Mage Manual

Felix blinked, "Actually, you don’t need to care too much about what I say... You’re not like my father, and your future children won’t be like me either."

"Hard to say."

"Huh?" Felix was stunned, his face reddening.

"If I have a daughter as rebellious as you, I wouldn’t be surprised at all," Ash muttered, "Rather, it’s strange they would have a non-rebellious daughter..."

Apart from the Sword Maiden’s rebellion being suppressed by the weight of life, all the others had incredibly fierce rebellious phases; the Witch’s rebellious phase required killing the Empress to end; the Silver Lamp’s rebellious phase required destroying the world to conclude; and as for Vishi, she’s impressive—Ash suspects she still hasn’t left her rebellious phase.

Felix looked at the troubled Ash, a faint hint of tenderness appearing unconsciously in his eyes: "Actually, the mere fact that you care so much about your future children makes you better than many. Even if you can’t always meet expectations, everyone will forgive you."

"It’s too late to comfort me now, I’ve been wounded all over by your attacks," Ash responded disgruntledly.

"What do you plan to do then?" Felix tentatively asked, "Are you going to give up your careless notion of a trash can romance?"

Ash pondered for a moment, then said, "I plan to maintain the status quo."

"If teammates really are more suited for us than lovers, can I stop them from getting better?" He stretched like a cat: "I don’t know about life, but at least I won’t waste their time now. Okay, I’m done soaking, you should get out."

"Actually, I need to bathe too," Felix moved to the other side, turning his back to him, "You can change now."

Ash left the bath and picked up a dry towel to dry off, just starting to change clothes, he heard the rustling sound behind him, which alone allowed him to imagine soft clothing sliding off smooth skin. Then, there was a splash in the bath, and the blond girl let out a kitten-like mewl.

He didn’t dare turn around, clicking his tongue: "Can’t you wait until I leave?"

"You’re not looking anyway," Felix giggled, "If you don’t leave, I’ll tell the Sword Maiden and the others."

"You win." Ash snorted and fled.

Felix settled into the spot Ash had just vacated, letting herself sink into the water until her mouth was submerged, bubbles rising to the surface.

"...Idiot."

...

...

As Ash walked through the camp, he happened upon Sonia on her way back to her tent.

He was about to bring up the suggestion of "lovers turning into teammates," but saw Sonia pointing upwards before she walked straight into her tent, completely ignoring Ash’s reaction.

Ash glanced up at the sky, as dark and chaotic as always, unable to comprehend what Sonia meant...could it be a suggestion that their future was bleak?

But nothing better demonstrated her attitude than "refusal to communicate." When Ash showed a willingness to talk, she had no intention to respond, returning to her private space as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps in the past few days, she too realized that romance isn’t a necessity, and maintaining polite teammate relationships is easier for everyone. This way, Ash needn’t worry about chaotic scenes, and she won’t be tormented by possessiveness...this is good, a world without hurt is accomplished...everyone can escape the mire and proceed toward a bright path anew.

Thinking thus, Ash returned to his tent, took out the Miracle Bracelet. He had been catching up on the rebirth revenge drama "Housekeeper’s Youngest Son," but today, for some inexplicable reason, he felt the urge to watch a romance drama.

"You can secretly cry hugging your pillow, or drink and smoke, but you mustn’t go looking for her."

"Actually, none of us are at fault, we just missed each other."

Ash watched the romance drama for over three hours in boredom, still dazed even when the screen went black. After some time, he turned on the music player, holding a pillow as he listened to sorrowful love songs on repeat.

It was about time to sleep, so he turned off the light, pulled the blanket over his head, and suddenly laughed at himself:

"I’m actually selfish too..."

After confronting the unpleasantness in his heart, Ash relaxed, soothing the restlessness within, and peacefully drifted into slumber.

But just then, he heard a faint breeze, perhaps the tent flap was being blown open. Yet the tent was zipper-sealed, had he not fastened it properly?

Soon, Ash felt as if a big cat had snuck into his bed, and just as he was shocked and about to turn on the light, a figure suddenly jumped out from under the blanket, tightly grabbing his hand, whispering, "Don’t turn on the light, don’t speak loudly, otherwise we’ll be exposed!"

Hair smelling freshly of shampoo brushed against Ash’s face, a soft yet highly resilient body closely pressing against Ash’s contours. Ash was thoroughly confused upon hearing it: "Sword Maiden?"

"It’s me."

In the complete absence of light, Ash could only feel her breath on his face, "Keep quiet, I can only cut off Gospel Divine Being’s surveillance now, but creating noise or light will still draw their attention."

"But why come so late?"

"Didn’t I tell you just now that I’d come tonight?"

"How did you tell me?"

"I pointed upwards, signaling I’d come to find you at midnight once they fell asleep. Apparently, you didn’t notice," she said, "As for why I came so late..."