Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1458: Section 1459 Solutions

Angel only mentioned that Toby had fallen unconscious before abruptly stopping. As for the lifting of the Calamity Curse, he only briefly mentioned that a powerful predecessor had helped Toby lift the curse, without going into the details of the experience.

Yet, just this part of his story had already surprised Greya and Felicia.

Greya had not expected that behind Toby’s coma lay such a dramatic experience, and what surprised her even more was that during the time she had lost contact with Angel, he had actually made a trip to the Abyss?

Greya was very curious about Angel’s experiences in the Abyss, but it clearly wasn’t a good time for gossip.

The topic shifted back to Toby.

The Calamity Curse had plunged Toby into crisis and also prematurely triggered the Five Flavors Tribulation that was stirring within him; this was the karma of it all.

This matter couldn’t be blamed on Angel, nor could it be blamed on Toby—as nobody expected, the silent Dead Sea where the Pilgrim of Misfortune resided was actually connected to the Watchguard Fortress by an underground river, which led to Toby accidentally consuming a Tentacle Crab with the Calamity Curse from Olaf.

After pondering for a moment, Greya asked, “You said you entered Toby’s dream before, and that he behaved very differently from usual in that dream?”

“Yes, in the dream, Toby didn’t show any changes in front of me, but he was full of hostility, even aggressive, towards some servants around me,” Angel detailed his experience in the dream, “…and another strange thing, the setting of the dream should be Pat Manor, the place where I was born, in the heart of the Old Earth Continent. But in Toby’s dream, Pat Manor was on a small island, surrounded by a vast and endless sea.”

After listening, Greya uttered a term softly, “Possessiveness.”

Toby was a creature created by Greya using Creation Magic. When creating him, Greya placed five flavors–sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty–into the seasoning dish.

These five flavors were refined from the innards of a legendary Magical Beast she had come by accidentally, and they corresponded to the Tribulation of Five Flavors that Toby had to face: love, hatred, resentment, rage, and sorrow.

Once, Toby had faced his first trial: the Rage Tribulation.

Greya sensed that Toby had entered his tribulation, so what would be his second one? Synthesizing what Angel had described, especially the various scenes he saw in the dream, Greya seemed to understand.

The Extreme Resentment Tribulation.

Hatred because of unwillingness to share; envy because of hatred; and intensified possessiveness because of envy.

In the dream, although Toby did not display such intense resentment, his possessiveness toward Angel was quite evident. That small island in the dream actually represented Toby’s possessiveness for Angel, isolating him completely from the world with the surrounding sea, hoping Angel would never leave there.

According to Angel, when he first entered Toby’s dream, it was only a prelude to the Five Flavors Tribulation and not the actual beginning, so naturally, the feeling of resentment was much less at the time.

Later, Angel entered the dream again, but was immediately rejected by Toby’s dream, where he no longer saw Pat Manor, but was surrounded by horrifying and oppressive black miasma, like grudge.

If Angel had left any later, he would have been entangled by that tangible grudge.

Clearly, by the time Angel entered the dream for the second time, Toby had indeed entered his tribulation, which was the Extreme Resentment Tribulation.

Hearing Greya’s analysis of Toby’s tribulation, Angel was still very anxious. He didn’t care what tribulation Toby was facing; what mattered was whether Toby could survive this tribulation.

“This tribulation is quite soon after Toby’s last Five Flavors Tribulation. Toby has not yet fully mastered the strength of his Gryphon form, and now he has entered another tribulation. It will be very difficult to get through safely,” Greya sighed and shook her head.

Angel felt his heartbeat slow and his breathing become rushed: “Isn’t there any other way, like using external forces to help Toby through it?”

Greya fell deep into thought.

Greya’s feelings for Toby were no less than Angel’s, and she was very worried about Toby’s situation. However, she really could not think of a way to intervene?

The second trial of the Five Flavors Tribulation, if compared to a wizard’s realm, was actually the significant barrier to becoming an Official Wizard.

If Toby successfully faced the tribulation, it would be almost equivalent to becoming an Official Wizard, and his strength would even exceed that of a typical Official Wizard.

As difficult as it is for an Apprentice to break through the barrier, it is equally challenging for Toby to face this tribulation.

While an Apprentice prepares thoroughly for the breakthrough, detailing contingency plans for any possible accidents, Toby is different. Firstly, he hasn’t fully adapted to the powers of his Gryphon form, and he lacks external assistance for his tribulation. He also doesn’t have a plan for handling emergencies—he can only rely on himself… or, perhaps, on fate.

Undergoing consecutive tribulations is extremely dangerous.

The Calamity Curse brought about such a perilous situation, and naturally, it won’t be resolved lightly. Even with the curse lifted, the situation has already become irreversible.

Greya thought for a long time, during which she took out her notes from when she had created Toby, flipping back and forth, comparing them, but in the end, she still could not think of a way to help Toby face his tribulation.

“Is there really no way out?” Angel’s voice was uncharacteristically hoarse.

Greya did not respond; instead, it was the always silent Sanders who said, “There’s nothing absolute in this world; even the undead can crawl back out of their fallen mire, so you needn’t lose hope.”

Greya nodded in agreement, “There must be a solution, but my knowledge may not yet be comprehensive enough to cover it.”

Greya pondered for a moment, “I have a suggestion.”

Angel’s gaze turned to Greya, waiting for her to speak.

“I remember you mentioned that the last time Toby faced his tribulation, you seemed to be at Black Castle as well,” Greya looked at Angel, who nodded, and she continued, “You also said that Toby had experienced abnormalities at Black Castle.”

Angel thought for a moment and nodded again.

Indeed, there had been abnormalities with Toby the last time he was in the Garden of Living Souls. Whenever Angel approached the temple on Holy Mountain, Toby would become agitated.

“I’ve researched it before; Toby’s soul is very special. Even though it’s incomplete, it does not behave abnormally, which is actually due to the Tribulation of Five Flavors. Toby’s soul maintains a balance with the Tribulation of Five Flavors, but the Tribulation also influences his soul.”

“So, I speculate that Toby’s tribulation may also be related to his soul. If we could approach it from the perspective of the soul, perhaps a solution could be found.”

Greya’s words reminded Angel of the time in the Garden of Living Souls when High Priest Baya, who had an extremely high sensitivity to souls, saw Toby and said something similar.

At that time, Angel did not know about the Tribulation of Five Flavors, but High Priest Baya bluntly said, “There’s a fury that has infiltrated its soul inside Toby, and only by conquering this baseless flame, might Toby awake.”

As it turned out, High Priest Baya was not wrong. When Toby conquered his anger, he escaped his tribulation.

Greya continued, “My research on souls is not extensive. At present, in the entire Southern Domain, I believe the one with the most authority on souls is the Twilight King Isabel. Perhaps, she could have some other insight into Toby’s tribulation.”

Angel pondered for a moment, not expecting that after all the twists and turns, he would end up seeking help from Isabel.

Seeking help, Angel believed Isabel would agree to assist, but whether she could solve Toby’s problem was the key issue.

“I understand, I will go and ask Lady Isabel.”

Greya had originally planned to arrange a celebratory feast for Angel’s breakthrough, but before she could even mention it, Angel had already hurriedly said his goodbyes, taking Toby and leaving the cave, obviously intending to find Isabel immediately.

Watching Angel’s hurried departure, Greya shook her head and sighed softly.

“I didn’t expect Angel to grow so quickly,” Greya paused for a moment and looked at Sanders, “Since he’s gone and the feast can’t continue, shall we talk about the Nightmare Realm instead?”

…

Angel had not expected that he would step foot in the Garden of Living Souls again so soon after leaving.

After Angel appeared from the altar outside West Pollock, he glanced towards Holy Mountain but did not immediately seek Isabel. Now, Isabel was likely in the midst of a joyful reunion with Moriya, and it was not the right time to disturb them. So, Angel politely sent a Magical Letter, awaiting Isabel’s response.

The content of the letter was made clear by Angel: he sought Isabel’s assistance with a matter, and coincidentally, the White Light Bullet from the Samsara Overture was also full, which could also fulfill his promise to turn the Infant Spirits back into souls.

While waiting for Isabel’s response, Angel went to the Centennial Hall.

He had barely settled down when High Priest Baya, riding a black-and-white pig, knocked on the great door of the hall.

The arrival of High Priest Baya was summoned from the temple on Holy Mountain by the spiritual power waves sent by Angel.

As soon as he entered, Angel directly stated his purpose.

He placed Toby on the table and hoped that High Priest Baya could assess its soul’s condition.

High Priest Baya, who had been praying near the Soul Source in the Garden of Living Souls for many years, might not have a strong soul but his perception of souls far exceeded that of ordinary people, even stronger than Angel’s by a good margin.

In addition to the powerful array at West Pollock, High Priest Baya had witnessed a variety of soul natures, so his views on souls were actually on par with the average Soul Witch.

Baya did not inquire why but immediately focused his attention on Toby.

After a moment, Baya frowned, “Is this the second time it’s fallen into a coma?”

Angel nodded.

When Baya had seen Toby the previous time, it was in a comatose state. Although Toby remained comatose this time, its soul’s condition was completely different from before.

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