Chapter 585
Especially the "Fictionalist"… this ability is probably something the "Pleasure Seekers" would dream of.
But the "Subverters" might not appreciate this ability; they crave the thrill of others discovering the truth, while what the "Fictionalist" creates is the truth itself—only the "Fictionalist" knows everything that is real.
However...
Xia'er felt a bit puzzled about these two paths.
Her uniqueness is the "Echo of the Silver-White Timebinder," and all her abilities are almost linked to time and space. While the "Recorder" and "Fictionalist" also have some connection to time and space, it isn’t particularly strong.
Is this the complete path?
No... that’s not right.
Suddenly, Xia'er remembered.
Paths don’t necessarily have to be in direct opposition.
Take the "Detective," "Assassin," and "Knight," for example; they can all transform into one another. Strictly speaking, they are different manifestations of the same path.
Perhaps the "Recorder" and "Fictionalist" are just two different expressions of her own path... and the emergence of these two paths is due to Xia'er’s influence in the Old Days, as well as Heini’s efforts.
She was quite lucky, really... to have experimentally manifested two different abilities of the same path all at once.
"Miss Xia'er... just now..." Charles looked uncertainly in Xia'er's direction, unable to resist asking as he watched her lost in thought.
Just a moment ago, Charles had distinctly felt a strange wave... a spiritual fluctuation that only those who have consumed a potion to ascend would experience, and it was quite faint, resembling that of a first-tier.
She just visited for a while and read a bit, and completed the manifestation ritual?
What kind of path is this? Charles had never heard of such a first-tier manifestation ritual.
Recalling Xia'er’s earlier first-tier "Knight," a chill ran through Charles’s heart...
Could this... be yet another new path?
"It’s nothing," Xia'er shook her head, while pondering some questions in her mind.
The side effect of the "Fictionalist" ability is the erasure of one’s own memories... but what if she directly stored her memories with a "Soulwalker"? After erasing her memories, she could have the "Soulwalker" make a copy for her... wouldn’t that mean she could do it with minimal loss?
This "Soulwalker" must be someone she absolutely trusts...
Xia'er knew Aivina could handle it, but she was unsure whether this memory erasure would also modify or erase the backup memories on the "Soulwalker" side.
Even if it wouldn’t be erased along with her memories, Xia'er wouldn’t risk wiping out all her memories.
A shell infused with her memories... could it still be considered the original her?
Xia'er wouldn’t try that lightly.
However, she did think of one of the most powerful aspects of the "Fictionalist"...
That is, the ability to modify spiritual notes.
Could a first-tier achieve cognitive-level coverage? What about second, third, or fourth tiers—could they directly "modify the past and influence reality"?
For instance, if A killed B, could she modify A’s spiritual note to reflect a state where B wasn’t killed, thus creating a world or timeline where B survives...?
If that were possible, it would be a far more terrifying ability than simulating the past.
However, comparing it to the fourth tier of other paths, Xia'er felt this ability was unlikely to be realized. Even if it could be, it would require an Ascendant or a Transcendent to accomplish.
Thinking this way, these two abilities indeed have a significant connection to past simulations... both are related to the past.
Gurgle—
A soft sound from her stomach interrupted Xia'er’s thoughts.
She was hungry.
She hadn’t had a decent meal in the Old Days, and now that she was back in the past simulation, without the state of not needing to eat, Xia'er felt a long-lost hunger—her desire to eat was at an all-time high.
At first, Charles heard the sound of Xia'er’s stomach rumbling, but he thought he misheard. It wasn’t until he saw Xia'er press her hand against her belly that he realized he hadn’t been mistaken.
Thank goodness... she’s still human; she needs to eat...
With this thought, Charles’s wariness towards Xia'er lessened a bit. He directly asked, "Lady Xia'er, we haven’t had dinner yet... If you don’t mind, would you like to come to the Russell Duke’s residence for a simple meal?"
Charles wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to Xia'er and inquire more about the "Knight" path.
If the "Crown Guard" really went down the wrong path... at the very least, he needed to clarify what the original third tier of the "Detective" was, so that his family and daughter wouldn’t go astray.
"Sure." Xia'er didn’t refuse; she had stayed at the Russell Duke’s residence for a few days, so returning felt no different from going home.
Moreover, it was nine years ago in Ansu, and Xia'er indeed had no place to stay here.
She decided to eat something first before studying her new abilities.
Right now, in the simulation, she could even directly test her new abilities in Ansu, getting a feel for them.
Xia'er got into the carriage, with Charles riding ahead on his warhorse, and together they returned to the Russell Duke’s residence.
By now, it was already half past midnight, nearing one in the morning, and many of the lights in the western district had been extinguished.
The streetlights from nine years ago seemed fewer, and the streets of the western district were overall quite dim.
Sitting in the dining room, Xia'er was focused on her food, while Charles wanted to find an opportunity to steer the conversation, but Xia'er remained silent, ravenously devouring her meal as if she hadn’t eaten in years—
Though, in terms of sensation, it indeed felt like she hadn’t eaten in years.
Creak—
At the door, little Aivina, clutching a black rabbit plushie, tiptoed to twist the doorknob and gently pushed the door open.
"Charles... I can’t sleep..." Dressed in a fluffy nightgown, little Aivina stood at the door, rubbing her sleepy eyes. She looked like she could fall asleep at any moment, yet it seemed she was waiting specifically for Charles.
"Aivina, I’m busy," Charles said, feeling a bit helpless. This was the moment to discuss serious matters, and missing this opportunity would make it hard to find another.
"Sorry, sorry... Your Grace." Seraphine rushed in from behind, placing a hand on Aivina’s shoulder to push her along, while also calling out to the door, "Nia! Why did you let the young lady out again?"
"The young lady said she wanted to come out..." A familiar metallic buzzing sound came from the doorway.
At this moment, Xia'er also paused her eating, looking at little Aivina at the door. Seeing her adorable face, she couldn’t help but smile.
Aivina was quite clingy as a child.
From the scenes of her childhood, it was clear why Aivina developed her later personality.
Why she grew distant from Charles, found Seraphine annoying, and trusted Nia more... all these reasons could be traced back to her childhood.
"Seraphine, let her come over," Xia'er smiled at Seraphine at the door.
Seraphine intentionally avoided Xia'er’s gaze, looking towards Charles instead—she always felt that the red-haired girl’s gaze brought her fear and pressure, even though she had never met her before.
"Your Grace, with such a obedient and clever daughter, you should cherish her," Xia'er said to Charles with a smile. "If one day she really grows distant, you’ll regret it."
"Haha..." Charles responded with a slightly awkward laugh, while a hint of confusion floated in his mind.
Why does this girl named Xia'er seem so familiar with his family? He recalled when entering the Russell Duke’s residence, Xia'er had walked straight towards the dining room—this was clearly her first visit.
"Come here, Aivina," Charles said, looking at Aivina at the door.
Aivina obediently walked to Charles’s side. After ruffling her soft hair, he said, "How about Nia tells you a story first? I’m a bit busy right now... Let’s do this: I’ll join you for tomorrow’s music class, how does that sound?"
"Mm..." Aivina nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face.
But Xia'er could see right through it; little Aivina wasn’t happy at all.
Is the best reward Charles could think of just attending class with her?
Perhaps for Charles, managing to squeeze out time for a class was already a great effort, but for a child, attending class wasn’t exactly an exciting prospect.
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