Lemuel's coming-of-age ceremony was the final grand event of the year 1092.
Over the past two years, Felix had experienced countless things. As an NPC, he had grown tremendously—not just in strength, but also in heart—and had crossed paths with many well-known NPCs from his previous life, some of whom had even joined Tomorrow's Development.
The greatest gain came from his journey to Kazimierz. The most recent was the addition of Cellinia. But the most memorable by far was when his beloved Skadi joined. Incidentally, Skadi now roamed across all of Terra as a mercenary under the Tomorrow's Development banner—taking on bounty missions here and there.
Next year would be 1093. As far as Felix remembered, nothing major would happen that year. He planned to travel across Terra, make deals, earn money, and gather the resources and experience necessary to unlock new blueprints.
Since there would be no large-scale events, perhaps it was time to consider purchasing or even building a mobile landship—or better yet, an airship. The headquarters of Tomorrow's Development could also use relocation. It wasn't that his relationship with Wei Yenwu had soured, but rather, as the saying went: under another's roof, one must sometimes bow their head. In this world, relationships could never fully escape the pull of conflicting interests.
There were also signs of unrest within Yan. From the player forums, he had heard of a villainous organization called The Shanhaizhong. He'd fought their NPCs in his previous life, but they never dropped anything useful—not even decent loot. Honestly, hunting Seaborn creatures for slime was more profitable.
As for Kjerag, he wondered how it had developed over the years. It might be worth visiting his allies and checking how their private army was faring—and, while there, pay his respects to his patron deity, Kjeragandr. Though he hadn't unlocked many blueprints this year, each time he did, he'd prayed devoutly to the round-bellied, good-natured god. Faith, after all, was a matter of the heart.
"Brother Felix…"
He was pulled from his thoughts by Lemuel's voice. Beside him, Lemuen smiled gently. He squeezed her hand lightly, then stood up under the watchful eyes of the gathered guests.
He was dressed formally today—in what could only be described as Laterano's clerical attire. These robes were something only purchasable within Laterano—a popular souvenir among tourists.
The outfit had been prepared by Lemuen herself. Who knew how long she had kept it stored away? It still carried her soft, faint fragrance.
The one presiding over the ceremony was an elderly Sankta priest Felix had personally invited. His gaze swept over the crowd. Among the attendees were the directors and senior members of Rhine Lab—Kristen, Saria, Yara, the Old Goat, Ferdinand, Muelsyse, and the newly appointed Head of Engineering, Nasti Lunorey—a Sarkaz banshee whose department was currently overseeing the construction of the Horizon Ark Project. Also present was Justin Fitzroy, Jr. the head of the Business Department, responsible for external affairs.
That department's existence had proven invaluable. Now Felix could leave business negotiations entirely in Justin's capable hands, no longer needing to communicate directly with the military or haggle over contracts himself. Specialists should handle specialized tasks. Beyond his own Mechanical Engineering Division, every department required funding for research—and that, too, was part of Justin's responsibilities.
All of them were directors at Rhine Lab—selected through Yara's initial screening and Kristen's second-round interview. Though their personalities varied widely, they all shared the same purpose. Maintaining good professional and personal relationships with them was something Felix deemed essential.
In addition to Rhine Lab's members, there were also his Trimount 4 little girls, the literary maiden Avdotya, the fierce combatant Carnelian, the ever-clingy Cellinia, and the lonely Tin Man from the Maylander Foundation, sitting quietly in a far corner.
At that moment, Lemuel stood bathed in sunlight, her fingers interlaced before her chest, eyes gently closed—like a sleeping princess waiting for her prince's kiss.
Her shoulder-length hair framed her face with a touch of boyish charm. Normally, she gave off a tomboyish impression, but today, dressed in a pure white gown, she looked every bit the graceful young lady. If she'd been holding a bouquet, Felix might've mistaken this for her wedding.
'You've really grown up, Lemuel.'
He still remembered the first time he saw her—a mischievous girl at a Laterano church school, caught and scolded by her teacher after blowing something up. That was how he'd first met her, though she hadn't known him back then.
Now, she'd truly grown. Still bright and energetic, yes, but more mature, more beautiful—someone dependable, someone who could shoulder responsibility and walk her own path across Terra.
For the Sankta, adulthood meant the moment when a young lamb could embark on their own journey. And now, Lemuel was ready.
Felix stepped before her. He noticed the way she slightly puckered her lips—as if genuinely expecting a kiss. The realization made him laugh softly.
Lemuel opened her eyes, puffing her cheeks in mock annoyance.
"Brother Felix, you're so unromantic."
"Alright, alright. But come on—this is a coming-of-age ceremony, not a wedding. There's no 'kiss the maiden' part in this ritual."
Felix reached out and ruffled her hair. She squinted her eyes happily under his touch, though a faint trace of disappointment lingered. When, she wondered, would she truly be seen as an adult? Clearly, Brother Felix still saw her as a little sister!
Felix, for his part, thought that if he did give Lemuel the kiss she was expecting, Muelsyse would probably blast him with a water cannon—and Lemuen might pull out her sniper rifle for a clean headshot.
Of course, that was an exaggeration…
But it would definitely cause quite a commotion.
From the drone hovering nearby, Felix retrieved a small white case. Inside lay the gift he had prepared for Lemuel—a handgun named Thornspike.
It was a weapon of the same caliber as Lumen's—one he had rolled himself. This handgun would, from this day onward, accompany Lemuel for the rest of her life.
Pure white in color, Thornspike bore a sleek yet sharp design—smooth to the touch despite its angular shape, perfectly suited for a young woman with independence and a mind of her own.
"So this is…"
"Rejoice young lady, as you have become an adult."
Lemuel's radiant smile bloomed like sunlight. In that moment, she looked so much like her sister, Lemuen. As she took Thornspike with both hands, a faint, near-invisible thread—perceptible only to the Sankta—linked the weapon to her palm.
Lemuel let out a soft sigh.
It was her first Guardian Pistol—and it would be her only one. Her sister had once told her that the sensation was indescribable, almost mystical. Now, as warmth flowed through her hand, she understood. The weapon felt like an extension of herself. Though she had just received it, she could already wield it as if she had known it forever.
Seeing the happiness on Lemuel's face, Lemuen and the others began to applaud. Yet in Lemuen's heart lingered a faint trace of envy. Her own Guardian Pistol had not been personally crafted by Felix. But she was not one to dwell on such things—the thought flickered briefly, then faded away like smoke.
"W-wait! Stop, stop, stop!"
The old priest nearly jumped as Lemuel aimed her pistol at the chapel ceiling. He hurried forward, wiping sweat from his brow.
"This isn't Laterano! We don't have Laterano's repair crews here! Young lady, if you do that, you'll have to pay for the damages!"
"…Alright."
Lemuel's tone carried a hint of disappointment, but she adjusted her aim toward the window instead. The moment she pulled the trigger, a thin white line flashed outward—and outside, it blossomed into a brilliant white flower.
"Hehe."
Lemuel giggled, her eyes sparkling with joy. Then she turned toward Felix, voice soft and affectionate.
"Brother Felix, have you thought of my codename yet?"
Felix chuckled. Truthfully, he hadn't given much thought to it. In his past life, her codename had been "Exusiai." Changing it now might not matter to anyone else—but to him, it would feel… unnatural.
"Let's keep it simple," he said. "We'll call you Exusiai."
"Exusiai…"
Lemuel repeated the name, her eyes glimmering like stars.
"Mhm! It sounds beautiful!"
Felix smiled, taking her hand as he led her toward the cheering crowd bathed in sunlight.
At some point, Tin Man had quietly slipped away. Unlike the young Sarkaz Nasti Lunorey of Rhine Lab, Tin Man was an ancient Sarkaz who had lived for many years in Kazdel. He came only to offer his blessings before departing—after all, Sarkaz and Sankta had never truly gotten along, even if Tin Man himself no longer carried such prejudice.
The New Year was spent in Trimount.
That didn't mean Felix had much free time to relax with his beloved "little sisters." After returning to Trimount, he was immediately buried under a mountain of meetings and reports.
There was the Horizon Ark Project coordination meeting with the Engineering Division, as well as the design of the system terminal for Muelsyse's botanical garden. Kristen, as the lead organizer, also presented logistics on fuel transport and detailed technical documentation. After several rounds of discussion, they finally outlined clear plans for the future.
In that same year, Rhine Lab established a new Scientific Exploration Department. Its director, however, was the only one Felix had not yet met in person—she was still away on an expedition in northern Sami and wouldn't return until the second quarter of next year.
Despite the workload, Felix still made time for his beloved girls.
Mandragora and Susie had successfully transferred from the Academy of Arts to prepare for Yan's national high school exams. Susie wanted to study natural sciences and terranities—rather than practical combat, she was more fascinated by Originium research itself. Senomi, on the other hand, planned to study management—she wanted to help her "Brother Felix" with his work in the future.
The three of them, with their outstanding grades, had become the envy of countless parents—"those other people's children." Felix couldn't have been prouder. Having been apart for so long, he cherished every moment spent with them.
Rafaela, too, had done well academically. Though she looked shy and airheaded, she studied diligently. Thanks to her three capable "big sisters," she adapted quickly after transferring to a middle school in Lungmen—ranking easily within the top ten of her grade.
All three of the older girls—Senomi, Mandragora, and Susie—expressed their wish to help Felix in the future.
Felix, however, was in no rush.
Cultivation takes time, he told himself with a smile. "Let's wait until you graduate from university first."
He also met up with the Hart siblings, Snowsant, and Feist for meals and outings. They had become indispensable figures in the Mechanical Power Division. With their internship experience at Rhine Lab, they were now top students at their university.
Still, they confessed that they'd much rather work directly under Felix than anywhere else.
That… might cause some trouble.
If Yara found out, she'd probably drag up both new and old grudges to scold him. Thankfully, he had only "stolen away" Yara's younger daughter, Muelsyse. Had he lured away the elder daughter, Kristen, Felix was certain Yara would have killed him herself—and before she did, Saria might've already landed a fully-charged Gauntlet Strike on him first.
---
Year 1093, New Year's Eve
Outside the window of Trimount's city center, the streets erupted with cheers as the countdown began. With the TV host's excited voice leading the crowd, everyone leapt and shouted together, welcoming the arrival of a new year.
Snow drifted gently through the air. This year's New Year's dinner was a quiet one—besides his close female friends, Felix had also invited Muelsyse to join. The so-called "Trimount 4 little sisters," who had sworn to stay up past midnight, had long since fallen asleep under the warmth of the kotatsu.
Sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor, Felix poured himself a drink. From his vantage point, he could see the bright lights and bustling square in the distance.
He exhaled softly, a faint trace of alcohol on his breath, and reflected on the past year.
All things considered—it hadn't been a bad one. Since the launch of version 2.0, both his leadership among the players and the framework he had drawn for the future of Tomorrow's Development were progressing smoothly. The player base had surged, his influence extended into Kazdel, and the coming year promised even greater ambitions.
Raising his glass toward the twin moons, he toasted quietly to himself.
"One for the future, and one for the past."
He drank deeply. His name had appeared in The Terra Times more times than he could count this year—a fact that brought him no small satisfaction.
Just then, the door creaked open.
He turned, hearing light footsteps, and spotted Muelsyse sneaking in like a guilty thief, tiptoeing across the floor.
"Doing something suspicious?" Felix teased.
"Shh," she whispered. "They're all asleep."
She slipped onto the seat beside him, inching closer until her shoulder rested lightly against his. The soft scent of wild grass and flowers drifted from her hair, mingling subtly with the cool air of the room.
"Senomi, Mandragora, Susie, and Ella are already asleep," she murmured. "Carnelian and Texas just went to bed too. Lemuen and Lemuel finished their baths—they'll be asleep soon as well."
"Mm. Want a drink?"
The liquor wasn't strong—just enough to bring a light buzz without fogging the mind. He didn't intend to get drunk tonight.
Muelsyse gave a small hum of agreement. She picked up a nearby glass and watched quietly as Felix poured her a modest amount.
The scent that lingered on him was faintly herbal, like a tranquil forest beneath moonlight—older, steadier, colder. It made her feel as though she could fall into it and never come out again.
"Don't drink too much," he said, gently poking her cheek as she downed the glass in one go. "Didn't we agree to go shopping for New Year's goods tomorrow?"
Her response was a kiss.
It came suddenly—warm, soft, yet intense, laced with the sweetness of alcohol and something far deeper.
Her lips brushed his ear as she whispered, breath trembling,
"Felix… I've waited so long for this day."
He was not a man oblivious to affection. Without hesitation, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and lifted her into his arms, carrying her with care and quiet strength.
Gently, he laid her upon the bed.
And as a soft, breathless sound escaped her lips—
the year 1093 began.