Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 224: Retrograde Day

“As for my current situation,” Ashe began, “I’ve already escaped from the Blood Moon Kingdom, and then—”

He cut off there.

From the first second he arrived in the Gospel Kingdom, Annan became an unavoidable key figure. Ashe had barely set foot on the ground before Annan picked him up from the wilderness talent market.

However, due to the Contract, Ashe couldn’t reveal any information about Annan. Even an unintended slip would be prohibited by the Contract, let alone that his current predicaments, new residence, and new job were all closely linked to Annan. He was so tied up in secrecy that even his underwear, purchased with Annan’s money, was classified information.

He had a plethora of complaints he wanted to share with the Swordswoman, but everything ultimately pointed back to Annan, so there was nothing he could say. Any piece of information might unveil the secret of being supported by Annan.

“And then?” Sonya blinked.

“I can’t tell you,” Ashe said helplessly. “I signed a draconian Contract that forbids me from divulging any details. All I can say is that I’m safe for now, preparing for a grand plan that would desecrate the Divine Master, and I’ve also gained a daughter…”

“A daughter!?”

“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the plan to desecrate the Divine Master?”

Sonya’s lips moved slightly, then she suddenly remembered the Observer was a revived powerhouse. He must have been entangled in past causes and effects. Given his propensity for indulgence, he might have had a dozen partners in the past. Looking down, she said, “That makes sense, given your age, you’re bound to have children…”

What does she mean ‘given my age’?

I’m only in my twenties. Do I look like someone with kids? Although, to be fair, quite a few of my middle school classmates already have their second child…

“It’s actually just a pitiful kid who insists on calling me dad. I haven’t agreed to it, but looking after her is part of the job, so I had to accept. Don’t get the wrong idea, alright? I’m not married yet.”

“What misunderstanding? I don’t care whether you’re married or not.”

Sonya snorted, thinking to herself, could it be that the Observer became a teacher after transmigrating to a new kingdom? And he’s taking care of a child?

How is he taking care of her? Surely he’s not using his powers to force the child to study, is he?

“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about me; I’m safe for now.”

Ashe said, “What about you? Are you still enjoying life at the academy?”

“It’s okay, I guess. There are just a lot more admirers now, and I have to sign autographs every time I step out. I was even interviewed by reporters recently. Seems like a lot of people are calling me the top Swordsmanship Genius of Gales. I’ve received so many party invitations, it’s a lot of pressure, and I feel like I’ve lost weight…”

“You think I’m going to say I’m envious? Because I really am.” Ashe almost sounded sour. Sonya’s fulfilling college life made this out-of-date college student, whose only social activity was gaming in the dorm, very envious.

“All of this is because of you. Just over twenty days ago, I was just an unnoticed, pure, pretty, and cute college girl,” Sonya shrugged. “So… thanks.”

“Didn’t I say we don’t need to talk like that? And what does it have to do with me? It was all your own storyline development. I just told you to train properly,” Ashe shook his head, leaning back in the chair and said irritably, “And this kind of verbal thanks without any benefits, it’s like praise without a raise. It doesn’t stir any feelings in me, it’s even kind of nauseating—”

A pair of fair arms gently wrapped around his neck from behind.

Not with a choking strength, but with a tender, careful one, yet with a force that seemed to want to meld him into herself, like the ambiguous warmth of the sun after a nap.

The arms were resilient. The Virtual Realm body is a reflection of the real one, and in reality, the Swordswoman practiced her swordsmanship diligently. Even without intentional exercise, her hands would inevitably be strong, probably with biceps stronger than Ashe’s. Ashe liked these healthy lines.

The warm breath brushed through his hair and tickled his earlobe, making him feel a bit itchy. He had just turned his head when Sonya immediately let go and stepped back, looking sideways at the Golden Rain outside as if she couldn’t get enough of it: “For you.”

For me?

Ashe was startled, then realized that when the Swordswoman had hugged his neck, she had slipped a Healing Spirit into his embrace.

It was the highly efficient Healing Spirit ‘Retrograde Day’ that even a fool Sorcerer could use.

Sonya had obtained the spirit but hadn’t bonded with it, so it remained unclaimed and available for any Sorcerer to use.

“I—”

“If you don’t need it, just recycle it. Don’t give it back to me, and definitely don’t give it to the Witch.”

“You—”

“I’ve thought it over, and I realized I don’t really need this spirit, that’s why I’m giving it to you. No other reason.”

Ashe cocked his head at her, “If you wanted me to take ‘Retrograde Day’, why didn’t you just say so earlier? The Witch was planning to give it to me anyway.”

“But if she gave it to you, wouldn’t you owe her a favor?”

“That’s just normal resource distribution, how does it become a favor—”

“If it’s normal resource distribution, then why did you refuse ‘Retrograde Day’? Because you know, the temporal spirits you found can’t compare to ‘Retrograde Day’, and that’s why you were embarrassed to accept it. If the Witch insisted on giving it to you, you’d definitely feel obligated by the favor!”

“Even if it’s a favor, it’s useless. I’m quite fair and won’t be bought by one or two bribes.”

“What about ten times or a hundred times? The Witch started pleasing you from day one, and if she keeps accumulating favors, she’ll eventually make you lean towards her!

“Hmm, you have a point…” Ashe had to admit the Swordswoman was right: “But if you take ‘Retrograde Day’, don’t you owe her a favor too?”

“I’ll repay what I owe her. My relationship with her is purely transactional; favors won’t affect it,” Sonya said. “More importantly, even if I don’t repay her, I won’t feel any burden about it, unlike you who might crumble under such sugar-coated shells.”

“I can’t believe I’m actually starting to think this spirit of only taking money without doing favors is some kind of righteousness…” Ashe quipped. “You don’t have to be so wary of the Witch, though. We may not be that close to her now, but eventually, we will become partners with a strong Bond.”

“We’ll see about that,” Sonya replied noncommittally, her eyes fixed on ‘Retrograde Day’ in Ashe’s hand. “Are you going to take it or not?”

Even though Ashe felt he really didn’t need ‘Retrograde Day’ to save his life, how could he refuse after the Swordswoman had put it that way?

He couldn’t help but think that if he refused one second, the next second the Swordswoman might chop him to the point where he’d actually need ‘Retrograde Day’ to save his life.

Harnessing arcane energy to dominate ‘Retrograde Day’, Ashe suddenly said, “Wait a minute, by your logic, you took ‘Retrograde Day’ from the Witch and then handed it over to me, so you want me to owe you a favor?”

“Yes, you should remember this favor, and never forget it for the rest of your life.”

“But if I owe you a favor, won’t I be biased towards you?”

“Aren’t you already biased towards me?”

Right, resources were being prioritized for the Swordswoman, so that was not an issue.

“While I’m flattered that you both are trying to please me, and I must admit it’s quite gratifying, your real competitiveness comes from your own strength, not my attitude towards you. Once or twice is fine, but please don’t focus on that,” Ashe said, scratching his head. “We are just three people; infighting would be suicidal.”

“I’m not trying to please you…”

“Aren’t you trying to please me?”

“Yes.”

Sonya looked away from Ashe’s gaze, speaking softly, “But that’s not the only reason.”

Not far from the sports car, on the lawn, Deya was rolling around playfully. Tired from her frolicking, she lay down on the grass, spread out like the letter ‘big’, completely lacking her former poise and grace.

“Finally got some time to have fun.” She stretched lazily, murmuring, “Rolling around on the grass is a must-do activity when you’re on the Time Continent!”

Out of the blue, the White Queen said, “The Swordswoman should give it away too.”

“Give away what?”

“The ‘Retrograde Day’ spirit. The reason she took ‘Retrograde Day’ is to give it to the Observer.”

“What?” Deya sat up in shock. “She took our stuff to give to the Observer? How despicable, the world of adults is so disgusting, no wonder she wanted us to leave, she didn’t want us to interfere with her currying favor with the Observer!”

“It’s not that despicable or disgusting, she’s not doing it just to please the Observer.”

“Then what else is it for?”

“Princess, ‘Retrograde Day’ is a highly efficient healing spirit. We thought of trading it to the Observer, but after he refused, the Swordswoman took the initiative to take it. Even though the Observer believes he doesn’t need something like ‘Retrograde Day’ at his side, the Swordswoman may not agree with his opinion.”

“She might just be worried about the Observer’s safety.”