Mist (Web Novel CN) - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Innate Spirits are the physical manifestation of people’s souls, proof of their deepest desires and true nature.In a world where the powerful rule everything, those with weak or nonexistent spirits are completely dismissed.When children attain the age of 16, every child awakens their Innate Spirit through the awakening test, a moment that determines their fate all through their life.Cole was immediately termed trash. He failed to awaken, and all that was in the place of his spirit was an obscure figure no one could make out, but its presence briefly seemed to oppress all present.The feeling was fleeting, and Cole was branded as worthless; he was set to be reduced to nothing but a servant, discarded by a world that values power above all else.Desperate to defy his fate, Cole chased a chance at change, only to be met with overwhelming danger.In the face of death, his soul finally responded, and his innate spirit awakened.But the earth-shattering power he expected never came; instead, he received a book.Runes are deeply engraved all over its cover. Giving off intense oppressive vibes.A book that would grow alongside him and one day become the foundation upon which all life and all laws are rewritten.

# COZY # OMNIPOTENT # CHIEFASSISTANT

In her past life, Mo Ruyue was a top-notch assassin. She was as indifferent as an abyss, and had killed more people than she had fingers to count. In her new life, she became the vicious stepmother of five munchkins in a remote mountain valley, and they were terrified of her. In this life, she decided to change the way she lived. She only had four bare walls for a house? Her children starved to the point they were just skin and bones? No problem. She could kill wild boars with her bare hands, so food wasn’t an issue. She was also proficient in multiplication tables, and her kids instantly became big fans of hers. It had been a difficult journey to change from a vicious stepmother to a warm one. Then, her supposedly dead husband suddenly returned, now the first minister of the dynasty.“Let’s divorce. Give me the children, and I’ll return the money to you.” “I don’t lack anything, just you and the children.”

It’s been 11 years since I’ve lived for others and not for me.

The moment I cried out wanting to get away from my exhausting life, I opened my eyes in the body of some Count’s 20-year-old daughter.

Since this happened, I decided to live my life freely as a single woman.

But…

“I need a lady to act as my fake wife for a certain period of time.”

“A contract marriage?”

“The term is one year. When the time is up, I’ll give you divorce with no strings attached.”

The Duke of the Empire whom I had happened to meet at a ball was hitting on me.

Turns out he’s no other than the Emperor’s beloved brother, Duke Scade!

Hold on, it’s just going to end in a clean divorce with no strings attached?

“You should also give me alimony. Give me one of the best lands of the Ducal household with 10 years’ worth of profit.”

“…..What?”

“If you don’t want to do that, then we cannot get married.”

This time I’m going to live a life taking care of the things I need first!

***

“I’ll escort you since it’s late.”

Where to? My bedroom is just around the corner.

“Tonight, I’ll do my best.”

No, I don’t need you to do that.

“Did you just look at that man?”

Excuse me, Duke, you said it’s for a limited time only, so why do you keep obsessing over me?

If it hadn't been a misdiagnosis for a terminal illness, she wouldn't have dared to mess with him even if she had ten thousand guts.“Mr. Huo, shall we play a game of heartbeats?”...The next day, there were two more red booklets.“What... what are these?”“Permits for legally having a second child.”And just like that, a single heartbeat game turned her into Mrs. Huo, and from then on, she had a god-like husband and was accompanied by a cute little bun...