Mage Manual

Ten seconds later, the maid arrived at the scene to execute the Fallen Mage, then convened an emergency alliance meeting, summoning all the Holy Sanctuary Mages.

She announced that she would lead all elite combat forces to swiftly crush all sects of the Evil God.

Someone asked, if this left the alliance immensely vulnerable, what if other sects of the Evil God invaded?

She replied, so what?

Everyone was very worried, as the maid was the most faithful follower of Filly, whose governance policy was people-oriented, always choosing to protect the majority. Now the maid disregarded the populace, seeming like she was blinded by hatred, making her susceptible to corruption by the tyrant or prince. If even the Chief Legend was corrupted and fell, the alliance might collapse accordingly.

But the maid calmly told them she wasn’t ignoring Filly’s principles out of anger; she had thoroughly thought it through and completely abandoned Filly’s choices.

Miracles do not exist, victory is the right way. There’s no need to protect everyone; ultimate victory is the only pursuit.

Some agreed, but more opposed. People gathered under Filly’s banner not to follow power but inspired by beautiful wishes. The third maid hoarsely questioned her, if not for Filly’s willingness to protect them back then, they wouldn’t have survived, both sitting here thanks to Filly’s miracle. How could she betray Filly’s expectations?

The maid answered, Filly is human; thus she can believe in a perfect ending, but we are mages; we know perfection only exists in fantasy. A mage chasing perfection is like a crying child, knowing something is impossible yet still betting hope on tears.

Because of Filly, I exist, but Filly will not reach the end, only I can.

The world no longer needs Filly, only me.

I am victory, I am justice, I am right.

The next day at sunrise, the maid’s leadership charm captivated all the high-ranking mages. They fought across eighteen Evil God sects within half a year, facing intense retaliation from the Gods of Four Pillars. Legendary Mages gathered as though they cost nothing; upon destroying the last cult stronghold, a total of seventy-two cult legends fell. Apart from the Chief Maid and the Tenth Maid, all other mages died or were injured, with alliance citizens losing sixty percent, but eventually dawn’s glow ensued.

No Evil Mage conducted rituals, Four Pillars Gods’ corruption on reality rapidly waning, with corruption probability dropping from one-tenth to one ten-thousandth, heralding a new era.

The Chief Maid declined the alliance’s nomination of Great Sage of Sun and Moon; she said even the brightest sun and moon cannot shine on everyone, only the stars can always guide the right direction. Then she and the Tenth Maid ascended as Demigods, traversing Level Six of Hell, reaching Seven Heavens.

The Tenth Maid later changed her name to Star Rhythm.

She continued using her past title, named Dazzling Star.

Years passed, Seven Heavens welcomed the Extreme Master of Blood Moon, Lord of Infinite Abyss, All-knowing Weaver, Lord Senluo, Imaginary Music Master. They agreed to hunt the Source Angel, dividing the world into six phase realities; each ruled one, with Dazzling Star constructing the cage, other Divine Lords producing resources necessary for the cage.

When the Source Angel was trapped in the Allstars cage, Dazzling Star connected to her prepared earthly vessel. It was the daughter of a Duke and the leader of the Four Pillars God Sect; to tackle the Source Angel, she had to borrow Four Pillars Gods’ power to become a demon.

While others prepared demon vessels using themselves as models, she was quite different... not merely using herself as a model.

Perhaps because of this, the demon vessel’s personality turned out so tender.

Yet fate reveals only such a demon can grasp the future. Years pass, and I still need you to help me withstand Four Pillars, challenge fate...

Dazzling Star slowly closed her eyes, merged with the demon vessel, and fell into slumber.

...

...

She slowly opened her eyes, seeing Ash unfold Void Wings before her amidst the starry sea. His flamboyant and splendid Void Wings made the dazzling Star Cluster lose shine.

"Today is the sixth day, I thought you would enjoy until the last moment before accepting your fate." She smiled: "Or do you wish to spend the last day with me? If so, I might go easier on you."

Ash couldn’t distinguish which words were Dazzling Star’s, which were Filly’s; six days passed, she seemed to switch seamlessly between personalities, smooth and effortless. But to him, this wasn’t good news; the higher the integration of Dazzling Star and Filly, the less likely Filly would spare him at crucial times.

"The last day is indeed reserved for you," Ash said: "And also for this world."

"To me, it sounds like you still haven’t given up," Dazzling Star hovered barefoot, circling Ash, exhibiting Filly’s playful movements unmistakably while her tone was aloof and proud: "Can’t you obediently go to your doom?"

"Or, are you prepared to destroy the Void Realm, to fight with me for the only eight-wing seat? If so, I look forward to deciding life and death with you. But if you neither want to destroy the Void Realm nor are willing to die, but still pursue—"

"『Perfection only exists in fantasy, a mage chasing perfection is like a crying child, knowing something impossible yet betting hope on tears』." Ash shrugged: "Trust me, those are the words I’ve heard most this past few days; they love using your words to scold me."

"But hey, this is a world with miracles, until the last moment, how can I resign myself?"

Ash shook two swords from his sleeve, "I have one last question, Dazzling Star."

Dazzling Star’s eyes sparkled with a faint glow: "Go ahead."

"Six-winged is Secret Domain Divine Lord, Seven-winged is Supreme of Magic, have you thought about what title to use for Eight-winged?"

"So confident?" Dazzling Star laughed in rage: "Already considering what titles to assume for the future?"

"Just curious." Ash smiled: "I’d guess you’ll continue using Dazzling Star? But this time no longer need Supreme or Divine Lord as suffixes because no one would be of the same rank... the name Dazzling Star alone suffices to transcend all."

"No." Dazzling Star shook her head: "I might not continue using Dazzling Star by then, rather be called..."

She paused, then countered: "And you? Do you plan to name yourself Final Observer for Eight-winged?"

"Impossible, I’m neither final nor observer, and that name sounds like a Cult Leader." Ash said: "I’m more straightforward, Eight-winged Mage, isn’t that the ultimate being mastering Void Realm, Miracle, and Fate?"

"So you plan to be named Ultimate?"

"No, I plan to be called Master of Void Realm." Ash slowly drew a sword circle with both swords: "But not achieving Eight-winged to be called Master of Void Realm; it’s I conquer the world in the name of Master of Void Realm, Eight wings will crown me!"

PS: No Chapters split, feel a bit embarrassed about merging two into one, but forgive me for yesterday’s three updates.