A Writer's Transmigration into the world of fantasy

He paused, considering. "How about you go somewhere else instead?"

Vanessa lifted her head again.

"Where?"

"The Blossom Tower."

Vanessa became silent.

Her expression turned thoughtful—almost distant—as though weighing memories against duty. The corridor light caught the faint tension in her jaw.

After several long seconds, she gave a single, slow nod.

"Understood, milord."

Kaelan placed a brief, steadying hand on her head. "Good. Prepare to leave at first light tomorrow. I will arrange the escort and the message for Isolde."

He turned and walked away down the corridor, footsteps measured and unhurried.

Vanessa remained where she was for a moment longer, staring at the closed door of Luna's room.

Then she straightened her shoulders, exhaled once, and followed him.

Twelve more hours slipped away.

Outside the villa windows, the sky had turned the deep orange of sunset, long shadows stretching across the courtyard stones. Inside Qin Wei's room, the light had softened to a warm amber that caught on the spinning sword still hovering a foot above his head.

The white layer of energy surrounding him was no longer faint or translucent. It had thickened into a dense, luminous cocoon—pulsing steadily, almost solid-looking, like frost forming over glass. The air inside the room felt charged, heavy with drawn-in natural energy that spiraled inward in faint, visible wisps toward the orbiting blade.

Thea sat directly in front of him, knees drawn up, hands raised in steady control. Sweat beaded on her forehead and ran in slow trails down her temples. Her breathing came in short, controlled bursts; strands of hair clung damply to her cheeks. Her arms trembled faintly from the sustained effort, but her mana never wavered—the sword continued its perfect, relentless spin.

Across from her, Qin Wei remained motionless—eyes closed, posture unchanged, lost somewhere far deeper than the room itself.

A holographic screen floated in his private vision, numbers ticking upward in quiet increments.

[Nature Synchronization: 99%]

The final percentage hung there for several long heartbeats.

Then—

[Nature Synchronization: 100%]

A soft chime rang inside his skull, sharp and insistent.

[Ding! Nature Synchronization reached 100%.]

[Ding! Congratulations. You have unlocked the Sage Path.]

[Ding! Sage Path has been added to your character.]

[Ding! Sage core not detected.]

[Ding! Sage skills are currently locked.]

[Ding! Would you like to form a Sage core in exchange for 1,000,000 credits? Note: Until the host clears the debt, the Sage core's abilities will remain limited and will not fuse with either Heaven's Eye or the Eyes of Truth. Do you wish to proceed?]

The sudden cascade of notifications shattered the blank stillness in his mind.

Qin Wei stirred.

A soft gasp escaped his lips. His eyes snapped open.

The thick white cocoon around him rippled once—then dissolved in a slow, shimmering wave, retreating back into the air like mist burned away by dawn. The room felt abruptly lighter, quieter.

Thea blinked, startled out of her focus.

The sword above his head wobbled for half a second before she steadied it again.

"You're awake at last, husband," she said, voice rough with exhaustion. A weary smile tugged at her mouth.

Qin Wei stared at her—first at the holographic screen still hovering in his vision, then at Thea herself.

She looked drained. Sweat darkened the collar of her robe; her shoulders rose and fell with heavy breaths; faint tremors ran through her fingers from hours of unbroken mana control.

He blinked again, confusion sharpening into concern.

"What's going on?" he asked, voice hoarse from long silence. "What happened to you?"

Thea exhaled shakily. With a small gesture, she released her hold on the sword.

The blade stopped spinning instantly. It floated down into her waiting palm, glow fading until it was just ordinary steel again. She set it carefully on the floor beside her, then leaned forward, bracing both hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

"Father stopped by earlier," she explained between breaths of what happened. "When he saw you in this state, he said you were entering the path of a Sage. He gave me this sword…" She nodded toward the weapon. "…and told me to keep it spinning above you. Said it would help draw in more natural energy, speed the process along."

Qin Wei's gaze flicked to the sword, then back to her face.

"You've been sitting here… how long?"

Thea gave a tired half-laugh.

"Long enough that the sun has nearly set again." She wiped her brow with the back of her wrist. "I didn't want to stop. Not until you came back."

Qin Wei reached out instinctively, cupping the side of her face. His thumb brushed away a streak of sweat near her temple.

"You didn't have to do that alone," he said quietly.

Thea leaned into the touch, eyes closing for a brief moment.

"I wanted to," she murmured. "You were so still… so far away. I thought—if I could just help a little…"

She opened her eyes again, meeting his gaze.

"I'm glad you're back."

Qin Wei's chest tightened. He pulled her gently forward until her forehead rested against his shoulder. One arm wrapped around her back, steadying her as her breathing slowly evened out.

The holographic screen still waited patiently in his peripheral vision, the final prompt glowing softly.

[Do you wish to proceed?]

Qin Wei blinked, gaze shifting from Thea's weary face to the holographic screen still hovering in his private vision.

[Would you like to form a Sage core in exchange for 1,000,000 credits? Note: Until the host clears the debt, the Sage core's abilities will remain limited…]

Sage core.

The words landed like stones in still water. Surprise rippled through him inwardly, but he pushed the notification aside for later—right now Thea needed him more than any system prompt.

He looked back at her, really looked: the damp strands of hair clinging to her forehead, the faint tremble in her shoulders, the way her eyes still shone with quiet determination despite the exhaustion carved into every line of her body.

He reached out, taking both her hands in his. His thumbs brushed gently over her knuckles.

"Thank you, dear," he said softly, voice warm and steady.

He lifted one hand to her face, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear with careful fingers.

"Look at you… so tired and weak." His tone carried no judgment—only concern, gentle and unmistakable. "Come. I'll take you to the room. You need rest."

Thea's eyes widened slightly.

For a heartbeat, she simply stared at him—searching his expression, as though testing the sincerity behind the words. What she found made something soft and unguarded flicker across her features: genuine love, unguarded worry, the kind of care that didn't need to be dramatic to be real.

A small, tired smile curved her lips.

But before she could speak, Qin Wei's expression shifted. His head snapped toward the empty bed beside them.

"Where is Luna?" he asked sharply. "Did she wake up and go somewhere?"

Thea's smile faltered, then faded entirely.

She hesitated only a second.

"Her father—Lord Kaelan—took her to the Griffin Manor," she said quietly.

Qin Wei's brows drew together.

"Why?"

"I don't know the specifics," Thea admitted. "But it seemed there was a problem with Luna's mana core. He took her there to treat her."

Qin Wei exhaled through his nose, tension coiling visibly in his shoulders.

"Alright," he said with a single, decisive nod. "I'll go check on her after I escort you to your room."

He moved to help her stand, sliding one arm around her waist.

The moment Thea tried to rise, her legs buckled.

Qin Wei caught her instantly—arms wrapping around her middle, steadying her against his chest.

"Careful," he murmured, worry sharpening his voice.

Thea leaned into him, breathing shallow.

"I… just used too much mana," she explained weakly. "And mental strength. Keeping the sword spinning for so long…"

Without another word, Qin Wei bent and lifted her fully into his arms—bridal style, one arm under her knees, the other cradling her back.

Thea let out a small, startled sound.

"Icarus—"

He was already moving toward the door.

She looped her arms loosely around his neck for balance, cheeks flushing despite her exhaustion.

He carried her out of Luna's room and into the corridor. The villa was quiet at this hour; only a few distant servants moved in the shadows, their footsteps soft and unobtrusive.

Just as he turned toward the main residence path, Thea's hand pressed lightly against his chest.

"No," she said.

Qin Wei paused.

"This is Luna's room," she continued, voice quiet but firm. "It's not appropriate for me to rest here. Can you… take me to the main residence instead?"

Qin Wei blinked.

"Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean—you don't want to be seen weak in front of others, right? Not to mention… this kind of public display of affection. If rumors reach the main residence…"

Thea's lips curved into a small, tired pout.