Mage Manual

August 16, 1669, the sun is shining.

"With this weather, it would be great to go to the beach."

In the crowded entrance square, Ash tugged at his collar and sighed, "I feel like I’m about to melt like ice cream."

"Pineapple-flavored ice cream?" Weiser chuckled lightly. She was wearing a dress and holding a silver lace-trimmed umbrella, exuding a strong summer vibe.

The others were also dressed similarly in cool outfits. Even in the Kingdom of Blood Moon, known for universal cosmetic beauty, they were the most eye-catching scenery with their fair arms and long legs. Moreover, the aura of life brought by their Demigod Rank was an unimaginable charm—brilliant like the noon sunshine, pure as the morning dew... Fortunately, there was Vishi’s Miracle "Unnoticed," which meant that even though their every smile and gesture could make countless hearts flutter, the attention of passersby would swiftly return to whatever they were currently doing, completely forgetting their presence, only vaguely remembering being awestruck by some unknown girls.

The Ghost Prophet’s most insidious Concealment Miracle "Unnoticed" became the most comforting umbrella for this trip.

"Why pineapple flavor?" Freyja was a bit puzzled, "Although Ash does like to drink pineapple juice..."

Siflin hadn’t heard this joke before, but a quick thought made her understand, and she pulled Meiwa to the side to explain. Meiwa listened in sudden realization and licked her lips. Meanwhile, Diya tilted her head with a smile and said, "Why don’t we go to the beach in a few days! Ash, what kind of swimsuits do you like us to wear?"

"Can we book a private beach?" Ash said seriously, "No other thoughts, just don’t want you to feel constrained by swimsuits."

"I wonder if we’re not working hard enough." Sonia laughed and cried, "Otherwise, how do you still have the heart to crack dirty jokes, Ash?"

"You should cut me some slack. I’ve spent the past half-year during the day with two ascetic pervert death row inmates, and if I were to crack dirty jokes with them, I would be even more perverted; at night wandering the Void Realm with you, we were serious teammates, and cracking dirty jokes was a no-go." Ash said earnestly, "If dirty jokes can’t be told to your lover, then they lose their purpose; humor among lovers is essential!"

Felix took out a small notebook and recorded, "Ash Supreme loves telling dirty jokes..."

"I have a feeling you’re making some terrifying records, Felix." Ash’s mouth twitched, shrugging, "But that was a joke; I’m really looking forward to your swimsuits."

"You once gifted me a swimsuit." Sonia laughed, "I still wonder how you got it from the Void Realm... Guess I’ll wear that next time."

"Huh? What about mine?" Diya was taken aback, "I want one too!"

"If I gift it, it’ll lose some of its mystery." Ash laughed, "Plus, my taste..."

"Hmm..." Diya weighed it for a moment, but in the end decided to trust herself, "I’ll choose one myself."

"Then I’ll look forward to it wholeheartedly." Ash said sincerely, "I believe if I actually get to see you all in your various beautiful swimsuits, I’ll truly cherish the opportunity fate has given me to unveil them!"

"Oops, you’ve got me pumped!" Diya clenched her fist and said, "Gotta choose seriously!"

"Let’s go look at swimsuits together tomorrow, Diya!" Freyja immediately responded.

"Okay!"

"’If I actually get to see’?" Weiser found it odd, "Ash, why does this sound strange? Are you not coming to the beach with us?"

Ash paused and then chuckled, "It hasn’t happened yet, right? What if tonight Dazzling Star gets angrier the more she thinks and crashes down to roast me? Then our swimsuit outing might have to be postponed indefinitely. Or maybe I anger you all, and you leave me behind and go to the beach yourself."

"What can you do now to anger them?" Vishi said leisurely, "Eat Felix right in front of them?"

"Huh?"

Felix, who was quietly observing, froze, feeling her boiling blood concentrating in the blood vessels under her face’s skin, as if an unspeakable and deeply embarrassing secret had suddenly been made public. It wasn’t until Dedarose poked her waist that she stammered in response, "D-Don’t eat me, I’m not tasty."

But pretending at this point wouldn’t fool anyone, except Freyja; no one was surprised.

In fact, Felix’s reaction was quite intriguing. Her concealment was more shame than shyness, her eyes filled with self-loathing and resentment, as if liking Ash was such a heinous crime... Sonia had interacted with Felix before and vaguely had her suspicions, so she didn’t say much to agitate this self-shamed little lamb, urging, "Let’s hurry inside, the park’s open."

Only to see the gates ahead opening, with "Welcome to Dream World Film City" lighting up one word at a time, as people queued to enter one by one. Siflin leveraged her financial prowess to secure the highest reception-grade tickets, allowing them to bypass the line and head straight down the empty staff corridor on the left, becoming the fastest group to enter the park.

Ash held Sonia’s hand tightly, interlacing fingers, and quietly said, "Don’t worry, Felix is just having fun. Once she’s away from me, she’ll let go of this guilt-ridden affection... To use Vishi as a metaphor, I’m to Felix like Vishi without chains, indiscriminately slaughtering cities and nations. The likelihood of her accepting me is even lower than the likelihood of me accepting an unchained Vishi."

"She’s playing around, so you’re playing around with her?" Sonia whispered back.

Ash fell silent for a moment, sighed, "I’ve made three very important friends among Allstars, aside from Source Angel, one is Nia, and my feelings for you inevitably transferred to her; the other is Filly, and my feelings for Filly... may have inevitably transferred to Felix. I was powerless with Filly before, so I can’t bear to watch Felix suffer."

Sonia thought for a moment, feeling a bit helpless, "You’re really..."

"But I’ve been good, not taking any initiative nor refusing."

"That’s still called being good?! You said Felix will let go once she distances from you... But would she be willing to leave you? Would you be willing to let her go?"

"Trust me." Ash said softly, "Even if neither of us wants to, she’ll still let go of this painful love."

Sonia was taken aback, noticing Ash, despite being a scoundrel rising from the trash bin, never lied with sweet words, never liked fewer than he professed; since he affirmed Felix would let go, it meant he would indeed lead things in that direction.

Although it’s a good thing, having one less lover of Ash was always a relief, Sonia couldn’t help but feel uneasy inside, mixed with a bit of empathy for Felix, blurting out, "Actually, there’s no need—"

She couldn’t continue, suggesting Ash accept Felix would imply supporting Ash’s polyamorous behavior. But Felix was a friend along their adventure, and Sonia didn’t want Felix to be upset, thinking it all pointed back to Ash, so she stomped hard on his foot.

Ash, somewhat surprised, looked at her, couldn’t resist poking her cheek with his finger, and laughed, "Sword Maiden, you’re even cuter when a bit selfish."

Sonia glared at him, opened her mouth, and gently bit his finger, pulling him forward.