Sorcerer’s Handbook

Chapter 314: The Woman Ashe Values Most

“It seems you have figured out the answer,” the Observer said. “By the way, the treasure bound to this question is this.”

A spirit appeared in the Observer’s hand: “This is your most cherished spirit—your Substitute spirit.”

Ashe looked at the Substitute spirit as if seeing a beloved, his expression instantly turning solemn. “I can feel it; it indeed holds great importance to me!”

“So, you must make your choice carefully,” the Observer intoned. “State your answer.”

“Though I’d love to choose those identities that could allow me to dominate through ages, reversing cause and effect, after all, who wouldn’t want to have been a transcendent being braving storms of fire?” Ashe shrugged. “Unfortunately, I am one favored by a paramour (Danzel), and my wisdom does not allow me to deceive myself.”

“Option three, I am just an ordinary person who knows nothing.”

The Observer glanced at him, holding the Substitute spirit in his hand, which seemed unable to breathe.

Then, with a sudden squeeze—

“Congratulations, you’ve got it right.”

The Observer opened his right hand, which was empty. He released his left hand, and twin streams of light entered Ashe’s body: “The reward you’ve received is the ‘Command’ spirit.”

Ashe breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t scare me like that.”

“It would be better still if I could scare you,” the Observer lowered his eyelids. “That way, when you need to forsake something precious in the future, perhaps you’ll be better prepared mentally.”

Ashe blinked, feeling there was more to the Observer’s words, but the Observer clearly wanted to maintain the Riddler persona—he could understand, as he also enjoyed being a Riddler—skipping over the subject and moving on to the last segment in the cabin.

“Next, then, is your final question. This time I can assure you, it is truly, very, very simple,” the Observer said cheerfully. “Please relax and embrace with a joyful heart the end of this amnesia test.”

Ashe moved his chair back, as if he half-expected the Observer to pull out a timed bomb for him to defuse.

The Observer flipped open an album on the table. “Your final question here is exactly the same as your first one here—choose from the following women the one who holds the highest place in your heart.”

Ashe breathed a sigh of relief—this was indeed simple. He knew he was just a man of aesthetics; he just needed to pick the most beautiful one.

“First is candidate number one.”

The Observer turned to the first page. The painting depicted a familiar figure: wine-red hair, ruby eyes, a black cocktail dress, holding a longsword, exuding a vibrant, youthful aura—it was Sonya.

Sonya’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she couldn’t help but gently punch Ashe’s shoulder.

“Next is candidate number two.”

Turning the second page revealed another familiar face: a black and white checkered skirt outfit, one leg in white stockings, the other in black, hair half black and half white—it was Deya.

“And then, candidate number three.”

The third page was turned, and this person was not known to them: amethyst earrings, holding a luxurious orange velvet folding fan, dressed in a purple coat, even the gloves were light purple, resembling the blooming beauty of violets. If anything, this woman seemed to bear a slight resemblance to Danzel, but only slightly.

“Next, candidate number four.”

Turning the fourth page, it was also someone they did not know: the woman in the painting wore a loose black robe and held a Crow Mask in her hand. She seemed to be lifting the mask, revealing half of her face, her soft black hair shining with the luster of crow feathers, her rose-red lips tantalizing, and her crimson eyes seemingly capable of capturing souls.

By this time, Sonya’s expression had slightly changed.

“And then, candidate number five…”

“Stop!”

Ashe pressed down on the Observer’s hand, which was poised to turn the page. The Observer blinked. “What, aren’t you curious about the next options?”

“No need to see more,” Ashe declared. “I choose the first one.”

“So decisive?” The Observer smiled slightly. “Maybe the next one would be the woman who makes you fall in love at first sight.”

“Firstly, no matter how I think about it, I can only choose from the three people who appeared with me in the cabin. Now I know that the paramour is not my paramour, and the sister is probably not my sister, but the Lover could indeed be my lover.”

“Moreover,” Ashe shrugged, “calling her my Lover here and then choosing someone else as my favorite… even I couldn’t do such a thing.”

“No need to worry about me,” Sonya said calmly. “After all, it’s all just your guess. Maybe I’m not your Lover at all?”

Ashe tilted his head, looking at her and suddenly said, “Personality decides memory, you know?”

“Hmm?”

“If you weren’t my Lover, I really wouldn’t need to consider your feelings.” Ashe smiled. “But I clearly realize that I would care about you. What do you think that means?”

Sonya snorted, “It means you’re the type who wants to have his cake and eat it too.”

“The treasure linked to this question is… your second most cherished ‘Retrograde Day’ spirit.”

Observing that the Swordswoman was beginning to touch her sword hilt again, the Observer forcefully interrupted their emotional debate: “Please state your answer.”

“Option one.”

“Unchanged?”

“Unchanged.”

“Alright then.” The Observer leaned back in his chair and stretched, looking towards Ashe, Sonya, and Danzel, spreading his hands: “You answered incorrectly, snap, your Retrograde Day spirit is gone.”

After a moment of silence, Sonya’s voice filled the cabin.

“Can I see what the fifth candidate looks like?”

The Observer blinked, “Why?”

Sonya replied, “I’m just a bit curious… By the way, are there a sixth and seventh candidate?”

“You clearly want to remember everyone’s face, so you can settle scores with me once you regain your memories!” Ashe saw right through Sonya’s sinister intentions. “You really are a cunning, petty, vindictive woman. Please, have the grace to let this go!”

“Sorry,” the Observer said. “The quiz is over, and it’s not possible to review the questions. Please exit the exam area in an orderly fashion.”

Witch: “I’m really looking forward to their reaction when they walk out of the cabin…”

Death Maniac Swordswoman: “It’s not him?”

Witch: “Hmm?”

Death Maniac Swordswoman: “I thought the most important person to him right now would be… Observer, what’s the answer?”

Observer: “The cabin hasn’t told me; it only judges whether the answers are right or wrong. But I can probably guess that the woman most important to Ashe right now is still her.”

Meanwhile.

Beneath the Time Continent in the Virtual Realm, the Sea of Knowledge.

A boat is docked beside a small island, where Freya sits on a chair with pen and paper, engaging in Destiny’s Inquiry.

She hadn’t expected that just a few days into becoming a Sorcerer, she would encounter an adventure that many sorcerers might only glimpse in passing their entire lives.

What excited her even more was that she had just answered a question correctly, and it was related to Ashe!

“Question – Multiple Choice: What plan will Freya Hoyle and Ashe Heath undertake together in the future?”

“① A plan to rewrite destiny”

“② A plan to reverse time”

“③ A plan to upend the world”

“④ All of the above”

Freya felt thrilled about the prospect of meeting Ashe again in the future, but she had no clue about the question and just guessed; surprisingly, she was correct!

Thinking about how she and Ashe would become key figures in major plans in the future made her heart swell with excitement, even tempting her to leave the Virtual Realm immediately to satisfy her desires.

But she needed to continue with Destiny’s Inquiry, knowing even a little more about the future was valuable. Freya took a deep breath to calm her nerves and focused on the paper, which then revealed several lines of text:

“Question – Multiple Choice: Who is currently the most important woman in Ashe Heath’s mind?”

“① Death Maniac Swordswoman”

“② Black-and-White Witch”

“③ Crow Physician”

“④ Bewitcher Freya Hoyle”

“⑤ Purple Moth Annan Dolan”

“⑥ Weeping Red Cap Cleos Baimu”

“⑦ His mother”

Freya looked at the seventh option, lost in thought.

“…What does ‘mother’ mean?”