Warlock Apprentice

”Is this the platform for the mana-bearing array?” Greya, though not very familiar with magic patterns, could still discern that the intricate lines within the crystal disc were formed by multiple magic patterns, converging to create the mana array.

”Yes.” Angel nodded, signaling to Greya that she could try activating the mana array.

Following Angel’s guidance, Greya reached out her finger and gently touched the very center of the crystal disc. A faint energy escaped from her fingertip.

At the moment the energy seeped into the crystal disc, the lines within it began to emit dazzling light. At the same time, their surroundings seemed to suddenly darken, transforming from midday into a pitch-black night.

A massive, flowing mana array pattern appeared out of thin air, positioned beneath everyone’s feet.

The world plunged into darkness, leaving only the brightness of the mana array beneath their feet illuminating the space.

As the group stood at the center of the mana array, faint whispers could be heard around them—like wind rustling through the forest, clouds lingering over mountains; waves crashing against the shore, or thunder roaring in a storm.

The sensation felt as if they had traversed a narrow passage, entering an expansive and boundless world. It was akin to hearing a piano melody that extolled destiny, stirring an unpredictable and profound feeling deep from within.

While Greya and Sharley were still lost in this wondrous mental landscape, Angel quietly whispered, ”This is ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune.’”

After some unknown amount of time passed, Sharley finally snapped out of her trance.

”I can feel it. It’s like there’s a flame in my chest, faintly flickering.” She clutched her chest, her eyes flashing with astonishment.

”That flame represents your talent,” Angel looked at Sharley. ”When you use the corresponding Demon Bloodstone to activate it, during the boiling song of destiny, the flame within your chest will ignite the most brilliant sparks.”

”So, this is the effect of ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune.’” Greya chuckled softly, her eyes showing a hint of nostalgia. ”Truth be told, ever since I became an Official Wizard, it’s been a long time since I’ve used my talent. Standing here in this mana array reminds me of the days when I, as an apprentice, frequently relied on my talent.”

The effect of ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune’ is to amplify talent abilities. Although it hasn’t been fully activated yet, it’s enough to allow one to sense the existence of their talent.

Angel curiously asked, ”What is your talent?”

Greya smiled faintly. ”A talent related to culinary arts. It’s not particularly useful for increasing strength, but it was because of this talent that I caught the eye of the then-controller of the Candy House, ’Madam Candy,’ who took me in as her disciple.”

After a pause, Greya looked at Angel. ”What about you? What’s your talent? Don’t tell me you don’t have one—I won’t believe you.”

Greya’s question also caught the interest of Sharley, who had been absorbed in the feeling of the flame in her chest. She perked up her ears. Angel’s legend had long spread, his rapid ascent from a mortal to an Official Wizard in a few short years leaving everyone wondering about the nature of his talent. Sharley was curious as well.

Under Greya’s insistent gaze, Angel chuckled softly. ”My talent is hard to describe. At least within this mana array, I haven’t sensed anything out of the ordinary: no flickering flame in my chest, no flash of spirit light—everything feels just as usual.”

”No anomalies in ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune’?”

”Correct.” Angel answered with notable calmness. Though Greya hadn’t employed the True Statement spell, she felt Angel wasn’t lying.

”If what you’re saying is true, there are only two possibilities: Either you don’t have a talent, or your talent is very unique—or perhaps so extraordinary that it surpasses the observation range of this mana array, making it undetectable.” Greya’s eyes gleamed with intrigue. ”Which do you think it is?”

After a brief silence, Angel responded composedly, ”Does it matter?”

Greya chuckled lightly. ”Indeed, it doesn’t matter. I’m just curious. If you don’t wish to elaborate, let’s return to the main topic.”

Greya’s decision to drop the inquiry left Sharley feeling vaguely disappointed; she had been ready to delve into gossip.

However, in Sharley’s own speculation, Angel couldn’t possibly lack a talent. Perhaps his talent was, as Greya suggested, either something unique or so advanced that it exceeded the assessment capability of ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune.’

While Sharley was silently pondering, Greya brushed aside the previous discussion and remarked, ”Now that we have ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune’ and the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstone is prepared, your experiment can begin, right?”

Greya’s face showed curiosity; she had not been heavily involved in Angel’s proposed experiment, so she wasn’t certain if it would work. Furthermore, she suspected Angel was hiding critical information. Yet, with Toby being loyal to Angel and unwilling to take her side, she had no alternative.

Still, if Angel’s idea truly allowed Toby to repeatedly face the Extreme Resentment Thoughts within the dreamscape and accumulate experience, perhaps Toby could ultimately overcome its challenge?

Greya currently didn’t have any better ideas herself. Although she didn’t fully understand Angel’s experimental details, she trusted that Angel wouldn’t harm Toby. Thus, she was willing to feign ignorance and cooperate with Angel on this peculiar experiment.

”We can indeed start trying it now.” Angel nodded, then turned to look at Toby.

During Angel’s refinement period, Greya hadn’t subjected Toby to intense training, giving it a relaxing two days. But starting today, Toby’s comfortable life was about to end.

Angel extended his hand, and Toby flew over, landing in his palm.

”Are you ready?” Angel gently stroked Toby’s feathers and asked quietly.

Within the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel had already informed Toby about the upcoming arrangements. Toby understood fully: the process ahead would be immensely challenging, but if it could endure, not only would its strength significantly improve, it would also no longer be threatened by the Extreme Resentment Thoughts.

This was an unavoidable road that Toby had to traverse.

Though Toby frequently grumbled about training, it had never shirked from Greya’s lessons—it understood that the training’s purpose was to make it stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could it protect the ones most important to it.

With that thought in mind, Toby nodded resolutely without hesitation.

...

Soon, Toby embarked on its first trial.

The easiest participant in this trial was probably Greya. She simply had to stand outside the range of ’Destiny’s Boiling Tune’ and quietly wait for the experiment to conclude.

The second least burdened was Sharley. Sharley only needed to do one thing: If Toby began confronting the Extreme Resentment Thoughts in the House of the Heart and its emotions spiraled out of control, she would have to crush the Demon Flower Sprite Demon Bloodstone Angel had given her, utilizing her strengthened talent to suppress Toby’s chaotic emotions.

The busiest party, excluding Toby, was Angel.

Since this was the first trial, Angel couldn’t yet confirm whether Sharley could effectively suppress Toby’s emotional instability. Thus, he had to continuously switch between reality and the Wilderness of Dreams, monitoring Toby in both realms to ensure he could pull Toby out of the House of the Heart immediately if Sharley faltered.

If the trial succeeded, Angel wouldn’t need to go through such painstaking measures in the future, but for now, he could not afford any missteps.

As Angel shifted between reality and the dreamscape, Toby once again approached the void-like Door within the House of the Heart, preparing to face what was currently its greatest adversary—the Extreme Resentment Thoughts.