Sea of Light

Mr. Wilson received Edward's reply letter just in time for afternoon tea.

After all, sunrise in Middle Earth was five hours earlier than in the New Continent. At this moment, he was holding a cup of black tea, seated in an exquisite carved sofa chair, chatting and laughing with a beautiful lady. The setting sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling window behind him, dyeing the curtains and the indoor walls a soft orange-red, and casting a charming halo over the lovely face that was "sincerely" gazing at him.

As for whether that gaze was truly "sincere" from the heart? Who cared? Anyway, he had now gained the attention of his family, owned a manor, wealth, and an enchanting female companion. Past fifty, one had to see things clearly and not be as "naive" as in youth.

Although professional practitioners lived longer than ordinary people, he had entered the supernatural realm late, and casters were far frailer than warrior professions. So past fifty, he felt somewhat inadequate. But he was an alchemist after all. Since becoming an "alternate member," visitors had come in an endless stream, some offering special alchemy potions. Especially that little blue bottle from that certain someone—it was particularly effective. He heard that if he could become a full member, the Association would use a ritual to forcibly raise his level once, an extremely expensive ceremony. It was said to not only extend life but also restore youth...

Just as he was thinking about how to spend a thrilling night, the butler knocked and entered, holding a tray. Wilson raised an eyebrow, set down his teacup, and cast a questioning look at the butler.

"Your letter, my lord. Sent from the Magic Tower of the White Hawk Duchy. As per your orders, they delivered it to you as soon as it arrived." The butler bowed, presenting the tray with the letter rolled into a thin tube.

Wilson immediately sat up straight, took the letter, and said to the lady beside him, "Excuse me."

The lovely face broke into a smile, and she tactfully followed the butler out of the room.

Only then did Mr. Wilson unroll the letter. The envelope read: To Mentor Wilson, Personal. Inside were a single sheet of letter paper and a thin booklet.

He first unfolded the letter paper, which read:

Dear Mentor Wilson:

I was incredibly excited when I received your letter. I once thought that, separated by vast mountains and seas, we would never hear from each other again. I never imagined that even after becoming a respected gentleman, you would still think of me, your unworthy student, moving me to tears of gratitude.

First, I congratulate you on being shortlisted for the Philosopher's Stone Award. I wish you an early lifting of that golden trophy—it will be not only your glory but also the pride of our alma mater and all your students.

Next, I hope you go further, removing the word "alternate" to become an honored member of the Royal Alchemist Association Committee. Then all your students can proudly add the prefix "Sir" before your name when mentioning you.

Regarding the problem you mentioned in your letter during the experiment, according to the supplementary terms of Articles 25 and 27 of our contract, I suggest you go to the Patent Office and search downward from the patent number for "Cement" to number 55. You will find a patent technology called "Concrete." I have also attached a manual I drew for your reference.

Additionally: Your unworthy student—me—was promoted to Full Alchemist a few days ago. I think you will be happy for me. Your student hereby asks for your help, hoping to receive the subsequent Meditation Method and corresponding level of knowledge. I await your reply.

Sincerely

Respectfully

Your student, Edward Smith

Wilson picked up the booklet. Its cover was a hand-drawn illustration of a strangely shaped mixing drum. The title on the cover was a crooked handwritten script: The Wonderful World of Concrete.

After flipping through a few pages, Wilson slammed the booklet and letter paper hard onto the floor. Veins bulged on his shiny forehead as he growled:

"I knew it... I knew that damned hick had something up his sleeve. Such a simple solution—why didn't I think of it... didn't think of it!" At the same time, he swept his hand across the coffee table, smashing the tea set to pieces.

The clattering noise made the butler, standing by outside the door, shrink his neck.

After heavy, ragged breaths, Mentor Wilson gradually calmed down and sank into thought...

On the other side, Edward was already growing impatient, sitting on his "Sidecar." First of all, he didn't want any more entanglements with the young mage girl and her princess cousin. It didn't fit his "low-key" character design. But he had to outwardly welcome them to his home as guests. After all, he owed them a "huge" favor—those 14 gold coins saved would have taken his alchemy shop probably over a decade to earn back, right?

At the same time, he felt a faint, inexplicable anticipation, a slight itch in his heart.

The two beauties had to dress up before going out. After all, an incognito tour had to be "inconspicuous." But half an hour had passed, and there was still no movement. Based on his previous life experience, he might have to wait just as long again.

Since he had nothing to do anyway, he propped up the rear wheel of the Sidecar, pulled materials out of his Spatial Ring, and began modifying the exhaust pipe. After finishing, he tested the effect. Without using a clutch or transmission, he could only let the rear wheel spin in the air. The sound was quite good—no more sputtering fart noises, already giving the feel of a motorcycle from his previous life.

Just as Edward finished the modification, the two beauties walked out. Alice wore a pink princess puff dress similar to what Edward had seen in his previous life, holding a matching colored parasol. On her head was a soft-brimmed hat of the same color, with ribbons tied into a pink bow under her chin—indescribably cute. After all, at her young age, with her built-in runway, she could only lean into the cute style. But it was winter now, Miss Alice—aren't you dressed a bit too lightly?

Alice noticed Edward's confusion and pulled a shiny red pendant from her neck, dangling it in front of his eyes. Edward didn't know the exact name, but he could tell it was an expensive fire-type magic trinket. It seemed his worry for her was unnecessary—the rich just did as they pleased.

The Knight Princess on the other side had been very low-key today, silent since meeting Edward. She had now changed into knee-high brown leather boots, a fitted pair of jeans, and a brown Oxford cloth jacket. A bright red scarf was tied around her neck, and a cowboy hat sat on her head. Her golden hair was tied into a ponytail hanging down her back. The long chin strap of the cowboy hat hung loosely, not tightened. This was the popular cowboy style in the New Continent. But when she pulled down her hat brim and smiled shyly at Edward, the light swirling in her emerald-like eyes struck Edward like some world-crossing force.

"Hey, what are you two standing around for? Get in the car." Alice was already sitting in the most comfortable spot of the Sidecar—the sidecar—and had opened her pink parasol. The two beauties had already seen the vehicle before changing clothes. Magic-powered cars were not uncommon in this world, just rare and not widespread. But a "flashy" car like this was still very rare.

The two who had been frozen in place snapped out of it. Edward got on first, riding in front. The Knight Princess naturally sat behind him. She also naturally wrapped her arms around Edward's waist. It was very similar to riding a horse double, the Knight Princess thought, unconsciously leaning forward slightly.

"Hiss..." The fleeting elastic sensation on his back was something Edward had never experienced. He instinctively sucked in a sharp breath, twisted the throttle, and the Sidecar shot off like a rocket.

"Boss, slow down! I'm going to get thrown out!" Alice in the sidecar grabbed the handrail with one hand and held her parasol tight with the other, shouting.

Edward realized his lapse and immediately slowed down. The head-turning rate along the way was even higher. Alice sat in the sidecar, basking in the stares of others, smug and proud. The princess behind Edward hid her head under her hat brim, afraid to show her face.

The Sidecar passed Fountain Square, went by the Holy Light Church, crossed Flower Cross Street, and entered the city gate area. Just as they were driving slowly, Alice called out to stop.

"Boss, back up, back up—it's that intersection just now," Alice shouted. "I saw Elvin."

Edward slowly reversed the car to that intersection and stopped, turning his head to look. In the alley at that intersection was a bakery, with a long line in front. There were many people, but he didn't see the silver-haired baby-faced pastor. But Alice had already thrown her parasol into the sidecar and was hopping over, saying, "That guy's sneaking a peek at someone again—I'm going to scare him."

Edward took off his goggles and pulled out a pair of glasses covered in magic runes from his Spatial Ring, putting them on. This was an alchemy tool he had made himself—the Eye of Truth Glasses.

Andrea behind him also leaned over and asked:

"What's she doing?"

"Going to find Pastor Elvin."

"Where? I don't see him."

"He's in stealth mode, so of course you can't see him. But Alice's magic power sense is really perverted—she can still detect him."

Edward had a sudden inspiration and said:

"Princess, please take off your sword and draw the blade out an inch."

Andrea took the precious sword from her back and did as Edward said.

"Now listen to me. Hold your breath and focus. Close your eyes. Don't infuse Battle Qi—just pour your spirit into it. You're a Great Knight, so your Mental Power shouldn't be lower than any Junior Mage. Now sense it, open your eyes in your mind—imagine you're looking at the world through that sword..."

Andrea trusted him without doubt and followed his instructions. A knight's Battle Qi and spirit were tightly fused, so separating them felt very awkward. But suddenly, light appeared before her closed eyes—an ocean of light. In that ocean of light, shadows floated up and down, left and right, unclear.

"This sword has exceptional magical conductivity. Once your mental power connects with it, it's like installing a highly sensitive antenna for your mental power. You can see the 'real' world reflected through magic power," Edward continued explaining beside her.

"There's light, but I can't see clearly," she said joyfully.

"Welcome to the 'inner' world where magic and spirit take form. First, you need to learn to focus, like using your eyes to look at the fingerprint on your fingertip, then at the distant mountain beyond."

"Still no good." The Princess grew impatient.

"Then let me help you."

Suddenly, a gentle hand grasped hers. Both hands trembled slightly at the same time. A soft surge of mental power also entered the Sword Hilt.

Everything before her began to sharpen. In the distance, the Sea of Light stretched endlessly like moonlit, rippling waves on the ocean. Closer by was the familiar silhouette of the Baby-faced Pastor, his back turned toward Andreia as he gazed at that shimmering sea. His shoulders tightened slightly, trembling in fits.

"He's crying... so heartbroken..." The Knight Princess felt a pang of pity.

"That guy saw something he shouldn't have. He's not scared, is he? Are all the little ones these days this tough? Did I run into a Child of the Plane?" Edward grumbled inwardly.

"What did he see, and what's a Child of the Plane?" The Knight Princess's voice echoed in his ear.

Edward's heart jolted as he realized—he and the Princess were now linked through the Precious Sword's mental connection. His intense inner complaints had been overheard.

"Nothing, nothing. You asked about that Sea of Light he saw. Well, that Sea of Light—how to put it—in Primordial Chaos, it's called the Human Path; in Buddhism, it's Alaya; in the Scientific World, it's the Pan-Human Collective Consciousness. In this world..." Edward racked his brain for the right words.

"What is it?" The Princess pressed on, completely unaware of how intimate their posture had become. People nearby had started to stare.

"God!" Edward found the term for this world.

"Ah..." The Princess gasped. She had dismissed Edward's earlier words as rambling about seeing God, since she hadn't understood a single sentence except for the word "God."

"Congratulations, a Prophet—or even a Great Sage—is about to appear in your city," Edward said, subtly changing the subject.

Just then, a figure in a princess dress squeezed into the scene. She patted the Pastor on the back. The Silver Hair turned around, bowing and trembling even harder—clearly crying more bitterly now. The girl reached out and stroked the top of the Pastor's head, as if comforting him.

"Well, congratulations again—you might end up with a Great Magister as a Cousin."

Before Edward finished, the Baby-faced Pastor pulled the girl tightly into his arms. The boy wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her shoulder as he sobbed, while the girl let her hands hang limp, staring blankly upward.

Their overlapping silhouettes and the shimmering Sea of Light behind them formed a heartbreakingly beautiful scene that would linger in memory forever.

"If only I had a camera now—I could show them the photo later," Edward grumbled inwardly.

"I can't watch this anymore. Daring to molest my younger sister in public—how disgraceful!"

The Knight Princess angrily withdrew from the mental world, shook off Edward's hand, jumped off the carriage, and charged forward with her sword drawn...

"Hey, don't go—they're invisible right now..." Edward reacted a beat too late, failing to stop her, and quickly got up to chase after her.