Florida Man in Magus World: Unleashing Liberty and Freedom

While the newly formed elite units dedicated themselves to mastering modern tactics and weapons, Felix worked diligently to bolster his own strength in secret. The completion of Main Quest #13 unlocked his level cap, giving him an opportunity to grow stronger. However, progress was far from simple.

Felix converted obsolete weapons and surplus mana petroleum into raw mana, which he then refined into essence. The process, while efficient, came with a steep cost.

Each new level required at least 20 million points of essence, and with 1,000 mana points compressing into a mere 1 point of essence, the grind was staggering. Without shortcuts or external boosts, reaching the maximum level seemed a task that could take decades of relentless effort.

Recognizing the need for balance, Felix adopted a disciplined routine. For 30 minutes each day, he pushed his physical and magical limits in Chrono Gym, sparring with the ever-impressive Singtowl. These sessions were brief but grueling, forcing Felix to explore untapped reserves of his power.

The rest of his days, however, were more relaxed. He split his time between bonding with his wives, mingling with the island's people, and secretly tending to Clover, using his unique watering technique to ensure her vitality and growth.

The island's tranquility wasn't without its developments.

In the village's warehouse, which had been converted into a sprawling nest, the latest generation of Lamia hatchlings began to emerge. These juveniles bore an uncanny resemblance to human 6-year-old girls, save for their serpentine tails and scaled torsos. Out of 1,000 eggs laid, only 100 successfully hatched and adapted to their new environment, a harsh yet necessary reality of the Lamia lifecycle.

The unfertilized eggs and those hatchlings who failed to survive did not go to waste. True to their culture, the Lamias processed them into food, a practice both practical and deeply ingrained in their traditions.

Ever curious, Felix discreetly took one unfertilized egg from the stockpile. Using a philosopher stone, he cloned and multiplied it. Honoring the Lamias' customs, he experimented with the eggs, preparing a variety of creative dishes for breakfast. From fluffy omelets to savory egg tarts, his culinary attempts were both inventive and delicious.

It wasn't long before Diana and Jiji discovered his secret, yet the two shrugged it off. While Felix's actions might have seemed unconventional to outsiders, they aligned perfectly with Lamia's culture. Cooking with the eggs was a symbolic act of respect for life and renewal, and the pair couldn't argue with the delicious results Felix served at the table.

Meanwhile, a forgotten figure stirred from his long solitude. Jagged Beard, a grizzled dwarf miner, finally emerged from his secluded dwelling deep within the western mountain range. For a month, he had toiled in isolation, digging up precious minerals and gems, occasionally pausing to savor the beer Felix had gifted him. However, his food supplies had dwindled to nothing, and the cherished beer was but a fond memory.

Now driven by hunger and thirst, he decided to pack up some of his finest ores and minerals, hoping to barter them for food and drink.

Jagged Beard fashioned a massive leather sack and filled it to the brim with heavy stones and shimmering gems, slinging it over his shoulder like a wandering peddler. Despite the burden, the dwarf's powerful legs and light step allowed him to leap great distances, propelling him across rugged terrain with ease.

One mighty jump brought him to Felix's house at the heart of the floating island.

But instead of calling for Felix right away, Jagged Beard paused, observing the scenery with wide eyes.

The first thing to catch his attention was the massive warehouse next to Felix's home. Its sheer size was impressive, but what truly intrigued him was the powerful array formation he could sense emanating from within. The magical energies radiated like a beacon, sparking his innate dwarven curiosity.

Jagged Beard's gaze then shifted eastward, where the scene stunned him further. Rolling farmlands stretched as far as his eyes could see, brimming with ripe crops. Farmers worked tirelessly under the sun while the rhythm of loud instruments and cheerful folksongs filled the air. The lively atmosphere reached him even from nearly 500 meters away, in contrast to the quiet solitude of his mountain home.

Then there were the smooth concrete pathways connecting the bustling northern and southern towns. The sight of such advanced infrastructure at a distance left the dwarf speechless. Where once lay untamed wilderness now stood a thriving, interconnected settlement.

Jagged Beard gulped. This was not the humble place that he remembered. In his isolation, the world around him had transformed into something extraordinary. The sight of progress and prosperity caught him so off guard that he completely forgot why he had come.

While Jagged Beard stood lost in thought, Felix coincidentally returned from another intense session at the Chrono Gym. His body still radiated faint traces of the temporal energy that clung to him from his training with Singtowl.

As he approached his house, Felix's sharp eyes caught sight of the stout dwarf standing near his front door, seemingly frozen in awe at the surrounding developments.

After using a Philosopher's Stone to reset his age once again, bringing himself back to his preferred youthful form, Felix strode toward the dwarf with a wide grin.

"Good timing, dude. I was just thinking about visiting you," Felix said casually, though in the back of his mind, he struggled to recall the dwarf's name.

Jagged Beard spun around. He opened his mouth, fully intending to give Felix a piece of his mind for neglecting him. After all, it had been ages since the brat had delivered the promised beer or provisions.

But the moment his senses locked onto Felix's aura, his scolding words died in his throat. The dwarf's eyes widened in shock as he instinctively stepped back, gripping the leather bag of minerals slung over his shoulder.

"Brat!" Jagged Beard roared, though his voice carried more surprise than anger. "I thought you were just some 5th-circle mage or something! Why the hell does your aura feel like an aura knight now?! And not just that… how in the elven hells have you already reached six stars?!"

Felix blinked, scratching the back of his head and glancing at his invisible system screen to confirm his stats.

.

Name: Felix Ariel

Remaining Lifespan: 4,294,967,295

Bloodline: Void Phoenix

Element Affinity: Fire, Water, Metal, Earth, Poison, Light, Void

Authorized Level: Super Democracy Pass (Class B)
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Level: 62/60 (Limit Break +2)

Energy: 145M / 145M

Essence: 145 Million

Innate Talents: Flame Lungs, Fast Learner, Fire Immunity, Poison Immunity, Petrification Immunity, Ashen Resurrection

Skills:

- Phoenix Flame Manipulation (Skilled)

- Radiant Essence Circulation (Master)

- Metallurgy (Grand Master)

- Metal Creation (Master)

- Holy Light Manipulation (Master)

- Water Creation (Grand Master)

- Poison Creation (Master)

- Temperature Control (Beginner)

- Gravitation Force (Beginner)

.

His current level in the system realm placed him squarely in the domain of a 6-star aura knight or a 6th-circle mage. However, the energy signature he gave off wasn't purely magical. His new Radiant Essence Circulation skill allowed him to efficiently convert essence into auras, lending him a presence indistinguishable from that of a seasoned aura knight.

Felix was reluctant to answer. He tried to dodge the question.

"Yeah, about that… Let's just say I've been experimenting with some new abilities. Don't worry about it," Felix replied, trying to wave off the topic like it was no big deal.

But Jagged Beard wasn't buying the half-hearted explanation. His eyes narrowed, and his finger jabbed in Felix's direction, trembling with frustration.

"DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT?! You're telling me you cracked the secret to convert from a fifth-circle mage to a six-star aura knight in what… a couple of months?! And you're telling me NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT?! Brat, that's downright blasphemous! Do you have any idea how many years of blood, sweat, and most importantly… "ALE" it takes us regular folks to make that kind of leap?"

Felix sighed. He had no intention of diving into a detailed explanation about his Radiant Essence Circulation or how he had essentially brute-forced his way to power using absurd amounts of essence.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. You've had it rough. But let's put a pin in this little rant, alright?"

Seeing the dwarf's beard practically bristling with rage, Felix decided to silence him. With a casual flick of his wrist, he brought out a wooden barrel of spirit beer, setting it down with a satisfying thud.

Jagged Beard's anger vanished in an instant. His eyes locked onto the barrel, glinting like polished emeralds. Saliva dripped from the corners of his mouth as if he were a rabid wolf staring down a fresh kill. But just as he stepped forward, Felix reached into his pocket and pulled out a Philosopher's Stone.

Before the dwarf could react, Felix touched the stone to the barrel. A sudden golden flash erupted, and in the blink of an eye, the single barrel multiplied into a thousand. The front yard transformed into a chaotic sea of barrels. Some materialized in mid-air and plummeted downward, threatening to bury the stunned dwarf alive.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF HOLY ALE?!" Jagged Beard roared, leaping into action. His short legs glowed with green energy as he activated his aura, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.

Despite the onslaught, the dwarf moved with precision. He caught each falling barrel as though it were a newborn lamb, cradling them with exaggerated care. The yard became a blur of motion as he darted back and forth, gently placing each barrel on the ground.

Within two seconds, Jagged Beard had arranged the barrels into a perfectly symmetrical pyramid that towered over him. His chest heaved as he turned back to Felix.

"These are mine now!" Jagged Beard declared, slinging his leather backpack to the ground with a heavy clunk. It spilled open, revealing a small fortune in gemstones and mineral ores. "I don't care how you did it, brat, but I caught every one of those barrels before they smashed into the dirt. Finders, keepers!"

Felix crossed his arms, raising an amused eyebrow. "I didn't say you couldn't have them. But I'll take these gems as payment. Fair trade, right?"

Jagged Beard huffed but made no objection. He turned back to admire his precious pyramid of beer barrels, muttering to himself, "Damn brat and those useless fancy tricks... At least the ale's still cold."

Felix chuckled, "You're welcome."

"Bah!" Jagged Beard waved him off but couldn't hide the glint of satisfaction in his eyes. He thought of a way to transport all 1,000 barrels of beer to his hideout.

However, Felix was not finished with the dwarf. He put another barrel of his new creation in the front yard. He also fiddled with his system and decided to construct one of the rewards that he had received not too long ago.

War Machine Factory