Chapter 1333 Venom <TOC> Chapter 1335 Solidification
Next page password is bold portion: wrL0Pi3Owr3?$
Translator: SumTLMan
It’s been over a month since they returned from the Abyss.
Though Popoca never voiced it, deep down, he was riddled with anxiety.
Popoca understood that venturing to another wizard organization, especially the reclusive Black Castle that rarely interacted with the outside world, wouldn’t be straightforward. It wasn’t as if he wanted to rush there. In truth, even for himself, some mental preparation was needed before such a journey.
For now, he was uncertain about how to address his past when meeting Sparrow Blossom.
Popoca raised this concern mainly in hopes that Angel could provide a rough timeline, giving him time to brace himself.
“It shouldn’t be too long,” Angel pondered for a moment, providing a somewhat vague timeframe.
In reality, much like Popoca, Angel too wished to visit the Black Castle sooner rather than later. Given Toby’s current predicament, Angel felt rather helpless and could only hope to find aid in Gloria.
Previously, Gloria had been summoned away from Phantom Island by an apprentice from Black Castle, hinting at the likelihood that she might currently reside there.
Now that Jon’s situation had stabilized, Angel had planned to visit Black Castle during this period.
However, considering Angel’s current status as an alchemist, he might not face rejection should he venture there alone. Yet, who knows if the old witch Isabella would once again go berserk as she did at Silent Hill?
Thus, the only option was to wait for Sanders to return from Steampunk Theme Park. Furthermore, Sanders had discussed plans about heading to Black Castle before departing from Pat Manor.
“Not too long?” Upon hearing this, even though Angel hadn’t specified an exact timeframe, it at least indicated to Popoca that he hadn’t been forgotten.
Popoca nodded subtly, choosing not to pry further and momentarily shelving the topic.
…
The Gondola soared above the vast ocean for nearly half a day, and now it hovered near the calm doldrums at the heart of the Whale Whisker Sea.
The area, known for its perennial lack of wind, seldom saw passing vessels, and even sea creatures were rarer than in other regions. It was precisely the secluded spot Angel sought.
Amidst the boundless expanse of the ocean, he found a remote and desolate islet. Here, Angel decided to attempt to construct his very first Spell Position.
However, before establishing the Spell Position, Angel needed to complete the final intricate runes of the Gateway Model.
His consciousness plunged deep into his mental space.
The Gateway Model, radiating an mysterious luminescence, stood tall amidst the primordial chaos.
By now, over 2,700 intricate runes of the Gateway Model were nearly formed. Only upon a closer inspection through the Universal Axis would one notice a few runes still missing.
The energy distribution across these runes wasn’t entirely uniform. Of the 1,300 runes Angel constructed himself, roughly one-twentieth embodied spatial properties.
Angel had initially anticipated challenges while constructing the spatial runes. However, in practice, they only took slightly longer than the regular runes. Nevertheless, the magic power consumed was manifold compared to the regular ones.
Therefore, each time after constructing a spatial rune, he would typically meditate anew, awaiting the restoration of his magic source before continuing with the next rune.
It was primarily due to these spatial runes that Angel’s progress had been so gradual. Only now, after much persistence, was it nearing completion.
The few remaining rune patterns held no essence of spatial attributes. After Angel’s own appraisal, his magic source was brimming. Establishing these runes required minuscule magic power, less than a thirtieth of his capacity. The remaining magic power should be ample to endure the drain of the Spell Position.
Pondering on this, Angel took a deep breath and began constructing the remaining runes.
Perhaps, having constructed them over these past months, Angel found himself adept at the task. So much so, he could afford to let his thoughts wander even as he worked——
For instance, what effects would this Gateway Model produce?
In truth, when Angel had first begun construction, he already had a general direction in mind.
It should function as a form of Spatial Displacement.
Regardless of whether its culmination allowed for short instantaneous travel or more extended shifts, any spatial displacement spell would prove invaluable for a wizard.
Short-distance displacement could be pivotal in combat and evasion, while long-distance was paramount for escape and rapid transit.
One must understand, even the exceedingly rare wizards specialized in spatial spells don’t acquire a corresponding spatial displacement spell until they reach the formal stage.
Therefore, for Angel, attaining a spatial displacement trick as his first Spell Position was an enormous leap forward!
However, Angel still harbored some reservations.
Was the sole function of the Gateway Model merely spatial displacement?
Such doubts arose because only half of the Gateway Model was constructed by him; the other half was forged from a “special energy.”
This mysterious energy, even now, remained elusive to Angel’s comprehension.
Because it hailed from the bizarre dimension intimately linked with the “Heavenly Eye”, this dimension consumed the energy from the planar fusion that initially fed the Heavenly Eye, subsequently drawing Angel into its depths.
In that mysterious dimension, Angel stripped away his emotional module and made many decisions with pure logic.
Among those decisions, he followed a certain energy core within this peculiar dimension and mastered a course in constructing the Gateway, leading to the creation of the Gateway Model.
Since it was described as a “course”, naturally, in the early stages of building, it required a “teacher” to demonstrate.
The “teacher” at that time constructed half of the Gateway Model using the unique energy.
Angel could have simply let this distinctive energy dissipate and, using his own magic, rebuild this model in his mental space. However, this particular energy was so intriguing. On the surface, it appeared mundane, yet, similar to a reef peeking above the sea — what’s visible is minimal, but what lies beneath is vast beyond imagination.
Angel even speculated that this special energy might be an exclusive power of the Heavenly Eye, transcending known perceptions.
Therefore, weighing the pros and cons, Angel decided to continue building on the half-constructed Gateway Model already infused with this unique energy.
Once the construction was complete, it would be permanently anchored in his Spell Position, preserving the Gateway Model infused with this special energy.
This choice of his could be described as incredibly audacious.
For he had no clue about the advantages or drawbacks of this unique energy. Could it possibly harm him in some way?
Yet, he proceeded, primarily because, in that strange world, Angel was devoid of his emotional module, operating in an absolute logical state. After analyzing under such circumstances, he believed that this special energy likely posed no harm to him.
Simultaneously, Angel earnestly considered returning Jon to Earth. Anything related to the “Heavenly Eye,” especially this distinct energy, he dared not overlook.
In fact, due to the Gateway Model he constructed, half of which was composed of this unique energy, Angel was uncertain whether the ultimate effect would simply be spatial displacement.
Could this peculiar energy produce other unexpected results? This remains an enigma.
Moreover, in constructing the Gateway Model, Angel employed his own magic power, infused with elements of illusion. Could this characteristic influence the eventual outcome?
These answers would only become apparent after the Gateway Model was set.
…
Time meandered on.
Popoca suddenly sensed an anomaly and looked up in puzzlement.
He first gazed into the distance, where the sun was now slanting, casting a rosy glow on the distant sea, creating shimmering patterns. Upon closer inspection, nothing seemed wrong.
He then glanced back at Angel, who was seated atop a cliff, still with closed eyes and motionless.
Popoca hesitated for a moment, wondering to himself, “Did I misperceive something? Also… didn’t Angel mention some experimental trick? Why hasn’t he made a move?”
Not wanting to disturb Angel, Popoca shook his head, picked up the Softworm Nest again, and continued to observe the changes in the Worm Mother.
…
At this moment, near the coast of the Old Land Continent, a figure emanating a soft blue luminescence stood by a serene, emerald-green lake.
The ethereal figure shimmered with a soft cerulean hue, appearing almost translucent upon close inspection, as if sculpted from liquid essence itself.
Yet, its facial features were strikingly distinct.
Had Angel been present, he would’ve immediately recognized the visage as identical to that of “Son of the Ocean”, Jiebo.
The only discernible difference was the absence of a scale at the figure’s brow.
Indeed, this phantom was intrinsically connected to Jiebo — it was the embodiment of water he dispatched.
Jiebo had previously deployed multiple water avatars across various marine terrains; this particular one had been lurking in the depths of the Whale Whisker Sea.
“To traverse the subterranean waterways of this lake would lead straight to where Gold lies,” Jiebo murmured to himself.
In his quest to find Angel, he’d have to first seek “Silver Star,” potentially privy to Angel’s whereabouts.
As Jiebo contemplated this, a sudden furrow creased his brow. He spun around, gaze piercing towards the distant Whale Whisker Sea.
The horizon, where sea met sky, blushed with the shy orange-red hue of dusk.
“Such an odd sensation,” Jiebo frowned, even though everything appeared normal, what could be causing this unsettling feeling?
“It’s a pity it’s just an avatar; it lacks the depth to discern these nuances,” Jiebo sighed. “It would be different if it were my true self here.”
As time flowed, the uncanny feeling within Jiebo intensified.
He cast a glance down at the lake beneath his feet, then shifted his gaze to the expansive ocean beyond.
“Shall we assess the situation?”
After weighing the pros and cons, Jiebo finally turned away from the lake, directing his steps towards the vast expanse of the ocean.
Knowing Angel’s location in the Old Land Continent meant he could visit any time. Yet, that unsettling sensation that had set his heart aflutter was truly a rarity.
Still, Jiebo resolved to investigate further.
It wasn’t just Jiebo; at this moment, in the farmlands outside Conia, Silver Star furrowed his brow in bewilderment, glancing around. Finding no anomalies, he chose not to dwell on it.
Meanwhile, in the underground lab, within a sealed quiet room, Gold opened his eyes.
While Gold did sense something wrong, he didn’t give it much thought. Or perhaps, he didn’t dare to at this critical juncture, refusing to let his guard down.
Gold closed his eyes once more, sinking deep into contemplation.