Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 197: How I Adore the Swordswoman

Im quite disappointed too!

The girl sat cross-legged on the bed, her face full of dissatisfaction: Youre not as cold, cruel, and evil as I imagined.

So my portrait gives off that kind of impression? Ashe scratched his head in shock: Well nice to meet you for the first time, Im Ashe, the apocalypse observer.

Im the Black-and-White Witch. She swayed on the bed: Just call me Witch.

Good evening, Witch, have you had dinner?

Stop, lets end the unnecessary pleasantries here. She held up three fingers: Ive come to establish three principles with you first.

Oh?

First, unless I speak of it first, you are not to inquire about my life.

Second, unless I ask first, you shall not reveal details about your life.

Third, the Witch raised her third finger, I want the same treatment as the Swordswoman.

Ashe thought for a moment, then asked: Is this about the Hidden Treasure?

The Witch responded noncommittally: You could say that.

The Black-and-White Witchs Silver Blessing Hidden Treasure allowed her to gain strength by concealing her information, so her insistence on privacy was only natural. But why did she also demand that Ashe not disclose his own information?

Nevertheless, Ashe couldnt reveal much anywayAnnan had just ordered them not to leak any information to non-firm personnel, and even if Ashe wanted to vent about his new boss in the virtual realm chats, the Contract would silence him.

As for the treatment of the Swordswoman, Ashe reflected carefully: endless Training, the vanguard shield in the Exploration in Virtual Realm, the test subject for various incident cards

No problem! Ashe clapped his hands: Ill do my best to fulfill your wishes!

Now that weve established the principles for our interaction, if theres nothing else, Ill be

Hold on, do you know the Swordswoman? Ashe called out to her: Havent seen her for days, is she um is she too busy on her side, not even able to spare a moment to see me?

The Witch looked at him with interest: Are you asking about that slightly scheming but adorable Swordswoman, who says one thing and means another, yet has a kind heart, and often admires herself in the mirror?

Probably?

Sorry, I dont know a Swordswoman like that. The Black-and-White Witch spread her hands. I just know that apart from you, theres a teammate called Swordswoman.

How do you know so much about her then?

From the Portrait.

Ashe was puzzled, a storm of question marks over his head. Could a Portrait really reveal that much information?

Damn it, if only he hadnt lost his high-definition Holographic Screen, he would definitely use a magnifying glass to study every single detail of the Black-and-White Witch and Swordswomans Portraits worth scrutinizing day and night.

Im actually curious why you think the Swordswoman would come to see you.

The Witch propped her chin, smiling: If it werent for establishing rules with you before the official Exploration in Virtual Realm, I wouldnt bother to see you at all. After all, the only thing we share is the Exploration in Virtual Realm. Beyond that, we are strangers who will never meet again. Not interfering with each other is the most logical relationship.

Whats your relationship with the Swordswoman, and why would she care about you?

Ashe replied without hesitation: Because were not strangers, but companions with a Bond. I know she would definitely care about me, just as I care about her in my heart.

The Black-and-White Witch quietly watched Ashe, silent for a moment.

For some reason, Ashe felt her attitude seemed to have softened slightly. Although the Witch appeared very natural and lively from the start, she had always sat on the bed, maintaining a significant distance from him, polite but aloof.

Now, although she was still sitting on the bed, she leaned forward slightly, as if curious about Ashe, and her demeanor became gentler.

Its not up to us to decide whether we can appear before you like this, but its determined by the Bond between us, the Witch suddenly explained. The deeper the Bond, the harder it is for us to appear before you. If the Swordswoman really cares about you, then you might find it very difficult to see her longing for you.

So its not the Swordswomans fault for not coming to see you. Shes also waiting for you to appear before her, maybe in the Virtual Realm or perhaps somewhere else

The Witch paused: In short, if you hope to see the Swordswoman often, you might as well wish that you and the Swordswoman could stay together in the Virtual Realm forever.

Thats a strange rule, Ashe frowned. Shouldnt it be that the deeper the Bond, the easier it is to meet?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and after all, in this state, were not physical beings, but manifestations of longing, the Witch shrugged. Longing is something you dont cherish when its there, but you desperately yearn for when its absent.

But to miss the Swordswoman so much after just a few days

The Witchs eyes sparkled with curiosity.

o(*) Could it be that you like her?

I do like her.

Hearing such a decisive and straightforward declaration of love, the Witchs eyes went wide. She lightly patted her face and asked, Can you say that again?

I like the Swordswoman, Ashe stated matter-of-factly. Shes so strong, so adorable, so beautiful, of course I like her.

Wow!

Wow!

Wow!

The Witch almost wished she could broadcast this news to everyone right away, but then she noticed Ashe was openly looking at her black-and-white stockings.

She hesitated for a moment, stretched out her legs, and pulled her skirt above her knees. So, do you like me?

If you wore a super short skirt like the one in the Portrait, and if you were strong enough during Exploration in Virtual Realm, with a good growth rate in everyday situations, I probably would like you too, Ashe earnestly assessed the allure of the black-and-white stockings.

Thats a pretty cheap form of affection.

Ashe was puzzled. How expensive does your love need to be? Should I write your name as the beneficiary on my insurance?

Right, the Witch thought, after all, in Ashes eyes, they were not completely real. Just like no one falls in love with a piece of paper, Ashes feelings for them were naturally limited to cheap affection.

But I think it would be hard for you to surpass the Swordswoman in my heart unless your strength is really high.

Oh? The Witch raised her eyebrows. Why? Do you think the Swordswoman is more beautiful than me?

Its not just about the Portrait, Ashe explained. The main reason is that the Swordswoman was the first companion I could trust when I came to this world, the first comrade-in-arms to fight alongside me. Weve explored the Sea of Knowledge together, entered the Whirlpool together, looked at the Sorcerer Handbook together, and participated in Destinys Inquiry together My life in this world all started with the Swordswoman.

To me, shes like the sun rising over a graveyard.

Just this shared experience of adversity makes me feel that no one can shake her position in my heart.

He added, Unless your strength is really high.