Chapter 8: Felix

"Ding!"
[Lin Wei? Nolan Mountain; Strength: 3.9; Agility: 3.9; Constitution: 3.9; Skill: Fencing]
"These numbers... I've already surpassed Lant!" Lin Wei clenched his fists, his eyes glinting with keen contemplation. "But... I can sense a barrier, a threshold to a higher level!"
"Lant was right. The Knight Training Method is like a key. Without it, you can't open the next door. The physical stats prove this—none of my attributes can surpass 4... Perhaps, with the intelligent sphere's calculations, I could deduce some patterns, but that's unnecessary. My immediate priority is to transmit the next stage of the Knight Training Method!"
Lin Wei made up his mind, issuing a silent command in his heart.
"Core, continue transmitting the higher-stage Knight Training Method!"
[Advanced Knight Training Method (Knight Stage) transmission in progress... Estimated completion time: 26 days, 22 hours, 53 minutes.]
"The time has increased nearly fivefold, but that's fine—I can afford to wait." A faint smile appeared on Lin Wei's lips.
Compared to those who advanced to knight through traditional means, his pace was utterly unmatched.
"I should check on Jon first." Lin Wei forced himself to suppress his excitement.
Though Jon now had others caring for his daily needs, Lin Wei, as his personal attendant, still had to visit him each day. He didn't need Jon's favor; he needed the reclusive Count Lamo to see his unwavering loyalty!
...
Inside Jon's chambers.
On a vast, soft bed, two beautiful maids lay on either side of Jon, serving him with tender affection.
Jon paid no mind to his injured right arm, shamelessly caressing the maids.
Knock, knock!
The sound of knocking.
Jon immediately felt his mood spoiled, frowning in displeasure. "Who is it?"
A deep voice came from outside: "Master Jon, the Count sent me with a message."
"Father?" Jon's expression turned resigned. He deeply feared his father; otherwise, he wouldn't have sneaked off to Golden Azure Waters, nearly getting killed by an assassin from Sword and Flower.
"You two, leave for now," Jon commanded indifferently. As they departed, his left hand gave one maid's shapely bottom a squeeze.
Jon adjusted his clothes, ordering with boredom, "Come in."
With that, a towering blond man entered, dressed in the Tulip Family guard's uniform, exuding rugged strength.
Yet, for some reason, Jon instinctively disliked this man—and found it odd that he had never seen him before.
"Speak, what does my father want to tell me?" Jon's tone was openly weary.
The blond man, head lowered, flashed a sly smile unseen by Jon who sat above him.
"The Count wishes you to know that the female assassin, Duvel, has been executed." The blond man's voice trembled.
Jon was indifferent, though a hint of satisfaction flickered in his gaze. "So she died. Did they extract any useful information? I heard from Nacken she's with Sword and Flower?"
The blond man's muscles tensed, as if restraining something. "That's right. She belonged to Sword and Flower. She also had a brother—Felick—also a member... Their bond was very deep..."
He fell silent.
"Why aren't you speaking?" Jon frowned, annoyed.
Suddenly, the blond man who had been hunched over straightened violently! His eyes blazed red, his mouth twisted in a savage snarl, like a beast about to strike!
"What are you doing?!" Jon startled, his face flushed, shouting, "What's your name!? How dare you behave so rudely—I’ll have my father execute you!"
The blond man was unfazed, advancing step by step, his eyes wild and his massive shadow looming over Jon.
"You... stay back!" Jon retreated in fear until his steps met the cold wall.
The blond man seemed in no hurry, grinning wickedly. "Master Jon, I'll answer your last question. My name is... Felick!"
Felick!
Jon's legs buckled, his whole body failing him as he trembled, pointing at Felick. "You... you, you're a Sword and Flower lowlife!"
"You caused my sister's death! My only beloved sister! I want to tear you apart piece by piece!" Felick's face was inches from Jon's, the terrifying aura making Jon feel death was near.
"Guards... guards!" Jon suddenly screamed in panic.
"It's useless, Master Jon. For ten minutes, no guards will appear here." Felick's gaze was icy. "In fact, you should feel honored. Today's operation—we’ve lain in wait for six years! Yes, six years! Over a hundred brothers and sisters died for this moment!"
Jon's eyes went completely lifeless.
"Of course, the plan was meant for your father, but Duvel's fate drove me mad with hatred! So, you'll bear your father's sins!"
Felick raised his enormous sword, face contorted. "If not for time, I'd torture you to death!"
"No!"
Jon cried out in agony.
Felick laughed savagely, roaring, "Go to hell and repent!"
"The one who should go to hell is you!"
At that critical moment, a slender, brown-haired youth smashed through the window!
Sword in hand, he thrust straight for Felick's throat!
It was Lin Wei!
"Damn!" Seeing this, Felick abandoned Jon, dodging Lin Wei’s lethal strike.
"Lin Wei! Lin Wei! Save me! Hurry, save me!!" Jon, seeing hope, wept and hid behind Lin Wei.
Despite his disdain for Jon, Lin Wei steadied his voice, reassuring, "Rest assured, Master—I will guarantee your safety."
Lin Wei hadn’t expected his routine visit would save Jon’s life.
"Sword and Flower? Felick?"
Lin Wei watched Felick closely, commanding his intelligent core: "Core, retrieve his stats."
[Felick (Sword and Flower member) ???; Strength: 3.8; Agility: 3.2; Constitution: 3.8]
Since Felick's surname was unknown, the name field showed "???". The intelligent core could scan a person's physical stats but not their memories; names were filled in based on Lin Wei’s recollections.