The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

"Madam Goddard, these are your favorite foods," Nellie said softly.

Deborah's lips moved slightly. "I don't have an appetite. Take it away."

Setting the food down, Nellie walked over to her. Using telepathy, she told her, "You'll definitely eat today because I just got a call. It was from Felix. He used someone else's phone to call me."

What? Deborah sat bolt upright, her gaze sharp and piercing. "What did you just say?"

Nellie was startled by her reaction.

"I wouldn't dare lie to you, especially not about Felix. I'm not sure how he escaped from Echo Cavern, but he's alive. That much is certain, and I've already confirmed it. It was definitely him."

At that, Deborah grabbed both of Nellie's arms tightly. "When... When is he coming back?"

"Felix said he needs to handle something very important while pretending to be dead. Once it's done, he'll come back to see you. He asked me to tell you but also to keep it a secret. Don't let anyone else know."

Tears of joy welled up in Deborah's eyes.

"That rascal! I knew it. I knew he wouldn't die so easily!"

Seeing Deborah's spirits lift dramatically, Nellie quickly added, "Then you'd better get up and eat something. Otherwise, when Felix comes back and sees you like this, all weak and frail, he's going to worry himself sick!

"And remember, you're his mentor. You've got to maintain that commanding presence of a mentor!"

Hearing this, Deborah nodded firmly. "You're right. I can't let that rascal see me in this state!"

With her mood improving, Deborah's mind seemed to sharpen as well.

"Nellie, don't you think Nerissa is just amazing? Felix sure is lucky."

Nellie smiled. "She is. She visits you every week without fail, no matter what. Others may think she's just trying to curry favor with you, but we know the truth. She's genuinely kindhearted."

Deborah sighed and made a decision.

"When Felix returns, we'll see what

he thinks. If they both agree, let's arrange their marriage. A woman like her doesn't come around often, and if he misses this chance, who knows when the next one will come?"

onnoveldrama

...

Two days later, Felix was nearing Ghosttown He opted not to wear the Shadow Mask this time. After all, past encounters with Dickson and the Skeletal Demon had taught him that trying to hide his identity sometimes just invited more trouble.

"No wonder they call this place lawless," he muttered.

Since sunrise, he'd already come across five corpses and witnessed two life-or- death battles. It was clear that every step in Ghosttown had to be taken cautiously. One wrong move could be fatal.

"Hey, kid. What're you doing wandering around Ghosttown? Looking for some excitement? Would you like to hand over your emerald cards, or must I take them by force?"

A burly man blocked Felix's path a few hundred yards ahead.

The man was in the True Blood Realm. Clearly, he felt entitled to rob people in this lawless place. He probably assumed that Felix wasn't even in the Blood Realm yet, given his young age, unless he was one of those top-tier prodigies. Hence, Felix seemed like an easy target.

"Get lost!"

With that, Felix sent the burly man buckling to the ground, clutching his head in agony. Blood trickled from his orifices as he died on the spot.

Many hidden observers observed the scene from the shadows. Felix's display of power was a clear warning to them not to mess with him.

As he stepped over the man's corpse, Felix suddenly stopped in his tracks. He took out a small stone and examined it closely. His expression lit up with excitement.

"The stone's reacting. Could it be that Ophelia is somewhere in Ghosttown?"