Chapter 173: Nothing Changes
Alex didn’t even know what to say about the slap.
His cheek still stung hard. And the more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed.
The force of that slap had been nothing short of devastating—it was a blow powerful enough to shatter the skull of a Master-ranked warrior, had they not fortified themselves with mana. Even a Grandmaster, known for their unparalleled resilience, would have felt an overwhelming disorientation. If he hadn’t instinctively reinforced his body with a protective barrier, his head might have exploded like a ripe fruit upon colliding with the unforgiving hotel wall. Yet, despite the shocking intensity of her strike, he found it difficult to harbor any resentment. After all, he recognized that he had been behaving foolishly, provoking her reactions. What troubled him most, however, was the unsettling realization that he was lost in a haze he couldn’t quite navigate. He had no clear understanding of the turmoil simmering within. It was only after the surgery—the intricate procedures that had miraculously preserved his life—that something evident yet puzzling had emerged. It wasn’t a matter of physical damage, but rather a profound alteration within his brain. Perhaps it was a side effect of the surgery: his emotions seemed to have shifted, dulled to a point where they felt almost muted. He had reluctantly resigned himself to this altered existence, accepting it as his new normal, even as he longed for the vibrancy he once took for granted.
Until her.
Seeing Lauren again had punched through that barrier like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. He hadn’t expected it.
Not after nearly a decade of numbness. Not when the only warmth he’d felt in all that time had come from Nyxara—and even that was different. She was family, more than anyone alive now. A part of him.
So no, he couldn’t fault Nyxara for hitting him. She had every right to try and knock him back to his senses.
But that didn’t mean he was going to let it slide.
He’d get her back. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But it was coming.