Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3113: Chapter 3114: Destined

Uriel’s playing became more stable, and his expression grew more serene.

Logically speaking, things seem to be improving, but Luigi wasn’t relieved even a bit, instead becoming more serious than before. To Luigi, the current calmness was merely suppressing an impending storm.

In fact, Luigi wasn’t wrong.

Uriel’s performance didn’t smoothly transition to its end; just as it reached the finale, his emotions suddenly became passionate again.

His face flushed unusually red, and distinct veins popped on his neck.

Thump thump thump—

Each strike seemed to exhaust his entire energy.

Such intense emotion was starkly different from the earlier calmness; if Luigi had relaxed slightly before, he would definitely be flustered now.

And if Luigi made a mistake, it would mean all prior efforts were wasted, and the main quest would surely fail.

However, Luigi’s caution salvaged the crisis.

Soothing notes melded into the passionate melody and transformed into a crisp breeze, dissipating the restless thick fog; they also turned into gentle hands smoothing Uriel’s agitated brow.

Gradually, harmonies began to emerge between the sounds, concluding the dialogue, elevated to a soulful height, with tenderness akin to a nocturne.

As the ending notes faded, Luigi let out a long breath and looked towards the window of the attic.

Coincidentally, Uriel also stood up and gazed from above towards Luigi’s location.

Originally, the attic and the outside world were in two different spaces, but at this moment, due to Luigi and Uriel’s gaze crossing, the two spaces merged together.

”Special Dreamland ’Uriel’s Choice’ Main Quest 1—Use music to dissolve Uriel’s emotional knot has been completed.”

”Attic space has been opened.”

”After entering the attic, Main Quest 2 will begin.”

A flow of information appeared before Luigi’s eyes, and Angel timely displayed this information in the livestream.

”Sure enough, the quest isn’t just one part,” Glaipnir murmured.

Angel: ”We still don’t know the difficulty of Main Quest 2.”

If Main Quest 2 is overly difficult, Luigi might have to stay in the instance for a long time again.

While they pondered what Main Quest 2 could be, Luigi had already boldly marched to the door of the double-story attic. Previously, the door to the attic was sealed, completely inaccessible, but now, it easily pushed open.

They could clearly see the environment inside the attic—a bit messy, but from the scores fallen on the floor, the piano-themed oil painting on the wall, and the performance attire on the coat rack, one could tell this was an artist’s room.

With curiosity and anticipation, Luigi stepped inside the room.

And just as Luigi stepped into the attic, new information appeared in front of his eyes.

”Special Dreamland ’Uriel’s Choice’ Main Quest 2—Engage in conversation with Uriel.”

”Please note, Uriel will enter the ’Dreamseeing’ state during Main Quest 2.”

”Please be aware that everything you say may affect subsequent plot developments.”

”Main Quest 2 is about to begin.”

”Countdown 1:59”

”Countdown 1:58”

”...”

Angel also displayed this series of information. As they looked at this line of text, a hint of confusion flashed in everyone’s eyes.

Communicating with Uriel wasn’t too unexpected. To help Uriel make a choice, music alone isn’t enough; in-depth communication is needed. Thus, the emergence of a conversation-based quest was reasonable.

Throughout the communication process, your every word and action affects Uriel’s final decision and, naturally, the subsequent plot development, which is also very sensible.

The only thing puzzling them was the meaning of ”Dreamseeing” state as mentioned in the Immortal Realm’s prompt.

Laplace and Glaipnir simultaneously looked at Angel, knowing if anyone present could answer this question, it would be Angel.

Even Luigi, in the Illusionary Realm livestream, quickly said: ”I know you’ve finished watching my performance; you can praise me in person later, but now help me with the Main Quest 2 prompt saying Uriel will enter ’Dreamseeing’ state soon. What does Dreamseeing mean? Hurry and tell me; the quest starts in one and a half minutes.”

Inside and outside the Miniature Garden, all eyes were on Angel, who replied somewhat reluctantly, ”I don’t know what ’Dreamseeing’ means either. If I had time, I could check...”

But clearly, there wasn’t any time now.

Luigi: ”So what should I do now?”

Angel thought for a while and replied, ”I believe, even if we don’t know ’Dreamseeing,’ it shouldn’t affect much. After all, your task is to converse with Uriel.”

Luigi asked again: ”How should I talk to him?”

Angel: ”Did you forget why you chose to enter this instance? Just speak according to your thoughts, results don’t matter.”

Luigi really wanted to say he cared a lot about the results! He didn’t want all the effort from recent ’Sea of Questions Tactic’ sessions to be in vain.

Although Luigi was thinking this, he ultimately didn’t say it out loud.

Firstly, the countdown was ending soon; secondly...he knew Angel couldn’t help him much. He forsook the ”Sunshine Circus Invitation” in favor of the ”Joker’s Recommendation Letter,” just because of the phrase on the recommendation letter: ”Allow you to step onto the brightest stage.”

Among everyone present, only his goal was the stage. Thus, this can only be his battlefield.

Whether or not he could step onto the brightest stage described in the recommendation letter might depend on his performance in Main Quest 2.

As the countdown reached 0, Main Quest 2 officially began.

At that moment, Luigi heard footsteps on the attic stairs.

He turned around and saw Uriel coming downstairs, rubbing his temples as he walked to a sofa piled with various dirty clothes.

Uriel moved the clothes aside and sat on the sofa, leaning his head against the couch back with his arm covering his eyes, looking despondent.

Luigi was pondering how to start the conversation with Uriel but didn’t expect that Uriel, though seeing him, had no reaction whatsoever.

Not only did he have no reaction, but Uriel’s state was quite strange.

He seemed enveloped in a daze, surrounded by a strong air of dejection, almost like someone intoxicated, rather than sober.

This situation is definitely not ordinary.

You should know that during the Main Quest 1, although Uriel was completely troubled, he was at least clear-headed.

A few minutes ago, when Uriel was eyeing Luigi, he appeared clear-headed. But now, in just a little over two minutes, such a transmutation appeared, clearly indicating something is amiss.

Could this be the ”Dreamseeing” state mentioned in the Illusionary Realm hint?

At first glance, Uriel really seems like he’s daydreaming, or in a sort of sleepwalking state. Completely ignorant of the outside world, he doesn’t even care if there’s an extra person at home.

While Luigi was musing internally, Uriel suddenly spoke a sentence: ”What exactly should I choose?”

Uriel’s voice carried a heavy nasal tone, very vague, as if he were mumbling in his sleep.

Luigi didn’t know if Uriel was talking to him, but he knew this was surely an entry point, without hesitation he said: ”Choosing is entirely up to one’s heart. The reason for entanglement is often because the options in one’s heart are obscured.”

Luigi offered a universal phrase, waiting to see how Uriel would respond.

Uriel still spoke in a sleep-talking tone: ”My heart? My heart is already in chaos, not even myself, nor a hypnotherapist, can see into my heart.”

Luigi: ”If even the heart cannot make a choice... then you might as well speak out, let others help you make the choice, like me.”

Uriel covered his eyes with his arm, not looking towards Luigi at all, only murmuring like in a dream: ”Before my eyes now lie two stages, one destined to be brilliant, the other destined to darkly exit, which stage do you say I should go to?”

As Uriel posed this question, a stream of information emerged before Luigi.

”Please note, every word you say can potentially affect the subsequent story development.”

Luigi had seen this stream of information before, but its separate emergence now seemed to remind him that the upcoming conversation was important.

Choosing the stage destined to be brilliant, or the one destined to darkly exit, will open entirely different stories.

At this moment, Luigi also fell into confusion.

According to regular circumstances, one should choose the brilliant stage... but why has a non-normal option appeared?

A stage destined to darkly exit? Knowing it will darkly exit, why want to go on this stage? Could this stage have an unspeakable story?

While a series of doubts surged in Luigi’s heart, outside the instance, Angel and others were also discussing this option.

”If it were you, what choice would you make?” Angel looked at Laplace and Glaipnir.

Laplace quipped without any thought, ”The stage destined to darkly exit.”

Glaipnir echoed, ”I would choose that stage too.”

Angel: ”Why?”

Laplace: ”The brilliant stage holds no attraction for me. However, the stage destined to darkly exit might offer a good show.”

Simply put, it’s not fearing a grand spectacle for fun.

The brilliant stage, in Laplace’s eyes, is like mundane life, one can see its end at a glance; and the stage destined to darkly exit, although one knows the outcome, why it will darkly exit is an unknown, like seeing a bit of possibilities in a dull life.

Glaipnir: ”I simply don’t like the brilliant stage... what about you, you haven’t stated your choice.”

Angel pondered for a moment: ”If it were me, without any clear threats, out of a slight rebellious mentality, I would also choose - the stage destined to darkly exit.”

”The reason is simple, in regular options a ”strange” option appears, isn’t that luring someone to choose?”

Anyway, there is no visible threat in this choice, so choose the unusual one.

Of course, this strange option must also conform with the logic of the Fairyland Duplication.

Imagine the options were 1. A stage destined for brilliance; 2. A stage destined to darkly exit; 3. Red wine boiled mushrooms.

He certainly wouldn’t choose 3, after all, even if rebellious, would still comply with basic norms, this instance has nothing to do with food.

Angel: ”However, our choice counts for nothing, it’s still up to Luigi’s choice... would Luigi also choose the stage destined to darkly exit?”

While stating the latter part, Angel gazed at Laplace and Glaipnir.

Laplace didn’t speak, but Glaipnir opened: ”With Luigi’s character, he will tend towards the brilliant stage.”

Angel agreed, Luigi entering Uriel Dungeon is precisely to seek the brilliant stage.

Moreover, for all stage-loving performers, a dark exit would probably be their greatest life flaw. In the absence of additional premises, choosing that is an insult to one’s profession.

While they were discussing fervently, elsewhere Luigi finally spoke after pondering.

However, to their surprise, Luigi didn’t make a choice right away but asked, ”Since it’s destined to darkly exit, why put it in the options?”

Luigi didn’t know if Uriel would answer, but he couldn’t hold back from asking.

Knowing something cannot be done, then not doing it? Why absolutely place it in the options, does it have some special reason?

After a moment, Uriel muttered: ”Why? Heh... because that’s the Stage of Dreams.”

”Stage of Dreams? Why call it the Stage of Dreams?” questioned Luigi, if the stage destined to darkly exit is the Stage of Dreams, then what’s the stage destined to be brilliant?

This time, Uriel didn’t speak again, just lay slumped on the sofa, looking muddled.

Luigi understood, he couldn’t extract more answers now, it was his turn to make a choice.

A stage destined to be brilliant, or a stage destined to darkly exit?

If earlier, Luigi would choose the brilliant stage, he came to this instance precisely for the brilliant stage.

But after hearing Uriel’s words, a subtle shift occurred inside him.

”If it were me, I would choose the Stage of Dreams. There are many brilliant stages, but few that could be called the Stage of Dreams.” Luigi: ”If I could indeed stand on the Stage of Dreams, even if it ends in darkness, I wouldn’t regret it. Besides, since it is a stage, there will surely be dazzling and faded performances, why should mine be faded? Maybe I can deliver a dazzling performance on the Stage of Dreams?”

After hearing Luigi’s reply, Uriel suddenly laughed out loud: ”Truly naïve.”

”Since I’ve said, this is a stage destined to darkly exit, it will surely end in darkness, with no other options.”

Luigi wrinkled his brow: ”Is there any manipulation behind the scenes?”

Uriel shook his head: ”Since it’s the Stage of Dreams, there cannot be any discord.”

Luigi: ”If it’s a fair stage, then why can’t we imagine success, always thinking of failure? Moreover, if one constantly undermines one’s confidence, even if successful, it will fail ultimately.”

”Besides, if when alone, you believe you are destined to darkly exit, what if with two people? Add me, we go to the Stage of Dreams together, wouldn’t the supposed fate have a new turning point?”