The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Felix was taken aback by the question. "Decide what?"

Nala was nervous and didn't know how Felix would respond. While terrified of hearing the answer, she couldn't help but hope for clarity.

Xena also felt conflicted. For the first time, she felt uncertain and doubted her charm, which was rare for her. It was a moment of vulnerability, a decision every woman dreads. "You can choose to stay here at the clinic or come with me. I have something important to discuss with you," Xena said, surprising herself with how much her tone had shifted. She intended to confront Felix, but her tone softened, catching her off guard. Why was she suddenly uncertain about her feelings for a man who had fought hard to win her back? "I'll come with you," Felix replied without hesitation.

If Xena was asking, it was likely related to a mission, so Felix didn't dwell on what Nala might think. He followed Xena without a second thought.

Once they had left, Melissa asked, "Nala, why are you smiling?"

Nala pinched Melissa's cheek. "Because it's a happy occasion."

Women were often intuitive about matters of the heart. From what she had just witnessed, Nala was confident that Felix and Xena would never go back to how they were. Although Felix gave her his word, Nala had genuinely fallen for him. Why not hope for even more? At a cafe cleared for their meeting, Felix was eager to ask, "Do we have results?"

Xena frowned, shaking off her unease and reminding herself to focus on work." Results? I'm here to assign you a new mission.""

Another mission? Felix mulled it over before saying, "I know this was classified as top secret by headquarters, but I'm not asking for much. I just want to know how things stand with the missions I've handled so far. For example, did Helena talk?"

Xena looked puzzled. "Helena? Who's that? What exactly are you asking about?"noveldrama

Felix felt his heart sink. Xena's confusion was genuine, meaning she had never heard of Helena.

"What about Seapoint?" he asked.

"Seapoint? Where's that? Felix, you're asking really strange questions today." Xena was confused.

Even Seapoint had been erased from her memory. Felix felt a chill running down his spine.

Helena hadn't said anything, which meant she was likely dead along with Tony. Moreover, everyone involved seemed to have lost any memory of the events, leaving Felix as the sole witness. This was beyond anything he could comprehend. "It's nothing. Tell me about the mission." Felix shook it off.

It was a done deal. What else could Felix do? He couldn't even bury Helena.

"You are to represent headquarters in the Dragonia Martial Arts Competition," Xena said.

Felix thought he had misheard. "Dragonia Martial Arts Competition? I've never heard of such a thing."

"Of course you haven't. This is the first time headquarters is hosting it. The only rule for participants is that they must be under 30 years old. Aside from you,

headquarters has selected two other candidates to join."

A competition organized by the headquarters?

Felix couldn't help but connect it to Helena.

Why else would headquarters arrange something like this? An official martial arts competition was news to him.

Unfortunately, any memory of related events had been wiped, leaving only written records behind. Even if he had questions, there would be no one to answer them.

Xena piped up. "Felix, don't underestimate this. You might think that many of the most promising young martial artists would laugh at the competition, right? They already have everything-wealth, resources, and guidance from experts. Why bother exposing themselves to a competition like this?"