The new familiar Ash had acquired was the result of last night's virtual realm expedition.
It turned out that waiting had been worthwhile for both him and Sonia. Just as the vortex was about to disappear, the map's "Wait" prompt finally shifted to "Charge Ahead." Without hesitation, Ash grabbed Sonia, and they dove into the swirling maelstrom.
After traversing thousands of miles across the virtual ocean, they found themselves face-to-face with an injured Fangtail Leviathan.
When it came to a wounded beast like this, neither Ash nor Sonia felt bound by any sense of fairness. They struck quickly, finishing it off while it was vulnerable. The victory yielded five familiars—a veritable windfall. While there were no experience orbs among the spoils, each familiar had its unique utility, making the haul immensely valuable.
Ash's newfound confidence in dealing with Igula stemmed largely from one of these familiars, the Balance familiar.
"Balance"
One-Winged Familiar
Requirements: The mage must have a solid understanding of trigonometry, sequences, and probability theory.
Base Effect: Reflects a portion of any effect back on the caster.
Passive Effect: Significantly enhances the mage's sense of balance and ability to adjust their center of gravity.
"Equilibrium exists within all things."
Initially, Ash had planned to use the Balance familiar as a form of defensive counterattack. It wasn't until he left the virtual realm and returned to the real world that he realized how naturally he could attune to its resonance.
Perhaps it was because he understood the mathematical concepts it required; years of high school and college had drilled those basics into his mind. Though he'd long forgotten how to solve complex problems, the underlying principles remained.
This was the first familiar Ash had encountered that required intellectual prerequisites. According to Sonia, such requirements were usually tied to familiars associated with Fate, Prophecy, or Truth—types rarely useful in direct combat but often invaluable in unexpected ways. Familiars of this kind were highly prized, and those who mastered them enjoyed elevated social status, especially among divination mages.
The ability to resonate with Balance outside the virtual realm opened up possibilities for Ash to exploit it within Shard Lake Prison, a "civilized society" of sorts. However, Balance was a reactionary familiar—it only activated when someone else used magic first. And in a place where no one could generate mana, there were few targets to trigger its effects.
Except, of course, for his new "friend."
"Not bad, Ash," Igula said with an air of forced nonchalance. "Since I have a wish to hold over you and you have one over me, we're in perfect equilibrium. How about we call it even? You live your life, I live mine. We coexist peacefully, build a harmonious prison—deal?"
"No deal." Ash smiled slyly. "I'm cashing in my wish right now."
"You'd better think this through!" Igula's voice turned sharp. "Once you spend your wish, you'll lose all leverage over me. After that, I could make you do anything I want—like perform a handstand while... relieving yourself. Or, let's say, deliberately lose a Deathmatch. You'd be completely at my mercy!"
"Oh, I've thought it through." Ash took a step closer, backing Igula against the wall.
Sensing trouble, Igula's instincts screamed at him to escape. He raised his hands in mock surrender, his tone shifting to one of appeasement. "Wait, Ash, no need to go this far. Let's talk. We're friends, right? I'll help you out if I can—no wish needed."
"I don't want 'if you can.' I need you to fulfill my wish completely and with no excuses."
"I'm just a conman—limited skills, you know? But how about this: I'll strike up a contract with another inmate. Whatever you need, I'll make them do it for you. Unlimited times, even!"
"No thanks. It has to be you."
Igula's back was pressed firmly against the wall. Ash leaned in, one hand braced against the surface, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"My wish is—"
"NO! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!"
Igula slapped his hands over his ears and bolted, but without magic to enhance his speed, Ash easily caught him, grabbing his arm.
"Igula, my wish is for you to help me escape this prison!" Ash declared loudly.
A passing guard glanced at the scene, shook his head, and walked on, whistling casually. To him, inmates talking about escape plans was as routine as the breakfast menu—nothing to take seriously.
He even felt a little sorry for them. Making daydreams right after breakfast? How pitiful.
For Igula, however, Ash's words were anything but trivial.
Out of breath, Igula stared at Ash, his face pale and slick with sweat. He had known this was coming. The moment Ash gained leverage over him, the outcome had been sealed.
A man who survived the Bloodmoon Trials—what else could he wish for? Escape was the only thing that made sense.
The conman let out a long sigh, his usual composure crumbling. "Follow me."
Igula led Ash back to his cell. Shard Lake Prison didn't forbid inmates from visiting each other. In fact, they could even sleep together if they wanted, though "intimate contact" was off the table unless they were in designated couples' quarters.
Similarly, physical altercations were only allowed in the Deathmatch arena, and even basic bodily functions like relieving oneself were regulated. Yes, prisoners had to request permission for something as mundane as using the restroom.
In Shard Lake, the distinction between prisoners and free people boiled down to this:
Free people operated under the principle of "anything not forbidden is allowed."
Prisoners lived by "anything not permitted is forbidden."
"Nice place you've got here," Ash remarked, throwing himself onto Igula's velvet-covered bed without a care.
Igula, struggling to maintain composure, sat on a chair opposite him, fingers interlaced. His gaze was cold and calculating.
"Do you really want to escape?"
"Who doesn't?" Ash shot back.
"Plenty," Igula said flatly. "Take 'Diamond' Tyger, for example. He's made too many enemies outside these walls. Staying here is safer for him. As long as he avoids the Bloodmoon Trials, his life here is better than out there."
He paused, studying Ash. "You could have the same. You survived your first Bloodmoon Trial, which means you're likely to get a fair rotation in the Contribution Sequence. Keep earning points, and you'll live comfortably here. Big rooms, custom meals, even indulgences like Moon Sugar if you want. We even have an ice-skating rink now because someone requested it."
Leaning forward, Igula's voice took on a persuasive tone. "This place isn't a prison; it's paradise for those who understand it. No crime, no competition, no struggle—just order and routine. Peace. Isn't that better than the dangers waiting outside?"
Ash seemed to consider it. Igula felt a flicker of hope.
"You're right," Ash said finally. "Prison life can be easier, even enjoyable. If I stayed long enough, I might end up like you all—content, complacent, comfortable."
Igula's smile widened.
"But that's exactly why I must escape." Ash's tone sharpened. "Before this place strips me of my courage, breaks my spirit, and turns me into a dog."
The smile froze on Igula's face.
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, with a frustrated growl, Igula kicked over his chair and turned to punch the wall.
Of course, the chip in his neck intervened, freezing his body mid-motion.
"Fine!" he spat. "Escape, then! But we'll never make it unless we deal with these damn chips first. Any plans for that, 'Mastermind' Ash?"
Ash smiled confidently.
"I've got it covered."
Igula froze mid-sneer. "Wait, what?"