Sorcerer’s Handbook

Even though they had only teamed up for one night, Vesser’s abilities had already gained everyone’s approval.

Just the fact that she was always the first to guess the affix demonstrated her value to the team, surpassing even the Observer. Not to mention, her ability to adapt with the thousand changes spirit and her diverse spellcasting sect, allowing her to handle almost any special situation.

In the sixth dream phantom, if not for her impromptu wind spell and music spell, Ashe and the others would not have been able to pass through.

Even without large-scale data statistics, sorcerers from the three great mysterious sects are generally considered more adept at intricate planning.

There are no fools among sorcerers; it’s just that their intelligence varies: quick adaptation in battle, innovation, rapid mastery… Sonya, though skilled in social interaction and strategic deception, excels in the game of civilized rules, while Ashe is now engaging in the law of the jungle.

Vesser glanced at them, still hesitating internally.

Ever since being drawn into the virtual realm by Ashe, she had been contemplating how best to handle Ashe and his pursuing companions.

Undoubtedly, with the enemy in the open and herself in the shadows, even if the sword Princess didn’t ask, she could still gather Ashe’s real-world plans through conversation, putting her in an invincible position.

The question is, what does she truly want to achieve- is avoiding capture by Ashe and his team enough?

In tonight’s virtual realm exploration, although she had shone brightly and turned the tide, breaking through six phantoms, Vesser understood that without Ashe and the others’ protection, she wouldn’t have cleared even the first phantom.

Her battle system has been rendered obsolete by the Distant Sky Domain version: she used to send out a Substitute to probe the virtual realm creature’s traits, identify weaknesses, and target them. This strategy worked well in the first and second layers of the virtual realm because the virtual realm creatures had territorial awareness, allowing her to gather sufficient intelligence from a safe zone.

But in the dream phantom, there is no safe zone.

That is to say, unless she can identify a weakness immediately upon encounter, any battle she initiates would be futile and she would be simply enduring blows-she hasn’t mastered any Powerful Miracles and must rely on exploiting weaknesses to damage creatures in the third layer of the virtual realm.

Moreover, Vesser was never adept at combat.

In reality, she relied on illusions and the power of the Demi-God, rarely engaging in direct confrontation.

One could say that Ashe and his team could still explore the virtual realm without her, just at a slower pace; however, without this team, she’d make no progress at all.

Additionally, Vesser realized the immense value of the Dream Treasure House-not only as an aid in virtual realm exploration but also as a prize for the affix bubble!

While affix spirits are far more precious than ordinary spirits, due to their randomness, sorcerers find it challenging to acquire one that suits them. Hence, they need to rely on market exchanges, which highlights the power of the Dream Treasure House: Sorcerers can equip collections that suit them, thereby increasing the chance of drawing from the affix bubble!

Vesser was quite satisfied with the Inspiration spirit-a rare spirit combining light spell, Mental, and Truth, which perfectly aligns with the power of the Silver Lantern. If she wished to obtain a spirit from the Distant Sky Domain that could transform her battle capabilities, the best approach was to equip the right collection every night!

Yet, the issue lies here: Ashe’s favoritism was too blatant.

The useless spirits went to the sword Princess, while the sorcerer handbooks were given to the Witch first. It was hard for Vesser to even get a taste.

If a good collection emerged, unless neither the sword Princess nor the Witch could use it, it would never reach her.

This was only natural, as they were veteran members with stronger Bonds with Ashe. Vesser also noticed underlying romantic tensions, and if she hadn’t suddenly joined the group, this powder keg might have already exploded.

To gain resource favoritism, she needed to elevate her standing in Ashe’s mind, either by strengthening their relationship or increasing her own value.

Pursuing a romantic route was possible, but Vesser knew she’d be first to be edged out by the sword Princess and the Witch-luckily, she adopted a gentle and harmless small animal persona, and crucially, she wasn’t as pretty as they were, making it easier for them to accept her quickly.

Thus, Vesser could only take the value route.

There was, in fact, another plan: capture Ashe and lock him in a dark room, extracting all benefits before taking him down with one decisive blow. This would enable her to fully gain Tactile Sense and, incidentally, assume control of the Four Pillars Cult, returning to the most successful original plan.

However, for one, Vesser currently didn’t have a base or a place to imprison Ashe; and secondly, Ashe had already established his Sanctuary, so even if she used the power of the Demi-God, she might not be able to capture him.

Moreover, Ashe had companions, and he firmly believed that his allies would rescue him, making it unlikely for Vesser to successfully threaten him unless…

Vesser lowered her gaze and calmly said, “Observer, provide all the Intelligence you have at present, with every detail. That way, I can devise actionable plans for you.”

Ashe nodded and shared the information that Vesser was already aware of. During this time, Vesser organized the current situation in her mind and identified two key points:

1. She must not be captured; this is the foundation of everything.

2. She needs to please the Observer, and preferably the sword Princess and the Witch as well. Helping the Observer in real-world actions would undoubtedly earn her favor from all three, boosting her standing within the team.

At first glance, these two goals seemed contradictory: Ashe’s current objective was to capture her, yet she refused to be caught. Like a game of cat and mouse, only one side could succeed.

But is reality truly so black and white?

Vesser soon developed a strategy.

She had to be extremely cautious because, while Ashe himself might be somewhat naive, he was accompanied by a mental sorcerer. This meant that if she ever plotted against Ashe, even once, the mental sorcerer would expose her as a traitor in Ashe’s midst.

Yet, it was precisely the presence of the mental sorcerer that could fill this plan’s gaps. Although Ashe might be oblivious, the cunning man with him would surely perceive the dirty deals hidden beneath the innocent words.

Once Ashe finished speaking, Vesser asked, “I have a few questions-although you’re cursed by the Blood Seed, you can replenish your life force by consuming high-energy food or using life Miracles, right?”

“Yeah, but high-energy food is very scarce in the Land of Senlo. If not for the Four Pillars Cult’s support, we would have no way to obtain any,” Ashe admitted, feeling helpless. He never thought the day would come when he’d have to worry about food-even in the Shattered Lake Prison, he didn’t face such deprivation!

Vesser then asked, “Is it true that the Qinyi Alliance has a poor attitude towards you?”

Ashe nodded, “To be exact, they treat all outsiders not affiliated with their cult poorly.”

Vesser asked, “Can you channel any Demi-God with 100% certainty?”

“Though I’ve never tried, it should be possible,” Ashe replied.

“Has the Tribulation Fire Temple’s attitude towards you changed since you channeled the Inferno of Tribulations Demi-God?”

Ashe thought for a moment, “They were already very respectful since I’m the First Gospel. After channeling, it became outright reverence.”

Using her Inspiration spirit, Vesser pondered for a moment before outlining her plan. She concluded by saying, “This is just a strategy I’ve devised based on your Intelligence; you might want to discuss its feasibility with your companions.”

Ashe nodded and looked around, “Shall we call it a night then?”

Both the sword Princess and the Witch showed expressions as if they wanted to speak but hesitated. Vesser flapped her golden and silver Twin Wings, distancing herself, “I’ll head back first.”

Ashe turned to the remaining two, “Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”

Oh, there was plenty.

Although they both had a lot to say, neither wanted to speak in front of others. Asking, “Ashe, can we talk in private while she leaves?” was something neither could bring themselves to say, knowing the other wouldn’t give in. This impasse caused a stalemate.

“Then I’ll go soak in the bath…”

“Wait!”

“If you want to just hang around here, that’s fine too,” Ashe shrugged, “Or is it that you know I’ve prepared gifts?”

“Gifts?” Sonya and Deya’s eyes lit up, even Vesser, who was about to leave, couldn’t help but look over.

“But I can’t give them to you now.”

“Why not!?”

Ashe hesitated, “At least until we can be alone, then I’d dare to hand them over… It’s nothing valuable. Maybe I won’t give them at all, so don’t worry about it. I won’t be giving them today, so no need to step aside!”

The sword Princess and the Witch exchanged silent glances, filled with annoyance at each other’s interference, and with a hint of curiosity-what gift did the Observer have that he couldn’t bring out in public?

After this brief diversion, their urge to express their feelings diminished. Deya looked at Sonya and then flew over to hug Ashe, asking, “Can I pat your head?”

Ashe paused for a moment, then smiled and ruffled her hair, “Witch, why are you acting like a child and wanting to be pampered…? Did you miss me that much after just a few days?”

“Yes.” The Secret Princess, Little Witch, White Queen, Black Butler, and Scarlet Dead Apostles gave a soft hum, “Missed you very much.”

After saying this, the Witch released him but didn’t leave, hovering in place and looking at the sword Princess. Ashe also looked at the latter, raising an eyebrow, “Are you going to brag about your journey to victory?”

“I’ll tell you after you give me the gift.”

“Then…”

“A few days ago at the school canteen,” Sonya said, looking at him, “I ate a terribly awful fish.”

Ashe blinked, “How bad was it?”

“So bad it was a waste of fish,” Sonya recalled, pouting, “I almost wanted to file a complaint.”

“Hey-” Ashe’s lips turned upward into a smile, his eyes twinkling.