"Why use a newly made mirror?" Dox asked curiously.
"A newly made mirror won’t connect to the Mirror Domain within a short period. And as far as I know, some among you have means to enter the mirror and retrieve items from within." Erba scanned the crowd, judging through details, and finally settled his gaze on Angel: Is it still you?
Erba’s mood was slightly complex... Just as Angel initially sensed, the members of the Cyclops Family, even the composed Genggui, carry a certain sense of superiority in demeanor, as if considering themselves a cut above others.
Erba, like Genggui, seldom interacts with humans, leading to certain prejudices about them. It doesn’t harbor much hatred toward humans, but it doesn’t particularly respect them either.
However, Angel’s appearance suddenly made Erba realize that even among the younger generation of humans, there are those with the brilliance of sunlight. Erba must admit that some of Angel’s qualities and abilities reach a level difficult for it to achieve.
And he is so young.
Erba’s thoughts wandered for just a blink. Quickly, it collected itself and continued:
"In short, as long as Gray Merchant’s memory is placed in a newly made mirror, he can extract it at any time. Otherwise, leaving it outside would only let it scatter with the wind."
Simply put, a newly manufactured mirror hasn’t immediately connected to the Mirror Domain; during this period, the space within the mirror exists independently of the Mirror Domain.
It’s a relatively safe mirror space, free from intrusion by mirror creatures or the danger of rules collapsing; the only drawback is its fragility, unable to bear any physical substance.
However, Gray Merchant’s memory isn’t material, so placing it in this independent mirror space is free from danger. Angel can also retrieve it at any time, effectively giving Gray Merchant’s memory a safe "home."
And crafting a new mirror isn’t difficult; it doesn’t even require special refinement. Simply taking a reflective crystal, cutting one side, and polishing with silver powder will yield a "mirror."
Next, Genggui entered the Mirror Domain within the fragments, while Angel took out a spherical crystal, cut one side, then polished it with silver powder for a moment, thus crafting a new "mirror."
Once the mirror was made, Angel only needed to wait for Genggui to bring out Gray Merchant’s memory.
During the wait, Angel looked towards Erba in the distance.
"Don’t you really need me to help you choose a name?"
Cyclops Erba sneered coldly, "I admire you, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to interfere with my name."
Angel shrugged: He wasn’t interfering, merely giving them a way out... If asked later why they changed the name, they could conveniently blame it on him.
But, since the other did not appreciate it, so be it.
Soon, Genggui locked onto Gray Merchant’s memory, and after sending a signal, Angel extended his hand into the broken mirror piece.
Previously, Angel had reached into this fragment but felt nothing. But this time, he clearly sensed his palm holding something.
Weightless, with no tactile sensation, like air, yet Angel unmistakably confirmed its existence.
Moreover, as its presence gradually intensified, some images seemed to float before Angel’s eyes.
All the protagonists in the images were Gray Merchant: standing silently before a freshly burnt ruin; collapsing on the ground, cradle a masked female corpse; sitting under a powdery tree, drinking heavily by a tombstone...
These images flashed by, but Angel could feel Gray Merchant’s emotions shifting from fervent passion to gradual indifference with each instance of loss.
Simultaneously, although his strength showed little change, he grew increasingly close to that path of True Knowledge longed for by all wizards.
Angel now somewhat understood why Gray Merchant longed to reclaim his memory, for these memories also symbolized walking alongside True Knowledge.
However, reclaiming his memory might mean Gray Merchant would no longer seem so gentle and refined...
In just a few seconds, Angel successfully transferred Gray Merchant’s memory into the newly made mirror.
Picking up the mirror, Angel could clearly see the contours previously within the fragments had now shifted to the new mirror’s surface.
Gray Merchant’s shadow stood quietly, as helpless and sorrowful as each time he "lost".
"Other people’s memories are just their memories. Don’t try to develop any emotion toward the people within, as it will only cloud your judgment." Suddenly, Genggui’s voice came from beside his ear.
Angel looked up to find Genggui, who had already left the Mirror Domain, returned to reality, now hovering before him.
"These were the words of the Wise Sovereign. I think they might be useful for you too." Genggui commented earnestly.
Angel chuckled, "Thank you, it is indeed helpful."
Though Angel had not been influenced by Gray Merchant’s memories, Genggui’s reminder wasn’t entirely useless. Dwelling on someone else’s memories and being swayed by their emotions is the cheapest empathy. Such empathy, besides self-sentiment, serves no other purpose.
Previously, Angel pondered not because Gray Merchant’s memory was moving, but due to contemplating a question:
The path Gray Merchant walks—is it a path of emotionlessness or of loss?
It appears as if emotionless, but actually just suffering repeated losses. Which of these truly brings him closer to True Knowledge?
If it’s "loss," then reclaiming this memory—is it beneficial or detrimental to him?
Precisely because Angel finds himself at this threshold too, he fell into such contemplation over these memories.
The path to True Knowledge is akin to the Abyssal Demon’s Awakening, a form of transformation. Though in terms of power boost it’s not as terrifying as the demon’s awakening, its foundation establishes the future path. Once the wrong path is taken or found unsuitable, returning is exceedingly challenging.
"I’ll leave Gray Merchant’s memory to you, Erba and I will head off...hope you won’t break the covenant." Genggui floated beside Erba, slowly sinking underground together.
"Wait a moment," Angel stopped them.
Genggui looked at Angel with confusion.
Angel: "I have one more question. Do you know which Temporal Body your mother will send this time?"
This question is rather important; if only one Temporal Body comes, it would be easier to handle. However, if multiple come, they might need to be more cautious.
Genggui glanced at Cyclops Erba, seeing no reaction from the latter, then said: "No idea. But it likely won’t be the Childlike Heart."
In other words, it would be either the Heart of a Young Girl or the Heart of a Mother, or both together.
Angel nodded, "Understood."