The Sorcerer's Handbook

Chapter 251: Present

Ashe watched the swarm of drones darting back and forth, returning swiftly yet in perfect formation to their designated airspace. "I do appreciate this kind of fast delivery, but... isn't this a bit rude? Doesn't it count as trespassing on private property?"

Annan shot him a look that looked like he was making a fuss over nothing. "It's not that bad. Almo Drone Logistics has ranked third on the Technology Revolution Ranking for the past decade. Its efficiency, safety, and interconnectivity are all top-tier. Belia and Tafa are catching up, but only by relying on Almo's technology. At first, it can be a little annoying, but you get used to it."

Iger, ever conscious of personal space, frowned. "Couldn't they at least be a bit more polite? Like leaving the package on the balcony, for instance..."

Annan explained, "Leaving it outside risks damaging the package, and the buyer might forget about it. Packages have to be placed in the living room, where customers are most likely to notice them. I don't know all the details, but this system is unquestionably the most advanced. Companies like Almo develop in accordance with the guidance the Book of Gospel provides. If they make a wrong turn or fall behind, Belia and Tafa will quickly overtake them."

Because it's in accordance with the Book of Gospel, it's the most advanced, and because it's the most advanced, it's considered reasonable?

Both Iger and Ashe sensed something off about that logic, yet neither could put it into words.

Meanwhile, Lys had already moved to the packages. The boxes had convenient pull-tabs, easy enough for even a small girl to open.

Pankey crouched beside her. "Need help?"

"No need!" Lys replied brightly, pulling out a blue velvet gift box. "This is for you!"

Pankey froze, pointing at himself. "For me?"

"Mmhmm! A gift for you! Brother Pankey!"

Flushed with a mix of surprise and delight, Pankey accepted it. Inside was an exquisitely crafted, brilliant sapphire earring. He slipped it on. It looked good, but compared to Annan's amethyst earring, it appeared gaudy, overly flashy, and ostentatious.

In fact, only after comparing it with the sapphire did Ashe and the others truly appreciate the brilliance of Annan's amethyst earring. Subtle yet radiant, it enhanced the wearer's charm without ever seeming showy. That such a rare accessory had been exchanged for three lives made it clear that the Four Pillars Cult had been thoroughly outmaneuvered.

Pankey smiled and gently ruffled Lys's hair. "I really like it. Thank you, Lys."

Then Lys pulled out another gift box and handed it to Annan while she was sipping her coffee. "Sister Annan, this one's for you."

Annan raised an eyebrow. "Thank you. Can I open it now?"

"Yes!"

Inside was a pale, moon-white Foxlight Dragon hairpin. It looked a little childish, but Annan seemed pleased. She clipped it beside her ear, and her whole demeanor took on a lighter, more cheerful air.

"And this... this one is for Aunt Perskin!"

"Is it a dress?" Ashe asked.

"No, but close," Lys revealed a skirt. "Aunt Perskin will definitely look amazing in this!"

Iger accepted the gift and discovered it was a skirt overlay, meant to be worn over pants as a decorative outer layer. Numerous hidden pockets were sewn throughout. He realized, with some surprise, that he had never noticed such a practical clothing accessory before. For a Mind Class sorcerer skilled in careful planning, more hidden pockets meant better preparation before a fight, and he could even carry several extra varieties of love potion.

Ashe noticed his satisfied expression and teased, "Aunt Perskin, you probably don't like this kind of clothing, huh? You didn't even lift Lys up and spin her around to show you're happy... Why not give it to me? I like this style!"

Iger shot Ashe a glance, then beckoned Lys forward. She stepped up eagerly, watching him expectantly. He lifted her and spun her around. "You're quite heavy."

Lys puffed her cheeks and gave him a playful punch on the head. "Aunt Perskin, you are so rude!"

He shrugged. "Sorry, little girls really aren't within my scope of business."

At that moment, Harvey finally returned, having settled the guest he brought with him. An unlit Catnip cigarette dangled from his lips as he looked around the living room in mild curiosity. "Hm?"

Lys dug through the pile and pulled out a notebook-sized gift. "Uncle Harvey! This is for you!"

"I get to have a gift too?" Harvey tucked the cigarette behind his ear and gave a faint smile. "Thanks... is this a notebook?"

Lys explained, "No, it's a black-and-white imprint notebook. You just press the paper, and it prints the image in your mind onto the page. You always stand by the window looking at the scenery, so I thought you'd like drawing."

"That doesn't really count as drawing... but thanks," Harvey set the notebook aside, then hesitated before pulling out a piece of candy. "I'll treat you to some candy—"

Before Ashe could react, his contract-bound body had already lunged at the necromancer. Harvey blocked him easily. "It's real candy! I don't even have enough Moon Candy for myself. Why would I give it away? This is just ordinary candy I use to curb cravings!"

Iger said, "For safety reasons, Lys, you shouldn't take candy from Uncle Harvey. I can treat sugar addiction, but it slightly harms the brain. If Harvey gives the wrong candy, Ashe could end up fighting the necromancer to the death because of you."

"I don't like candy anyway. I only like soft red velvet cream cake," Lys said, returning to her breakfast.

Ashe let go of Harvey and watched eagerly as the white-haired girl spread custard over her toast. Under the subtle gazes of the others, he helped Harvey up and slid into the seat beside Lys.

"Cough, cough, cough—"

Harvey slapped Ashe on the back firmly. "If you're out of breath, just pat your back. No need to thank me. Consider it repayment for earlier."

Iger glanced at Ashe, whose awkward expression made a small smile tug at his lips. "Lys, since you've bought so many gifts, did you get one for the only zero-star genius in the house?"

With her mouth full of crumbs, Lys replied, "Yes. But someone is very angry, so I don't want to give it to him."

"Angry? Why?"

"Because last night, during a game, that someone had her chair kicked out from under her using dirty tricks, causing her to lose the match. She stayed angry all night without sleeping, so now she doesn’t want to give him the gift."

Everyone's gaze toward Ashe now carried a hint of disdain. Using dirty tricks against a little girl in a game... how much more shameless can you be?

Even Iger felt a twinge of embarrassment at being associated with him. After all, even as a fraudster, he knew by the age of five not to mess with little girls.

Ashe froze. "No way! You're still holding onto this after a whole night? Aren't kids supposed to forget things quickly? Your grudge-holding skill is on par with Iger's!"

Iger looked at Harvey, puzzled. "Do I really hold grudges?"

The necromancer shrugged. "I don't know you that well, but if we ignore what happened to the people who crossed you back in prison, then no, you don't seem like the type."

Lys finished her toast and drank a full cup of hot milk, then turned to Ashe. "If you don't apologize, then that someone will stay angry... and you won't get your gift."

"I'm sorry," Ashe said quickly. "I was wrong. I shouldn't have done that and made you fall on your butt."

Lys reached up and patted his head. "Hehe. Admitting mistakes makes a good dad. Next time you play games, you won't do that again, right?"

"Mmhmm. Next time, I'll make it look like a normal accident. You won't even notice it was me."

Lys slowly withdrew her hand. "Now it's not just that someone, Lys is a little angry too."

Ashe coaxed patiently, "But Lys, think about it from my perspective. If you're about to lose a game and your opponent leaves an opening in real life, shouldn't you take the opportunity, win decisively, and teach them a lesson? A true player must be flawless in reality, too."

"Daddy... that kind of makes sense..."

No, it really doesn't, everyone thought.

Yet their impression of Ashe shifted again. Everyone knew little girls rarely listened to reason, yet Ashe had wrapped his twisted logic in sweet words and served it to Lys, and she accepted it completely. That alone proved he was unusually skilled at handling children.

Or perhaps he could lower his intelligence to match a child's, then rely on experience to outwit them. Either way, Ashe and Lys were now completely bound together, forming a tight-knit duo that no force could penetrate. In this six-person startup team, they had already formed a powerful faction.

Fully convinced, Lys pulled out a large box and handed it to Ashe.

He opened it eagerly. In retrospect, this was only the second gift he had ever received since transmigrating. The first, of course, was the blessing from the Four Pillars Cult, which had come with a complimentary luxury stay at Shattered Lake Prison.

Inside the box was a deep crimson gradient windbreaker.

Ashe froze for a moment as he put it on, feeling as though he had draped himself in a mantle of vanity.

"Lys has good taste. It suits you perfectly."

"Honestly, with Ashe's sense of fashion, there's no way she could've made him look worse."

"I think it's great, just right for your funeral attire."

Ignoring the comments, Ashe asked, "Lys, why did you buy this for me?"

"Because it suits you, Daddy," Lys replied. "And check the pocket."

Ashe reached inside and pulled out a card engraved with numbers. "This is..."

Lys explained, "It's a recharge card for Epic. It came with the coat. Isn't the game you play called Epic? The Inferno Windbreaker is its official merchandise, so it comes with a recharge card. I thought you'd like it."

"For today only, you're my real daughter!" Ashe exclaimed, hugging her tightly. "Lys, you like red velvet cake, right? Iger, go find me a cookbook, learn it, and make one for her!"

Iger replied coldly, "Next time you ask for my help, I'll make sure you bake it yourself."

Ashe blinked. "There won't be a next time... and if there is, we'll deal with it then."

"Daddy, you're so dramatic," Lys giggled, slipping out of his arms to gather the remaining packages. "I'll go back to my room and continue opening my gifts."

Annan asked, "Huh? Then what about the rest of the dozen boxes?"

Lys said confidently. "That's right! They're all gifts I bought for myself! So much has happened recently. I felt like I deserved a reward!"

Pankey helped carry the packages and casually asked, "After buying all this, do you still have any money left?"

Lys froze for a moment, said nothing, and hurried into her room, slamming the door.

"Heh..."

Ashe noticed Iger covering his mouth to stifle a laugh. "What are you laughing at? Why so sinister?"

"Nothing," Iger said, picking up a serving of shrimp salad. "I just have a feeling that someone's about to get scolded."

***

White Queen appeared in the half-length mirror, barely able to keep her composure. "Lys! Did you actually spend all the money!?"

Lys knelt obediently before the mirror, feigning sincere reflection, then suddenly held out a gift box. "Sister White, I picked this especially for you."

White Queen didn't know whether to laugh or scold her. "What's the difference between you giving me a gift and giving one to yourself? Do you really think you can fool us with that?"