Mage Manual-Chapter 287 - 247: Who are you to me?

"Star Swordsman..." Sonia chewed on the term, "Is it the soldier that just transformed from that serpent-dragon?"

Soul Summoning Technique Spirit wasn’t hard to understand since they had just brutally run it over with a race car. In simple terms, this Technique Spirit gathers soul power by hunting other soldiers and then uses that power to grant troop types to itself or its minions.

If it could hunt other Heroic Souls, it could seize their Soul Summoning Technique Spirits and absorb them to upgrade and unlock more troop types.

Just one Technique Spirit having a ’collect-exchange-upgrade’ complete system, if this were to leak out, it might lead to a technological revolution in the entire Mage world.

But it could not possibly leak out.

First, it cannot appear in reality, meaning mages cannot take out this Technique Spirit for research in reality. Additionally...

"What does a Zero-winged Technique Spirit mean?" Ash asked, puzzled, "Can a Technique Spirit be zero-winged?"

The only one among them who had received formal education, the village girl shook her head, "A Technique Spirit can’t be wingless; it’s almost the same as with us mages—the wings of a Technique Spirit represent its volume of knowledge, just without the magic power. A Four-winged Technique Spirit symbolizes it possesses legendary-level knowledge; meanwhile, a Zero-winged Technique Spirit means..."

"It has absolutely no knowledge," Diya interjected. "It’s not made of knowledge."

A knowledge-less Technique Spirit sounded absurd even to Ash, a Mud Species mage—the very definition of a Technique Spirit is a Void Realm creature condensed from knowledge. A Technique Spirit without knowledge would be like meatless streaky pork, essentially denying the definition.

"Do you know?" Sonia suddenly said, "Some Technique Spirits have more than one evolutionary path. For instance, a Two-winged ’Sword Qi’ Technique Spirit can evolve into a Three-winged ’Sword Qi’ Technique Spirit, but with special training and nourishment, it can also evolve into a Three-winged ’Sword Light’ Technique Spirit."

"Many Technique Spirits might mutate during evolution, some ordinary ones transforming into much rarer and powerful ones. Mages record these phenomena, and later they discovered that they could use certain methods to devolve high-level Technique Spirits into low-level ones. These low-level Technique Spirits, having ’experience,’ could easier evolve into high-winged Technique Spirits."

"A special branch of summoning was born from this: first devolve easily obtained high-level Technique Spirits into low-level ones, then specifically nurture them, and later evolve these low-level Technique Spirits into the high-level ones needed."

"I’ve heard some Mage Nobles would even devolve particularly powerful Technique Spirits into One-winged, specifically for their descendants’ use."

"That means as long as a mage is willing, devolving a Four-winged Technique Spirit into a One-winged can also be done."

Sonia glanced at the triangular double-pyramid in Ash’s hand, "The Soul Summoning Technique Spirit might just be a devolved Technique Spirit, it’s too perfected. It’s certainly not without knowledge; rather its volume of knowledge is enormous. I don’t believe it’s an indigenous Technique Spirit of the Time Continent, and I wouldn’t doubt it if you said it’s a Four-winged Technique Spirit."

"It likely is a Legendary Technique Spirit formed from the fusion of multiple Technique Spirits, where Zero-wing is a kind of seal, reducing it to a level usable by Heroic Souls."

Ash nodded his approval. After all, the Heroic Souls of Time Continent were only Two-winged Mages; using a Four-winged Technique Spirit for them would be utterly beyond their capability—as if mixing cement with a toothpick or taking photos with a landline phone.

However, Sonia mentioned a new concept, prompting Ash to ask, "Fusion?"

"Fusion is a special summoning method only high-level mages can attempt," Sonia explained. "In simple terms, it means combining multiple Technique Spirits into a new Technique Spirit. For example, I could fuse Moon Silk, Rapid Stream, and Wave into a new Technique Spirit ’Water Moon Wave,’ and later, I would only need to deploy one Technique Spirit to initiate the Water Moon Miracle."

"But then your three Technique Spirits are gone, right?"

"That’s right, gone," Sonia nodded. "A Fusion Technique Spirit is essentially meant to initiate specific Miracles but has very limited use. Only mages above the Holy Domain would venture into Fusion Technique Spirits, as they may encounter situations requiring the simultaneous initiation of multiple Miracles, where a Fusion Technique Spirit can significantly reduce their burden."

"The Soul Summoning Technique Spirit is powerful yet limited, possibly devolved from a high-level Fusion Technique Spirit to Zero-wing. This Technique Spirit might be meaningless in the higher levels of the Void Realm, where the soldiers we fear could be easily suppressed by Legendary Mages. But on the Time Continent, it becomes the cornerstone for the Heroic Soul Army to sweep through everything."

Diya also understood, "It sounds like the story where an Empire Princess secretly escapes to the border areas for a dimensional beatdown, starting from scratch."

Ash glanced at the witch—You described that quite vividly.

While they had roughly guessed the origin of the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit, it was clear this was beyond their current capability to research. Better to just act as consumers.

So, who would control this Technique Spirit?

Since the troop type included ’Star Swordsman,’ theoretically, it would be most appropriate for Sonia to use it. But she had just picked up the commander’s manual and now the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit again, which even the village girl might find a bit awkward.

However, Ash had a different view, "Speaking of which, what are you to me?"

Sonia and Diya blinked, exchanged glances, then looked at Ash.

"Like family?" Diya asked, "But that sounds weird, why would you want strangers as family... are you an Observer with no family?"

"I mean followers!" Ash clarified, seeing they weren’t catching on. "The Void Realm Exploration was started by me, you all are my team members, theoretically my followers."

Sonia understood, "You mean, if you took the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit, you could grant us troop types?"

"That’s a possibility," Ash held the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit, "Shall I take it?"

"I kind of want it..." Diya eyed the new Technique Spirit with a bit of eagerness, "This time it’s yours, but next time you have to let me have any fun ones!"

Sonia also said, "You take it. Even if you can’t grant us anything, at least the troop armor can increase your safety. Like you said, you’re the team leader, and the most important thing for the team is you. Without you, we can’t drive around in a race car looking at maps to explore the Void Realm... You have to take good care of yourself."

"But without you, I wouldn’t be able to explore the Void Realm so easily," Ash clenched the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit. "If it doesn’t work to grant you all some, then let’s each have one, consider it part of the team welfare—"

As Sonia completely dominated the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit, a fog-like energy suddenly rose around the cave, swirling toward Ash like swallows returning to their nests. The mages could hardly react when Sonia nervously asked, "Observer, what’s happening to you?"

"I’m fine, just put the sword down. I’m scared."

"But just now it seemed like an evil soul devoured your spirit. I need to verify that it’s really you: ’I feel as light as a balloon, yet only a thin thread ties me to the ground’..."

Ash lunged forward, pinning Sonia to the ground and tried to cover her mouth.

Sonia forcefully pried his hands off and said seriously, "See, you are possessed by an evil spirit. I need to continue reciting your famous words to awaken your memory. Sword Maiden, to me, you... if you dare spit, I will never let you off!"

Just as Ash was about to curse, Sonia immediately gave up. Diya, curious, squatted beside them and asked, "Why is the Observer so agitated? Is that some kind of spell?"

"I’ll tell you privately when we have time," Sonia cheerfully said.

"Then you’re done for, you’ll never have free time again, not in your entire life," Ash said coldly.

"What just happened was the first effect of the Soul Summoning Technique Spirit: Soul Summoning. The residual soul power of the star swordsmen we killed was automatically absorbed into the Technique Spirit, and now I have three points of Soul Power, just enough to try and grant you a troop type."

Before Sonia could refuse, Ash pointed at Diya and declared, "Witch evolution—Star Sword Witch!"

Suddenly, deep blue flames burst from Diya, sweeping along her body and transforming into exquisite, form-fitting armor. She wielded a slender rapier in each hand and wore a full-coverage helmet, only her eyes visible through the air holes to Ash and Sonia.

"How does it feel?"

"My body feels a bit lighter." The Star Witch swung her rapier. "The armor and weapons are weightless, making movements very comfortable. Hold on..."

She discarded the rapiers, clenching and pulling her fists together, drawing out three lines of water-born threads: "I can still use the Technique Spirit normally, meaning I can use the troop type as an additional defensive armor without any issues."

"Good," Ash said. "The test is complete. If we have a chance tomorrow night, we’ll try it in real combat."

Sonia poked Ash in the ribs, then pointed at herself.

"What?"

"What about me?"

"What do you mean, you?"

"Why didn’t you let me test it? The star swordsmen are more suited to me."

"Anyone could test it. Besides, having the Witch test it also lets us check if she can use water-born threads and Fist Claw attacks in her troop status."

"Hmm, good reason. Anything else?"

"Also, you annoyed me just now, so I wanted to annoy you," Ash pointedly poked Sonia’s forehead. "Otherwise, I’d stop being annoyed soon."

"I was just joking..." Sonia muttered, rubbing her forehead.

"Witch, come here!" Ash called Diya, who was doing somersaults. "No other issues, right?"

"None!" Diya gave a thumbs up. "The experience is great; let’s fight in these from now on!"

"I’d like that," Ash shrugged, exchanging glances with Sonia. "Now with the rush over, everyone is tired, so let’s end tonight’s Void Realm Exploration here."

"Mmm."

"Alrighty!"

Diya nodded crisply, ready to leave the Void Realm. However, looking down she saw her left hand held by the Observer and her right by the Sword Maiden.

"Void Realm Exploration is over. We still have half an hour before the Static Domain arrives, so there’s time for a half-hour tea session."

Ash and Sonia pulled Diya to one side and sat down.

"Witch, your hair color mixed during battle, and your voice turned into a strange polyphony," Sonia explained. "Although you’ve calmed down now, we can’t just pretend nothing happened."

"Although we’ve only known each other for a few days, saying ’concern’ or ’help’ might not seem quite right, but ignoring this issue is too difficult," Ash tilted his head. "Actually, we were waiting for you to speak up, but since you didn’t, we had to bring it up."

"Of course, if you don’t want to talk, I can understand; after all, we might not be able to help."

"But if you’re willing to share, we’ll listen seriously."

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l