"Why do you make yourself sound like you're a bad woman who plays with people and then refuses to let go?"

It's true, Weiser's topics of conversation really help alleviate Ash's pain from the soul-shaving. His nose twitched, full of curiosity: "Why can't you become lovers?"

"Because..." Weiser thought for a moment: "The barriers of reality and the conflict of career, I guess."

"Wow." Ash straightened up energetically as he gazed into Weiser's eyes: "Is it possible that the other person is from a different world than you, plus you need to work hard for your career, so you can't be with them?"

At this moment, Ash recalled the soap operas he used to watch with his mother as a child: the young lady falls for a poor boy, but real-life obstacles prevent them from being together, and the young lady needs to go abroad to pursue her dreams while the poor boy stays to struggle domestically. Years later, they reunite, unable to blush anymore, only able to have teary eyes...

Weiser could instantly tell Ash had it all wrong, but she needed him to misunderstand.

Only then could their rare one-on-one conversation continue.

And somehow, talking like observers about Silver Lamp and Ash's stories made her tense heart relax quite a bit: "Pretty much."

Ash asked: "Are the barriers of reality insurmountable?"

"I've tried," Weiser shook her head and softly said: "We are different people; I'm not the kind of girl who treats life tenderly that he likes."

"Everyone starts off gentle." Ash said, "What about career? Can't you two fight together?"

"No, my dreams are phantoms that others can't understand," Weiser said, "I could make him understand me, but I know he's not someone who can accept such dreams, so there's no need to force him to join me in chasing fleeting shadows."

"So complicated." Ash murmured: "I thought my own situation was already troublesome enough, but didn't expect you to be even more entangled."

"I always thought that the more powerful a mage is, the harder it is to fall in love. After all, truth and strength are far more alluring than mere love."

"You said it right." Weiser nodded: "Normally, mages beyond the Holy Domain have no love; even if they have multiple partners, it's merely a release of lust. If they actively pursue others or entangle themselves in complicated relationships, it's more likely driven by interests and desires to conquer."

However, 'having multiple partners', 'complicated relationships'... Weiser couldn't help but glance at Ash, who squinted his eyes sensitively: "Why are you looking at me?"

Weiser stifled a laugh: "Don't misunderstand, I undoubtedly know that your relationship with the Sword Witch is not merely out of lust, interests, or desires to conquer."

"Not merely?"

Ash's face turned dark, though he had nothing to defend himself for once, so he changed the topic quickly: "So, how did you come to like him? Was it a fateful encounter before the Holy Domain?"

"No." Weiser shook her head: "I used to think I wouldn't like anyone, but when we first met, we were opposing each other. Initially, I was just curious about him..."

"It's a very typical case." Ash commented: "Getting close because of curiosity, then unwittingly getting involved. And since you'd never liked anyone before, you're even more susceptible... The opposite example would be someone like me, who lacks any secrets and can be seen through by anyone, even the Swindler trusts me completely."

Weiser gazed at Ash, who raised his eyebrows, not yielding in their stare-down. Five seconds later, it was still Weiser who first lost in this weighted gaze, and she turned her eyes aside, saying: "You're right."

"But I think you're not someone who would give up just because of obstacles." Ash asked curiously: "Though you appear calm and gentle, you have stubborn determination in your bones. If you truly desire something, no matter how many difficulties there are, you would move them all aside."

"But not all difficulties can be moved aside." Weiser lowered her eyelids: "For instance, he already has someone he likes."

"Huh?" Ash got animated with such topics: "Then... use unscrupulous means to win him over? Someone as pure and lovely as you would surely make the other hesitate and doubt, followed by you instigating further—"

Weiser shook her head, bitterly smiling: "I've already used unscrupulous means, so I know I can't win him over."

"You've already tried?" Ash saluted solemnly, "Even then he wouldn't give in? That's no ordinary person; you must strike strongly!"

"Yes, precisely because I've tried, I know I have no chance." Weiser said: "I've seen how he looks when he's fond of someone else, so I'm certain he doesn't like me."

"At most, he only...pities me."

Talking to this point, Ash dared not speak rashly anymore, merely tightened his grip on Weiser's hand.

However, Weiser broke into a light smile, her tone eased: "Don't worry about me; I don't mind anymore. His appearance was a huge accident, and now I'm just back on track with nothing changed. I wouldn't have talked about this at any other time, but seeing you two being so sweetly reliant tonight, I couldn't help feeling some envy."

Ash awkwardly replied: "I'll be more careful in the future—when we team up in the Void Realm, we'll still be in a normal teammate mode, completely unaffected by battles or explorations, nor affecting team distribution—"

"Don't be nervous, I'm not criticizing you." Weiser shrugged, saying: "What I mean is, even without romance, I'm living just as well. Not just mages; most people don't have love, at most just attraction due to appearance, voice, income, or even family background. But all love, at its essence, is for oneself. They love the vanity of being cherished, love the sense of existence when tormented by love, or even the tragedy of seeking yet failing. In the end, they love the emotions they've imagined themselves, rather than genuine love."

"I'm now able to escape this dull hormonal trap; you should congratulate me."

Ash almost wanted to clap after hearing that, nodding repeatedly: "No wonder you're a Truth Mage; what perceptive insights!"

"It's just..."

He looked at Weiser and said seriously: "You say you're unbothered by rain, yet you made an umbrella with such a long argument?"

Weiser was taken aback, then pursed her lips tightly, lowered her head, and said softly: "The Sword Maiden has learned all your faults."

"Didn't I learn her nitpicking faults as well?" Ash shrugged: "Weiser, you know I'm no expert on feelings and haven't had any romantic experience..."

Weiser didn't even pretend anymore and directly burst into laughter.

Yet Ash remained unflinching, continuing: "Hence, I won't advise you to let go nor say 'You're so beautiful, surely you'll find someone better'. Liking someone means liking them; not getting them means not getting them. It's not like creating Virtual Godhood where you can find a Technique Spirit substitute... Some things are like soul and Divine Status, can only be those specific Technique Spirits, only through specific rituals can certain results be obtained."

Weiser's heart stirred, she observed the Nightmare with her peripheral vision, calm and composed, said: "I know."

"As long as you know." Ash nodded slightly: "In the end, emotions are affairs between two people—"

Weiser: "Or possibly three people."

"You're endlessly persistent, aren't you!" Ash's mouth twitched, proceeding with his own words: "So I can't encourage, can't advise, not even guide you. The only thing I can do is what you're doing now."

"If tired, then sleep; crying while sleeping is fine too. If distressed, come to us to share. We'll always be waiting for you in the Void Realm." Ash tightened his grip on her hand, looked into her eyes: "Companions may not always be like-minded, but they can always support each other."

Weiser was stunned for a moment, lips slightly trembling as if she were about to cry, but ultimately broke into a smile: "Alright."

Ash paused, weakly added: "But when the Sword Witch is around, you better find her..."

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