"It could also be just the three of us."

Ashe tilted his head. "No matter what, the Virtual World is full of hidden dangers and opportunities. The more teammates you can trust to watch your back, the better."

"I don't trust her—" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"You didn't trust me at first either."

"How can she compare to you?"

Ashe gave her a surprised look.

Meanwhile, Sonya turned her gaze to Dia, muttering a few words before sighing. "I get it. You're right. Combat intensity on the Continent of Time far exceeds that of the Sea of Knowledge. With just the two of us, we can't guarantee absolute safety. Three is far more suitable."

She glanced back at Ashe and jabbed him lightly in the chest, scowling. "But don't forget your promise. As long as I remain stronger than her—"

"Then you'll always be my most important operator!" Ashe said without hesitation. Clearly, he prioritized strength above all else.

"Hmph," Sonya's scowl lingered for a moment. By the time she turned to Dia, her expression had shifted into a bright, professional smile. "Hello."

Ashe introduced them to each other, "Witch, this is my long-time teammate, the Swordswoman. Swordswoman, this is our new member, Witch. From now on, we're comrades through thick and thin. Treat each other well."

While Ashe and Sonya whispered to each other, Dia took the moment to assess her own situation.

This was no dream, nor illusion. Through the Watcher's strange abilities, she had been transported into the Virtual World and appeared at the same location as him, all without opening the Gate of Truth.

Unlike Sonya, whose nature resembled a housecat, Dia was a true lone-cat sorceress. She had sailed thousands of miles alone in the Sea of Knowledge, survived attacks by sea dragons, nearly drowned in the open ocean, and endured countless hardships that forged her resilience.

It didn't take long for her to recognize the value of the team-up ability. The Watcher had effectively rewritten the rules of sorcerer cultivation, reducing the difficulty of exploring the Virtual World from near-epic challenges to something far more manageable, almost fairytale-like.

If there were ever a chance to trade, Dia was certain many legendary sorcerers would willingly exchange their mana, or even their sorcery class ranks, for the ability to form a team in the Virtual World.

No wonder the Watcher has always used a codename and kept his face hidden. Clearly, he understands the value of this ability and is afraid that someone from the Prophecy Class might uncover his true identity.

With that realization, Dia's suspicion and hostility toward the Watcher vanished. She was determined to cling to him and uncover all his secrets. Read minds, track Lysdia in the Bronze Dragon Trials, summon teammates in the Virtual World... alright, you've piqued my interest.

At the same time, Dia noticed another factor. The Watcher hadn't explained anything to Sonya about her arrival. Unsurprisingly, the Scarlet Swordswoman didn't seem pleased.

Hmph... I'm not exactly skilled at socializing. Looks like someone else will have to handle this. Maybe Lys... but she has to manage the original body, and besides, she's far too young. Among us sisters, the only adult truly skilled in understanding human nature is...

Dia adjusted her silver-rimmed glasses, catching her reflection in the corner of her eye.

Mask spirit, activate! Personality Split, Mask Override, Mode: White Queen!

When she opened her eyes, her outfit had transformed into a sparkling, snow-white, off-shoulder dress. White thigh-high stockings with suspenders framed her legs. Her hair was pure white, and her deep red lips added a mature, alluring charm to her appearance.

Ashe and Sonya blinked in surprise. Changing outfits on the spot in the Virtual World... is that even possible?

Ashe's curiosity lingered. The Witch in her character illustration didn't wear glasses, and neither had the Witch who visited him before. Yet here in the Virtual World, she wore them.

Still, he didn't intervene. The glasses hit one of his soft spots perfectly. Looking back, Ashe had narrowly escaped death three times. First, when Gerard almost killed him; second, when Varkas nearly dragged him off during the Blood Moon Tribunal; and third... when Freya found a pair of glasses in a drawer and almost wore them. The third was the most dangerous.

"Hello, I'm Witch," Dia said, extending her hand to Sonya. "Nice to meet you. Please take care of both the Watcher and me from now on."

The Scarlet Swordswoman's eyes immediately narrowed, threatening to turn into vertical slits. That little trumpet...

Sonya's mind raced, recalling every family-ethics drama and noble palace intrigue she had ever seen, desperate for a brilliant retort.

But before she could speak, Ashe called out, "Stop standing there. Let's get in the car and talk."

They turned to see a convertible sports car that Ashe had somehow acquired, lounging comfortably inside as he stretched lazily.

Even Ashe was a little surprised it was a convertible. It didn't take him long to reason it out. It never rained on the Continent of Time, at least not downward. The roof served no purpose beyond blocking the view. Like a mosaic, it was decorative and entirely meaningless. He might as well remove it. Perhaps he was also indulging in his own idea of light luxury.

Sonya wasn't fazed at all. After all, she had once sailed across the Sea of Knowledge with him. Dia, on the other hand, couldn't hide her excitement. Her eyes sparkled as she lightly clapped her hands, looking at Ashe with admiration. "Watcher, you're incredible! We're probably the only ones in the entire Virtual World exploring the Continent of Time, right?"

"I'm not that impressive," Ashe said modestly. "It's thanks to the two of you that I look good."

Sonya's teeth itched with frustration. That woman...

Ever since the Watcher had barged into her life, she had been racing along the path of a swordsmanship prodigy, missing countless dances and tea parties. Usually, others fawned over her far more than she praised them, so over time, she had neglected her own conversational and rhetorical skills.

Praising the Watcher would have been a great way to boost his favor toward her. It was a social tactic that offered high returns while demanding minimal effort. In the past, Sonya would have been the first to seize it, but now Dia had beaten her to it.

This witch... she's just like me.

Both women glanced at the passenger seat beside Ashe and reached for it at the same time. Sitting up front didn't really prove anything, but sometimes a single lost move could cost you everything. When it's worth fighting for, you stake your claim everywhere. Even if you can't win, you show your stance; otherwise, one step back could turn into an endless retreat.

"Witch, do you want to sit up front?" Sonya asked, her smile radiant.

"Yeah, the view's better up there," Dia replied with a wink.

"But it’s my first time exploring the Continent of Time today. I want to take in the sights first. Is that alright with you?"

"This—"

Before Dia could finish, Ashe turned around and slid into the back seat. "You both want the front seat? Go ahead. I don't really feel like squeezing up front with anyone anyway."

Sonya: "..."

Dia: "..."