Translator: SumTLMan
The rift in the distance grew increasingly wider. As it expanded, the unique terrifying aura of the Serpent-Bird began to permeate outwards.
Although it wasn’t as domineering as the legendary aura from before, this particular aura alone was already considerably fearsome. Even Angel felt a creeping sense of dread.
Even Sanders and Rosen, who were far away, ceased their conversation and directed their gazes towards the scene.
When the crack was stretched to a certain limit, a flash of red light appeared in the Serpent-Bird’s eyes. Its snake-like scales emanated a protective force. Subsequently, it began to slowly protrude its head out from the crack, inching its way out further.
Before, the chaotic energy at the mouth of the rift had obstructed them, so all they could sense was the aura of the Serpent-Bird. But when it began to reveal its head, a torrent of complex negative emotions surged forth.
It felt like endless waves of emotional turbulence, radiating outwards with the Serpent-Bird at its epicenter.
“It seems, Toby will surpass you once again,” a deep, husky male voice whispered into Angel’s ear.
Without even looking back, Angel knew that it was Sanders who spoke.
The horrifying aura of the Serpent-Bird, coupled with the continuous emanation of negative emotional fields, was enough to indicate Toby’s rapid increase in power.
Perhaps he’s already comparable to a mid-realm first level formal wizard.
Typically, magical beasts of the same realm are generally stronger than wizards. Furthermore, both of Toby’s incarnations, whether the Griffin or the Serpent-Bird, are among the nobility of magical beasts, possessing unique abilities. If Angel were to truly face off against Toby, unless he played all his cards right, the chances of victory might not be in his favor.
“It’s quite good this way. In the future, anything that requires fighting can be entrusted to Toby,” Angel said without feeling any pressure of being surpassed, even responding with a sense of justification.
If another mentor had a disciple with this mindset, they would undoubtedly be frustrated, as if trying to forge iron that won’t mold. Such mentors might heavily chastise the disciple until he changes his perspective. Sanders might have done that in the past, but he’s quite lenient with Angel. That’s because Angel’s performance has already been exceptional, almost unreal. As long as Angel remains steadfast in his goals and continues forward, there’s no need to push him further.
So, upon hearing Angel’s reply, Sanders merely chuckled lightly and didn’t add anything further. Instead, he turned to Rosen beside him and said, “You heard that, didn’t you?”
Though posed as a question, his tone was filled with certainty.
Rosen nodded. The private conversation between Sanders and Angel wasn’t specially protected, and with Rosen’s level of expertise, he could clearly hear the content without even trying to decrypt it.
“So, you don’t need to worry too much. This Serpent-Bird is actually Angel’s… companion.” Sanders initially wanted to say ‘magic pet,’ but recalling Angel’s attitude, he changed his choice of words. “It poses no threat to Sky Mechanical City.”
Rosen paused for a moment, “That may be the case, but the aura from before…”
Rosen had sensed the disturbances in the void quite early on. However, he hadn’t paid it much attention. Even if a creature in the void broke through its limits, opportunists would definitely rush to the scene immediately, ensuring that these creatures wouldn’t pose any threat to Sky Mechanical City. They’d be taken care of in an instant.
However, when that terrifying aura swept through, Rosen genuinely felt alarmed. For a brief moment, the entire Sky Mechanical City seemed like a ghost town, with even the air turning stagnant.
Many who sensed this aura dared not move or even breathe. With Muse currently in seclusion, Rosen, as the lord of the city, had his reservations. Nevertheless, he traversed the space to the void, wanting to check the situation firsthand.
Upon their encounter, Sanders was already present. Even though Sanders had elucidated the situation regarding Toby, Rosen still harbored reservations. Despite Toby being a cherished magical pet of Angel, Rosen’s domineering nature made him uneasy about having entities beyond his control within his jurisdiction.
Sanders, understanding Rosen’s disposition, refrained from over-explaining, knowing that once Toby ascends in realm, their departure would soon follow.
Learning of Toby’s impending departure from Sky Mechanical City, Rosen felt a weight lift off his chest. It’s not that he couldn’t tolerate Toby’s presence; it was just untimely. As the ruler of the city, he had a duty to reassure its inhabitants — to at the very least inform them that the creature emanating a legendary aura had departed, thus ensuring their peace of mind.
In the future, if Angel returns with Toby to Sky Mechanical City, it would matter little. After all, apart from them, no one was privy to the situation’s details.
With his concerns alleviated, Rosen did not immediately take his leave. Instead, he waited patiently for the Serpent-Bird to emerge from its cocoon. His curiosity was piqued; from where did that fleeting legendary aura originate?
The wait wasn’t long. As the Serpent-Bird’s head emerged, the rest of its body naturally followed. The whole process resembled a slick rope quickly sliding out of a dark cave. However, the dimensions of this “rope” were astoundingly vast.
The sheer scale of the Serpent-Bird’s formidable form, fully unveiled to the onlookers, was overwhelmingly awe-inspiring. Its crimson patterns, extensive and gargantuan body, coupled with its dark wings that seemed vast enough to eclipse the sky, left everyone in deep admiration.
“The previous Griffin was already a species that had never manifested on Feran Continent. This Serpent-Bird is no different. At least, I’ve never encountered it in the Southern Region Wizarding World’s magical creature literature. On the other hand, traces of the Serpent-Bird’s activities seem to touch upon both… the Source World and Abyss,” Rosen remarked, casting a fleeting glance at Sanders. “I am curious, from where does Toby’s bloodline originate?”
Sanders remarked, “This I am unfamiliar with.”
Rosen and Sanders exchanged a meaningful glance, holding each other’s gaze for several moments before slowly looking away. Rosen was convinced that Sanders indeed knew something. However, he appeared to be unwilling to divulge it.
Rosen didn’t possess the power or influence to compel Sanders to speak up, so he felt it was best to let the matter rest.
Upon examining the Serpent-Bird’s body and ascertaining its strength, Rosen prepared to return to Sky Mechanical City. As he began to rip open a spatial rift, he hesitated for a brief moment, turning his attention to the depths of the void.
Just a moment ago, he felt as if he was being watched from a great distance.
Could it have been a mere illusion? Rosen looked at Sanders, and by coincidence, Sanders was gazing in the same direction.
Judging from Sanders’ reaction, it likely wasn’t a mere illusion.
Rosen pondered for a brief moment, shaking his head to dismiss his concerns. After all, the origin of that Gaze seemed to be from an incredibly distant place, perhaps spanning countless spatial-temporal distances. It was probably just curiosity towards the omen here, and Rosen felt it shouldn’t pose any threat to Sky Mechanical City.
There were more pressing matters at hand. He had to address the eerie aura from earlier to outsiders. Rosen took another look at the lingering red fog omen and the terrifying demonic entity faintly visible within it.
“Perhaps I’ll use the illusion of this demon from the omen as an excuse,” Rosen thought. With that, he stepped into the rift, vanishing into the void.