Luna turned to the destruction Neo had laid with a single punch and looked back at Neo.
"Malaka," she muttered under her breath.
Neo stared at his fist.
He could feel himself growing stronger with each second.
Henry opened his mouth when he noticed Neo's expression.
"That's the effect of the new technology we used for the surgery.
"We sealed the powers of the trident since it was too strong. Your body wouldn't have been able to handle it."
"Currently, you have use only 5% power of your Bones.
"As long as you keep strengthening your body, the old god bones that have replaced your bones will give you more stats."
"So that's how it is," Neo nodded.
He moved around more to adjust to his new strength.
After training for a few hours, he left the basement and had dinner with Henry and Morrigan.
"…Why is she still here?" Neo questioned.
"Because a certain dumbass couldn't keep his ass at home and went around clearing Windows even though he was under home arrest."
Henry gave Neo a sharp glare.
"The council's orders were changed after we appealed the case to them.
"They were going to give you a 5-year grace period, but of course, you had to break the rules.
"Now, you need a fiancé or else the Senate won't let go of this matter."
"I've paid them 10 billion worth of assets as fine, fucking bitch.
"Maybe have some shame and think before you act."
"Yeah, keep your mouth shut like that.
"Morrigan is your fiancé. The talk with the Zeus Clan will start soon."
He couldn't help but feel betrayed.
Before he could say anything, Morrigan opened her mouth.
"It's not like we need to marry just because we are engaged.
"We can stall marriage until everyone loses interest, then break off the engagement.
"Until then, you will be free from being hounded to pump out offspring, and I'll get a way to get off my Clan."
Her words reasonable.
Still, it was surprising Henry was okay with this arrangement.
'Why does he even want to tie my knot with her…'
Neo stopped speaking.
Morrigan was beautiful, exceedingly so.
She was smart, strong, and had a good character.
A perfect life partner to say.
"Where are you going?"
He left the dining hall.
Sighing, he walked out of the mansion and roamed the garden.
"It's getting colder."
Neo rubbed his hands while he stared at the moon.
He took out his device.
Me: When are you free?
Jack, unsurprisingly, came online as soon as Neo sent him a message.
A video call arrived.
A hologram appeared above his device, showing him Jack, Arthur, Sean, and Clara.
They were in the library.
Arthur and Clara had fallen asleep while Sean was flipping through books.
"What are you guys doing late at night in the library?" Neo questioned.
"Looking for weaknesses of Death and Darkness element users," Jack said. "We were creating a plan to take you down."
Neo smiled as he shook his head.
"Where are Felix and Mars? I don't see them with you."
Jack's face hardened.
He answered a few seconds later,
"…They are training. Mars is helping Felix."
"Oh," Neo nodded. "Seems like Felix is having a hard time adjusting to the True Soul Weapon."
Jack stopped speaking.
"How do you know about that?"
They planned to keep the news secret from Neo.
It could become a trump card in their battle.
After all, Neo should never have been able to guess Mars gave the weapon to Felix.
"Stop being surprised at every little thing."
"Also, instead of trying to take me by surprise, try to help Felix.
"True Soul weapons aren't easy to tame.
"I doubt Felix would be able to use it before our duel."
Jack nodded with an awkward smile.
The two talked for a few minutes before Jack spoke with a serious gaze,
"So why did you message me?"
He stared at Neo carefully z as if studying his expression.
"Dammit, so Felix was right."
Neo frowned, confused.
He hadn't said a word.
"Why do you think I called you as soon as you messaged me? I knew you were going to ask me this."
"What are you talking about?"
"You want me to help you enter the World of Shadows."
Neo's eyes widened slightly.
He hadn't expected them to know what he was planning.
Jack wanted to give a smug smile as he had managed to surprise Neo, but he couldn't since he knew what kind of place the World of Shadows was.
"How did you know?" Neo asked.
"You told us you can't control your Shadow element.
"So we thought – Felix thought– you would try to go to the World of Shadows and meet the Supreme Deity of Shadow to ask for a solution to your predicament."
"…Do you take me for some kind of maniac? Why would I try to meet the Supreme Deity for such a small matter?"
"Last week, you started entering the Windows.
"I bet you were searching for a damaged Window to see if you could enter the World of Shadows through them."
Neo massaged the back of his neck with one hand and sighed.
"Fine. That's my plan.
"Supreme Deity of Shadows is friendlier than other Supreme Deities.
"He will help if everything goes right."
"Friendly? You call that friendly?"
Jack almost lashed out until he recalled others were sleeping.
He covered his face with both hands and sighed.
"I'll help you, dammit. It's better than leaving you on your own.
"Meet me at the station tomorrow noon."
"Thanks me after everything is done."
Neo cut the call and pocketed his device.
He shook his head with a bitter smile.
"By now, Jack must've gained high mastery in using the Key we found in the Window.
"With his help, I can enter the World of Shadows easily."
Neo played with the device in his pocket.
World of Treacherous Shadows.
It was among the most welcoming, yet the deadliest Elemental Worlds.
"I should be able to find my Shadow with this.
"Even if I don't find my Shadow, the Supreme Deity will be able to answer what is wrong with my Shadow element."
Neo closed his eyes and focused inwards.
He tried to convert his Divine Energy into Shadow elemental.
There was no response.
His current state was no different from someone who had not awakened the Shadow element.
However, he could stay inside Shadow windows without safety gear.
It was only possible for those who had awakened the Shadow element.
Neo had talked about his problem with professors from the academy.