Sonia clicked her tongue in frustration. She'd thought that, with the Observer suddenly so downcast, she could exploit his vulnerability, flip their dynamic, and turn him into her personal chauffeur in life and the Void.
But after putting herself in his shoes, Sonia found she could understand his feelings.
He woke up in an unfamiliar body, with no memories of sorcery or his previous life, and without even inheriting the memories of his new form. He was like a newborn tossed onto the streets—how could he not feel lost?
The only difference was that he didn't cry, and, frankly, he wasn't as cute as a baby.
Just as he devised a brilliant escape plan and was ready to take action, unforeseen interruptions derailed everything. On top of that, a looming and seemingly insurmountable crisis was breathing down his neck. Feeling discouraged under such circumstances was entirely understandable.
Sonia herself had often procrastinated on assignments, letting things pile up until she gave up and braced for whatever consequences came.
But her giving up might only earn her a professor's scolding.
If the Observer gave up?
He would die.
And that was something she couldn't allow.
"Do you want power? If you become a Saint-level sorcerer or a Four-Winged Legend, you could command miracles that reshape the world, standing above all others."
"I do, but only a little," Ash replied with a shrug. "Power's great and all. It's nice to have, but I'm not endlessly greedy. Just having Silver Wings already feels like a luxury."
"Do you want to uncover the secrets of the Void? The Sea of Knowledge is just the first layer. There's the Continent of Time, the Boundless Aether, the Ruby Mountains… Many sorcerers immerse themselves in the Void not just for the strength it bestows, but because exploring it is an adventure like no other."
"Sure, but not that much. Honestly, I'm more of a one-trip-a-year tourist. If it weren't for the need to grow stronger, I'd have already suggested taking a break from exploring. We've both got Silver Wings now—"
"Absolutely not!" Sonia cut him off, shaking her head vigorously as if he'd just uttered heresy. "Sorcerers can't pause their exploration of the Void! Even the laziest mule in a farming team wouldn't dare suggest that!"
"You're strange. Power and the Void are supposed to be a sorcerer's ultimate goals. Don't tell me your interests are… lower-brow. Do you want wealth? Power? Women?"
"Wouldn't 'career and romance' sound better?" Ash said wryly. "Honestly, if I could settle down after escaping, meet a sweet, innocent girl with a great personality, and live a peaceful, happy life, I'd be perfectly content."
"…This body's original owner must have been framed," Sonia said seriously. "That kind of thinking can't be yours. You're clearly being influenced by the body you're in. A person capable of such thoughts could never have been a cult leader!"
Ash found himself agreeing with her latter point, though he was annoyed that she dismissed his "simple dreams" so readily.
"Tsk, you're such a hassle. But I don't know the miracle 'Lantern of Hope.'" Sonia grumbled. "Though I've heard giving someone a good beating can sometimes work wonders…"
Ash immediately retreated to a corner of the boat. "Hey, hey, we can talk this through! It's not that big a deal, really. Let's just skip this trivial part and move on to some exciting Void exploration!"
"No way! We're solving your problem first!"
"Why?"
Ash was genuinely confused. "You've always hated me controlling your actions, haven't you? Didn't you say you'd be fine even if I disappeared? I'm not trying to off myself, just feeling a little tired and unmotivated. Why are you so worked up about my mental state?"
"Because I need you!"
Ash froze, stunned.
"Yes, I need you," Sonia repeated, crouching in front of him, her tone firm. "You're important to me."
"I want to become a Four-Winged Legend," she declared, her voice resolute. "I want to command miracles that shake the heavens and earth, make the world bow to my will, and force destiny itself to kneel before me."
"I want to uncover the mysteries of the Void, see the 'Timefall Showers' on the Continent of Time, the infinite expanse of the Boundless Aether, and the glittering Ruby Mountains. I want to witness miracles, capture more spirits, climb to even greater heights in sorcery, and perhaps even unveil the truth of the Void!"
"I want to become a major figure in Galos, to kneel in Decca Palace as the Empress herself grants me a noble title."
"I even dream of being a songstress and an actress, creating timeless classics and composing melodies that resonate through the ages. I want to be the kind of person others admire and aspire to become!"
"I want so much more," Sonia said, gripping Ash's hand tightly. "But I can't achieve my dreams on my own."
"That's why I need you, Observer. You're my shortcut to my aspirations."
She sighed. "As much as I hate all the chaos you've brought to my life, I admit that you've given me so much in return. Without you, I might not even be a sorcerer, let alone have Silver Wings. I need you, both in the real world and the Void."
"Observer, even if you don't have dreams," Sonia said, her voice unwavering, "you can still guard mine."
"Your name is Observer, right? Then watch over me. As long as I'm chasing my dreams, you must live."
Ash blinked, then burst into laughter, tears forming in his eyes.
As he wiped them away, he said with a chuckle, "You know, all I heard from that speech was two words—'use me.'"
Sonia clicked her tongue. "What's wrong with that? Our relationship is purely transactional. Isn't it better to lay our cards on the table for smoother cooperation?"
"I was hoping for something more heartfelt…"
"Fine, don't move."
Before he could react, Sonia leaned in, wrapping her arms around him in a clumsy hug, her chin resting lightly on his shoulder.
Ash could tell her movements were stiff. Maybe she'd never hugged anyone before—man or woman—or maybe she'd just grown up without much physical affection.
"You've become an important part of my life. I don't want to lose you," she said softly.
For a moment, Ash was stunned, a warmth spreading through him like a summer breeze. Just as he was about to return the embrace, Sonia quickly pulled away, a teasing smile on her face.
"Well? Did your heart skip a beat?"
Ash's face darkened. "Oh, right. You're no longer bound by the ritual. You don't have to tell the truth anymore!"
"Of course not. Think about it—we've only known each other for a few days. Do I seem like the kind of person who'd say something like that so easily?" Sonia stuck out her tongue. "I told you—it's all about mutual benefits. You actually believed me? Were you smitten?"
Ash groaned. "So, about your dream of being a songstress. Since we've got time, how about you sing us a song?"
"What do I look like, someone with no dignity?"
They bickered briefly, but soon both fell silent. Sonia sat down beside him.
"So? How do you feel now?"
"Terrible," Ash replied dryly. "I almost want to spite you by dying on purpose."
"You—!"
"Just kidding." Ash shrugged. "But now that I think about it, I do have someone I'd love to take revenge on. They framed me, put me in this prison, and still want me dead. I can't let them win. Even if I'm tired of living, I have to escape and settle the score first."
"Good! Keep that fire burning!" Sonia nodded. "No dying until you've had your revenge!"
Ash glanced at her. "Sonia, remember when I said I felt like a balloon, weightless except for a single string tethering me to the ground?"
She nodded.
"You're that string."
Sonia blinked, caught off guard.
"Even if it's just for you," Ash continued, "to protect your dreams, to witness your future—I'll keep living."
For once, Sonia didn't know how to respond. She averted her gaze, muttering, "I…"
Ash suddenly leaned back with a sly grin. "Well? Did your heart skip a beat?"
Sonia's shoulders trembled with suppressed laughter, her mouth twitching.
She crossed her arms with a huff. "That was the worst acting I've ever seen. Even kids wouldn't buy it. You want me to teach you how to fake emotions with flair? I'm a pro at lying, you know."
"Teach me how to sing first. You've got a captive audience right here."
"Tch. Enough small talk. Let's explore the Void. It's almost dawn in my world."
"Fair enough," Ash agreed, opening the Void map.
His hand froze.
"What's wrong?" Sonia asked, frowning at his suddenly tense demeanor.
"Remember the golden rule of Void exploration you told me on our first day?"
"Yeah—never linger in one place for too long."
Her voice trailed off as she caught sight of something in the fog—a pair of pale yellow, slitted eyes.
The eyes of a Foxglare Dragon.
Behind it, more shapes loomed—Fishcutters, Foxglares, Rainbreakers, Mudfin Dragons, Umbrellabirds…
Unknowingly, they'd been surrounded by a swarm of knowledge creatures.
"Ash," Sonia hissed, her voice low. "Was I… too loud just now?"
"Shh."