A Chat

"Why do you make yourself sound like some wicked woman who toys with someone and then refuses to let go?" Truth be told, the topic Weise brought up did a wonderful job of easing the pain of Yaxiu's soul being shaved away. He twitched his nose, his face full of curiosity. "Why couldn't you become lovers?" "Because..." Weise thought for a moment. "Probably the gap of reality and career conflicts." "Whoa." Yaxiu grew so energized he could straighten his back. He stared into Weise's eyes. "Could it be that the two of you belong to completely different worlds, and on top of that, you have to fight for your career, so being together is out of the question?" At this moment, Yaxiu recalled the soap operas he had watched with his mother as a child: a wealthy young lady falls for a poor boy, but the obstacles of reality keep them from being together. To pursue her dreams, the lady has to go abroad, while the poor boy can only stay behind and struggle. When they reunite years later, they can no longer blush—they can only stare at each other with reddened eyes... One look was enough for Weise to see that Yaxiu had thoroughly misunderstood. Yet, she needed him to misunderstand. Only then could this rare private conversation between them continue. And for some reason, being able to chat about the story of Silver Lantern and Yaxiu like an outsider alongside the Watcher brought a great deal of relief to her tense heart. "Something like that." Yaxiu asked, "Could the gap of reality not be bridged?" "I tried." Weise shook her head, speaking softly. "We are different people. I'm not the kind of girl who treats life gently like he prefers." "Everyone is gentle in the beginning," Yaxiu said. "Then what about your careers? Couldn't you fight side by side?" "No. My dream is an illusion that others cannot comprehend," Weise said. "Though I could make him understand me, I know he isn't someone who could accept such a dream. There was no need to force him to chase wandering phantoms with me." "So complicated," Yaxiu murmured. "I thought my situation was troublesome enough, but I never expected you to be even more tangled up. "I used to think that the stronger a sorcerer is, the harder it is to fall in love. After all, truth and power are far sexier than mere romance." "You're right." Weise nodded. "Normally speaking, sorcerers at Sanctuary and above have no love left. Even if they keep multiple companions, it is merely an outlet for lust. If they actively pursue someone or become entangled in messy relationships, it is more likely driven by profit and the desire for conquest." Still, 'multiple companions,' 'entangled in messy relationships'... Weise could not resist shooting Yaxiu a glance. Yaxiu's eyes widened with sharp sensitivity. "Why are you looking at me?" Stifling a laugh, Weise said, "Don't get the wrong idea. Of course I know that between you, Sword Princess, and Witch, it isn't just about lust, profit, and the desire for conquest." "Just 'not just'?" Dark lines crossed Yaxiu's face. Still, no matter how one framed it, he was in the wrong here, so he swiftly changed the subject. "Then how did you fall for him? Was it some ill-fated bond before you reached Sanctuary?" "No." Weise shook her head. "I used to believe I would never fall for anyone either. When we first met, we were enemies. In the beginning, I was merely curious about him..." "A classic textbook case," Yaxiu remarked. "Drawn closer by curiosity, only to sink in before you even realize it. Plus, you'd never liked anyone before, which makes you even more vulnerable... The opposite would be someone like me—no secrets, transparent enough for anyone to see through at a glance. Even the Swindler feels completely at ease around me." Weise gazed at Yaxiu. Yaxiu raised an eyebrow, staring back without yielding an inch. After five seconds, Weise was the first to concede beneath his gaze. She looked away and said, "You're right." "But I don't think you're the kind of person to give up just because of obstacles," Yaxiu asked curiously. "You might look quiet and gentle on the outside, but deep down, you're stubborn and resolute. If there's something you truly want, no matter how many difficulties stand in your way, you'd clear them all aside." "Not all difficulties can be cleared away." Weise lowered her eyelashes. "For instance, he already has someone he likes." "Huh?" On this topic, Yaxiu suddenly perked up. "Then... steal him away using underhanded tactics? Someone as pure and lovely as you could easily make him falter, planting doubt and hesitation, and then you just fan the flames—" Weise shook her head with a self-deprecating smile. "I already used underhanded tactics. That's how I know I can't steal him away." "You already used them?" Yaxiu looked at her with newfound respect. "And he still didn't give in? Then he's definitely no ordinary guy—you have to hit him with everything you've got!" "Yes. Precisely because I tried, I know I stand no chance," Weise said. "I've seen the way he looks when he likes someone, so I know for sure that he doesn't like me. "At most, he is merely... pitying me." Having reached this point, Yaxiu did not dare speak recklessly anymore. He merely tightened his grip on Weise's hand. Yet Weise broke into a bright smile, her tone turning brisk. "Don't worry about me. I've already moved past it. His appearance was a massive accident to begin with; now I'm simply returning to my original path. Nothing has changed. Under any other circumstance, I wouldn't have brought this up with you. It's just that seeing your sweet codependence tonight made me unable to resist feeling a little envious." Yaxiu said awkwardly, "I'll be more mindful in the future—when we party up in the Void Realm, we'll stick to our normal teammate dynamic. It definitely won't affect our combat and exploration, let alone how loot is distributed—" "Don't be nervous, I'm not blaming you." Weise shrugged. "I just mean that even without romance, haven't I lived perfectly fine? Let alone sorcerers, most people never experience true love anyway. At most, they develop affection because of appearance, voice, income, or family background, but all that loving back and forth is ultimately for themselves. What they love is the vanity of being loved, the sense of validation when being tormented, or even the tragic romance born of unrequited longing. In the end, what they love is an emotion conjured by their own imagination—not love at all. "Now that I can escape this dull hormonal trap, you ought to be congratulating me." Yaxiu almost wanted to applaud, nodding repeatedly. "As expected of a Truth Sorcerer—pure, insightful wisdom!" "Except..." He looked at Weise, speaking with utter sincerity. "You just said you didn't mind being rained on, so why are you crafting an umbrella out of this long speech?" Weise froze. Her lips pressed tight, and she lowered her head, murmuring faintly, "Sword Princess took all your bad habits." "Haven't I picked up her nitpicking flaw as well?" Yaxiu shrugged. "Weise, you know I'm no relationship expert, and I've never really dated anyone..." Weise dropped the act entirely and burst out laughing. Yaxiu kept an unyielding straight face as he continued, "So I won't tell you to let it go, nor will I spout nonsense like 'you're so pretty, you'll definitely find someone better.' Liking someone is liking someone; not getting what you want is not getting what you want. It isn't like forging a virtual godhead where you can find substitute sorcery spirits... Some things are like a soul godhead—only those specific sorcery spirits and a specific ritual can yield the desired outcome." Weise's heart stirred. She glanced at the Dream Demon out of the corner of her eye and said calmly, "I know." "Good that you know." Yaxiu gave a slight nod. "Emotions are ultimately a matter between two people—" "Or perhaps three," Weise chimed in. "Are you ever going to let that go!" Yaxiu's lips twitched, but he kept talking. "So I can't encourage you, can't advise you, and can't even offer you enlightenment. The only thing I can do is the very thing you're doing right now. "If you're tired, go to sleep; crying yourself to sleep is fine too. If it hurts, let us share the burden. We'll always be waiting for you in the Void Realm." Yaxiu gripped her hand firmly, gazing straight into her eyes. "Companions don't necessarily share the same ideals, but they must support one another." Weise was stunned for a moment, her lips trembling as if she were on the verge of tears. In the end, she smiled. "Okay." Yaxiu paused, meekly adding, "Though when Sword Princess and Witch are around, you'd better go to them instead..."