The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

"You little brat! Have you finally remembered your mentor?" Deborah asked.

When he heard her voice, Felix felt his nose sting with emotion. Unlike his other mentor, who showed love in a more reserved manner, Deborah was completely open about her affection. While the result was the same, the feeling was undeniably different.

"I'm sorry, Madam Goddard. I was planning to come see you right away," Felix said.

Deborah's condition worried him, especially after his perilous journey to the Echo Cavern, one of the Three Forbidden Lands.

Surviving such a place was a miracle in itself, and asking him to recount the experience seemed unnecessary. After all, no one would willingly venture there unless driven by insatiable curiosity or the lure of treasure.

"I'm doing much better now, so there's no rush. If you really care, though, why don't you focus on fulfilling the promise you made instead?"

"Promise?" Felix frowned. "I'm not sure I understand, Madam Goddard."

The next moment, Deborah's tone turned sharp.

"You little punk! Do you even remember how much Nerissa did for you? She faced down not one, but two Transcendent Realm powerhouses to save you. She didn't run. She fought for you, even sacrificing a magic artifact in the process. Yet, you've forgotten the promise you made to her?"

Felix nearly slapped himself in frustration. He hadn't truly forgotten-he just hadn't thought about it immediately. How could he forget his promise to marry Nerissa if he survived the Echo Cavern?

"But, Madam Goddard, I really want to see you first."

"There's no need. I'll be heading to Westville myself, so we'll meet there. Nerissa is a good woman. She's worth it."

Her high opinion of Nerissa didn't surprise Felix. Nerissa truly was exceptional, with no flaws anyone could point to.

"Alright, Madam Goddard. I'll head to Westville now."

Still, Felix couldn't help but think about Nala, who was in Denverville. He'd made a promise to her as well, However, knowing Nerissa'snoveldrama

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character, he figured she might not mind him handling things tactfully afterward.

Since Ghosttown was situated in the far north, the distance to both Denverville

and Westville was roughly the same.

Meanwhile, a rare scene was unfolding at Xavier Residence in Westville. Nerissa was losing her temper.

"Father! If it weren't for that marriage

contract, I've always respected familial loyalty above all else. I'd follow any arrangement you made, even if you wanted me to marry beggar. I wouldn't complain. But this? Well, it's not happening."

Janet opened her mouth to speak, but their father, the stern-faced Wilson Xavier, silenced her with a single sharp glare.

"Stay out of this. It's not your place to speak."

Turning back to Nerissa, his tone softened. "My child, the marriage contract presented by Westley has the family's full support. However, you must consider the two problems we're facing.

"First, the person you're meant to

marry-Felix Zeller-hasn't even

shown up. How can we count on him for the future? Second, Westley has been missing for a long time. Do you think the Xavier family doesn't have enemies?

"Without the protection of someone in the Transcendent Realm, those people are already eyeing us hungrily. When they confirm that Westley won't be returning, it'll only be a matter of time before they make their move.

"Given these circumstances, as the head of the Xavier family, I have to prioritize finding a strong ally. Do you think that's wrong?"

Nerissa stood firm. "Father, you have your concerns, but I have my principles. Besides, you're mistaken about one thing. Felix has already returned. I've met him, and he'll be coming here soon to marry me."

The moment she finished speaking, a burst of mocking laughter echoed through the room.

"Ha! Are you talking about felix, that reckless fool? The one crazy enough to enter Echo Cavern, biting off more than he could chew?"