Once her voice fell, Roland’s expression grew a little odd.

Vanessa’s previous whisper echoed in his mind.

’Death, for me, is not the end...’

’Looks like she’s really not afraid to die.’

Roland thought with a grumble, shaking his head slightly before speaking.

"Miss Vanessa, I told you this information in the hope that you would prepare in advance. As for making an enemy of a Witch Demon..."

He extended a finger and pointed at himself.

"What do you think my chances are of making it back alive?"

"That’s hard to say..."

The Purple-haired Witch let out a light laugh, her almond-shaped eyes roaming over Roland with a hint of playful scrutiny.

For a moment, an indescribable atmosphere filled the space between them.

"Alright..."

Just as Avril was about to speak up and break the delicate atmosphere, an inquiry came from outside the tent.

"Excuse me... Is Avril Shadow Envoy inside?"

"I’m here."

Avril called out in response, then exchanged a look with Roland.

She raised a fist, waving it threateningly in front of Roland, before turning to push aside the curtain and exit.

Roland watched the Elf Maiden, scratching his head in confusion. Then he turned to his companions.

"Mason, Freddy, go back to your own tents and pack your necessities, then meet me here. For the time being..." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He knew this method would have limited effect against a real crisis, but he couldn’t come up with a better plan at the moment.

"You’ll move in and stay with me."

"Yes."

Out of their trust in Roland, the young noble and the Beastman Warrior didn’t hesitate at all, nodding in agreement before leaving the tent.

"As for you, Miss Vanessa..."

"I don’t have anything to pack, Mr. Roland,"

the Witch cut in.

"I know."

Roland took a half-step back and waved his hand, dispelling her faint, lingering fragrance from the air before continuing.

"When Avril gets back, I’ll explain the arrangement to her. For the next few days, you can just stay with her..."

Before he could finish, Vanessa let out a light laugh and waved her hand in refusal.

"Mr. Roland, I don’t get along with that old woman."

’Old woman...’

Hearing this form of address, the corner of Roland’s eye twitched imperceptibly.

He was more or less aware of women’s sensitivity about their age.

Therefore, even though he had learned Avril’s true age from Galvis, he never mentioned it.

And this Witch before him...

’She really isn’t afraid of death, is she...’

Roland let out the same sentiment again, sighing a little helplessly.

"In that case..."

He had just started to speak when Vanessa interrupted him again.

"Then, just like Mason and that descendant of Hell’s Roar, I’ll move in with you. How about it?"

she proposed, winking playfully with her right eye.

"With two companions by our side, I’m sure you won’t get any... strange ideas, right? Mr. Roland."

Looking at the Witch’s cunning gaze, Roland was at a loss for words.

After a moment of silence, he waved his hand.

"Do as you please, Miss Vanessa. But before that..."

He took a deep breath and decisively changed the subject.

"I have a few things I’d like to ask you about."

As he spoke, Roland collected his thoughts, held his breath, and focused his mind.

Soon, that power called "Spiritual Energy," like a clear stream flowing from the depths of his soul, began to slowly stir.

It flowed somewhat sluggishly into his palm.

Unlike Spiritual Power, which he could barely perceive, the form of Spiritual Energy was almost void-like and illusory.

Roland could only confirm its existence through the unique, cold sensation it brought when it touched his skin.

"To deal with potential dangers, I want to learn some techniques for using Spiritual Energy,"

he said, patting the pouch at his waist.

"I can offer the ’Control Gemstone’ in exchange."

Roland had clearly seen the Purple-haired Witch drink the Potion born of a Heartstealer’s research and emerge completely unscathed.

This undoubtedly meant that she might have mastered techniques related to Spiritual Energy.

In comparison...

Although Roland could sense the extraordinary nature of the "Control Gemstone," his lack of relevant knowledge made the stone useless to him.

For Roland, trading something useless to himself for Spiritual Energy techniques that could tangibly increase his Power was a worthwhile deal.

Upon hearing the name "Control Gemstone," the Witch’s previously calm eyes flickered slightly, but she immediately shook her head.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Roland. Perhaps my drinking the Potion earlier gave you the wrong impression. In fact..."

Vanessa sat back down elegantly in her chair.

"I know very little about this mysterious power, Spiritual Energy."

Seeing the doubt in Roland’s eyes, the Purple-haired Witch chuckled lightly and continued to explain.

"The reason I was able to absorb... uh, that kind of Spiritual Energy, was entirely thanks to a great power bestowed by one of the Deities from my former faith."

"Great power?"

Roland frowned.

"Are you a... Divine Favored One?"

"No, no, no..."

Vanessa wagged her finger gently, leaning gracefully against the edge of the wooden table.

"I am merely a... devout believer who acquired a small Blessing through faith."

She tapped her fingertips against her crimson lips, her brow furrowing slightly in thought.

"The ability to absorb Spiritual Energy, I think it came from Vestas... or was it Mithra? My apologies, Mr. Roland, I can’t quite remember."

A faint smile touched the corners of the Witch’s lips.

"For me, if a so-called deity can’t answer my needs, then there’s no need to believe in them. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Roland?"

The contrast between the "devout" faith Vanessa spoke of and her casual attitude toward changing Deities stirred a subtle sense of dissonance in Roland. However, he didn’t dwell on the topic and instead asked.

"So, you’re saying, Miss Vanessa, that you only have the ability to absorb Spiritual Energy... but you don’t know how to use it?"

"That’s right. Even before the Era of the End..."

The Purple-haired Witch shifted her position, elegantly crossing her legs. Her slender fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest of the chair.

"In that most glorious of ages, those who could truly touch the sea of the soul and pry open the mysteries of Spiritual Energy were one in ten thousand."

"It’s not like the Arcane Magic that Mages research or the Divine Arts that Priests receive through prayer."

She paused for a moment, as if choosing her words carefully.

"Spiritual Energy is an extension of pure will. It’s proof that a mind is strong enough to shape reality itself..."

"The talent required to master it is demanding to an extreme degree. It isn’t something that can be achieved with mere intelligence or mental focus. It requires a kind of innate, fundamental resonance with one’s very soul."

"So, Mr. Roland,"

her tone shifted, and that usual, slightly playful smile returned to her lips.

"in this era, unless you happen to run into a ’reasonable’ Heartstealer willing to give lessons and take on a student, well..."

The last sentence was filled with obvious mockery, as if teasing him about this all-but-impossible wish.