Sorcerer’s Handbook

Sonya is a loyal fan of Delarose, having watched various TV dramas starring Delarose since she was a child. When Sonya was twelve or thirteen and filled with naive longings for love, Delarose was in her late teens, starring in many romantic TV dramas. It was through these series that the little village girl’s perspective on love gradually took shape and matured.

Now that Delarose is a nationally acclaimed star in the country of Stars, even her staunch fan Sonya has to admit that the romantic dramas Delarose starred in during her early years were not particularly popular.

During that time and even now, the favorite type of romantic dramas among the citizens of Stars were those filled with tragic or tangled love stories, where all characters were embroiled in complicated, inseparable relationships, living and dying for love as if it were above all else. Sonya could understand the appeal, as such dramatic conflict made these stories compelling and entertaining.

However, Delarose rarely appeared in these kinds of dramas. Most of her roles were in career dramas, detective shows, or other TV dramas where romance was not the central theme. Although there were romantic elements, they were mostly moments of light-hearted relief amidst the intense plot, causing viewers to smile wryly while also inspiring a sense of yearning.

In the few multi-love interest TV dramas she did appear in, Delarose was almost never the lead actress, typically playing supporting roles. Her characters, whether good or evil, liked the male lead but never abandoned their aspirations for him. Inevitably, they would end up opposing the male lead, distinguishing themselves from other tragically romantic female characters, often being the first to exit the story.

By the time Sonya reached fifteen or sixteen, Delarose had reached the peak of her career, starring in many Empress dramas — those centered around a female lead where all male characters were supporting roles. Delarose’s portrayal of a cool, proud, and relentless character left a deep impression on Sonya, who was then still a diligent student.

Influenced by Delarose since childhood, it was natural for Sonya to grow up dismissive of love and passionate about her career. Although meeting the Observer reawakened Sonya’s suppressed feelings of love, it did not make her naive or change her views on romance. At most, it brought her back to the age of twelve or thirteen, when she longed for love.

When Sonya realized that the Observer had other women in real life, her first reactions were, of course, anger, resentment, sorrow, and grievance, even a killing intent. She wished she could cast Blood Moon Blossoms and shred the Observer into thirty-six pieces right then and there.

But once she calmed down, she found that there was nothing she could do.

Even though they met every night in the Virtual Realm, even though they had witnessed the Golden Fish, fought fiercely against the heroic soul legion, supported each other in the Amnesia Cabin, and shared their futures in Fate Questioning… They could share all their secrets and emotions, but they couldn’t touch each other’s reality.

Even if Sonya got angry and killed the Observer, she would only be destroying his soul projection. At most, it would make him recuperate for a few months, having little significance. She couldn’t interfere with his life, let alone threaten it.

Distance reduced their fluttering hearts to mere Echoes, and space turned their feelings into ethereal water moon floating on reality.

So what if the Observer had someone he liked in the real world? What could she do about it?

Act cute like a kitten to win his affection?

Lose her temper and lash out, stepping closer and closer?

Flirt and seduce him until he was enchanted?

Leaving aside whether Sonya was willing to do these things, just because she did them, did that mean it would prevent the Observer from acting in real life? Could she guarantee he wouldn’t have a wandering heart?

She couldn’t.

And more importantly, she didn’t want to.

After meeting the Observer, she no longer fawned over anyone or wore those elaborate Masks again. She had found her true self and became a better version of herself. She wouldn’t regress.

Most importantly, she was already a two-wings sorcerer and a Sword Saint Seed. Advancing to the Sanctuary was almost a given; she would inevitably become part of the Stars’ nobility! With such power and prospects, wherever she went, she was her own master. Why should she be tormented by longing and fear for just one person!?

Even though this power was gifted to her by the Observer, Sonya was willing to help him manage the team and strive to complete their adventures and battles. But she would never completely give herself over to him!

Even though the Observer had actively apologized and explained, Sonya’s thoughts didn’t change. Analyzing the Observer’s emotional makeup, she had a vague feeling that the Observer might not have been acting on his own volition—his sense of guilt without genuine regret was evidence enough.

But if this time wasn’t intentional, what about the next time? Or the time after that?

She couldn’t solve the problem, nor could she bring it up to the person who caused it. No matter how many Blade Fish Dragons she killed, it couldn’t give her a shred of security. �

Put another way, the Observer had never done anything to provide a sense of security: more and more operators, the reality that was never connected… The Observer had never proactively expressed his stance. Although he might have lost his memories and started anew, he was strong in his previous life. Was there really room in his heart for others?

Perhaps everything was just her wishful thinking, and now she was merely accepting the outcome of a gamble.

Sonya couldn’t recall which TV drama it was from, but she remembered Delarose’s line: “Any relationship that makes you suspicious, anxious, uneasy, or even doubt if you’re good enough is a burden you need to shed.”

The usually decisive and proactive village girl had not taken further steps in their relationship, keeping it in a hazy state because she was aware of this concern. When the concern eventually materialized, she could leave decisively, without dragging it out and without feeling heartache.

It ought to have been that way.

But as Sonya watched the Observer chatting and laughing with the Witch during the fight, as if nothing had happened, she couldn’t help but feel a mix of jealousy and killing intent surging in her heart—he never cared about me. His earlier apology was just for show. Without my interference, he couldn’t wait to get close to the Witch.

Deya suddenly sensed a chilling intent from the side. Turning to look, she only saw the Sword Princess casually slaying a Savage Jackal Dragon. The Sword Princess approached with a cheerful smile and asked, “What are you guys talking about?”

“The Observer asked if I was tired tonight. If so, he suggested we drive to a farther special building instead of continuing to scavenge resource points,” Deya quickly explained.

“Got it,” Sonya responded with a smile, joining in the conversation, but her hands didn’t slow down at all. Even though the Savage Jackal Dragons were sly and cunning, she still managed to eliminate them with ease.

Back in the car, Deya, sitting in the front seat, glanced at the two chatting and laughing in the back. She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that the Observer was truly remarkable for resolving the Sword Princess’s issue so quickly and even appearing to have reconciled-

White Queen: “They haven’t reconciled. Look at the Sword Princess’s sword.”

Deya looked back and noticed that the Sword Princess’s sword wasn’t secured at her waist but was placed on the seat between her and the Observer.

Black Butler: “Now check the Observer’s posture.”

Deya scrutinized them and saw that the Observer was slightly turned towards the Sword Princess, his left hand never raised, always guarding his body as if to fend off a side attack.

Scarlet Dead Apostles: “Try sticking out your tongue and making a ‘ha-hoo’ sound.”

Deya did as instructed, immediately drawing strange looks from both the Observer and the Sword Princess. “Huh? Why are they looking at me?”

“They’re looking at you because you just acted like a dog,” Scarlet Dead Apostles remarked. “I never thought you’d actually do it.”

“You’re the dog!”

Deya glanced at the Sword Princess and the Observer, sighing inwardly.

Sigh, the relationships between adults are so complicated.

Luckily, she and Ashe only shared pure mutual affection.

After a thirty-minute drive, they arrived outside a black, hemispherical space. It looked like a black bowl overturned on the ground, and even the Reverse Golden Rain couldn’t penetrate the dense darkness.

“Dark Phantasound Miracle Park?” Sonya recognized it immediately.

There were many types of Miracle Parks in the Time Continent. For example, the Misty Miracle Wonderland they had visited before, where sorcerers had to capture spirits within the mist, and once the mist dissipated, all the spirits would disappear as well.

Similarly, the Dark Phantasound Miracle Park was another challenging Miracle Park. Inside, absolute darkness prevented any form of detection, rendering even miracles ineffective. Moreover, the sounds of the spirits were amplified thousands of times. Although sorcerers couldn’t understand them, their ears would be filled with noise.

The sorcerer has to capture spirits while all their vision and hearing are restricted. Similarly, there is also a time limit—once the darkness lifts, the spirits vanish.

“If the three of us act separately, we might end up bumping into each other inside,” Ashe suggested. “Why don’t we hold hands? This way, we can form a net to capture more spirits and avoid accidental collisions.”

It was a very reasonable proposal, and both the Witch and the Sword Princess readily agreed. Deya glanced at them and said, “How about I walk in the middle?”

Ashe shook his head, “Witch, you are adept in the Fist-Claw Sect, and Sword Princess excels in Swordsmanship. You two are much more agile than I am; you should walk on the sides.”

The three of them held hands and approached the darkness. Ashe suddenly remembered something and handed each of them a Love Sword: “Although it may not be of much use, it should at least enhance your hearing and reaction abilities.”

That familiar feeling arose again.

Every time she received the Observer’s enhancement, Sonya felt as if she was being embraced by him. But unlike the shy and joyful feelings she experienced before, this time she felt a mix of fondness and resentment well up and recede in waves, so much that her eyes grew red.

Fortunately, they had already walked into the Dark Phantasound Miracle Park, where no one could see the change in her expression or hear the turmoil in her heart.

In her eyes was darkness so thick it felt palpable, and her ears were filled with the jubilant or chaotic noise of the spirits. The only tangible connection she had was the hand holding hers. Just as she felt an irrepressible rise in dependence, the village girl within her swiftly extinguished such a weak thought.

Always wanting to rely on others in the face of danger, getting flustered at his touch—how could she ever detach herself if she stayed like this? Could anything be more entangling and muddy than this?

I need closure, thought the member of the Stretch Paw Club.

Thinking it over, they had never actually done anything—no hugs, no kisses, much less anything else. The most intimate moments they shared were when she used his lap as a pillow and held hands. With this thought, Sonya looked into the darkness ahead, listening to the noise around her, and couldn’t help but have a bold idea—

Just for closure, or maybe as a reward, she could secretly kiss him here. No one would notice. If the Observer asked, she would just say a spirit bumped into his face.

This idea rapidly took root and grew like a towering tree. Sonya felt her heartbeat quicken—thankfully, souls didn’t have body temperatures, otherwise, she would feel her hand heating up.

There was no better opportunity, whether for progression or for the end.

Taking a deep breath to steel herself, Sonya silently turned her head and moved closer—

Smooch.

Sonya froze.

She knew the person in front of her was also frozen.

At this moment, as if gazing through what was called “Dark Insight,” she could see the Observer purse his lips, see the determination, anxiety… and surprise on his face.

Even though there was no sense of temperature, it felt like heat was radiating from her lips to her ears. Thankfully, the gentle darkness concealed her blushing face.

“I caught one!” the Witch’s voice sounded nearby. “No wonder it was so loud—it’s a ‘heartbeat’ spirit!”