Warlock Apprentice

The anomaly initially showed no clear signs; one could only sense a radiant light rising from within the cocoon.

While Angel was still observing the anomaly’s changes, the surrounding wizards had already begun to stir—not because of the anomaly itself, but because of a furious roar that had just erupted from the cocoon.

They recognized it immediately: the voice was not human. It was highly likely that inside the cocoon was a beast!

A beast on the verge of ascending to a higher level!

It’s common knowledge that even rumors about a wizard-level magical creature are immensely valuable, let alone the sight of one about to ascend right before their eyes.

The expressions of the gathered wizards were rife with frenzy and calculation, their greed practically naked for all to see.

However, as the anomaly began to manifest, some of the wizards started to frown.

According to their expectations, the anomaly’s appearance should have occurred rapidly—why, after half a day’s time, was the radiant light still persisting?

If the anomaly were likened to an opera, its overture was far too drawn out, long enough to instill unease in their hearts—

Such extended buildup implied that this magical creature’s anomaly might be extraordinary. Coupled with the fleeting presence of the World Will earlier on, it was clear this creature was going to be anything but easy to deal with.

Despite these speculations in their hearts, the wizards were undeterred; their anticipation only grew stronger. The more formidable the creature, the greater the rewards.

After a prolonged wait, the bright light emanating from the cocoon finally began to wane.

But by then, the void surrounding the cocoon had turned as bright as daylight.

In the blazing light, the gathered crowd could vaguely discern the silhouette of the creature inside, visible amidst the swirling vortex of energy—it appeared to be a giant serpent.

Generally speaking, any serpentine magical creature—every part of it, from its scales to its organs—is highly prized as demonic material. So when the crowd saw the outline of the serpent, their minds were already ablaze with thoughts of the riches they were about to reap.

But their dreams didn’t last long.

Because, as the radiant light illuminated the void, a terrifying aura suddenly descended upon them.

The instant this aura appeared, every wizard present felt their knees weaken—not out of cowardice, but because the sheer intensity of it was beyond their comprehension.

If the earlier fleeting aura of the World Will had been a gentle oppression, then this newly emerged aura was an invasive pressure, deadly in its severity.

They compared it to the World Will’s aura because, in this group of wizards’ eyes, the two were equivalent in magnitude.

But while the World Will’s aura might oppress, it wouldn’t claim their lives. This aura, however, felt as though their necks were already in the noose of an executioner’s block—any misstep could mean their demise.

Under such terror, everyone was stunned. When they finally came back to their senses, some chose to expend every ounce of energy stored in their vortexes to forcefully tear open the void for escape, even if it meant wandering forever in the cracks between planes.

Those who stayed behind held onto a sliver of hope—that perhaps, if they waited long enough for the aura to mellow, they could open the void and return safely to the Sky Mechanical City.

Whether fleeing or remaining, no one was willing to covet the ascendant magical creature any longer.

Because that crushing aura was emanating directly from the cocoon...

...

”Did you feel it?” Greya’s mental wave transmitted through the Mind Ribbon. Though she tried her best to maintain calm, the fluctuating oscillations in her mental waves betrayed her—she was frightened.

Frightened by the aura emanating from Toby.

”Yes.” After a long pause, Angel’s answer finally came through the Mind Ribbon. ”This is... the aura of a Legendary-level being.”

Angel had encountered Legendary-level auras in the Abyss before: once from the ascended Master Ye, and another time from the Lord of the Flameless. The moment this aura appeared, Angel immediately recognized its nature.

But he couldn’t fathom why Toby would suddenly exude the aura of a Legendary-level being.

”It belongs to that Legendary magical creature!” Greya’s gaze grew dark as she resolutely declared, ”Back then, I used the innards of that Legendary magical creature to create Toby. From the moment Toby was born, there wasn’t a single trace of that creature’s aura on him. I thought it had been fully consumed during the Creation process... but I never imagined—it still exists!”

Greya stared at the cocoon in the distance, her eyes filled with unease and dread.

Years ago, when she used Creation Magic to bring Toby into being, it hadn’t been simple. She had nearly lost her life in the process. Handling Legendary-grade demonic materials was no easy feat; she thought she could endure, but in the end, the backlash nearly claimed her. There seemed to be some indomitable will lingering within the Legendary creature’s innards.

While processing it, Greya had been almost completely subdued by that will—her very being and even her physical body were on the verge of possession.

In desperation, Greya resorted to Creation Magic.

Originally, she had intended the innards for other purposes, but with no alternative she had to use the forbidden technique, forcibly transmuting the innards, which ultimately resulted in Toby’s creation.

After Toby’s birth, Greya never detected traces of the Legendary creature’s aura, which put her mind at ease. But now, that aura was back!

This resurgence led Greya to question: had Creation Magic truly eliminated the Legendary creature’s will?

What if the Legendary will had merely hidden inside Toby’s body? Would there come a day when Toby’s accomplishments would end up serving as someone else’s prize?

At the thought of this, Greya’s expression grew even darker.

”You look troubled.” Angel failed to understand why Greya’s face had changed so much. After all, wasn’t Toby just the product of the Legendary creature’s innards? It seemed logical for its aura to emerge.

Greya remained silent for a moment before ultimately revealing Toby’s situation.

After listening to Greya’s account, Angel fell silent for a long while before speaking again: ”You’re worried that Toby is being corroded by the Legendary creature’s will?”

Greya nodded.

Angel said, ”That’s just speculation. What’s emerging now is merely its aura; whether the Legendary creature’s will survived is still uncertain. Even if it does linger inside Toby, perhaps it isn’t Toby that will be corroded, but rather the Legendary creature’s will itself.”

Greya closed her eyes and, after a lengthy pause, exhaled the tension bottled within her. ”I hope that’s the case.”

As they conversed through the Mind Ribbon, the Legendary aura began to shift—from its oppressive, invasive nature to a more restrained state.

But simultaneously, above the cocoon, a crimson mist began to form.

The red mist spread wide, roiling as it materialized. Within its depths, a silhouette slowly began to take shape.