Steel and Mana - Chapter 316 – Controlled Falling

In the shadow of Silver Peak Mountain, the Winter Moon Festival approaches - a party where wolves find their true mates. For 18-year-old Lily Carter, being an omega means living on the edges of pack life, watching others find love while she expects to be paired with another forgotten omega. All her life, she's watched Luna, the Beta's daughter, receive admiration from everyone - especially from the Alpha's triplet boys who will one day lead the pack.But on the night of Lily's 18th birthday, which falls during the festival, her world shatters when her fated mate mark shows - linking her to one of the three powerful brothers. Now Lily must manage jealousy, dangerous pack politics, and her own insecurities as she tries to discover which brother is truly meant for her. As threats emerge from within and outside the pack, Lily discovers hidden strengths that show she's far more than “just an omega.” With three potential mates - the charming diplomat, the fierce warrior, and the thoughtful scholar - Lily's destiny is far greater than anyone could have dreamed.

To save a doomed fantasy world, I killed the main characters, then destroyed the game world, and fell into another timeline as the academy's top seat and rival to the protagonist.Now, I'm trying to save the world and steer it towards a better ending…But I'm the final boss.

On the day of her wedding, Ivy Quinn vanishes, leaving behind only a note: “I’m sorry, I can't marry a blind man.”To protect her son from heartbreak, Elizabeth Winters strikes a desperate deal—Ruby, Ivy’s identical twin, must take her sister’s place at the altar. Trapped by duty and family pressure, Ruby agrees, believing it will only last until Stefan’s eyesight is restored.But from the moment they marry, Stefan senses something is different about his “wife.” The woman beside him is nothing like the shallow fiancée he once knew. She’s sharp, resilient, and understands his business in a way Ivy never did. Against all odds, he falls harder than ever for this new version of her.And Ruby? She never expected to fall in love with a man who was never meant to be hers.But just when she finds the courage to tell him the truth, Ivy returns, ready to reclaim the life she abandoned.When Stefan finally opens his eyes, will he see the woman who truly stood by him—or will he be too blind to recognize real love?****Excerpt****“By the way, did Ruby come to the wedding?” he asked, catching her off guard since she hadn't expected him to ask her that all of a sudden.Was he already suspecting that it was her and not Ivy?Ruby’s fingers froze on the door handle for just a fraction of a second.It was enough to set off alarms in Stefan's head.“I—uh…” She hesitated, but only briefly. “No. She had work. She couldn’t make it.”Was he suspecting a switch already? What must have set off the alarm in his head?Stefan hummed, tilting his head slightly. “Oh, I see. How is she, then? I hope she's coming to visit one of these days?”Her fingers tightened on the handle, though her voice remained steady. “Yeah. She would, the moment she is chanced and can come.”A slow smirk tugged at the corner of Stefan’s lips, though he kept his expression neutral.Interesting. Very interesting. His wife had just lied to him and he didn't know why.Even though he was blind, he'd find out why soon enough.

Can't a man maintain his dignity while preparing for the end of the world? Is that too much to ask?

The Tower was all I knew... all any of us knew, and just like that, it was gone. Monsters the likes of which I'd never seen ravaged the land of my ancestors. They burst through the outer walls and stormed the city. No one could have been ready for that. But now... Now I have a second chance.

After the collapse of the known world, I woke up to find myself on the First Floor of the Tower. I was young and healthy, 18 again, and sitting in the same classroom that marked the worst days of my life. Confused and excited, I accepted this gift, deciding to use my vast knowledge of the future to climb the Tower in preparation for the end of the world.

Maybe I'll help some folks along the way? Who knows. Survival comes first.

The clock is ticking, and I'm left with only a century to build a Deck powerful enough to survive the end. Things to do... What's first? I need Essence, and I need power. I'll have to climb the Tower to acquire both of these. Some of the zealots will try to stop me, need to look out for those. What if-

“Hey, kid! Hand over the pouch or-”

Stab

Sorry, where was I? Ah... there's a spot of blood on my suit. What a lousy morning.

In this world of blood and fantasy, century-old Rowan Wilder has to not only survive, but thrive as he powers his way to the top of the Tower. The Demonic Plague that has twisted the creatures on the upper Floors is the least of his worries. Cane in hand and Summons by his side, he'll have to tear his way through the monsters, as well as the humans who want to stop his ascent. Of course, he can maintain a sense of decorum while he faces these trials, right?