"Sincerity"
"First-Wing Spirit"
"Restriction: Must possess a heart."
"Basic Effect: Transforms the heart into a 'Heart of Sincerity,' significantly enhancing the sorcerer's resistance to mental effects. While active, it weakens debuffs such as dizziness, confusion, and sluggishness, especially those targeting the soul, consciousness, or thought processes."
"Passive Effect: The sorcerer becomes more inclined to speak the truth, prefers honest communication, and can better discern the sincerity of others' words."
"The tragedy of life comes in two forms: not speaking the truth, or speaking it."
Sonia gently stroked the transparent, butterfly-like First-Wing Spirit. The sensation was nothing short of miraculous. Though she had summoned spirits before, she had never done so with such surprise and unpreparedness.
She knew that the "Sincerity" spirit was summoned due to the Observer's ritual, but she was astonished at how effortlessly she bonded with it. Sonia understood its entire knowledge structure without the slightest obstruction.
There was a strange certainty in her heart: even if she were to lose "Sincerity" someday, she could summon it again.
This was baffling. She had never studied anything about "Sincerity," and her nature was hardly aligned with the spirit's traits. Yet, as she caressed the translucent butterfly, the resonance of knowledge wove a connection between them. The spirit felt as if it were her own blood and soul.
Suddenly, she recalled something from her classes about the origins of sorcerers.
In the earliest days, people didn't know how to summon spirits. They simply lived their lives, and "little helpers" would appear to aid them naturally.
In those ancient times, life stretched long and leisurely. It was worth the wait, for every moment carried the possibility of a spirit descending to their side.
Ash, meanwhile, opened his "Agent Management" screen to review Sonia's status.
"Frenzied Sword Maiden"
"Species: Human · Female · 18 years old"
"Bond Level: 2 (40% XP Sharing)"
"Bond Resonance - 'Greed Beyond Measure': Increases the likelihood of better loot during shared actions."
"Class: Executioner of Silver"
"Class Trait: Restores 0.5% max energy with each successful attack."
"Possessions: Training Wooden Sword"
"Spirits Controlled: Ripple Blade, Lunar Silk, Rapid Stream, Killing Intent Sword, Split Blade, Sword Sheath, Sharpening Blade."
"Swordsmanship Realm: Silver-Level"
"Light Realm: Silver-Level"
"Water Realm: Silver-Level"
"Mind Realm: Silver-Level"
"Void Exploration: 0.098%"
"Knowledge Curse: Vortex Venom"
As expected, her Mind Realm had advanced to Silver-Level. But where had she acquired those new spirits he'd never seen before?
When Sonia recounted her recent encounters and rewards, Ash couldn't help but feel a mix of amazement and delight.
"This must be the missing 'social development' and 'plot module' from Aurora's Sorcerer Handbook," he thought. "Even without my help, the Sword Maiden advanced her storyline and earned her rewards independently."
Although Ash couldn't clear "game levels" for Sonia, he resolved not to hold her back. Moving forward, he'd ensure she got a fair share of the spoils to meet her needs.
"I can teach you the 'Killing Intent Activation' miracle," Sonia explained, "but I can't share 'Sheath of Radiance' or 'A Decade of Sharpening.' Those were taught to me by Professor Telozan, and I signed a sealed contract. I only have the right to use them, not to share them. Breaking the contract isn't an option."
Ash nodded in understanding. Those miracles were clearly her exclusive rewards for completing her personal story arc—naturally non-shareable. "Killing Intent Activation," however, was derived from the Killing Intent Sword they had obtained together, making it a cooperative bonus available to both of them.
Still, Ash wasn't particularly interested in these miracles. Without the corresponding spirits and as a self-proclaimed "lazy sorcerer," he doubted he'd achieve much even if he learned the techniques.
Sonia glanced at him, pursed her lips, and asked, "What about you? Did you break out?"
Ash shook his head and recounted his strange experiences from the past two days.
As Sonia listened to the canceled escape plan, the arrival of a Saintly Hunter, and how Ash narrowly avoided assassination in his dorm, her emotions swung wildly.
"So, what's your plan? Try again in ten days?"
"That's the hope," Ash replied with a shrug. "But there's another Bloodmoon Trial coming up. I wouldn't be surprised if I get chosen for the 'Lucky Eight' again. If Shirin was willing to bring in a Saintly Hunter, I doubt he'll pass up another chance to get rid of me publicly."
"And this time, without Valkas shielding me, I'll have to rely on my own skills to survive."
"You want to face the Bloodmoon Trial head-on?"
"No, I plan to play the victim on the live broadcast and hope the audience votes for someone else to die."
"In other words, you're planning to wait for death." Sonia frowned, clearly displeased.
Normally, she would've shrugged off Ash's gripes about his reality as idle banter during their downtime. But this time, she couldn't help but ask:
"Don't you have any contingency plans or secret weapons? What if you're faced with an inescapable situation?"
"Nope, none. If I did, I'd have escaped by now to enjoy the sweet air outside."
"You're lying. You forced me to train, you see through the Void's secrets, you casually browse sorcery manuals, and you made me summon a spirit I never even dreamed of. How can someone like you not have a way to save yourself?"
"But I don't!" Ash spread his hands helplessly. "Maybe I'm just unlucky. Sorry."
Sonia stared at him, her expression unreadable. Finally, she asked, "Is it just my imagination, or do you genuinely not care about your own life?"
Ash froze, then turned his gaze to the misty seas, feigning shyness. "Hearing you worry about me like this… I'm flattered."
"I'm not—"
Sonia stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening. "Wait, does this mean your ritual is over?"
"Of course," Ash confirmed. "The moment you summoned the Sincerity spirit, the ritual ended. By the way, your Mind Realm advanced to Silver-Level. Remember to study up when you get back—or I can arrange some Mind Realm training sessions for you."
"No need! I'll handle my own studies!" Sonia quickly declined. Then, with a suspicious glance, she added, "Observer, you're such a kind, humble, and selfless person."
Ash raised an eyebrow at the unexpected compliment, only to hear her exhale in relief.
"Ah, lying feels so good."
"Great, a deluxe Good Samaritan card," Ash muttered, rolling his eyes. "Let's just focus on Void exploration. Now that we both have Silver Wings, we should stick to low-risk areas and—"
"You still haven't answered my question."
Sonia grabbed his wrist, stopping him mid-action. Her crimson eyes locked onto his indistinct face.
"I've never seen anyone so indifferent to their own life. Do you have some hidden trump card, or do you truly not care whether you live or die?"
Ash sighed, lying back on the small boat with a wry smile.
"I care. If I didn't, why would I go through all the trouble of planning an escape? Or put together an entire breakout crew? I'm afraid of dying—I want to live. That's just basic biology. But…"
"But what?"
"But that's all I can think about—just staying alive." Ash gazed at the gray Void skies. "I have no past, no future, no family, no friends. The only thing keeping me going is sheer inertia. I have no grand goals, no purpose worth fighting for. I'm just alive… for the sake of being alive."
He chuckled dryly. "Sounds melodramatic, right? Go ahead, laugh at me."
Sonia shook her head. "It doesn't sound melodramatic. It sounds like the early symptoms of 'Immortality Syndrome.'"
"What's that?"
"It's a condition some long-lived Legendary sorcerers develop. Stagnant in their Void exploration, disconnected from reality, and isolated from their peers, they lose touch with the world around them. They become aimless and lonely."
"And?"
"Untreated, it used to be a death sentence. Sorcerers' souls would wither, and they'd die shortly after."
Ash blanched. "That serious?"
"But modern healing miracles have made it manageable. There are two treatments." Sonia raised two fingers.
"First, the miracle 'Lantern of Hope.' It reignites the patient's inner spark, helping them rediscover their goals. It's a common medical miracle used for various mental ailments."
"And the second?"
"Therapeutic dialogue. Essentially, a good chat to help you bounce back. Want me to treat you?"
"Sure, how does it work?"
"Step one: call me Master."
After a brief pause, Ash retorted, "Sonia, you might need therapy yourself. Let me treat you first—your lies wouldn't fool a toddler!"