The Game of Life - Chapter 8 - New Skills

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.

In her first life, Primrose Vielle Illvaris thought the Lycan King hated her. He barely spoke to her, avoided her like the plague, and his people treated her as if she were invisible.After all, she wasn’t his choice, just a fate mate he never wanted.So when she met a tragic end, she welcomed death with open arms, hoping to step through the gates of heaven and spend her days running around the flower garden.But then … she was reborn.Thrown back to the past, right to the moment she was forced into their marriage, Primrose was determined to leave him before history could repeat itself.But just as she planned her escape, something strange happened—She could hear his thoughts.And they were nothing like his cold, distant behavior.【My wife is so beautiful today … But if I look at her, I won’t be able to let go.】【I'm a beast, I'm a monster, I don't deserve my wife ....】Primrose almost choked on air.Wait—what?!The more she listened, the more shocking the truth became—HE WAS OBSESSED WITH HER.Every time she was near, his thoughts screamed:“MINE.”“MATE.”“MY WIFE IS MAD AT ME! I DESERVE TO DIE!!”Excuse me?! Since when did the cold, untouchable Lycan King turn into this pathetic lovesick fool?!

She breaks all the rules.When master thief Xavier Valentine died, he caught the attention of Calypso, the Goddess of Reincarnation who turned death into her personal gameshow. But rather than simply send him to a new life, she made an unprecedented choice:She followed him in.Now trapped in a world of magic until seven Primordial Gates are cleared, Calypso and Xavier form an unlikely alliance. He needs to level up to survive. She needs entertainment to stay sane. The prestigious Catalyst Academy needs them to stop causing chaos for five minutes.They're probably going to disappoint everyone.In a world where dungeons hold divine secrets and ancient gates lead to untold power, one thing is certain:This goddess isn't letting her favorite soul leave her alone.

“I was nothing... and now, I have one chance to steal everything.”In his previous world, Ethan was just another failure. No talents, no dreams, no hope.But death wasn’t the end it was a new beginning.He wakes up in the body of “Valerian Lucard,” the son of a great family... but the weakest among them. Neglected, shunned, broken.But this time, things are different.He has an unbelievable ability:Fate Theft.Skills, talents, future opportunities... he can steal them, but at a heavy price.And the worst part? What’s stolen... never lasts.Now begins his race against everyone: the elites, the geniuses, the chosen heroes.Not because he's strong, but because he refuses to be nothing... ever again.In this world, either you steal glory... or everything gets stolen from you.