After parting ways with Ingrid, Sonia headed to the Meditation Hall alone, mentally engaging with the Observer. "You said I could use the Torrent Soul Art myself?"
"That's right," the Observer replied, walking alongside her. "You've dabbled in the Water Arts, haven't you? I recall a sword miracle that uses both Ripple Blade and Torrent as core Soul Arts."
"You know the specifics of that miracle!?"
Sonia's excitement surged. If she could master a sword miracle, she wouldn't just earn Professor Trozan's approval—she could qualify for the Galaxy League Collegiate Championships and kick the doors to high society wide open!
"I don't."
"..."
"But since you have those two Soul Arts, you could invent the miracle yourself," the Observer said nonchalantly. "Isn't the beauty of being a Sorcerer the ability to combine Soul Arts to create wondrous miracles?"
"I've asked Professor Trozan before. Even for him, creating a water-based sword miracle using Ripple Blade and Torrent would take months…"
"Trozan? He's not you. You're the Sword Empress I chose."
Sonia rolled her eyes. She wasn't some gullible kid who'd fall for empty flattery. If you really thought so highly of me, why not just teach me the miracle directly?
She thought bitterly, I'd remember your generosity forever. When I make it big, I'd repay you tenfold.
If you died before that, I'd even throw you a grand funeral.
With an idea forming, Sonia kept her emotions in check and played along. "So you're saying you gave me the Torrent Soul Art as a gift and kept the Substitution Soul Art for yourself? You're so kind, Observer~"
The Observer visibly shuddered, stepping away cautiously. His shadowed face turned toward Sonia with suspicion.
Seeing him rattled, Sonia maintained her sweet smile and suppressed her thoughts to avoid exposing her true feelings.
"Enough with the probing," the Observer said finally. "I kept the Substitution Soul Art because I need it."
"You? Need a one-wing Soul Art?"
"First of all, there are no weak Soul Arts—only weak Sorcerers. That's lesson one in any beginner textbook."
The Observer sighed. "Second, I'm currently very weak, weaker than you, and I'm in danger. My true body is imprisoned somewhere, and I've lost parts of my memory during my awakening. I need your help to relearn Sorcerer basics."
So, he was strong before? Sonia mused. The memory loss must have been caused by some miracle that erases memories.
Though she felt pity, Sonia couldn't help but let her imagination run wild. A fallen legend, a once-mighty Sorcerer reclaiming his power? This was the kind of comeback tale she'd read about in fantasy novels.
A potential gold mine.
Unlike aristocrats like Felix, who came with strings attached, the Observer offered an independent path. Sonia had long dreamed of finding someone with potential—a partner to build a future with rather than being a cog in a pre-existing machine.
"Observer, what kind of danger are you in? Do you need my help? Just say the word, and I'll do my utmost to protect you!"
"…If you come across Soul Arts I need for the Severance Miracle in the Void Realm, let me have them."
"Severance Miracle?"
"Oh, right. I haven't told you. I'm imprisoned in a certain facility and need the Severance Miracle to escape."
After explaining the miracle, Sonia was stunned. If she wasn't mistaken, this was a miracle not yet listed in the Stellar Miracle Codex.
An unregistered miracle in the Starlight Nation?
And it was a practical sword miracle usable by silver-ranked Sorcerers for self-repair?
Sonia's thoughts raced. While she couldn't sell the miracle outright—she lacked the credentials to claim its creation—if she could gather the required Soul Arts, she might use the miracle herself or license it later.
"Is this your original creation?"
"No," the Observer said, glancing at her.
"It's a sword miracle I stole from an enemy."
"Will I get into trouble if I use it?"
"You can rest easy. That enemy will never bother you."
The Observer paused. "Never."
So, the original creator was dead?
Sonia's heart raced. She imagined mastering the miracle and licensing it. Surely, the Observer wouldn't mind her reaping a small reward from his enemy's defeat, right?
"Alright, I'll give it my all in the Void Realm to help you gather the required Soul Arts for the Severance Miracle. Speaking of which, there's something I'd like to discuss…"
"Save it for the Void Realm," the Observer said, stepping into the Meditation Hall. "We've got plenty of time there for chatting. Oh, and I've decided to accommodate your earlier complaints."
Sonia's face lit up. "You're going to stop monitoring my inner thoughts?"
"No. I've decided to stop appearing in your life altogether," the Observer shrugged. "No more dropping in unannounced. You won't have to mentally shout 'Observer' before you shower or use the bathroom. I'm not a towel or toilet paper."
"How do you even know I do that!?"
"Not important!"
The Observer waved dismissively. "From now on, our communication is limited to the Void Realm. Outside that, I won't interfere with your daily life."
"But… if I have an emergency?"
"Doesn't matter. I'm just a phantom; I can't lift a finger to help you. If you called me, I'd just mock you."
"Mocking is fine," Sonia insisted. "But would you show up if I called?"
"You make it hard to say no," the Observer replied, smirking. "But tell me, do you crave my presence because you're compensating for a lack of fatherly love?"
"Do you want me to call you Observer Daddy?"
"Pass. Just call me Observer," he said, recoiling. "Anything else would give me nightmares."
They arrived at Sonia's private meditation room. As she settled in and connected to the Void Realm, the Observer lingered for a moment.
She's terrifying…
In just two days, she's already learned to hide her true thoughts from me, even misleading me with false ones.
A true prodigy, born for the Void.
Her raw potential… is both exhilarating and alarming.
But that's no longer my concern.
With a shrug, the Observer vanished from the room.