Mage Manual

Dinner is ice-cooked lamb.

This method was taught by Ash, or rather he casually mentioned "lamb would taste better cooked with ice", and then Felix researched it for a few days and made it with the help of Technique Spirit. Compared to ordinary boiled lamb, it indeed has a distinct flavor, tender and fragrant without being gamy. The lamb is so fresh that the tongue almost wants to swallow it, and the lamb chop slides off the bone effortlessly.

Felix even asked if this was the right flavor. Actually, Ash, the office worker, had never eaten ice-cooked lamb before, but would a dish researched by a Holy Sanctuary Mage for a few days taste bad? Let alone ice-cooked lamb, even ice-cooked lala-fat would be delicious.

Although dinner was delicious, the atmosphere was rather silent, everyone quietly savoring the food, with only the occasional sound of spoon clinking against the bowl. Casual talk wasn’t forbidden, but Ash felt that abstinence should be thorough, and proactively expressed his intention to cut off unnecessary verbal communication to avoid affecting their training mindset.

Now Ash feels that he must have been cursed by the Shadow Sword to have become so brainless, otherwise, why would he voluntarily set himself up for failure?

He hastily finished his dinner and picked up his plate to wash it, when Dedarose said, "The bath is ready on that side, you can use it anytime."

"Okay."

Ash responded, and after washing the plate, he headed to the camp’s other side where the bath was set up, hearing laughter and chatter behind him, he instinctively quickened his pace. The bath was filled with steam, and Dedarose would dig a bath in every camp set up, with water sourced either by extracting moisture from the air or connecting to underground water. This bath was obviously connected to underground water, with relatively clear water quality.

Ash first rinsed briefly on the side, then used his toes to test the bath’s water temperature, and only when it felt right did he immerse his calves, slowly squatting down. He hugged his knees with his hands and sat on the stone steps, water lapping a bit below his collarbone.

He watched the blurry reflection on the water’s surface, mocking himself with a smile, "Really looks a bit like an unloved puppy..."

Felix indeed made him feel somewhat defenseless.

He wasn’t unaware of how nasty his actions were, but he thought, as a Miracle Mage, shouldn’t miracles be able to compensate for all regrets, bury all mistakes? Turns out they can’t. Felix gave just one simple example, and it brutally shattered his hypocritical facade, piercing through all his false virtue, leaving him skin torn and bleeding.

Ash couldn’t refute a word, because Felix is herself the best example. She is a victim of love. He knows how much she hates her father, to the point she joined the Four Pillars God Sect to rebel against him, yet no great Miracle can mend the rift between her and her father. Ash can certainly ensure he wouldn’t become a father like Duke Vosloda, but how can he ensure that Sword Maiden and others wouldn’t turn into mothers full of hostility? Even he himself might be the source of their hostility.

Some things, once missed, are gone forever. Some mistakes, once made, are mistakes forever.

Though the matter about children is too distant for them, at present, without Ash as a "contraband", their Magic cultivation efficiency has increased tenfold, their tactical synergy even a hundredfold, making Ash feel he might be the disaster the Void Realm bestowed upon them.

While Ash wouldn’t disparage himself into thinking they’d be better off without him, he must admit that maintaining the current "more than teammates, less than lovers" relationship is beneficial and harmless to everyone.

He should be wholeheartedly in support, since now they won’t argue over emotional issues, they are wholeheartedly researching Magic, freely unleashing their talent. Isn’t this the Magic team he has always dreamed of?

Ash thinks this way and acts this way too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t proactively add abstinence rules, banning daily chit-chat as well—he sincerely hopes they get better, rather than tying their thoughts to him.

Everyone has only one lifetime, he doesn’t want to waste theirs, except Vishi’s.

Though Ash has no interest in being the Observer of ’the end’, he wants to be their Observer. Watching the operators grow stronger bit by bit is more interesting to him than growing stronger himself.

Yet, though fulfilling his desired justice and paying a reasonable price, he is not happy at all.

"Would there ever be someone who wants them to strive forward jointly, yet also wishes they love him wholeheartedly?" Ash mockingly asked himself softly, "Would there? Would there? Would there be someone so hopelessly wishful?"

"Someone what?"

Ash was startled, turned his head to see Felix holding a few pieces of clothing coming over, quickly submerged in the water, said, "You just have to come over when I’m bathing, don’t you?"

"Then go fetch your change of clothes naked next time." Felix pursed her lips, "Like I’m really eager to look."

She glanced around, noticing Ash retreat to the furthest corner of the bath, could not help but chuckle, "Do you have to be so afraid?"

"Of course I’m scared," Ash said gloomily, "Your attack today was so intense, I can’t endure a second strike from you."

Felix was a bit surprised, crouched by the poolside and said, "You care so much about what I say?"

"What you said makes sense, and I can’t refute it, am I supposed to pretend I never heard it?" Ash rolled his eyes, "You better watch yourself these days, make sure not one meal is poorly cooked, or I might take it out on you and harshly reprimand you, show you that the Observatory’s dignity is not to be violated."