Translator: SumTLMan
Sanye’s gaze slowly swept over everyone, her eyes tinged with hesitation.
Perceiving her uncertainty, Angel responded, “If you think this place isn’t suitable, we can move elsewhere. Perhaps to a marketplace?”
After all, they were in Sanders’ private estate. Sanye had come alone, with no one else around. Considering wizards aren’t typically the most trustworthy lot, her reservations were understandable.
Hearing Angel’s words, Sanye took a step back, both literally and metaphorically. “There’s no need to go to the marketplace. I have faith in the integrity of the Super Dimensional Wizard, especially since you represent the Research Institute.”
Without further hesitation, Sanye retrieved a small box from her personal spatial item.
The box was modest in size, resembling a jewelry case at first glance.
“This transaction is inspired by my mentor’s guidance. If the trade is successful, I believe my mentor would be quite pleased,” Sanye elaborated further.
She had not only put Angel on a pedestal by emphasizing his affiliation with the Research Institute but also clarified that her mentor, the “Sea God” Florence, was aware of this transaction. This indicated that she still had some reservations. However, since she had laid her cards on the table so transparently, any potential thoughts of seizing the item among the crowd were likely quashed.
“The success of the trade depends on whether the item is compatible with me,” Angel spoke in a noncommittal manner, keeping his thoughts under wraps.
“Why don’t you have a look, then?” Sanye suggested, proceeding to slowly open the box.
At this point, Sanders and Canter stepped back, leaving Angel and Sanye facing each other across the table.
Once the box was opened, a faint light emanated from it, but without any subsequent upheaval; everything remained serene and silent. Nevertheless, both Angel and Sanders sensed an obscure wave of energy emanating from the box.
This energy, without a doubt, emanates the fluctuations of illusion magic.
Angel picks up a monocle capable of simply shielding energy rays and then directs his gaze into the box.
Through the lens, Angel clearly sees the item inside the box.
It’s a small house.
To be precise, it’s a miniature model of a wooden cabin. At first glance, it somewhat resembles the magical abode where Master Midora lived. Although compact, it’s far from rudimentary and emanates a cozy ambiance.
The wooden walls of the cabin feature stunningly intricate decorative runes. Blooming clusters of vibrant flowers adorn the cabin’s windowsill and the stairs outside, wafting an enchanting fragrance that invites one to close their eyes and lose themselves in the aroma.
Angel retracts his gaze, and although he hasn’t yet experienced the item firsthand, from what he already knows, even in its inactive state, the artifact has the ability to affect all five senses through illusions without causing any sense of incongruity.
This leaves him to believe that it is undoubtedly an item rooted in the school of illusion magic and is likely quite powerful.
“Could this be an artifact found in a ruin belonging to the Cunning Great Wizard mentioned by the White Seagull Chronicles?” At this point, Angel’s voice chimes in.
Angel looks perplexed; while he knows of the Cunning Great Wizard, he hasn’t thoroughly read the White Seagull Chronicles for more details.
Canter, on the other side, seems to have a moment of realization after hearing Sanye’s words: “The White Seagull Chronicles mentioned those ruins? I remember it mentioned that Spivey acquired an illusionary artifact in his early years, which helped him find his true self amid confusion… However, it only mentioned this briefly and didn’t specify the final whereabouts of the artifact.”
Sanye: “The artifact you’re talking about was ultimately left by Spivey in an abandoned laboratory. Thousands of years later, I stumbled upon it by chance.”
Pausing for a moment, Sanye nods, “Indeed, this artifact is that very item of illusion magic that Spivey carried with him in his early years——”
“House of Hearts.”
Upon hearing the name ‘House of Hearts’ uttered by Sanye, a flicker of understanding crossed Sanders’ eyes. “So it is indeed the House of Hearts.”
“Mentor, are you familiar with this artifact as well?” Angel inquired curiously.
Sanders nodded, “The House of Hearts is an alchemical creation founded upon the Heart Illusion school of thought. According to the records, it’s an exceptionally competent auxiliary tool.”
“Indeed,” Sanye interjected, “when judged purely on its auxiliary efficacy, it could easily be ranked among the top three within the Heart Illusion alchemical works. Although I haven’t yet encountered your Rhythm of the Ocean creation, I’ve heard Jiebo mention its effects. At least in terms of auxiliary support, the House of Hearts and the Rhythm of the Ocean should be on equal footing.”
Angel turned to Sanders, who reciprocated with a nod, affirming the accuracy of Sanye’s statement.
From a strictly auxiliary standpoint, the House of Hearts indeed stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Rhythm of the Ocean. This accounts for why Sanye would confidently bring it forth for a trade with Angel.
Sanders then elaborated, “That may be so, but one shouldn’t overlook the objective circumstances. Among the three main frameworks, the Mysterious side has the fewest number of people, and within that, illusionists are also a minority.”
“Even if we were talking about illusionists, those specializing in the Heart Illusion are even fewer.”
“As for the Rhythm of the Ocean, it targets ocean wizards, a group considerably larger than the small sub-category of Heart Illusion. Even wizards outside the ocean domain will have some proficiency in water magic, and the Rhythm of the Ocean would augment their abilities.”
Sanders pinpointed the issue: in terms of auxiliary efficacy, there’s not much that separates the two. However, the number of practitioners focusing on Heart Illusion is relatively small, whereas ocean wizards are much more abundant.
Responding at a measured pace, Sanye said, “Lord Phantom Master Sanders, you do have a point. However, the House of Hearts isn’t strictly designed for practitioners of Heart Illusion.”
Sanders: “Heart Illusion magic is most effective with it.”
“Just like Rhythm of the Ocean is most effective for ocean wizards, isn’t it?”
The two bantered back and forth for quite some time, leaving Angel still bewildered. Seizing a lull in their conversation, he interjected, “What exactly does this ‘House of Hearts’ do?”
Sanders had vouched for the strong supplementary effects of the House of Hearts, but as to what these effects were, Angel remained in the dark.
Not one to beat around the bush, Sanye answered directly: “The House of Hearts allows you to confront your inner demons head-on.”
Generally speaking, wizards specializing in Heart Illusion magic, particularly when they’re novices, get entangled in human nature to some degree due to their need to engage with and analyze the human heart. Consequently, almost 90% of Heart Illusion apprentices develop certain fixations or obsessions.
These obsessions morph into inner demons, which, if left unchecked, become full-blown crises of the mind.
The House of Hearts allows you to face these crises, magnify them, and even conquer them. For Heart Illusion wizards, its supplementary effects are incredibly powerful.
However, this only applies to Heart Illusion wizards.
While wizards from other schools could use it, only Heart Illusion wizards would magnify their inner demons to such an extent. Wizards of other disciplines, even without using the House of Hearts, can gradually conquer these mental crises as they mature.
That’s why Sanders asserted that this item is most useful for practitioners of the Heart Illusion school.
“The gap in numbers between Heart Illusion practitioners and ocean wizards is indeed significant. However, suitability is what matters most, isn’t it?” Sanye argued.
Even Sanders couldn’t refute this point.
Because what Sanye said was undeniably true: While the Rhythm of the Ocean might not manifest its full potential in Angel’s hands, the House of Hearts would be more beneficial to him due to its relevance to illusion magic.
“So, what say you, Super Dimensional Wizard? I believe you understand the significance of the House of Hearts within the entire illusion magic school better than I do. Would you be willing to make a trade with me?”