Sorcerer’s Handbook

Angel of Bell Listening!

A Five-Winged Demigod, under the Divine Sovereign!

A truly mythological creature, a non-human entity capable of easily altering the fate of all beings!

Even though Ashe seems to be just two virtual wings short, he understands that a sorcerer’s virtual wings can be silver, gold, rainbow, or even colorless. But when it comes to an angel’s virtual wings, he doesn’t even know their name!

Entities of this level are beyond being targets; they never even imagined they could meet one!

Even a legendary sorcerer would never dream of glimpsing an angel’s silhouette!

But compared to the shock brought by the angel, Ashe and Deya are more concerned with what she just said.

“Is this heaven?” Ashe looks at his hands. “Am I already dead?”

“Not yet,” Angel of Bell says calmly. “It’s not only the dead who can come to heaven, you were brought here by the Gospel voluntarily.”

“This is the final stage of inheriting the Gospel. Every First Gospel throughout history has come here once.” She glances at them, the bell on her headphone jingling. “It’s fascinating. This generation’s First Gospel actually has two people. Even more fascinating is that both of you possess a Secret Incarnation.”

Facing the Angel of Bell Listening, neither Ashe nor Deya dares to act out of line. Just as Deya tries to speak, Ashe holds her back. He carefully picks his words and tentatively asks, “How does she inherit the Gospel? What happens if she doesn’t inherit it?”

“Not inheriting it is also a form of inheritance.”

Angel of Bell Listening walks towards them, but the bell on her headphone doesn’t ring. As she closes the gap to within five steps, both Ashe and Deya feel an unseen sound penetrating their bodies-her gaze seemingly holds vibrations that could tear them into the finest particles at any moment.

It’s not the direct intimidation of Sanctuary, spellforce, or spirit, nor the implicit suggestion of any Miracle, but rather the knowledge within her eyes that has reached a level capable of easily crushing them.

Could it be, when the Spellcasting Sect’s level surpasses legendary, mere knowledge alone can shake reality?

“The spiderweb beneath your feet is the legacy left to you by the previous First Gospel,” Bell paused and added, “It’s also the Divine Sovereign’s Wish you’ve been eagerly anticipating.”

The Divine Sovereign’s Wish!?

Only now does Deya remember this matter, and she excitedly tries to lean down and touch it, but Ashe stops her by pressing her shoulder. She calms herself a bit and cautiously touches one of the spider threads.

Fate.

Arrangement.

Plan.

In a daze, she sees the life of a goblin technical worker. He was born in Mephila, and in his youth, he naturally squandered loans from the Belldate Family. He got married and started working at twenty, his technical skill steadily improving at his job. At thirty-three, he became a silver sorcerer through the Alchemic Sect, and at fifty, he retired to travel with his wife, exploring the Abyss…

She saw how the Gospel influenced this goblin worker: guiding him from a young age to become friends with those of similar temperament, sparking his interest in alchemical machinery for which he had a natural talent, giving him the opportunity to meet his future wife as he grew up, and arranging reasonable courses after he started working to enhance his spellcasting skills…

Throughout his life, he lived under the Gospel’s arrangement. Although he was neither wealthy nor illustrious, he was free and at ease. He had friends, a family, a job, hobbies, and, living in a consumption-driven city like Mephila, he spent his life creating value, enjoying value, and realizing value. Except for occasional family squabbles, he never faced any societal tribulations and went to work with a cheerful heart every day.

This isn’t the past, nor is it the future; this goblin has just gotten married and started working. The Gospel has already finished writing the second volume of his life and is preparing to outline the third.

“This is the fate of the Gospel people.”

Deya touches the spiderweb thread and looks around at the boundless, sprawling spiderweb.

“This is the fate of the entire Gospel Kingdom.”

“Merely approaching fate,” Bell corrects, “It neither includes the ‘chance’ that can affect variables nor the immutable ‘destiny,’ but is simply a plan that encompasses everything within its calculations, striving to make sure everyone lives a relatively happy life on a larger scale.”

“And this is the final legacy you are to inherit.” Angel of Bell Listening pointed to the center of the spiderweb not far away and said, “Do you see that thread that isn’t connected? By holding that thread, it signifies your willingness to inherit this legacy, and you can choose to continue weaving the future of the Gospel.”

Ashe asked, “What if she chooses not to inherit it?”

“If she doesn’t inherit, the weaving will naturally stop,” Bell replied matter-of-factly. “Once this spiderweb is exhausted, the Gospel system will automatically disassemble and turn into a mere responsive machine.”

“But even if you don’t wish to weave, there’s no need to give up on inheriting. You can inherit this legacy, then collect the spiderweb and ignite it, wishing upon the near-fate-like flames.”

Ashe and Deya were taken aback. “Make a wish?”

“Yes,” Bell confirmed. “Interesting, did you think the so-called Divine Sovereign’s Wish was the Weaver listening to your hearts and then using Divine Interventions to grant your wishes?”

They didn’t respond, but that was indeed what they thought.

“The Weaving Festival happens every fifty years, and the First Gospel changes every fifty years. If the Weaver were to grant your wishes, it would mean she would have to carve out special time for you every fifty years.” Bell raised an eyebrow, and two bells chimed, “Interesting, do you see the Weaver as such a leisurely and compassionate being?”

“Throughout history, every First Gospel that arrives here voluntarily picks up the thread and quickly completes the final ritual. It’s only because you two are special that I have come out to meet you and explain.”

Ashe was stunned. “So, even though the Divine Sovereign’s Wish exists, it has never been used?”

Angel of Bell Listening chuckled, the sound of two bells creating a clear, melodious tune. Yet this seemingly gentle sound made Ashe and Deya feel as if they were being pierced by the sound a thousand times over, their bodies ready to fall apart in the next moment!

“This is a Divine Intervention designed specifically by the Weaver for the Gospel,” she laughed. “And the Gospel only selects heirs that align with its character. Even if they don’t align, it will twist them to fit. While burning this spiderweb can indeed produce the near-divine ‘Fate Fire,’ also known as the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, those daring enough to burn the spiderweb would never be chosen by the Gospel in the first place.”

Only those who don’t wish can receive the wish. It sounded almost comical, like when you accompany a friend to an interview, but only you end up being hired. A conversation popped into Ashe’s mind:

“I want to make a wish.”

“If you make a wish, you can’t receive the Divine Sovereign’s Wish.”

“But why would I need the Divine Sovereign’s Wish if I didn’t want to make a wish?”

“I’ll only grant you the Divine Sovereign’s Wish if you don’t want to make a wish!”

“But I need the wish to make a wish.”

“To receive the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, you mustn’t wish!”

So, Annan’s plan was doomed from the start. The spiderweb is the final inheritance of the First Gospel. If you don’t become the First Gospel, you don’t get the chance to claim the Divine Sovereign’s Wish…- Wait a minute, Annan actually almost succeeded this time, didn’t she?

A thought struck Ashe, but Deya had already voiced the question: “What will happen if I burn the spiderweb?”

“The Gospel system will completely disassemble and vanish, unable even to answer questions anymore,” Bell explained. “This spiderweb allows the Gospel’s power to reach everyone within the Gospel. If you stop weaving, it merely loses the ability to control everyone’s fate, but the spiderweb will still have an effect. If you burn it, the Gospel can’t touch anyone else, and only you can still harness its power.”

Ashe and Deya exchanged glances. They had already guessed what ‘Ashpel’s Worldline’ meant: Annan undoubtedly planned to command Ashpel to burn the spiderweb completely and then wish for both Ashpel and Ashe to coexist, which brought about this Weaving Festival.

Although all the preceding causes and effects were now clear, Ashe still felt uneasy. “So, what does the Weaver hope the First Gospel will choose?”

Being directly pulled into the Divine Sovereign’s heaven, Ashe knew they had no real grounds for resistance. The so-called choice was like a company boss saying, “Feel free to voice your opinions! We are a young team, and we value everyone’s input!” And if you actually dared to raise your hand, you’d be seen as a fool.

“The Weaver has no demands of you,” Bell said. “You needn’t worry. If the Weaver truly wanted to completely control the Kingdom through the Gospel, do you think a Secret Incarnation would be enough to protect her self-awareness?”

Ashe couldn’t help but ask, “Do you really have no opinions on this?”

“Interesting, why should we care? The Weaver and I don’t concern ourselves with a few decades or the fates of several generations,” Bell explained. “To you, her coexistence with the Gospel might seem like a monumental, history-altering event. But to us, it’s nothing more than a minor episode, a fleeting wave in the Golden Flow that will quickly settle back to normal.”

“We don’t mind what you do-be it escaping, accepting, or using the situation. No matter the ripples you create, time will wash them away soon enough. If you can stir up some interesting changes, all the better.”

“My role is merely to guide you in making a choice. Whatever you decide, I can’t be bothered to even look, so…- suit yourself.”

Ashe and Deya exchanged bewildered glances. Deya asked, “Can I wish for someone else to inherit the Gospel?”

“No,” Bell shook her head. “It’s very particular. It only chooses the finest heir within its range.”

Living in a quiet, comfortable house makes you unwilling to move back to a small, old one with noisy renovations. I get it, Ashe thought, casting a glance at Deya and taking a step back.

“Uh?”

“I won’t interfere,” Ashe said. “Lise, this is something you must decide for yourself.”

Deya glanced at the center of the spiderweb and asked, “If I make different choices, what changes would it bring for me?”

Bell pondered for a moment and said, “If you don’t inherit but the spiderweb remains, your original self can never leave the Kingdom because the Gospel won’t allow it to leave. If you inherit and burn the spiderweb, you can move freely, even leave the Gospel. If you choose to continue the Weave, you must live in the central area of the Kingdom, as it needs to be within this range to continue weaving the future.”

Deya was taken aback, “The benefits of burning the spiderweb are immense-having a wish and no longer being bound.”

Bell smiled, “You have only this moment to choose. Once you leave the Omniscient Heaven, you won’t be able to change it-unless you come back again.”

Deya nodded, walked to the center of the spiderweb, squatted down, and picked up an unconnected spider thread.

Ashe held his breath, and the Angel of Bell Listening remained silent. They knew that Deya’s next thought would determine the fate of billions.

Suddenly, Deya asked, “Ashe, do you have any wishes?”

Ashe was startled but quickly replied, “Abolish the Ranking of the Unrelated.”

“Yes, the unrelated.” Deya suddenly remembered, “I haven’t saved elder sister Nina-“

“Saved?”

Bell’s voice rang out again, and she asked curiously, “You want to save someone from the Ranking of the Unrelated?”

“That’s right.” Deya caught the subtext in Bell’s words and quickly asked, “Does that mean the unrelated aren’t actually dead?”

“Not only are they not dead, but they are living quite well.” Bell laughed. “All the unrelated people live happily ever after in heaven.”

“What?” Ashe and Deya were both stunned.

“Interesting, though it’s understandable you wouldn’t know,” Bell said. “For certain reasons, heaven needs to accommodate some mortals, and they will live a joyful and fulfilling life there. Different heavens have different entry requirements: some Divine Sovereigns admit based on piety, some based on fate, and some specifically choose those on the brink of death. The Omniscient Weaver’s criterion for admission is, indeed, the Ranking of the Unrelated.”

“The so-called Unrelated are those who have no connection with society, who do not fit in and are expelled by society’s actions. Not being on the Ranking of the Unrelated means that one has the ability to find happiness within society; whereas those on the list are granted happiness by the Omniscient Weaver.”

“Seems fair, right?” Bell smiled, and the sound of her bells chimed. “Someone has to receive the Weaver’s blessing, so why not let society itself choose who deserves happiness the most.”

Having already heard the saying “only those who don’t wish will receive wishes,” Ashe was no longer surprised by the Omniscient Weaver’s philosophical yet sadistic humor of “only the most unfortunate shall receive happiness.”

This resonated deeply with Deya-“only those who wish to reveal a secret must keep secrecy.” Everything related to the Omniscient Weaver was full of contradictions, seemingly designed to use these paradoxical trials to test human nature.

“So, you have no reason to save the Unrelated,” Bell said, looking at Deya. “Of course, if you want to pull her back to reality, that’s fine too. As for the Ranking of the Unrelated…- do as you like.”

Hearing this, Deya felt somewhat lost.

She stared at the unattached spider thread for a long while, her hand loosening and tightening repeatedly. She couldn’t help but turn to Ashe with a pleading look. Ashe shrugged, walked over, squatted next to her, and patted her head without saying a word.

This seemed to give Deya enough courage. She grasped the spider thread tightly until the other end fused into her palm.

“Do you need a light?” Bell asked kindly.

“No,” Deya shook her head. Holding the spider thread with one hand and clutching Ashe’s sleeve with the other, she stood up and said, “Let’s go back.”

“Interesting,” Bell said, though her face remained neutral, the bells still jingled. “As expected, the one chosen by the Gospel ultimately chose to Weave.”

“But are you sure you don’t want to reconsider? That’s almost a Universal wish-granting device. Although becoming an angel might be challenging, becoming an immortal legendary sorcerer is definitely within reach. Even if you don’t think about yourself, consider the person beside you-“

“Alright, enough,” Ashe interrupted. “We can go have Lala Fatty together sometime. For now, just send us back. We have people waiting for us.”

“-How dare you interrupt an angel’s speech?”

The chilling voice seemed to pierce their souls, causing Ashe and Deya to huddle together in fear.

“Interesting.” But the next second, Bell’s tone calmed. “You are indeed very interesting people.”

“Since you don’t want the Divine Sovereign’s Wish, I’ll grant you an Angel’s Wish instead.”