Chapter 1362 A Street Performance <TOC> Chapter 1364 Timeless Debate
Translator: SumTLMan
With a discreet glance, Angel sized up the individual addressing him. Was he being taken for a fool?
Observing the genuine invitation, Angel turned away, not acknowledging the offer, and shifted his gaze to the young man, anticipating his response.
At this moment, the young man appeared visibly torn. He surreptitiously looked up at the sky. Amidst the sparse clouds, two figures seemed poised to descend. Judging from their uniforms, they were likely law enforcers responsible for the security of Monsignor Magic Material Street.
Usually, the young man would walk a fine line with the law enforcement, escaping trouble merely because he never went too far. Today, having pushed his luck twice, he had clearly crossed the line. If he continued his act, escaping the approaching law enforcement would become an impossibility.
With these thoughts, the young man gazed at Angel with a touch of regret. “Although I’d love to continue performing for an appreciative listener like you, there are more pressing matters at hand today. If you truly wish to hear my music, why not return the day after tomorrow?”
Though eloquently put, to those around it carried a different message: “Though I’d love to continue relieving you of your magic crystals, the law enforcement is on its way, forcing me to flee. Let’s set a time and place so I can continue to swindle you next time.”
“How shameless!” An onlooker muttered, shaking their head in disdain.
Angel didn’t have the luxury to wait another three days. Given that he might leave in the next day or two, he certainly wouldn’t agree.
He initially wanted to say more, but before he could, Nausica stepped forward, approaching Angel’s side, and whispered, “Don’t waste any more magic crystals on him. I know this fellow. Whatever music you want to hear, I’ll have him play it later.”
The young man’s eyes slightly narrowed as he beheld Nausica. This unsuspecting victim actually knew Nausica?
As confusion clouded the young man’s face, he also noticed the grim expression on Shalem’s visage from a distance.
“Why is Shalem here too? Judging by the look in his eyes… Could it be that Shalem recognizes him? But I’ve never been separated from Shalem and have never seen him before.”
At this moment, the law enforcers from the skies descended.
The young man, casting aside his inner confusion, swiftly weaved through the crowd, grabbing Shalem and heading for a deeper hiding spot.
When Angel looked back, the youth had already vanished into thin air. However, Angel noted something intriguing: the teenager beside the young man seemed vaguely familiar.
…
After a while, in a dimly lit dining booth, Angel silently observed Shalem sitting across from him, alongside an enchantingly charming woman.
If Angel hadn’t witnessed her transformation with his own eyes, he would’ve found it hard to believe that this woman, wrapping her arms around Shalem and acting coquettishly, was the same young individual who had played the saxophone by the fountain!
“Black Code, release your grip,” Shalem commanded as he shook off Black Code’s hand, a hint of blush possibly crossing his face. “Change back and return Angel’s magic crystals. Now.”
Black Code, with a wronged expression, responded to Shalem, “I can change back, but I earned those magic crystals with so much effort…”
Before she could finish, Shalem interjected, “You mean, swindled.”
Seeing that her tricks weren’t working on Shalem, Black Code turned her hopeful eyes to Angel, silently pleading for him not to demand the magic crystals back.
Angel glanced towards Nausica, whose expression seemed to convey, “See, that’s how it is.”
Angel now understood why mentioning Shalem seemed to strike a peculiar chord in both Nausica and Coral. It wasn’t Shalem himself, but rather the eerie taste of the tome known as Black Canon.
Black Canon’s temperament wasn’t entirely off-putting. However, knowing that this spirit emerged from Shalem’s beloved hardbound book evokes an uncanny sensation.
Among all spirit beings, book spirits are usually the most steadfast.
Yet this Black Canon, words truly fail to describe.
Observing Black Canon’s prolonged inaction, Shalem decided to ignore it. With an apologetic expression, he said to Angel, “I’m sorry Black Canon has been a bother. If you’d like some music, Angel, I can have it play for you.”
As he spoke, Shalem pulled out sixty magic crystals from his wallet and presented them to Angel.
“There’s no need for the magic crystals,” Angel responded, shaking his head. “If I gave them away, there was certainly a reason.”
A reason?
Indeed, everyone was intrigued by Angel’s generous gesture to have Black Canon perform.
Angel briefly touched on Toby’s situation, glossing over the Tribulation of the Five Flavors and merely stating that Toby had been affected by an unknown curse, rendering him unconscious. “As you know, Toby has a penchant for music. He has been in this state for several months now. I noticed a reaction from him to Black Canon’s melody, which is why I requested another encore.”
To Angel, Toby’s well-being was infinitely more valuable than a mere handful of magic crystals.
After hearing Angel’s explanation, before Shalem could respond, Black Canon interjected, casting a glance at Shalem as if to say, “See, this is the fruit of my labor.”
Just as Shalem was about to speak, Black Canon transformed — shifting from the previously flirtatious woman to a refined middle-aged man.
Black Canon rose gracefully and offered a respectful nod to Angel, “For Toby’s sake, I’ll play my piece now. I hope it brings him some relief.”
As he spoke, Black Canon swiftly moved the magic crystals from Shalem, which lay on the table, into his pocket.
Before Shalem could react in anger, Black Canon unveiled his saxophone, positioning himself to the side and began to play with deep concentration.
One melody followed another, varying in style, captivating everyone within the serenade’s embrace.
After an indeterminable time, Black Canon’s performance ceased.
Angel shook his head, “Toby remains unchanged. It seems I might have been mistaken earlier.”
Seeing the disappointment in Angel’s eyes, the others wanted to console him, yet struggled to find the right words.
“I’m alright,” Angel began, “I’ll be departing soon, mainly because of matters concerning Toby.” He paused, looking at Shalem, redirecting the conversation, “Speaking of which, I’m quite intrigued by your recent experiences, Shalem. You’ve transformed remarkably.”
The transformation Angel referred to wasn’t solely because of Black Canon; Shalem himself had undergone significant change.
When Shalem initially left the Savage Grottoes, he was but a novice apprentice. Yet, within a mere few years, he had surpassed significant milestones, now reaching the pinnacle of a second level apprentice.
Such proficiency placed him amongst the elite in his age group.
Shalem had intended to discuss the matter of the magic crystals, but seeing Angel’s earlier stance, he chose not to broach the topic, instead responding, “Over these years, I’ve been cultivating in the Fertile Kingdom…”
With eloquence, Shalem recounted his experiences.
Much like Nausica, Shalem spoke of broad strokes of his journey, highlighting his triumphant moments. He glossed over perilous events, keeping them veiled.
When speaking of the Deep Blue Bloodline that he had integrated into himself, Shalem hinted at some serendipitous secrets.
Merging with the Deep Blue Bloodline isn’t as straightforward as one might think; it demands a set of rigorous innate conditions. Shalem was in the dark regarding these prerequisites, only gaining clarity at the very moment of integration.
While Shalem failed to meet the majority of these requirements, Lady Luck smiled upon him. The most fundamental condition to unlock the Deep Blue Bloodline, he had achieved——
To possess an anchor, a cherished object with which one’s heartstrings, breath, and lifeblood resonate in perfect harmony.
The hefty tome that Shalem carried with him, inseparable as his shadow, served as this anchor.
Ultimately, Shalem successfully fused with the Deep Blue Bloodline. However, due to not meeting certain conditions, he didn’t fully inherit the talents of a Sage Body.
Nevertheless, leveraging the remnants of the Sage Bod, Shalem managed to imbue his tome with spirituality.
Now known as Black Canon.
After sharing his tale, Shalem turned his attention to Angel’s story.
Much of Angel’s deeds are chronicled in magazines, yet many details were lost in those accounts. Angel chose to fill in these gaps, retracing his ventures in the Abyss.
For instance, how he befriended the Abyssal Wind Dragon, Fafnir, and the reason for his involvement with Odeklaes, resulting in receiving his mark.
Angel narrated all these events, tactfully omitting certain sensitive matters.
The listeners didn’t pry further. If there were elements in Angel’s story that seemed contradictory, they trusted there must be reasons he chose not to divulge them.
Many of the stories Angel relayed were unfamiliar even to Leon. Though Angel didn’t delve into the perilous events in detail, as an apprentice, suddenly facing a monstrous creature of knowledge equivalent to a third level wizard, Angel not only held his ground but also played a pivotal role bridging two Abyss Dragons, establishing equilibrium. The sheer terror of such experiences is beyond the ordinary imagination.
For many, achieving such a feat would be an insurmountable challenge.
As their stories concluded, the windows framed a radiant crimson hue. It’s the glow of the twilight, a spectacle that becomes even more breathtaking when it paints the vast expanse of the sky.
While the euphoria of Reuniting with Old Friends is undeniable, life’s relentless march goes on, with each individual carving their own distinct path.
“Dearest master,” spoke the somber voice of Black Code, “though I sense your reluctance to conclude this heartwarming conversation, I must bring to your attention that your next battle is a mere half-hour away. This duel serves as your promotion match on the sixth floor of Infinite Battle Tower. Should you forfeit, half of the points you’ve accrued thus far on this level will vanish.”
Shalem persisted until only ten minutes remained for the match, parting from Angel with a heavy heart.
…
After bidding Shalem farewell, Angel, accompanied by Leon, intended to join Nausica and head to the Bliss Pavilion, offering to inspect and potentially enhance her mechanical arm en route.
However, before that, Angel had an essential task to attend to.
Procuring materials.
Although Angel possessed a plethora of materials, the ones he sought this time were not for his personal use. Firstly, they were meant for Nausica’s mechanical arm, and secondly, for the soul materials that Popoca had previously requested him to procure.
Coincidentally, they were currently situated on Monsignor Magic Material Street. After exiting the restaurant, they delved deeper into this bustling hub of mysterious commercial district.
Chapter 1362 A Street Performance <TOC> Chapter 1364 Timeless Debate