Chapter 40: Clearly Impossible

A Fleeting Disappointment

Vick wasn’t exactly disappointed. It just felt different from what he’d imagined, a slight surprise. As if all his guesses had been overturned at once, leaving no new leads. A powerless resignation to let the promise go.

It was almost amusing. Why expect someone to be an old acquaintance? Miss Wenger was simply Miss Wenger—her demeanor and courtesy far surpassed that person. Perhaps his memory was faulty. Why else would he fixate on her? It wasn’t just about keeping a promise; there was a faint urge… to lash out. Maybe it was unwillingness.

Wenger invited him for tea, but Vick waved it off, saying he wanted to find new fishing spots in the mountains. She thought of the streams running through the village—there might be lakes higher up, or at least rivers in the deep forests. Handing over the fishing rod, Vick found carrying his sword too cumbersome and asked Wenger to hold onto it. “Is that alright?” The girl took the longsword with both hands. “I’m the one troubling you.” Vick gave a faint smile, strolling leisurely into the mountains.

Wenger stored the sword in her inventory, only to notice a glaring [ … +17] behind its name. (￣、￣) What a cheat. Such a high enhancement. Her own sword’s impressive lore was the only thing keeping it intact.

After the intense spar, Wenger didn’t know what to do with herself. Back on the platform, she poured herself water and sat for half a day. Then she suddenly remembered the Holy Source Crystal synthesis still underway in her room! Pushing the door open in a slight panic, the dragonvein stone on the table seemed unchanged, but the colorless crystal’s energy had vanished entirely.

Wenger scanned the room, certain it hadn’t dispersed elsewhere. She stepped back half a pace, shielding the furniture. Her mental energy probed inside the “dragonvein stone.” The once tightly condensed energy was spreading, still flowing within the stone. It felt like a gentle light source, lacking the dragonvein stone’s suppression or the colorless crystal’s agitation.

Had it worked? No, the process was ongoing—should she wait for it to finish or maintain this state? She couldn’t be sure. The simplest approach was to touch it. But if there were other prerequisites, she’d have to redo everything. Thankfully, no kowtowing was required.

The girl boldly reached out, and the moment she touched it, a notification sounded. [Advancement · Agility, Current Progress: 50% (Accumulated Time: 30 years, Collected Night Moon Lily, Holy Source Crystal 50%, Sun-Moon Rose 1%)] What luck. She’d finally cleared every path—now it was just a matter of patience and a bit of fortune.

Wenger stayed in the room, reading on. With advancement so close, she couldn’t slack off; she needed to prepare the final magic herb quickly. So engrossed in her book, she only noticed the sunset when its last ray grazed the desk’s edge. Looking up, the Holy Source Crystal’s progress was nearing 100%, its dull hue revitalizing. Her lips curved uncontrollably—she was finally entering the next phase. The last time felt so distant.

Memories were endless, but Wenger stood, gripping the “dragonvein stone.” Another notification sounded. It should now be called the “Holy Source Crystal.” She memorized every detail to avoid future confusion. [Advancement · Agility, Current Progress: 75%]

The rest was straightforward. Celestial magic required some preparation—not too complex. She could start now and finish in a few days; the roses shouldn’t wilt by then.

Village Affairs

In his room, Rhine reviewed recent expenses, income, and village construction matters. These tasks weren’t difficult, just tediously detailed. The teacher only needed a glance to confirm everything was fine. Lately, more traveling merchants had come, as trade naturally increased. But the canyon’s length remained a problem. Multiple caravans caused some congestion.

Maple Whisper Village itself hadn’t developed or established supply stations along the route. It wasn’t necessary before, but the teacher’s intent to connect with outer villages changed that. The canyon lacked resources, so开拓 there required external help. Like a transcendent.

The wooden door opened gently, and Wenger entered, pleasantly surprised to see him. “Rhine, not out busy today?” “Not busy.” The dignified elder chuckled warmly in her presence. “You need to rest too.” Wenger hoped someone could share the load, but neglecting health would distract her. “Got it.”

So taciturn—how did he become village chief? Wenger teased inwardly, forgetting herself. Rhine watched as she picked up a pen and paper, writing at a desk. Curious but respectful, he observed from a distance without leaning in. She’d notice such small gestures. After finishing, Wenger handed it to Rhine to check for oversights.

It outlined caravan matters—strengthening trade was the most direct approach. To attract more, Bam would handle arrangements. The school recruitment plan needed both locals with education and outsiders, a gradual process. The blacksmith was an expense but also a new revenue source. She also ordered a set of fine furniture. If Vick stayed long-term, it’d be a safeguard. Even if he didn’t, she owed him for past favors.

From their brief interactions, Wenger felt Vick was fundamentally trustworthy. Her thoughts drifted to his question during their spar. He was looking for someone, his curious glances and puzzled looks pointing to something odd. Was he looking for her? Clearly impossible.

She’d dismissed the idea before. Aside from her near-century of slumber, she had no memory of meeting him. Before coming to Maple Whisper Village, nearly two hundred years had passed—whether Vick was even born then was questionable. So, he was looking for someone like her. Was silver hair a distinct trait?

In the books she’d read, such people weren’t rare enough to be mythical. There had to be another reason… The more she knew, the more uneasy she felt, her heart unsettled by her lack of strength. A known darkness was far better than an unknown one. Future wars and abyssal outbreaks were predictable, but current matters left her helpless.

From an outsider’s perspective, much of what she saw and heard could lead to misunderstandings. Even her current conclusions might be wrong. If she made a bold assumption—that Vick was indeed looking for her—then the only explanation for her lack of memory was that her near-century wasn’t slumber… But amnesia.