Sorcerer’s Handbook

“Sincerity”

“One Wing spirit”

“Restriction: Must possess a heart”

“Basic Effect: Transforms the heart into the ‘Heart of Sincerity’, significantly bolstering the Sorcerer’s mental resistances during the effect’s duration, and weakening a range of negative impacts on the soul, consciousness, and thought such as dizziness, confusion, and sluggishness.”

“Passive Effect: The Sorcerer becomes more inclined to speak the truth, favor sincere communication, and more easily discern the truthfulness of others’ words.”

“‘There are only two tragedies in life: one is not speaking the truth, the other is speaking it.’”

Sonya caressed the One Wing spirit that resembled a transparent butterfly, feeling a sense of wonder inside her. It wasn’t her first time summoning a spirit, but it was the first time she had done so with such unguarded surprise.

She knew the Sincerity spirit was summoned because of the Observer’s enforced Ritual, yet she mastered ‘Sincerity’ almost without any obstacle, completely comprehending the knowledge structure of ‘Sincerity’.

Sonya had a strong premonition: even if she lost ‘Sincerity’ one day, she would be able to summon it again.

Despite never having learned about ‘Sincerity’, despite her nature being quite dissimilar to ‘Sincerity’, when she touched the transparent butterfly, a resonance of knowledge connected her and the spirit. A feeling surged within her as if connected by bloodline, as though ‘Sincerity’ was her own birthed spirit.

She suddenly remembered a lesson about the origins of Sorcerers.

The earliest Sorcerers didn’t know how to summon spirits; they just lived very normal lives until ‘little darlings’ would appear out of nowhere to assist them.

In that distant era, time was lengthy and worth waiting for; every moment held the possibility of a spirit arriving by their side.

Ashe glanced at the “Operator Management” screen.

“Death Maniac Swordswoman”

“Human Race   Female   18 years old”

“Bond Level: 2 (40% Experience Sharing)”

“Bond Resonance – Greediness: When acting together, there is a chance to obtain better spoils of war.”

“Occupation: Silver Slayer Sorcerer”

“Occupational Traits: Each effective attack restores 0.5% maximum arcane energy.”

“Items: Training Wooden Sword”

“Controlling Spirits: Vibration Sword, Moon Silk, Rapids, Killing Intent Sword, Splitting Sword, Sheath, Sharpening”

“Swordsmanship Faction: Silver Rank”

“Radiance Faction: Silver Rank”

“Water Art Faction: Silver Rank”

“Mind Faction: Silver Rank”

“Exploration in Virtual Realm: 0.098%”

“Knowledge Curse: Whirlpool Secret Poison”

Indeed, the Mind Faction had been promoted directly to Silver Rank, but how did she acquire several spirits that she had never seen before?

Sonya shared her experiences and gains from the past two days with Ashe, who was both amazed and delighted, pondering that this might be the missing social development module and plot module from “Aurora’s Sorcerer Handbook.” Even without a player’s help, a mature Swordswoman could go through the story and claim her rewards alone.

Although Ashe couldn’t help the Swordswoman through ‘game levels,’ he was determined not to hold her back. He resolved to take her needs into account when dividing spoils of war in the future.

“I can teach you ‘Killing Intent Activation,’ the miracle, but I cannot share ‘Sheath’s Gathered Light’ and ‘Sharpening for a Decade’ with you,” Sonya explained. “The latter two miracles were taught to me by Professor Trozan, and we have a Sealing Membrane Contract. I have only the right to use these two miracles, not to share them. Until the contract is torn, I cannot reveal any information about these two miracles.”

Ashe expressed understanding; those two miracles were exclusive story rewards for the Swordswoman’s character, so naturally, they couldn’t be shared with other characters. The source of Killing Intent Activation was the Killing Intent Sword, a reward they both earned in the Virtual Realm. After returning to her world, the Swordswoman triggered additional storylines, which amounted to a bonus reward, naturally benefiting everyone involved.

However, he wasn’t interested in these miracles, as he lacked the key spirits and was a Sorcerer without any procedures. Even if he learned the miracles, he wouldn’t be able to make much of them.

Sonya glanced at him, pursed her lips, and asked, “What about you? Did you escape from prison?”

Ashe shook his head, sharing his experiences from the past two days.

Sonya’s emotions fluctuated as she listened to the cancellation of the Escape Plan, the arrival of Tri-wings Sanctuary Hunters, and even the near-murder by the Hunter Captain in the dormitory.

“So what’s your plan? Wait ten days and then escape?”

“Hopefully,” Ashe shrugged. “But in a few days, there’s another Blood Moon Tribunal, and I’m doubtful if I’ll be chosen again for the Lucky Eight Group—Sylin even called forth a Sanctuary Sorcerer, I don’t believe he’d miss this opportunity to let me die a legitimate death.”

“Last time I had Valcas standing in front of me, this time I have to rely on my own strength to get through.”

“You plan to resist the Blood Moon Tribunal?”

“I plan to play the sympathy card on the live stream, hoping the Audience will vote for another criminal.”

“So you’re planning to just wait for your end.” Sonya’s brows furrowed together, showing her dissatisfaction.

In the past, Sonya might have teased him and moved on, since the reality of the Observer was of no concern to her, and any complaints or worries they had were nothing more than idle chatter during break times.

She had never genuinely cared—or rather, worried—about an Observer’s situation.

But this time, Sonya couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you have any backup plans or trump cards? In case you really face an inescapable doom, do you have a surefire way to get out of trouble?”

“Nope, if I had one, I’d have escaped and been breathing the sweet air outside already.”

“How can you possibly have nothing? You can force me to train, uncover the secrets of the Virtual Realm, read through the Sorcerer Handbook with ease, and even have me summon spirits I never thought possible. How can you not have a way to save yourself?”

“But I just can’t,” Ashe spread his hands, “Maybe I’m just unlucky, sorry.”

Sonya stared at him intently, then suddenly said, “Is it my misconception, or do you truly not care about your own life or death?”

Ashe was slightly startled, turned his head to look at the white mist next to them, and said with feigned shyness, “Hearing you so concerned about me is actually a bit embarrassing.”

“I wasn’t…”

Sonya’s words were cut off as she suddenly froze, “Wait, does that mean my Ritual was interrupted?”

Ashe nodded, “Of course, the Ritual was interrupted the moment you summoned the spirit ‘Sincerity’. By the way, your Mind Faction Realm has also reached Silver Rank, remember to find some books to read when you get back—or maybe I can arrange some Mind Faction Training for you.”

“No need, I’ll learn about the Mind Faction by myself!” Sonya firmly rejected, giving Ashe a suspicious look, then suddenly blurted out, “Observer, you are a humble, kind, and good person.”

Ashe wondered how he had just received a deluxe version of the Friendzone Card when Sonya let out a long sigh of relief, “Ah, lying really does feel good.”

Ashe’s face was lined with frustration, and with a click of his tongue, he said, “I can’t be bothered to argue with you, it’s time to explore the Virtual Realm. Since we both have gathered Silver Wings, the plan is to play it safe and try to stick to Low-Risk Areas—”

“You haven’t answered my question yet.”

Sonya grabbed Ashe’s right wrist as he was about to tap the Holographic Screen, her pale pink eyes intently focused on Ashe’s blurred face, “I’ve never seen anyone so indifferent to their own life and death. Are you hiding a secret ace that I don’t know about, or do you simply not care about your own survival?”

“Hey, how can you say I’m indifferent? I just don’t see the need to show panic. Do you really want to see me scared and trembling? Swordswoman, you have quite the morbid curiosity~”

Ashe spoke with an ease that seemed reasonable, but Sonya shook her head.

“When I was a child, my mother would occasionally bring home little treats and delicious food. Whenever I asked her to try some, she would shake her head and say she had already eaten,” said Sonya. “That’s the feeling you give me—are you treating me like a little girl? Even a little girl could see through such obvious lies.”

After a moment of thought, Ashe relaxed and lay back on the Boat, letting out a wistful laugh.

“I’m not lying; I’m telling the truth. If I weren’t afraid of death and clinging to life, why would I be so focused on planning an escape from prison? Why would I go to all the trouble of forming an escape team? I too fear death; I too long to live. It’s a biological instinct. It’s just that…”

“Just what?”

“All that I can think of is simply staying alive.” Ashe looked up at the murky sky of the Virtual Realm. “No past, no future, no family, no friends. What drives me now is simply a biological inertia. I don’t have a goal worth fighting for; living is just for the sake of it.”

“It sounds a bit melodramatic, doesn’t it? I’m afraid you might mock me for it,” he shrugged. “I don’t even know how to describe this feeling… It’s like I’m a balloon, light and floating, but only tethered to the ground by a thin string.”

“It sounds like the early symptoms of ‘Immortality Syndrome’,” Sonya remarked. “Some legendary sorcerers of great age have a chance of contracting this unique illness. Due to stagnation in their Exploration in the Virtual Realm, a severe neglect in managing their reality, coupled with not updating their social circles in time and being unable to keep up with the changing times, they end up lost and alone.”

“‘Immortality Syndrome’ was considered incurable many years ago, with afflicted sorcerers quickly succumbing to the withering of their soul.”

Ashe was startled: “Is it that serious?”

“But with the advancement of medical sorcerers, this disease was soon decoded, and for hundreds of years, no sorcerer has died from ‘Immortality Syndrome’.”

Sonya extended two fingers. “There are two treatment methods. The first is to use the Medical Miracle known as ‘Beacon of Hope,’ reigniting the sorcerer’s own inner light to rediscover their life’s purpose. ‘Beacon of Hope’ is also a very common medical miracle, effective in treating a variety of ailments related to thought and consciousness.”

Ashe, who had already tried to overestimate this world, was still surprised by the wonders of the sorcerer’s world—they could even cure melodramatic diseases; sorcerers truly were amazing.

“The second method is talk therapy, which involves conversation to help you regain your spirit. Do you need me to treat you?”

“Sure, how does talk therapy work?”

“First, you have to call me master.”

Ashe was silent for a moment, then said, “Swordswoman, I think you might be showing some symptoms of ‘Immortality Syndrome’ yourself. How about I treat you first… No little boy would believe that kind of lie!”

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