Tree of Aeons - Interlude 2: Alexis

“Look at me,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, like he wasn't just asking her to see him—but to choose him.She did.And oh God.The moment her eyes met his, it was like the floor tilted. His gaze wasn't cold anymore. It wasn't guarded or teasing. It was raw. Fierce. Wrecking. Like he saw through every layer she'd tried to hide.She swallowed hard. Her legs trembled.Her heart betrayed her, pounding so hard against her ribs it seemed like it wanted to break free.Why did his eyes soften like that, as if she was delicate glass, and he'd do anything to keep her from shattering?She swore she was going to melt right there.And he didn't even kiss her.Didn't have to.That one look—his fingers brushing against her skin like he owned the right, it was more than any kiss she'd ever had. More dangerous. More intoxicating.Her lips parted, maybe to speak, maybe to breathe, but nothing came out. Nothing could.The tension between them tightened—thick, electric, blinding.If he moved even an inch, it would be over.But he didn't.And that restraint? That maddening, infuriating, goddamn beautiful control made her want him even more.“Let me handle this,” he whispered. “You don't have to trust Conor. Just trust me.”Her eyes dropped to his lips. They were so close now she could feel the whisper of his breath. Her heart pounded harder, like it wanted to escape.“Please stop doing that,” she murmured. For a fleeting second, nothing moved, then he dropped his hand.His brows drew together. “Doing what?”“Touching me,” she whispered. “Especially when you're trying to make a point. You did it in the restroom too.”“Why do you think I'm doing that?” he asked, voice husky now, softer.Synopsis:At an elite college, falling for the rich, cold son of a bi-llionaire wasn’t part of the plan, especially when his brother is tied to her mother’s mysterious death.But from the moment Merlina steps onto campus, the chemistry is undeniable. He’s detached, arrogant, and everything she should stay away from. Yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the pull.She’s here for a degree, but her real mission is uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past at this very school. As sparks fly between her and the guy she should keep her distance from, she’s torn between two things: exposing the truth and protecting her heart from falling for him.The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things get. Anonymous threats, dark secrets, and a guy who’s starting to think her obsession with the past could ruin everything. When the truth finally breaks free, it threatens everything she’s worked for—the truth, her heart, and the fragile bond she shares with him.With everything at risk, she must choose: expose the truth, or hold on to the one person who makes her feel truly alive.

After years of exile, Marcus is coming back home. A powerful mage with few equals, Marcus lives in a world full of monsters and powerful adepts, many of which have bad histories with him. But he has not come back to pursue vengeance or start a fight. All Marcus wants to do is reconnect with old friends, build himself a house, and maybe train a successor or two.Alas, the world didn’t stop just because Marcus went into exile, and not everyone is content to let go of old grievances. Strange things are happening in the world at large, too, hinting at a looming disaster of unknown nature. Still, where there is a will, there is a way.If nothing else, Marcus has a lot of magical power to throw at problems.+++Zenith of Sorcery is set in its own original setting and isn’t related to Mother of Learning… beyond being written by the same person, of course. This is a more classical fantasy story than my previous one, with a lower level of technology and stuff like elves and dwarves, but it has a lot of worldbuilding effort put into it and its own complex magical system. The story has significant xianxia influences, but isn’t meant to be a xianxia story.For those of you not familiar with my previous work, I write relatively slowly. I intend to publish chapters at the rate of one chapter every three or four weeks, subject to further delays as life intervenes.

past life.

The eldest miss of the Shen family in Jincheng was framed, abandoned by her marriage partner, and persecuted to death.

The young master of the Shen family rushed to the hospital and was hit by a car accident and turned into a vegetative state. The Shen family, which had been brilliant for many years, fell into decline and declared bankruptcy within a few years.

Being the first black lotus queen in the alliance, she became the pitiful and deplorable eldest lady of the Shen family.

Shen Lingxi said that your father Shen has never suffered this grievance, and you can come if you are not afraid of death.

Classmate A: Have you heard? That eldest lady from the Shen family who was brought back from the countryside couldn’t add up to 100 English, Chinese, and English for the entrance exam.

Classmate B: It’s just trash that came in through the back door

later……

Qing University and Beijing University let her choose, relying on a music short film, and won four major music awards. I thought she was shocked, but I didn’t expect her to be transformed into an ace “substitute” in the e-sports circle.

The deeper you go, the more the almighty queen vests, the glory is added, and the king returns.

small theater:

Crowd: Did you hear that the third master of the Xie family in the Beijing circle came back and brought a tow oil bottle.

Xie Sanye: Xixi, they say you are a drag bottle.

Shen Lingxi: Blind their dog’s eyes!

Xie Sanye: Xixi, why don’t you tear up another vest?

Shen Damei sighed helplessly, and the trending headline that day #surprised! The fiancee of the third master of the Xie family is actually a professor of Qing University who won the Physics Prize.

- Description from novelbuddy

Kaden awakens once again at the dawn of Earth’s cataclysmic “System” invasion, armed with haunting memories of his previous nightmare life. Desperate to overturn his grim fate, he sets his sights on a special druid class—only to unlock a legendary hidden class!A druid who had to devour to become stronger!With every enemy he devours, the madness increases. The nature twists and contorts in his presence. Plague spreads where he goes. The cursed forests become his grove.Would the fallen druid be able to face the twisted alchemist who once enslaved the entire planet? Can Kaden master this cursed power to save humanity—or will it consume him, turning him into the very evil he seeks to destroy?