Chapter 1552 Book of the Sage <TOC> Chapter 1554 Spirit of Seal Canon
Translator: SumTLMan
“Is that Book Spirit the same one who was begging on the street before?” At this moment, Angel heard Sabo’s voice in his ear.
A smile flickered in Angel’s eyes as he nodded.
Back then, that mysterious individual was playing the saxophone on the street, ostensibly performing, but it seemed more like begging.
According to him, in order to remain incognito or avoid getting beaten up, he wouldn’t assume that persona for today’s competition.
“That’s rather intriguing,” Sabo paused, unable to contain his curiosity. “Is he really connected to the Book Ancestor of the Savage Grottoes, as the audience speculates?”
Book Ancestor is one of the three ancestral spirits of the Savage Grottoes and is universally acknowledged by wizards as the “Most Erudite in the Southern Region.”
In some respects, Book Ancestor is also the most iconic figure in the Savage Grottoes, even overshadowing Lord Rhine Mute in terms of prestige.
Angel pondered for a moment, “I heard from Shalem that he has indeed met Book Ancestor, but as for the nature of their relationship, I can’t say.”
Angel was telling the truth; Shalem had met Book Ancestor. Shalem’s aspiration to become a Sage was actually inspired by Book Ancestor’s advice that only such an individual could potentially awaken spirits. However, Angel hadn’t inquired further about their relationship.
It’s uncertain whether Book Ancestor places great importance on Shalem or simply offers advice to the younger generation. After all, Book Ancestor is elusive — known to be in Highcloud Library, yet virtually untraceable.
Upon hearing this, Sabo’s eyes twinkled, “Then I am somewhat eager to see his performance.”
Sabo indeed felt a sense of anticipation, largely because Angel took an interest, and possibly due to Shalem’s speculated connection with Book Ancestor. However, as he continued to watch the competition closely, his brow furrowed more and more.
The reason for his frown was not because of anything else, but purely because he couldn’t bear to watch any longer.
Shalem and Yuridia seemed to both belong to the dark element. When two of the same schools clash, it comes down to who is more proficient.
Regardless of combat experience, the comprehensiveness of their tricks, reaction speed, and even physical strength — Shalem was thoroughly bested by Yuridia.
Furthermore, Black Canon kept murmuring guidance to Shalem on what to do next, but to no avail.
Despite all this, there was no stopping Yuridia’s onslaught.
In a mere five minutes, Shalem was battered and bloody, while Yuridia remained unharmed, walking in the inner lines of darkness, exuding a gloomy aura, and muttering prayers of hope.
At that moment, in the spectator seats.
Everyone from the Bliss Pavilion had turned out for Shalem’s match. This included the sleeping Hilary, who was forcibly dragged by Coral to sleep in the spectator area.
Perched on Gank’s shoulder, Coral covered her eyes with her hands, afraid to look at Shalem’s condition. But out of concern, she had no choice but to intermittently inquire about Angel’s assessment of the situation.
Therefore, those around Coral could all hear Gank’s repeated reply: “Not good… not good… not good…”
Leon also looked extremely anxious as he watched Shalem getting utterly dominated in the arena.
Seeing Shalem in such a terrible state, he couldn’t help but ask Nausica next to him, “Is there still a chance at this rate?”
Nausica, gripping her smoking pipe, took a deep inhale and then slowly exhaled a curling plume of smoke.
Amidst the swirling haze, Nausica shook her head, “I don’t know. From my perspective, I don’t see a glimmer of hope for victory. But then again, Shalem is not impulsive, and… he hasn’t chosen to admit defeat, and Black Canon hasn’t advised him to either. Perhaps there’s still hope?”
The moment Nausica’s words fell, Shalem wobbled to his feet after being knocked back once again on the arena.
Simultaneously, a dark mist began to slowly emanate from his body.
“Dark Incarnation,” Nausica whispered, “This is currently Shalem’s most powerful spell, transforming into darkness to permanently trap the opponent within it.”
Hearing that this was Shalem’s most formidable spell, Leon’s eyes lit up: “Can it defeat Wisp?”
Nausica hesitated for a moment: “Unlikely.”
Indeed, Dark Incarnation is an incredibly poweful spell, but Nausica doubted its efficacy against Yuridia, who also hails from the same dark element school. Could it be as universally effective as it had been in the past?
When the dark mist began to spread around, Shalem’s figure started to fade gradually, as if concealed within the darkness, or perhaps consumed by it.
This is the essence of Dark Incarnation. When immersed in darkness, Shalem becomes an almost illusory form, difficult to harm in a physical sense.
The audience also looked forward to Shalem’s Dark Incarnation, given how badly he’s been faring. If there was a chance for a comeback, they’d welcome it.
However, Shalem’s Dark Incarnation hadn’t yet fully materialized. His opponent, Yuridia, who was muttering “hope,” suddenly exploded.
But there was no splatter of flesh and blood; the instant Yuridia exploded, she transformed into an endless dark aura.
This dark aura was filled with attributes of corrosion, hallucination, darkness, and absolute silence.
Seeing this, Nausica paled: “This is also Dark Incarnation, and moreover…”
Furthermore, Yuridia’s Dark Incarnation is instantaneous, meaning it’s likely that she has positioned this spell on her Spell Position. Additionally, the attributes contained within Yuridia’s Dark Incarnation are more varied than Shalem’s, including a corrosive effect.
Clashing with Shalem using her Dark Incarnation, the one who’s certain to lose is Shalem!
Nausica’s worry quickly materialized; Shalem was completely overshadowed by Yuridia’s Dark Incarnation, which transformed into an even larger mist, obscuring the arena.
At this point, the center of the arena is enveloped in a dense fog of darkness, and all the audience can see is the roiling black mist occasionally punctuated by anguished screams emanating from within.
After a considerable time, a figure emerges from the dark mist.
It is an individual enveloped in a radiant halo, gently unfolding pure white wings from behind as they slowly step out of the obscurity of the mist.
Undoubtedly, this person is Black Canon.
In Black Canon’s arms is a bloodied figure.
From the tattered remains of his garments, it’s evident that this is Shalem, almost unrecognizable due to the corrosive effects of the dark energies. His entire body is marred, oozing a murky yellow fluid, making him look utterly wretched.
At this moment, the dark mist behind them starts to dissipate, eventually coalescing into a somber woman, Yuridia the Wisp.
Yuridia appears unscathed, not a hair out of place. She gazes silently at the almost entirely corroded Shalem in Black Canon’s arms and says softly, “You should know that I could have killed him. Letting you take him away is already my limit.”
Yuridia holds back, her gaze fixed on Black Canon. The light around him, resembling a cathedral’s illumination, allows Yuridia to glimpse a shard of “hope.” For that reason, in that moment, she refrains from further action, letting Black Canon take Shalem away from the mist.
Her goal is crystal clear: to make Shalem concede defeat voluntarily.
Black Canon, looking at the Shalem in his arms, whispers softly, “It’s time for you to make a choice.”
To the audience, Black Canon’s words seem to be urging Shalem to forfeit the match. However, the reality is not necessarily so.
In the commentator’s booth, Sabo shook his head and sighed, “Why the stubbornness? Listening to his Book Spirit earlier and conceding would have spared so much misery.”
After speaking, Sabo looked at Angel, “You’re quite close to Shalem, what’s your take?”
Angel responded, “Actually, you’re mistaken.”
“Mistaken?” Sabo cast a puzzled glance at Angel.
“The one who advocated for conceding before the match was Shalem. The Book Spirit was the one advising against it,” Angel explained calmly. Hence, Sabo’s comment about ‘listening to his Book Spirit earlier’ was fundamentally flawed.
In fact, after watching the match between Yuridia and Silkvine yesterday, Shalem initially wanted to compete seriously, but it was Black Canon who suggested that he should concede.
However, this situation abruptly changed. Black Canon was now advocating for Shalem to compete earnestly, while Shalem had started contemplating a concession.
The shift was due to a proposal by Angel after consulting with Black Canon, known as “Black Canon that Holds the Scale of Repeating Law.”
This phrase refers to a powerful spell, or you could even say a strategic move in a chess game.
This move presented no direct obstacles to Shalem himself, but it concerned Black Canon’s future. It was a move that could plunge Black Canon into an endless abyss but could also be a gambit teeming with limitless possibilities.
Since Black Canon came into the world, this move had been laid out in front of Shalem. Yet, he had always aimed for a state of equilibrium, never daring to make that move.
But maintaining this balance only led to the stagnation of time without any progression.
Black Canon actually wanted to break this balance, for only then could the deadlock be broken and room for change emerge. Even if that change led to an unfortunate outcome, Black Canon was willing to bear it.
However, Shalem, being the chess player in this analogy, wouldn’t make that move.
Though Shalem often bickers with Black Canon, what he is least willing to lose is Black Canon himself.
Shalem is harsh on himself, willing to gamble on the slim chances of integrating the Deep Blue Bloodline, but he can’t bear to part with Black Canon.
This binding relationship has put Shalem in a deadlock. Black Canon has no choice but to comply with Shalem, avoiding further discussion on the subject.
Yesterday, it was only because Angel was present that Black Canon spoke of this possibility, hoping Shalem would heed Angel’s advice.
Black Canon doesn’t know what choice Shalem will make, but if he outright concedes, then all choices become irrelevant. Hence, before the competition, it’s actually Black Canon who doesn’t want Shalem to give up.
And at this moment, Black Canon tells Shalem, “It’s time for you to make a decision.”
It wasn’t in response to Yuridia, but rather to inform Shalem that he must decide whether to take this move or not.
…
Shalem’s face is covered with muddy liquid and blood, completely obscuring his features — even his eyes seem dimmed.
When Black Canon inquires about his decision, Shalem’s mouth opens as if he wants to refuse subconsciously.
But Black Canon’s eyes are bright, filled with anticipation, longing, and an almost indiscernible hint of pleading.
Black Canon, who usually enjoys being contrarian and even caustic with Shalem, probably shows this expression for the first time.
Shalem suddenly feels a bit suffocated.
In this moment, the noisy crowd in the stands seems to disappear, the intense pain on his body seems to fade away, and all that remains in his vision are the eyes of Black Canon in front of him.
Eyes filled with longing, pleading… and also, what might be eyes of anger and disappointment if he chooses to refuse.
Shalem’s emotions were in turmoil, his thoughts entangled like a complicated web of strings.
He wanted to refuse, yet he couldn’t bear to see the disappointment in Black Canon’s eyes. It felt like a silent accusation, as if he was cruelly robbing Black Canon of his future.
For a fleeting moment, his thoughts floated aimlessly.
“Have you made up your mind? Are you going to concede or continue courting death?” At that moment, a cold voice from Yuridia snapped Shalem back to reality.
Shalem knew it was time to make a decision.
“I…” Perhaps it was the corrosive effect of the darkness that strained his throat; Shalem’s voice was hoarse, and he struggled to complete his sentence.
However, Black Canon knew Shalem too well. As soon as Shalem opened his mouth, Black Canon sensed that he was likely going to concede.
His eyes filled with disappointment, Black Canon murmured softly, “You won’t know unless you try, whether taking a step forward or a step back is the right move. Why won’t you try to trust me?”
Seeing Black Canon’s downcast demeanor, Shalem clenched his fist. The words of concession that were initially on the tip of his tongue suddenly took an unexpected turn.
“I… won’t concede.”
Chapter 1552 Book of the Sage <TOC> Chapter 1554 Spirit of Seal Canon