Resurrection was a solemn matter, demanding extremely stringent conditions. Though the most basic prerequisites were now met, Necromancy required extensive preparation—constructing an altar, inscribing a magic circle. Even with Alreis knowing every step, it was far from simple.

Resource demands were immense. Crudely put: no money, no resurrection.

Alreis knew Wude’s finances all too well. True, they’d earned some coin hunting beasts along the way—but that sum only meant comfort for Rank Five or Six adventurers. For something bordering on defying world laws like resurrection? Utterly useless.

Naturally, Alreis herself had no funds beyond minor gadgets and beads. Same for the Blessing of Life. Yet hope wasn’t entirely lost.

“So… if you return to your palace, you can provide the materials?” Wude asked Tini.

“Do you dare underestimate *this one*, sovereign of the entire kingdom?” came the ever-tsundere reply.

Hearing them, Alreis sighed. If only it were that easy. In their current state, stepping into Tini’s palace would likely see them captured within minutes by the nation’s “Sage.”

Was that Sage Tini’s subordinate? No—he served the Blessing of Life. To him, an Ascendant Sovereign barely able to wield magic was a treasure trove. Alreis knew this well.

Why? During the age of tribal wars, it was always these “Sages” who looted fallen Ascendant Sovereigns. They believed studying one might grant them a glimpse into that transcendent realm.

Elisa’s mirror proved it: the moment it sensed the Blessing of Life’s magic, it locked coordinates. That Sage would come rushing at the fastest speed of his life. Alreis doubted it was to aid Tini.

Tini knew this too—that’s why she’d sealed her magic. Only another Ascendant Sovereign could sense that abyssal power.

Alreis pondered. An Ascendant Sovereign? Unmanageable. But just a Sage…? If she and Tini joined forces, using old magical artifacts… maybe. Tini must have thought the same—that’s why she proposed using her collection to resurrect Lingyue.

Truth was, Alreis wasn’t foolish. Had she been, she’d never have become an Ascendant Sovereign plumbing magic’s deepest depths. She simply disliked pondering non-magical matters. But for Wude—to bring Lingyue back—as his “close friend,” she owed him this effort.

Their next stop: the nation’s heart. The capital—Falos.

Falos, the central metropolis, bore the Blessing of Life’s surname. As founder and ruler, the Blessing of Life held that authority.

Still, with road obstacles ahead, Alreis preferred the “magical airship.”

The fare? Wude could afford it. Magical airships mainly served Rank Five to Seven adventurers—wealthy families with weaker abilities aside.

Rank Eight travelers could leave the airship in the dust. Even Rank Seven was faster, just exhausting.

So Wude went to negotiate with Elisa.

“Elisa, how about taking the magical airship to Falos tomorrow?” Wude got straight to the point.

“Huh? So sudden, Brother Wude… Did something happen?” Elisa blinked, puzzled. The Academy of Life Magic was in Falos. She’d just returned from there with him—why go back now?

“Well… I want to see your academy. Learn about your life there.” Wude knew exactly how to handle Elisa. In this regard, he had the makings of a real player…

A blush instantly crept across Elisa’s cheeks.

“If Brother Wude says that… I can’t refuse!” To her, “learn about your life” meant *“I want to know everything about you.”*

“Then I’ll buy tickets right now!” Elisa darted toward the door, eager.

“Wait, Elisa—I’ll give you money!” Wude called after her.

“No need! Academy students get complimentary airship tickets!” she called back, not slowing.

“??” Complimentary tickets? Then why ride mounts all the way here? Something felt off.

*Bang!!* A crash from the next room snapped Wude’s attention. Alreis and Tini were in there—trouble? He hurried over.

He burst the door open—

“Wude, help me!” Alreis was pinned beneath an emerald-green-haired little girl smaller than herself, utterly immobilized.

Wude spun around.

“Sorry for the intrusion!”

“Huh?!!!! Wude—no, *Master*~~ I’m calling you Master! Help me!” Alreis wailed in despair.

*Creak.* Wude reopened the door. Startled, he’d turned to compose himself before facing the scene again.

He wouldn’t intervene. Alreis was Rank Six; Tini couldn’t freely use magic. How could Tini overpower her? Besides, Alreis was visibly larger.

“Hehe~ Young man,” Tini smirked up at Wude, straddling Alreis and pinning her arms. Her youthful face wore a knowing grin. “Look at her—adorable, no? You could… *take this opportunity* to do many things.”

“Alreis… I never knew you had *this* hobby,” Wude said, eyeing the pinned scholar like she was a pervert.

“No!!! Being seen as a pervert by Wude!!!” Alreis shattered.

“Honestly, two Ascendant Sovereigns hiding here playing like this is really…” *Amazing*, though Wude left the word hanging.

“But it feels so wrong! Why’s the bigger Alreis underneath?” Wude frowned. Maybe she was a masochist? If he hadn’t noticed after all their time together… failure.

“Your *wording’s* off—but don’t overthink it!” Alreis flushed. “She uses Life Magic! Her physical strength is monstrous—I couldn’t resist if I tried!”

“Hehehe!! Call yourself strong? As Ascendant Sovereigns, I can’t beat you magically—but raw strength? You losing just proves you’re weak!” Tini gloated.

Wude understood. He’d felt that same triumph pinning Alreis before.

“Damn it! Face me with magic, then!” Alreis’s face burned crimson.

“Tsk. Why use my weakness against your strength?” Tini scoffed. “Your foolishness is why I outmaneuvered you! As a Supreme Scholar said: *‘Wisdom is life’s greatest weapon!’*”

“Tini… don’t give me a chance!” Alreis thrashed. Insulting her intellect? Unforgivable. Yet futile—weak physique was weak physique.

“Master~~" Shame abandoned, Alreis pleaded again, reading the room perfectly.

Meanwhile, Wude stood by, nosebleed trickling. With all the wrestling… plenty of accidental exposures. A seasoned man like him wouldn’t miss this.

“Carry on! Matters between Ascendant Sovereigns are far beyond a mere Rank Three nobody like me.”

“Don’t *only* play the weakling now! Be a proper Master already!!!” In her frenzy, Alreis fully embraced her maid role.