Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3009: Chapter 3010: Lucia’s Workshop

Angel looked at the boiler-shaped illusion painting, and a suspicion arose in his heart.

”This seems to be... Witch’s Soup?”

The boiler image was ordinary, but a boiler emitting pale pink smoke basically only referred to one thing in the Wizards’ Realm: Witch’s Soup.

This is not to say it’s a rule, but it is a concept formed by common practice.

This concept comes from a witch named Windsor, who was a very famous master in Potionology, having invented countless Witch’s Soups that are still renowned till now. Back then, Windsor Witch’s most frequent emblem was a boiler emitting pink smoke.

At that time, there was already a common understanding in the Wizards’ Realm: a boiler with pink smoke represented Witch’s Soup.

And with Windsor Witch’s passing, this tradition hasn’t disappeared and continues to circulate in the Wizards’ Realm, even today, if you see a boiler emitting pink smoke, it’s definitely Witch’s Soup.

”It seems, this is a shop selling Witch’s Soup.” Angel mused to himself: ”In that case, Buru’s owner, has come to buy Witch’s Soup?”

Without much thought, Angel walked directly into the shop.

The process of entering the shop was very smooth, which surprised Angel a bit... because, in the Wizards’ Realm, the vast majority of shops involving technical matters have some threshold for entry. Depending on the level of the shop itself and the strength of the visitor, the threshold varies.

There are shops without thresholds, but a lack of threshold often means ”limitations” are reflected elsewhere, such as the goods being more expensive.

While Angel was pondering this, a figure stopped his advance.

Buru? Angel, seeing the face of the figure, instinctively thought of Buru. But he quickly realized something was wrong; the person in front appeared identical to Buru, yet was at least twenty times larger, matching a normal human height. There was no natural aura surrounding them, nor did they have butterfly wings; they simply looked like an ordinary girl in a long dress.

At this time, the girl who almost resembled Buru opened her mouth and said: ”My name is Buru No.2, I am the receptionist of this shop.”

The girl in the long dress had a voice very similar to Buru, but her eyes lacked Buru’s vivacity.

”Buru No.2?” Angel seemed to think of something and looked at the neck of the girl, beneath the lustrous white skin, one could faintly see a glint of light.

Seeing that glint, Angel came to a realization, indeed, this is an Alchemy Golem.

Generally speaking, the energy source of an Alchemy Golem is located near the navel, which is the best division point from head to toe, and is the optimal energy operation point.

Also because the energy for Alchemy Golems is in the navel, when they produce sound, energy flows through internal pipes to the head. At that time, observing the neck area easily confirms the Puppet’s identity.

Having confirmed the identity of the other party, and seeing Buru No.2’s fully blocking stance, Angel said thoughtfully: ”Are you a receptionist or a qualification inspector?”

Angel’s words seemed to trigger some voice-controlled feedback from Buru No.2.

”Guest, entering Lucia’s workshop requires signing a simple contract.”

It had indeed come... Upon hearing Buru No.2’s words, Angel immediately understood, the threshold was not missing, rather it is triggered upon entering the shop.

”What contract?” Angel asked, with a hint of skepticism in his tone... Contracts can easily be faked.

”Guest, please rest assured, it’s not a paper contract, nor does it require contractual power constraints. It’s a verbal contract adhering to the heart.”

A verbal contract adhering to the heart, plainly, has no binding force, relying solely on one’s own conscience as a verbal agreement. Even if one actively violates the verbal contract, nothing would happen... as for saying something like ”heart demon”, it does not have any. At most, it may make some who feel heavily about the contract uncomfortable for a while.

This fits the shop’s style.

After all, if a normal shop you’ve never even heard of asks you to sign a contract with strong binding force and contractual constraints, it’s undeniably peculiar.

”What verbal contract?” Angel asked.

Buru No.2 immediately said: ”The owner doesn’t wish for the information inside the shop to be leaked out, hence, hopes guests maintain silence after leaving.”

Angel immediately understood, a very ordinary verbal contract.

He did not hesitate, gently said: ”After leaving here, under the principle of not violating personal morality, I will not disclose the people and things seen in the shop to a second person.”

This was a verbal agreement, no need to swear, nor sign, just need to voice the intention following the heart as a verbal contract.

Upon hearing Angel’s statement, Buru No.2’s eyes instantly shifted from the previous calm and indifferent to respectful and courteous, and her tone became warm: ”Respected guest, I apologize for my previous poor hospitality, welcome to Lucia’s workshop!”

Angel watched Buru No.2’s dramatic change and thought silently: this is quite realistic... previously just a guest, now adding ”respectful,” this is just like the reception at the inn with Buru.

”Is there anything the esteemed guest requires?” Buru No.2 naturally stepped aside, no longer blocking Angel’s entry into the shop.

While walking inside, Angel asked: ”Why are you called Buru No.2?”

Buru No.2 was stunned for a moment, seemingly surprised by Angel’s question. Generally, customers have already started to inquire about Witch’s Soup, why ask about her?

After halting for quite some time, Buru No.2 finally replied: ”This is the name the owner gave for No.2.”

”What relationship do you have with Buru?” Angel continued to ask.

Buru No.2 hesitated again for a while, then said: ”I am a receptionist molded by the owner using Buru as a prototype.”

Angel: ”Why did your owner use Buru as a prototype, is the owner of this shop related to Buru?”

Buru No.2 froze in place, mosquito coil circles appeared in her eyes, seemingly unable to respond.

After a significant pause, Buru No.2 finally spoke, not answering Angel’s question but rather with enthusiasm: ”Honored guest, welcome to Lucia’s workshop! Is there anything the esteemed guest requires? Do you need Buru No.2 to make some recommendations for you?”

Angel:... Looks like Buru No.2’s intelligence isn’t very high.

Or rather, Buru No.2’s owner did not imprint these questions into Buru No.2’s thought model.

Angel didn’t continue to trouble Buru No.2 but stated his intention: ”I was introduced by Buru to come.”

Buru No.2 delayed for two seconds, then said: ”Is that so? Then what does the respected guest require?”

Angel:... You’ve entered a loop?

Angel pondered for a moment, didn’t immediately reply to Buru No.2 but turned his attention to the shop.

Since Buru clearly mentioned that its owner is in this shop, presumably, he should be seen here.

Lucia’s workshop’s external hall wasn’t large, besides the decorative boiler in the center, there were glass cabinets.

Inside the cabinets were various Witch’s Soups, however, they were all wrapped in specially made black cloth, making it impossible to see the contents or smell the scent.

Looking at those tightly wrapped bowls, if not informed that the cabinets contained Witch’s Soup, one might mistakenly think these were urn bowls.

Angel had no need for Witch’s Soup, so he didn’t look at the Witch’s Soups in the cabinets but observed the shop’s customers.

There were six customers in the shop, except for one by the counter, talking to another ”Buru whatever number”, the rest were all gathered in front of a golden cabinet, talking excitedly.

Angel was puzzled, none of the six customers appeared to be Buru’s owner.

Angel vaguely recalled, Buru’s owner was a white-haired, green-eyed young wizard, none of these customers fit that description, nor were any of them an Official Wizard.

Angel turned to look at the second Buru, who was acting foolishly, but ultimately shook his head and walked towards the counter.

Instead of asking the ”Buru number unknown” behind the counter, he looked at a small, elderly man in a classical robe who was checking out beside it.

This was the only lone customer, with a power level approximately at the pinnacle of a third-level apprentice.

From the emotional perception, this customer was obviously much more composed than the others, likely an old patron. Since he is an old patron, perhaps he knows Buru’s owner?

The arrival of Angel made the old man somewhat nervous.

Angel didn’t hide the aura of being an Official Wizard. Even though he didn’t apply pressure, it still caused the old man some apprehension.

His emotional color was even tinged with a purplish-black shade symbolizing fear.

Angel stopped about three meters away from him. Although Angel hadn’t spoken yet, the old man evidently sensed that Angel’s target was himself.

Suppressing his inner dread, he used a respectful tone to say, ”Honorable sir, may I ask what I can do for you?”

Angel replied in the gentlest tone possible, ”You seem quite familiar with this place. Are you a member of Starlight?”

Angel’s first sentence highlighted why he approached him, and the following question directly inquired, which was essentially giving the old man reassurance: I’m not here to cause trouble.

The old man also understood the underlying meaning in Angel’s words. After a slight relief, he replied, ”I am a member of Starlight, but merely a regular member.”

A regular member, meaning a member whose expenditure hasn’t reached 999 Magic Crystals.

Angel: ”Since you are a member, you should know Buru?”

The old man glanced at the second Buru behind Angel, then looked at Angel, pondering, ”If you are referring to the Natural Sprite Buru, I have seen it.”

Angel: ”Yes, it told me its owner is here, but I don’t seem to have spotted its owner here.”

Angel meant he hadn’t seen the young boy with white hair and green eyes.

What the old man understood was: Natural Sprites are Elemental Sprites, typically having Official Wizards as their owners. While all customers in this shop are apprentices, none can be Buru’s owner.

Despite differing thoughts, the ultimate conclusion was similar.

The old man: ”Regarding Buru’s owner, due to certain constraints, I cannot divulge their identity. However, sir, you may opt to meet the owner of this workshop.”

As the old man spoke, he used a variety of expressions as hints.

Angel wasn’t dense, swiftly comprehending the old man’s implication.

While mentioning the ”constraints,” he constantly glanced at the second Buru and jabbed his heart area with his finger.

Quite clearly telling Angel, the so-called ”irresistible constraint” was the store’s threshold. That is, the verbal contract mentioned by Buru when Angel entered.

The old man’s second sentence suggested Angel meet the workshop’s owner, spoken with his finger still jabbing his heart, which was another hint.

Denoting his second sentence was still associated with the ”verbal contract.”

Buru’s owner, the workshop’s owner... linked to the verbal contract?

A suspicion arose in Angel’s mind, although seeming rather far-fetched.

—Could the workshop owner be Buru’s owner?

But it shouldn’t be.

Angel refrained from asking this aloud but instead gave the old man a slight nod, expressing his gratitude.

The old man waved his hand while retreating, ensuring Angel wasn’t focused on him before dashing out of the shop.

Angel didn’t mind the old man’s cautious approach. The gap between apprentices and ordinary people is vast; between Wizards and apprentices, the gap is immeasurable, akin to a chasm.

Moreover, as many wizards have unruly temperaments, such caution is common among apprentices.

Ignoring the departing old man, Angel turned around and addressed the second Buru, saying, ”Take me to meet the workshop’s owner.”

The second Buru paused briefly before replying, ”Please wait, I need to contact the owner to make a decision.”

Dazed like a malfunctioned machine, the second Buru stood motionless for the ensuing period.

It wasn’t until half a minute later that the second Buru awoke, but now its eyes showed more animation than the previous dullness.

The second Buru scrutinized Angel as if seeing him for the first time.

A moment later, the second Buru calmly said, ”You were introduced by Buru?”

Upon the second Buru’s inquiry, Angel instinctively assumed that the alchemy golem had switched ”inner core.”

”Are you Buru’s owner?” Angel countered.

The second Buru nodded, ”Indeed... I roughly understand why you’re seeking me. Come, I’ll wait for you in the workshop’s back room.”

Having said this, the second Buru bowed its head. Two seconds later, when it once again lifted its head, the animation vanished, returning to the normal state of an alchemy golem.

”Honorable guest, the owner has authorized guest access to the workshop’s laboratory, please follow me.”

The second Buru bowed to Angel, then gestured to lead the way.

Angel did not refuse and followed the second Buru to the side of the workshop hall.

Passing through a curtain, they arrived at a wooden hallway.

Proceeding approximately twenty meters further, rounding a corner, Angel spotted a laboratory with its door wide open.

”This is the owner’s laboratory,” the second Buru halted at the laboratory door and seemingly wasn’t intending to enter.

Angel examined the laboratory, particularly sensing the surrounding magic pattern circuits, confirming there weren’t any dangerous traps before stepping inside.

Upon entering this purely white laboratory, Angel immediately detected an intense herbal fragrance.

Following the herbal scent source, Angel glanced over.

There stood a large boiler on the side of the laboratory, exuding an illusionary colorful mist, all the herbal scent emanating from within.

Yet, Angel was more intrigued by the person standing beside the witch’s soup refining boiler.

It was a figure clad in a voluminous Wizard’s Robe, with pure white hair and green eyes—a girl...

Oh, no.

A boy.