Chapter 1718 Disseminated <TOC> Chapter 1720 Hot Spring at the Bathhouse
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel was oblivious to the fact that he was on the minds of the members of the Profound Alchemy Association. Even if he knew, it’s likely he wouldn’t care.
After retrieving the scouting puppet he’d left at Bliss Pavilion, he returned to the laboratory within the mansion. Although he had completed the custom alchemy for Hilary and Onassis, the magician-exclusive item he promised to Shirley was only halfway done. Because of an incident involving Nausica, Angel had been forced to interrupt the crafting process midway.
Now, Angel was preparing to complete the crafting of Shirley’s item.
Having already completed half, and with previous plans in mind, the crafting process was swift.
On the third day after entering the laboratory, Angel stepped out.
Immediately upon his exit, he received a message from Gloria.
“Was that an Alchemy Omen Sign just now?” Not long before, the weather outside had begun to change unpredictably — wind, thunder, rain, and lightning came in turns. At the same time, a strange laughter kept echoing in her ears. Initially, Gloria didn’t realize what was happening, but once she identified that all these changes originated from Angel’s laboratory, it dawned on her.
It definitely was an Alchemy Omen Sign!
Unable to hide the evident alchemical omen, Angel nodded in acknowledgment. The item he crafted for Shirley had reached an intermediate level. When the finished product appeared, the Alchemy Omen Sign naturally made its presence felt.
When Angel was still an apprentice, he found it challenging to experience such Omen Signs, and a momentary lapse could trap him forever within the Vision Space. However, since becoming a formal wizard, his situation improved slightly. Although the Vision Space still harbored many dangerous locales, overall, it remained within his capabilities.
Yet, this was merely a middle to low-rank creation. If it were the Vision Space of a high-rank work, navigating it safely would be considerably more challenging for Angel.
Having received Angel’s confirmation, Gloria murmured, “Thankfully, I reacted swiftly and shielded Shirley as well as the Passionate Song of Fate. Had they been disrupted, it would have been disastrous, especially at this Crucial Moment.”
“Crucial… moment?” Angel inquired with a puzzled look, “Why do you say it’s a crucial moment?”
Gloria explained, “A few days ago, while you were in the laboratory, Toby woke up in a great deal of excitement, suggesting he might have found the key to overcoming the Tribulation of Resentment. When I pressed him for details, he remained tight-lipped. Yet, for the past few days, he’s been tirelessly experimenting. In fact, he hasn’t rested for a long time… Well, not exactly. If you consider sleeping as resting, he did rest. But he hasn’t had a mental break.”
Gloria continued, “In any case, according to Toby’s estimates, he believes that in just a few more tries, he might have a chance to overcome the Tribulation of Resentment.”
Therefore, it was indeed a crucial moment. Gloria was on high alert, and the unexpected alchemy Omen Sign startled her significantly.
“Toby has found a way to overcome the Tribulation of Resentment?” Angel’s eyes sparkled with interest. Abandoning his initial plan to return to his room for a rest, he quickly headed towards the mansion.
Inside the mansion, Shirley was diligently monitoring Toby’s condition amidst the magic formation. Azaz sat nearby, jotting down notes, while Gloria… she was fidgeting with a small box in her hands.
“This is what you referred to as ‘every blade of grass and tree can be a weapon’?” Angel looked doubtfully at the box in Gloria’s hands. Observing the patterns on it, it appeared to be the Drama Shadow Box that he had crafted. The performance inside was a twisted fairytale titled —The Princess Who Slayed the Dragon—.
Gloria responded, “Yes. One should always be vigilant internally; there’s no need to display it outwardly. I watch the drama merely to give my eyes a break.”
“The princess slays the dragon, dissects it to make a magical potion, and then transforms into a new dragon to kill the very hero who came to rescue her. Are you sure such a story is relaxing for your eyes?” Angel asked with considerable skepticism.
“Absolutely,” Gloria said, nodding assertively. “The only part that tires my eyes is when the princess is cooking the dragon’s innards. Her technique is so crude. The details you put into the illusion could use some refining.”
Angel retorted, “… The princess is not a gourmet.”
“But I am,” Gloria muttered, emphasizing that creators should always consider their audience’s preferences.
A vein throbbed on Angel’s forehead, clearly exasperated. Fortunately, at that moment, Azaz handed over notes detailing Toby’s condition, which helped Angel regain some semblance of calm.
Angel immersed himself in the notes, absorbing every detail. In just two weeks, Toby had undergone 80 House of Hearts experiences, not completing any of them entirely.
However, Azaz had charted Toby’s emotional trajectory and the time he faced the Tribulation of Resentment. The graphs showed mostly positive progress. Toby could now face the Tribulation of Resentment for more than ten minutes. Between the 70th and 80th experiences, the duration he could withstand it increased dramatically. It seems that when Toby mentioned he found a way to conquer the Tribulation of Resentment, it began around the 70th experience.
By the 80th time, he had even managed to endure it for a full half-hour.
To endure the oppressive thoughts of the Tribulation of Resentment for more than half an hour truly attests to Toby’s advancement.
Perhaps, as Toby himself posited, he is on the brink of conquering these malevolent ruminations after these few instances.
“How is Toby faring now?” Angel inquired.
Azaz responded, “Based on past experiences and the intensity of the Passionate Song of Fate, Toby has already begun confronting the Tribulation of Resentment. Half an hour has elapsed since then.”
Angel nodded in acknowledgment, indicating that Toby might be on the cusp of awakening.
As Azaz’s words settled, Shirley, ensconced within the Passionate Song of Fate, drew a long breath. Emerging from the magic formation, she gestured towards Azaz and, panting, took a seat nearby to recuperate.
“Shirley’s gesture suggests that Toby’s distress has subsided and he should awaken soon,” Azaz elucidated, turning his gaze to a visibly exhausted Shirley. He added, “Throughout this period, Shirley hasn’t rested; it’s been ten consecutive days.”
Angel gave a nod of understanding, “I see.”
Although Shirley is known for her stubborn disposition, her dedication during this period has been notably commendable — a fact not lost on Angel.
Angel pondered the item he had crafted for Shirley. Surely, she would appreciate it?
A few moments passed before Toby gradually regained consciousness.
In the recent past, every time Toby awoke, he would be in a daze for an extended period, an effect brought about by the Kames’ Dream Discrepancy. However, now it appears that Toby has surmounted this dissonance between reality and the dream realm. The moment he awoke, without any hesitation, he immediately soared out of the magic formation.
Witnessing this, Angel felt a mix of elation and sorrow. The joy stemmed from Toby’s ability to swiftly overcome the lingering effects of the Kames’ Dream Discrepancy. This indicated that his fear of the Tribulation of Resentment was waning with each passing day, a development certainly worth celebrating.
Yet, when Angel thought of the myriad trials Toby had endured, of the countless times he had perished within the House of Hearts to attain such mastery, a pang of heartache pierced through him.
Suppressing his unfounded emotions for the moment, Angel refocused his attention on Toby.
After Toby flew out of the magic formation, he spotted Angel nearby. His eyes lit up, and he promptly alighted upon his shoulder, nuzzling affectionately against him for a good while before settling down.
“How did this attempt turn out?” Gloria inquired impatiently.
Chapter 1718 Disseminated <TOC> Chapter 1720 Hot Spring at the Bathhouse