Chapter 1509 Divine Armament <TOC> Chapter 1511 Water Ripple Witch
Translator: SumTLMan
Beyond the field of vision of Carvelyn.
A formless current appeared to roll along with the waves, heading toward the end of the street.
This current was a spell conjured by the magician girl. Aware that she stood little chance in a face-off with Carvelyn, she chose a different strategy. She had Gudu create a grand distraction, and under the cover of the ensuing chaos, she slipped away.
According to her plan, the disorder behind her would not subside in a short time. As long as she seized this opportunity to flow along with the tide, she should quickly escape the vicinity. Once out, she could alter her appearance, consult her mentor to settle the disturbance, and all would be well.
However, just as the magician girl was about to leave the area with the tide, she saw a figure standing at the bottom of the water.
The turbulent currents swirling around did not affect his stance in the least. He stood there, as stable as a pillar, rooted in tranquility.
Due to the churned debris and silt in the water, the magician girl could only vaguely make out his attire — it had the air of traditional nobility. As for his face, she couldn’t see it clearly.
Not because the murky water obscured it, but because there seemed to be a thin layer of illusionary energy covering his face. What she could see was only a chaotic mist.
Initially, the magician girl had no intentions of getting sidetracked; she hadn’t even considered paying attention to this strange figure anchored beneath the water.
However, as she prepared to bypass him, a subtle fluctuation emanating from him caught her attention.
The fluctuation was incredibly discreet. Had he not been underwater and within the sphere of her control, she might have overlooked this pulse altogether.
When she sensed this fluctuation, her eyes instantly lit up.
It was a fluctuation imbued with an emotional field. Though its undulation was incredibly subtle, almost imperceptible, she still felt it. She imagined that if this fluctuation were to be unleashed, the emotional energy within would be astonishingly abundant, utterly captivating.
As someone who relished collecting emotionally charged objects, she felt an immediate surge of excitement at this perception.
She scrutinized carefully and noticed that the source of this fluctuation came from the pocket on the other person’s chest.
Presumably, it must be a unique and extraordinary object. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be kept so closely, right in the chest pocket.
The more exceptional it was, the more significant it became; and the more significant, the more she craved it.
It reminded her of when she “borrowed” Alan’s Beast-Slaying Knife. Though the emotions embedded in the knife were overly sharp and brutal, Alan’s affection for it only bolstered her reason for taking it.
“What could it be? I just want to borrow it for a look,” the thought arose in her mind. As for whether she would return it afterward, well, was that even a question?
However, before making her move, she cautiously assessed the other person’s capabilities. They emitted some energy fluctuations, but nothing powerful. Most likely, they were just an ordinary apprentice.
Upon realizing this, she decided to take action.
She had transformed into a stream of water. All she needed to do was increase the water’s force, and she could easily reach out and take the object from the pocket. Even if the other person noticed it was missing, they would likely assume it was due to the strong current, unaware that she had taken it.
“A flawless plan! Moreover, this is an absolutely marvelous opportunity,” she thought.
With a heart full of anticipation and excitement, she slowly approached the individual.
As expected, the other person remained completely oblivious.
Her heart soared with excitement as an invisible hand emerged from the tumultuous current, gently probing into his pocket.
The moment she touched an irregularly shaped object, she hastily snatched it without even checking what it was. Transforming swiftly into a ripple, she swayed and began to drift into the distance.
However, just as she prepared to flee, an eye appeared directly in front of her.
The moment the eye materialized, the sound of the surrounding water came to a halt. The chaotic underwater world turned pitch black. All she could see in her field of vision was this enormous eye, silently staring at her.
Her thoughts suddenly froze, as if a vortex had pulled her into a tranquil realm of darkness.
In the eyes of the magician girl, this process seemed extremely brief.
But when she awoke from the chaos, she realized that she was no longer submerged in water. Instead, she was standing at the end of a street, surrounded by people who were glaring at her with eyes full of anger…
…
Angel strolled down Monsignor Magic Material Street, which was eerily quiet.
This was because in the adjacent street, a flood had caused chaos. The people of Monsignor Magic Material Street had either gone to watch the spectacle or, fearing they might be implicated, had avoided the area, leaving the street deserted.
Without the cloak of a crowd, Angel quickly arrived at Fingernail Alchemy House.
Normally, he would first need to answer questions posed by the fragrant wood puppet before entering the store.
However, today when he reached the entrance, the fragrant wood puppet said nothing and opened the door wide, inviting Angel to enter.
“Formal wizards do not require testing to enter the store,” was the fragrant wood puppet’s response.
Omitting one step actually saved me some energy.
Upon entering the alchemy shop, Angel noticed that the place was unusually deserted. Typically, whenever he visited, alchemy apprentices would be passionately debating with each other. This was the first time he’d seen the place so quiet since he started frequenting Fingernail Alchemy House.
“It’s because they’re all scrambling for classes,” said a husky, aged female voice from behind him.
Turning around, Angel found a neatly dressed, short old woman standing behind him, silently observing him. Her elaborate peacock-feathered hair ornament, constructed from vibrant fingernails, readily identified her.
She was the owner of this alchemy shop and the person who had invited Angel to come.
“Good afternoon, Granny,” Angel greeted, giving a slight bow.
Fingernail Granny studied Angel intently, finally nodding in approval. “It seems that —Sky of Truth— was accurate. You’ve indeed crossed the Great Barrier and become a formal wizard.”
“A stroke of luck, I suppose.”
“In a world of wizards, where power reigns supreme, modesty isn’t exactly a virtue,” Fingernail Granny paused. “Regardless of how you advanced, the process is inconsequential; it’s the result that truly matters.”
Angel chuckled but chose not to elaborate further on that topic, instead inquiring about the “scrambling for classes” Granny had mentioned.
“Why are they scrambling for classes? Well, a member from the research institute has returned to Sky Mechanical City…”
In a nutshell, a member of the Research Institute had returned to Sky Mechanical City. Planning to seclude herself for a period, she needed to exchange points for purchasing rights to some rare materials. However, she was short on points, so she took on a teaching assignment to earn them.
Each alchemist has different requirements when it comes to teaching.
In the world of alchemy, the constraints on who may attend lectures are numerous. Some stipulate a minimum level of skill; you can’t attend if you haven’t reached a certain threshold. Others specify a particular school of thought, laying bare the schisms within the alchemical community for all to see. Still, others impose no restrictions on skill level or school, but that’s not necessarily a good thing — it could mean they limit the number of attendees.
It’s said that some alchemists detest noise and commotion. Whenever they give lectures, they permit only a select few to enter the classroom.
This limitation on attendance creates a phenomenon: a frenzied scramble for lecture seats.
Only those who secure the right to attend can enter the classroom.
This time, a member of the Research Institute is giving the lecture. She doesn’t care if you’re specialized in mineralogy or potion-making, whether you belong to the Vanderval school or the Gypsy school, or whether you’re human or otherwise, skilled or unskilled. What she does insist on is capping the number of attendees at fifty.
In the past, the mad dash to secure a lecture seat was frenetic even when average alchemists were teaching. Imagine the excitement, then, when a lecture is given by someone from the Research Institute.
So, apprentices who typically discuss alchemy here have run off en masse to the opposite side of Mechanical City to scramble for a lecture seat.
This is why Fingernail Alchemy House is empty today.
After hearing Fingernail Granny’s account, Angel curiously inquired, “Who is the lecturer? Is it one of the people we saw during the witness ceremony last time?”
Fingernail Granny didn’t answer immediately but brought up another matter: “You received the invitation, didn’t you? Are you wondering why I invited you here?”
Angel nodded.
“It’s understandable. This invitation wasn’t penned by me; I merely consented to her using my name,” said Fingernail Granny. She walked to the side and lightly tapped a mural on the wall. Accompanied by a clicking sound, the mural slowly dissolved into illusion, revealing a winding staircase leading upward.
“Are you not curious about who will be teaching the class?” Fingernail Granny paused before continuing, “The one teaching is actually the very person who has truly invited you here.”
“Come with me; she is waiting for you upstairs.”
As they ascended the staircase, Fingernail Granny softly said, “I hope you don’t find this too abrupt.”
Angel shook his head, “Not at all.” Regardless of whether it was Fingernail Granny who invited him or another member of the Research Institute, Angel would generally not decline unless The Inviter was a madman like Dongola.
Angel also believed that it was highly unlikely Fingernail Granny would give permission for someone as irresponsible as Dongola to use her name for sending out invitations.
“In the Research Institute, she is known for her moderate stance. Whether they’re progressive or conservative, everyone has a good relationship with her,” Fingernail Granny insinuated that forming an alliance with this individual would undoubtedly be a wise choice.
Listening to Fingernail Granny, Angel already had an idea of who she was referring to.
After the last witness ceremony, Midora had also discussed with Angel some matters concerning the Research Institute, specifically mentioning one person.
Midora’s evaluation of her was exceptionally high, and he strongly suggested that Angel make her acquaintance.
However, at that time, Angel had to go to Black Castle, and she was not in Sky Mechanical City, so their paths had not crossed.
Yet, the fact that she took the initiative to invite him this time was somewhat surprising to Angel.
“Speaking of which, her special return to Sky Mechanical City for research also has something to do with you,” said Fingernail Granny.
“Something to do with me?”
Angel wanted to inquire more about this from Fingernail Granny, but by then they had already arrived outside a grand hall. Through the slight gap in the curtains, one could faintly smell an elegant fragrance wafting out.
Pointing to the grand hall, Fingernail Granny said, “We’ve arrived.”
Chapter 1509 Divine Armament <TOC> Chapter 1511 Water Ripple Witch