Warlock Apprentice

Mukihara Bar, Fangling Hall.

Everyone gathered around the long table in the main hall, where the table was filled with an array of sumptuous and colorful dishes.

The air was thick with rich aromas.

Yet, not a single person spoke.

In the quiet space, the only sound audible was the gurgling noise of Sinistra crafting infused red wine with her petal spell at the table.

It wasn’t until a sudden ”bang” of the door opening broke the long, agonizing silence.

A chubby little man in a tight Wizard Robe wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped in from outside. When he reached the long table, Shan, who was sitting on Ganke’s back, was the first to speak: ”Allen, how are things on your end? Have you found any news?”

Allen paused for a moment before shaking his head: ”I went to the estate and ran into Asaz.”

When Asaz’s name was mentioned, Kavoline slightly raised her head.

”Asaz is currently living in the estate with Lady Barbie,” Allen briefly explained Asaz’s situation before continuing to Shan: ”Asaz told me that Lord Pat has been in seclusion for ten days now, still inside his laboratory and hasn’t come out.”

Shan frowned: ”Even now?”

Allen nodded: ”He was still in the lab when I went.”

Shan’s expression showed a trace of disappointment as she turned to Lyon, who was seated on the other side in a Knight’s soft armor: ”You don’t have any news about him either?”

Lyon scratched his hairline and shook his head: ”I haven’t seen my brother in over ten days, either.” He had even specifically gone to the Wilderness of Dreams earlier, but Frode had informed him that Angel hadn’t been there recently.

With neither Allen nor Lyon having any updates on Angel’s whereabouts, Shan could only sigh and look over at Nausicaa, sitting in the main seat: ”Looks like we won’t be able to wait for Angel.”

”It’s no matter.” Nausicaa gave a faint smile, picked up her smoke gun from the table, lit the tobacco with a candle, and took a deep draw: ”I’m only leaving for a while, not forever. Whether Angel knows or not doesn’t make a difference. If I want to see him, I can always do so after I return.”

Shan said gloomily, ”But...”

None of them truly knew when Nausicaa’s journey would end, or more worryingly, whether she’d return safely at all.

Because of this uncertainty, Shan intentionally sent Allen to the estate to summon Angel after learning Nausicaa was preparing to leave today—hoping they could reunite one last time before parting.

Unfortunately, Angel was absent.

”If every farewell needs to be marked with a send-off banquet, our lives might seem like we have little else to do,” Nausicaa chuckled. ”Besides, if my old crewmates heard about this, I bet they’d laugh at me.”

”As a pirate, witnessing departures—sometimes permanent ones—is an everyday occurrence. I’ve long grown accustomed to traveling alone; gathering together like this, if anything, still feels a bit awkward.”

Nausicaa’s tranquil humor made Shan feel even more uneasy. Angel wasn’t just an excuse for gathering; Shan was genuinely worried about her friend’s safety. She knew quite well how dangerous the place Nausicaa was heading to could be. If Angel were here, even if he couldn’t convince her to stay, he might at least be able to offer her some level of aid.

”Don’t worry about me.” Nausicaa stood up, approached Shan’s side, and gently hugged her: ”I’ll return safely.”

Shan: ”But...”

Nausicaa kissed Shan’s forehead gently: ”Trust me.”

Nausicaa’s kiss calmed Shan down. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but seeing the resolute look in Nausicaa’s eyes, she ultimately chose silence.

At this point, Serum also rose and assured Shan: ”Lady Asbelu will carry forward the glory of the King of Blackberry.”

After a brief pause, Serum seemed to strengthen his own words by turning to Nausicaa and adding, ”I believe in her.”

Nausicaa nodded to Serum, ”I believe in myself, too.”

After a quiet moment, Nausicaa continued: ”I originally didn’t want to disturb anyone and planned to leave quietly. But since you’ve already figured out when I’m leaving and went through the effort of arranging this farewell banquet, I couldn’t exactly refuse to join.”

”I’ve already scheduled my meeting with Reynaud and arranged for a Wizard to oversee the transmission safeguarding; I can’t afford any delays. Since Angel isn’t coming, let’s start the meal first so we don’t waste Sinistra’s thoughtful efforts.”

Having said that, Nausicaa promptly picked up a glass of rose-infused wine and drank it down.

After her lead, everyone else started picking up their food, breaking the earlier silence. The banquet continued amid laughter and chatter.

Even Xiliu, who had been sleeping the whole time, woke up in the jovial atmosphere, joining the group in lively conversations.

Joyous times always seem fleeting.

When the midday sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains, the clock in the corner struck with a resonant ”dong-dong” sound. Above the clock face, a small house-shaped door opened, revealing a mechanical bird that flew out, circled the room twice, announced the time in a metallic voice, and finally disappeared back into the little house.

Nausicaa exhaled a puff of white smoke, brushing some stray strands of hair away from her ear: ”The time has come; I must head to the Transmission Hall in the main district.”

The lively atmosphere instantly became somber.

”Don’t see me off—I’ll be back soon,” Nausicaa said, devoid of sentimental declarations or farewell speeches, as she packed up her smoke gun and strode toward the door.

Her figure quickly vanished, leaving behind only a faint voice lingering in the air: ”Don’t slack off on the training for the Endless Corridor. When I return, I’ll catch up with your progress quickly—possibly even surpass it. After all, my return means I’ll have obtained what I sought...”

With Nausicaa’s departure, the hall’s atmosphere was once again tinged with silence.

”Nausicaa is quite the fascinating character,” Kavoline commented for the first time, while still eating. ”I think she’s right; instead of worrying about her safety, you should focus on yourselves. She’s far more suited to being a Wizard than any of you.”

Kavoline’s tone carried a faint mockery, though in the current mood, no one protested.

Shan sulkily clung to Ganke’s arm, while even Xiliu’s normally calm demeanor seemed to carry a rare hint of melancholy.

Serum, on the other hand, appeared oddly composed: ”I trust her decision. After all, she is Nausicaa.”

”I trust her too,” Shan sighed deeply as she sat down: ”But farewells are always bittersweet. And this time, it’s a shame that Angel wasn’t here...”

Just as Shan uttered this, a sudden rustling sound reached everyone’s ears.

Kavoline was the first to react, arching an eyebrow: ”The courtyard gate has been pushed open.”

Before her voice faded, a male voice suddenly rang out in the hall: ”Is Flow of Wisp here?”

Previously drowsy, Xiliu blinked awake in confusion. With Shan’s help, he climbed onto Ganke’s back and walked out of the hall.

When they reached the courtyard, they found a teenager adorned with skull-shaped accessories lazily glancing around.

”Glenn, you... Why are you here?” Allen stared at the newcomer in surprise.

Glenn paid no attention to Allen but instead fixed his gaze on Xiliu: ”Flow of Wisp, your alchemy custom order has been completed. I’m here to deliver it personally.”

As he spoke, Glenn pulled out a Spatial Capsule from his sleeve while muttering: ”Just between us—this was crafted by Lord Pat.”

”Lord Pat?” Shan froze for a moment. ”Are you saying he’s come out of seclusion?”