The SSS Ranked Villain's Return-Chapter 99: Celina

"It’s my secret hiding place, for when I need to relax and calm my mind... I come here to watch the sunset," Celina explained in a low voice, making his heart skip a beat.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

The color of the sunset practically blended with her eyes, making them seem even more enchanting.

Celina tapped on the wall, and suddenly, a mattress folded outward, plopping onto the ground.

"I also sleep here sometimes, but that’s beside the point," she added with a giggle, tapping on the mattress. "Come, sit."

He did just that and began eating his strawberry ice cream, and so did she.

A few hums followed each lick she took, showing she really enjoyed the taste.

I’ll have to get some more strawberry-related food for her, he noted, leaning slightly back. Enjoy more content from novelbuddy

"Today was fun," Celina said, leaning back as well, her shoulders touching his. "I don’t think I’ve ever had so much fun doing anything aside from training."

"Honestly? This is a first for me as well," Neraxis remarked as a warm feeling surged in his chest, before he stared right into her eyes. "Do you want to do this more often?"

"..." Her eyes flickered slightly, and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. "I would love to."

He felt his heart flutter at the sight, but instead of saying anything else, he merely placed his free hand on her head, slightly ruffling her beautiful black hair.

"You’re beautiful," Neraxis teased, which made her ears grow even redder as she remained silent, not pushing him away.

There were certain impulses telling him to do more than ruffle her hair given the vibe, but since he didn’t want to rush things, he kept ruffling her hair while also finishing up the rest of his ice cream in comfortable silence.

After the two were done eating and the sun had finally set, they made their way back up and off the mall’s roof, stopping by one of the more secluded parts of the park not too far away.

However, as he had his back turned to her, he suddenly felt himself being embraced, with her arms wrapping around his waist and the side of her face touching his back.

"Thank you... really," she said, her voice shaky. "I really wanted to experience something like this at least once... and I’m glad I got to do it with you."

Neraxis turned around and returned the embrace in kind, wrapping his hands around her slim waist and whispering, "This won’t be the last time, Celina. I promise to take you out on all sorts of fun dates soon."

"You promised," she muttered with excitement, her expression hidden as her face was buried in his chest.

The hug seemed to last for a long time, yet neither of them pulled away.

That was until both of their phones rang in unison.

With a grumble, they checked their messages, and almost as if by sheer coincidence, Neraxis’s mother and Celina’s grandpa, William, messaged them.

"I have to go..." she stated with reluctance, to which he nodded in response.

"Same. I’ll message you later," Neraxis said, a faint smile beaming on Celina’s face before she began jogging and lunging to a tree, then onto a nearby building, disappearing from his sight.

Yet, as he stood there alone, he noticed the message she sent—the same one Celina had told him to open after the date.

And as Neraxis clicked on it, he couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

Celina was standing behind him, a cheeky grin on her face and her fingers raised in a victory gesture.

She really is...

"Cute."

[I rate this date an 8 out of 10,] Evangeline said out of nowhere, startling him.

What?

[Everything was great, yet you didn’t even kiss? Not even a simple kiss on the cheek?] she elaborated, making him raise a brow.

Evangeline... You and I nearly had sex the second time we saw each other. I just think your standards are too high, he replied with a sigh and called his butler to pick him up.

She giggled in response. [Fair point, but I feel like a kiss on the cheek is still reasonable.]

Maybe. Maybe not. There’s a time for everything. Just not today.

It didn’t take long for his butler to arrive and drive him back to his house.

However, what was waiting for him once he opened the door was not something he had expected.

His whole family stood there, looking at him expectantly, especially his mother.

"Neraxis, how was the date?" his father, Roskaris, asked with an amused look on his face.

"Great. Can I go shower now? Or are you all going to bombard me with questions?" Neraxis replied before taking a few steps forward.

Yet they still hadn’t moved.

"Neraxis, dear," Sophia got his attention in a stern voice. "Are we having grandc—"

"I am going to my room," he immediately interjected and activated his Shadow Mantle skill, swiftly passing through their bodies and heading upstairs.

[See? Your mom and I have the same idea,] Evangeline commented.

I have plenty of stuff to deal with already. I can’t go around starting a family just yet, he answered as he changed his clothes.

[Well, 9 months is a long time. Considering you’ve already gotten this much stronger in less than a month, I’m sure the deadline would be just right.] she added with a giggle.

You... I’m not even going to entertain this conversation right now. Neraxis turned to the sound of knocks on his door before saying, "I’m going to bed, so please let me rest for at least 8 hours."

"Sweetie, we’re just worried about you. I’ll prepare some dinner, okay?" his mother’s totally not worried voice rang out.

"I already ate a bunch... Mom. Good night," he finished with slight hesitation and waited for them to finally back off.

After just a few minutes, they left, giving him some peace and privacy.

Yet, he wasn’t exactly planning on sleeping, though. Instead, he wanted to train and mentally prepare himself for tomorrow.

After all, he would be entering the Astral Tower again.

But first, there were some texts he had to reply to.

Clicking on Aella first, he began texting.

<Aella: Heya, got some cool stuff for Saturday, you still up for it? You’re not going over to Celina’s place, right?>

Chuckling, he replied, <Neraxis: Yeah, I’ll be coming over, and no, I wasn’t invited to her place just yet.>

As always, he received an instant reply.

<Aella: Yet, huh? Have you guys already kissed? Or did the deed? Come on, share!>

What is with everyone and expecting me to sleep with a woman on the first date? he sighed before responding.

<Neraxis: No to both. Anyway, I’ll message you a bit later, yeah? I’m going to be doing some training.>

<Aella: Yup, good luck. I’m going to prepare some more special stuff for when you come over, so don’t you dare ditch!>

Rolling his eyes, he replied, <Neraxis: I promise I’ll come, Aella. Good night.>

<Aella: Night...>

Now then, onto Celina. Neraxis tapped on her icon before sending a message.

<Neraxis: Hey, hope you’re back safe.>

A few minutes passed with no reply, and as he was thinking of finally making his way out to train, he received a picture.

Yet once he saw it, he froze, staring at the photo in disbelief.

It was Celina, and she was taking a selfie in her bath. Her nude body was hidden by the bubbles surrounding her, but her sparkling shoulders couldn’t be hidden.

<Celina: Taking a shower right now, about to go train.>

Still shocked by her boldness, he wrote, <Neraxis: I really hope you don’t send pictures like that to just anyone... But yeah, same, I’m about to head out for training as well.>

She sent a laughing emoji, followed by, <Celina: Of course not, silly, you are special to me, so that’s why.>

Yet the moment he read that message, it was soon deleted, replaced by, <Celina: Of course not, silly. I’m going to train back in my house, but if you want, we can train at the academy together tomorrow.>

<Neraxis: Sounds good... I’ll let you finish your bath in peace then. See you tomorrow, Celina.>

She simply reacted to his message with a heart, and soon he put his phone away.

Since tomorrow onwards, he would be doing some serious training and research in preparation for both the Astral Tower’s and the Dreamspire’s trials.

[You’re har—] Evangeline’s comment was interrupted by him accidentally slipping on the bed sheets as he was preparing to jump out of his window.

Quiet...