Chapter 1367 A Misunderstanding <TOC> Chapter 1369 Showcasing Inventions
Translator: SumTLMan
“Cease combat immediately, cease combat immediately…” Despite the cold mechanical voice, an undertone of urgency was unmistakable.
Emitting this sound were the omnipresent surveillance Magic Eyes in the sky. Their warning was directed at Angel and Winchester, who were deeply engrossed in the vortex of battle.
“If you do not halt this confrontation, you’ll bear the consequences,” the surveillance Magic Eyes intoned more threateningly upon seeing that the two showed no signs of stopping.
Ordinarily, if this were some mere disturbance, these Magic Eyes would have acted, unleashing their stored energy to apprehend the culprits. However, the ones fighting now were far from ordinary.
A short while ago, when the Magic Eyes attempted to intervene, a single flame from Winchester rendered dozens of them useless scrap metal.
Angel, even more audaciously, summoned three pairs of Magic Hands, dismantling every surveillance Magic Eye within a fifty-meter radius of him. However, compared to Winchester’s damage, Angel’s was more forgiving — at least the dismantled Magic Eyes could be reassembled and used again.
Facing these two formidable forces, the surveillance Magic Eyes were at a loss. They promptly contacted the law enforcement team responsible for this area. To prevent any mishaps, leaders of several district enforcement teams were also called in.
In a matter of moments, streaks of light appeared in the main city’s sky, all of them high-ranking law enforcement captains with the credentials of formal wizards, now converging above Monsignor Magic Material Street.
“Why are you still here when a level three warning has been issued?” A flash of gold heralded the arrival of a wizard dressed in a golden robe, appearing behind Roscio.
Roscio, the captain in charge of Monsignor Magic Material Street, hovered in the air, his gaze fixed on the distant battlefield.
“It’s you, Wizard Galecki,” Roscio responded, turning around.
Galecki wore a gravely serious expression: “What on Earth has transpired?”
Roscio pointed towards the distance, suggesting, “Perhaps you’d better observe for yourself.”
As their conversation unfolded, captains from various other enforcement zones began to gather. They refrained from rashly approaching, knowing that a level three warning indicated a skirmish involving a wizard. Any combat involving a formal wizard was fraught with danger. Thus, they chose to halt beside Roscio, intending to assess the situation first.
However, upon witnessing the scene, everyone was rooted to the spot.
“If my eyes do not deceive me,” one murmured, “one of them is ‘Burning Blood Flame’ Winchester, and the other… is that ‘Illusion Music Box Magician’ Angel?”
“Indeed.” Roscio confirmed with a nod.
A heavy silence enveloped the group. Both individuals were notoriously difficult to deal with. While one was a wizard from the Frost Moon alliance, the other was the talk of the town, a rising prodigy.
Everyone recognized the gravity of the situation. The Frost Moon Alliance was known to be in search of Angel. Now, not only had Angel emerged, but he was also confronting Winchester? What had led to this?
The heart of the matter wasn’t just Angel’s sudden appearance. Didn’t anyone notice? Angel and Winchester were evenly matched!” exclaimed Wizard Galecki, surprise evident in his eyes. “At first, I assumed Angel had already been promoted to a formal wizard. But upon closer inspection, he’s still an apprentice!”
Galecki’s words sent ripples of astonishment through the group.
“Isn’t he the rising star of the alchemy circle?” A wizard voiced incredulously. At not even twenty, how could Angel master both alchemy and combat simultaneously?
Above all, how could an apprentice challenge and contend with a formal wizard, transcending the bounds of his realm?
“Winchester is by no means a pushover in strength. I believe his restraint stems from his caution against the Demon Lord and his unwillingness to harm Angel. With his mastery over the fire element, he could have easily defeated him.” Another wizard remarked sarcastically, “This Angel, at best, is only marginally stronger than his peers.”
“Just marginally?” Roscio sneered, “Haven’t you seen the latest issue of City Firefly’s Night Whisper? A man who has gained the friendship of Abyss Dragons and has even been marked by the Time Thief — possessing such power seems only natural to me.”
“Perhaps, if you were to face Angel, you might not necessarily come out on top.”
The crowd debated fervently, yet no one stepped forward.
They were well aware that Sanders was currently in Sky Mechanical City. With this menacing figure present, it wasn’t appropriate for them to side with either party.
Risk offending the Frost Moon Alliance or angering Sanders? Given the circumstances, it seemed best to remain neutral.
At the heart of the battlefield, Angel also noticed the law enforcement team in the distance. He originally thought that when the law enforcement team approached, he would use their presence as a way to step down, awaiting Sanders’ arrival to determine the next course of action. Surprisingly, not a single member of the law enforcement team advanced.
The standoff between Angel and Winchester persisted. However, both parties understood that if this continued, Angel would undoubtedly be at a disadvantage due to his limited magic reserves compared to Winchester.
Winchester wasn’t in any hurry, seemingly content with a slow and steady approach — much like boiling a frog in warm water.
Angel, on the other hand, wasn’t too concerned either. Although aware that prolonging the fight would put him in a disadvantageous position, he hadn’t yet played all his cards, so there was no panic.
After all, Leon had already made a safe exit, and Angel never intended to engage in a prolonged battle with Winchester. He was simply contemplating the best way to make his exit.
Using the gateway would be the most convenient, but it would undoubtedly reveal one of his trump cards.
Or, should he employ his Phantasmal Limbs, catch Winchester off guard with a sudden strike, and then seize the opportunity to escape?
However, before Angel could even weigh his options, a new twist took the stage.
“Winchester, are you still hoping my mentor will help you refine the blood coagulation potion?” A resonant voice echoed across the field.
Caught off guard, Winchester retreated a few steps. Angel didn’t pursue but turned his gaze to the speaker.
Not far off, a robust man soared from the ground, hovering in mid-air. Behind him was a haggard-looking Bruen; both flew in.
This imposing figure was the same man who had halted Winchester earlier.
Angel recognized him all too well — it was “Mad Bear” Sabo!
Landing between the two, Sabo first coldly addressed Winchester, “Lord Muse relayed that if you still wish to linger in Sky Mechanical City, you mustn’t lay a finger on Angel. Furthermore, Mentor Midora advised that if you wish to acquire the refined blood coagulation potion, you’d best tread carefully.”
“Why so?” Winchester, in truth, hoped for a graceful exit, and Sabo’s arrival was timely. Yet, he was puzzled: Why would Lord Muse and Lord Midora stand up for Angel?
“In Sky Mechanical City’s rule thirteen, assaulting members of the Research Institute within the city boundaries results in expulsion,” Sabo paused, pointing at Angel, “Angel is a member of the Research Institute. Is that reason sufficient?”
Winchester, eyes widening in surprise, glanced at Angel. Even if he wasn’t an alchemist, he was aware of the status of the Research Institute.
So Angel was affiliated with the Research Institute?
Unable to contain his curiosity, Winchester looked towards Bruen, being an alchemist, Bruen should have some inside knowledge, right?
After a moment of contemplation, Bruen finally nodded. He had only recently become privy to the matter, a revelation delivered personally by Lord Muse. It was Lord Muse’s assurances that gradually quelled Bruen’s prior anger.
Though Bruen was affiliated with the Frost Moon Alliance, his position as an alchemist often brought him to the renowned Sky Mechanical City for further studies.
Just as a prophecy wizard would seek enlightenment at Crown Star Church, or a gourmet wizard at Candy House, Sky Mechanical City stood as the holy ground for alchemy in the Southern Region. Bruen had spent more time here than even in the Frost Moon Domain.
Because of this, Bruen was well-aware that if he faced retribution for confronting Angel, he might forever be barred from returning to this mecca of knowledge.
Given these circumstances, Bruen found it wise to concede.
Mad Bear Sabo’s words weren’t uttered in secrecy. Therefore, everyone still invested in this dispute was now in the know.
While the current mood might not betray any hints, it was clear that this revelation would set the rumor mills of Sky Mechanical City ablaze once more.
The addition of a new member to the Research Institute was undoubtedly a monumental event!
Angel too was taken aback. Sabo’s sudden declaration at this moment… was it a tacit acknowledgment of his own status?
Angel had received his access card quite some time ago but hadn’t previously disclosed his affiliation. Was it out of modesty, believing he wasn’t yet worthy? Or did some in the Institute deem it inappropriate? Now, before this vast audience, he had openly affirmed his membership, a gesture laden with profound implications.
“I understand,” Winchester internally sighed. At this point, they had no choice but to relent.
As for Angel…
Winchester gazed across at Angel, who was already radiating a luminous presence, and said unhurriedly, “I have no intention of clashing with you today. I hope when we meet next, it can be a cordial exchange. I genuinely look forward to that moment.”
On the other hand, Bruen remained silent. After all, his visit to Sky Mechanical City with Winchester was driven by their personal needs. Angel’s affairs weren’t on their agenda to begin with.
Currently, Angel is a member of the Research Institute, a title that holds significant weight. It wasn’t that they chose not to act, but they dared not make a move against a member of the Research Institute while in Sky Mechanical City.
Pondering this, Bruen and Winchester discreetly touched their noses, making a somewhat sheepish retreat.
Angel hadn’t expected such an abrupt turn of events. He initially took action today, thinking he had backing. He had intended to rely on the reputation of his mentor, but surprisingly, his mentor remained absent, and he ended up leveraging the influence of the Research Institute instead.
Nevertheless, it didn’t matter, as the outcome was favorable.
Gratefully, Angel approached Sabo and voiced his thanks.
Sabo gazed at Angel with a complex expression. In truth, as soon as the confrontation began, he arrived immediately, having already received word from Lord Muse.
In Sabo’s mind, announcing Angel’s affiliation with the Research Institute during Angel’s direst moment would not only save Angel but also solidify his loyalty to the Institute.
Yet, unexpectedly, Angel astonishingly managed to hold his own against two formal wizards without faltering!
Sabo recalled that during his last visit to Sky Mechanical City, Angel was competing with apprentices in the Purification Garden for survival slots. The transformation now was nothing short of breathtaking.
What was even more striking, especially for Sabo, a wizard of the bloodline side, was that during their recent battle, he could distinctly sense that Angel’s physical power was almost on par with a formal wizard of the bloodline side.
How did Angel manage to accomplish this in such a short span of time?
Though it appears the Research Institute saved the day this time, Sabo was well aware that even if he didn’t mention the Institute’s name, Angel wouldn’t face any complications. And by Angel’s serene demeanor, it’s evident he still holds some cards close to his chest.
“You’ve truly taken me by surprise,” Sabo remarked with a shake of his head.
At that moment, the law enforcement captain, who had been waiting outside, hurried in. Upon realizing Angel was a member of the Research Institute, they instantly grasped the implications.
Being an alchemist, aligning with Angel would undoubtedly be beneficial.
It’s a pity they missed the prime opportunity, but making an acquaintance now isn’t too late.
As they mulled this over, Sabo turned to Angel, saying, “By the way, there’s another reason for my visit. Mentor Midora has sent me to escort you to the Research Institute. He needs to discuss something with you.”
Chapter 1367 A Misunderstanding <TOC> Chapter 1369 Showcasing Inventions