Reincarnated as a step-dad in a fantasy world

Chapter 327 : Duel

"I wish we could stay like this forever," Amelia murmured in a wistful tone, her back resting against Alex's chest as his arms encircled her tightly from behind.

"Me too," Alex chuckled softly, "but sadly, that's not how the world works."

"I know," Amelia sighed, her tone tinged with reluctance. "So... what do we have planned for today?" she asked.

"Well, for starters..." Alex reached into his space ring and retrieved a glowing spherical object along with a neatly written description, handing them both to Amelia. "...this is for you."

Amelia's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the radiant sphere shining with a resplendent white light. For a brief moment, she was mesmerized by its brilliance before glancing down at the piece of paper. After taking a deep breath, she read aloud, "The Tear of Knowledge, huh?" She whistled in amazement. "This sounds fancy... and expensive."

"It is," Alex replied with a grin. "Thanks to this, you'll gain complete knowledge of medicine, which will greatly enhance your mastery over your Cell Master ability. And if you're quick enough, you might even have time left to delve into other fields."

"Mmm," Amelia hummed thoughtfully as she nodded. "But if I use it now, I'll be isolated for three whole days, and I'll miss the start of the annual auction," she added.

"You can wait until after the auction ends to use it if you prefer," Alex suggested with a reassuring tone. "Oh, and by the way, Talia, Celine, and Marina are here as well."

"Really?!" Amelia's eyes lit up, and she turned around excitedly.

"Mm," Alex confirmed with a nod. "I even visited them last night after returning with Freya."

"Why didn't you bring me along?" Amelia pouted.

"You looked so peaceful while sleeping. I didn't have the heart to wake you," Alex said, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

As if that kiss erased all her complaints, Amelia swiftly let go of the matter. After a brief silence, she grasped the Tear of Knowledge and declared, "I'll use it today then."

"Hm? Why so soon?"

"That way, once I'm done, I'll have the rest of the auction to enjoy with those three," she explained with a bright smile.

"You do realize you can't join them while still being a member of Arcane, right?"

"That's why I will join them as Amelia Eswald," Amelia replied with a confident smile. "I'm certain no one will make the connection."

Alex paused, contemplating her words. He then nodded thoughtfully. Indeed, if they could find a way to sneak her out without drawing attention, she could reunite with her friends. It would require a bit of help from Freya, but it was certainly possible.

"That sounds doable," Alex agreed after a moment, "but we should probably minimize our interactions as much as possible during that time. Otherwise, someone might make the connection between you and Arcane."

"Yes!" Amelia exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.

"Hey, hey, hey, what about me?" Alex teased. "Are you really going to abandon your husband just to reunite with your friends?"

Amelia paused, considering his words. Then, with a shrug, she responded, "I'm sure my husband will manage just fine. It's not like he constantly needs his little sister around."

"...."

"Plus, there's always Freya to keep you occupied," she added, grinning playfully as she pulled away from him. "Now, let's go prepare!" 

As he watched Amelia's naked form walk away, her curvaceous body swaying with each step, Alex couldn't help but feel a bitter smile tug at his lips. 'How am I supposed to survive a few days without touching that body?'

Soon enough, he followed after her, his eyes locked onto her luscious ass, the sight of her plump cheeks moving with each step sending a fresh wave of lust through his body.

His cock throbbed with anticipation, ready for another round of passionate love making.

***

"OLD MAN!" Maya exclaimed as she banged on Alex and Amelia's bedroom door.

Before she had time to hit the door a second time though, it rolled to the side, revealing an Alex with a very irritated expression. Well, he was wearing his mask, but after passing so much time with him, Maya could tell at a glance that he was annoyed.

"What is it, kiddo?" he inquired.

Maya didn't reply immediately, observing him for a moment. Then she asked with a curious expression, "Were you about to leave?"

"Yes," Alex replied with a sigh. "Did you want something?"

"As a matter of fact, yes!" Maya declared, her eyes lighting up. "I want you to accompany me somewhere!"

"Does where you want him to accompany you have anything to do with the young man from yesterday?" Amelia, who had just appeared beside Alex with her own mask concealing her face, inquired.

"The young man from yesterday?" Alex raised an eyebrow behind the visor of his mask.

"Yes," Amelia nodded. "We stumbled upon a rather arrogant young man. Apparently, he is from the main branch of the Drazens and has been picking on Maya since childhood," she explained.

"What does me following you have to do with that young man, then?" Alex asked, focusing on Maya.

"Well, that arrogant prick is named Filden," Maya began, irritation flashing across her face. "He's always made fun of me for not being able to see without my glasses and called me clumsy." She clenched her fists before continuing, "His father is one of the pillars of the main branch, a martial arts expert, and he's passed down his techniques to his son."

"That's good and all, but I still fail to see how that concerns me," Alex commented.

"I'm getting to that," Maya said, her tone slightly exasperated. "That fool has always challenged me to a spar. The stakes were that if he lost, he would have to do anything I wanted, but if I lost, I would have to renounce my rights as the heir of the family. I never accepted his challenge before because I knew it was just another scheme by the main branch to get rid of me as heir."

Alex nodded approvingly. "That was a good—"

"...Until yesterday!" Maya added quickly. "I accepted his challenge, and it's supposed to happen today. I want you to come as my master."

"You did what?!" Both Alex and another voice that resounded behind Maya exclaimed in disbelief at the same time.

When Maya heard the second voice, her body shivered, and her face turned deathly pale as if her soul had left her body.

"M-Mother, i-it's..." Maya stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Meanwhile, Freya, who had just appeared, walked toward her daughter with a stern, disapproving smile. "I hope my mind is playing tricks on me, and I didn't just hear you say that you staked your heir position in a spar with someone."

Maya remained silent, having nothing to retort.

"Gods, Maya!" Freya exclaimed, her expression furious. "Why would you do something like that?!"

Maya trembled slightly at her mother's outburst. "I-it's just t-that he always picked on me because I had no training, but I'm sure that now I can take him on," she said in a low voice.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Hearing this, Freya's expression softened momentarily before hardening again. "Filden is a high-level 1 while you are a low-level 1, Maya. While I want to believe you can win, I'm not sure you can defeat him."

"I know I can!" Maya exclaimed, her voice firmer this time, determination flashing in her eyes.

"Even then, I don't think it's a good idea to let you fight him, especially with you betting your heir position. I will call his father and have the spar canceled," Freya decided firmly.

"Mom, no..." Maya began, but seeing the unyielding expression on Freya's face, she swallowed her words, frustration clear in her downcast eyes.

Seeing her defeated expression, Alex sighed inwardly. 'I guess that's my cue.'

"Wait, Lady Freya," Alex said, his mask parting slightly to reveal a glimpse of his face. "I believe that she might have a chance against her opponent," he added with a confident smile.

Both Freya and Maya were momentarily dazed as they took in his exquisite features before collecting themselves. "Are you sure about what you're saying, Sir Arcanor?" Freya asked hesitantly.

"Certain," Alex nodded. "I know what she's capable of—I trained her myself, after all. I'm confident she has a chance, though I'll need to see her opponent first before making a final decision," he explained calmly, "I think  the bet about her position should be cancelled though."

He wasn't overly concerned about Maya losing to another level 1. After all, she had already managed to defeat a high-level 1 opponent he had made her face in the forest. However, he was aware that those bandits likely lacked proper martial arts training. Even so, he had taught Maya the very technique his wife, Lilia, had once shown him—the same technique she used to beat the crap out of the members of his branch while still at level 0!

Despite his confidence in his disciple though, Alex couldn't allow her to bet her heiress position. After all, she held far more value for his organization as the current heir and future matriarch of the Drazen family than as just the daughter of the current matriarch.