Watcher Daddy

After parting ways with Ingrid, Sonia walked toward the Meditation Building alone and asked in her heart, "You said earlier that I could use the Torrent Spell Spirit myself?"

"Yes." The Watcher walked side-by-side with her. "Don't you have a foundation in the Water Art Faction? I recall that the core spell spirits for a certain sword art miracle are Ripple Sword and Torrent."

"You know the specific secret to that miracle!?"

Sonia was instantly stirred. If she could master a sword art miracle, she would not only gain the appreciation of Professor Tello Zan, but even qualify to participate in the Gala City High School League, using her own hard power to kick open the doors to high society—

"I don't."

"..."

"But since you have these two spell spirits, you can invent this miracle yourself." The Watcher's tone was relaxed. "Isn't the wonder of an arcanist that they can combine any number of spell spirits into an incredibly brilliant miracle?"

"I've asked Professor Tello Zan about it, but even for him, creating a water-sword miracle based on Ripple Sword and Torrent would take months of effort..."

"How can he compare to you? You are the Sword Maiden I found, after all."

Sonia curled her lip. She wasn't a three-year-old child; she wouldn't fall for such cheap, effortless flattery—if you really thought that highly of me, just tell me the miracle spell formula directly!

I would remember your great kindness; wouldn't I repay you once I've made it big?

And if you died before I made it big, I would certainly prepare a grand funeral for you!

Her eyes darted as she tried her best to control her mental fluctuations, then followed up, "In that case, Watcher, did you take the Substitute Spell Spirit just to leave the Torrent Spell Spirit for me? You're so good to me~"

The Watcher shuddered, stepping a pace to the side. He seemed somewhat wary, his shadowed face fixed on Sonia.

Sonia maintained her sweet smile, using all her mental effort to control her thoughts, struggling to keep the Watcher from hearing her true inner voice.

"...Alright, stop probing. I took the Substitute Spell Spirit because I needed it."

"At your level, you need a One-Winged Art Spirit?"

"First of all, there are no weak spell spirits, only weak arcanists. That is a principle every arcanist textbook should teach."

The Watcher said, "Secondly, I am currently just a weakling—weaker than you, in fact—and I am in a dangerous situation, with my true body imprisoned in a prison. Not only am I weak, but I also lost many memories during the process of waking up, so I must learn common knowledge about arcanists through you."

He's weak right now... does that mean he was very strong before?

Lost memories... could it be that he was hit by a memory-erasing miracle?

No wonder he asked so many idiotic questions; it turns out he really is a simpleton.

But even Sonia, who rarely read fantasy literature, instantly imagined a slew of tropes like "Return of the Strong," "Fall of a Legendary Arcanist," or "Resurrection of a Great Existence," and couldn't help but feel a heartbeat of excitement—

Isn't this the potential stock she had been looking for all along!?

Although his current situation wasn't great, as long as he was given time to grow, he would surely become a peerless powerhouse, a towering tree, and the master of a faction, enjoying endless wealth and glory!

Ordinary potential stocks required a gamble on probability, but the Watcher was returning to his peak; as long as there was enough time, success was almost one hundred percent guaranteed!

Sonia had never been interested in Felix precisely because she was waiting to find a potential stock. After all, it wasn't easy to take advantage of a Noble; even if a young noble like Felix was a fool, his parents weren't. If she wanted to rely on the power of a great noble, she would inevitably have to lose a large chunk of herself—literally losing flesh, as she couldn't hope to escape without bearing children.

If she could marry a potential stock, Sonia could not only enjoy wealth and glory but also maintain her autonomy, avoiding a situation where she had no say in her own household.

Although the Watcher was her superior, the logic for finding a marriage partner was the same as finding a boss.

Rather than joining a large organization later to become a mere cog, it was better to be a founding member starting a business with a potential-stock boss!

"Watcher, what kind of danger are you in? Do you need my help? Just say the word! To protect your safety, I am duty-bound!"

"...When we conduct Void Realm Exploration later, if we encounter the spell spirits needed for the Slay Self Miracle, let me have them."

"Slay Self Miracle?"

"Oh, right, I haven't told you yet. I'm currently locked in a prison and need the Slay Self Miracle to escape."

Once the Watcher described the Slay Self Miracle in detail, Sonia was stunned—if she remembered correctly, this was a miracle not yet registered in the Star Miracles Catalog!

A miracle that had never appeared in the Star Country!

And it was an extremely practical sword art miracle that a Silver Arcanist could use to heal themselves!

Although Sonia couldn't sell this miracle—she couldn't explain the source, and she had no conditions to create it (she couldn't even gather the spell spirits)—selling it would only lead the Arcanist Association to label her a patent thief. However, if she could authorize the sale of the miracle's secret, the money she would earn would be enough to make Sonia a little rich woman in Gala City!

So, a petty bourgeois is a petty bourgeois; having her sword talent unearthed by the Watcher and being taken on adventures in the Void Realm only made her "feel grateful."

Yet, when the Watcher gave her a miracle secret—a miracle spell formula she couldn't use yet and couldn't sell—Sonia was overjoyed beyond control, simply because the latter held more value in the Star Country.

This is what they call a future pie being inferior to a current paycheck; spiritual satisfaction cannot replace material satisfaction.

"Is, is this a sword art miracle you invented?"

"Not at all."

The Watcher glanced at Sonia.

"This is a sword art miracle I stole from an enemy."

Sonia blinked. "Will I have trouble using this miracle?"

"You can rest assured; that enemy will absolutely never appear before you."

He paused. "Absolutely never."

Does that mean the Patent Inventor is already dead?

Sonia felt a surge of excitement. She thought that once she fully unfolded her Silver Wing and gathered the spell spirits for the Slay Self Miracle, couldn't she claim this miracle as her own and authorize it for sale? A big shot like the Watcher surely wouldn't care about such small benefits and perks, right?

"Fine, I will definitely put in extra effort during the Void Realm Exploration to help you find the spell spirits for the Slay Self Miracle. By the way, there's actually something else I wanted to discuss with you..."

"Let's talk about it once we're inside the Void Realm." The Watcher stepped into the Meditation Building. "There's plenty of time in the Void Realm; you can discuss whatever you like. Oh, and didn't you say you hated me being able to hear your inner thoughts? I've decided to respect your wishes."

Sonia's face lit up with joy. "Are you going to stop monitoring my mind?"

"No, I've decided not to seek you out during your daily life." The Watcher shrugged. "You won't have to shout 'Watcher' in your head before going to the bathroom or taking a shower anymore. I'm not toilet paper or a towel, after all."

"How did you know I shout your name in my head before going to the bathroom or taking a shower?"

"That's not important!"

The Watcher waved a hand. "If you have anything to say in the future, just save it for the Void Realm. I won't appear in your normal life anymore."

"If... if you don't listen to my inner thoughts, I would still welcome you. Even if you insist on listening, I think I'm getting used to it..."

Sonia's response was hesitant, and it was clear she was conflicted. She undoubtedly loathed the Watcher for invading her privacy, but it was precisely because of this that she could reveal her true self in front of him, without needing—or being able—to wear any Mask.

This was also why Sonia had seemed so happy when she previously suspected the Watcher was merely a shadow of her own schizophrenia.

A sentient existence that knew everything about her yet could not influence her social life—wasn't that the most ideal confidant?

"You say that as if your daily life is so fascinating that I'd be desperate to watch it." The Watcher crossed his arms. "I have my own things to do; I don't have time to watch you change clothes every day."

"So you have been peeking at me changing clothes?"

"In short, those few hours in the Void Realm will be our time to communicate. At other times, I won't disturb you, and I won't appear even if you call for me."

"What if I have something very, very urgent to tell you?"

"Then it's useless to call me." The Watcher spread his hands. "The me that descends by your side is just a phantom; I can't even pick up a single strand of hair. I can't provide you with any substantial help. If you call me, I can't do anything but mock you."

"Mocking is fine too." Sonia was persistent. "So, will you appear when I call for you?"

"That's a request that's hard to refuse. But I'm curious—do you need me so much because I fill the void of fatherly love in your childhood?"

"Do you want me to call you Watcher Daddy?"

"Spare me, just calling me Watcher is fine." The Watcher recoiled. "Otherwise, I'll have nightmares."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the private Meditation Room. Sonia sat cross-legged, glanced at the Watcher beside her, took out the Ripple Sword Spell Spirit, sought the Gate of Truth, and entered the Void Realm.

Watching Sonia close her eyes as her consciousness established a connection with the distant Void Realm, the Watcher suddenly let out a sigh.

How terrifying...

In just two days, she actually found a way to hide her inner thoughts, and could even deceive me in her mind...

She truly lives up to the name of the Witch who bears the title of "Death Frenzy"...

This talent, this brilliance—is letting her unearth her potential early a good thing or a bad thing...

However, that is no longer a matter for me to worry about.

The Watcher shrugged, and his figure vanished from the Meditation Room.