Chapter 942 Reply <TOC> Chapter 944 Flight Trajectory
Translator: SumTLMan
Having learned from his previous encounters, Angel, our protagonist, exhibited shrewd prudence. Even before he could leave Phantom Island, he activated Boundless Silence, deviating his path and exiting through a different route.
As Angel flew across the sky, he observed a gathering of apprentices on Sky Bridge, presumably awaiting his arrival. He felt grateful for his foresight. Without it, he might have been swarmed by these expectant individuals.
A fleeting shadow in the sky, Angel headed towards the horizon.
Meanwhile, among the congregation of apprentices on Sky Bridge outside Phantom Island, a man in a black and white panda costume raised his head, as if he sensed something. He gestured with the short rod in his hand, murmuring an incantation.
After a while, he tried to make the rod stand upright. Alas, it was blown over by the wind, clattering onto the ground. Staring at the rod lying on the ground, he muttered to himself, “Destiny suggests that I won’t see Angel today… Well, let it be. I’ll return and come back next time.”
Angel remained oblivious to his old friend’s longing on Sky Bridge. At this point, he had already reached the other end of the Eternal Tree’s leaf vein, approaching an ominous Cloud Island wreathed in dark auras.
Cloud Island was dense with dark thorns and bleeding roses. Hovering in mid-air, Angel had a clear view of the island’s black spiked fences and a peculiar tower exuding dark luxury.
This place was the Rogue Flower Society, the dominion of the “Bloody Witch,” Flora.
Angel hovered around the outskirts of the Rogue Flower Society, contemplating how to send a message to Flora when he heard a rustling sound from the thorn-filled forest. Soon, a familiar figure appeared before Angel.
A gentle, scholarly-looking youth, he wore a smile that did not quite reach his eyes.
“Spivey.” Angel softly called out his name. This was none other than Grak, the “Little Demon” once renowned for his infamous exploits as a formal wizard of ‘Twilight’s Edge.’ However, following the demise of his physical body, he adopted the name Spivey. Under the duress of Sanders, he acknowledged Flora as his mentor.
“So it is you,” Spivey observed, glancing at Angel, his eyes aglow with a whirlpool of emotions. Over the course of a year, not only had he swiftly recouped his proficiency, cresting at the pinnacle of a second-level apprentice, he’d also gleaned a thorough understanding of the Savage Grottoes. Undeniably, Angel had emerged as a focal point he couldn’t circumvent.
News of Angel’s various innovations had trickled into his ears within this short span. The tales filled him with awe and incredulity in equal measure. There were moments when he questioned who exactly had body possessed who—was he the body possessor, or was it Angel?
Comparing their situations, the disparity seemed as vast as the difference between heaven and earth.
Spivey harbored a mixture of envy and admiration for Angel, yet there was also an undercurrent of relief and secret delight. As he had been accepted under Flora’s tutelage, he was, in essence, a member of the Phantom Master lineage. Given his relatively close relationship with Angel, he surmised it would be easier for him to request alchemy assistance compared to outsiders.
Therefore, upon reuniting with Angel, his emotional state was decidedly convoluted.
“Follow me. Mentor has been waiting for you,” Spivey, having once been a formal wizard, quickly composed himself, smiling at Angel.
Nodding, Angel followed him.
As they proceeded, Angel engaged in brief dialogue with Spivey.
When Spivey conversed, his words were judicious yet polite, causing Angel to regard him with newfound respect. He remembered Spivey as a haughty individual, but over a mere year, the ostentatious pride had gradually receded, sinking below the surface.
Angel recalled Sanders’ words, speculating that if Spivey could adapt to his new identity and reform his previous disposition, there was a chance he could traverse the path of the wizard again and maybe even ascend to the path of truth.
Judging from the current scenario, it seemed Spivey was veering in that direction, which was indeed a positive development.
As Angel pondered, they arrived at a lofty tower, replete with dark gothic stylings.
Passing through a thicket adorned with flamboyant red roses, Angel entered the castle’s dark corridor. As light flooded back into view, he found himself in Flora’s reception room.
At that moment, Flora was lounging barefoot on a plush sofa. In front of her hovered countless blood orbs which she occasionally manipulated, merging them with others, all the while observing the amalgamation process and contemplating its profundities.
When Angel entered, Flora slowly lifted her head.
“Miss Flora,” Angel offered a respectful bow. At the same time, he also greeted Little Red, who stood behind Flora.
The crimson glow flickered within the diminutive scarlet eye sockets, taking the shape of crescent moons. They offered a dazzling scarlet rose to Angel.
With practiced grace, Angel accepted the rose, whispering words of gratitude before turning his attention back to Flora.
Flora’s visage was shrouded by a veil of darkness, making her expressions indiscernible. However, Angel could feel Flora’s eyes, appraising him.
After an extended silence, Flora finally uttered, “You have now entered the Great Barrier.”
Her tone was decisive, yet tinged with an inscrutable hint of emotion.
Angel nodded.
“In such a short span, you’ve reached this milestone. Among the inhabitants of the Savage Grottoes, you stand alone,” Flora commented, before adding, “Given that you’ve already achieved the pinnacle of an apprentice, you should start preparations for your breakthrough. How far along are you?”
A hint of awkwardness played across Angel’s face, he hesitated before admitting, “I haven’t started preparations yet.”
“Have you decided on your first Spell Position?”
“No,” Angel responded truthfully.
After a pause, Flora concurred, “True, most of your time has been devoted to cultivating and practicing Alchemy. It’s only natural that you haven’t dealt with these matters yet. Here’s a piece of advice: take some time to solidify your foundation before you rush towards your breakthrough.”
Angel understood the wisdom in Flora’s words. He needed some time for introspection and consolidation, particularly when it came to selecting his Spell Position.
“Let’s get down to business. Why have you come to me?”
Angel explained his intent. Upon hearing it, Flora shook her head without hesitation.
“Mentor is currently on the front line of the Abyss. If you wish to send a message, you’ll have to personally venture to the Abyss,” Flora suggested, giving Angel a sidelong glance, “Why do you need to contact Mentor? If you have questions about your cultivation, you can ask me.”
Expressing his thanks with a shake of his head, Angel said he had no questions about his cultivation. His only concern was Jon’s condition.
He had considered whether he should confide Jon’s situation to Flora. But there was no guarantee that Flora was more capable than Suis, and given that Suis and Eureka couldn’t resolve Jon’s issue, telling Flora may not be helpful.
Perhaps, the renowned but unseen Sumesh might prove more reliable.
Nevertheless, as per Butler Goode’s account, Sumesh currently isn’t in the Savage Grottoes.
Seeing Angel’s unwillingness to speak further, Gloria refrained from probing. She suggested, “If you really wish to send a message to Mentor, you may check Mission Hall. There might be someone heading to the Abyss.”
After a while, Angel exited the Rogue Flower Society and arrived at Mission Hall.
In the Mission Hall, he managed to find “Abyss Mission—Frontline Construction.” Yet, according to his investigations, no one had accepted this mission, and the higher-ups in the organization didn’t recommend apprentices to undertake it either.
Without a choice, Angel could only drop the idea.
Moreover, according to the information he gathered, even if he did accept the frontline construction mission, there was no guarantee he’d be assigned to the frontline camp where Sanders resided.
Thus, the prospect of sending a message seemed somewhat dim. It seemed that he had no choice but to ask Rhine, during their meeting the next day, if there were any other methods.
Exiting Mission Hall, Angel initially intended to return to Phantom Island.
However, halfway there, he spotted the faint silhouette of the buildings in the distant Apprentice Town Number 8.
Images of Nausica, Shalem, and others instantly surfaced in his mind. After a brief contemplation, Angel decided to go and check. He was unsure if they had returned yet, especially Shalem, whom he hadn’t seen in quite some time.
However, when Angel arrived at the residence where Nausica lived, all he saw were instruments covered with dust in the courtyard.
Apparently, Nausica hadn’t returned for quite some time.
After pondering for a moment, Angel strolled towards the underground market, intending to ask David for some information. Yet, when Angel arrived at the Promi Alchemy Shop, he found the shop was being guarded not by David, but by Baruba.
On seeing Angel, Baruba was overjoyed. He promptly closed the shop’s front door and dragged Angel off to the Butterfly bar.
Amid the feasting and drinking, Angel managed to glean some information from Baruba.
No longer immersed in the work of the alchemy shop, David has found himself under the tutelage of ‘Rose Crown,’ Liana.
Now, David only infrequently graces the Promi Alchemy Shop with his presence, spending the majority of his time amidst the rose garden, sponging up the knowledge of alchemy proffered by Liana.
Promi, on his part, expressed his blessings for David’s new mentorship, which came years after his initial tutelage. He accepted David’s resignation, and Baruba stepped in, filling the void left by David in the alchemist’s shop as a full-fledged employee.
Angel was heartened that David had found a mentor in Liana. David was never lacking in alchemical talents; it was only regrettable that he lacked proper guidance previously. Angel, who was currently exploring the path of enchantment, knew he wasn’t of much help to David in this respect.
After discussing David, Angel turned his attention to Baruba.
“So, have you confirmed that you are staying in the Savage Grottoes?” Baruba had already been injected with a one-time dose of Umbrella Fungus Bloodline when Angel visited Dulmatin. As a side effect of this bloodline, Baruba’s future was practically blighted.
Baruba nodded, “If I leave, there’ll be no chances left.”
Angel wouldn’t dominate other people’s choices. Baruba had chosen to stay in the Savage Grottoes, and even now, he remained firm in his resolve. Perhaps, by persisting, he might still find a way out.
Angel spent an entire afternoon conversing with Baruba.
He also inquired about the news of Nausica and others. However, Baruba and Nausica weren’t exactly close, so he wasn’t sure, but he seemed to remember David mentioning Nausica, saying that she had sent a letter back.
As for what exactly the letter contained, Baruba was in the dark.
Upon hearing this information, Angel’s tension eased slightly—at least Nausica was still in contact. However, the news of Shalem remained elusive.