Warlock Apprentice

In the lush and verdant Little Garden, Butler No. 1 was originally floating mid-air, trimming the tangled branches of the plants; but suddenly, it seemed to be drawn by something, halting its work and raising its head.

Up in the vast azure sky, a large number of Magic Energy Eyes streaked by, resembling Butler No. 1 in shape. However, these Magic Energy Eyes didn’t appear as leisurely as him; their eyes gleamed red, urgently spreading wave after wave in all directions.

Within each wave lay a complete piece of information.

This information, carried by the Magic Energy Eyes fluttering above, spread across the entirety of Sky Mechanical City.

Based on Butler No. 1’s interpretation, this message came from City Lord Rosen.

The general content explained the fleetingly terrifying aura from before. According to City Lord Rosen, a Magical Creature had appeared in the Void, releasing a potent aura. However, the creature had already departed, so the citizens need not worry for now.

Such remarks might spark skepticism among Official Wizards, but they were effective in stabilizing the restless hearts of the people.

Nonetheless, this had little to do with Butler No. 1. After reading the message, he placed it in the back of his mind and continued his work in repairing the Little Garden.

During the time Sanders was away from the manor, Butler No. 1’s favorite pastime was pruning the garden. Not just for cleanliness, but also because he enjoyed anything brimming with vitality—especially the thriving plants, which exuded the most exuberant vitality just by touch.

Unfortunately, Sanders seemed to care little for the garden plants. Young Master Pat, on the other hand, occasionally visited the Little Garden.

Lately, Young Master Pat had been spending most of his time in the laboratory, seldom visiting the Little Garden. However, there was someone who frequented it, even assisting in pruning the plants.

As Butler No. 1 thought of this, he turned his head to look into the distance.

Dressed in a tailcoat resembling that of a noble butler, Asaz was seated on the other side of the Little Garden. As Butler No. 1 had suspected, Asaz was also trimming garden branches, though he seemed somewhat distracted.

Could he have something on his mind? Butler No. 1 did not venture to ask and instead continued his work accordingly.

...

Indeed, Asaz was distracted—not due to mere preoccupations, but because he was conversing with the Demon, Sebastian, in his mind.

”According to the message from City Lord Rosen, a powerful Magical Creature appeared in the Void. Sebastian, you’re in the Void too; do you know anything about this?”

”My dear Miloris, I’d actually prefer it if you referred to me as Rorel.” A refined yet seductive male voice echoed in Asaz’s ears. ”After all, my surname was once also your surname.”

Asaz’s expression turned complicated, and he didn’t respond.

Sebastian didn’t linger on the topic either, instead addressing Asaz’s question: ”The Void I inhabit is a deeper level of the Void. What you’re referring to is merely the shallow-tier Void corresponding to Sky Mechanical City.”

”So you didn’t sense that aura?”

Sebastian remained silent for a while before replying, ”I did perceive it. However, the origin of this aura is quite extraordinary, and it also attracted the attention of many legendary presences—who shifted their gaze from the Abyss toward here. To avoid being discovered by them, I refrained from investigating further.”

”Extraordinary origin? Legendary presences?” Asaz seemed confused.

”If you truly wish to know the details, I can divulge them. But on one condition—I hope for a sacrificial offering of something delectable.”

Having dealt with sacrificial requests from Sebastian for some time, Asaz was familiar with his temperament, so he didn’t retort. ”Alright, but you have to specify the ingredient first. If it’s a living person, then it’s off the table.”

”My dearest Miloris, I know you so well—how could I not know of your aversion to human sacrifices?” Sebastian’s voice brimmed with exaggerated flair. ”Today, I only desire a beast.”

A beast seemed manageable? As Asaz was considering this, the next moment he was utterly petrified, collapsing in shock. Sebastian had already named the desired ingredient—and it was something Asaz dared not touch.

”Toby? Are you saying Toby?!” Asaz exclaimed in disbelief.

Sebastian replied, ”Precisely, just a small seabird. Is wanting a bird really so unreasonable?”

Without a second thought, Asaz severed his communication with Sebastian. Offering Toby? That’d be worse than sacrificing a human meal.

Toby was regarded as a familial companion by both Greya and Angel. Since he intended to join Barbie Restaurant, how could he risk offending his superiors and their family?

Moreover... Asaz didn’t think he could defeat Toby. He’d seen Greya train Toby—the enormous Gryphon form alone was crushing in strength, let alone the fact that Toby had mastered the Gravity Meridian.

Besides, Asaz’s inquiry to Sebastian regarding the Void was partially linked to Toby.

Upon returning from the Infinite Battle Tower, he learned Greya had taken Toby to advance—within the Void, no less.

These past days, Asaz had been meticulously tracking Toby’s data, unconsciously embedding a concern for Toby into his thoughts. Upon learning Toby was confronting tribulations in the Void, his mind naturally fixated on the outcome.

Could that legendary aura earlier have affected Toby? Was he succeeding in his ordeal?

These questions swirled in Asaz’s heart—worry consuming him to the point he sought Sebastian’s advice, only for the greedy Demon to demand Toby’s sacrifice. Impossible!

Just thinking about it made Asaz feel fearful.

Asaz decided that, for the foreseeable future, he wouldn’t be contacting Sebastian—even if it meant missing vital information.

However, Asaz’s avoidance didn’t mean Sebastian wouldn’t seek him out. While Asaz fretted over Toby’s situation, Sebastian’s cold voice broke through: ”Your strength doesn’t even compare to a single strand of Toby’s feathers—do you really think you’re qualified to worry about someone else?”

”From your tone, it seems Toby is doing well?” Asaz ignored the Demon’s ridicule.

Sebastian snorted lightly, contemplating a reply, but before more could be said, Asaz abruptly stood up.

Because, within the Little Garden, a Door appeared out of nowhere.

As this peculiar and ornate Door swung open, Greya’s figure emerged.

Asaz noticed Greya bore a cheerful smile, her demeanor brimming with happiness. Could this imply Toby had successfully conquered his tribulation?

Unable to resist, Asaz moved closer.

As he approached the Door, he realized Greya seemed to be speaking to someone behind him.

When Greya stepped out of the Door, Asaz finally noticed—behind her were Angel and... Sanders!

Most significantly, perched on Angel’s shoulder was a pint-sized figure clad in a red cape, radiating pride and vitality.

It was Toby!