Mage Manual

Ingrid went her separate way, while Sonia headed to the Meditation Building on her own, asking in her heart, "You mentioned earlier that I can use the Rapid Stream Technique Spirit myself?"

"Yes," the Observer walked alongside her, "Didn't you have some foundation in the Water Technique Faction? I recall that a core Technique Spirit of a Sword Miracle involves both the Wave Motion Sword and Rapid Stream."

"You know the specific secret of that Miracle!?"

Sonia became excited instantly. If she mastered a Sword Miracle, she would not only gain Professor Trozan's appreciation but also qualify to participate in the Jiale City's college tournament, opening the doors to high society purely through her strength—

"I don't know."

"..."

"But since you have these two Technique Spirits, you can invent this Miracle yourself." The Observer's tone was relaxed. "Isn't the wonder of being a mage in being able to combine any numerous Technique Spirits into an incredible, splendid Miracle?"

"I also asked Professor Trozan, but even he would take months of effort to create a Water Sword Miracle based on the Wave Motion Sword and Rapid Stream..."

"How can he compare to you? You're the Sword Maiden I've found, after all."

Sonia pursed her lips. She wasn't a three-year-old child; she wouldn't believe such cost-free compliments—if you really thought so highly of me, just give me the Miracle Technique directly!

I would remember your great kindness, and when I achieve success, wouldn't I repay you?

Even if you died before I achieved success, I would certainly prepare a grand funeral for you!

She rolled her eyes, doing her best to control her mental fluctuations, continuing, "So, are you saying you took the Substitute Technique Spirit only to let me have the Rapid Stream Technique Spirit? You're so kind to me~"

The Observer shivered immediately, taking a step to the side, seeming somewhat uncertain, as his dim face watched Sonia.

Sonia maintained her sweet smile, concentrating all her efforts to control her thought processes, doing her best not to let the Observer hear her true thoughts.

"…Alright, stop probing. The Substitute Technique Spirit is something I need, which is why I took it."

"At your level, you still need a One-winged Technique Spirit?"

"Firstly, there's no weak Technique Spirit, only weak mages—a principle that should be taught in every mage textbook."

The Observer said, "Secondly, I'm currently weak, weaker than you, and in danger, with my body imprisoned. Not only am I very weak, but I've also lost considerable memory during my waking process, so I need to learn the knowledge of mages through you."

Currently weak… meaning he was stronger before?

Lost memory… could he have suffered a Miracle that erases memory?

No wonder he asked so many idiotic questions; turns out he really is an idiot.

But even Sonia, who rarely read fantasy literature, instantly filled in the blanks about 'the return of the strong,' 'the fall of the Legendary Mage,' 'the revival of a great being,' and such plots, and couldn't help feeling intrigued—

Isn't this exactly the potential ally she had always been looking for!?

Although the current situation was not ideal, given time to grow, he was sure to become a peerless strongman, a towering tree, king of a faction, and enjoy great wealth and honor!

Ordinary potential stocks still had an element of chance, whereas the Observer was reclaiming his peak, so given enough time, success was almost guaranteed!

Sonia had always been uninterested in Felix, because she hoped to find a potential ally herself. After all, it's not easy to benefit from nobles; even if Felix, this noble heir, was a fool, his parents weren't fools. To rely on the power of great nobles, she'd surely have to sacrifice a lot—literally carving out a part of herself—without giving birth to a child, don't even think about escaping.

If she could find a potential ally to marry, Sonia could not only enjoy wealth and honor but also maintain her independence, not entirely losing her voice in the family.

Though the Observer was her superior, finding a marriage partner and finding a superior followed the same rationale.

Rather than joining a large organization to become a cog in the machine, she would rather become a founding member together with her potential ally superior!

"Do you have any danger, Observer? Do you need my help? Just say the word! Protecting your safety is my duty!"

"…Next time during Void Realm Exploration, if we encounter the Technique Spirits needed for my Miracle 'Cut Self,' just let me have them."

"The 'Cut Self' Miracle?"

"Oh right, I haven't told you yet, I'm currently imprisoned somewhere, and I need the 'Cut Self' Miracle to escape."

When the Observer explained the 'Cut Self' Miracle in detail, Sonia was dumbfounded—if she remembered correctly, this Miracle hadn't been registered in the 'Dazzling Star Miracle Directory'!

A Miracle that had never appeared in the Kingdom of Stars!

And it was an incredibly useful Miracle, one a Silver Mage could use for self-healing sword techniques!

Although Sonia couldn't sell this Miracle—she couldn't disclose the Miracle's source at all, and she completely lacked the conditions to create a Miracle (she couldn't even gather the Technique Spirits), selling it would only lead to the Mage Association recognizing it as the theft of someone else's patent—but if she could authorize the sale of the secret of this Miracle, the money earned would be enough to make Sonia a small rich woman in Jiale City!

This is why Sonia, a petite bourgeois, when discovered by the Observer for her swordsmanship talent, and taken on adventures in the Void Realm, only felt 'grateful.'

However, when the Observer gave her a Miracle secret that she couldn't currently use or sell, Sonia found it impossible to contain her joy, simply because the latter had more value in the Kingdom of Stars.

This is called the future pie is no match for the present salary, spiritual satisfaction cannot replace material satisfaction.

"Is this a sword Miracle you invented?"

"No."

The Observer glanced at Sonia.

"I stole this sword Miracle from an enemy."

Sonia blinked, "Will using this Miracle get me into trouble?"

"You can rest assured, that enemy of mine will definitely not appear in front of you."

He paused, "Definitely not."

So the original patent inventor was dead?

Sonia felt a surge of excitement, thinking once she fully unfurled her Silver Wings and found all the Technique Spirits needed for the 'Cut Self' Miracle, couldn't she claim this Miracle as her own and authorize its sale? Such small benefits and welfare, surely a big figure like the Observer wouldn't care, right?

"Okay, I will certainly work hard during the Void Realm Exploration to help you gather the Technique Spirits for the 'Cut Self' Miracle. By the way, I actually have something I'd like to discuss with you…"

"Let's talk about it inside the Void Realm." The Observer stepped into the Meditation Building. "There's plenty of time in the Void Realm, you can discuss anything you want. Oh, aren't you annoyed by me listening to your thoughts? I've decided to accommodate your wish."

Sonia beamed, "You're going to stop monitoring my mind?"

"No, I've decided not to seek you out usually." The Observer shrugged. "From now on, you don't have to think 'Observer' before going to the bathroom or taking a shower—I'm not a toilet paper or towel."

"How did you know that I think of you before going to the bathroom or shower?"

"That's not important!"

The Observer waved a hand. "From now on, if you have anything to discuss, save it for the Void Realm. I won't disturb your normal life, and I won't appear when you call me."

"What if… if you don't listen to my thoughts, I'm still happy to have you around. Even if you insist on listening to my thoughts, I reckon I'm getting used to it…"

Sonia's response was somewhat hesitant, clearly she was a bit unsure as well. She undoubtedly disliked the Observer invading her privacy, but precisely because of it, she could bare her true self before the Observer, not needing or able to don any mask.

This was also why Sonia was so pleased when she suspected earlier that the Observer was just an extension of her split personality.

A wise presence that knows everything about oneself yet cannot affect one's social relations, isn't that the ideal confidant?

"You talk as if your daily life is so fascinating that I'd shamelessly insist on watching." The Observer folded his arms. "I also have my own things to do; I don't have time for the spring colors of a college student's campus life."

"In short, the hours in the Void Realm will be our communication time; at other times, I won't come to disturb you, nor will I respond when you call me."

"What if there's something very urgent I need you for?"

"Then there's no use calling me." The Observer spread his hands. "The 'me' that's present with you is just a phantom, I can't even lift a single hair, I can offer you no real help. If you summon me, all I can do is mock you."

"Mocking is okay." Sonia was insistent, "Will you still appear when I call for you?"

"It's really hard to refuse such a request. But I'm curious, do you need me so much because I fill the lack of fatherly love from your childhood?"

"So do you want me to call you Observer Dad?"

"No thanks, just call me Observer," the Observer stepped back, "otherwise, I'll have nightmares."

As they talked, they arrived at a solitary meditation chamber. Sonia sat cross-legged, glanced at the Observer beside her, took out the Wave Sword Technique Spirit, sought the Gate of Truth, and entered the Void Realm.

As Sonia closed her eyes, her consciousness connected to the distant Void Realm, the Observer suddenly sighed.

How terrifying...

In merely two days' time, she had managed to find a way to conceal her thoughts from me, even deceiving me in her mind...

Truly worthy of being called the Witch bearing the name of 'Death Mad'...

This talent, this brilliance, is it for better or worse to have her unearth her potential so early...

But that's no longer my concern.

The Observer shrugged, and his form disappeared from the meditation chamber.