Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2002: Chapter 2003: Identity Registration

Babaya once read in a travelogue the author’s self-description: A mortal who has never encountered extraordinary power suddenly barges into the world of wizards; that kind of shock that overturns your worldview is a baptism that allows your mind to grow. If you realize that beneath the glamorous world lies a bloody, dirty struggle, then you are a qualified transcendent.

Babaya herself has experienced the shocking first encounter with the extraordinary world, a kind of shock that can shake one’s three views, and she still remembers the feeling from then.

And now, in this region known as the Wilderness of Dreams, Babaya once again experiences a similar sense of shock.

Both the external environment and the world of thought made Babaya feel a mental impact.

The body is hers, yet seems not like hers; the magic power can be controlled, yet feels slightly different from usual.

Even the elements in the air have a strange feeling: her spiritual sense tells her these exist truthfully; yet some vague thoughts deny the existence of these.

This is an experience that Babaya has never had before.

Even though she has been in this world for half an hour, her inner thoughts are still in a state of bewilderment.

”Babaya, it’s your turn.” Kudodo behind her gave her a push, finally waking her from her daze.

Babaya looked up to see the curly-haired man at the desk smiling faintly at her: ”Don’t worry, it’s just an identity registration. Actually, you, as transcendent, don’t need to register, but since the new city hasn’t started construction yet, you need to stay temporarily in Originheart City, so to avoid trouble, let’s register first.”

Babaya nodded. Although identity registration wasn’t a requirement from Lord Pat, since Lord Pat entrusted them to the man before her, it’s unlikely he’d harm them. Plus, everyone else has already registered, and Babaya wouldn’t want to act out of the norm.

”Babaya, Kulakuka tribe, age sixteen...”

After Babaya finished registering her identity, the curly-haired man at the desk quickly organized the information and handed it to his assistant, then said to them: ”You now have a legitimate identity in Originheart City and can enjoy the welfare benefits of its citizens. You can consult the service personnel on the first floor of Sky Tower for specific clauses later.”

”Legal residents of Originheart City?” Kudodo scratched his head, feeling today’s events quite strange. He originally thought they were here to participate in research, but suddenly they seemed to have joined the city’s registration!

”Yes. Do you have any complaints about this?” The curly-haired man looked at Kudodo with a smile.

Even though the other was smiling, Kudodo felt a chill down his spine. He quickly shook his head: ”No complaints, just a bit puzzled why I haven’t heard of this place before.”

”You only became a transcendent a few years ago? It’s normal for you not to have heard of it.”

”But, Lord Pat...” Kudodo still wanted to argue something, yet the opposite man interrupted him.

”Since Lord Pat didn’t tell you about the situation here, do you think, as loyal subordinates of Lord Pat, I would exceed my authority and do it for you?” The curly-haired man chuckled lightly: ”Moreover, you’re only here to do research, not to investigate in-depth. Or rather, compared to the tasks handed down by the Lord, is the truth here what you care about most?”

Upon hearing this, Kudodo immediately quieted down. Lord Pat had them join the research clearly to help them, and if it angered the Lord because of this, it would be unfavorable. Just as the curly-haired man said, they are only here for tasks; there’s no need to think too much.

”Since we’ve registered, what’s our next task?” At this moment, Babaya spoke up.

”Soon someone will take you to meet Mr. Jon, who initiated this research. Remember, Mr. Jon will determine your final task evaluation, so you had better behave well in front of him.” The curly-haired man paused, ”By the way, a friendly tip: treat Mr. Jon with respect, his identity is far more important than yours.”

After saying this, the curly-haired man waved his hand, signaling them to leave.

”What about me?” At this moment, Baruba, who had been silent at the back, suddenly asked, ”The lord asked me to participate in the construction task, do I need to follow them?”

”One of the people in charge of the construction task is also Mr. Jon. So you need to report to him first too.”

Baruba nodded: ”I understand... May I ask you one last question?”

”Please go ahead.”

”Do you know a Wizard Apprentice with the nickname ’Dream Reader’?” Baruba asked while seriously observing the man behind the desk, trying to find some clues from his expression.

Without the slightest hesitation, the curly-haired man smiled faintly: ”I thought my reputation had completely faded with the end of Purification Garden, but it seems someone still remembers me. You’re asking if I know the Dream Reader? Of course, I know, because my former nickname was Dream Reader.”

...

After leaving the office, Baruba kept his brow furrowed, not knowing what he was thinking.

Kudodo: ”Big guy, was the Dream Reader you just asked about the one who registered our identity?”

Babaya also directed her gaze over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Baruba didn’t usually like to communicate with people, but considering these two would be with him for future tasks under Lord Pat, he thought for a moment and replied: ”When working at the Alchemy store, I’ve read nearly a hundred issues of ’Glowing City Night Talk’. In one issue, it mentions a potential seed at the Hurricane Tower named ’Dream Reader’ Frode. I remember the photo in the magazine, it looks almost identical to that person just now.”

”So he’s called Frode, from Hurricane Tower? How could the lord be involved with him?” In Kudodo’s mind, plots of intrigues between witcher organizations, spies and counterespionage, a struggle as tumultuous as a power-struggle novel began to take shape.

Yet as Kudodo’s imagination emerged, Baruba suddenly spoke.

”According to records, ’Dream Reader’ Frode has been confirmed... dead.”

This sentence was like a bolt from the blue, instantly stunning Kudodo and Babaya.

The person who just registered them was someone who’s died? How could that be?

”Are you sure? He’s really dead?” Babaya couldn’t help but ask.

Baruba nodded: ”It’s true.”

”If he’s dead, then could the person who just spoke with us be a soul? Is this a realm of souls?” Kudodo’s mind quickly shifted from power-struggle novels to ghost stories.

”I don’t know, but Frode is right in saying we don’t need to speculate too much. We’re here to do tasks, even if it’s a world of souls, it doesn’t matter, at least the lord won’t harm us.” Baruba paused, ”Don’t overthink it; the world of official wizards is beyond our apprentice’s speculation. It’s important to focus on tasks.”