Chapter 166: Roxana's Divine Mask (4)

Zeus watched Roxana closely, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the shift in her demeanor. Something important was coming, and he wasn't about to let it slip by. "What is it you want to tell me?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

Roxana took a slow breath, her expression hardening with focus. "Truthfully, there's one main reason I began investigating you," she said, her voice carrying an edge of seriousness.

Zeus raised an eyebrow, intrigued but keeping his expression neutral. "And what's that?"

Roxana's gaze sharpened as she locked eyes with him. "Your clone's name—Zeus. That name doesn't belong here. In my past life, it was the name of the god of thunder."

Zeus's eyes flickered with mild surprise, though he quickly masked it. He chuckled, his tone light but with a hint of amusement. "So, it wasn't my mysterious behavior that got you hooked, but the name itself," he said, smirking slightly. "Zeus."

Roxana nodded, her expression unreadable but determined. "When I heard someone using that name, I had to find out who was behind it. That's what led me to investigate you. And, well, here we are now."

Zeus leaned back slightly, a thoughtful smile creeping across his face. "I see," he said with a wry grin. "So, you're not as perceptive as I gave you credit for. It wasn't some brilliant deduction—just a curiosity about the name."

Roxana's eyes narrowed slightly, but she stayed silent, letting him continue.

"Still," Zeus added, his tone softening, "I guess I owe your curiosity some thanks. After all, you went and erased my information from the records."

He leaned forward, his voice lowering slightly. "That means no one will know anything about me anymore, right? Even if I keep using the name Zeus—or any other godly names."

Roxana's lips curled into a slight smirk. She gave a slow nod, her eyes still watching him carefully. "I see your point."

Zeus's expression grew serious, his playful smirk fading as he prepared to speak. "There's something else I need to tell you," he said, his tone shifting into something more cautious.

Roxana's sharp eyes narrowed instantly, sensing something more than just a simple confession. "What is it?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with suspicion.

Zeus's lips curled into a smirk, though the tension between them remained. "I've placed something in your mask."

Roxana's expression darkened immediately, her eyes flashing with a mixture of anger and betrayal. Her aura flared to life, a wave of heat and pressure filling the room.

She frowned deeply, glaring at him with the kind of intensity that could melt stone. "What did you say?" she growled, her voice low and dangerous.

Sensing the shift, Zeus quickly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his smile fading into something more neutral. "Whoa, calm down," he said, trying to diffuse the situation. "It's just a precaution."

Roxana didn't relax, her glare unwavering as her aura crackled with fiery energy. "A precaution?" she repeated coldly, her muscles tensing as though she was preparing to strike.

Zeus nodded, his voice steady but cautious. "Yes. The mask has a setting that prevents you from revealing anything about the masks to others. It also ensures you can't have bad intentions toward other mask users."

For a long moment, Roxana just stared at him, her intense gaze boring into him, searching for any signs of deceit. Slowly, her aura began to fade as she allowed herself to relax—just a little. "So that's it?" she asked, her tone skeptical but less hostile.

Zeus allowed himself a small smile, his hands lowering now that the immediate threat had passed. "Of course. I'm not some evil maniac, after all."

Roxana continued to study him, the edge of her suspicion still present, but she finally gave a small, acknowledging nod. "I see. You're cautious, but you're not a fool."

Roxana then chuckled softly, her sharp eyes glinting with amusement as a faint smirk curled her lips. She extended her hand toward Zeus, her tone laced with playful mockery. "In that case, welcome, my partner—Zeus, or whatever name you prefer to go by."

Zeus grinned, shaking her hand firmly. "Just call me Zeus, since that's the form I'm in now."

But before he could pull his hand back, Roxana's expression shifted, and in the blink of an eye, she drove her fist into his chest with full force.

The impact sent Zeus flying across the room, crashing hard into the stone wall. He slumped to the floor, dazed and stunned, blinking rapidly as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Pain radiated through his body, and as he slowly got to his feet, his eyes met Roxana's smug, unbothered expression. "How… How can you attack me? The mask's settings should've stopped you! Why didn't they activate?" Zeus asked, genuine confusion etched on his face.

Roxana crossed her arms, smirking as she leaned casually against the wall. "Because, genius," she said with a chuckle, "my intentions weren't bad. I don't mean to harm you—I'm just training you. That punch? Consider it a little warm-up."

Zeus groaned, rubbing his shoulder where the impact had been the worst. "Training? Really?" he muttered, still not entirely sure if she was serious or just enjoying herself.

Roxana's smile widened, clearly pleased with herself. "Of course. If we're going to be partners, you'd better toughen up. You're going to need it."

Zeus rolled his eyes, still feeling the lingering ache from the hit. "Nice to work with you too, Roxana," he replied dryly, already preparing himself for more "training" in the future.

And for the rest of the year, Zeus had finished what he needed to be done in Celestial Academy currently, as he already recorded their library to strengthen all of his current Divine Scripture to 6 Star except only Volcanic Dragon Core Divine Scripture that was 7 Star which was cultivated by both Roxana and Lucy.

Roxana and Zeus also grew closer as they each fully aware of the other's secrets. Together with Lucy, who remained oblivious to the true depths of their plans, they cultivated in private, hidden from the prying eyes of the academy.

And one day, as they wrapped up an intense cultivation session, Zeus glanced at Roxana, wiping the sweat from his brow. His expression turned serious, though a hint of trust lingered in his eyes.

"Roxana," he began, his voice calm but carrying the weight of his next decision, "I'm going to leave the Zeus Clone and Lucas Clone here to continue cultivating. I'll need to step away for a while, so I'm leaving them—and my sister—in your care."

Roxana raised an eyebrow, her usual smirk playing at the corner of her lips. She crossed her arms, looking at him with a gleam of amusement in her eyes. "You're really trusting me with your precious little sister?" she teased, her tone playful but carrying a genuine undertone of respect.

Zeus shrugged slightly, his lips curving into a half-smile. "I don't have many options. Besides, I know you'll keep her safe."

Roxana's smirk widened as her eyes narrowed with mischief. "Of course. Leave them all to me. But remember," she added, leaning in slightly as her voice took on a playful edge, "if you've got anything fun planned for the future, don't you dare forget to invite me. I hate missing out."

Zeus chuckled, the tension easing from his shoulders. "You'd hate that, wouldn't you? Don't worry, you'll be the first person I call when something interesting comes up." Sёarᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Roxana straightened up, flashing him a confident grin. "Good. I'll hold you to that."

With one last glance at Roxana, Zeus nodded and allowed his main consciousness to retreat, leaving his clones behind.

As his presence faded from the room, Roxana's smirk lingered, her gaze shifting toward the clones of Zeus and Lucas, already planning how she would keep them and Lucy in check during his absence.