The Sorcerer's Handbook

After parting with Angelica, Sonya walked alone toward the Meditation Tower. She glanced at the Watcher. ”You said earlier that I can keep the Torrent spirit for myself, didn’t you?”

”Yes,” he replied, walking beside her. ”You already have some foundation in water sorcery, don’t you? I remember there’s a Sword Class Miracle that uses Wave and Torrent as its core spirits.”

Sonya’s eyes brightened. ”Do you know the exact method for that Miracle!?”

If she could master a Sword Class Miracle, she wouldn’t just earn Professor Trosan’s favor. She might even qualify for the Cailleach collegiate league and open the doors of high society on her own.

”I don’t.”

”?”

The Watcher sounded relaxed. ”But since you already have both spirits, you can invent the Miracle yourself. Isn’t the wonder of being a sorcerer the ability to combine spirits and create astounding Miracles?”

”I asked Professor Trosan about it, but even he would need months to craft a hybrid Water–Swordsmanship-Class Miracle from Wave and Torrent...”

”How can he compare to you? You’re the Swordswoman I chose.”

Sonya twisted her lips. She wasn’t a child and wouldn’t fall for such cheap flattery. She thought, If you truly value me, then just give me the formula. I’d remember the kindness, repay you once I rise to the top, and even arrange a grand funeral if you die before I succeed.

She rolled her eyes, forced her emotions under control, and added, ”So, Watcher, you took the Substitute spirit just so you could give me Torrent? You’re so good to me!”

The Watcher shuddered slightly and stepped aside. He seemed a bit wary as he turned his dim face toward her.

Sonya maintained her sweet smile. She poured every ounce of her strength into controlling her thoughts, determined not to let the Watcher hear her true intentions.

”Enough. Stop testing me. I took the Substitute spirit because I need it.”

”At your level, why would you still need a One-Winged spirit?”

”Firstly, there are no weak spirits, only weak sorcerers. Every textbook teaches that. Secondly, I’m weak right now, weaker than you, and in danger. My body is trapped. I’m not just weak. I lost many memories when I woke up, so I have to learn the basics of being a sorcerer from you.”

He’s weak now... meaning he used to be strong? Lost memories... maybe a memory-erasing Miracle? No wonder he asked all those ridiculous questions.

Sonya rarely read fantasy stories, but at this moment, even she couldn’t help imagining all sorts of Return of the Strong, Fall of the Legendary Sorcerer, or Reviving Powerhouse plots. Her heart stirred at the thought.

This is exactly the hidden gem I have been looking for! His current predicament may look bad, but as long as he has time, he could climb to the top again, become a towering figure, lead his own faction, and enjoy every luxury. Normal hidden gems still need to rely on luck to succeed, but the Watcher is simply regaining his peak strength. With time on his side, his success is almost guaranteed.

Sonya had never cared for Felix because she was looking for someone with real potential. Nobility’s favors always came at a cost. Even if a noble brat like Felix was foolish, his parents certainly were not. If Sonya wanted to enjoy the advantages of a powerful noble house without losing a large part of herself or being forced to bear their future heir, she needed a partner with true potential.

Marrying someone like that would give Sonya not only wealth and luxury but also the freedom to keep her independence at home. Even if the Watcher was her superior, she viewed choosing a spouse the same way she viewed choosing a superior at work. Rather than joining a large organization as a replaceable member, it was wiser to start early and grow alongside a promising partner, securing a place as a key founding member.

”Watcher, are you in danger? Do you need my help? Just tell me! Protecting you is my sacred duty!”

”During our exploration in the Virtual World later, if we find the spirits needed for the Slash Me Miracle, just leave them to me.”

”Slash Me Miracle?”

”Oh, right, I haven’t told you. I’m trapped in a prison somewhere and need the Slash Me Miracle to break out.”

The Watcher explained the Slash Me Miracle in detail, and Sonya was dumbfounded. If memory served her right, this was a Miracle not yet registered in the Starry Miracle Catalog, meaning it had never appeared anywhere in the Starry Kingdom. On top of that, it was an exceptionally practical Sword Class Miracle, capable of healing the user of all anomalies and usable even by Silver Rank sorcerers.

Sonya was already thinking about how much money she could make from it. She couldn’t sell it outright, of course. She had no way to explain where it came from, lacked the conditions to create a Miracle herself, and couldn’t even gather the required spirits. If she attempted to sell it anyway, the Sorcerers Association would only treat it as the theft of someone else’s patent.

Licensing the method, however, was a different matter. The profit alone could make her a minor rich girl in Cailleach.

At heart, Sonya remained a petty bourgeois. The Watcher discovering her sword talent or taking her into the Virtual World only made her feel grateful. But when he explained a Miracle formula, she couldn’t contain her excitement. Despite knowing she couldn’t use or sell it, the formula’s immense value in the Starry Kingdom thrilled her all the same. This was why future promises could never match immediate gains. Spiritual satisfaction could never outweigh material reward.

”Is... is this Sword Class Miracle something you invented?”

The Watcher cast her a sideways glance. ”No. I stole the Miracle from an enemy.”

Sonya blinked. ”Will I get into trouble if I use it?”

”Don’t worry. That enemy will never appear in front of you,” he emphasized. ”Never.”

Sonya perked up again. ”So the patent holder is already dead?”

She thought, Once I fully unfold my Silver Wing and gather the spirits for the Slash Me Miracle, I could claim the Miracle as my own and sell its authorization. Someone as powerful as the Watcher wouldn’t care about such a minor gain... would he?

”All right. I’ll work hard during our Virtual World’s exploration and help you collect the spirits for the Slash Me Miracle. By the way, there’s something else I want to discuss...”

The Watcher stepped into the Meditation Tower. ”We’ll talk inside the Virtual World. We’ll have plenty of time there. Say whatever you want then. Oh, and you hate it when I listen to your thoughts, don’t you? I’ve decided to respect that.”

Sonya’s eyes brightened. ”You’re going to stop monitoring my mind?”

He shrugged. ”No. I’ve simply decided not to look for you in your daily life. You won’t need to shout ’Watcher’ in your head every time you use the bathroom or take a shower anymore. I’m not your toilet paper or towel.”

”How did you know I call you in my head before I go to the bathroom or shower?”

”That’s not important,” he waved a hand. ”If you need me, wait until the Virtual World. I won’t show up in your daily life anymore.”

Sonya replied with a hesitant tone. ”If... if you don’t listen to my thoughts, I actually don’t mind you being around. Even if you insist on hearing them, I think I’m getting used to it...”

She felt unsure. She disliked his intrusion into her privacy, but for that same reason, she could be her true self around him without any pretense. That was also why she had been so delighted earlier when she wondered if the Watcher was only a fragment of her split mind. To her, the ideal confidant would be someone who knew everything about her yet had no power to influence her life.

The Watcher crossed his arms. ”You make it sound like your daily life is so exciting, and I’m shamelessly insisting on watching. I have my own matters to deal with. I don’t have time to stare at a college student’s campus routine.

”In any case, the few hours in the Virtual World are our time to talk. Outside of that, I won’t disturb you, and calling me won’t make me appear.”

”If... if I have something really urgent?”

He spread his hands. ”Calling me still won’t help. This version of me is only an illusion. I can’t lift even a strand of hair. I can’t offer any real help. If you summon me, the only thing I can do is mock you.”

Sonya still pressed on. ”Mocking is fine. Would you appear if I call for you?”

”That’s hard to refuse. But I’m curious. Do you rely on me because I fill the fatherly void from your childhood?”

”Do you want me to call you Watcher Daddy?”

He backed away. ”No, just Watcher is fine. Otherwise, I’ll have nightmares.”

As they talked, the two of them reached the private meditation room. Sonya sat down cross-legged, glanced at the Watcher beside her, took out the Wave spirit, searched for the Door of Truth, and entered the Virtual World.

When she closed her eyes and her consciousness linked to the Virtual World, the Watcher let out a quiet sigh. How terrifying... In just two days, she’s already learned to hide her thoughts and even fool me inside her own mind. She really does live up to the title Death Maniac... With talent like this, I can’t tell if it’s a blessing or a curse to guide her to discover her potential so early...

But that was no longer a concern for the Watcher. With that, he shrugged and disappeared from the meditation room.