The platform spanned half the size of a football stadium.
Neo manifested an Intent Clone in the center of the platform.
"If you guys can defeat that, you can get an Exoskeleton surgery," Neo announced.
The group's shock over Neo's treatnt of Felix dulled their initial surprise at seeing the clone that looked exactly as Neo.
"That clone is as strong as a Grade 3 Mythic Demigod, so stronger than the who fought you guys now."
Neo stepped onto the platform.
"This platform is made of Death elentals. Stand on it for too long, and you die. This will force you to defeat my clone as quickly as possible.
"You can fight my clone from outside the platform too, but then, the Clone will use the strength of a Grade 5 Empyrean Demigod."
The rules were clear.
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
Neo finally retracted his aura.
The oppressive energy dissipated.
Seeing how depressed everyone looked, Neo wondered if he had been too harsh on them.
Just as he was leaving, Felix called out to him.
"What about Nathan?"
"Huh?" Neo paused, glancing back.
"He isn't here right now. But he isn't excluded from this training, right?" she asked with a grin that carried a hint of mischief.
The others looked at Felix in shock, surprised she was trying to drag Nathan down with them.
Neo smiled faintly.
He was happy to see Felix was back to her usual self.
"Don't worry about him. He has got it worse than you."
"…?" Felix tilted her head, confused.
"That little shit is with Nathan," Neo added.
Felix blinked, puzzled.
There was only one being Neo referred to as 'little shit.'
The caterpillar – his manifestation of the Ti elent.
"It's with Nathan? Why?" Felix asked.
"Nathan was in Auburn country, right?" Neo questioned instead of answering.
Auburn was one of the few countries where dark-type elent users were not discriminated against.
Auburn had always been a haven for them.
It was one of the reasons why most families that excelled in dark-type elents – like Jack's and Nathan's family – lived there.
When the Dragon-ranked Crack ford in Auburn, Nathan had been with his family.
"Beelzebub – it's the little shit's na by the way– stopped ti in Auburn to eat as much as he could.
"But there is a limit to how long Beelzebub can stop Ti."
Neo explained further.
"Sooner or later, he will have to let go of Ti Stop. Then he won't be able to eat as much as he is eating right now.
"Naturally…."
Neo let his words hang.
Felix continued in a voice tinged with exasperation.
"Beelzebub knows authorities will co for him if he raids stores while Ti Stop is not working.
"So, he will approach Nathan and make him cook food?" Felix questioned, not knowing what kind of face to make.
"Yeah, Nathan cooks good food," Neo replied with a smirk.
Felix recalled the tis when they would return from academy missions, and Nathan would cook for everyone.
His small but cozy kitchen would always be filled with the comforting aroma of freshly prepared dishes.
Back then, Nathan's mistake had been showing off his skills to Morrigan and Neo's caterpillar.
Since that day, he had been approached by the two whenever they felt hungry.
Morrigan, at least, had a bit of decency.
She didn't approach Nathan much, respecting his space most of the ti.
However, Neo's caterpillar—shaless and gluttonous—was a different.
The tiny creature had no reservations about showing up uninvited, demanding food as if it owned the kitchen.
Felix shook her head, chuckling softly.
Nathan must be cursing his life right now.
First, a dragon-ranked Cracked appeared in his country, next he was approached by Beelzebub.
Neo, of course, wasn't entirely certain if Beelzebub was currently with Nathan.
But given that Beelzebub had neither contacted Neo nor attempted to return, it was highly probable.
..
Demigod Academy
Alia entered the room.
The sterile scent of disinfectant filled the air.
She placed her books on the table and sat next to her mother.
Elizabeth lay unconscious on the hospital bed.
The machines connected to her beeped continuously.
If not for those rythmic sounds, Alia might've thought her mother was already gone.
Her eyes glistened with tears as she gazed at Elizabeth's face.
"Mom, why is it always you…"
Her voice trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Her sobs echoed in the room.
She grabbed Elizabeth's hand and tightened her grip.
Minutes later, she wiped her tears hastily and stood.
Just as she turned, her eyes caught sight of a plushie sitting neatly on the bedside table.
A little rmaid doll.
A frown creased Alia's face.
Where did the plushie co from?
She quickly reached for her device and dialed the guard's number.
"Did soone enter Professor Anna's room while I was away?" she asked in a sharp tone.
"Yes," the guard replied after a pause. "It was the Ruler of the first year, Neo Hargraves."
Alia froze.
"Hello?" The guard's voice brought her back to reality, sounding confused by her silence.
"Got it," she muttered curtly before cutting the call.
Lowering the device, she mumbled to herself,
"Neo ca here?"
Her mind raced.
She was already aware of the Dragon-ranked Crack that had appeared in Auburn.
Rumors had been swirling that it had ford due to Neo's return.
"So it was really Neo," she murmured with a conflicted gaze.
…
Hargraves Mansion
Neo entered the mansion.
His mind continued to go back to the earlier monts.
Servants quickly stepped aside, lowering their gazes as he passed.
He entered the study and imdiately called for Jack.
"Yes?" Jack asked.
"I need you to do sothing," Neo said.
"And that is?"
"I've given a task to everyone. After they complete it, take them and et Luna Barten,".
"Luna Barten?" Jack questioned. "Who is that?"
"The ex-leader of one of the excavation teams belonging to Hargraves Corporation," Neo clarified.
"Uh-huh. Go on," Jack said. "I'm listening."
"She is trying to drill into the continent's crust and excavate Bones of Old Gods."
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