Chapter 20: Best Enjoyed Within a Small Circle
Faust was momentarily stunned when he heard this, then his face lit up with delight. “What? Can you grant me a blessing now?”
An unexpected bonus?
The Prince of Qingxi steadied himself and asked, “Wasn’t it said that fairy spirits cannot arbitrarily interfere with reality?”
Faust had previously asked Mephistopheles to give him a massive boost—preferably something like directly increasing his attributes. With the power of a fairy spirit, that should not have been difficult.
But the latter had expressed helplessness and revealed the inner workings of fairy spirits to him.
As executors of fate, they had no physical form and could only exist as consciousness wandering outside the world. Fairy spirits also did not have the authority to freely interfere with reality—unless the Wheel of Fate permitted it.
【Anyone who walks a destined path is qualified to receive the gifts of fate. This is the primary duty of us fairy spirits. There are other responsibilities as well, but they are difficult for the Children of Man to comprehend, so I will not elaborate…】
【In short, because you have completed the Witch Banquet, I now have the authority to grant you a certain degree of blessing…】
“So walking a destined path comes with this benefit too? Is this the essence of what they call a trial?”
Faust smiled. “In that case, Mephistopheles, how exactly are you planning to grant this blessing?”
A fairy spirit’s blessing would not suddenly pour enlightenment into you, causing your mysticism to skyrocket, surge, and explode in growth!
Nor would it conjure a divine artifact out of thin air and hand it to you.
As had been said before, unless it involved a “Fallen Dragon,” fairy spirits had no authority to directly interfere with reality. Things like prophecy and revelation were one matter.
But tangible treasures or power had to exist in reality first, and only then could the fairy spirit draw upon them.
Even in cases like “an immortal stroking your hair and granting you eternal life,” there must first exist such a reclusive master. Only then, under the guidance of a fairy spirit, would that person seek you out, claim you were fated, and hand over their fortune without hesitation.
Faust said optimistically, “I don’t ask for much—how about a Lady of the Lake? I’d like to become a Grail Knight.”
He had read the legends. The Lady of the Lake was practically the fairy spirits’ go-to helper.
Whenever information or treasures needed to be delivered, she would appear. And her “elixirs” could mass-produce legendary warriors.
If one were to receive the ultimate reward and drink from the golden Holy Grail, they would become a Grail Knight revered by millions.
Their body, tempered a thousand times over, could withstand meteors head-on. A casual wave of their hand could unleash beams of light capable of piercing the night. With a single breath, their lifespan would extend by a hundred years. They could fly, burrow through the earth, and do almost anything.
There were countless legends about Grail Knights. Even Faust’s expensive foster father was a fervent admirer of them, modeling his own statue after their ideal image.
【I do possess the authority to command the Lady of the Lake. However, the path you have walked is not yet sufficient to warrant such a reward. Furthermore, I do not believe the path of a Grail Knight suits you…】
Mephistopheles gave a soft snort, almost as if mocking him.
【Grail Knights, who swear oaths of devotion, lose the charming qualities of being Children of Man. They have no remaining potential. I would not want you to become like that, Faust…】
【Your nature—one that pursues desire without restraint—is what makes you most delightful to watch. That is how the Children of Man ought to be…】
“Could you stop calling me ‘delightful’? It’s a bit disturbing.”
Faust clicked his tongue. “I don’t even know what you look like.”
【We have no physical form, only projections of consciousness. Similar to the Children of Man—would you like to see my appearance?】
“Yes. Very much.”
To be honest, after interacting with Mephistopheles for so long, they had reached the point where they could joke and tease each other freely.
Yet Faust still had no concrete image of what Mephistopheles looked like.
As for the voice… it was ethereal and clear, but impossible to determine age or gender.
【Since Faust wishes to see it, then I…】
Wait, what? You’re really going to show me? You’re not treating me like an outsider?
Just as Faust’s anticipation rose, the fairy spirit abruptly changed tone:
【Refused! I’m feeling shy, so no】
Mephistopheles seemed to greatly enjoy the rise and fall of Faust’s emotions, laughing happily.
It clearly delighted in this kind of playful exchange between companions.
However, after laughing enough, the fairy spirit returned to the main topic and gave Faust a suggestion:
【Hmm… I think you need a teacher】
“A teacher?”
【Your accumulation on the path of the “Ruling Monarch” is actually quite solid. But your experience is still too immature. In that state, you cannot smoothly go out to undergo trials. An excellent teacher can pass down the experience of their own path to you. This is a rather obscure piece of knowledge—do not tell others. Just enjoy it within a small circle…】
Faust nodded. He had indeed never heard of such a thing. Sharing the experience of one’s path sounded almost fantastical—like some hidden mechanic known only to fairy spirits.
“So, who are you planning to find as my teacher?”
【Shh… I intend to make it a surprise, so don’t ask for now…】
“Mysterious as ever. Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Faust did not try to be clever and simply entrusted everything to Mephistopheles. He was not arrogant enough to think he could guide a fairy spirit in such matters.
An ancient fairy spirit was truly an old existence—one that had seen more heroes than he had eaten grains of salt.
After that, Mephistopheles suddenly fell silent. Faust called out a few times but received no response.
It seemed it had indeed gone off to take care of something.
To say Faust was completely unconcerned would be a lie. It was his first time receiving a blessing, and the Prince of Qingxi was quite curious about how a fairy spirit would guide fate to bring him…
As Faust pondered this, he made his way toward another part of the kingdom.
That was Yoshewood’s residence. He still had to inform his elder sister of this decision, though he had no idea whether she would accept it—it felt unlikely.
After all, after handling state affairs for three months, the silver-haired princess’s impatience had practically been written all over her face.
If Yoshewood refused, then Faust would have no choice but to start cultivating his own council.
The princess’s residence was exceptionally quiet. Yoshewood was a textbook example of a mystic, devoted to esotericism and always acting alone. Even the court sorcerers under her command rarely saw her.
Still, as a fellow member of the royal family, Faust was able to reach her chambers without obstruction. Just as he raised his hand to knock, the door in front of him slowly opened.
A face of icy clarity, reminiscent of pristine snow, appeared before him. The princess, dressed in a long gown, stood with her hands folded before her abdomen, her posture graceful and dignified, yet completely natural.
The thin fabric accentuated her dangerously alluring figure, leaving Faust momentarily unsure where to direct his gaze. Just as he was about to glance into the room, Yoshewood stepped forward.
This movement brought her figure so close that it nearly pressed against the prince, disrupting her otherwise refined and elegant aura.
Yet she seemed entirely unconcerned, as if preventing Faust from peering into the room was far more important.
It was Faust who stepped back first, ending the ambiguous proximity between them.
“Faust… What brings you here? Don’t tell me you came specifically for such a profane act. That would be truly beyond redemption.”
The princess’s sacred azure eyes looked at him calmly, though there was now a hint of disgust within them.