Chapter 424 Samantha Appears <TOC> Chapter 426 Choice of Branch
Translator: SumTLMan
Angel decided to try a different approach.
For example, could he attempt to block or deceive the senses?
Setting aside the aura of nightmares, Angel’s talent for illusion itself was very special. When he initially created the “Journey to the Heavens,” he didn’t actively incorporate anything, but the final effect was so breathtaking that even the Mirror Lady was moved by the atmosphere of the suspended time in the “Land of Clouds.”
After that experience, Angel’s understanding of illusions seemed to have been enlightened, and his skills improved dramatically. He could easily block others’ sense of direction and spatial awareness.
Later, he came into contact with the —Mystery of the Nightmare Domain—, and using the more effortless and straightforward nightmare aura, he began to neglect his innate talent.
Angel didn’t know if this was putting the cart before the horse, but he had to admit that the nightmare aura was indeed very convenient. However, it seemed that it couldn’t be combined with alchemy, and he didn’t know if it was because he didn’t have a deep enough understanding of the nightmare aura or if it was inherently incompatible with alchemy. This was something he would have to research in the future.
What he had to do now was to focus on illusions themselves, hoping to find a breakthrough in this area.
Three days later, Angel looked at a feather earring in his hand, his face showing some hesitation.
This was the result of his training during those three days. He could indeed deceive others’ touch solely with illusions, without mixing in nightmare auras, but this was only limited to people with power levels similar to or lower than his. In other words, he could deceive and fool the perception of second-level apprentices and below at most. This was nowhere near the capabilities of nightmare auras, but the only advantage was that this type of illusion could be integrated with alchemy.
Under these circumstances, Angel still crafted the earring.
The theme was Toby, but the earring couldn’t fully function for Gloria unless she actively released her mental defenses to feel the tactile sensations.
Overall, Angel’s crafting was a failure. An alchemical item that required the user to actively cooperate by releasing their mental barrier was undoubtedly a failed work for him.
However, he had no other choice, as time was slipping away day by day, and he had learned from the mute servant that Shadow had already acquired Naga and left ahead of him.
Eager to return home and having no other alternatives, Angel could only temporarily craft this failed piece.
Nevertheless, Angel had put a lot of craftsmanship into this earring. Whether in terms of its external design or the arrangement of the illusion, Angel paid more than the usual amount of attention to detail. He hoped that he could earn some points from these minor aspects.
When he brought the earring to Gloria in the first-floor hall, his head hung low, looking quite embarrassed.
Gloria, seeing Angel’s expression, already had a guess in her heart.
Since Gloria wasn’t familiar with alchemy, Angel had to explain the problem that occurred during crafting for quite some time.
Gloria pondered for a moment: “I remember the illusion you created a few days ago; I could touch and feel the physical sensation.”
Angel couldn’t mention the existence of the —Mystery of the Nightmare Domain—, and could only say: “This is a special illusion application spell that Mentor Sanders taught me, but after experimenting, I found it couldn’t be integrated into alchemy. I thought of many methods, but in the end, I could only deceive the brain’s neural receptors to create this illusionary item.”
“But due to my level limitations, the items I craft can only deceive those with a similar level to mine, or lower-level apprentices.”
Angel’s words contained some academic terms Gloria didn’t understand, but she didn’t seek clarification since their knowledge had some overlap.
“So, the items you craft now are of no use to me?”
Angel nodded and shook his head: “If you actively open your mind to perceive the illusion, you can also feel it.”
After saying this, Angel looked dejected.
For most wizards, opening their mental barriers to perceive illusions is an impossible choice.
“I know this is a failed product, but I’ve done my best,” Angel whispered.
A failure? Gloria didn’t say anything. From her perspective, Angel had already met the requirements she’d proposed. It was only considered a failure because Angel set high standards for himself.
Gloria understood Angel’s intentions. He wished that the items he crafted could be suitable for both apprentices and official wizards.
But this was inherently a false proposition.
For most apprentice alchemists, creating items that official wizards could use was an extremely rare experience, and each time they succeeded, it was cause for celebration. It was normal for them not to be able to create items that official wizards could use.
However, the opposite situation appeared with Angel.
Gloria felt a slight sense of emotion in her heart. Watching Angel’s awkward and uneasy appearance, she believed that Angel genuinely felt sad about his failure.
She could feel that Angel wasn’t setting high standards for himself; he simply had too little exposure to other alchemists, causing him to underestimate himself.
If this were any other alchemist, they would probably be boasting about their achievements already.
Seeing Gloria’s silence, Angel carefully looked up, found her expressionless, and became even more anxious. He thought for a moment and said: “My Lady, I admit that my current strength is not enough, but I promise that if one day I can meet your requirements, I will craft it again and personally deliver it to you.”
Angel didn’t bring up the option of ‘returning Toby’ because he was well aware that if he proposed to give Toby back to Gloria at this time, he would truly be objectifying Toby.
Angel anxiously awaited Gloria’s response.
After a while, Gloria curled her lips: “Fine, I agree. But I have a request too.”
“What request?”
“You don’t need to actively craft; I will decide the crafting time.”
Angel nodded, agreeing to this condition.
Gloria had originally thought that Angel had already met her requirements and was planning to accept the illusionary item he crafted. She didn’t expect to gain an additional crafting commitment.
She was optimistic about Angel’s future, especially his talent in alchemy. It’s possible that he wouldn’t have to wait too long before being promoted to a Master Alchemist. She essentially gained a “future Master Alchemist’s” promise for free.
“Bring out the item you crafted.”
Angel had been explaining the shortcomings of his crafting process but had not yet taken out the feather earrings. He only remembered when Gloria brought it up.
He carefully took out the feather earrings and handed them to Gloria.
The feathers were silver-white, with intricate runes on them. Each line was carefully modeled after Toby’s feathers, creating a uniquely beautiful and gentle curve.
Gloria was quite satisfied with the appearance alone.
She took the feather earrings but didn’t immediately test the illusion. Instead, she smiled and said: “I’m satisfied with the appearance, and as for the effect… it doesn’t matter whether I’m satisfied or not. I’m looking forward to the surprise you’ll give me in the future.”
Angel smiled sheepishly.
Gloria casually put the feather earrings in her pocket and said: “Show me Toby.”
Angel snapped out of his daze and hurriedly took Toby out of his pocket, handing him to Gloria.
Gloria gently stroked Toby’s feathers, and after a moment, she said: “Please take care of Toby from now on.”
“Given my current situation, I’m not in a position to take care of Toby,” Gloria sighed. “My physical body is in the Nightmare Plane, and my enemies have figured out that I’m not dead. It would be even more dangerous for Toby to be with me.”
“Please rest assured, Miss Gloria. I will take good care of Toby,” Angel said solemnly.
“I believe you.” Gloria smiled faintly, with a deep sense of reluctance, and returned Toby to Angel. “You must be leaving Black Castle soon, right?”
Angel nodded.
Gloria took out a spatial capsule and a shiny golden card from her pocket: “Take these two items with you. There are some Soul Beads in the spatial capsule that should be useful if Toby faces another ordeal in the future. As for this card, it’s Felicia’s compensation for you, the Gold VIP card for the Butterfly Bar. She was rude last time, and I hope you won’t mind too much.”
Gloria glossed over the matter of “being rude last time” just as Isabelle had said, the best choice was to ignore and not dwell on it. Angel didn’t want to talk about soul-related matters either, so after accepting the items, he didn’t say anything more.
“You can go now,” Gloria looked at Toby again with affection and said: “I hope that the next time we meet, whether it’s Toby or you, you can surprise me.”
Angel nodded, deeply bowed to Gloria, and then turned to leave.
All of Angel’s belongings were stored in his bracelet, so he left Black Castle directly and gradually moved away along the winding path.
Gloria stood by the window, watching Angel’s figure disappear at the end of her line of sight.
After confirming that Angel had left the inner world, she sighed and sat on the living room sofa, not saying anything for a long time.
After an unknown amount of time had passed, Felicia emerged from the darkness: “If you really can’t bear to part with Toby, you can hand it over to me. At least I can guarantee its safety.”
Gloria glanced at Felicia, shook her head, and smiled: “Forget it, if Toby follows you, it doesn’t need you to drive it away. It would run away on its own. It’s better to give it to Angel. I can see that he genuinely loves Toby, and Toby is also happy by his side.”
“But are you really comfortable entrusting it to an apprentice?”
“It doesn’t matter if I’m comfortable or not. I’m betting on a future – Toby’s future, Angel’s future… and my future.” Gloria’s voice grew lower and lower, with the last sentence only audible to herself.
Felicia nodded, not continuing the conversation on this topic, but instead sat down beside Gloria and took out a glass of light wine to sip slowly.
Gloria, on the other hand, took out the earrings crafted by Angel from her pocket. Filled with a hint of anticipation for the unknown, she infused her magic power and activated them.
Chapter 424 Samantha Appears <TOC> Chapter 426 Choice of Branch