Chapter 1419 A New Mystery <TOC> Chapter 1421 Repayment
Translator: SumTLMan
Upon Frost’s inquiry, Angel hadn’t replied yet, but across the way, Isabelle’s expression was already shifting to an awkward hue.
At this moment, Angel was deep in thought, pondering whether to respond or not.
If Isabelle weren’t present, he would have been more inclined to explain the entire scenario. However, in front of Isabelle, he felt a tad embarrassed to delve into it.
While Angel hesitated, Frost’s perceptive abilities proved to be even more acute than imagined.
“What we can be certain of right now is that the final step encountered an issue. This led to the Prelude of Reincarnation not reaching its mysterious potential. However, the Prelude didn’t entirely fail either; it transformed into a Half-Step Mysterious state. So, was it an issue with the Mysterious Spirit?” Frost whispered, “The Mysterious Spirit only integrated halfway, which resulted in this situation. But why did it only integrate halfway? Was the other half unable to merge, lost… or perhaps stolen?”
As Frost articulated this, his gaze unconsciously landed on Isabelle.
It wasn’t just because Isabelle looked uncomfortable. Primarily, she was the only one present with a Soul specialty. If someone were to snatch away the Mysterious Spirit, she would be the prime suspect.
When Frost’s gaze met hers, Isabelle felt as though she was transparent, her eyes lowering without uttering a word.
Angel initially thought Frost might have discerned something. After a moment of contemplation, he decided to relay the events as they unfolded.
In Angel’s view, even though it was regrettable not to become a mysterious alchemist, when one traces the cause and effect, it’s challenging to determine right from wrong.
Because his intrusion into Black Castle was inherently flawed. Even though he primarily provided the materials for the Prelude of Reincarnation, the vital Mysterious Spirit was formed by gathering and compressing all the souls near Black Castle. Therefore, the essence of the Mysterious Spirit was actually the souls from Black Castle.
When Isabelle seized the Mysterious Spirit, she immediately took the moral high ground, stating, “Without consent, you’ve stolen the centuries-old accumulation of my Black Castle… Even if it’s a long-standing ailment, it isn’t yours to claim, all to establish your reputation as a mysterious alchemist. Don’t you find it a bit inappropriate?”
In Angel’s view, both sides had their rights and wrongs in this matter.
Ultimately, Isabelle compensated with the Mysterious Soul Whisper. Perhaps to others, the Mysterious Soul Whisper might not equate to even half the value of the Mysterious Spirit. However, that Mysterious Spirit Whisper ended up saving Angel’s life multiple times in reality. Therefore, one shouldn’t judge its worth based solely on its current value.
Furthermore, as Isabelle had just mentioned, even if he had successfully crafted the Mysterious Object, could he have safeguarded it?
Angel doubted he could’ve protected it.
After sharing his perspective, Isabelle’s expression softened a bit from a distance. At the very least, Angel hadn’t been biased in his recounting, which further endeared him to Isabelle.
However, Frost clearly didn’t see it that way.
Upon hearing Angel’s narrative, Frost couldn’t contain himself and blurted out, “How foolish!”
Turning to Isabelle with a face flushed with anger, he exclaimed, “Do you realize how rare it is for a mysterious alchemist to emerge? Because you wanted to rebuild a fragmented soul using the Mysterious Spirit, you took half of it, suppressing the rise of a mysterious alchemist? There are countless ways to mend a shattered soul; why did you choose this particular one?”
“You’ve destroyed a prodigy!”
Frost’s rage mixed with anguish, as if he had personally crafted the Prelude of Reincarnation.
At this point, Isabelle found herself at a loss for words, for Frost wasn’t wrong. Perhaps from Angel’s perspective, there was blame on both sides. Still, Isabelle knew the value of a mysterious alchemist all too well. Hence, every time she saw the Prelude of Reincarnation, she felt a pang of guilt deep within.
Isabelle didn’t retort, but on the other side, Isabella was visibly irritated, “Humph, he was but a mere apprentice in alchemy back then. Creating the Prelude of Reincarnation was sheer luck. Even if he advanced to the mysterious, he lacked the necessary skill. It was all in vain!”
Frost scoffed, “Only those who have never glimpsed the mysterious realm would belittle it so. Only when one truly steps into this realm does one realize its significance.”
“Perhaps,” he continued, “it was by a stroke of luck that Angel crafted the Prelude of Reincarnation. But you should know, among the countless alchemists in the Source World, all are waiting for such luck. Yet, this one-in-a-billion chance favored Angel, and it was his due!”
This was the most peculiar, breeziest, yet most Heart-Wrenching test of the mysterious journey Frost had ever heard of.
How could such an easy ascent into the mysterious realm be obstructed at the last moment? Probably every alchemist in the Source World, facing such a predicament, would want to have Isabelle’s head!
Frost wanted to say more, but those present didn’t understand the significance of the mysterious realm to an alchemist. He heaved a deep sigh and remarked——
“The greatest tragedy for a wizard is ignorance.”
Now, Frost was facing just that: ignorance and those who had no reverence for knowledge.
Frost shook his head, shifting his gaze away from Isabella and back to Angel.
Confronting Angel, Frost was slightly vexed, “Do you realize what you’ve missed?”
Angel looked up.
“You missed the ticket to explore the path of truth!” Frost exclaimed, visibly pained, “You may think it’s inconsequential, that there are two sides to every story, but it’s not that simple.”
“You believed that with your abilities then, you couldn’t guard the Mysterious Object. Alright, let’s say you truly couldn’t protect it, and they stole it.”
“Bestowing upon them a Mysterious Object can surely compensate for the guilt you feel deep within, especially after you trespassed into Black Castle and used their ghosts.”
“Though Mysterious Objects are invaluable, in comparison to bearing the title of Mysterious Alchemist, or stepping into the mysterious realm, they’re relatively trivial.”
“It’s vital to understand that in the Source World, very few can ascend to become Mysterious Alchemists. It denotes an extreme scarcity, extreme rarity, and extreme value in talent.”
Frost emphasized “extreme” thrice, both to point out to Angel what he missed and to enlighten the oblivious ones behind him.
“In fact, an alchemist who steps into the mysterious realm holds unimaginable personal worth. In any wizard organization within the Source World, they receive treatment akin to that of a Miracle Wizard.”
Everyone was astounded by Frost’s revelation. What’s a Miracle Wizard? A true high level wizard! Even more elevated than legendary!
Bear in mind, the Southern Region doesn’t even have a legendary, let alone wizards labeled as Miracle!
Isabelle’s heart trembled with every word, especially under Frost’s occasional reproachful gaze. Even Sanders glanced at her with murky eyes, deepening Isabelle’s guilt.
“Do you now grasp what you’ve missed?” Frost inquired, gazing at Angel with a mix of heartache and resignation.
Angel responded calmly with a nod, “It seems I indeed overlooked something significant. I hadn’t realized that the title of Mysterious Alchemist wasn’t just a name. From your words, it holds a deeper meaning.”
“Exactly,” Frost, though not an alchemist himself, had once followed one and was well-aware of this intricacy. “The benefits of the mysterious realm are indescribable. Only when you truly experience it, will you grasp its paramount importance.”
Frost thought Angel had grasped the gravity of the situation. Yet, Angel shifted his tone, asserting, “It seems I must find a way to venture into the mysterious realm once more.”
Frost was taken aback. Although Angel had mentioned “find a way to venture into the mysterious realm,” there was an unwavering confidence in his words that suggested an unstoppable determination.
Frost couldn’t comprehend the source of Angel’s confidence.
He initially contemplated asking for clarity. But upon reflection, he realized that if an alchemist lacked the self-belief to step into the mysterious realm, perhaps they shouldn’t tread this path at all.
Frost gazed intently at Angel. In him, he saw shades of a familiar figure.
He was still so young.
With ample talent, luck, and time on his side.
Perhaps he genuinely had the potential to achieve his goal?
The moment this thought crossed Frost’s mind, it ignited with the intensity of a wildfire.
Previously, he had viewed Angel as a fortunate alchemist. But now, there was a subtle shift in perception. An idea began to brew within Frost, but to act on it, he knew he needed to understand Angel better.
“Don’t you find this matter infuriating?” Frost inquired once more.
“Infuriating? Perhaps I once did,” Angel paused, “But I’m certain I don’t now. Though it’s unfortunate, the event occurred years ago, and it’s irreversible. Dwelling in anger is futile; it’s better to look ahead.”
Angel had a lucid perspective. While unsure of the transformations the mysterious realm might bring, he deeply recognized that the Mysterious Soul Whisper had saved him numerous times before.
Perhaps it’s an uneven trade, but often, clinging to something that has already happened, which was beyond one’s control at the time, results in nothing but obsessive thoughts. These obsessions can hinder personal growth and offer no other positive benefits.
Regarding Angel’s open-mindedness, Frost internally agrees. Sometimes, though fixations can expedite one’s goals, they can also cloud rational judgment.
Angel having such clarity impressed Frost enough to warrant a second glance.
Frost, at that moment, set aside his previously overt emotions and spoke with a calm and courteous tone, “I look forward to the day you step back into the mysterious realm.”
Frost’s words seemed playful, but his expression was rather serious. Angel couldn’t quite discern his true intentions and merely nodded in response.