Sophia still wore a pained, aggrieved expression, with tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.
The sensation of being a human drum really did not feel good.
It hurt so much…
‘Old hag! Not giving me any face at all, only being nice to Eirlis. So biased!’
‘No one has ever hit my butt before! Today… it’s basically been split open, waaah.’
‘I don’t want to live anymore… and with Eirlis right here as a live audience watching the whole broadcast, I really can’t be a big sister anymore…’
Without a single moment to mourn Sophia’s aching backside, Felicitara moved immediately to the next battlefield.
“Time is perhaps… running a bit short. It seems some things will have to be kept brief…” Mother said with a hint of disappointment.
“Little Eirlis, after you pass the trial of the Sela Temple in a while, you will have many opportunities to meet the Goddess,” Mother said softly. “Look forward to it.”
‘Meet a god directly?’ Eirlis thought. ‘To be honest, I’m not mentally prepared yet. I just hope the Goddess isn’t the overly demanding type…’
“Okay, Mother. I will be ready. Please don’t worry.” Eirlis had always possessed the determination to face difficulties head-on, so she answered confidently.
Felicitara pressed her hands together, and a dense power of faith radiated outward. The two sisters felt a warm, majestic force entering their bodies.
**[Level Up! Eirlis Omnia has reached Level 52.]**
**[Level Up! Sophia Omnia has reached Level 50.]**
“Little Eirlis, I am going to teach you some exclusive alchemy recipes here, as well as two new skills. The memories will be transmitted directly into your mind. Please check them.” Her voice was very soft as she reached out to pinch Eirlis’s soft cheek.
**[Eirlis has unlocked: Binding Light (Instant-cast. Imprisons an enemy unit. If their level is lower than the caster’s, they are suppressed and cannot break free on their own. Maximum targets: 30), Last Resort Prayer (Self-use only. Instant-cast. Immediately restores 80% HP. Cooldown: 6 hours).]**
“Little Sophia, I am giving you a ring and a functional pendant. Mother was truly angry today, but I didn’t mean to punish you so harshly. Please forgive me.” Her voice trembled slightly at the end, and as if afraid Sophia would notice the abnormality, she took her hand and laced their fingers together.
**[Magic Blade Ring]** (Purple—Highest Quality)
Physical Attack: +12%
Enchanted Attack: +10%
Magic Resistance: +15%
Swordsmanship Skill Bonus: +120%
Effect: After equipping, enchanted attacks can be used as ranged attacks.
**[World-Breaker Necklace]** (Purple—Highest Quality)
All Attributes: +10%
MP Limit: +20%
Melee Damage: +15%
Effect: Triggers a magic shield upon receiving fatal damage (negates damage once).
Cooldown: 72 hours.
Felicitara stroked the silver hair on Eirlis’s forehead, then slowly rested her fingertips against the girl’s warm brow, wishing she could leave more of this warmth with her.
She leaned down, straightening the small satin ribbon on Eirlis’s lolita dress, then stood back up to carefully adjust the large blue butterfly ornament on Eirlis’s mage hat.
“Until next time, my children. I believe our next reunion won’t be long from now — as long as you wish for it.”
After Felicitara finished hugging the sisters, Eirlis departed first, but Sophia remained in the white space.
“Sophia, I’m sorry. I have some things I need to discuss with you alone.” Felicitara kept Sophia back for a private lesson.
?!
Oh no, the old hag probably didn’t get enough hits in earlier… Please, I beg you, spare my butt.
Felicitara walked over slowly, but Sophia held out her hands and leaned back, her face contorted in a miserable expression of resistance.
“Sophia, I prefer to attribute your personality and actions to heroism,” Felicitara said with a smile. “I won’t hit you again today. If you keep acting like this, Mother will be very sad.”
To get Sophia to lower her guard, Mother pulled her into a hug, pried her hands open, and held them tightly, transferring her warmth to her daughter.
Fortunately, after a moment, Sophia stopped being difficult. In truth, Sophia had never intended to excessively reject Felicitara from the start.
The stray hairs from her mother’s temples brushed against her cheek, carrying the scent of morning white camellias. Sophia subconsciously tilted her head to nuzzle against her.
“Heroism is when a person, facing the absurdity of the world and the oppression of fate, can persist in their own will and bear their responsibilities. Even in the face of immense difficulties, choosing to face them bravely and never escape — that is heroism.” Mother explained it to Sophia in the simplest terms possible.
“Heroism, huh? That sounds pretty good, Mother,” Sophia couldn’t help but state her thoughts and ask a question. “But Mother, I prefer to pursue my own freedom, protect the people I love, and do what I want. If I have the necessary determination, I won’t care about what others think! What do you think?”
“Hell is other people. The flames of hell will eventually be extinguished beneath your feet, and you will become the master of your own destiny. When you confidently pursue yourself, it is very possible that a single ‘that’s all there is’ from someone else will plunge you into self-doubt,” Felicitara answered, then added further.
“Hell is other people. Conversely, ‘the self is heaven.’ Stick to your beliefs, Sophia. I will always support you from behind.”
“Now, it really is necessary for you to know Fiona’s strength. After all, she is a Hegemon-level figure of the Second Continent.” Felicitara pressed her forehead against Sophia’s. Information about Fiona flooded into her mind, and the data within was jaw-dropping.
[Status Window]
Name: Fiona Xaelium
Level: 90
Class: Magic Swordsman
HP: 58,850/58,850
MP: 32,645/32,645
STR: 14,866
CON: 14,530
AGI: 13,458
INT: 8,765
SPR: 6,435
LUK: 50
Personal Talents:
**[Ultimate: True Ten Consecutive Slashes]**: Fiona uses powerful sword techniques to attack an enemy continuously. Each strike stacks a Vulnerability mark and adds magical attacks of different attributes, up to 10 stacks. At maximum stacks, the marks detonate, reflecting all previous combo damage back to the target (Detonation damage is True Damage).
**[Protection from Arrows]**: When equipped with a sword-type weapon, Fiona completely evades all ranged physical, magical, and poison attacks.
**[Arena of the Elven Valkyrie]**: When equipped with a sword-type weapon, Fiona can activate an Innate Bounded Field. Ranged classes such as Mages, Priests, Warlocks, Archers, and Musketeers are forcibly disarmed. Stealth effects for Thieves and Rangers are immediately negated, and their evasion/precognition skills fail. Inside the Bounded Field, combatants are forced to use melee weapons to duel Fiona.
**[Arena of the Elven Valkyrie Maximum Capacity: 100. Skill Cooldown: 168 hours.]**
???
Everyone should just quit the game. This isn’t even “cheating a little bit” anymore… Sophia thought, her expression frozen.
“The Forest of Elves has always worshipped Althea, the Goddess of Life. Fiona has been helping me gather the power of faith in the Second Continent,” Mother did not forget to remind her. “Sophia, Angelica will accompany you when the time comes. Remember, Fiona isn’t the only Hegemon in the Second Continent. Be sure to act with caution.”
“Okay, Mother. I will keep your words in my heart.” Sophia placed her left fist against her chest and spoke with pride.
The two continued to chat for a while. Mother wished that time could be more abundant, but happy moments were always brief.
Felicitara’s body began to turn transparent. It seemed it was time to say goodbye…
Felicitara pursed her lips and said nothing, looking at Sophia. Her eyes were red, but she bit her lower lip hard, refusing to let tears fall.
“Hurry back. Eirlis still needs you. Both of you are strong children…”
Mother could only bite her lip, turn around, and walk quickly forward. She did not dare to look back before disappearing into the end of the white light…
***
Returning to reality, Sophia woke up with a start. The ring and necklace Mother had given her were now on her body.
She knew very well that there was no better master in the First Continent to improve her strength. Becoming a disciple of the Elven Sword Saint was undoubtedly the best choice, especially since Fiona’s class was also a Magic Swordsman.
She walked out of the room and gently pushed open Eirlis’s door. After looking at the sleeping Eirlis, she felt at ease and slowly closed the door.
Sophia did not like partings.
Or rather, she was unwilling to say goodbye to things.
To friends, to loved ones, to them, to the thousands of threads of the past, and to her present moment.
But those were all her past with the world. She might not find the correct answer for a while. Perhaps the answer was also searching for her in the future.
However, Sophia knew clearly that she, more than anyone else, needed to reach the end where the answer lay.
Just watch.
On this day, Sophia thought to herself.
I will say goodbye to the old me.