Mage Manual

Chapter 1722: Chapter 1273: Birthday Gift

Sonia sat quietly at the edge of the bed, the hem of her snow-white wedding dress blooming on the sheets like a pure white jasmine flower. Her legs were pressed together without a gap, her veil long since removed, and her blood-red hair tied into the most beautiful high ponytail, while her fair neck showed a warm pink blush that amazed the ages.

Even after looking at her the entire day, Ash still found her beautiful. Yet now, he dared not look, sitting stiffly beside Sonia without daring to breathe deeply, as if a strong breath would catch the fresh scent of the Sword Maiden. He only dared to lower his head to gaze at her over-the-knee white silk suspenders, something he could gaze at all night.

Sonia kept silent as well, pursing her lips with unknown thoughts, but instead of relaxing, Ash’s heart raced with tension.

It was quite strange. Though they had rehearsed many times before, and some side stories were even more thrilling than the main play, the atmosphere now was as ambiguous as a newly coupled pair, holding hands for the first time.

"I spent the whole day mentally preparing."

Sonia suddenly said softly, "You’re not going to take the whole day too, are you? I only booked you for two hours."

Ash stared at her blankly and suddenly let out a chuckle. Already bashful, Sonia couldn’t hold it any longer and slapped his thigh hard, huffing angrily, "What are you laughing at?"

Ash shook his head with a smile, first taking off his boots and socks before squatting down to remove the Sword Maiden’s high heels. His fingers, running along the foot arch wrapped in suspenders, naturally slid up her thigh to encircle Sonia’s waist. He leaned in slightly, capturing Sonia’s lips in a kiss.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, tender yet fierce, with no awkwardness at all. The two were like a perfectly matched storm and fire, igniting instantly to a climax. By the time their lips parted, Ash was half-lying on the bed, with Sonia sitting atop him. Warm breaths passed through the intertwined threads of suspension silk on their lips, meeting each other’s heated temperatures, like two ice creams melting together.

But Sonia seemed to want to take the lead, provocatively asking, "Are you ready?"

"I was ready a long time ago."

"How long ago?"

"Maybe April 11th last year."

"Isn’t that the day we first met in the Void Realm?" Sonia giggled, wrapping her arms around Ash’s neck and laughing, "Who knew you were plotting against me from the first meeting... But wait a minute, we were always on the ship then, I was so weak, even if I called for help no one would come to save me. Did you fantasize countless times about pinning me down on the ship, tying my hands and feet, and doing as you pleased with me? During the day, I was a praised outstanding college student, and at night I’d become your captive in the Void Realm, sob sob sob..."

"You’re so detailed, even including your inner journey." Ash said with a laugh and tears: "I feel like someone, just like me, has been eager for their teammate for a long time."

"Yes, I’ve wanted you for a long time." Sonia admitted openly, tilting her head, "Starting from the Sea of Knowledge, I’ve liked you, and I haven’t stopped, only liking you more. You’re truly a great sinner."

"Across such a vast distance, over such a long time." She pinched Ash’s cheek, "I’m still unable to escape your claws."

"Shouldn’t it be me unable to escape your grasp? I thought one day my beastly nature would burst forth, but turns out—"

"I don’t care!" Sonia’s face turned red all the way to the tips of her ears, pinching Ash’s face with both hands: "Tell them it was your idea, your desire for us, and I was just the innocent girl beguiled by you into your vile trap!"

"Uh huh, and it was also me who confessed to you."

"Of course, otherwise what?"

Ash lay back, Sonia pressing on him, her soft warmth filling his arms. Ash felt every blood cell in his body boiling, yet his expression grew more tender.

"But didn’t you want to save your most precious first night for our official wedding night?" Ash said, "Though I’d long awaited our truthful encounter since the first day, constrained by physiological hormones, I support your notion. The anticipation and ceremonial aspect of a wedding makes our first night more enchanting... It was all agreed upon, yet Miss Sword Maiden, you’re trying to breach it. Don’t do that next time!"

Sonia bit her lip lightly, both annoyed and amused, "Then why are you unbuttoning me while reminding me?"

"I thought your body felt a bit hot, helping you cool off by opening up." Ash said sincerely, "Definitely not because I’m worried you might come to your senses and refuse."

"Then stop reminding me!"

"No can do. Reminding you is my good character, unbuttoning is my nature!"

"You dare mention good character." Sonia gave him an eye-roll, curving her eyes sweetly, "I have the same reason as you, I don’t want regrets either."

"If we can’t defeat Dazzling Star in the final battle, and I’ve never experienced the best thing couples can do with you, wouldn’t our love be in vain?" She teased Ash’s nose, "You ambushed us into bridal gowns, so I must ambush you... so you can never leave us."

"But that’s just a minor reason." She lay down on Ash’s chest, whispering, "We keep playing those ambiguous games, it’s not just you wanting to devour me, I actually... want to devour you whole, too."

"By the way, do you have anything else you’ve not told me?"

Ash blinked, brushing her loose hair behind her ear, saying, "Sonia, happy birthday."

"How did you find out? Gospel?"

"Your bedroom." Ash smiled, "There was a drawing on the wall where you celebrated your birthday. I remembered it."

"A poor family’s daughter wouldn’t have birthdays." Sonia blushed slightly, "I must’ve been six, Mom bought a small cake from the town to celebrate my birthday. The cake was delicious, and I was happy, but I told Mom not to bother from then on... She works alone, and there’s no money to celebrate."

"I understand." Ash said, "When I was young, our family didn’t celebrate birthdays due to tight conditions, and even later when things improved, I no longer cared about the day. All these years, it’s only you guys who celebrated my birthday."

"Me too." Sonia whispered, "Only you remembered my birthday specifically."

"But I didn’t prepare a cake, as you never told me, I assumed you didn’t like celebrations, so I only planned today’s small wedding..."

"That’s enough."

Sonia said, "You gave me such a big surprise on my birthday. I am completely satisfied, a foolish girl in love, wanting to give everything to you, this scoundrel."

"115 minutes left until my birthday ends," she glanced at the clock, "These 115 minutes... Celebrate my twentieth birthday properly."

Meanwhile, Ash finally undid all the buttons at the Bride’s back, and two soft curves immediately pressed against his chest eagerly. Sonia instinctively wanted to cover herself, but Ash grabbed her hands, leaving her lowering her head with closed eyes, her shoulders trembling slightly, blushing as if about to drip blood.

Although there had been numerous developers’ conferences, at Sonia’s strong request, they mostly kept the lights off, as she’d turn embarrassingly shy once the lights were on.

Ash felt his heart melting. He pondered for a moment and said, "Do you think the room lights are too bright? I think so too."

Sonia mistakenly thought Ash had finally turned considerate, only for Ash to turn off the main lights, leaving just the bedside lamp that perfectly illuminated them. Then he turned back, pressing Sonia beneath him and whispered, "Tonight, just one light shining on you is enough, without any unnecessary background, so I can look at you all night, making this night my eternal treasure."

Sword Maiden opened her large watery eyes, looking at Ash aggrievedly, "You’re bullying me."

Ash kissed her body like savoring ice cream, pausing at the corner of her mouth in a daze. Sonia coyly asked, "What’s wrong?"

"I was thinking if a demigod needs to take precautions." Ash replied honestly.

Sonia blinked, then suddenly couldn’t suppress a giggle, laughing to the point it made Ash blush. She held Ash tightly, whispering in his ear:

"Fill me."

...

...

In sword casting, the blade is gripped with tongs for continuous hammering and heating. Quenching in warm water effectively enhances the sword body’s strength. Once the sword body is forged, it must be oiled for preservation, then inserted into its matching sword scabbard for a perfect fit, blending seamlessly as one.