Chapter 2440 Island Return <TOC> Chapter 2442 Drawn the Clock Closer
Translator: SumTLMan
As Nisi’s hand barely brushed against Renko’s skin, Renko jolted violently, involuntarily letting out a scream of agony.
Simultaneously, a bright red mark appeared on Renko’s skin.
Nausica, somewhat stunned by the scene unfolding before her eyes, wondered how a mere gentle touch from Nisi could result in such a pronounced red mark, and why Renko was still screaming in pain.
Nausica looked towards Nisi and asked, “Lord, what is his condition now?”
Nisi, with his eyebrows furrowed deeply, did not immediately respond as he observed Renko. Instead of touching him again, Nisi examined Renko’s condition through an energy-based perspective.
After a long moment, Nisi slowly explained, “I had thought that the ‘forging’ stage of the Water of Forging had passed, but it seems I was mistaken.”
“What do you mean?”
“The effect of the Water of Forging, just as its name implies, is to hammer out a person’s potential, strike by strike. Each hammering can cause the physical body to tremble and the spirit to lose control,” Nisi explained. “You must remember the horrific screams he let out before we departed? Those screams made everyone aboard the Moonlight Toucan feel uneasy.”
Human empathy may be difficult, but the bone-chilling screams still managed to terrify them all, indicating the excruciating pain Renko must have endured at that time.
Nisi continued, “In fact, Renko’s current state is similar to when we left… well, not exactly the same. The toxins in his body have long been hammered away, but he is still in the process of activating his potential.”
Nausica interjected, surprised, “Do you mean he is still under the hammering process of the Water of Forging, enduring immense torment?”
Nisi nodded, his gaze towards Renko now filled with a newfound respect.
“This guy has incredible endurance. The hammering from the Water of Forging has not ended, yet he has begun to adapt to the pain it brings.” The reason Renko screamed again was due to Nisi’s misjudgment, thinking that the effects of the Water of Forging had already concluded. When an already bearable cycle was disrupted by an external factor——Nisi’s touch, it was like the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. Although the weight of the straw might be negligible to others, to the camel already laden to its limit, any additional burden is palpable.
However, Renko is not a camel. While a camel might not withstand the weight of an additional straw, Renko could. Even though Nisi’s misstep subjected him to an even more painful ordeal, he persevered.
At this point, Nausica also realized what Renko had been through. Clearly, Nisi’s action was somewhat reckless, but it was not entirely his fault. She would have likely made the same assumption, considering how calm Renko appeared.
Fortunately, Renko’s resilience proved sufficient to prevent all his previous efforts from being wasted.
Now, Renko has once again entered the process of ‘forging,’ both spiritually and physically being refined anew.
Just a red mark on the skin, yet it refuses to fade.
“Can he succeed?” After a few minutes of silence, Nausica asked.
“I don’t know,” Nisi replied. “But, if Renko succeeds, he’s likely to be quite exceptional… What to do, I’m starting to take a liking to him.”
Renko was undergoing “forging” when they left, and now that they’ve returned, the process hadn’t yet finished. This meant something significant to Nisi.
Renko’s potential must be immense; otherwise, the Water of Forging wouldn’t have lasted this long.
Of course, great potential wasn’t the real reason Nisi took a liking to Renko.
Many talented individuals possess great potential, some even to the extent of manifesting powerful abilities, like Nausica’s friend——Hilary, whose ability to change the quality of water is a manifestation of her potential, ranking high even among the Savage Grottoes.
However, to Nisi, Hilary was just that. It wasn’t because of Hilary’s “sleepiness” but because potential doesn’t equate to the absolute path of a wizard. More than potential, what he valued were the courage to make decisive choices and steadfast perseverance.
And Renko possessed both.
When faced with the choice between “conventional treatment” and the “Water of Forging,” the rest of the crew leaned towards conventional treatment, but Renko, without hesitation, chose the Water of Forging. This demonstrated a kind of courage to challenge oneself.
The intense pain during the activation of the Water of Forging is universally acknowledged by wizards, with even some senior apprentices succumbing to the dual physical and spiritual pain. This has led to the gradual decline of this potion within the power faction.
Yet, Renko, a mere mortal, endured it. He lasted two whole days, showing he was someone with an extremely strong will to live and robust perseverance.
Such a person, if they were to embark on the path of a wizard, might achieve feats no less significant than those naturally talented.
“I hope Renko has a talent for the soul system,” Nisi whispered softly.
Nausica was momentarily stunned, then a slight smile crept over her lips. Although Nisi said he didn’t know whether Renko could succeed, from his soliloquy, it was clear he judged Renko’s chances of success to be high.
Even more, Nisi began to look forward to Renko possessing a talent for the soul system, making it only natural for him to take Renko as an apprentice.
“With Little Seim as your apprentice, aren’t you already content, Wizard Nisi?”
At that moment, a voice came from the entrance of the medical room.
Turning around, they saw Angel walk in, followed by Sanders, Firo, Canter, and even Reynolds had come along.
“Why are you all here? I thought you weren’t interested in Renko,” Nisi addressed Sanders and the others.
Sanders spoke as he entered the room and took a seat to the side. Firo pointed at Angel lightly and said, “He mentioned that he had something to discuss with us, so he came.”
Nisi turned to Angel: “Little Seim is one thing, Renko is another. If Renko belongs to the mysterious branch of souls, it’s only natural that I would take him in.”
Angel smiled and did not continue the argument. After all, he had only made a casual remark. If Renko truly had a talent for souls, he would also recommend Renko to Nisi. Although Nisi was unreliable, his soul abilities were ranked among the top in the Savage Grottoes.
“Angel, do you have something to say?” Sanders asked.
Previously, while Sanders was outside researching Reynolds, Angel mentioned in the mental connection that he had something to discuss, so Sanders came over.
Upon seeing Angel, Sanders felt his heartbeat irregularly, as if something was about to happen.
Whether it was good or bad, Sanders could not predict, but it was definitely related to Angel calling them over.
“I came to see how Renko is doing. Since Renko is fine, then that’s good. It means the Water of Forging hasn’t expired yet,” Angel said with a smile.
Everyone: “…” So, you also didn’t know if it was expired?
After a pause, Angel continued, “Besides that, there is another thing I want to share with everyone.”
All eyes focused on Angel simultaneously.
“I want to…”
“I want to go back to the center of the Mist Zone.” After some hesitation, Angel uttered these words.
As his voice fell, everyone’s brows furrowed.
Nisi and Firo, almost with the same reaction, immediately began to dissuade Angel without hesitation.
For a moment, the narrow medical room became lively.
Angel did not pay attention to the persuasions from Nisi and Firo, but turned his head towards Renko’s bed and cast a sound illusion to isolate the external noise, so as not to add more burden to Renko with the noisy sounds.
After doing all this, Angel then turned around, his gaze fixed on Sanders.
Sanders, however, did not try to dissuade him. His expression did not change, as if listening to a very ordinary decision.
“Is this your decision?” Sanders finally spoke, and everyone else fell silent.
Angel nodded solemnly.
Sanders was silent for a moment before slowly saying, “Then go ahead and do it.”
Upon hearing Sanders’s response, Nisi immediately wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Canter next to him: even Sanders agreed, so what are you meddling for.
“I just want to say, you guys leave here first. I will return to the center of the Mist Zone alone later.”
Canter spoke, “Actually, I can accompany you. It would be a good opportunity for us to chat alone.”
Angel shook his head, “No need. I wish to go alone.”
Canter didn’t continue to speak but instead looked towards Sanders. Sanders gazed deeply at Angel, “You may, but you’d better come back alive.”
Angel smiled, merely nodding, not speaking because… he feared jinxing it.
“Won’t Mentor ask why I want to go back?” Angel, seeing Sanders seemingly lose interest in chatting, curiously asked.
Sanders replied, “Whatever you do, I believe you have your reasons.”
Moreover, Angel’s choice to go back at this time indicates a more pressing reason. It’s known that before this, Angel hadn’t shown any intention of wanting to return.
Within just a few minutes, his mindset changed, which obviously pointed to a curious other reason.
And this sort of hurried, curious “other reason” generally involves personal secrets.
Thus, Sanders didn’t ask. He knew that if Angel wished to share, he would, just like now.
Nisi interjected, “Your mentor might not want to hear, but I do. Feel free to share why you must return to the Mist Belt.”
“To witness the birth of an object thrown into disorder should be quite helpful to me,” Angel provided a reason.
The group frowned slightly, seeming to understand Angel’s choice. Angel is an alchemist, and currently the only one in the Southern Region, and the closest to the mysterious realm. His interest in the birth of a Mysterious Object isn’t strange, is it?
The world also has many stories and novels that depict people doing everything for what they love.
Angel seems to plan to do the same.
To break through to the mysterious realm, this reason sounds quite valid.
As for whether this reason is true, Sanders thinks it probably… isn’t. Does Angel love alchemy? Yes. But Sanders knows that Angel’s attitude towards alchemy is more practical than fanciful.
Angel is self-aware; he wouldn’t fantasize about things he can’t reach at this stage, like the mysterious realm.
He might have once been very close to the mysterious realm, but that was a fortunate coincidence. Angel wouldn’t foolishly think he really belongs to the half-step mysterious realm of alchemists.
He knows there’s still much and more alchemy knowledge he needs to learn.
In such a case, aiming for the mysterious realm is an impractical dream.
Therefore, to run off in search of the path to the mysterious realm for a fleeting “birth of an object thrown into disorder” definitely doesn’t align with Angel’s philosophy.
Certainly, this is merely Sanders’ viewpoint. He understands Angel, thus he recognizes how full of loopholes Angel’s rationale is.
However, this isn’t the case for others. Their understanding of Angel remains superficial, so they find his reason quite convincing and sincere.
For instance, at this moment, including Canter, Nisi, and Firo all believe Angel’s reasoning is compelling and genuine.
Conversely, Nausica feels this decision doesn’t quite seem like something Angel would make. But now, even Sanders has agreed with Angel’s Sudden Decision, making it impossible for Nausica to object. Moreover, Nausica actually agrees with the idea that “risk and opportunity coexist,” which is why she rashly followed Reynolds to raid the laboratory.
“So… alright then, when are you leaving?” Nisi asked.
“In a quarter of an hour.”
…
The reason for leaving a quarter of an hour was because Angel planned to make a trip to the Wilderness of Dreams.
He intended to place the copies of books he made in the laboratory into the Wilderness of Dreams using illusion magic.
This wasn’t a difficult task and was soon accomplished.
After all this, Angel bid farewell through the mental connection and jumped out of the Moonlight Toucan, flying into the mid-air.
Under the clear night sky, Angel looked in the direction of the laboratory… It appeared very serene, but was it truly so? Only a visit would tell.
Just as Angel was about to leave, a faint fluctuation appeared around him.
Turning his head, he saw the figure of a man in a black suit appearing beside him.
“Mentor?” Angel called out the identity of the newcomer at first glance, but quickly added, “No, an illusion?”
“My true body is still on the island, using an illusion avatar to accompany you for a while,” Sanders said lightly.
An illusion avatar, in essence similar to an avatar, but without dividing the consciousness. Instead, it uses an illusion to carry a part of the consciousness.
Everything seen and visited by the illusion avatar can be instantly transmitted to the main consciousness.
The effect is somewhat like the Wizard Eye, but with more operability.
However, the illusion avatar has a significant flaw: since it does not split the consciousness, there is a distance limit. With Angel’s current abilities, he can create many illusion avatars, but they can only travel a few kilometers at most. Beyond that distance, the illusion avatar would disappear.
Sanders’ illusion avatar, obviously more sophisticated than Angel’s, implies he can accompany Angel for more than just a few kilometers without vanishing.
Angel nodded, as he also wanted to have a private conversation with Sanders.
Chapter 2440 Island Return <TOC> Chapter 2442 Drawn the Clock Closer