Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 232: I Want You and Ashe

Lise, who could freely change her answers, could completely alter others’ perceptions of her through this ‘Honesty Game’.

In the last question, Lise wagered a Silver Coin, blatantly stating her choice of “yes”, which was almost equivalent to a battle cry effect—”I, Lise, am just a naive and adorable girl who easily trusts others, greatly increasing everyone’s fondness for me”.

Indeed, she had succeeded, as seeing her willingness to cooperate sincerely with others without any Contract Restrictions, even with those like Igor who had the worst impression of her, naturally fostered a sense of goodwill.

But her success was limited.

Because Ashe had also chosen “yes”.

If one were to say that a hundred units of fondness emerged in everyone’s hearts at that moment, then only ten of those were directed at Lise, with the remaining ninety going to Ashe.

After all, it was far too normal for Lise, the little girl, to be naive and adorable. But Ashe being the same was both amusing and surprisingly thrilling. It’s like a student who normally scores 80 out of 100 getting a 90 is praiseworthy, but another who typically scores 60 and then scores 90 is even more commendable—it may not be a prodigal’s return, but it’s akin to laying down the butcher’s knife to become a Buddha on the spot.

In some sense, in the art of being endearing, Lise lost to Ashe.

And because of Ashe, the schemes of Lise and Annan had utterly failed—perhaps Igor, Harvey, and Lise could still not trust each other, but they could always trust Ashe.

But Lise and Annan couldn’t be blamed for this outcome. Who could have predicted that this man, who mingled with Con Artists and Necromancers, would turn out to be a lotus in the mud?

“Since you’ve discovered that I have multiple personalities, have you noticed anything about Ashe…?”

“No, he has always had the character of a Nursery’s toddler class.” Igor was somewhat frustrated: “Though unexpected, on reflection, it makes perfect sense. Someone like him is truly unique in the Blood Moon Kingdom. Please don’t misunderstand, Harvey and I are the norm in the Blood Moon Kingdom.”

“Lise” could only chalk it up to bad luck. She suddenly asked, “Mr. Bukin, I have a question for you—regarding the question about whether you would cross-dress, I actually chose ‘no’ and bet five Silver Coins planning to get it wrong along with everyone else. Always getting the right answer would be too conspicuous.”

It was a peculiar way of phrasing it; she said she had a question, but she stated a fact instead.

However, Igor understood what she meant—why had Lise chosen “no,” yet there were still five “yes” answers on the table?

There was only one possibility: apart from Lise, the other five people had also chosen “yes,” including Igor himself!

But if Igor had chosen “yes,” why had he bet on five people, not six? After all, in his view, he was the only one who might choose “no,” while the rest were certain to choose “yes.” Now that he had chosen “yes” too, it should have been a unanimous decision.

“Just like you bet one Silver Coin on the last question to signify your stance,” Igor said somberly, “I didn’t want to bet six and reveal mine.”

Indeed, Igor was gambling.

While it was possible that everyone would choose “yes,” if there was a single “no,” everyone would naturally assume it was Igor’s answer.

Betting on six would likely earn a point, but it would also signify that he had chosen “yes,” which a Con Artist could not afford—a self-revelation he was not willing to make. He was certain that Ashe would bring it up every day as a joke until his Soul fell into the sixth circle of hell.

So, Igor preferred to take a chance, and it paid off. Otherwise, Ashe would probably be pestering Lise to buy him a nice outfit at this very moment.

Lise sighed—they had calculated all the possibilities, yet these men’s unpredictable actions had thrown them off.

Intending to deliberately answer incorrectly, she ended up being right; she wanted to curry favor intentionally, but couldn’t outdo another man.

Men really are complex creatures.

“So, Mr. Bukin…”

Lise glanced at the mirror, giving Igor a sidelong look: “You chose to communicate with me privately instead of exposing my true identity in front of everyone. That means you want to use this secret to threaten me…”

“What are your intentions towards a poor, lonely girl with nothing to her name?”

“You’re not without anything,” Igor shook his head. “There’s still one commodity you hold.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you… and Ashe.”

“Isn’t that two commodities, Mr. Bukin? Your math doesn’t seem very good,” the Secret Princess Deya retorted from the mirror.

In the Blood Moon Kingdom, at the Affiliated Hospital of Kaimon College.

“It’s strange… really strange…”

After a cursory examination of Selina, Sivirin wore a puzzled expression, as if she had seen a sausage wearing a skirt.

“What is it?” Gerard asked from nearby.

“Selina has no limb nerves.”

“What?”

“If she had lost her limbs in an accident, the nerve nodes for her limbs should still be there. It’s like the lines being cut, but the lines themselves still exist; they just can’t be used. But Selina…” Sivirin’s hand gently swept over the doll-like girl’s body: “She has no such lines at all, as if she was born without that function.”

“So… do I need to find a new doctor?”

“Of course not. Don’t underestimate modern biological prosthesis engineering. We can transplant human brains into steel automatons, install spinal columns into buildings, and even enable virtual characters to have children. This is a trivial matter by comparison.” Sivirin said. “However, this goes beyond the coverage of residential medical insurance; it has to be paid out of pocket.”

“I am a Captain of the hunters; I’ve saved quite a bit…”

Sivirin quoted a figure that left the White-haired Hunter speechless.

Gerard grimaced: “Considering we’re both from the Grand Research Institutes, is there any discount?”

“Do you ever see an axe spare its fellow trees just because its handle is made of wood?” Sivirin shrugged. “I don’t set the prices. This is biotechnology that the institute has yet to unban; you know the cost.”

“But cutting nearly 80 years of my salary is outrageous! Is this a robbery?”

“Going to a doctor not from one of the Grand Research Institutes, you’d have to fork out for at least 100 years,” Sivirin said calmly. “Robberies aren’t this quick. Plus, the institute has a monopoly. If we don’t set the prices high, how can we promote high-level consumption? The price bothers you and me both.”

Gerard clicked his tongue and glanced at Selina in her wheelchair. The doll-like girl blinked and said softly, “I’m hungry, Uncle Gerard, can we go home?”

The White-haired Hunter scratched his head and let out a heavy sigh, “Should we proceed with hospital admission now?”

“There’s a special channel for self-paying customers,” Sivirin said leisurely. “I can arrange a deluxe medical suite for you, free of charge.”

“How long will it take?”

“At least a month to observe vital signs and tailor a suitable prosthesis plan,” Sivirin explained. “Apart from being expensive, there’s nothing lacking in the institute’s medical services. And being expensive isn’t a flaw.”

“I don’t have time to come look after her,” Gerard said, looking at the doll-like girl, “I have to work overtime chasing a runaway werewolf.”

“Neither do I,” Sivirin admitted frankly. “But the hospital has nursing staff.”

“Uncle Gerard!” Selina suddenly spoke up, “I don’t want to be hospitalized. Sister with the pink hair said she’d come to play with me tomorrow!”

“Right,” Gerard had an idea. “She lives nearby and could be hired to help take care of Selina anytime.”

Sivirin got curious, “Sister with pink hair? Who’s that?”

“A Bewitcher college student.”