Regardless of whether Aisha believed him or not, You Ling decided to share the full story of what had happened to him after his death.
Since his soul would now be relying on the Millennium Puzzle and residing within this girl, a basic level of trust between them was necessary.
"So, Mr. You Ling passed away due to an accident, and then your soul transmigrated into the Millennium Puzzle. That's such a sad story. Please accept my condolences."
What surprised You Ling was how quickly Aisha accepted the situation. She didn't show even a hint of doubt about the absurdity of death, transmigration, and becoming a spirit companion. In fact, she had completely let go of her earlier wariness about having her thoughts read and was now sympathizing with You Ling's plight.
Of course, there wasn't much to worry about when it came to reading thoughts.
Communicating through thoughts was a very subjective experience. The other party could only hear what you wanted to convey, just like in a normal conversation. There was no need to worry about secrets being leaked or anything like that.
"I understand." Then, as if making a firm decision, Aisha nodded heavily. "Since Mr. You Ling is in such a pitiful situation, please feel free to stay in the Millennium Puzzle. I'll take good care of you!"
"No, no, no, that's not it. I didn't tell you all this so you could take care of me. And how exactly would you take care of me anyway?"
Aisha thought seriously for a moment. "If I diligently clean and polish this puzzle every day, wouldn't that be like cleaning your room for you?"
"..."
The first impression Aisha gave You Ling was that of a kind-hearted, trusting person who was a bit naive.
Paired with her cute appearance and the way her ahoge bounced when she nodded, she also came off as adorably silly.
"Alright, since you're so willing, I'll accept your kindness with gratitude."
If he had to say whether his first impression of her was good or bad, it would definitely be good.
You Ling didn't dislike this kind of simple, good-natured personality.
"That said, I can't just freeload off you... Let's make a deal," You Ling quickly shifted to the main topic.
"A deal?" Aisha's bouncing white ahoge curled slightly, forming a question mark shape.
"Sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation with your friend earlier. But if I understood correctly, Aisha, if you lose one more duel, you'll be expelled, right?"
"Ah, um, it's not really..." Aisha scratched her cheek awkwardly, her ahoge trembling nervously.
But after a few seconds of internal struggle between her dignity and honesty, Aisha decided to come clean.
"Alright, that's right. I'm sorry, I'm just too weak, wuwuwuwu." Her white ahoge drooped in disappointment.
"Being weak isn't a problem, as long as others are weak but still obsessed."
"Huh? I feel like I've just been insulted?"
"First part of the deal. Since you're providing the Millennium Puzzle for my soul to reside in, as repayment, I can take over your duels from now on."
"Take over? How?"
"You'll know once we try. Aisha, try to clear your mind and think of nothing."
"Clear my mind? That sounds really hard. I'm not sure if I can do it."
Following You Ling's suggestion, Aisha gently closed her eyes.
"No, you're quite talented." Just two seconds later, You Ling noticed that Aisha had succeeded. "You might be a genius at clearing your mind, Aisha."
Perhaps it was a skill he gained after becoming a spirit companion, but You Ling now had an innate understanding of soul swapping.
Once Aisha's mind was successfully cleared, You Ling's soul, residing within the Millennium Puzzle, felt as if it had found a new destination.
—Soul Swap!
When You Ling opened his eyes again, he felt his body had become much lighter.
Trying to clench his hand, he saw the slender, delicate fingers of a girl within his field of vision.
Along with that came the fresh, subtle fragrance unique to a girl's body.
Without a doubt, the soul swap had succeeded. Through the power of the Millennium Puzzle, You Ling had temporarily gained control of Aisha's body.
"So this is what a girl's body feels like. It's quite fascinating, but it doesn't feel inconvenient at all."
For You Ling, as long as he could play cards, that was all that mattered. The unique experience of being in a girl's body wasn't that important.
"W-w-what's going on, Mr. You Ling!"
On the other hand, the soul swap seemed to be too much of a shock for Aisha, the original owner of the body.
From the anxious questions echoing in You Ling's mind, it was clear that the girl was starting to panic.
When the soul resides within the Millennium Puzzle, it's like entering one's own "mental room."
You Ling didn't know what Aisha's mental room looked like.
But You Ling's own mental room was filled with nothing but card-related information.
While in the mental room, the soul couldn't control the body but could share its vision and hearing.
And, like You Ling and Aisha, they could communicate with each other through thoughts.
"Don't panic, Aisha," You Ling reassured her. "This is what I meant earlier about taking over your duels. With the soul swap, control of the body is temporarily transferred."
"That's not the point!" Even in her soul state, Aisha could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"That's my body, mine! Mr. You Ling, you're a guy, right? I, I..."
"Let me correct you. I was a guy when I was alive, but now that my body's been crushed, I'm just a soul."
Understanding Aisha's concerns as a girl, You Ling came up with a somewhat acceptable excuse to reassure her.
"Even so, I'm still really embarrassed!" Aisha said bluntly. "I'd feel so shy!"
"Don't worry, this is just an experimental soul swap. I promise that in the future, I'll only come out during duels. How does that sound?"
"Really?"
"As true as pearls."
"Can you give my body back now?"
"Of course."
—Soul Swap!
Returning to the mental room within the Millennium Puzzle, You Ling handed control of Aisha's body back to her.
"I'm really back. This is so amazing."
After receiving You Ling's promise and successfully regaining control of her body, Aisha gradually calmed down.
The naive and trusting girl was starting to place her faith in You Ling.
"Getting help from a mysterious expert inside a magical item—this is just like the protagonist in a novel who gets a ring with an old master inside! I'm feeling a bit excited, Mr. You Ling!"
"Oh, a ring with an old master? So this world has power fantasy novels too. But I can't help you cheat like the old masters in those stories. I can only help you play cards."
"That's more than enough!"
The deal was done, and communication with his host had gone smoothly.
For You Ling, who had transmigrated as just a soul, this was a pretty good start to his life in another world.
However, Aisha Yuna Carlos's luck wasn't as good as You Ling's.
After the afternoon classes ended, their homeroom teacher, Erin Rockefeller, announced the opponents for this week's practical tests, as arranged by the academy.
Aisha Yuna Carlos's opponent for this week's practical test was none other than the duke's son, Kevin Seto, who had just summoned the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
—Soul Swap!
When You Ling opened his eyes again, he felt his body had become much lighter.
Trying to clench his hand, he saw the slender, delicate fingers of a girl within his field of vision.
Along with that came the fresh, subtle fragrance unique to a girl's body.
Without a doubt, the soul swap had succeeded. Through the power of the Millennium Puzzle, You Ling had temporarily gained control of Aisha's body.
"So this is what a girl's body feels like. It's quite fascinating, but it doesn't feel inconvenient at all."
For You Ling, as long as he could play cards, that was all that mattered. The unique experience of being in a girl's body wasn't that important.
"W-w-what's going on, Mr. You Ling!"
On the other hand, the soul swap seemed to be too much of a shock for Aisha, the original owner of the body.
From the anxious questions echoing in You Ling's mind, it was clear that the girl was starting to panic.
When the soul resides within the Millennium Puzzle, it's like entering one's own "mental room."
You Ling didn't know what Aisha's mental room looked like.
But You Ling's own mental room was filled with nothing but card-related information.
While in the mental room, the soul couldn't control the body but could share its vision and hearing.
And, like You Ling and Aisha, they could communicate with each other through thoughts.
"Don't panic, Aisha," You Ling reassured her. "This is what I meant earlier about taking over your duels. With the soul swap, control of the body is temporarily transferred."
"That's not the point!" Even in her soul state, Aisha could feel her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
"That's my body, mine! Mr. You Ling, you're a guy, right? I, I..."
"Let me correct you. I was a guy when I was alive, but now that my body's been crushed, I'm just a soul."
Understanding Aisha's concerns as a girl, You Ling came up with a somewhat acceptable excuse to reassure her.
"Even so, I'm still really embarrassed!" Aisha said bluntly. "I'd feel so shy!"
"Don't worry, this is just an experimental soul swap. I promise that in the future, I'll only come out during duels. How does that sound?"
"Really?"
"As true as pearls."
"Can you give my body back now?"
"Of course."
—Soul Swap!
Returning to the mental room within the Millennium Puzzle, You Ling handed control of Aisha's body back to her.
"I'm really back. This is so amazing."
After receiving You Ling's promise and successfully regaining control of her body, Aisha gradually calmed down.
The naive and trusting girl was starting to place her faith in You Ling.
"Getting help from a mysterious expert inside a magical item—this is just like the protagonist in a novel who gets a ring with an old master inside! I'm feeling a bit excited, Mr. You Ling!"
"Oh, a ring with an old master? So this world has power fantasy novels too. But I can't help you cheat like the old masters in those stories. I can only help you play cards."
"That's more than enough!"
The deal was done, and communication with his host had gone smoothly.
For You Ling, who had transmigrated as just a soul, this was a pretty good start to his life in another world.
However, Aisha Yuna Carlos's luck wasn't as good as You Ling's.
After the afternoon classes ended, their homeroom teacher, Erin Rockefeller, announced the opponents for this week's practical tests, as arranged by the academy.
Aisha Yuna Carlos's opponent for this week's practical test was none other than the duke's son, Kevin Seto, who had just summoned the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.