Chapter 1709 Magic Mirror <TOC> Chapter 1711 Steady Advancement
Translator: SumTLMan
“Last night, in the underground fragrance arena of the lush district, Orola lavishly praised your Drama Shadow Box in front of all the witches participating in the fragrance gathering. After whetting our appetites with her words, she did not share the shadow box she obtained, keeping us in the dark. I observed several witches discreetly leaving the venue. I presume they might be interested in purchasing your shadow box.”
The speaker was a witch adorned with a floral crown, wearing a petal long skirt. Her figure was dignified and graceful, her face radiant yet not ostentatious. However, her figure flickered occasionally, revealing it to be not her actual self, but an illusion projected from the communication device on the table.
This projected witch was “Rose Crown” Liana. Angel had been busy crafting the Drama Shadow Box for the past few days. Just as she was about to delve into researching the alchemy matters of the Novastar Competition participants, Liana contacted him via the communication device before Angel could even start his alchemy process.
Angel gazed at Liana’s projection, acknowledging with a noncommittal nod, casually responding, “If they wish to purchase the Drama Shadow Box, they might want to act swiftly, as I haven’t crafted many.”
Liana quirkily raised an eyebrow, “After all I’ve shared, that’s your main concern? Aren’t you curious about the other things, like what exactly Orola praised you for?”
Angel looked at Liana with a puzzled expression, “Why should that concern me?” Everyone likes hearing praise, but it would be peculiar to deliberately inquire about what compliments others had given about oneself.
Liana hesitated for a moment, “It’s quite uncharacteristic of Orola to express such effusive praise. This time, she specifically reached out to me, expressing her desire to meet with you.”
“So, that’s the reason for your contact?” Without pondering, Angel responded decisively, “I apologize, but please convey my message to Witch Orola that I’m quite busy lately.”
Angel had a gentle demeanor, but the implication of his refusal was clear.
“Do you really not intend to meet her? Orola is said to be exceptionally beautiful.”
Casting a brief glance at Liana, Angel deduced the underlying hint in her statement but responded with a shake of his head, “It’s not that I’m evading. I’m genuinely busy.”
Angel nonchalantly pointed to a pile of scribbled notes and drafts on his desk, adorned with various sketches and filled with formulas. “I hope to finish these before leaving Sky Mechanical City. So, I’m pressed for time.”
Liana remarked, deeply observing Angel, “I’ve noticed that you’re becoming more and more like your mentor. However, there’s a difference. Your mentor is too lazy to understand, while you choose not to. But fine, I’ll relay your response to her later.”
Ignoring Liana’s observation about “understanding and choosing not to,” Angel raised an eyebrow inquiringly, “Anything else?”
“Not everything is serious business. I just wanted to chat.” Liana paused for a moment before expressing her curiosity, “I’ve been wondering why you’ve suddenly taken an interest in creating the Drama Shadow Box? The word on the street is that numerous Drama Shadow Boxes in Sky Mechanical City are trending, but the overall quality isn’t great, leading to much criticism. As its creator, they say you decided to step in and redefine the rules of the Drama Shadow Box to defend its artistic merit.”
“Is that the story?”
After pondering for a moment, Angel responded, “That narrative is intriguing. However, I haven’t been driven by such a grand philosophy. How outsiders perceive the quality of the Drama Shadow Box doesn’t matter to me. A gem, even if buried in mud, remains a gem. Given the chance, it will be discovered and polished to enhance its beauty.”
Liana, raising an eyebrow, retorted, “Yet sometimes, not everyone can spot a gem hidden in the mud.”
“I’ve already pointed to a certain mud pit, saying that there are gems inside, and there will always be those who search for them.” Angel had already placed the Drama Shadow Box’s tower there. Initially, there might be a fog obscuring the view, but once the fog is cleared, surely someone would find the tower.
“What’s the reason you crafted the Drama Shadow Box?” Liana, no longer wanting to argue, directly posed the question that piqued her curiosity the most.
Angel didn’t beat around the bush, “Because I promised Gloria that I would craft a Drama Shadow Box for her, so I made a few more while I was at it.”
“You made a few more just like that?” Liana’s face showed confusion. She initially thought there would be a deeper story behind it. Was that all there was to it?
“Yes.” Angel nodded in affirmation.
Liana carefully studied Angel’s expression, which seemed genuine. Moreover, he had no reason to lie about such a trivial matter.
Could that really be all? Liana couldn’t make sense of what Angel meant by “while I was at it.” How did it come to be so coincidental?
After some thought, Liana said, “Let’s assume you made them incidentally. Why did you choose to sell them at the Breezy Magical Materials Shop? I’m aware of some of the internal matters of the shops in Sky Mechanical City. If you needed a distribution channel, I believe Lord Horus would be more than happy to assist, even if it means opening a shop similar to the Fingernail Alchemy House under the name of Savage Grottoes or even under your name.”
Being an alchemist herself, Liana understood the importance of the Savage Grottoes to Angel. All Angel needed to do was express his desire, and without even requiring Lord Rhine’s consent, Horus could handle such affairs for him. After all, opening a store named after Savage Grottoes in Sky Mechanical City would also be a move to gain influence within the alchemy circle.
In the past, the Savage Grottoes had never shown such ambition, primarily because the only noteworthy alchemist they had was Liana. However, now, Angel has risen dramatically, stepping directly into the core Research Institute of the Southern Region. Perhaps Lord Rhine Mute might not have realized it initially, but once he comes to his senses, he’ll surely strategize something for Sky Mechanical City.
Furthermore, alchemy shops are the easiest way to penetrate the circle of alchemists! One only needs to look at the Fingernail Alchemy House to understand. Because of Fingernail Granny’s presence, even if she rarely offers advice to others, her alchemy house has become a gathering place for many alchemists from Achillea Comprehensive College.
Liana was quite perplexed by this. Why would Angel neglect the resources of the Savage Grottoes and instead liaise with the Breezy Magical Materials Shop?
Angel could roughly comprehend the intricate thoughts circling Liana’s mind.
After pondering for a moment, he said, “I chose the Breezy Magical Materials Shop for specific reasons. You can interpret it as my way of reciprocating the shop.”
Liana roughly grasped Angel’s sentiment. It seemed someone from the Breezy Magical Materials Shop had done him a favor, and this was his method of repayment.
Liana murmured, “I wonder what they did to receive such a generous gesture in return.”
Angel just smiled and didn’t respond. In reality, his act of gratitude wasn’t as grand as one might imagine. It was merely to give outsiders the impression that he stood behind the Breezy Magical Materials Shop.
However, the shadow box crafted by Angel didn’t bear any insignia. This gave Angel ample flexibility. If he chose, he could maintain silence, be ambiguous, and ensure that members of the Profound Alchemy Association, out of apprehension, wouldn’t dare trouble the Breezy Magical Materials Shop. If the shop ever went too far, Angel could always deny any association with the shadow box. After all, without the insignia, even if everyone knew he was the creator, Angel’s stance was evidently more crucial.
Even if someday the Savage Grottoes wished to join the alchemical competition in Sky Mechanical City, Angel could still support the Breezy Magical Materials Shop from behind the scenes without jeopardizing his position.
Therefore, all things considered, he seems to have just earned an ambiguous reputation and a few shadow boxes.
Chapter 1709 Magic Mirror <TOC> Chapter 1711 Steady Advancement