Mage Manual-Chapter 1321 - 964: You’re Mean to Me

"Finally back!"

Vishi opened the suite door and saw Ash and Filly standing there soaking wet, like two little dogs that had fallen into the water.

"Didn’t you have an umbrella?" Vishi chuckled. The fireworks display was interrupted by a sudden rainstorm. After realizing over the phone that everyone was too far apart, they decided to take cabs back individually.

"It’s not that we didn’t..." Ash took out a transparent umbrella, looking a bit glum, "some kind person gave us an umbrella."

He and Filly had just taken the cable car down the mountain when the storm hit. Initially planning to wait it out under sheltered facilities, a mysterious person in a mask and hood suddenly handed them an umbrella and left without a word.

Unable to refuse the nice gesture, they used this umbrella to leave the imperfect Joy World.

However, this umbrella was barely enough for one person, so it was almost like having no umbrella at all. Ash and Filly huddled close, yet both were drenched by the rain.

Rose brought dry towels to wrap around them. Noticing Igula and Harvey were also there, Ash asked, "Where’s Nia?"

Rose, preparing hot drinks, replied, "She said there’s somewhere she wanted to go and didn’t leave with us."

Ash glanced at the raging storm outside, took out his phone to contact Nia, only to find it was turned off. Frowning, he asked, "Vishi, do you know where Nia went?"

"No idea."

Vishi hugged the towel-wrapped Filly and lazily said, "Master, do you really need to worry about Nia? Who else but you can bully her in this world? Look at how soaked you and your little lamb are. Hurry up and strip down and take a bath!"

Ash thought it made sense, sitting down on the long sofa and eyeing Vishi suspiciously, "You were unusually quiet in Paradise today. Were you up to something?"

"Master, you’re so..." Vishi looked hurt, "I saw how much fun you were having I couldn’t bear to disturb you, yet this is what you think of me... I’m really heartbroken, I’m not talking to you anymore."

"Really?" Ash was unexpectedly overjoyed, "That’s great!"

"Of course not, how could I ignore you, Master?" Vishi blinked, nuzzling Filly’s cheek, "Was it fun when you guys took the cable car up?"

"The bungee jump was fun." Ash remarked, "Except Filly was so scared of heights, her legs would turn to jelly every time, and she needed help to stand up."

"Oh, really?" Vishi’s lips curled, giving Filly a knowing look, which made Filly’s heart race, "Why didn’t you make it back in time for Central Square? Did something happen?"

"The cable car malfunctioned." Ash accepted the hot drink Rose handed him, expressing his thanks, "But we didn’t miss the fireworks; they were really beautiful."

"Was it really the fireworks that were beautiful?" Vishi squinted, smiling with her eyes, "Something must have happened while you were on the cable car."

Ash and Filly exchanged a glance, opting to use "I have the right to remain silent" against the inquisitive Demigod.

But Vishi was not so easily deterred, "Filly’s eyes are swollen from crying, but she looks much better now, like she had a good nap. I guess she cried her eyes out in the cable car and then fell asleep in the car on the way back, right?"

Ash’s eyebrow twitched, unable to stop himself from wrapping the dry towel tightly around him—she got it all!

After finally calming down, Filly fully relaxed and nestled up against Ash for a restful sleep, and even Ash couldn’t help but doze off a little.

"Why were you crying?" Rose asked curiously, "Was it not fun?"

"I thought it was okay." Harvey chimed in, "The corpse parade there was pretty good, showcasing a variety of impressive deaths. Quite interesting!"

"I, I," Filly started awkwardly, "Don’t worry about me, I’m fine now."

Vishi wiped the rain from her hair, grinning, "So you won’t have insomnia again?"

Filly pressed her lips tightly together and shook her head quickly.

Ash wiped the rain from his hair with a towel and changed the subject directly, "Harvey, why are you and Igula over here?"

They’d reserved three large suites at this hotel: one for the guys, one for the girls, and one for Ash. Since they were all gathered in the girls’ suite now, Ash felt it was odd.

"Harvey, this idiot, left the room key in the room." Igula said irritably, "Now we’re waiting for room service to come open the door, but it seems there’s a tour group tonight. The hotel is short-staffed, so who knows when they’ll come."

"Forgot the room key?" Ash pondered, "Our rooms are adjacent, right? Can’t we just go over the balcony to open the door?"

Igula glanced outside, "It’s still raining out there, better wait—"

"I’ll go!"

Having been teased by Vishi to the point of no return, Filly immediately took on the task, flung off the towels, and briskly walked to the balcony.

As Ash walked over to help, he saw Filly leap directly from one balcony to the next. A few seconds later, the adjoining suite’s door opened, and Filly returned with the room key, "All done!"

Igula and Harvey thanked her, took the room key, and went back to their room to rest.

Filly turned and realized that Ash was watching her with suspicion.

"Miss Filly," he said slowly, "we’re on the 27th floor."

Filly tilted her head, not picking up on Ash’s insinuation.

"You got scared silly from the height during the roller coaster and bungee jumping, yet you can effortlessly hop between balconies on the 27th floor?" Ash stated blankly, "Your fear of heights is rather selective, isn’t it?"

Filly shuddered, then slumped softly to the floor, looking pitifully at Ash.

"Are you going to say your fear of heights has a delayed reaction?"

"No, my legs really are weak." Filly blinked, "You frightened me so much I can’t stand up."

"I scared you? How did I scare you?"

She pouted, "You spoke to me the way you speak to Vishi; I’m scared."

Vishi patted Ash on the shoulder, "See how poorly you treat me? Everybody knows."

Ash sighed, reached out to pull Filly up, and asked, "Were you unhappy at the theme park? Is that why you wore a mask to fit in?"

"No, not at all!" Filly hadn’t expected Ash to misunderstand, hurriedly explaining, "I was very happy today! It was my happiest day, even more than the last date! I just... thought it was more fun that way..."

"That’s good then." Ash smiled, "Because I was happy too."

"I’m so glad to have spent today with you."

Filly was taken aback, then slumped down again, looking limp.

Ash chuckled, "I didn’t scare you again, did I?"

"No, I just, I just..." Filly began to tear up, lightly biting her lip, "I can finally forgive you..."

"Huh?" Now it was Ash’s turn to be dumbfounded, "Where did I offend you?"

"The Ferris wheel." She sniffed harshly, "You said last time—"

Ding—dong—

The doorbell suddenly rang, and Ash breathed a sigh of relief, "Could it be Nia is back?"

Rose went to open the door, but a group of police in raincoats were standing there. The lead officer took out his badge and politely said, "Good evening, I’m Andewood, Deputy Commissioner of Longbridge City Police. Is Mr. Heath here?"

Ash exchanged glances with everyone, then approached and said, "I’m Ash Heath. You’re looking for me?"

"I’ve heard so much about you." Andewood extended his hand, "My kid is a big fan of yours."

"Thank you—"

As Ash shook his hand, a pair of cold handcuffs clasped onto his wrist.

Filly jumped up, Rose stepped back, pulling out her phone, Vishi stretched lazily, and the sound of a door opening came from the side.

"Ash Heath, you are officially under arrest for investigation on a charge of murder."