"Do you like her that much? You can't even bear to hurt her shadow?" Igula asked, "Or have you transferred your affection for the real person onto her shadow as well?"

"No, I just..." Ash shook his head, "I feel it's a bit unfair to her, that's all."

Igula stared at him for a while, then slowly nodded, "However, it's indeed too early to discuss how to deal with Nia now. Without being able to utilize the mage's combat power, we're unlikely to capture a Death Mad who can rival you in swordsmanship."

"Moreover, there's a possibility she's not an Angel. According to the records, she was still a university student half a year ago. Five months ago, she started committing serial murders and has been fleeing till now. It's not like she suddenly started committing crimes this month, so it doesn't seem like a personality change caused by possession by the Angel's body."

"What's her motive for killing?" Ash asked.

"The police department hasn't figured it out," Igula said. "It's worth mentioning that she became an orphan at eight; her biological mother and stepfather died in an accident."

Ash was taken aback, "Sword Maiden indeed had a mother, so does that mean her mother already experienced Emotion Feedback before?"

"Very likely, but don't put too much emphasis on Emotion Feedback."

The Swindler flicked the paperwork, "For ordinary people, Emotion Feedback is actually insignificant. Especially for ordinary people burdened by family—notwithstanding twisted personalities, they remain rational, will fear mage's violence, care about others' opinions, have aspirations for a beautiful life, and even maintain a sense of family responsibility. If she continues working to earn money and takes care of her family, her personality will most likely gradually return to normal."

"Heath's notes mentioned an important point: the difference between the shadow and the true self's personality is not 'opposite' but 'distinct.' This means they might have the same desires, interests, and could even like the same people, but just exhibit different personalities." Igula spread his hands, "And personality is the joint result of objective environment and subjective consciousness. As long as the objective environment is strong enough to suppress subjective consciousness changes, one's personality can naturally return to its right track."

"But for mages, it's different. Because of their mastery of violence, personality changes are enough to incite the intent to resist the environment. Those people Heath killed must be successful mages; for them, work is just a means to fulfill life's value. When Emotion Feedback occurs, it's similar to 'sudden depression,' naturally leaving them uninterested in continuing their work."

"Speaking of which," Igula suddenly asked, "What's the strength of your Sword Maiden?"

"...The same as us."

The Swindler displayed a 'just as expected' expression, "Then we indeed need to be cautious with Nia. If she dies triggering Emotion Feedback, and the Sword Maiden encounters some ignition in reality, prompting her to desire to tear apart all rules... then she might truly become a bad woman that matches you."

Just then, Rose returned from the restroom, sat down, and looked at Ash to ask:

"I forgot to ask—why are you protecting the Death Mad Nia?"

"There are very complex reasons," Ash sighed, "I don't know where to start..."

"Do you want to hold her hand, exchange bodily fluids, then make close contact?"

"It's not that I want to with her, but—" Ash glanced at Rose, suddenly feeling that explaining seemed meaningless, so he simply nodded, "Understand it that way."

"So you're not going to hire her to replace my assistant position, right?"

"The only one qualified to replace you is him," Ash pointed at Igula, "But he's unwilling, so you don't need to worry."

Rose nodded, "Then I'll assist you. Nia was shot, and the police department is monitoring all the medical facilities in the world. This is your best chance to catch her and lock her in the little black room. Do you need me to purchase any intimate supplies?"

Ash and the two others exchanged a glance, and Igula pondered, "This is indeed a good opportunity, not only because her mobility is limited; more importantly, she wouldn't move recklessly under these circumstances but would only flee to places she knows the best... Yet we don't know where her safe house is."

"Earlier, I did a psychological profile on Nia," Rose said, "She is the type of criminal who becomes more rational the more dangerous it gets. She wouldn't hide in a safe house because she would worry about leading the police there. She'll only go to the public venues she knows best; even if discovered by the police, she wouldn't be heartbroken, plus she would have ample room to maneuver."

Rose took out a map from her pocket and opened it, marking three areas on it, "These are the areas she most likely hides in—places she used to work part-time, her university, and the location of her first murder."

Ash: "Why—"

"Because the first murder is like a first love for a killer," Igula explained, "The first time is always cautious, naive, fearful, and expectant, so she would definitely investigate the surrounding area thoroughly and prepare all the escape routes. Coupled with her audacious and reckless criminal disposition, hiding at the site of her first murder would be an exciting challenge for her."

The Swindler glanced at Rose, "Have you studied criminal psychology?"

Rose shook her head, "No."

"Then how do you know she might go to this location?"

"Just using a tiny bit of perspective-taking trick." Rose said, "Time is tight; Nia has been able to evade capture for so long, she surely possesses efficient treatment methods, and she might have finished treating her injuries in a few hours. So I've already called a car for you guys; just head to these three locations and investigate."

The three nodded, stood up intending to leave the restaurant, but found Rose unmoving. Ash couldn't help but ask, "Rose, aren't you coming?"

"I don't participate in combat, and I've already placed an order." Rose tucked the napkin into her collar and said, "Don't worry, I've just canceled your dinner; you guys go in peace."

"Rose."

"Hmm?"

"Thank you," Ash said, "but you seem to dislike body contact, so I won't hug you."

Rose glanced at him, suddenly motioned with her hand, "Come over here."

Unsure of her intentions, Ash walked over and saw her pointing at her waist, "Scratch here."

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and scratched Rose's waist, causing her to shiver as if electrocuted, letting out a suspicious whimper.

"Alright, you've finished thanking me, off you go." Rose took a deep breath, trying to gather her composure, but couldn't suppress the blush on her face, so she waved her hand indicating her boss to leave quickly.

Ash walked out, puzzled, thinking that this world indeed had such a method of saying thanks. He looked at Harvey and reached out to scratch him, but the Necromancer didn't react at all; turning to Igula and about to reach out, he saw the Swindler raise his hand as if saying 'You dare scratch me, and I'll slap you.'

...

...

Nebula University.

Ash didn't go to where the first murder by the Death Mad was most likely to occur, nor to the shopping mall closest to where Nia disappeared, but instead came to where she once lived at Nebula University.

Perhaps having heard too much about the colorful university life from the Sword Maiden, he thought that university must be the most important place for Nia too. But upon seeing the reality, he realized he had overestimated — Nebula University's campus was small, the dormitory wasn't on-site, and few students stayed on campus at night—only the lab building was lit.

Having come this far, he entered the pitch-black comprehensive teaching building to check if anyone was hiding inside. Compared to the wanted criminal Death Mad, he thought he was more likely to find young lovers without money for a motel room.

Actually, Ash wasn't even sure he truly wanted to find Nia. He wasn't interested in the so-called angel rank either. He wished more than anything that somewhere unknown to him, an unfamiliar Legendary could kill an unfamiliar Angel, so he could happily leave Ruby Mountain and go on a date with the Sword Maiden.

Why, ultimately, did he have to endure such a misfortune!? Was it because he used the "Little Four Pillars' Gate" to bring Igula and the others here? No, if they hadn't crashed into Dazzling Star, if they had settled down early in the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes two days earlier, Ash would've naturally helped them advance two days in advance, avoiding unknowingly entering and being trapped in Ruby Mountain!

Why did they crash into Dazzling Star?

It was because Ghost Prophet Vishi wanted to take advantage, tasting the saltiness as he passed by, trying to seize the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes!

Why did Senluo perish? Why did Silver Lamp have to turn into a Divine Being to guard Doomsday Forest?

Because Ghost Prophet Vishi was causing trouble, willing to drag the whole world to its end to seize the Divine Being!

Take a step back, why did Ash and the others now become Legendary Mages? If they weren't Legendary Mages, even with Ruby Mountain's explosion, it would have nothing to do with them!

It was because they encountered a Nightmare in the ghost inheritance, and thus had the opportunity to trigger the Faded Dream to climb Ruby Mountain! If not for the ghost inheritance, they would surely have to honestly advance by improving their faction realm to reach Legendary! The root cause was the ghost inheritance!

So, it was all the Ghost Prophet's fault!

Pushing all the blame onto the Ghost Prophet, Ash instantly felt much better. Just then, he heard some movement in the distant lecture hall, and silently approached.

The noises inside the classroom suddenly ceased, as if the people inside noticed someone approaching. Ash's heart pounded at the thought that maybe he'd truly get lucky tonight?

He walked up to the classroom door, gently pressed the doorknob.

He didn't hear anything from inside, but a strong premonition told him that opening the door this time would absolutely make the trip worthwhile!

After Ash counted to three silently, the classroom door suddenly opened—but not by him.

A young elf girl in a white shirt and black suspender dress appeared abruptly in the dim classroom filled with star-dusted reflections.

Both Ash and the elf were startled simultaneously, and then suddenly intense waves of magic power erupted from their bodies. The Technique Spirits, dormant in their souls, were whipped into action, singing and dancing as they arose!

"This really is..." Ash did not conceal his killing intent.

"Enemies come face to face," Vishi sneered.

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