Chapter 1439 Wizard Ivan <TOC> Chapter 1441 Making Choices
Translator: SumTLMan
As Angel watched the silhouette of the Sky Ghost Ship drift further and further away until it vanished beyond his sight, he seemed somewhat dazed.
He glanced at his palm, sensing ripples of energy still emanating.
These ripples were unprecedented in their power.
He had merely conducted a casual experiment earlier — how would the energy produced by the new Magic Source Vortex affect when activating an illusion? Moreover, if it could buy some time for the Sky Ghost Ship, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
Angel genuinely aimed to delay time and cast an illusion on Cersabiras.
To his surprise, once cast, he found that Cersabiras’s resistance to illusions seemed to be rather low. Angel effortlessly plunged those colossal crimson eyes into a state of chaotic confusion.
With such ease in accomplishing this, Angel decided to further manipulate the illusion, leading Cersabiras away from the Sky Ghost Ship.
In the end, he genuinely succeeded.
The energy expended was much lower than what Angel had anticipated.
After his breakthrough, Angel was acutely aware that his strength had significantly improved. However, the extent of this improvement was a mere abstract concept, until he unleashed this illusion… Even though it was a basic illusion, it provided Angel with a renewed understanding of his newfound strength.
Between a wizard and an apprentice, there seems to be only a thin line. But in terms of power, the difference is like night and day.
Saving the Sky Ghost Ship was a matter of convenience. Angel didn’t think much of it. Yet, through Sanders’ eyes, this act appeared to be entirely beneficial.
It might seem like Angel merely saved the people on that one Ghost Ship. However, this act had implications affecting many parties.
The Sky Ghost Ship isn’t solely the possession of Wizard Ivan, nor is it exclusive to Silent Hill; it belongs to the entire Fairytale Town Wizard Alliance.
When the tales of Angel’s rescue of the Sky Ghost Ship spread, it’s in reality a favor to the whole Fairytale Town.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that every wizard in Fairytale Town owes Angel a debt.
But as long as someone acknowledges this favor, it can become a stepping stone for networking and relationship-building.
For instance, Wizard Ivan had previously accepted a favor from Angel. He already wanted to foster a bond with Angel, and after acknowledging the favor, their relationship has warmed even more.
There’s no downside to this for Angel.
…
With that matter settled, Angel, reflecting on events, left the Middle World with Sanders.
Soon after, Angel and Sanders hovered near the mysterious gateway in the void.
Even on Sanders’ second visit, the sight of these grand gateways, seemingly endless, still evokes a subtle awe in him.
Though every person’s Spell Creation Vision differs, such an eerie spectacle is a first for him.
Perhaps because these Visions originate from Angel, he feels no unease. Walking among these gateways, Angel feels quite at home, experiencing a kind of ease, like a fish in water.
Angel pushed open a finely patterned wooden gateway, then emerged from another gateway of the same design.
After several tests, a sense of enlightenment arose in Angel’s heart.
The pair of corresponding gateways might correlate with the spatial displacement effect within the Gateway Model, isn’t it? However, the effects borne from the special energy of this Gateway Model seem not to manifest in the Vision.
Soon after, Angel stood before a gateway that appeared ordinary, yet within the domain of gateways, it was the most distinctive.
Angel observed this gateway in silence. Compared to others, he seemed to have a deeper insight into it.
Nevertheless, despite his understanding, Angel was still unclear about the gateway’s true purpose.
Why would the Gift of Truth be bestowed upon this gateway?
Lost in thought, Angel remained silent for a while. Sanders stood behind him, waiting patiently.
After some time, Angel made a move. He reached for the gateway handle, intending to push it open.
Sanders’ gaze followed Angel’s actions. He was equally curious: What secrets did this gateway conceal? But not long after, doubt clouded Sanders’ eyes.
For Angel couldn’t open the gateway.
Upon realizing this, Angel took a few steps back, examining the gateway with a perplexed look. At times he frowned, at others, his face relaxed. He seemed to have made some discovery, yet upon deeper reflection, it felt absurd.
After a moment, seeing Angel emerge from his contemplation, Sanders inquired, “What do you make of this gateway?”
Angel pondered for a moment, avoiding a direct answer to Sanders’ question. Instead, he remarked, “This gateway is a Gift of Truth.”
“A Gift of Truth?!” A hint of surprise and skepticism flashed in Sanders’ eyes. He understood well what a Gift of Truth meant — it’s a reward bestowed by the World Will, having received it himself numerous times. Yet, even with this knowledge, Sanders found it baffling: why would it manifest as a gateway?
The Gift of Truth, for the most part, bestow upon us a philosophical state of self-awareness. Rarely do they manifest as tangible rewards… at least, so Sanders has never heard.
“Mentor asked me what I think of this gateway.” Angel paused for a moment, “I’m quite familiar with it, but the more I understand, the more puzzled I become.”
“Why so?” Sanders inquired curiously.
At this moment, there were no others in this void. Angel contemplated briefly, no longer holding back, and decided to reveal the purpose of this gateway.
“For me, this gateway is like a… coordinate? A signpost? Hmm, that doesn’t seem quite right.” Angel hesitated, seemingly searching for the perfect descriptor. After a moment, he said with uncertainty:
“A Target Anchor.”
“Target Anchor?” Sanders furrowed his brows. At face value, it closely resembled the concept of ‘coordinates’, both indicating a location. However, while ‘coordinates’ lean more towards an abstract idea, ‘Target Anchor’ suggests a tangible representation.
Yet, Sanders was still in the dark. What did Angel aim to convey with this term?
“It’s here, eternally present.”
“As long as I wish, I can feel its presence wherever and whenever.”
Angel spoke softly, “It’s like a shining lighthouse. As long as I turn around, I can see its steadfast position.”
Through Angel’s words, Sanders began to grasp the sentiment Angel was conveying.
This gateway could also be interpreted as a spatial landmark, albeit more concrete than the abstract notion of a landmark. As long as one perceives this gateway, they’ll forever know the way back. Just as Angel depicted, in darkness, it stands like an eternal beacon, guiding the lost.
Listening to it, it seems rather promising.
However, judging from its demonstrated functionality, it’s somewhat lackluster.
As Sanders comprehended, a single spatial anchor could wholly replace this gateway’s purpose. No matter where Angel would travel to in the future, as long as he remembers the spatial anchor, he could navigate through the darkness without getting lost.
“Is there any other effect apart from this?”
Angel massaged his temples and shook his head, “It doesn’t seem so.”
For this reason, when Isabelle had inquired before, he had hesitated. In Angel’s perspective, if the “Gift of Truth” only possesses this one effect, it seemed somewhat unjustifiable.
Therefore, he ventured into the void, hoping to verify this.
It turned out, this was its only function!
At least, Angel couldn’t detect any other effects.
“You say it’s eternal. Does this mean the gateway won’t vanish?” Sanders asked.
Angel nodded. He couldn’t perceive any peculiarities from other gateways; their disappearance was inevitable. However, this gateway acts as an anchor, fixed in its position, never to fade.
After a moment of silence, Sanders remarked, “Regardless, it saves us the need for one spatial anchor. So, it’s… decent.”
Sanders gave a reluctant compliment.
Angel shrugged. Originally, he had thought that once he understood the special effects of this gateway, he would inform Isabelle. But now, it seemed there were no special effects.
Once he returns, he’ll inform Isabelle directly.
Indeed, Angel lamented, it seems we’ve saved a spatial anchor.
Despite Angel’s persistence in thoroughly examining once again, no other discoveries surfaced. It appears that this time’s Gift of Truth might have been a bit diminished.
Angel reasoned, after all, there is only one Gateway Model.
Deceiving twice with a single Gateway Model in terms of Spell Creation Visions, on balance, he doesn’t feel shortchanged. At the very least, a “path” has emerged. Considering this Gift of Truth as a spatial anchor isn’t a bad thing.
With that thought, Angel felt much more at ease.
Given there weren’t any significant findings, Angel relaxed and decided to leave the void. After all, having recently advanced, there were still numerous matters awaiting his attention.
Angel, accompanied by Sanders, turned to depart.
However, only a few steps after they turned away, a throaty chuckle suddenly emanated from behind them.
“Well, young man, long time no see~”