The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

As the Phoenix Warlord, Xena was well aware of the terrifying reputation of the Westerio Order abroad, which only made Felix's accomplishment even more impressive.

The success of this mission would earn her a medal from headquarters, a rare honor for someone newly appointed as the Phoenix Warlord. It would also be a first in the organization's history. And all of this was because of Felix.

Meanwhile, in the cabin, Felix gazed at Helena with a complicated look. "You don't have to meet such a fate. While I can't avoid turning you in, I could stop you from meeting Tony."

Helena smiled and kissed Felix on the cheek. "There's no need. This is my destiny. It cannot be changed."

Though he couldn't claim to have fallen for her, Felix couldn't deny a stirring of emotion.

"I can change it. I'll report that you shouldn't meet him," Felix insisted.

Helena shook her head. "Absolutely not. If you stop us from meeting, then there will come a time when death is a luxury to me. Do you really want to see me suffer? Don't tell me you'll save me. Believe me, you won't be able to change anything then.". Felix clenched his fists, struggling with what to say, while Helena kept comforting him.

"Mr. Zeller, the ship is about to dock," came a voice from outside.

Helena smiled and hugged Felix. "Don't be sad. Honestly, I feel pretty lucky! If the savior had turned out to be some old geezer, now that would've been a real loss for me."

At the port, Felix watched as Xena escorted Helena away. That woman never once looked back at him.

"Destiny Crystal? What exactly is it? Should I tell my mentor?"

Three days passed after Felix returned to Gray City, yet he kept recalling the scene of Helena heading to the headquarters for her doom.

"Wow, Felix is inviting me to dinner! What's the occasion?" That evening, Billy arrived at Felix's place. The dishes on the table made him drool. "Looks like my memorial coin came in handy. Otherwise, you wouldn't be thanking me." "I really do want to thank you. I probably wouldn't have made it out alive without the harmonica and memorial coin.

As the final dish was served, Felix opened a bottle of wi

Billy waved him off. "No need to thank me. It was a fair deal, right? You didn't take my stuff for free. Now, let's eat! Don't mind if I dig in."

When the first bottle of wine was finished, Felix opened another. "Hey, isn't the soul an incredibly mysterious thing? How come you're so knowledgeable about it? Did you learn it from your mentor?"

Billy chuckled and nodded. "Yes, everyone has their specialty. I studied this stuff under my mentor. But even so, the soul is mysterious. I wouldn't dare say I've fully figured it out, maybe I've just scratched the surface." They clinked glasses, each taking another drink. Felix grinned. "So, can you see through my soul too?"noveldrama

Billy snorted. "What's so special about your soul?"

Felix persisted, "Why don't you take another look?"

Billy glared at Felix, but as he scanned him, his expression changed. He stood up suddenly and exclaimed, "You... What the hell is going on!"