Mage Manual
Chapter 358 - Chapter 358 Chapter 303 Eliminating This Incorrect Option

Chapter 358: Chapter 303: Eliminating This Incorrect Option Chapter 358: Chapter 303: Eliminating This Incorrect Option Although everyone still harbored tremendous skepticism about Ash’s speculation, the atmosphere inside the cabin undoubtedly became much more relaxed, no longer drawing swords and looking at each other suspiciously.

Because at least one thing they all recognized: they must have deep relationships with each other, which is why they came to this amnesia cabin together.

As for whether they were friends, lovers, or relatives, those were just minor details.

If they had been given more time, they might have made sense of these connections; however, the negative effects brought about by amnesia were just too great: you suddenly find yourself in a strange place, surrounded by several strangers, unable to find any point of reliance, not even remembering your own name, as if a newborn baby was thrown onto the street, left alone to face the gravity of reality, the air seeming to suffocate you.

But unlike a baby who has no strategy other than to cry, Mages are different–violence hasn’t yet been wiped from them.

In the cabin’s single-player storyline mode, most Mages would attack Phantoms out of panic, but Phantoms cannot be eradicated, and Mages can gain some sense of security through the violence of venting.

Even if they couldn’t calm down, at least they could recognize their situation and choose to leave or accept the game.

But multiplayer mode is different–compared to one’s own Phantoms, isn’t it better to direct violence toward someone you don’t recognize, a ‘stranger’?

Ash’s near-confrontation with Sonia by drawing swords was almost to be expected, and since Sonia tended to be suspicious and short-tempered, if Ash had been as hot-headed as her, a fight would have almost certainly broken out. Luckily, Denzel interrupted their combat round by entering the door, and then the Phantoms appeared, explaining and distracting their attention.

But their relationship crisis remained unresolved, because the cabin was only so large; if they were to engage in a question-and-answer game, the others would surely be present.

Their strings of rationality were stretched too tight, utterly incapable of enduring “the gaze of others”; as long as others were still present, they couldn’t proceed with the game.

The Phantoms did not have a contingency plan for this situation; they knew how to guide and soothe Mages, but there was no mechanism in the cabin to resolve disputes between Mages.

However, the Phantoms had no need to resolve disputes.

They soothed Mages solely to facilitate the progression of the question-and-answer game. If the situation continued to deteriorate, the likely outcome would be that only one of the four would remain, with the others either driven away or killed.

Even with fewer participants, as long as someone remained in the cabin, the question-and-answer game could continue.

The last person left could answer questions for four people and, if they managed to answer others’ correctly, naturally obtain the others’ rewards.

Therefore, when Ash and the others started discussing their relationships, the Phantoms did not intervene and interrupt. They had assumed it would devolve into a desperate brawl, but unexpectedly, Ash managed to unite everyone, including Denzel who arrived later… The Observer, the Sword Maiden, and the Witch quickly glanced at the Empress, who looked back at them calmly.

“It sounds like you’ve reached a consensus,” said the Observer. “Are you interested in answering questions now?”

“Hold on, you just said you possess our memories,” Sonia suddenly remembered something. “Then can you tell us what our relationship is?”

“We cannot,” the Witch wagged her finger. “We’re not allowed to reveal any specific information to you; you must answer questions in a state of complete amnesia.”

Ash said, “Besides revealing information, if I ask you to do something, will you agree?”

“What is it?”

“For instance, you,” Ash pointed at the Observer, then at the Sword Maiden. “Go kiss her, preferably a French kiss.”

The Observer and the Sword Maiden’s expressions remained unchanged, not even an eyelash fluttered. But for some reason, it felt as though the light in the cabin had dimmed slightly.

Before the Phantoms could answer, Sonia grabbed Ash’s collar first, her face red with embarrassment, “What are you talking about?”

“Think about it, they are Phantoms that possess our memories, right? They can communicate, it seems they have the capacity to think, meaning we can consider them ‘another me’.” Ash said very calmly: “If the Observer and Sword Maiden can kiss naturally, that would mean we are in a lover relationship.”

“And if they refuse?”

“Then we reduce the level of the probe, swap kissing for a hug. If a hug is not an issue, then we definitely share a close relationship similar to relatives,” Ash explained. “By using this method, we can gradually test out the depth of each person’s relationship.”

Sonia was taken aback, considering the feasibility of this method.

Ash pulled Sonia’s hands from his collar, “Although I’ve been quiet and haven’t thrown a tantrum or gotten angry, I’ve also lost my memory. You are as scared as I am uneasy; therefore, it’s not just you–I want to find evidence to prove our relationship too.”

“I also want to trust you unreservedly,” he said softly. “In a dark world, nothing is more reassuring than placing your hand in someone else’s.”

At that moment, the Phantoms seemed to finally understand the implication of Ash’s words.

The Observer waved his hand, shook his head, and doubly denied Ash’s request: “We cannot. We are only responsible for guiding you in answering questions. We won’t agree to requests unrelated to answering questions.”

“This is a request related to the questions!” Ash immediately protested. “I think it’s necessary for you and the Sword Maiden to kiss–”

“Although we’re just temporary remnants of thought, we also possess some intelligence,” Sword Maiden said calmly. “Don’t try to persuade us with wordplay; we fully understand you’re trying to gather memory information through our interactions, which is not allowed. Give it up.”

Seeing the Phantoms refuse, Sonia was somewhat dissatisfied: “Can’t we make an exception? After all, you are me…”

“If you became a fleeting thought that could only stay for a moment, would you fulfill someone else’s wishes?” Sword Maiden scoffed. “You should be glad I’m not really you–otherwise, you’d be in even more trouble.”

Sonia thought about her own personality and resignedly shut her mouth.

“So that means we have no way to find evidence to confirm our relationships,” Ash said. “Well, let’s tentatively assume that you all are my lovers or paramours. Unless you’d prefer to be my sisters?”

Nia said timidly, “Sisters.”

“Why do we have to make a choice between the two?” Sonia asked. “Can’t we choose neither?”

“Because this is the basis of intelligence when we answer questions,” Ash said seriously. “Let me put it this way, if you both are my lovers, then it implies you’re willing to share your love, and from this, we can deduce three logical conditions: first, our relationship isn’t equal, and I’m in a position of advantage, which might be due to personal strength or social status; second, we’re bound by significant mutual interests, so rationally, you can’t leave me; third, perhaps a lot has happened between us, so emotionally, you’re unwilling to let go of me.”

“If the above three conditions aren’t met, then it’s impossible to explain why we’re in a lover relationship. These three logical conditions can serve as a basis for your answers, assisting you in your judgment. Similarly, if you are my sisters, you can deduce the corresponding logical conditions.”

“I’m not trying to take advantage of you, but with complete amnesia, this bit of reference is the only lifeline we can cling to.”

Sonia’s face turned red and then pale, seeing Ash so logically reasoned while she had been so unreasonable just before, feelings of inferiority and shame surged in her heart: “Who knows what you’re really thinking!”

“If I really have to choose,” Denzel, who had been silent until now, suddenly said, “I’ll choose lover.”

Sonia looked at her in surprise. “Why?”

“There’s no reason,” Denzel said calmly. “I just feel that the word ‘sister’ is somewhat distant from me.”

Ash looked at Sonia. “What do you choose? Actually, this is just for the purpose of answering questions, and it isn’t our true relationship–if you don’t like these two options, you can also suggest a new role, as long as it can explain why we are together.”

Sonia didn’t answer, looking down at the wood grain of the floor, hugging one arm with the other, seemingly hesitant and indecisive.

If Denzel had also chosen the sister role, she would definitely have picked sister.

However, after Denzel chose the lover role, Sonia felt strangely uncomfortable.

Despite remembering nothing, despite not knowing who anyone was, despite only suspicion and wariness remaining in her heart, there was an inexplicable sense of defeat.

This feeling of defeat was not anger directed outward, but blame inward. It was as if maintaining her tough, hedgehog-like facade meant she would lose something or, perhaps, miss something.

Sonia glanced sideways at the Sword Maiden, whose cold gaze scrutinized her with a subtle emotion in her pupils that no one could decipher.

“…Lover.”

“Hm?”

“It’s not real anyway,” Sonia said in a fit of self-abandonment, picking a chair to sit down. “Let’s start answering questions!”

“One identity for each person, sister, lover, lover,” Ash said. “Later on, let’s call each other by these names.”

Diya tugged on Ash’s sleeve. “What about you?”

Ash paused, then smiled, “I really forgot about myself… but since I chose your identities, it’s only fair that you decide mine. What role do you want me to have?”

Sonia said unenthusiastically, “Our slave.”

Denzel thought for a moment. “Our master?”

Diya hesitated, then seeing a painting hanging on the cabin wall of a knight protecting a princess in front of an evil dragon, she said, “I hope you are… a knight protecting us.”

“Alright, then I choose the knight,” Ash decided cheerfully. “It seems that continuing the discussion won’t reveal any new information, so–”

“Let’s start answering questions.”

Ash sat down on the bench with Diya, while Denzel went to sit next to Sonia.

The four looked at each other for a moment, and Ash asked, “Who will start?”

His question was almost like asking which oil drum volunteered to be a firefighter; Diya immediately shook her head, and Denzel fell silent. Ash thought that probably no one would want to be the first sacrifice and was about to raise his hand when he heard a slap on the table next to him.

“I’ll start.”

The bell-like voice revealed decisiveness.

Sonia’s eyes were fixed on the Sword Maiden, the light in her eyes burning with either bravery, inferiority, or stubbornness, a pity the only person in the cabin who could understand her was sitting right across from her.

“So eager to prove yourself?” The Sword Maiden lowered her eyelids. “As you wish.”

“Now, begin with your first question.”

The Sword Maiden stood up, took out an album from the shelf next to her–no one could remember if there had been an album there before, nor did anyone recall if the shelf was there just a moment ago.

“Among these three people, who do you love the most?”

The Sword Maiden opened the album, pointing out three images:

A plainly dressed middle-aged farm woman;

A small, dark, skinny girl who didn’t look cute at all;

And… a hooded figure sitting in a small boat.

“First, eliminate this wrong option,” Ash pointed at the hooded figure in the painting.

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