Warlock Apprentice

After Toby occupied the primary consciousness of the snake-bird’s body, the changes in the outside world became remarkably apparent.

The black mist no longer surged, and it began to visibly thin at an astonishing pace. Within moments, more than half of the black mist had dissipated.

Not only that—

”The waves of negative emotions have also vanished,” Greya muttered to herself. ”Could it be...”

A hint of joy flashed in Greya’s eyes. All these signs seemed to suggest that the tribulation had concluded?!

Unable to contain herself, Greya turned to look at Angel, seeking his opinion. However, when she glanced over, she found that Angel was frowning deeply, lost in thought.

”What’s wrong?” Seeing Angel’s somewhat grim expression, the excitement in Greya’s heart felt like it had been doused with cold water. ”Could it be that Toby has failed?”

Angel pondered for a long while before noticing the suspicion in Greya’s eyes. He quickly shook his head. ”No, judging by the current situation, the tribulation is already nearing its end. Based on the fact that negative emotions are no longer diffusing, it also implies that Toby’s chances of succeeding are very high.”

Hearing Angel’s words, Greya’s nerves were slightly relieved. ”If that’s the case, then why did your expression seem off just now?”

Angel was silent for a moment before replying, ”I was just thinking... after Toby passes this Tribulation of Five Flavors, what will his next tribulation be?”

”You’re already contemplating the next tribulation? Isn’t that a bit premature?” Greya looked puzzled. She wasn’t even sure if Toby had truly succeeded in overcoming the current tribulation, yet Angel was already thinking about the future.

Angel chuckled softly, ”I agree it’s premature, but there was a moment earlier when I seemed to sense an emotion that didn’t belong to the Extreme Resentment Thoughts, and its weight was on par with Extreme Resentment Thoughts. Somehow, I feel it might be...”

Although Angel didn’t finish his sentence, Greya understood his meaning. ”You mean... a premonition of a new tribulation?”

Angel: ”Did you feel it as well just now?”

Greya recalled her previous sensations, nodding after a while, ”Indeed, there was a sudden burst of an emotion that didn’t resemble jealousy or resentment, but it later faded away. Now, it can’t be sensed at all.”

Greya tilted her head, pondering for a moment before saying, ”The so-called Tribulation of Five Flavors refers to the ’sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty’ corresponding to the ’love, hate, resentment, anger, sorrow’ five trials. Currently, Toby has already experienced The Fury Tribulation and The Resentment Tribulation. If, as you suggested, that fleeting emotion was a premonition of a new tribulation, then it could only originate from the Love Tribulation, the Hate Tribulation, or the Sorrow Tribulation. Which do you think that emotion belonged to?”

Angel contemplated for a moment but ultimately shook his head. It wasn’t that it didn’t belong to any of them—it was that he didn’t know.

Although the Tribulation of Five Flavors is associated with five distinct emotional trials, in reality, each tribulation encompasses more than a single emotion. For example, this Extreme Resentment Tribulation wasn’t solely filled with resentment and jealousy; it also contained hatred and anger. It’s complex and ever-changing, though resentment and hatred were dominant.

The emotion he sensed earlier was similarly complex and full of contradictions. Moreover, Toby’s remaining three trials are deeply interconnected.

Hate born of love, sorrow born of love.

Love, hate, and sorrow could very well appear simultaneously, making it challenging to discern which is primary and which is secondary.

”Forget it, let’s not overthink,” Greya, seeing Angel’s conflicted expression, sought to reassure him. ”Even if it truly is a premonition of a new tribulation, it shouldn’t manifest for quite some time. We’ll have ample time to find ways to prepare.”

Greya paused briefly before flashing a mischievous grin and teasingly said, ”And at worst, you still have that Dream Trial, don’t you?”

Angel cast Greya a glance but replied earnestly, ”The Dream Trial’s effects on Toby have already proven themselves. I believe it’ll be invaluable in the next trial as well.”

If Toby succeeded in overcoming this tribulation, Greya believed Angel deserved at least eighty percent of the credit. However, she still had her doubts—just how miraculous was this so-called Dream Trial? What kind of trial was it, exactly?

”I really want to experience this so-called Dream Trial for myself. Do you think I might get the chance?” Greya asked curiously.

”There will be opportunities,” Angel replied casually. As for when she could experience it, he couldn’t say.

As they spoke, the black mist in the distance completely dissipated.

As the black mist cleared, the ”monster within the black mist” that Greya had been suspicious of revealed its outline.

It was a python that exuded dampness and a chilling sense of coldness. From the naked eye, it appeared enormous—not inferior to Axo’s size in the slightest. Its tail was hidden in the dim depths of the Void, making its length impossible to discern. Coiled within the Infinite Battle Tower, it seemed slightly shorter, but if it were to coil around a regular Wizard’s Tower, it could easily enfold it several times over.

This python bore dark patterns across its body, and on its head was a crimson fleshy growth resembling a crown. Combined with its shimmering, moist scales, it was enough to make those with a fear of snakes faint on the spot.

However, unlike ordinary pythons, this monstrous snake possessed a pair of dark wings. At the moment, its wings were closed, but Angel had seen them spread wide before—they were vast enough to blot out the sky.

This half-snake, half-bird creature appeared lifeless at this moment, lying still with its eyes closed. Only the occasional swirl of black mist exhaled from its nostrils indicated that it was still alive.

Greya gazed in stupefied awe at the colossal entity within the Void ahead. ”So this is... the Jealousy Snake Bird.”

The serpent-bird in its slumber seemed to respond to Greya’s call, abruptly opening its tightly shut eyes.

Its massive eye slits were still sticky with a viscous white substance, but the sticky film quickly faded away as its eyelids opened and closed, revealing icy, predatory vertical pupils.

Its pupils, upon fully opening, emitted a chilling light filled with plunder and indifference.

When the snake’s gaze swept over her, Greya felt an inexplicable surge of inner fury—a sensation that reminded her of the resentment she used to feel centuries ago, back when she was still a Wizard Apprentice, envious of her peers’ achievements.

Greya couldn’t help but glance at Angel, and their gazes happened to meet. From Angel’s eyes, she could tell he seemed to feel something similar.

”Its gaze can ignite the fire of jealousy within people,” Greya murmured.

Angel nodded. ”No discernible energy fluctuations. Just its gaze is enough to stir one’s emotions...”

”Incredible.”

Fortunately, Angel and Greya were Official Wizards, possessing strong self-control. If it were ordinary apprentices in their place, that single glance alone might drive them mad.

And this was when its gaze was merely a casual sweep. If it were to actively control its gaze, one could only imagine the immense power it wielded.