence, her sudden appearance surely meant there was
After finishing breakfast, Felix hesitated but decided to call Xena. His mind kept drifting back to last night and the madness with Averill—at least, at the time, he had genuinely thought it was Xena.Fortunately, the call connected, and Xena's cold voice immediately came through, "What is it?"Felix felt incredibly awkward, even though nothing had actually happened between them. "Xena, about last night—"Xena quickly cut him off, "I'm not dwelling on it. No need to explain yourself. Besides, there's nothing between us, so your private life is your own business."As expected, Felix thought women always seemed to get upset over the same kind of things. He said, "Alright. I'll drop it. I just hope this doesn't affect your mindset during the investigation."There was a long pause before Xena responded, saying, "Felix, thank you for getting headquarters to release me. That meant a lot to me."As for the investigation, I'm not worried. My assistance to Uncle Perry was completely legal
Felix chuckled. "Oh? I wasn't aware I had any secrets." The whole situation felt eerily familiar, as if someone had tried this approach with him before.Aimee sneered. "Laugh all you want. I know your birth parents are from the Greene family of Yatford. Is that enough to make you leave?"Felix's smile faded, not from fear but from curiosity about how Aimee had discovered this information. As far as he knew, only his senior apprentices and Nala were aware of this fact."If I reveal your identity to the Greene family... Well, let's just say they despise illegitimate children like you. The Greene family of Yatford is extremely powerful, and dealing with you would be child's play for them," Aimee threatened. "So think carefully. Would you rather leave quietly and continue your pleasant life, or face the crushing power of the Greene family?" Felix hung up without responding, completely unfazed by the matter. He recalled that Nala had tried using this secret against him before, but
Half an hour later, Felix, Jack, and Vanessa arrived at Nancy's apartment, where she was busy in the kitchen, wearing an apron. "Make yourselves comfortable," she called out. "Just two more dishes to go. Nessa, could you help entertain them?"The apartment was not large, around 900 square feet. Nancy had bought it with a mortgage and help from her parents for the down payment. According to Vanessa, Nancy was fiercely independent and wanted her own place, leaving future marriage considerations for later.As a university professor, Nancy's income was decent enough to handle the mortgage payments. Her modest dress and lifestyle showed she was neither extremely frugal nor wasteful with money."Wow! Cici, your place is so neat and clean," Jack complimented. "Unlike our mess of an apartment."Vanessa immediately pinched his ear. "Oh? Complaining about me? We agreed when we got together that you're in charge of housework or we hire a housekeeper. Having second thoughts now?"Felix coul
Unfortunately, Nancy's warning came too late. He had already opened the door, but instead of Jack and Vanessa, Drake stood there with a large bouquet of roses and a confident smile that quickly vanished upon seeing Felix."What the hell are you doing in Cici's apartment?" Drake demanded.Felix frowned. "Watch your language."Before Drake could curse again, Nancy rushed to the door. "Drake, when will you stop? If you keep harassing me, I'm calling the police!"She had tried to prevent Felix from opening the door earlier because of a suspicious delivery call, remembering how Drake had used similar tactics before."Cici, don't call the cops! I'm serious about you!" Drake shouted, his eyes now fixed on Felix, full of hostility.When Drake showed no signs of leaving, Nancy angrily retrieved her phone. "I'm really going to call the police!"However, her phone rang at that moment. It was her mother, and she had to answer. "What? Uncle's in the hospital? It's that serious? I understan
"Mom! I know someone incredibly skilled who can definitely cure Uncle Gary!" Nancy's enthusiastic announcement drew everyone's attention, and her mother's face lit up with hope."Really? Contact them right away!" her mother, Samantha Niles, exclaimed excitedly.Nancy pulled Felix forward and introduced him. "Mom, this is Felix Zeller, my good friend."Samantha gave a polite greeting, though she internally questioned why Nancy was introducing a friend at such a critical time. "Hello, Felix. It's nice to meet you," she said before turning to Nancy. "Well, Cici. Hurry up and make the call!"After a brief pause, Nancy declared seriously, "Felix is the master healer I was talking about."The announcement caused an uproar among the relatives gathered in the hospital waiting room."Don't be ridiculous, Cici! He's far too young to be a master healer," Samantha protested."Exactly, Nancy! At his age, being a resident physician would be impressive enough," one of her aunts chimed in."Wh
Drake did not let the awkwardness affect him. He quickly recovered with a smile and said, "Dr. Ziegler, I contacted Dr. Richie about this case."Leonard withdrew his hand. He thought Drake was Felix's friend, which was why he had bothered with the handshake in the first place. Since it was not the case, Leonard walked past Drake without another word. As Leonard approached the patient, Nancy and her relatives quickly stepped aside. After a brief examination, he looked up and asked, "Which one of you is Nancy Yonder?"Nancy hesitated until Samantha gently pushed her forward. "H-Hello, Dr. Ziegler. I'm Nancy."Leonard's expression softened considerably. "Don't worry. I've decided to take Mr. Niles' case. We'll move him to a special care unit, run some additional tests, and I'll personally perform the surgery at 6:00 pm."Though somewhat confused, Nancy knew Leonard's prestigious reputation just by seeing her relatives' awestruck expressions. "Thank you, Dr. Ziegler."The medical te
Felix had clearly found Holt's weak spot. These guys were so desperate to extend their lives that they turned the entire Aquamarinus into a breeding ground. Obviously, they were terrified of death. As long as there was even the slightest chance of survival, they'd take it.And sure enough, Holt immediately agreed. He pulled out some kind of device and flew off, clearly contacting his comrades."But even if I agreed," Holt said, "the three of us split up and searched in different directions. Even if they rush over, they won't make it until tomorrow."The fear in his eyes was obvious, so much so that Felix couldn't help but laugh."How interesting," Felix said. "You made a deal with the Ant Queen, right? Couldn't she at least give you something to help you move freely through Desolated Lands at night?"Holt shot him a bitter smile. "The Ant Queen's children—the soldier ants—are born hunters. That instinct can't be erased. And honestly, we've never needed to go out at night anyway."
Lumen flew out and quickly returned. Felix's expression eased completely, and with a step, he vanished from where he stood."Chasing me was fun last time, huh? Did you think it'd go the same this time?" he asked.When he reappeared, someone was already lying on the ground about ten yards ahead. It was a figure fully shrouded in a gray robe, a man named Holt Bovington.That was Felix holding back. Otherwise, Lumen's previous strike could've shattered Holt's soul on the spot."Felix Zeller? It really is you!" Holt's voice was full of shock. Whatever he'd planned to do was already too late. His soul had taken a devastating blow, and he no longer had the strength to fight."Yeah, it's me. Just like I suspected, you people really aren't all that strong when it comes to soul power."Felix had spared his life because he wanted answers."If you answer a few questions honestly, I'll let you live. Even with your soul badly damaged, I assume someone who knows about Nine Flames and Desolate
Three months later, deep within a mountain on Aquamarinus, a meeting was taking place. Who would've imagined palace-like structures hidden within the mountain itself?In one of the chambers, a sky-blue dome adorned the ceiling. Beneath it, three figures in gray robes sat cross-legged, their bodies cloaked in shadow. Their faces were completely obscured."I went to see the Ant Queen yesterday. There's definitely something wrong.""Enough with the vague talk. Be specific.""In just three months, the Ant Queen has lost millions of her children. Do you even understand what that means?"The atmosphere shifted as all three took a sharp breath. A long silence followed before one finally spoke, "Perhaps our earlier theory is right. Is someone hunting soldier ants in Desolated Lands at night?""It has to be. How else do you explain millions of casualties? At this rate, we're down to just a million soldier ants across the entire planet. If this keeps up, they'll be wiped out in a month. An
"I didn't expect you to be a doctor, too. Thanks," Myles said, but then suddenly froze. His mind started racing.Wait a minute! He took down a tiger of True Blood Realm. On top of that, he was extremely skilled in medicine. That could only mean…"You figured out who I am?" Felix asked with a smile, trying to put Myles at ease. Despite that, Myles couldn't hide his fear. "You're Felix Zeller?""That's right. Judging by your reaction, I take it I've become a traitor to The Recovery Association? Or maybe some kind of unforgivable villain?"The air grew a bit awkward, and Myles shot him a strained smile."Not exactly… It's just that you took down the Flame Monarch. That's kind of hard to wrap my head around."His expression shifted again."Actually, everyone's still pretty confused. When we woke up this morning, every city, town, and even the smallest villages received a message. Five days from now, the Flame Monarch is holding a Flame Ceremony."Felix paused, frowning. "What's t
With Lumen and Indigo attacking and the Infinite Shield defending, Felix held his ground. Occasionally, he cast minor spells that barely consumed any soul power. Even as the monsters surged toward him like a tidal wave, not one of them could so much as scratch him.Feeling the steady stream of energy flooding into him, Felix grinned. If things kept going like this, there was a high chance he'd break through to the next major soul realm—Soul Overlord Realm.If he could level up again during the elimination rounds, his odds of winning the whole thing would increase significantly. Especially since Soul Overlord Realm required soul enhancement, it was a whole different league compared to Aetherium Realm.Once he hit Soul Overlord Realm, he was confident he'd be able to go toe-to-toe in a soul battle with the powerful figure who had chased him during dusk.That guy didn't dare appear in Desolated Lands at night, which likely meant his soul wasn't strong. In that case, Felix might actual
The sun had already begun to set. After fleeing in a panic, Felix had no idea if there was even a single place ahead that could shield him from the coming darkness.A few minutes later, the presence chasing him within his domain disappeared. Logically, the pursuer should've caught up in less than ten minutes, but they gave up. Still, Felix didn't relax for a second. The darkness was about to fall, and that could only mean two things. Either the pursuer wasn't confident they could survive the desolate night themselves, or they assumed there was no flame nearby and Felix was as good as dead.Either way, this was the most dangerous moment yet.After sprinting several more miles, Felix finally stopped. All around him stretched a barren wasteland with no end in sight. Even though he had memorized maps to identify different areas, they were useless now. As darkness swallowed the land, all reference points vanished."Damn it! I guess I'll have to see for myself what the hell comes out i
When Eira and Luigi saw that Felix was determined to go through with it, they moved instantly. Appearing right in front of him, they dropped to their knees."Please, Felix! For the sake of all those innocent lives, stop.""If you're really set on taking this flame, then kill us first."Seeing the two of them so resolute, Felix hesitated. The lives of hundreds of thousands—maybe even millions—now hung in the balance, all dependent on one decision from him."I haven't known you for long," Eira continued. "But from the way you avenged the 200 people of Innswood Village, I know you're not someone who kills without reason. You'd never turn a blind eye to the lives of ordinary people. "Please show them mercy. They've already suffered enough."Tears streamed down her face. The purpose of The Recovery Association was clear—overthrow the Flame Monarch, destroy the Nine Flames, and return Aquamarinus to what it once was. However, when it came to principles and morals, they were unwaveri
Felix thought that Gerald's advice really was spot-on. If he hadn't achieved Extreme Mastery, he could still beat the Flame Monarch. However, his subsequent journey would have been difficult. Winning first place in the Rank-Ascending Competition to protect Earth would've been almost impossible.With a casual wave of Felix's hand, the Flame Monarch collapsed to the ground. Thankfully, no one was around to see it. Otherwise, they'd have been scared out of their minds.The most powerful being on Aquamarinus, the Flame Monarch, just got instantly wiped out by Felix. To Felix, it was like crushing an ant and required no effort at all."It's time to complete the mission," Felix said.Just like that, he vanished. His speed was insane because Nine Flames were all scattered far apart. Since travel was banned at night, he couldn't afford to waste even a second.Honestly, he was curious what it would be like to go out at night. However, after thinking it over, he decided it just wasn't worth
Under the sunlight, Innswood Village looked even lonelier. If it weren't for Felix standing in the open field, the place would've looked like a dead town. Soon, a sound broke through the silent air. A person stood 30 feet in front of Felix. It was the Flame Monarch, whom Felix had met once."I really thought you were a member of The Recovery Association and that you'd laid a trap here. But it turns out, you're really alone."Felix replied, "I am a member of The Recovery Association, but why do I need a trap to kill you?"Oh? A member of The Recovery Association? The Flame Monarch smiled. "You're really brave, you know. You're the first person in Aquamarinus who dares to face me like this. Even the leader of The Recovery Association had been in seclusion, trying to reach Heavenly Realm before facing me."I don't know where you get your confidence from."Initially, Felix wanted to attack immediately. But he still had questions to ask. "There are only the two of us here. Sinc