Warlock Apprentice

As the only female talent, Nausica went into the room first.

“What could Miss Nausica’s talent be? I want to know!” Sailum smiled widely. The boy was always showing great enthusiasm when talking about the hero he respected.

So what is my orientation? Professor said I’m a Nightmare Form, something like that maybe? Angor thought to himself.

It did not take long for Nausica to return. The beautiful lady seemed to be thinking about something.

“Miss Nausica? What did Mister Tree Spirit recommend for you?” Sailum asked excitedly.

Everyone else also perked up their ears at the question. As fellow talents, they still did not know who were the strong ones or who were weaker. People loved comparing each other.

Nausica did not intend to hide her talent so she answered straight away, “Mister Tree Spirit recommended that I should major in Bloodline Art. But he didn’t say what spells exactly.”

“Bloodline Art?” They all exclaimed in surprise. A female Bloodline Wizard?

However, considering Nausica was one of the two people who survived from the deathmatches using raw strength, they managed to accept the fact quickly. She was so strong that being a lady certainly would not prevent her from going bloodline.

Angor, on the other hand, was thinking about someone else who looked equally beautiful. As he recalled, Lady Heroline that he met in Barbie’s Restaurant was also a Bloodline Wizard. When he was on the cloud whale, Flora told him that Heroline was titled the “Ocean Moray” because she fused the blood of some kind of moray fish in her body.

Angor stared at the carefree lady and wondered what kind of blood she would use.

The next talent took the test, then the third… They went to the tree spirit one by one. Most of them received advice to major in Element Art, although with different factors to focus on. The only different one was the fatty, Fosah, who according to his test, should study the Bloodline Art.

Soon, it was Sailum’s turn.

The boy came out from the room with a disappointed look. When Nausica asked him, the boy stuttered for a bit and finally squeezed out one single word – Element.

“Element Art is fine. What’s wrong about it? You’re not thinking that it’s weaker than the other ones right?” said Angor. He had read many books from Sunders’ collection so he clearly knew that the three major arts were equally powerful. The wizards who learned them forged their own paths.

Sailum shook his head, “Not really. I don’t hate Element Art. But… Mister Tree Spirit also said that I should focus on…”

He stopped talking. Angor and Nausica exchanged a puzzled look.

Nausica whispered to Angor, “Tree spirit didn’t say anything that I should focus on. I think Sailum’s talent is special.”

“So… focus on what?” Angor asked.

Sailum lowered his voice, “He asked me to choose the Darkness branch.”

Darkness?

Angor raised an eyebrow in surprise. The Darkness branch under Element Art… It was rare. Rarer than finding Occultists.

“Why darkness? Fire, water, earth or whatever would be fine. But… Darkness?” Sailum looked really depressed.

“I think you have the wrong idea about darkness. Very few wizards have the talent to learn it, even fewer than Occultists,” Angor explained.

“But I hate darkness!” Sailum’s mind was filled by the terrible scene. A dark night, a blood-stained sword, and the one who perished in the blood pool in order to protect him… He remained in the darkness for a full week before seeing light again. Ever since then, he developed a natural hatred toward darkness even though he did not really fear it.

Sailum did not tell them the reason, but the hatred written on his face was real. Angor was not sure how to comfort the boy so he could only keep explaining.

“Different elements and powers are not divided into good or evil. There are people out there who wield dark powers for justice, or vice versa. It depends on the wizards themselves, and in this case, you.”

The tree spirit called Angor’s name, interrupting his further words.

Angor patted Sailum’s shoulder, nodded to everyone and stepped into the room created by the tree spirit.

When he came in, he saw the tree spirit looking up from his desk with a strange expression. The spirit’s high nose bridge was twitching as if it was trying to smell something.

“Huh… you smell like—” The handsome spirit frowned and tried to arrange his wording.

Angor’s heart skipped a beat. Did the tree spirit smell the essence of Glutton Flower Lord on him?

“You smell good. Very,” said the spirit. He suddenly blinked to Angor’s side and sniffed at the boy’s neck carefully as he said, “It appears as if… a pair of soft, gentle hands are caressing my naked body.”

The spirit seemed to be enjoying something.

However, Angor took several steps back in embarrassment.

“Having naked body caressed by someone’s hands” was not really a good way of expressing oneself, especially when the spirit was really exposed. Well, except that single leaf covering his private spot. The spirit did not show the tiniest bit of improper emotion which made it harder for Angor to complain.

The tree spirit sat back to his seat, removed his attitude, and said, “I do not know why your soul smells so wonderful. It’s both a good thing and a bad thing for you. The smell can help shape your soul better. However… If a wizard with a damaged soul notices you, something terrible will happen, for the smell can soothe the wounds on human souls.

“If I remember correctly, there is such a wizard in Brute Cavern. If he finds you… Oh my!” He did not finish his words but Angor still understood him and was terrified.

The tree spirit showed a sympathetic look.

Next, the spirit let out an “oh?” and looked another way while working his lips silently, seemingly talking to someone. While at it, he glanced back at Angor, with his previous sympathetic look replaced by one of curiosity.

A moment later, the spirit acclaimed, “Dear me, so you’re Sunders’ new student? In that case, do not worry about what I said. The wizard I mentioned will never dare to harm Sunders’ pupil. Here, you have Sunders to thank for. But once you leave Brute Cavern, you’re very likely to become the prey of many wizards. Before the smell dissipates or until you’re strong enough to defend yourself, I suggest not to leave the boundary of Brute Cavern.

“Sunders already told me about your talent. Come closer, and I shall give you a further test.”

So, Sunders was communicating with the tree spirit just now.

Was he observing me the whole time?

Angor wondered.

When Angor approached, the spirit spoke in a plain tone, “Both Sunders and you are what they called a Nightmare Form, so I believe your talent belongs to one of the branches from Occult Illusionist as well. To make sure, you still have to take the test.”