Warlock Apprentice

Sangye left filled with regret.

Kanter returned to the hall and looked at Angel: ”Just as Sanders said, you really refused.”

Angel: ”The House of the Heart is of no use to me, I don’t want to consider it for now.”

Seeing Angel’s serious response, Kanter took it for the truth. However, he failed to notice the smirk that flashed across Sanders’ eyes.

”I was actually thinking, if you had traded the House of the Heart, I would have borrowed it to let Qi Li try it out, but now it seems there’s no chance,” Kanter said with regret.

”I don’t need it,” Qi Li immediately retorted. ”That thing is useless to me as well.”

Angel said the House of the Heart was useless to him, and Kanter believed it. But when Qi Li said so, Kanter couldn’t help saying, ”It’s just that you have too many obsessions, and you shouldn’t always suppress them in your heart; you must face them.”

”I am facing them now.”

”So, stirring up a storm all over the city with Jiebo, that’s your way of facing it?” Kanter scolded, only to see Qi Li turn her head away coldly, silent. This scene vaguely reminded Kanter of her mother, Heidi.

His somewhat dissatisfied heart became soft at this moment.

”Having obsessions is not a bad thing. However, your obsessions should become the driving force that propels you forward, not the inner demons that hinder your progress. I just hope you can recognize that.”

Kanter’s softened tone also calmed Qi Li quite a bit, and she understood that what Kanter said was right.

Qi Li didn’t know what to say and ended up only voicing: ”Since the House of the Heart wasn’t traded anyway, there’s no use thinking about it.”

”Not being able to experience it now doesn’t mean you won’t be able to in the future,” Angel suddenly said. ”Perhaps, you’ll be able to experience it before long.”

Angel’s words made Kanter suspicious: ”What do you mean, you still plan to trade? Were you just stringing the Witch Sangye along today?”

Angel shook his head: ”I never thought about trading.”

”Then what did you mean by what you just said...” Kanter paused, then realized something: ”Could it be that you’re planning to refine it yourself?”

After Kanter said this, he felt confident it was correct. Angel himself was an Alchemist, and having experienced the effects of the House of the Heart, he could certainly refine it himself. But whether the final product would be a superior iteration or a lower substitute of the House of the Heart was another question.

But if Angel really managed to refine it, whether superior or inferior, it should have significant effects.

Angel did not offer further explanation, after all, the Wilderness of Dreams had not yet reached the stage of full opening. Even if it was fully opened, the core function of the Dream Conch, as well as the secrets of Infinite Alchemy, Angel did not plan to make them public just yet.

”Then I’m looking forward to it. If you really manage to refine it, Qi Li can be the free tester,” Kanter said.

Although a flash of dissatisfaction crossed Qi Li’s eyes, this time she did not retort.

Angel also smiled and nodded: ”Of course.”

With Sangye’s matter put aside, they returned to their previous conversation. Apart from discussing the chaos Qi Li had caused, they also talked about other news.

Perhaps because Angel had officially become a Wizard and entered Kanter’s social circle, this allowed Angel to see a more genuine side of Kanter.

Kanter may seem like a strange and reticent old man on the outside, but he actually talks quite a bit.

Especially in contrast to the silent and taciturn Sanders, Kanter seemed even more talkative.

However, Kanter didn’t indulge in gossip; though he occasionally inserted some baffling topics, such as strategies for the Monument of the Strange Loop that Angel refined... Most of the time, he liked to share his own experiences and insights on cultivation.

This was greatly beneficial to Angel.

The atmosphere in the hall gradually warmed up from the previous tension over Qi Li and Sangye’s issue, becoming lively.

However, the lively atmosphere came to a halt due to a particular topic.

When Angel mentioned someone—Kimberly—while talking about his experience at Black Castle,

Kanter’s previously smiling eyes suddenly changed... It was as if whatever Angel said afterwards went in one ear and out the other, as Kanter’s gaze seemed to look blankly into the distance.

”It seems that today’s communication has come to an end,” Sanders said at this moment.

Angel also nodded in understanding, realizing that Kanter probably couldn’t carry on a serious conversation at this point.

”You must also have things to take care of; you should go ahead,” Sanders said to Angel with implied meaning.

Angel looked into Sanders’ meaningful eyes and immediately understood; Sanders must be aware of his use of the Dream Conch. Indeed, it was Sanders who had reminded him about that.

”It just so happens that I need to get in touch with Antonio regarding Qi Li’s matter...” Angel: ”I’ll head back first.”

Having said that, Angel turned and left.

Since he had promised Kanter, to show his earnestness, Angel did not contact them using the communicator but went straight to the Research and Development Institute.

After meeting with Antonio, Angel expressed his purpose for the visit.

After listening, Antonio fell silent for a moment and then said, ”I think Mr. Pat might as well visit Ashiliya Academy first.”Angel didn’t understand what Antonio meant but still followed his advice and went to Ashiliya Academy.

Half an hour later, Angel returned to the Research and Development Institute.

The sights and sounds at Ashiliya made Angel understand Antonio’s intention. Right now, the Fragrance Studies department at Ashiliye was in an uproar over this incident.

Fragrant Plaza was not just a gathering place for Fragrance Alchemists but also symbolized a kind of spiritual sustenance.

The disturbance caused by Qi Li and Jiebo had overwhelmed Fragrant Plaza like a flood, delivering a harsh slap to the Fragrance Alchemists.

Furthermore, with emotions running high, the majority of Fragrance Alchemists were advocating for a ban on Qi Li and Jiebo, vowing that from then on, they would never be able to purchase any fragrance-related items in Sky Mechanical City.

They didn’t care whether it was Jiebo who had caused more destruction or Qi Li; it was enough to target these two individuals.

Moreover, the main point of contention was whether to just ban the two individuals involved or to extend the ban to include the wizarding organizations behind them.

Clearly, the battle between Jiebo and Qi Li today had enraged this group of Fragrance Alchemists to the extreme. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be considering a ban on a large wizarding organization like Song of the Deep Sea.

After witnessing this scene, Angel couldn’t help but ask Antonio, ”Is there still room for de-escalation?”

”Given the current overall mood at Ashiliya Academy, it’s very difficult to calm things down. However, this sentiment is currently only spreading within the Fragrance department and has not expanded outward, but if no one intervenes, it’s hard to predict the future,” Antonio replied.

For now, the ban is only being imposed within the Fragrance department, but if it spreads, it could potentially affect the entire Alchemy Circle.

”Is there a way to prevent the sentiment from spreading?” Angel asked.

Antonio nodded, ”If Mr. Pat requires, I can step in to stop it.”

”Then I must trouble you,” Angel said gratefully.

Antonio: ”Serving the members of the Research and Development Institute is my duty.”

With Antonio stepping in, the mood should not escalate any further, but the emotions of the Fragrance Alchemists are still difficult to control.

However, there’s nothing that can be done about that. At least for now, containing the sentiment to a certain extent is the priority. As for the remaining emotions, they can only be gradually dissipated.