Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 503: First Time With Lady Charlotte

"Strictly speaking, the operational difficulty of resonance casting is higher than that of large-scale magic rituals requiring coordinated teamwork among multiple casters. This is exactly why the latter were preserved for military formations, while the former gradually faded into oblivion throughout history."

As soon as she finished speaking, Charlotte noticed the contemplative glint in Astrid’s eyes and guessed the young girl was interested. She gently added,

"However, given the current circumstances, Lyra is a Peak tier Magnus on the verge of ascending to legendary status, and Astrid also has already reached the rank of peak tier Magnus. In terms of precision in mental energy, you both barely meet the minimum requirements for resonance casting..."

"As for the level of synchronization... that will entirely depend on how well you and Lyra can cooperate."

Having walked the path from early tier apprentice to middle tier Arcanist, Charlotte herself had never attempted resonance casting before. Thus, she had no practical experience either and could only relay to Astrid the theoretical knowledge she had acquired.

After a brief silence, Astrid quickly asked,

"Then, Lady Charlotte, if resonance casting fails, there will be severe magical backlash?"

"And if so, who exactly will suffer the backlash, the chanting initiator, or the actual mental energy contributor?"

This was crucial to her decision on whether or not to attempt resonance casting.

Charlotte nodded gently, her voice soft.

"Magical backlash will indeed occur, but it targets both mages involved in resonance casting as a unified whole. That means any negative effects from a failed spell will be shared equally by both parties."

Here, Charlotte blinked and lightly brushed the dark strands of hair near her neck, unintentionally revealing a glimpse of snow-white, smooth skin.

"If Little Astr and Lyra attempt this, given your current levels of strength, as long as you don’t recklessly try to cast high-level spells of Arcanist rank, the theoretical backlash effect would be dismissed, almost impossible to affect the soul in any way.

Most mages, when failing to cast a spell within their current tier, could easily neutralize magical backlash by immediately stabilizing their mental energy. Only if the spell was deliberately interrupted by an enemy, causing severe turbulence in their mental energy, would the backflowing magic easily inflict soul damage.

Hearing Charlotte’s careful explanation, Astrid felt reassured.

Since attempting resonance casting wouldn’t result in serious consequences or harm Lyra, they could indeed use this method to alleviate, or even completely cure, the patients’ illnesses.

"There’s just one final question, Lady Charlotte." Feeling the smooth, tender sensation within the blanket, Astrid gently lifted her leg and rested it against the mature woman before her.

"You said the process of resonance casting is somewhat similar to soul contact. If I truly do this, will my memories be shared with the resonance partner in the short term?"

If everything was as Charlotte described, resonance casting essentially establishing a brief, intangible connection between two souls, making each other an extension of the other’s mental self, then Astrid’s concern was entirely reasonable.

Hearing Astrid’s words and feeling the cool, gentle touch against her thigh, Charlotte fluttered her eyelashes and answered softly,

"You don’t need to worry about that at all."

"Although the souls briefly connect, allowing you to sense each other’s current emotions, probing deeper into the soul to access memories is far beyond what resonance casting can achieve."

Ultimately, this was merely a casting method, fundamentally different from arcane spells like [Soul Link].

"I think I understand what Lady Charlotte means," Astrid replied.

According to Charlotte’s explanation, the facts seemed to align with her thoughts, resonance casting might indeed circumvent the constraints of the world’s will, allowing a Sword of Light to cast ancient magic on her behalf.

Her crimson pupils slowly lowered as she gazed at Charlotte before her, dressed only in a tight-fitting nightgown, exuding an ethereal aura. After a moment’s thought, Astrid spoke again.

"Since the magical backlash isn’t severe, Lady Charlotte, could you please help me with something..."

Charlotte’s eyes slightly narrowed, her clear amber irises reflect the young girl’s face as she faintly guessed what was coming next.

"...Let’s try it first."

Astrid lightly stroked the thin strap on her shoulder. The nightgown belonging to Charlotte was surprisingly smooth in texture and slightly oversized, making the straps prone to slipping down.

"About the specific steps of resonance casting," Astrid said.

Knowledge gained from books always feels shallow; true understanding comes from practice. Just listening to Charlotte’s explanations wasn’t as effective as actually trying it once, direct, fast, and deeply memorable.

"..."

"Me and you?" Charlotte repeated, her tone shifting.

From a practical standpoint, she was one of the rare middle tier Arcanists in the entire Valeria Empire, possessing abundant mental energy reserves and well-versed in handling magical backlash, making her an ideal safety net in case of an accident.

From a personal standpoint, she shared an exceptionally close bond with Astrid. Although not blood-related, their emotional connection surpasses that of family, built on profound mutual trust. She had no fear of Astrid harboring ill intentions during resonance casting, nor was there likely to be subconscious resistance on the mental level.

But considering... the sensations this casting method might evoke...

The connection between soul and soul was not unlike embracing or kissing, perhaps even more intimate.

Unconsciously, she thought of many things. When she came back to her feelings, Charlotte felt emotionally conflicted. Astrid had come to her specifically to solve the plague crisis, yet here she was hesitating over such a critical matter, her overthinking was bordering on absurdity.

Astrid softly hummed in response, meeting Charlotte’s eyes.

"It’s fine if Lady Charlotte doesn’t want to. I’ll talk to Lyra and we’ll start trying right away."

After all, resonance casting shared emotions between two people, a serious invasion of personal privacy. Even the closest of relatives couldn’t remain completely open with each other. Charlotte’s hesitation was perfectly understood.

Hearing this, Charlotte shook her head and quickly denied,

"Of course not."

She had only been momentarily stunned, pondering the potential state resonance casting might induce.

If Astrid truly wanted to do this, as her elder, she naturally had every intention of doing her utmost to support her.

Composing her thoughts, Charlotte gazed at Astrid and gently extended her arms, wrapping them around the silver-haired girl’s slender waist.

Resonance casting requires the two casters to establish an intimate connection, dissolving boundaries between self and other. Under this premise, they needed to get as close as possible.

When Astrid and Lyra cast spells, they will be fully dressed and standing before others to assess the situation. But here, there was no need for such formality. To ensure success, close physical contact was also a crucial factor.

Having just listening to Charlotte’s explanation of the casting principles, Astrid understood the necessity of this action. The instant Charlotte’s arms encircled her waist, Astrid also reached out, embracing her. She pressed her legs firmly against the woman’s side, and the two, previously separated by some distance, were now tightly locked in each other’s arms.

Unlike the petite, doll-like Amalia, or the tender, soft, and sweetly obedient Lyra, Charlotte, as a mature woman, gave Astrid the most pronounced sensation in every aspect, her curves, her presence.

Astrid’s chest pressed against soft, heavy warmth; her limbs felt entirely enveloped in warm water. Silver and black hair intertwined and brushed against each other, shimmering in the moonlight.

"Let’s start with a simple spell," Charlotte stabilized her breathing and whispered softly.

"Early tier Sorcerer level wind magic, [Gentle Breeze]. Little Astr, you should know its ancient incantation."

In the future, when Astrid and Lyra perform resonance casting, Astrid will be the dominant caster, while Lyra will be the passive recipient under control. Thus, their trial should follow the same order.

With Astrid, younger and possessing weaker and less abundant mental energy, acting as the driver, she will control the more experienced and powerful Arcanist, Charlotte, using her high affinity with wind elements to complete a joint casting.

Their mental energies simultaneously radiated outward. Uncovered skin brushed and touched, feeling the warmth and smoothness transmitted from outside. Astrid closed her eyes, searching for Charlotte’s mental presence in the air.

Warm, clear, carrying a faint, mysterious, elegant fragrance, mental contact replaced the five senses, directly transmitting sensations to the soul.

Strand by strand, they intertwined and wrapped around each other. Charlotte offered no resistance, allowing Astrid’s spirit to fully envelop her.

This mystical sensation was as if two independent individuals had, at this moment, achieved a certain kind of soul fusion.

Immersed in magic for so many years, this was her first time experiencing such a feeling. Charlotte instinctively let out a soft hum, her plump, rounded legs slightly tightening.

It was as if... everything about her had been dyed in the color of the junior mage in her arms...

Although she was the elder, she felt completely under Astrid’s control. Charlotte felt strangely conflicted inside, yet she knew this wasn’t the time for overthinking.

Any resistance from her, even the slightest subconscious expression, would only cause the resonance casting to fail.

She calmed her mind, as if sinking into a lake, completely soaked by the presence named Astrid. The scent of roses emanating from the girl’s body fills her nose, and even her spirit involuntarily relaxes.

First, synchronize the soul’s vibrations to the same rhythm, then release the spell.

Remembering Charlotte’s earlier words, Astrid didn’t immediately chant the ancient incantation in her mind. Instead, she maintained this state until she sensed Charlotte’s emotional response to her soul.

Tenderness, affection, a faint sense of possessiveness.

The specific emotions were relaxation, comfort, and peace.

It seemed her soul’s intrusion hadn’t caused Charlotte the slightest displeasure, but had instead naturally achieved fusion.

The connection was progressing remarkably smoothly.

The hands on her back quietly slide lower, interlacing fingers with her aunt. Astrid quickly chanted the spell, simultaneously using the other’s mental energy to cast.

It was just like that night after she first regained her memories, when she went to Charlotte’s private estate and danced with her to mend their relationship.

Holding Charlotte’s hand, the one dancing the female role shifted from herself to the other. Astrid was like a skilled gentleman, every movement gentle and meticulous, her palm slightly supporting the mature partner’s waist. Her gaze fell upon the woman’s ink-black hair and the snow-white, bare back not concealed by the nightgown, guiding her where each step should land, which muscles to tense, which joints to bend.

Even though the woman before her was more skilled at dancing, she no longer affirmed her own will, simply following Astrid’s rhythm.

In the blink of an eye, the spell was prepared. Wind element particles in the air, influenced by magic, formed a gentle breeze that softly caressed Astrid and Charlotte’s faces.

The trial of the ancient magic version of Early tier Sorcerer level wind magic, [Gentle Breeze], was successful.

Of course, one spell alone was far from enough.

Astrid closed her eyes, gently resting her smooth, delicate chin on Charlotte’s shoulder. The latter also faintly pursed her lips with a dazed expression, pressing her cheek close to Astrid’s earlobe.

Continue... the next spell’s intensity escalated to Peak tier Sorcerer level, still the wind magic that Charlotte was most adapted to...

More wind element particles began gathering under magical traction, converging in space. As the casting process continued, their souls drew even closer. Charlotte also directly felt Astrid’s feelings toward her.

That usual, quietly flowing affection, yet clear and distinct like water splashing against rocks, producing bright, discernible sounds, concern and love.

Time passed minute by minute. When they attempted the middle tier Magnus-level spell, their souls exhibited slight disharmony. The sequence of elemental arrangement became somewhat disordered, with some wind element particles escaping the designated spell array and rapidly dispersing into the surrounding air.

And it was exactly this tiny disturbance that prevented the entire spell from forming. Backflowing magic surged toward their souls, but was immediately neutralized by Charlotte’s reverse-directed mental energy, completely dissipating into nothingness.

The next second, the two in the linked state drainage from resonance casting. Deprived of the mental contact, Charlotte slightly furrowed her delicate brows, her crimson lips parting slightly.

That was... it?

The lingering warmth swirled in Charlotte’s mind, her nose still retaining a faint trace of rose fragrance, the scent from Astrid’s hair.

That never-before-felt sensation... was unexpectedly quite pleasant...

Was it because the person involved was someone she knew so well?

On the other side, Astrid also regained clarity from her daze.

"Even middle tier Magnus-level magic failed...?"

Charlotte was a middle tier Arcanist. Using her mental energy to cast wind magic, her highest affinity element, shouldn’t have only reached this level.

"Probably because it was our first attempt, and we’re both still unskilled."

Charlotte explained gently. Her heartbeat, muffled through layers of fabric, was clearly transmitted to Astrid.

That was indeed possible.

"Then...should I continue?" Astrid asked.

The languid, dark-haired beauty did not refuse, softly responding,

"Mm... keep going..."

"I’m not tired yet."