Mage Manual
Chapter 324 - Chapter 324 Chapter 275 Days Off

Chapter 324: Chapter 275: Days Off Chapter 324: Chapter 275: Days Off The misunderstanding was quickly resolved, and it turned out that Igula and the others were not trying to harm him. Nonetheless, Ash still fed his Substitute some aphrodisiac, experimenting while listening to their explanations.

“Seven-Day Knowledge of Fate?”

The young Housekeeper nodded, “In the Kingdom of Blood Moon, you may not have the custom of covering it up. Seven days after a child is born, we let them pick out their favorite ‘Life Companion’ from a pile of items. The Life Companion signifies that Fate will follow this choice.”

“So, depending on the Life Companion items they pick, you can determine the baby’s future development path?” Ash said, “That sounds super superstitious, not at all Mage-like…”

“It’s really just a beautiful Blessing that people gave to children hundreds of years ago, which has carried on as a custom through time. It’s not any kind of Magical Technique or Ritual.” Hanna explained, “After all, with the existence of the Gospel List, all parents hope their children make it onto the list, so they naturally want their children’s talents to reveal themselves as soon as possible.”

“Then–”

“Just because it’s not part of Magical Technique or Ritual doesn’t mean the custom has no meaning,” Hanna said, “The future society is a massive Chaotic System. Compared to ‘certain’ Miracles, ‘unstable’ meanings can have a deeper impact. According to the Doran family’s many years of research, ‘Prayers,’ ‘Meaning,’ ‘Recognition,’ these intangible factors account for a lot during the Weaving Festival.”

“These ‘wishes’ that can’t take effect immediately are all heard by the Gospel Book. Life may not have Miracles every second, but every second is meaningful.”

“Plus,” Missy shrugged, “everyone else has a Life Companion–it wouldn’t make sense if you didn’t, right?”

Hmm, it’s like writing on a resume, “My strengths are helping others, team unity, strong social skills, and my weakness is working too seriously, which might affect the job”–although it’s unlikely anyone will believe it, if you write it and others don’t, you might just get hired because of it.

Ash understood but still didn’t get it, “But isn’t the custom for babies who are just seven days old? Let’s skip Liss; do I really look that young?”

“We are indeed just seven days born.” The Necromancer examined a silver scalpel, “Or to be precise, we just came into this world seven days ago.”

“That works!?”

Ash was stunned. Had they changed the map and with it, the cooldown time for age too?

“The Gospel Book has existed for over a thousand years, even longer,” Hanna said, “In the time scale of the Gospel Book, whether you are 25 years and seven days old or just 1 year and seven days old doesn’t make much difference.”

“Right,” Igula added, “Besides, there are people in the world who are 25 but still have the mind of a newborn. The Gospel Book definitely won’t discriminate against you, Ash.”

Ash punched the already hazy Substitute to pieces and glanced at the various torture tools on the table, “So after we choose, we might get on to today’s first future list?”

“How could that be possible.” Hanna shook her head, “Nobody can know what the first list will be in advance, not even me. I have to speculate on subsequent lists based on the first one. Having you participate in the Seven-Day Knowledge of Fate is just a bet on luck, maybe it’ll just happen to match the heart’s desire of the Gospel Book?”

“It sounds like we’re match-making with the Gospel Book…” Ash picked up a transparent glass needle, “But why are there so many… um, torture tools?”

“As an office, isn’t it normal to have so many torture tools?” Hanna shrugged, “If you don’t want to choose torture tools, then don’t. Just pick whatever you like. Also, don’t be too utilitarian, since you have no idea what the first list will be. Only by choosing what you like can your voice be loud enough for the Gospel Book to hear.”

“Also, when you choose your Life Companion item, it’s best to imbue the item with some good Blessings. Usually, this step is done by parents, like ‘the child chose a dagger that ensures they’ll never be caught for murder.” This is a further reinforcement of the wish and a very meaningful step.”

“Moreover, according to the Doran family’s collected information, some rewards in the Weaving Festival will be custom-made based on your Life Companion. If you Bless your Life Companion, maybe it could influence the list’s rewards for you.”

Ash suddenly realized a problem, “Wait, why were you guys making me choose from handcuffs, Wolf Fang Club, aphrodisiac?”

“Because it seemed very suitable for you,” the three said in unison.

“Is this not considered a personal attack?” Ash turned to the Necromancer, “At least Harvey, you know better than to mess around with them…”

Then he saw a whip in Harvey’s hand.

“Harvey, I didn’t realize you had such interests–”

“Impossible, whips are useful for living people, and I have no interest in the living. I just think the whip suits you because–”

“Stop, I’m not interested in your stereotypical impression of me.” Ash looked towards the workers, “So what Life Companion did you guys choose?”

Liss held up a small mirror, “A little Magic Mirror that always reflects the most beautiful state of the holder!”

“Really?” Ash pretended to take a look, “No, I still look the same, isn’t this just an ordinary mirror?”

Igula suggested, “A guess, not necessarily correct–could it be that what’s ordinary isn’t the mirror, but you?”

“You stinky Dad, give it back!” Liss was very angry and kicked Ash in the knee. While Ash was bending over, she snatched the mirror back.