Chapter 742 Drew <TOC> Chapter 744 Poem of the Void
Translator: SumTLMan
“Drew is not an official member of the White Shell Shipping Company,” Helen reiterated, seemingly to emphasize her point.
Angel looked over, seeing Helen’s determined expression. However, it was worth noting that Drew seemed to be in a dazed state, wearing an “I didn’t know that” expression.
“Drew was brought on board the Cloud Conch three years ago by Captain Alvin from a small fishing village when he was only fifteen years old. Because the White Shell Shipping Company’s regulations require employees to be eighteen years old, Drew has been a probationary employee, or rather, a special employee of Captain Alvin,” Helen explained.
“Over the years, whether it was Drew’s salary or other living expenses, they were all paid for by Captain Alvin himself. So, he is actually entirely under Captain Alvin’s jurisdiction,” Helen continued. “Drew is now eighteen, and Captain Alvin originally intended to apply for official employee status for him when they arrived at the Feran Continent, but now… it seems unnecessary.”
“My salary was paid by the captain himself?” Drew seemed to be hearing this for the first time, his face showing surprise.
Helen nodded, “Yes.”
Drew showed an incredulous expression, and Helen turned her gaze to Angel, “Sir, Drew is not a member of the White Shell Shipping Company, so the issue you were concerned about doesn’t actually exist.”
Angel’s fingers unconsciously tapped the table lightly, as he muttered to himself, “In that case… there shouldn’t be any problem.”
Upon hearing Angel’s words, Helen stealthily stomped on Drew’s short boots with her foot.
Drew, who was originally immersed in his gratitude towards Alvin, suddenly cried out in pain before he could even react.
Under Angel’s puzzled gaze, Drew saw Helen’s “disappointed in you” expression.
Drew showed a wronged look, not understanding Helen’s intentions.
Helen silently mouthed, “You fool, ask to be his apprentice!”
Drew finally got the hint and bowed to Angel, intending to perform the apprentice ceremony.
However, Angel dismissed the idea with a wave of nightmare energy, silencing Drew’s voice. He then said, “I am merely a guide and not qualified to take on apprentices. If you want to become an apprentice, it will be arranged by the organization after you join.”
Seeing Drew open his mouth, trying to speak but unable to utter a word, Helen stepped in to help, “With your powerful abilities, sir, shouldn’t it be no problem for Drew to become your apprentice?”
Angel shook his head, “I am nothing but a speck of dust in the world of wizards. There are countless people more powerful than me. If Drew wants to be an apprentice, he should naturally choose someone more powerful.”
Seeing Helen wanting to say something more, Angel interjected directly, “It’s a rule. Moreover, each talent holder has different talent inclinations. I specialize in illusion magic, but Drew may not have the talent for illusions. It’s best to teach according to his abilities. So, if he really wants to join our organization, it’s better to wait for the higher-ups to assign a mentor for Drew.”
Hearing this, Helen and Drew fell silent. Angel was right; they didn’t understand the rules of the Wizarding World and merely chose to worship him as their mentor because they were impressed by his abilities. This was a preconceived notion. If they entered the Wizarding World only to discover that Drew couldn’t learn much from Angel, it would be difficult for both parties.
“I will discuss the specifics at another time,” Angel said, lifting the silence on Drew, then straightened up, put away his lazy demeanor, and asked solemnly, “Let me ask you one more time, do you confirm that you want to join the Savage Grottoes and let me be your guide?”
Before Drew could speak, Angel continued, “Behind White Shell Shipping is Sky Mechanical City, an organization not at all weaker than the Savage Grottoes. It is also a choice for you. So, think carefully before making a decision.”
Drew initially wanted to answer “yes” immediately, but the following words made him hesitate a little. He actually didn’t know much about Sky Mechanical City or the Savage Grottoes; the only thing he knew was that Sir Pat was a wizard he admired, and Sir Roman was a wizard he disliked.
As Helen had said, there were good and bad wizards.
Disliking Sir Roman didn’t mean that Sky Mechanical City behind him was all bad. Conversely, Sir Pat representing the Savage Grottoes didn’t mean they were all good either.
So, he hesitated.
Angel understood Drew’s thoughts, but he didn’t actively explain the differences between Sky Mechanical City and the Savage Grottoes. By pointing out that Sky Mechanical City was a large wizarding organization, he had already done enough. After all, he was here to recruit talents, not to push them towards other organizations.
As Drew hesitated, Angel looked at Helen, “You should also test. That day, the jellyfish didn’t affect you much either; you and Drew had the highest mental strength on the entire Cloud Conch.”
Hearing this, Helen shook her head, revealing a bitter expression, “Sir, I was tested twenty years ago… I don’t have any talents.”
Helen explained that the company arranged for staff to be tested every ten years. She was tested twenty years ago and had no talents.
Angel: “If that’s the case, it’s a pity.” In terms of personality, Helen was more suitable for the path of a wizard than Drew.
Helen lowered her head with a bitter smile. After a while, she looked up at Angel and asked, “Sir, is there still a chance to become a talent without any talents?”
Angel didn’t conceal anything and nodded, “There is a chance. However, the prerequisite is that your mental strength value must be close to 10 points. If the mental strength value is too low, it would be quite difficult.”
Helen: “Can you tell me my mental strength value, sir?”
Angel glanced at Drew, who was deep in thought, and then at the unwilling Helen. He nodded gently, “Sure, since Drew is also here, I can test both of you. However, the testing process might be painful. You must endure until the end, or the results might be inaccurate.”
Helen nodded solemnly, “I will persevere.”
Angel handed Helen a mental power scale. As Helen took the scale, she glanced at it unintentionally and immediately felt a shock in her brain, followed by dizziness. If it weren’t for Drew supporting her, she would have almost fainted.
Angel explained, “This is a mental power scale, which records a special mental rune. The closer you get to the back of the scale, the more aggressive the rune becomes, easily affecting your brain. So, you can only start from the 0-mark.”
After a while, Helen felt slightly better. She picked up the mental power scale when her physical and mental state was at its best and began her first test.
When Helen focused on the 0-mark, she could clearly see a golden line slowly crawling upward from the starting point. The path of the golden line was winding and smooth.
Soon, the golden line reached the part of the scale marked as 3. Here, the golden line split into two, spiraling like a double helix, intertwining as they climbed upward.
Helen was completely immersed in the golden lines, her mental power rapidly depleting. As the scale climbed, her expression gradually turned pale.
When the mental power scale reached 8, her entire body trembled, showing the burden on her brain was nearing its limit.
Finally, the mental power scale stopped at 9.3.
At this moment, Helen was drenched in sweat, as if she had been caught in a downpour. She knelt on the floor, panting heavily.
“The value is quite good. No wonder you could hold on for so long in the jellyfish’s frequency. There aren’t many ordinary people with a value above 8.” Angel praised, then added, “You still have a chance to become a talented one.”
Upon hearing this, Helen, who had been catching her breath, suddenly fell silent. After a while, she lowered her head, and a tear silently fell. It was unclear whether it was from regret or joy.
Angel continued, “However, to become a talented one, you still need some opportunities.”
Helen nodded, “I know. I once saved a witch. After this voyage, I will find time to visit her, and perhaps I can become a talented one too.”
Angel was somewhat surprised, not expecting Helen to have her own opportunity. “I look forward to seeing a witch named Helen rising to prominence in the Wizarding World.”
Helen showed a faint, shy smile, her eyes filled with anticipation for the future.
On the other side, Drew had also finished pondering. After hesitating, he said to Angel, “Sir Pat, I have made up my mind. I want to follow you to the Savage Grottoes to study.”
Angel looked at him intently, making sure there was no hesitation in his eyes before nodding, “Alright.”
Although Drew chose the Savage Grottoes, he was still a probationary employee of White Shell Shipping Company, and his personal guardianship was still in the hands of Alvin. Therefore, he had to inform Alvin first.
While Helen went to call Alvin, Angel also briefly tested Drew’s mental strength value.
Drew’s mental strength value was 13 points, not too high, the same as when Angel tested for the first time.
At this time, Alvin also arrived, and Angel told him about Drew’s situation.
After hearing this, Alvin’s expression went from surprise to delight, then to envy and blessing. From his eyes, it was clear that he genuinely hoped Drew would have a good future.
“Before your grandmother died, she entrusted you to me. I brought you to the sea, thinking it would be your final destination, but your future turned out to be more splendid than I could have ever imagined,” Alvin said, feeling gratified.
Alvin didn’t intend to stop Drew, leaving the decision entirely up to him.
Since Alvin agreed, there was no obstacle for Drew.
“In order to avoid trouble, don’t tell anyone about you becoming a talent for now. After we return to the Feran Continent, I will explain that you got tired of life at sea and went back to the small fishing village to get married and have children,” Alvin advised.
Angel looked at Alvin, apparently understanding that Alvin’s words took into account the thoughts of White Shell Shipping Company. Even though Drew was just a probationary employee, he was under the jurisdiction of Mechanical City. Taking him away so directly could be seen as disrespectful.
On the other hand, Alvin’s words managed to balance both sides.
Angel nodded in agreement, and of course, Drew didn’t dare to disobey.
Angel glanced at the sky, “It’s just about lunchtime. Go ahead and leave for now. Drew, come find me tonight, and I’ll give you a basic overview of the Wizarding World.”
After Drew and the others left, Alvin patted Drew’s shoulder, sighed softly, and then returned to the captain’s cabin.
Helen, watching Drew’s triumphant expression, whispered, “When you get back, you’d better be more cautious and not reveal your identity as a talented individual due to a moment of pride, causing trouble for Sir Pat. Understand?”
Drew nodded vigorously, but his smile remained undiminished, the corners of his mouth almost reaching his eyes.
Helen sighed, “Think about Sir Roman. The Wizarding World may not be as wonderful as you imagine. In a world where power is supreme, darkness and bloodshed always prevail. Learn from Sir Pat and grow up quickly.”
With that, Helen shook her head and left, leaving Drew alone in the corridor, his face full of contemplation.