Sorcerer’s Handbook

The underground river quietly flowed, while the city gradually came to life. Since there was no distinction between day and night, people from different time zones filled the city. Some might just be starting their day.

“So, you’re the princess who escaped from the Royal Palace, wanting to save your elder sister from the Tower, with the wish to abolish the ‘Ranking of the Unrelated’?”

Ashe summarized after listening to Lise’s confession while they sat on a bench by the river.

“Yes!” Lise nodded vigorously. “My sister doesn’t want to be the First Gospel either. If you take me to see her and let me touch her, then we leave the Tower together, she definitely won’t become the First Gospel. You wouldn’t have to assassinate her at all!”

“Hmm…” Ashe stared at Lise, “You really are a princess…”

“What’s wrong? Do I not look like one?”

“Nothing, it’s just that being called ‘Dad’ by a princess gives me a weird sense of accomplishment. Can you call me that once?”

The white-haired little girl opened her mouth, turned her head to the side, and huffed, “Stupid Ashe!”

Right now, it wasn’t Lise inside her, but Deya. There’s no way she’d call him that!

After discussing with her sisters, Deya decided to reveal most of her secrets but still hid the details about her multiple personalities, her body becoming younger, and her original identity as the First Gospel. Explaining why her body had shrunk was too complicated. The Bronze Dragon’s Trial, the identity of the First Gospel, the Armored Sanctification… Moreover, these details were unrelated to the assassination mission. Even if Deya confessed she was the original First Gospel, Ashe and his group would still aim to assassinate the princess.

Most importantly, Deya didn’t want to be known by Ashe in this form.

It’s like anonymous chatting. Ashe had always treated her as a little girl. If she suddenly revealed that she was nearly twenty, this sudden exposure filled her with fear and anxiety.

What if he hated her? What if he thought she was deliberately deceiving him? What if… That mix of feelings, wrapped in anxiety, rose and fell repeatedly.

The White Queen pointed out a very crucial detail: the scariest outcome wouldn’t be Ashe getting angry, but Ashe acknowledging their existence. If he were to accept that Lise = Deya = White Queen = Black Butler = Scarlet Dead Apostles = Daughter, it would be catastrophic.

Relationships, once formed, are like mirrors: they can either turn yellow and dusty, shatter and crack, or remain unchanged.

To Ashe, his daughter is Lise, and only Lise.

They didn’t want to be Ashe’s daughters for the rest of their lives.

So, after the Weaving Festival ends, after the Bronze Dragon’s Trial finishes, and when she returns to her original form, she will muster the courage to recognize him.

[Hello, I am Lise Deya.]

The thought of that moment filled Deya with hope, making every cell in her body want to dance with excitement.

Moreover, this secrecy would weaken their connection to Nina. She hadn’t even mentioned that her urge to save Nina stemmed from an overwhelming sense of guilt, making the rescue seem less… necessary.

Or rather, making Ashe mistakenly believe that Nina wasn’t that important to her, thus lowering the odds of him agreeing.

Because they hadn’t convinced Lise; instead, they had been convinced by Lise.

Deya didn’t want to give up the chance to save Nina, but she was even more unwilling for Ashe to lose his life in the attempt. This complex intertwining of emotions left her with no choice but to present this flawed plan, waiting for Ashe’s critique.

Undoubtedly, this was a shameless act, unable to make a decision herself, and praying for someone else to do it for her. In this regard, Deya felt she wasn’t much different from Lise, still a child relying on adults.

If Ashe found this approach too difficult and insisted on the original plan to assassinate Nina himself to ensure Annan’s victory, Deya might feel disappointed or sad, but she would also be glad for anything that increased Ashe’s chances of survival.

“Well,” the white-haired little girl asked nervously, “Ashe, what do you think…?”

“No problem.”

“Or rather, this is great.” Ashe smiled. “To ask me to kill a stranger, a girl living in the Tower, I’d need several sessions with Igor to cope with the guilt. Lise, thank you. You’ve given me a second option.”

Ashe’s quick agreement made her feel a bit unreal: “Don’t you think it will become more difficult?”

“Well, bringing you along does add some difficulty, but not much. Besides, you might actually help me during the action… However, you’re indeed too weak with no means of self-defense.”

Ashe scrutinized ‘Lise’: “Although it might be better than nothing… I can make you a sorcerer, at least you’ll have an additional spirit to assist you.”

‘Lise’ was stunned: “Make me a sorcerer?”

“Exactly,” Ashe said with a grin. “During my recent Adventure on the Time Continent, I acquired a Miracle that allows me to [transfer one of my spirits to any person]. As you’re not a sorcerer, you might not understand the value of this Miracle…”

Deya certainly understood.

Or rather, anyone who is a sorcerer or aspires to be one would know the immense power of this Miracle!

At first glance, “transferring” seems like merely relocating a spirit, akin to buying and selling spirits. But this can only be done from oneself to another person. If it were about seizing a spirit from someone else, it would be slightly different.

Among sorcerers, “transferring” holds no significant meaning, but between a sorcerer and an ordinary person, the value is immeasurable. If Ashe decided to auction this opportunity, he could instantly become wealthy, with countless people clamoring to pay him!

Ordinary people cannot possess any spirits, as dominating any spirit requires spellforce, which can only be gained by entering the Virtual Realm. For ordinary people, this is akin to the paradoxical requirement of ‘three years of work experience for an entry-level job.’

So no matter if you are a poor village girl or a rich young master, the first step to becoming a sorcerer involves diligently honing your craft day and night, summoning your first spirit from scratch to knock on the doors of the Virtual Realm.

The true value of the “transferring” Miracle lies in this-although only an originally summoned spirit can open the Gate of Truth, and the second-hand spirit gifted by Ashe cannot allow a person to enter the Virtual Realm, the presence of a spirit means anyone could then improve their skills. It’s like answering questions with a guide; as long as one is willing to work hard, they can undoubtedly step into the silver realm!

And this “transferring” Miracle was Ashe’s reward for enduring the “no toilet paper” curse.

Back then, they bought both a blessing and a curse from the Chaotic Shopping Book. The blessing was “mortal danger sense,” and the cost was that they had to constantly stare at each other. Meanwhile, Ashe purchased the “no toilet paper” curse separately. Although he did not gain any insights about the Fate Sect from that unfortunate period, he did get a consolation prize.

Initially, Ashe had mistaken “transferring” for junk. But after consulting the Gospel Book, he realized it had enormous potential.

However, opportunities should be seized when they arise. Originally, Ashe had planned to save this reward for the future to give to Igor’s daughter Leia, choosing a super powerful spirit for her. But if Lise was going to join him in the Royal Palace, then naturally, Lise needed to be equipped first.

What did Deya think about this?

She definitely couldn’t accept it!

She was already a sorcerer and unable to use spirits in reality because of the Bronze Dragon’s Trial. Even if Ashe gifted her a spirit, it would be useless and might even expose more of her secrets!

Thus, ‘Lise’ quickly shook her head and swiftly changed the topic: “By the way, although you’ve agreed, Annan will surely insist on having Banjeet leave, right? As a reason for Banjeet’s departure, I would also have to go… Do you have a way to convince Annan?”

“It’s Uncle Banjeet and Sister Annan.” Ashe gave ‘Lise’ a flick on the forehead: “It’s fine to call me by my name, but show some respect to others.”

He paused: “As for the problem, don’t worry, it’s already been solved. Annan won’t be letting Banjeet leave.”

“Solved?” ‘Lise’ was puzzled: “How was it solved?”

“The Gospel helped us settle it.”

‘Lise’ blinked, then realized something and summoned her Gospel Book, flipping to the bookmarked page.

Due to the latest ranking list coming at an inopportune—or perhaps opportune—time, Little Lise had taken the chance to run off with Ashe. They hadn’t yet seen the contents of the latest Future Ranking.

“Assassination Ranking”

“10th Place: Assassinate Rust Crow. Assassin: Cicero Scott… will be executed by Ashe Heath.”

“7th Place: Assassinate Ghost King. Assassin: Anrock… will be executed by Ashe Heath.”

“5th Place: Assassinate Leia Bukin. Assassin… will be executed by Ashe Heath.”

“3rd Place: Assassinate Ashe Heath. Assassin… will be executed by Ashe Heath.”

“2nd Place: Assassinate the Empress. Assassin: Banjeet Dolan.”

“Will be executed by Ashe Heath.”