"I didn’t expect you to take my words so seriously," Felix’s voice was filled with incredulous admiration, "actually using this method to forcibly purify your own thoughts."

"But your chaotic thoughts are really strong, is it because of being a demigod? Remarkably, a whole night and you’re still not done purifying." She pondered, "But no, if all demigods were like this, then Sword Maiden and the others should be just as serious as you, but I’ve never noticed any unusual signs with them, so this should just be your personal issue."

That’s because all their unusual signs are with me!

Ash completely gave up, "Hurry up and finish checking and leave, if there’s anything, we’ll talk tomorrow."

"What, you want to continue? Wait, did I interrupt you, are you actually not done yet?"

Hearing Felix’s uncontrollable laughter, Ash couldn’t help but realize she was teasing him, and retorted with a bit of annoyance: "I’m at the Observatory, can’t you show a bit of respect?"

"Alright, alright, I will check you for sure... never mind, you can mess around all night by yourself, your body is healthier than mine, I surely can’t find anything wrong. And in case I encounter any unpleasant fluids... you wouldn’t want to see me chop off my hand, would you?"

"Hey!!!"

"I was complimenting you for being amazing, don’t be mad, at most I won’t laugh anymore." Felix said earnestly, "But I won’t touch you, anyway, there’s a rule to abstain from temptation, I just worry about you getting into trouble, like tumbling off the bed and passing out... but shouldn’t you exercise some restraint? You are still under the curse, after all..."

Ash was infuriated: "You’ve been laughing all along, never stopped!"

"Give me a moment, deep breath, deep breath." Felix took several deep breaths to calm down, "No, I can’t stop at all, the moment I catch a whiff of this scent, I want to laugh."

"You’re such a wicked person..." Ash was already infected by her, feeling somewhat exasperated and amused, waving his hand: "Didn’t you say you have something to chat with me about? Say it quickly and go back to sleep."

"Hmm, it’s actually not a big deal." Felix swayed a bit, the couch creaking under her weight: "Just suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. I originally didn’t have the right to comment on your issues, yet I spoke so excessively."

"Not your concern, I was the one who asked for your honest opinion in the first place."

"But didn’t you have a breakdown?"

"I didn’t expect..."

"Do you really think your behavior of liking several girls would earn my, Felix Vosloda, an independent female mage’s approval and admiration? In your expectation, I should look at you with starry eyes, envying your deep affections for them?"

Well said, the girls in the wardrobe joined Felix in giving a thumbs up.

Ash was left speechless, feeling somewhat embarrassed, said, "So I’m the dumb one, fragile heart still seeking scolding, alright? So why are you here, feeling unsatisfied and come to scold me again?"

Felix just then realized she got a little too excited, calmed herself and said, "Sorry, inadvertently became aggressive again... but I think it’s not my fault, it’s because your words are so infuriating."

"Even though you’re so infuriating, I shouldn’t have said those words to break your fragile heart, sorry." Felix sincerely said, "My education teaches me to maintain elegance, even when facing scum."

Ash looked speechless: "Are you apologizing or mocking me... alright, alright I accept your apology. Even if your cooking is bad, I won’t make a fuss, okay?"

"I won’t make bad food," Felix pouted, "I researched those new recipe ideas you suggested for a long time and only let you try after confirming they taste okay."

"I actually wanted to tell you..."

Felix let out a long breath, said with a complex tone, "Ash, do you know I hate you?"

"Really? I couldn’t tell at all~" Ash used a falsetto, speaking in an infuriating green-tea tone, "I’ve always thought you like to mock me to get my attention~"

The girl in the darkness paused, then tentatively asked, "Are you mad?"

Ash retorted, "If I were mad, I’d have called someone to beat you long ago, seriously... Although your words sting, they do hit my sore points, I’m mad at myself, why be mad at you? Igula is just like you, also disapproving of me and often mocks me mercilessly, but he’s my best friend."

"Although I’m not wise, I can still tell the difference between good intentions and malice." He laughed, "No need to apologize on purpose in the future, asking your opinion means I trust you. If you really feel guilty, just make me a cake tomorrow... no, the more I think the angrier I get, that Igula guy never shows any remorse after annoying me, I declare Harvey to be my best friend."

"Are those two your only options for best friends?" Felix asked.

Ash was taken aback, a strong sense of sadness welled up within him—were his best friends only between a Swindler and a Necromancer?

"Why do you suddenly want cake?" Felix asked curiously, "You usually don’t like sweets."

"Ah, because today counts as my birthday. I’m not interested in the cake itself, the point is to share it with Sword Maiden and the others." Ash said, "Don’t mind it, continue talking about how you hate me."

Felix fell silent, her tone very complicated: "You’re doing it on purpose, how am I supposed to continue... I can’t believe I just scolded you on your birthday..."

"You made me break down, and I made you feel guilty, very fair, right?" Ash chuckled, "If you can’t say it now, save it for next time."

"No, I need to say it now." Felix shook his head, "Do you know when I started to dislike you?"

"Was it from the first time we met, when I kidnapped you on the train?"

"It was when I met your two ’Queens’," Felix said calmly, "Originally, Sonia already surprised me enough, then the Witch even came all the way from the Kingdom of Gospel to find you. At first, I thought they were deceived, but later I realized they were unwilling to give up, and you wanted them all... That’s when I felt you were a disgusting Meiwa."

"A trash bin disloyal to love deserves to die."

Ash couldn’t help but remind her, "For my birthday cake, I like fruit cake."

"I know your birthday, I was just expressing my true feelings, not intentionally insulting you." Felix mumbled, "The better the Sword Maiden and the Witch performed, the more I felt they were underserved, every day hoping you’d return from the Observatory and be forsaken by them."

"So these days I’ve been genuinely happy, they’re keeping their distance from you, and you can reflect on yourself." Felix continued, "When I say you’re holding them back, I don’t really mean you should cut ties with them, but rather you should choose your true love, love her wholeheartedly, and keep a friendly distance from others, instead of being so shamelessly tangled up."

In the wardrobe, Diya, Weiser, and Vishi could sense the Sword Maiden’s joyful mood from Sonia’s subtle body movements. They cursed silently, ’You already know Ash would choose you,’ and quietly lowered their affinity for Felix, temporarily defining her status as ’Sword Maiden faction.’

When Felix said such things, she could only be defined as siding with the Sword Maiden!

"Thank you," Ash said sincerely, "But I can answer you now."

"I’ve always felt like a Mud Species Mage, lacking the qualities a Mage should have. I understand all the principles, but some mistakes I just have to make, and some people I just can’t give up. The only bad Mage habit I’ve picked up is believing in miracles."

"Believing that the false can become true." Vishi perked up her ears.

"Believing that impossible wishes can come true." Weiser blinked her eyes.

"Believing in the fairy tale of the Princess and the Knight." Diya smiled with pursed lips.

"And believing that all love will have a happy ending." Sonia’s expression was complex.

"So Felix," Ash smiled, "I’m sorry, I might not be able to meet your expectations."

The darkness fell into serenity, and after a long time, a faint sigh echoed, "I knew it."

"But in this way, Ash, you become the greatest unstable factor," Felix said, "If you keep being so absent-minded, it’s likely you’ll lead the Sword Maiden and others to fall, ruining the hard-won great situation. Even if you want to refuse, you don’t have the strength to protect yourself."

You’ve come too late, everyone thought.

"So in order to maintain the current atmosphere, I want to give you some... gifts."

"When you open the Miracle Bracelet, you should have already received it."

Ash opened his Miracle Bracelet used for watching dramas, and a faint light screen appeared in the darkness. Inside was a new notification "The Duke wants to pair with you," he clicked confirm, and then received the photos sent by Felix—

A blonde girl sitting on a bed in a tight-fitting nun outfit, black silk stockings slightly squeezing her thighs, complementing her short skirt, with only two strips of white silk draped over her soft chest, as if a breeze could blow it away...

Ash instantly couldn’t hold it together, instinctively swiped to the next photo, only to see the blonde girl bound by ropes in mid-air, her body contours perfectly showcased...

Ash decisively turned off the light screen, "Where did you get the nun outfit? And how did you tie yourself up!?"

"The outfit is just an illusion from Water Magic, I just changed its color a bit. The rope is a Wind Technique Miracle, I just made it visible." Felix’s tone was a bit nervous, "So, does it look good?"

Ash really couldn’t go against his conscience, "It looks good, very good, but why did you—"

"It’s not that I’m worried you might be consumed by desire and turn into a beast, then take the initiative to sully the Sword Maiden and others." Felix breathed a sigh of relief, "The smell here also proves you indeed have the potential to become a beast."

"So I thought... As long as I exhaust your desire in advance, then the Sword Maiden and others will be safe. But according to the rules, I can’t touch you, and I don’t want to touch you, so this is the only way."

Felix seemed a bit embarrassed too, her voice getting quieter, "Just use these photos normally, I won’t mind."

"If you have any special requests, like outfits, poses, hairstyles, etc., you can let me know, I’ll try to meet your requirements. If you want to watch videos... as long as it’s not too excessive, I can film it for you."

"But you have to promise not to make any moves on the Sword Maiden and others, let them train hard, okay?"

Ash’s mouth twitched, he couldn’t help but ask, "But why would you go to such lengths? Do you... perhaps really like the Sword Maiden and others?"

"A little, I really don’t want to see excellent Female Mages delayed by you," Felix said, "And also, I’ve already boarded your pirate ship, I’ve even attacked my ancestors, I can’t turn back anymore. I also hope the team’s overall combat power can keep getting higher, everyone should train well instead of competing for your favor."

"Rather than letting a trash bin like you sully them, affecting their development..." Felix said with her head down, "I’d rather sacrifice a bit myself."