Helping Solara might bring ill fortune upon me from the enemies of the Fenixia House, but the benefits were too juicy to miss out.

Besides the fact that this would help my lifespan issue, the reason why I wanted Solara as my subordinate was because of how powerful the Fenixia Bloodline was, and as the last member of it, Solara had the potential to reach great heights. Since I had no choice but to make a cult anyway, it was high time I recruited members one by one.

Since I had to recruit members anyway, I was going to recruit strong people. The Fenixia Family always boasted immense Mana. Solara’s [3,200] Mana at Level 26 was actually quite low for her bloodline. Because alongside the annoying pain and low control over their movements, the wings also brought her mana deficiency. Without having to keep them active all the time, her Mana was bound to increase.

And the stronger she’d be, the more valuable she’d be to me.

Solara was someone very desperate, and given her anger toward the Empire, she’d be willing to comply with most orders that other people would find hard to swallow. If tonight were a success, I’d be officially recruiting a member for my cult.

“How long will it take?”

“Hm?”

Our footsteps echoed through the dorm’s dimly lit hallway as Solara kept pace with me, questions leaving her lips every second. “Weeks?” she added. “Or months?”

I turned to her, smiling. “Tonight,” I answered and stopped in front of my room. Knocking on the heavy mahogany door, we waited.

“You're not serious,” she scoffed, laughing as if I was joking. I smiled at her but didn’t add anything, watching her green eyes flicker under the shadows. When she opened her mouth again, the door swung open, and Lilian peeked out.

“Oh you're back,” she said, blinking as her eyes turned to Solara. “Wow. Bringing a girl to your room on your first day at school? I might have to notify the Countess.”

“Shut up, it’s not like that,” I said and headed inside, followed by Solara, who looked at the maid with curious eyes. “Did you eat well?”

“Yeah, the party was good. You didn’t lie when you said world-class food,” Lilian closed the door behind us and said. “Some maids tried to pick a fight with me seeing my ears, though. But surprisingly that Jana girl – Prince Alaric's maid – stood up for me. Maybe she’s not that bad.”

“She probably just didn't want you to cause trouble,” I said as I stood in the middle of the room. To my left, Lilian’s attached room rested. “Lilian, go to your room. And don't come out if you hear sounds.”

Solara frowned hearing my choice of words, while Lilian looked between me and her. “...Won’t your fiance mind if she finds out, young master?”

“I told you it's not like that,” I facepalmed. “Uhh, I should have chosen my words more carefully. Anyway, I'm going to perform a technique on her to help her make her wings vanish. She might scream from pain. Don't be bothered by it.”

“You didn't tell me it's going to be painful,” Solara said, somehow sounding surprised. Was she expecting some painless miracle?

“You didn't expect that? You can back off if you want,” I joked, shrugging, “Nah, it won't be that painful, so don't worry.”

Lilian watched us converse, and then shrugged her shoulders. She walked towards the door connecting her room and mine and closed it with a thud. I turned to Solara with all my focus. “Sit down on the floor please, legs crossed.”

“Don’t tell me I have to take off my clothes or something?” She asked reluctantly, and I shook my head.

“Now you’re just insulting me. I’m not here to take advantage of you. Your dress is showing most of your back anyway, so I just need to place my palm there,” I said and watched her nod. Slowly, she sat down.

“Why cross-legged, by the way?”

“Easier for the energy flow,” I replied as I sat down behind her. I looked at the root of her wings. Upon close inspection, anybody could tell that it was bruised. The flesh was purple and blue from where it grew. It must be painful.

I raised my hands and slowly placed them on her back, in the gap between her two wings. Her skin was warm. And soft.

“Don't resist my energy,” I told her. "Try to help the flow if you can; if not, just let me handle it.”

“Alright…” She sounded a little nervous now. I decided to bloom my Qi, taking in a slow breath.

One other reason I wanted to divide my Qi and attain the Star Affinity as soon as possible was that it would make dealing with the Phoenix Mana easier.

A Phoenix could be considered a drop of stars, so our energy was quite similar. So when I pushed my Qi into her, my palms glowing orange, it easily entered. Her mana accepted me easily.

She squirmed a little as the process began, and I focused on the energy. It traveled around her body once, feeling her mana channels, moving through the metaphysical veins, and then rushing toward her wings.

I pushed the Qi deeper, guiding it through her wings and focusing on the bone structure. It was just as I had remembered from the game—the way the energy needed to flow, the precise rhythm of it all. The reason I remembered this stupid detail was because this was a mini-game in Arcane Crown. Before her inevitable death via supernova, the player had to try to save her using a mana artifact. The timing was everything, and the screen would flash whenever the energy pattern was slightly off. I tried it a bunch of times to get it right, but even though I succeeded, she ultimately ended up going supernova…

Regardless, I knew the flow. The stakes in real-life were higher though, so I had to be careful when handling it.

The energy flowed from my hands into her wings, threading through the structure as if navigating an intricate maze. I kept the rhythm steady, my focus unwavering. Solara’s body tensed against my hands, and she let out a soft groan as the energy began to cycle.

Her wings reacted immediately. The feathers shimmered, their edges glowing faintly as they began to disperse, dissolving into the air like ashes caught in the wind. Each feather that vanished released a small surge of Phoenix Mana, and I instinctively absorbed it into my own system, letting it blend with my Qi.

It was exactly what I had been waiting for—this energy would help me, but it needed careful handling.

As the process continued, Solara’s groans grew louder, and her body trembled. “It’s… it’s burning,” she murmured, her voice strained.

“Of course it is. It’s the Phoenix Mana,” I said calmly, still guiding the flow of energy. “Just hold on. We’re making progress.”

Her feathers continued to disappear, more of that raw Phoenix energy flooding out, and I absorbed every bit of it. Seconds turned minutes, and that turned ten. The pressure on me increased. Controlling the flow of energy while simultaneously siphoning the Phoenix Mana was no easy task. Sweat began to form on my forehead, but I kept my breathing steady. I couldn’t afford to lose focus.

Suddenly, Solara screamed, her voice filled with pain as her wings started to visibly shrink. Her back arched, and she gritted her teeth, clutching the floor beneath her as the process intensified.

“Stay with me, Solara,” I said, my voice calm but firm. I could feel the end nearing—the wings were nearly gone, the energy’s rhythm growing more erratic as it sought release. I had to keep everything balanced.

How long had passed like that? Hours? I had no idea.

“Aaarghhh!” Her screams grew louder, echoing through the room, and I was aware that Lilian, behind her closed door, would be hearing it too. But I pushed the thought away, focusing entirely on finishing the process. The last of the feathers began to vanish, leaving only the base of the wings—the roots embedded deep within her back. These were the most sensitive and the most painful to dissolve.

“Almost done,” I muttered, more to myself than to her. The Phoenix Mana surged as the roots began to disintegrate, and Solara screamed again, louder than before. I tightened my grip on the energy, pulling it in, guiding the last bit of Qi through her body.

And then, it was over.

The wings… they were gone, entirely dematerialized.

Solara collapsed forward, her breathing ragged as she fell onto her hands, her body trembling from the strain. I withdrew my hands, wiping the sweat from my forehead. My Qi returned to me, carrying with it the last remnants of Phoenix energy. I could feel the difference immediately—my own energy was stronger and more refined.

“Phew,” I exhaled, leaning back slightly. “Done.”

Solara didn’t move for a moment, still catching her breath. I watched her closely, my mind tired but my body buzzing with energy.

She slowly lifted her head, blinking as though the world had shifted beneath her. “It… it’s gone,” she whispered, her voice thick with disbelief.

I gave a tired nod, standing up and offering her my hand. “Told you it’d work. From now on don’t forget to live your end of the promise.”

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

She hesitated before taking my hand, her grip weak as I helped her to her feet. She stood there for a moment, testing her body, her back straightening as though the weight of the wings had been lifted—because it had.

Her eyes met mine, a strange mix of emotions swirling behind them. Gratitude? Shock that it actually seceded? It didn’t matter. She was mine now, a strong powerhouse if nurtured right.

Alongside that…

[You’ve absorbed a tremendous amount of life energy. Your invisible stat, Vitality, has boosted significantly. Your lifespan has increased by a bound.]

I had gained what I had come here for. It was the 2nd day at the Academy, and I had succeeded in my goal already. I barely held myself back from letting out a laugh.

****

I watched as Solara stared into her cup of tea, still processing everything that had just happened. Her fingers tapped lightly against the porcelain, and she had an unintended, faint smile on her lips, though her eyes held a glimmer of uncertainty.

“Is this… permanent?” she asked again, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “This is permanent, right?”

I nodded, leaning back slightly in my chair. “Yeah, it's permanent. You can summon your wings anytime you want and dematerialize them just as easily. The first few times might need some concentration, but it won’t be difficult. There's no catch or scam behind this. You’re fine now, Solara.”

Her shoulders visibly relaxed as I spoke, though a shadow of hesitation still lingered. I took a sip of my tea, watching her carefully. “But,” I added, “don’t bring them back tonight. Let your body rest for now.”

Solara blinked, nodding slowly. “Then… can I try it tomorrow?”

“Yep, anytime you want.”

“During the morning? Or night?” Her voice picked up, her excitement bubbling over again.

“Uh, whenever you feel like it, really.” I shrugged. “It’s not that complicated.”

She seemed to consider that for a moment, her eyes flicking toward the window, where the faint light of dawn was starting to creep in. “Well, there are classes tomorrow morning,” she said thoughtfully. “Maybe nighttime? Will you be free at night?”

“Yeah, I’ll be free, but…” I paused, raising an eyebrow. “You can do it without me, you know. It’ll be fine even if I wasn’t there.”

Her face fell slightly, her shoulders drooping as she stared into her cup again. “Oh… well, if you’re not free…”

I stared at her for a moment, realizing what this was really about. She wasn’t just excited to try out her wings—she was scared. Scared that the pain would come back, scared that without someone there, it might all unravel.

With a short sigh, I nodded. “Fine. I’ll be free. We can meet here tomorrow night, and we’ll check your wings together.”

Her entire face lit up, the earlier shadow of uncertainty vanishing in an instant. “T-then,” she stammered, standing up slowly and setting her teacup down on the table, “I’ll go to my room now. I can’t wait to see myself in the mirror properly… I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

I gave her a casual nod as she smiled brightly, heading for the door with a newfound spring in her step. Once the door clicked shut behind her, I leaned back in my chair, sipping my tea and feeling the weight of success settle over me.

“That went well,” I muttered under my breath, though a soft snort from across the room caught my attention.

Lilian, who had been quietly polishing a vase in the corner, gave me a sidelong glance. “Where did you learn how to make demi-human features vanish? I mean, I can’t make my ears or tail vanish either, unlike Mother. You should help me out next.”

I glanced at her, chuckling awkwardly. “Erm… It’s not really like that. The technique I used for Solara likely won’t work for you. Different bloodline, different problems.”

She narrowed her eyes at me, her ears twitching in irritation. “Liar.”

I laughed again, shaking my head. “I’m not lying. Phoenix wings and wolf ears? Totally different ballpark.”

Lilian rolled her eyes but didn’t press further, returning to her cleaning. I finished the last of my tea, a small smile tugging at my lips. Everything was falling into place.

There would be trouble for this. The issue with her wings was fixed after she left the ball with me. The… enemies of Fenixia will put both her and me through trouble, although not openly. They wouldn't want to anger the shadow of a titan that I was borrowing. So I didn't worry much about it.

The fear that’d been pressing down on my shoulders all these months had lifted, and I could finally breathe at ease… and with this, I had also recruited someone who was destined to grow powerful.

****

The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the curtains of my room, casting a warm hue across the walls. I stood in front of the mirror, taking in my reflection.

There was something different about me. It wasn’t just the energy I’d absorbed from Solara last night. I was bigger now. Stronger. I rolled my shoulders and flexed my arms slightly, feeling the subtle changes in my muscles. This body that had once been fragile and weak now resembled more of my prime—my kickboxing self from my previous life.

It felt good. I looked at myself again, the faint shadows under my eyes from last night’s session barely visible. My fingers absentmindedly brushed the collar of my shirt, straightening it as I observed the man before me.

The academy uniform fit snugly, the dark blue coat draping over my shoulders with its gold-trimmed cuffs. A silver chain ran across the front, connecting to a falcon-shaped pin that glinted in the fading light.

Beneath the coat, my white shirt was crisp, my blue tie resting neatly against it, arcane symbols woven subtly into the fabric. My black trousers were slim, tucked into polished boots that gleamed faintly. I looked the part of both noble and warrior now—far from the modern man I once was.

image [https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeBxMCTGg_y0d2rwu1cm94k_6qU6oEdWwL_jDybq1dmMyfpW-7PrjDcIbz__x4ICWeSfMleeAViQTv5b03h5RplqwLDyeEBuaqMRfoXDlttq0bdzLJuVK6KBRIkHX6arFCI-jxwFvVxriunk54rDPnfCAY?key=cBK7zT_VGNG2ZeUrSATP9A]

The sound of a door creaking open behind me pulled my attention away from the mirror. Lilian stepped out of her room, already dressed in her maid uniform. Her hair was neatly tied back, and her usual energetic smile was plastered across her face.

“Ready for the day?” she asked, her tail swishing behind her as she adjusted her cuffs.

I nodded, grabbing my coat and throwing it over my shoulders. The personal maids who accompanied the students to this academy weren’t just ordinary maids. Lilian, like the others, was trained and skilled. Quite strong, too. To ensure they didn’t lose their edge, the academy provided training facilities for them in a separate building. It was almost like an academy for the maids, hidden from the usual students' sight.

“We better get going,” I said, walking toward the door.

As I reached for the handle, there was a knock. Lilian looked at me with raised eyebrows before heading over to open it. On the other side stood Solara, looking a little uncertain, her hands clasped in front of her.

“I, uh… thought we could walk there together since we’ll be going to the same place,” she said, her eyes flicking up toward mine before quickly looking away.

Lilian turned to me with a raised eyebrow, shooting me a questioning look. I ignored her expression and nodded. “Yes, sure. Let’s do that.”

With that, the three of us stepped out into the crisp morning air. The academy grounds were coming to life as students and staff moved about, preparing for the day ahead. We walked in comfortable silence at first, heading toward the grand building in the distance. Lilian eventually had to part ways, and I warned her, “Don’t cause trouble.”

“Don’t get caught by your fiance,” she said, making my eyes twitch as she headed off toward her training grounds with a casual wave, leaving me alone with Solara.

She walked beside me, her eyes occasionally darting in my direction as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress, and there was an odd tension between us. I hope she’s aware that I’m engaged.

“Hey,” she finally said, her voice quieter than usual. “I forgot to say thank you last night… Even if it was your grandfather who told you to do this, I’m still grateful.”

I glanced at her, wondering when would be the right time to tell her the truth. She was a smart girl—she must have had doubts yesterday. If Sikandar really wanted to help her, why would he choose me, someone who had just unlocked his mana a year ago, to handle such a complex issue? My siblings would’ve been better suited for the task. But I suppose since I managed to solve the problem, those doubts must have disappeared for now.

“Don’t mention it,” I replied. Then, after a pause, I added, “By the way, my siblings don’t know about this. So let’s keep it between us. Don’t bring it up with them.”

She blinked, a look of confusion crossing her face for a moment. “Huh? Oh, okay… It must be some secret mission from your grandpa, right?” She smiled her tone light again. “I guess that’s how you grew so strong so fast.”

“Yeah… something like that.”

We continued our walk in silence after that, the towering castle-like academy looming ahead. It was an impressive structure—an ancient medieval fortress turned school. The stone walls stretched high into the sky, with spires and towers that looked like they touched the clouds. It was both beautiful and somewhat intimidating, a mark of the legacy and power this place held.

As we approached, I noticed the stares. People were watching us. Or rather, they were watching Solara. I could hear the faint whispers, the surprised murmurs. They had noticed her lack of wings, and it was causing quite the stir.

Ignoring them, we entered the grand hall and made our way toward our classroom.

It was a high-to-low bench setup, and as we stepped inside and scanned the room, I spotted Nebula sitting alone near the end. Her eyes found us immediately, narrowing slightly as she noticed Solara walking beside me, laughing at something I’d said.

“Did that really happen right outside Waybound City? Hah, you shouldn’t have stopped her, it’d have been better if she cut off that arm!” She said, and I gave her an awkward laugh.

We approached Nebula, and I nudged my chin at her before sliding into the seat beside her. Nebula greeted me with a nod, but her attention quickly shifted to Solara, who hesitated for a moment before sitting down on my other side.

“Good morning, Duchess Fenixia,” Nebula said, her tone neutral, but there was a curious glint in her eyes. “I didn’t know you were such good friends with my fiance?”

Solara waved it off with a dismissive hand. “You don’t need to call me that. Yes, we’re childhood friends,” she lied shamelessly, although in noble settings it wasn’t totally a lie.

Nebula’s eyes flicked between us for a moment, processing this dynamic. But she didn’t comment further. Instead, she gave us both a polite smile before turning her attention to the front of the room as more students filed in. “Looks like we have quite the crowd.”

Indeed, the classroom was filled with the murmur of nobles talking amongst themselves, and I felt dozens of eyes on us, lingering gazes filled with curiosity or judgment. Crown Prince Orion, Prince Alaric, and many others were watching the three of us closely, all for different reasons. Solara, in particular, was drawing most of the attention today.

These nobles knew about the Fenixia situation and what it meant for her to be unable to hide her wings. Although to be fair, they didn’t know that there was a secret technique to it, but that ‘she was traumatized and couldn’t control her wings.’ That was the general belief. That was why her transformation was sudden and visible, and people were starting to piece things together.

“Is the Fenixia Duchy gonna rise back to its feet?” My Demonic Sphere caught a distant whisper. Unfortunately, it was too early to say anything about that.

Before this zoo-like observation could continue any further, a loud yawn thankfully cut through the murmurs, and a figure stepped into the room. Our professor—a tired man with long curly blonde hair, wearing sunglasses indoors for some reason—strode in lazily. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Are you brats a bunch of flies or mosquitos?” he drawled, glancing at us with disinterest. “Quit your buzzing, it's annoying. Let’s get started with your first class.”

As he began talking, the eyes all turned to him instead. I looked at the man and then realized a pair of eyes were still staring at me. She wasn’t merely curious—she was glaring. Her eyes were fixed on Solara, a sharp glint of hatred in them.

I recognized her immediately.

Calista Valenford, I think? She was a black-haired girl with glasses who looked quite ordinary. She was a minor character who was the minion of a major character.

That said character was from one of the families that was behind the fall of Fenixia. Indeed, the Imperial Family didn’t want to dirty their hands with blood, so they used other families to execute the Fenixia Massacre.

Words of Solara’s wings would reach their ears soon, and they’d try to eliminate her as soon as possible. If this phoenix learned to hide its wings, soon it’d learn to soar them too. They feared that. Thankfully she was in the Waybound Academy now, so like the original timeline, they’d try to eliminate her while making sure it wouldn’t catch the attention of Erebia’s Titan.

Unfortunately for Miss Valenford and her lord Duke Seraph, Solara Fenixia was under my protection. And I did not plan to let them harm my lifespan bank.