Chapter 21: Catching Jessica

Jessica clung to Xavier tightly, her tears soaking into his battle-worn robes as relief washed over her. The sight of him stepping out of the tower had silenced her deepest fears. His presence alone, strong yet exhausted, was enough to reassure her.

"I was so worried," she whispered, her voice muffled as she buried her face in his chest. "I thought I'd lost you in there."

Xavier rested a hand gently on her back, his other arm supporting himself with the infernal spear. "It's okay," he murmured softly, though his voice was tinged with weariness. "I promised I'd come back… and I don't break promises."

Jessica pulled back slightly to look at him, her face a mixture of relief and lingering concern. "You really scared me, Xavier. Don't ever do that again."

He gave her a faint, reassuring smile. "I'll try my best."

After comforting Jessica, Xavier turned his attention to his friends, who were waiting anxiously nearby. Eddie, with his arm in a sling, gave a weak but relieved grin. Mara leaned against Felix for support, her injuries evident but her spirits high.

"You made it!" Eddie exclaimed, his voice cracking with emotion. "We knew you'd do it, but… damn, man. That was intense."

Xavier walked up to them, concern evident in his eyes as he scanned their injuries. "Are you all okay? That sabotage on the seventh floor…" He clenched his fist, anger flickering in his voice. "I should have been faster."

Mara shook her head, her voice gentle but firm. "Xavier, stop. You saved us back there. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have even made it out."

Felix nodded in agreement. "Yeah, man. You carried us through that hellhole. Don't beat yourself up over it."

Eddie chuckled lightly, despite the pain. "And hey, I'll take a busted arm over being dragon food any day."

Xavier sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "I'm just glad you're all alive. But next time, I'm not letting any of you get hurt."

He recounted his experience in the tower's final floors—the fiery transformation on the eighth, the grueling battle against the Timberwolves on the ninth, and the harrowing fight with the Infernal Guardian on the tenth. His friends listened in awe, their injuries momentarily forgotten as they hung onto his every word.

Not far from the group, Alexander Reyes stood in the shadow of the tower, watching the reunion unfold with cold, calculating eyes. His friends whispered congratulations in his ear, still convinced that his sabotage on the seventh floor had been enough to end Xavier.

But Alexander's expression betrayed his inner turmoil. "How?" he muttered under his breath, his fists clenching tightly. "How did he survive?"

The sight of Jessica embracing Xavier made his blood boil, and the casual camaraderie between Xavier and his friends only fueled his anger. Alexander turned away, his mind racing.

"It doesn't matter," he thought bitterly. "The outer core mission is coming up. I'll make sure Xavier doesn't come back from it alive."

With a forced smirk, he gestured for his followers to leave. "Let him enjoy his moment," he said, his tone dripping with malice. "It'll make his fall that much sweeter."

After ensuring their friends were cared for, Xavier and Jessica set out to find their master, Lord Cedric. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow over the academy grounds as they made their way to his secluded quarters.

The path was quiet, and for a moment, the two of them walked in silence. Xavier, now free of the tower's oppressive aura, looked up at the sky, his thoughts drifting to the battles he had fought. Jessica noticed his contemplative expression and nudged him gently.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

Xavier hesitated before answering. "About the tower. About everything I've been through. I feel… different now. Stronger, but also… heavier, like there's a weight I wasn't carrying before."

Jessica nodded, understanding his feelings. "What you went through in there—it's not something most people could survive, let alone conquer. It's natural to feel that way."

He glanced at her, grateful for her steady presence. "Thanks, Jessica. For being here. For believing in me."

She smiled warmly. "Always."

When they arrived at Lord Cedric's chambers, they found the elder meditating on a stone platform surrounded by flickering candles. His eyes opened as they approached, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Ah, my two promising disciples," he greeted, his voice calm but full of pride. "I've been expecting you."

Xavier and Jessica bowed respectfully before sitting across from their master. Cedric studied them both carefully, his piercing gaze lingering on Xavier.

"The tower has left its mark on you, Xavier," he remarked, his tone thoughtful. "Your aura burns brighter than before, and yet, I sense something deeper—something more ancient. Tell me what transpired."

Xavier recounted his journey through the tower, sparing no detail about the battles, the rewards, and the strange awakening of his bloodline. Cedric listened intently, nodding occasionally but saying little.

When Xavier finished, Cedric leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "The tower tests not just strength, but will. To emerge victorious means you have proven yourself in ways most cannot comprehend." He turned to Jessica. "And you, Jessica. You supported him, even when the odds were dire. That is the mark of a true companion."

Jessica blushed slightly but nodded. "Thank you, Master."

Cedric rose to his feet, his expression serious. "The challenges you face from here will only grow. The outer core mission is approaching, and it will not be easy. You must prepare yourselves—for enemies both outside and within."

Xavier and Jessica exchanged a glance, understanding the weight of his words. "We will, Master," Xavier said firmly. "We'll be ready."

Cedric smiled faintly. "Good. Now go. Rest and prepare. The path ahead is yours to carve."

Before they left, Jessica hesitated, a worried expression crossing her face. She glanced between Xavier and Lord Cedric, her hands nervously fidgeting at her side.

"Master Cedric," she began, her voice laced with tension. "There's something you both need to know before we go."

Cedric's sharp eyes focused on her, while Xavier frowned, sensing the weight of her words.

"What is it?" Cedric asked, his tone calm but firm.

Jessica took a deep breath, steadying herself. "While we were leaving the tower, Alexander Reyes… he admitted to sabotaging the seventh floor. He said it outright, even gloated about it. He wanted Xavier dead, and he didn't even try to hide it."

Cedric's expression darkened, his calm demeanor replaced by a flicker of anger. "Alexander Reyes," he muttered, his voice low but sharp. "His ambitions grow more dangerous by the day."

Xavier's fists clenched tightly. "That coward. He didn't even have the guts to face me directly. He put my friends' lives at risk… I should have confronted him."

Cedric raised a hand, silencing Xavier's outburst. "Do not act recklessly, Xavier. While I understand your anger, you must not give him the satisfaction of seeing you lose control. His sabotage will not go unnoticed. I will address this with the elders and ensure justice is done."

Jessica placed a hand on Xavier's arm, her touch calming him slightly. "We'll deal with him in time, Xavier. For now, focus on getting stronger."

After the conversation turned to strategy, Jessica surprised Xavier by removing her storage ring and holding it out to him.

"Take this," she said softly, pressing the ring into his palm.

Xavier stared at her, confused. "Jessica, I can't—this is yours."

She shook her head firmly. "You need it more than I do right now. There are 200 spiritual herbs inside, along with ten million silver coins. Use them to cultivate and strengthen yourself before the mission is posted next month."

Xavier opened his mouth to protest, but Jessica silenced him with a determined look. "You've done so much already, Xavier. This is my way of supporting you. I know you'll make the most of it."

Cedric nodded approvingly, his voice gentle. "A wise decision, Jessica. With those resources and time in the academy's cultivation chambers, Xavier will be well-prepared for what lies ahead."

Jessica added with a smile, "And don't forget to visit the academy's library. You should acquire new techniques or skills to complement what you've learned. The tower wasn't the end of your growth, Xavier—it's only the beginning."

Reluctantly, Xavier accepted the ring, his gratitude evident in his expression. "Thank you, Jessica. I won't let this go to waste."

After departing from Lord Cedric, Xavier and Jessica made their way to the academy's cultivation chambers. The chambers were specially designed to amplify spiritual energy, providing an ideal environment for breakthroughs.

As they stepped inside, the air around them buzzed with energy, and the faint hum of spiritual currents resonated in their ears. The chamber was bathed in a soft, golden light, its walls inscribed with intricate runes that pulsed faintly.

Jessica smiled at Xavier as they settled into the chamber. "Ready for another breakthrough?"

Xavier smirked. "After everything I've been through, I think I've earned one."

They both sat cross-legged on the chamber floor, closing their eyes as they began to absorb the abundant energy around them. Xavier reached into Jessica's storage ring, retrieving a handful of spiritual herbs to enhance his cultivation.

The spiritual energy rushed into Xavier's body like an uncontrollable torrent, filling every fiber of his being with raw, overwhelming power. His meridians stretched under the intense pressure, nearly to their breaking point.

Xavier gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face as he fought to control the flood of energy. "Steady…" he murmured to himself, remembering Elior's teachings on precision and balance. He visualized the flow of energy, directing it through his body as if guiding a storm into calm waters.

The breakthrough to Noble Rank 9 came swiftly, his aura flaring with a fiery brilliance as his power surged upward. Yet the energy didn't stop; the herbs and the amplified environment pushed him even further.

Pain wracked his body as he fought to stabilize the massive influx of energy, his muscles screaming in protest. For a moment, he felt as though he might lose control, the raw power threatening to tear him apart.

Suddenly, he remembered Jessica's words: "Focus on getting stronger. You're not doing this alone."

With renewed determination, Xavier steadied himself, his breathing slowing as he poured his will into harmonizing the energy within him. Hours passed as he battled the forces inside his body, his aura growing brighter and more stable with each passing moment.

Finally, with one last surge, he broke through to Noble Rank 10, his aura erupting in a blaze of fiery energy that filled the room. The golden glow of his aura reflected in the chamber's walls, a testament to his incredible progress.

Beside him, Jessica was deep in her own battle. Her cultivation to strengthen her footing as a Noble Rank 10 was no small feat, especially with the unruly spiritual energy she was trying to tame.

Her brow furrowed as she guided the dense energy through her body, her breathing shallow. Despite the intensity, Jessica maintained her focus, drawing upon her inner resolve.

She thought of Xavier, of their friends, of the challenges still to come. Her determination grew as she pushed past the limits of her endurance, shaping the chaotic energy into something stable and powerful.

When she finally stabilized her rank, her aura surged with a radiant, crystalline clarity. She opened her eyes, a proud smile forming as she looked over to Xavier.

As Xavier and Jessica opened their eyes, their gazes met.

Jessica studied him for a moment, sensing the change in his aura. "You did it," she said softly.

Xavier smirked, his fiery aura simmering around him. "Looks like we're on equal ground now."

Jessica chuckled, shaking her head. "I guess you really can't stand being left behind."

Xavier's smirk grew wider. "Not when you're the one ahead of me. That's just unacceptable."

Jessica playfully rolled her eyes, though her smile remained. "Well, you've earned it. But don't think for a second I'm going to let you stay ahead for long."

Xavier laughed, the exhaustion of their cultivation finally catching up to him. "We'll see about that."