BXBX NOVEL Chapter 105: Florida Man Denies Arson Allegations, Insists He Was "Just Smoking Pots" in Burned Locker Room
- Floating House: 10,000 years of lifespan
- Transformable House: 10,000 years of lifespan
…
Felix's expression soured as he browsed the options, each more bewildering than the last. He clicked on one of the icons, curious about the previews.
The giant turtle option left him stunned. Instead of a simple giant turtle carrying his house on its back, it was a colossal creature larger than the African continent, lumbering around with an entire landmass on its back.
The description added a dire warning: residents would need to feed the turtle, or it would dive into the ocean in search of food, potentially turning the land into the next Atlantis.
The Floating House was more straightforward, but it came with its own quirks—a floating continent that drifted freely around the world. The description noted a slim chance that if someone caused an explosion underneath, the continent could be propelled out of orbit, escaping the planet altogether.
The Transformable House seemed more reasonable until he noticed the warning: "Do not stay in the house while it transforms. We do not provide insurance for any destructed furniture, potential injuries, or death in case of accidents."
The first and the third choice was out of the question due to the danger that came with them.
Despite the oddities, the Floating House option intrigued him. He wondered if he could anchor it to the ground with chains like in some of the fantasy stories he'd read. Deciding to take the plunge, Felix made up his mind and purchased the Floating House add-on.
*DING*
After the purchase, the system shop immediately prompted him with a new offer.
[Would you like to purchase a set of anchors and chains for your floating continent? Normal Price: 10,000 Years of Lifespan. Current Price: 3,000 Years of Lifespan + Free Installation.]
The upselling was impeccable, playing directly into Felix's thoughts. However, the price tag made him wince.
He checked his remaining lifespan.
Age: 15/3,554
Felix inwardly groaned, realizing that his life's savings were being sunk into yet another bizarre and possibly unnecessary investment.
"Man, fine. I'll bite," he muttered, reluctantly purchasing the extra items.
*DING*
[Upgrading! Please vacate the house for seven days. Installation will begin shortly.]
Felix sighed and closed the system shop. It was done.
"Easy come, easy go," he lamented, shedding a tear as he realized how poor he'd made himself yet again. He reached for a cigarette, lighting up to ease his frustration.
In the end, Felix killed time by smoking.
…
Three hours later, a knock came at the door. A stadium staff member shouted, "Examinee Felix Ariel, your match will start soon. Please report to the backstage!"
Felix exhaled deeply, crushing the 200th cigarette butt on the stone floor. Standing up, he inhaled all the remaining smoke in the room, sucking it into his lungs to ensure no trace was left behind. Then, he exited the room.
As he stepped out, the thick smell of smoke seeped out with him. The staff member coughed and covered his nose, eyeing Felix with disgust. Glancing into the room, the staff member's eyes widened at the sight of the blackened walls, the pile of cigarette butts, and a lone piece of cloth.
"What were you doing in there?!" the staff member demanded.
Felix ignored the question, making his way to the backstage to prepare for his match.
…
At the backstage, an injured examinee was being carried on a stretcher, four staff members rushing the boy to the infirmary. A priestess from the Ocean Tower hurried over to heal him.
Felix glanced at the youth—his stomach was deeply wounded, and his right arm was crushed. The fight must have been brutal.
"What the hell is wrong with this country?" Felix muttered, his disdain for Emperor Saucon growing. He couldn't fathom why the empire forced children into such violent battles as part of a simple high school examination.
As Felix watched the injured youth being carried away, a staff member called his name.
"Felix Ariel, it's your turn!"
Felix nodded, turning away from the stretcher. He followed the staff out of the area, entering the arena through a large gate. Pushing through two black curtains, he was greeted by sunlight for the first time after hours spent in the dark room.
In front of him was a large dirt field, littered with strange objects—marble pillars, boulders, giant rock cubes, and broken brick walls, serving as obstacles and cover for the fighters. Felix walked onto the field, ignoring the debris and broken weapons scattered around. He stepped on a piece of shattered staff and continued forward, his eyes fixed on the system map.
A red dot appeared ahead, indicating his opponent's position. Felix looked up and saw a young mage, resplendent in a gold robe with a jewel-embedded sash.
As the two young men faced each other, the spectators erupted in cheers, their voices filling the stadium with a deafening roar.
A transparent dome shimmered into existence, rising around the arena and isolating the contestants from the eager spectators. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, their excitement growing as they watched the barrier form. Moments later, the booming voice of the stadium commentator echoed through the air, drawing everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for has finally arrived! We're kicking off the first match of the Top 32 round! Today, we continue with the thrilling single-elimination matches!
In this arena, we have a clash of titans—on one side, we have the Rebelling Top Scorer who opposed Dragoon Empire's 400 years regime and government system, Felix Ariel, and on the other, the Heaven Child of Corn House, the Spirit Tamer, the Potential Magus of Earth Magic, Fox Corn!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their collective roar shaking the stands as they eagerly anticipated the clash between two of the most formidable student candidates.
In his previous match, Fox Corn had showcased his prowess as a second-circle earth mage prodigy, effortlessly summoning and commanding two trent tree monsters to overwhelm his opponent. His display of power had earned him the spotlight.
Now, the tension in the air intensified as all eyes fixed on the two young men standing in the center of the arena. The spectators wondered if Felix could uphold his reputation as the top scorer in this duel.