Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2845: Chapter 2846: Sincerity and Calculations

In order to show solemnity, Angel removed his disguise during self-introduction to reveal his true face.

With golden hair dazzling like sunshine and clear emerald eyes, the vibrant youthful aura was undeniable, even before noticing the subtle patterns on his skin. This was in stark contrast to the previous disheveled red-haired youth.

Though they appeared around the same age, the stale air of decay was replaced by a lively spirit, akin to the rising sun, vigorous and fervent.

This obvious sense of youth didn’t even require spell techniques to discern; one could tell that Angel was undoubtedly quite young.

Angel’s gaze swept across the room, eventually landing on Olao, and he began his self-introduction.

Although it was Adanis who suggested self-introduction and Augustine who controlled the scene, Angel chose to look at Olao. The reason wasn’t hard to infer; everyone else would eventually leave, only Olao would follow Angel in the future. Regardless of whether Olao wanted to follow Angel now, Angel wanted to express his importance to him.

This was a form of respect. If he hoped Olao would follow him and collaborate on research projects, then lowering his stance to share his identity and the skills he possessed with Olao was paramount.

Especially in terms of "skills," Angel emphasized this during his introduction.

Previously, his introduction was always "Barbarian Cave, Angel," or expanded with titles, mentor affiliations, etc....

But this time, based on that foundation, Angel specifically pointed out another identity: "Alchemist, member of the Research and Development Institute."

Upon stating this identity, Olao’s eyes visibly widened; evidently, he was aware of the significance of the Research and Development Institute.

Once confirming Olao’s understanding of the Institute, Angel further explained why he could become a member.

From accidentally engaging with the mysterious levels in Black Castle to all that occurred later in Sky Mechanical City, Angel explained in meticulous detail.

Many details within were unheard of even by those typically well-informed like the Black Earl and Dox.

While narrating these events, Angel maintained an air of casualness on the surface, though internally, he felt a bit embarrassed. There was a slight sense of boasting, which didn’t entirely align with his personality.

Yet to ensure Olao understood that he had the capability and the willingness to refine mysterious objects, these details had to be shared.

Simply put, it was to tell Olao that following him wouldn’t be a loss.

Of course, Angel didn’t intend to force Olao to stay; if Olao was genuinely unwilling to follow him or had better options, Angel would let him go freely.

This was a process of mutual selection, necessitating a respectful route to freely decide one’s path.

Angel’s introduction wasn’t long, as he concluded with: "Influenced by age and perspective, my experiences aren’t numerous; what I’ve shared constitutes most of my experiences. What I haven’t mentioned is mostly unnecessary, and of what can’t be shared, it is largely irrelevant to the present occasion. Hence, they are temporarily omitted."

After Angel finished his introduction, the others were still in a slight daze, while Olao drifted into contemplation.

Olao hadn’t anticipated that Angel would introduce himself so formally to him. Since Angel was so earnest, Olao naturally needed to give a formal response, which was beyond Augustine’s orders.

Therefore, Olao had to ponder deeply to ascertain his true thoughts.

After snapping back to reality, the others noticed Olao’s contemplative expression and fell silent, providing him ample time for reflection.

Although they didn’t verbally interrupt Olao, their meaningful glances darted around.

For instance, Adanis, who questioned Angel’s identity, found her face expressing a fascinating range of emotions. Initially, Adanis intended to critique Angel through skepticism to sway Augustine and Olao’s stance. However, she didn’t expect Angel’s introduction to be so targeted.

The entirety of the introduction resonated with Augustine’s "vision."

It also touched upon a yearning within Olao’s heart: while he missed and wished to see his brother Adigu, he didn’t want to meet him in such a humbled state, nor fully be overshadowed by him.

Originally, Olao hoped Augustine would "refine" him, but Augustine clearly stated that if he intervened, Olao would only become a second Adigu, rather than remain as the first Olao.

In his quiet desolation, Angel’s introduction gave Olao a spark of hope.

Based on Adanis’s understanding of Olao, she was almost certain Olao wouldn’t refuse Angel.

Despite numerous doubts surrounding Angel that went unexplained—such as the origin of alchemy, how his youthful age balanced alchemy and strength, and why the Maneater Flower showed reverence towards him—these mysteries only enhanced Angel’s enigmatic appeal without affecting Olao’s judgement.

Moreover, if these were indeed Angel’s fortuitous occasions, it’d be typical not to disclose them outright. Those who advance to Official Wizard tend to possess their own fortunes; hence, it’s reasonable not wanting them revealed.

Additionally, Angel himself stated "matters that can’t be spoken about are unrelated to today’s affairs," thus pursuing them further seemed baseless.

From Adanis’s perspective, Angel’s self-introduction starting from when addressing Olao, seemingly built a defensive wall. Now it’s formed an imposing barrier, making any attempt to find chinks for attacks challenging.

This complexity in Adanis’s expression was owing to the feeling of weaving one’s own trap—failing to obstruct Angel, instead aiding him. This led her to self-reproach.

Apart from Adanis, Augustine’s gaze was also noteworthy.

Augustine previously claimed indifference towards Angel’s identity or origin; however, after completing his introduction, Augustine couldn’t help but nod continuously.

Angel’s demeanor carried youthful vigor, complemented by an unspeakable "etiquette."

This "etiquette" encompassed openness, freedom, inclusiveness, respect, and self-control... perhaps even more.

Although many seemed contradictory, in Angel they blended seamlessly, devoid of any sense of dissonance.

It might sound trivial, yet it represented unprecedented refinement requiring an environment of cultivation and growth. An environment where such manners could flourish and bear fruit was remarkably rare across the Pan-Dimensional Plane.

This demeanor resembled what belongs to an old wise man who’s discerned the true nature of black and white over the years.

Yet Angel’s youthful spirit remained so exuberant; though ostensibly contradictory, it was harmonious. This is why Angel appeared so unique.

What Augustine valued wasn’t Angel’s skills, as he was already aware of his competencies, thus listening casually to his introduction. He prioritized Angel’s principled conduct—in plain terms, his worldview, values, and understanding.

Now it seemed Angel’s values and understanding had already exceeded Augustine’s expectations, with only his worldview needing further broadening through experience.

Overall, Augustine was finding more satisfaction the more he observed Angel.

He was already anticipating a future where Olao and Adigu could truly become genuine embodiments of the Twinborn Mirror, illuminating the infinite void, shining forward into both past and future.

Elsewhere, Kaier and the others were also watching Angel.

Yet Kaier and Vay looked at Angel with reverent gazes; although they likely knew some general information about Angel, hearing such detailed accounts directly from Angel himself was unprecedented.

Encountering the mysterious during apprenticeship, daringly facing the fierce Isabella, even returning the brilliant young witch Isabel from Black Castle to the Southern Domain’s origin.

These accomplishments were beyond the imagination of apprentices, a veritable model to aspire towards for those in apprenticeship.

Vay was inherently a devoted admirer of Angel, now viewing him through even heavier rose-tinted imaginations. Meanwhile, Kaier was slowly evolving into a similar perspective as Vay...

As for Dox, his gaze towards Angel conveyed a different story.

Previously feeling ensnared by Angel, like boarding a pirate’s ship, he now saw Augustine—a figure of significance—trying to push Olao towards Angel’s direction, which immediately balanced his psychology.

He was a personal invitee of Angel!

Whereas Olao was forcibly added!

Indeed, I am still more important, eh!

When Dox thought this in his heart, he didn’t consider that while Angel had intentions of recruitment, the real reason lay in the fact that Dox couldn’t repay his debts, thus only selling himself to repay. On the other hand, Olao was initially pushed in by Augustine, but later, Angel’s proactive actions truly showed his initiative; if compared, Dox’s importance in Angel’s heart was still somewhat inferior to Olao’s.

Yet such words, Angel surely wouldn’t say. Just let Dox continue to immerse in his own world where everything seems fine.

As for the Black Earl... What can two nostrils reveal! Yet from the perception of emotions, Angel confirmed that the Black Earl seems to have a very complex mood.

The reason, Angel could probably guess.

The ancestral land, or in other words, Qingkong Poetry Room, is the ancestral land of the Noah Clan, and in the Black Earl’s view, even if they cannot return as ’masters’, at least they should receive attention.

But the reality is completely contrary to imagination, Adanis targets them, which is not surprising; Olao values Angel, which is barely unsurprising; however, even their ancestor Augustine only sets his sights on Angel, making the Black Earl’s mood somewhat complex.

There’s disappointment, and also some helplessness.

However, the Black Earl can be optimistic, at least now confirming one thing: his path likely does not lie in the Abyss of Evil Gods, but in the Origin World.

Augustine also clearly stated, only by going to the Origin World and finding another branch of the Noah Clan can the Black Earl’s potential be maximized.

And this is heavy news for the Black Earl.

Clarifying the future path is what these peak-standing wizards in the Southern Domain desire most.

Like Monty, who doesn’t know the future path and messes around, ultimately gains nothing and takes a huge loss himself.

Now having a path means there’s hope of advancing to Legend.

The largest problem now facing the Black Earl is... how to reach the Origin World?

If traversing through the Void, just the thought of the measure of empty time distance causes cold sweat, let alone truly traversing it. Without a few hundred years, don’t even think about it.

And wasting a hundred years is unworthy in the Black Earl’s view, so if possible, he’d like to take this opportunity to ask Augustine if there’s a shortcut to reach the Origin World.

But for this, it has to wait until Angel and Augustine finish their interaction...

...

The silent air doesn’t seem dull due to the wandering eyes.

Two minutes later, the silence was broken by Olao, which means Olao’s contemplation has ended, he perhaps has an answer in his heart.

"Being valued by the master already shows the Chanter’s capability. And the Chanter’s experience, even just glimpsing a part, reveals the enormous potential behind it. This is something everyone sees, I believe even Adanis thinks the same as me."

Olao glanced at Adanis, who turned her head away without speaking. But Olao understood Adanis, her lack of rebuttal meant consent.

"So, there’s no need to say too many flattering words. I’ll directly state my thoughts."

Olao showed seriousness, as serious as when Angel introduced himself to him earlier.

"Compared to the uncertain future depicted by the Chanter, I actually still hope to follow the master." Olao turned to look at the Alchemy Golem: "If the master is willing."

The Alchemy Golem said lightly: "I cannot take you, and you have no way to find me. Where I am is very distant from here, also very far from the Origin World."

Although the Alchemy Golem didn’t explicitly say "willing or unwilling," the meaning was clear enough; he cannot take Olao.

Olao lowered his head in disappointment, though he guessed the master’s answer, a thousand-year wait made him unwilling to just give up.

Though the Alchemy Golem is iron-hearted, Augustine attached to the Alchemy Golem is compassionate. Seeing Olao’s gloomy appearance, Augustine also felt a bit uncomfortable and remorseful.

A thousand years of time... is too long.

Although Olao always said Adanis is persistent, isn’t he himself entangled in persistence?

Augustine contemplated for a moment, then spoke: "I can tell you, the place I must go is the starting point of my pursuit of truth’s path, a corner where even Radiance of Miracle might not shine."

"It’s very dangerous there, but filled with opportunities."

"I went alone, didn’t tell any friends, even hidden from my beloved Margaret."

"The only one who knows where I’m going is your brother Adigu, not because I told Adigu, but because Adigu carries my aura, allowing him to judge my position. And Adigu, I left him in the Origin World."

"If I don’t find the starting point of the truth I pursue, I might not return for a thousand, ten thousand years."

At this point, Olao raised his head to look at the Alchemy Golem: "So, is this why the master entrusted me to the Chanter?"

The Alchemy Golem shook its head: "Not entirely. Do you remember my vision?"

Olao nodded, Augustine hopes Adigu and Olao stand on the same pinnacle, truly called the ’Twinborn Mirror.’

"On the path of pursuing truth, I might very possibly lose myself there, even completely lose myself in that place. By then, the ones who could awaken me, perhaps only you and Adigu."

"And this all relies on the foundation of my vision being realized."

"And what I see now, the one who can realize my vision, is only the Chanter."

Therefore, Augustine hopes Olao follows Angel, not just for Olao, but also for himself.

Only when Adigu and Olao truly become the ’Twinborn Mirror’ at that moment, perhaps there’s a way, over distant distance, to awaken him from the lost state.

This is all Augustine’s preparation for his own future.

Olao was also stunned; he didn’t expect this additional layer of reason...

"If that’s the case, I’m willing to follow the Chanter, sir."

"Previously, I didn’t want to mention the reason because I didn’t want you to follow the Chanter due to this reason. In my view, the Chanter is not a stepping stone for you, I hope he’s your destination." The Alchemy Golem looked at Olao: "Previously, the Chanter said one thing, he said if you encounter a better choice, he wouldn’t forcefully keep you."

"If you always carry the reason I mentioned, following the Chanter, then I can only wish you find the better choice you think of as soon as possible."

Augustine’s intention is if Olao follows the Chanter because of him, then don’t burden Angel.

"The better choice you think of", also implies Augustine doesn’t believe Olao can find a better choice than Angel.

This might be Augustine’s sincere words, or possibly his plan, simultaneously ’praising Olao for Angel,’ while praising Angel’s uniqueness, only to ensure he doesn’t mistreat Olao.

But no matter what, Angel’s heart never wavered.

Regardless of the various reasons Olao follows him, Angel will seriously treat Olao. Because the secret carried by Olao might likely bear Angel’s dream — sending Jon home.

But if Olao sincerely follows Angel, Angel will also return sincerity. If it’s merely to save Augustine in the future, Angel won’t mind, treating him as another tool person.

Just like Dox, currently, Angel also considers Dox merely as a tool person.

What will happen in the future? Only the future will know.