Chapter 1329 Special Issue <TOC> Chapter 1331 Build Up and Burst Forth
Translator: SumTLMan
Sky Mechanical City remained as bustling as ever.
Amid the dense commercial district with the highest footfall, a mellifluous melody suddenly reverberated through the crowd’s core. The tune, slow-paced and graceful, compelled one to slow down and listen intently.
The once noisy streets seemed to hush, drawn into the serenity by the enchanting tune.
Captivated by its beauty, people couldn’t help but trace its origin.
In the heart of the crowd, at the edge of a three-tiered elegant fountain, stood a young man with slightly long, curly hair. Eyes closed, he was deeply engrossed, playing a saxophone.
His demeanor conveyed a sense of casual elegance and an unbridled spirit.
The combination of his graceful music and carefree aura piqued one’s curiosity, making them wonder about the tale of this wandering minstrel.
As the song concluded, the crowd yearned for more, urging him to play another. However, the young man’s next move left them somewhat bemused.
With an air of nonchalance, he pulled out a bowl from his bag, flashed a grin, and extended it toward a bystander, unmistakably hinting.
——A request for money.
The approached individual grimaced, cursed under his breath, but, under the collective gaze of the onlookers, felt compelled to part with something. Slightly disgruntled, he took out a small, finely cut magic crystal and handed it to the audacious artist.
Yet, the young man, unsatisfied, continued to solicit from others in the vicinity, holding out his bowl.
This audacity irritated many, who glared in disapproval. Unfazed by the collective annoyance, he grinned, explaining, “I’m participating in the Novastar Competition and am a bit strapped for money. I have to rely on the kindness of you all.”
Upon hearing that the young man intended to compete in the Novastar Competition, the crowd’s expressions softened somewhat. After all, those who dare to step into such a challenge typically aren’t lacking in power.
Building some connections with a Novastar contender is always considered a decent move.
With this thought in mind, passersby, faced with the youth’s pleas, generously parted with some crystals. Though each individual’s contribution might appear meager, in the grand scheme of things, the total wasn’t inconsequential.
At this moment, high above within the drifting clouds, two figures in law enforcement attire silently observed the scene below.
One, a novice with lesser strength, frowned, voicing his sentiments with a tone teetering between indignation and envy: “Captain, should we intervene? It’s rather audacious! Making money without any investment and yet so many people donate!”
Captains overseeing the commercial district, typically being formal wizards in strength, the lead officer glanced at his disgruntled colleague, responding, “It’s fine. He knows his boundaries.”
“Boundaries? What do you mean?” the enforcer queried, clearly puzzled.
“He only comes once every three days and plays just a single tune before leaving. He doesn’t cause any significant disturbance, nor does he block traffic, so we have no grounds to hinder his activities,” the captain elucidated.
Upon hearing this, the enforcer’s frustration only intensified. From the captain’s tone, it was clear this young man had been at it for quite some time. Seeing such considerable earnings just by performing was a hard pill to swallow!
However, since the captain seemed lenient, he, being a mere enforcer, had no choice but to bottle up his sentiments.
“Having to rely on street performances to make ends meet, I doubt he’ll achieve any noteworthy ranking in the Novastar Competition,” the enforcer couldn’t help but mutter.
The captain chuckled upon hearing this, “You took his word about competing? Did you really believe him?”
“Huh?”
The law enforcement captain shook his head, “This individual is no ordinary man; he’s a spirit. The true competitor is the person lurking behind him.”
The rebellious young man being discussed by the enforcers, true to their words, finished his performance, collected some money from the crowd, and vanished with his ornate saxophone amidst the throng.
Taking two steps in place of three, the youth quickly found himself at the entrance to a narrow alleyway within the business district.
Although this alleyway was located in the bustling city center, the entrance was cluttered with unidentifiable experimental waste, emitting an overpowering foul stench, discouraging most from venturing inside.
However, the young man seemed undeterred by the smell and stepped into the alley. In no time, he spotted a boyish figure leaning against a weathered wall. Illuminated by the dim light of a gas lamp hanging on the wall, the boy was deeply engrossed in a book, utterly captivated by its content.
“My dear master, have you grown weary of Black Canon?” the young man feigned hurt.
The reading boy looked up, a hint of confusion on his face.
“Your once favorite Black Canon has been back for two minutes now, yet you haven’t looked at me but are absorbed in that tattered book instead,” the young man, holding his saxophone, pointed at the boy’s book, “So, have you fallen out of love with Black Canon?”
After declaring himself the “Black Canon”, the young man’s figure abruptly shifted, transforming into a voluptuous and enchanting woman, holding a smoking gun, “Or perhaps, master, you prefer this form?”
The boy replied in an annoyed tone, “Enough with your antics, Black Canon, revert back now!”
Though Black Canon wanted to jest a bit more with his young master, he was well aware of his boundaries. If he continued, he knew the boy would lose his cool.
With a swift motion, Black Canon transformed again, this time into a refined middle-aged man dressed in a black windbreaker embroidered with golden patterns.
“Master, these are today’s earnings. Although they are all fragmented magic crystals, collectively, they should amount to over ten intact ones.” Black Canon retrieved a bag of magic crystals from his pocket.
A gleam of surprise flashed across the young boy’s eyes. “Indeed, the citizens of Sky Mechanical City are quite affluent. To think that even begging could yield ten magic crystals! This is more than I made in a month at my previous job.”
Accepting the magic crystals, the boy took out three of them and handed them to Black Canon, saying, “Get me another copy of —City Firefly’s Night Whisper— from the bookstore. You may keep the remaining money for yourself.”
With a puzzled look, Black Canon glanced at the book in the boy’s hand, “Didn’t you buy this in the morning? Why another?”
The boy unveiled the magazine’s cover, pointing to a character embellished by the artist, saying, “Do you see? That’s Angel, my best friend! This is the first time he’s featured on the cover of —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—. Naturally, I’d buy an extra copy to cherish.”
Black Canon was familiar with Angel. Before becoming a spirit, he had met him. It could be said that Angel and Nausica held equivalent importance in the master’s heart.
Staring at the figure on the magazine cover, this was the first time Black Canon had seen Angel since his transformation into a spirit.
Handsome, youthful, and emanating a fierce adolescent ambition.
“Why is Angel on the cover of —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—?” Black Canon inquired curiously.
“Because he accomplished something great,” the boy stated, with a hint of pride as if he were talking about himself, “I never expected Angel to have such an intricate and challenging journey. I’m dying to meet him and ask about those times. What was the Ice Valley Lord like? Where did the Source Fire go? And also…”
He went on and on, words flowing endlessly.
“I wonder if he’ll attend the Novastar Competition? Probably not. His abilities now are likely beyond the need for it… Alas, seems I can only meet him after the competition, back in the Savage Grottoes.”
After he finished speaking, a thought struck him: “Oh, yes! Hurry and get me a copy of —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—. If it gets any later and they’re sold out, that’d be a real tragedy.”
Black Canon reluctantly nodded, venturing out of the alley.
At that moment, the light from the alley illuminated the young boy’s face, revealing his joy. Amidst the play of shadows and light, one could discern that this was none other than Shalem, who had come to Sky Mechanical City to participate in the Novastar Competition.
…
On the northern edge of the Gloriosa Kingdom lies a city named Paradova.
The city is divided into the New and the Old sections. The architecture of the New City is consistent with the modern style of the Gloriosa Kingdom, characterized by ubiquitous concrete and steel, as well as steam machinery. The sky above is hazy, polluted with industrial emissions.
On the other hand, the Old City is essentially a derelict district, separated from the New City by a river.
The architectural style of the Old City echoes the historical aesthetics of the Gloriosa Kingdom, marked by religiously inspired Byzantine structures. While similar structures can be found in the New City, they’re juxtaposed against a backdrop of steam machinery, rendering them devoid of that authentic spiritual essence.
The Old City is largely abandoned, with only a smattering of vagrants and impoverished souls eking out an existence there.
The grand domed structures, now devoid of maintenance, lie in ruins. The scene evokes a sense of a religious city laid to waste, reminiscent of post-apocalyptic desolation.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the stars and the moon began to emerge. The faint twilight gradually pushed away the remnants of the sunset, casting a gentle nocturnal hue upon the earth.
Within the Old City, atop a once-hallowed cathedral, a young witch apprentice sat in meditation.
She was a witch dressed in a vintage blue-black witches robe. The only bright spots in her appearance were her striking red dancing shoes and a vibrantly colored, oversized red bow.
Surrounding her hovered a broom with a unique shape. The handle sported a curious curve, and from this bend dangled a lantern with a black frame and transparent glass panels on all four sides.
The lantern’s glow facilitated her reading of the incoming letter with ease.
This correspondence was from her mentor. Its salutation, “Dear Cherie,” made her shiver involuntarily with its sappy tone.
She quickly read through the letter, with 99% of its content waxing lyrically about missing her. Yet the remaining 1% wasn’t about any core issue but merely stated: “Along with this letter, there should be a magazine. Take a look, it’s bound to surprise you.”
Cherie might have muttered some words of annoyance about Canter not being serious, but she carefully folded the letter and tucked it solemnly into her waist pouch.
Only after this did Cherie softly inquire, “Luna, was there a magazine that came with the letter?”
A faint “meow” echoed, and out from the shadowy ruins dashed a petite black cat. It might have been small in size, but its agility was unparalleled. Using various landings, it swiftly leaped to Cherie’s side.
Upon landing, the little black feline rubbed against Cherie’s feet. Only then did it extract from its neck bell a magazine twice the size of its face.
“—City Firefly’s Night Whisper—? Why would the master want me to read this gossip-filled… wait, isn’t that him?” Cherie’s gaze was tinged with suspicion as she looked at the cover.
The figure on the magazine cover bore an uncanny resemblance to Angel.
Though initially reluctant to peruse a tabloid-esque publication like —City Firefly’s Night Whisper—, her curiosity got the better of her, and she flipped through its pages.
Chapter 1329 Special Issue <TOC> Chapter 1331 Build Up and Burst Forth