The artistic girl was hopping and jumping around, overjoyed beyond belief at being resurrected from death.
Wayne watched as Odelia forcibly cheered herself up, attempting to dispel her sorrow. She shed her Death Knight state and extended her arms to embrace her in his arms.
Odelia’s arms went stiff, the smile on her face gradually fading away as she let out a light hum, burying her head in Wayne’s chest and softly sobbing.
Her crying grew louder and louder until she was wailing inconsolably, tears smeared all over her face, destroying the image of the literary girl.
Wayne’s heart ached for her, gently patting Odelia’s back, "Cry, just cry, it will be better once it’s out."
He comforted Odelia while his gaze shifted to the pages of The Book of Greed, flashbacks flickering before his eyes.
The young Odelia met the Holy Maiden Flora, and with admiration and longing, became her student, embarking on the path of a mage.
Flora’s situation in The Church was not good, her power limited, just a pawn of the Pope, secretly cultivating Odelia, infusing her with Phoenix bloodline, watching her closely, prohibiting her from appearing in public events.
Gradually, Odelia developed the habit of reading books, without any friends, resorting to reading as a way to pass the time.
Soon, Wayne appeared in the flashbacks, the caged bird envied his free-spirited lifestyle, making a lasting impression on her.
This man is a lecher!
He has many girlfriends!
He wants to chase after me?
Like Saina’s high-pressure strictness towards Hefei, Flora received the same outcome. Odelia entered a rebellious phase, knowing she shouldn’t but still went on a movie date with Wayne.
Odelia participated in the selection for the Holy Maiden, lost to Wayne, ashamed of Flora’s years of nurturing, she shed her burdens, excited about the upcoming freedom in her life.
The last flashback, in the Misty Hidden Forest, Odelia had her bloodline taken away by Flora, her life force withering and the world before her eyes plunged into darkness.
She resented her teacher, resented The Church, resented her own weakness, and also resented the unfairness of fate.
She lived for her teacher’s dream for twenty years, longed for it dearly, and just when she could finally live for herself, her life’s symbol came to an abrupt halt.
Wayne glanced at The Book of Greed. Odelia had brought him two skills, Super Memory and Fire Elemental Affinity.
Two dispensable skills; Wayne’s memory was already good, almost photographic, quick to learn anything.
Fire Elemental Affinity...
Let’s talk about Super Memory instead, at least this skill is somewhat noteworthy.
Wayne squinted his eyes, glancing at Regina’s body on the ground. If his guess was correct, both were killed by Flora.
No, it should be the Pope behind Flora.
You old thing, you’re doomed!
Thirteen Resentful Spirit contracts were delivered, the spirits were eager and enthusiastic, unwilling to give up the chance for rebirth, each dressing up to appear more attractive in hopes of being more sellable.
Wayne didn’t look, preoccupied with comforting Odelia, who perfectly illustrated that a woman’s made of water, crying for half an hour, the tears never stopping.
Once her grievances were vented, she stood quietly to the side, looking at Regina, who suffered the same fate, then turned to Wayne.
Now that I’m here, let’s save her, too!
Wayne nodded, about to sign Regina’s contract, he lifted his hand and touched Odelia’s face.
"No offence, I’m just checking your body, to see how to treat Regina."
Wayne extended his hands, inspecting Odelia’s half-dead body, which, unlike Ah Bin and Ah Bo, was fresh and malleable, seemingly no different from a living person’s, not quite like a Magical Being.
Odelia’s body could be revived through the Naturalist Knight’s power, so could Regina’s. Struck by a sudden idea, Wayne decided to try to transform Ah Bin and Ah Bo once he was back, so they could walk in the sunlight.
Because Odelia’s body was revived before she signed the contract, whereas Ah Bin and Ah Bo had already signed theirs, with their forms fixed, Wayne was not sure if he could succeed. He hastily formulated a plan.
Repeating his old trick, the Naturalist Knight revived Regina’s body and the Death Knight transformed her Resentful Spirit into a soul. After several unsuccessful attempts at a true resurrection, he left his own name on the contract.
Regina, propping herself up with her arms, sat up stunned, looking at Wayne and the three Chosen Knight Swords stuffed in the ground behind him.
Each sword corresponded to a God-chosen Knight, each representing a Goddess’s approval, so...
What exactly was going on here?
"Sorry, I seem to be late."
Wayne apologized and stepped out of the Knight Vest. Opening his arms, he said, "How about it, would you like to embrace your new life?"
Regina gave an embarrassed laugh, but all things considered, she decided to pass.
Some other time, definitely next time!
Regina’s flashbacks were much happier than Odelia’s; she came from a wealthy family with a twin sister, and had never wanted for anything. She worked hard, aiming to become the Holy Maiden.
The halo of a genius made Regina very proud, but a good education kept her from arrogance. She was proud, but knew to respect her opponents, a trait she demonstrated in the previous battle.
Regina resented The Church, worried that her sister might face the same ordeal, and also resented that her journey of magic had come to an end. Although she was dead, she refused to accept defeat. Given a second chance at life, she would prove with her talent that the leaders were all blind.
She was not discardable; she ought to have been superior to the Holy Maiden.
Next, as the Death Knight, Wayne gathered the remaining twelve Resentful Spirits and tried to find their bodies, offering them a chance for resurrection.