Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2759: Chapter 2760: Ancient Gaze

In legendary novels, there’s a classic trope where the protagonist uses a simple strategy to make an evil witch run in circles.

If the evil witch in the novel were replaced by a true Wizard, The Brave wouldn’t even be able to reach the Wizard, let alone toy with them.

The label of a Wizard is not recklessness and stupidity, but knowledge and wisdom.

Nearly all Wizards, when elevating themselves, do not forget the accumulation of knowledge and focused research. Even Practical Faction Wizards have their areas of expertise in research.

In this realm, it’s not only Alchemists or Magic Rune Mages who can create Out of Discussion methods; nearly every branch of Wizards has a signature creation.

For example, Earth Wizards can condense Elemental Gemstones, Nature Witches can extract life particles, Pureblood Wizards can purify Bloodlines, and Space Wizards can create Other-dimensional Spaces... and so on.

Among them, the Wizards of the Transmutation branch are best at creating autonomous organs.

Autonomous organs can be understood literally.

They are transcendent organs without a master, which can be sealed for a long time. When used, simply integrate the transcendent organ into oneself. After integration, one can immediately gain the talent enhancement and ability boost brought by the transcendent organ.

In terms of use and effect, they are very convenient. However, they are not flawless.

They actually have many drawbacks, with the main two being: First, they cannot maintain a peak state perpetually like the organs modified by Transmutation Wizards themselves. They start to decline from the moment the seal is broken until the effect disappears.

Second, long-term integration of autonomous organs can subtly influence the host’s character.

These two points are the flaws of autonomous organs that are most criticized, and they are difficult to mitigate. Unless you’re extremely lucky and the autonomous organs you purchase happen to be very compatible with you, allowing the autonomous organs to be used as transplanted organs directly on your body, thus avoiding these flaws.

Apart from this method that requires extraordinary luck, the Transmutation Wizards are also constantly optimizing autonomous organs.

One faction believes that since the flaws are unavoidable, they might as well eliminate them from the root. How to eliminate them? Their method is very straightforward: make the autonomous organs disposable—use once and they’re scrapped, thus perfectly eliminating all flaws.

Although this faction’s theory initially sounded like a joke, this kind of disposable autonomous organs has really become mainstream nowadays.

With disposable use, there’s no need to worry about other consequences, and the capability boost of the autonomous organs can be maximized to the extreme, thus producing the strongest damage within a short time.

This is akin to the Plane Corridor, which belongs to a Wizard’s last resort. The Plane Corridor is for escaping, while autonomous organs are for a fight to the end, fighting as a means of protection.

Precisely for this reason, when the Magic Elephant produced an autonomous organ, Dox’s expression changed immediately.

After all, the Magic Elephant is just an Apprentice. If using conventional autonomous organs, the consequences could potentially ruin not only its character but also its potential. Therefore, there is a high probability that the Magic Elephant is using a disposable autonomous organ.

Autonomous organs, in essence, can only be crafted by Transmutation Wizards, meaning that autonomous organs are essentially Wizard Level tools. A disposable autonomous organ, by eliminating the opportunity for future use, enhances explosive damage—this kind of explosion can even rival True Knowledge Wizard Level.

Of course, constrained by its own power, the Magic Elephant cannot fully harness the effect of the autonomous organs, at best unleashing a single attack that might reach a Wizard Level assault.

But even so, such damage is definitely not something Vay, an Apprentice, can withstand.

Dox looked gloomily at the evil woman in the distance.

It’s obvious that the Magic Elephant couldn’t possibly own an autonomous organ without someone providing it. That someone, undoubtedly, is the evil woman capable of creating autonomous organs herself.

”Such a vicious heart.” Dox gritted his teeth.

To deal with an Apprentice, she actually lent out an autonomous organ!

On their side, although Angel also provided some Out of Discussion methods, they are all mainly defensive, at best ensuring a position of invincibility, but with no means to injure others!—Of course, Speedy can inflict injury, but since Speedy didn’t act last time, Dox directly ignored Speedy.

Yet, the opposing evil woman gave an autonomous organ with obvious damage enhancement and explosive capability. Is this an attempt to kill Vay?

Dox hurriedly turned his gaze towards the Black Earl. The situation was critical now. If Vay didn’t understand the terror of autonomous organs and charged ahead, he would unquestionably undergo a severe blow; whether he could survive would depend on whether the Black Earl had prepared a trump card for Vay.

If there’s no trump card... Dox had already prepared to unleash his full power to break the dome, rushing in to rescue him.

The Black Earl’s expression was very calm, as if he hadn’t seen the autonomous organ at all.

Dox really couldn’t discern from the Black Earl’s expression what he was thinking. Without another option, Dox straightforwardly voiced his inquiry through the Mind Ribbon.

Angel was also observing Vay’s combat, clearly understanding the ongoing situation on the field. If Vay didn’t have a fallback, he might indeed face grave danger. Hence, he too was curious whether the Black Earl had prepared a trump card for Vay?

Black Earl: ”No.”

Dox furrowed his brow without saying much, and within the Mind Space, he started silently constructing a spell technique model.

However, just as the spell technique model began forming, Dox felt a wave of pressure envelop him.

He turned his head in confusion, finding the Black Earl to be the source of the pressure.

Black Earl: ”If he lacks the courage to face death, then he also misses the chance for a phoenix rebirth.”

Dox looked puzzled: ”What do you mean?”

Black Earl: ”Keep watching, wait for the outcome.”

Black Earl stopped speaking there, but the pressure he exerted didn’t lift. Clearly, he had seen through Dox’s intention and didn’t want Dox interfering in the duel.

Dox could only frantically make eye gestures at Angel, being suppressed by the pressure and unable to move. The only person who could save Vay was Angel.

Angel noticed Dox’s eye gestures, but he himself also felt a bit hesitant. The Black Earl shouldn’t intentionally allow Vay to die. After all, the situation at the relic was uncertain and there might still be a need for Vay. Did he foresee something? Or, as he said, he wanted to see Vay seek the opportunity for a phoenix rebirth when facing death?

Perhaps since he noticed Angel’s indecisive expression, the Black Earl suddenly added: ”Do you think Vay doesn’t recognize an autonomous organ?”

Angel and Dox were briefly stunned. They weren’t foolish and quickly understood what the Black Earl meant.

They naturally wouldn’t believe Vay to be ignorant enough not to recognize an autonomous organ. Since Vay recognized the autonomous organ, he could naturally infer that dealing with the Magic Elephant possessing an autonomous organ was nearly impossible.

In this situation, the most rational outcome would be to concede proactively.

But Vay chose not to concede, judging by his expression, he seemed intent on continuing the battle. Why is that? Does he have a way to counter the autonomous organ?

Angel doesn’t know the specific situation, but the Black Earl’s words led him to decide to trust the Black Earl and Vay’s judgment.

Since Vay is willing to continue fighting, he surely has his own reasons.

Angel began to quietly await the changes on the field.

...

On the combat arena, the Magic Elephant also found himself in a difficult situation. Earlier, due to some psychological burden, he missed an opportunity and was almost defeated by the descendant of Noah.

With no other option, the Magic Elephant activated this one-time consumable activated organ.

The Magic Elephant’s original intention was not to use it now, but to use this as a way to force Vay to surrender. In this way, the activated organ would not be considered as used and could be fully utilized when facing the next opponent, Kaier.

However, what the Magic Elephant didn’t expect was that after Vay saw him activate the organ, he didn’t evade; instead, he became even more aggressive than before.

Could it be that he doesn’t recognize the activated organ? Clearly not, as Vay’s actions were even more cautious than before, and he kept his gaze fixed on the Magic Elephant’s forehead, proving he knew about the organ.

But why isn’t he surrendering even though he knows?

Could it be that Vay also has a card up his sleeve similar to Simos’ Skin?

Considering Vay’s background, it’s really possible he has a powerful secret weapon. So what should he do now? The Magic Elephant was a bit panicked; if he uses the organ on Vay, he won’t stand a chance against Kaier’s Simos’ Skin afterward.

But if he doesn’t use it, the Magic Elephant would find it difficult to back down.

While he was struggling with his decision, Vay’s movements didn’t slow down due to the appearance of the activated organ; instead, his speed was even faster, turning the arena into an ice rink as every movement was filled with sprinting acceleration.

Seeing Vay continuously closing in, the Magic Elephant had to make a choice at this point.

He took a deep breath and finally decided to use the activated organ.

In a swift motion, he activated the blood-red pupil on his forehead, without a hint of hesitation. As it activated, the Magic Elephant could clearly feel the energy around him swirling like a vortex, frantically pouring into the eye on his forehead.

His sensory abilities were rapidly increasing, allowing him to perceive and observe things almost at an Official Wizard’s level at that moment.

This was the boost provided by the Eye on his forehead.

As a result, the Magic Elephant could clearly sense a gaze tightly locked onto his back.

His back was not facing Vay, who was in front of him; the gaze came precisely from the resting area of the Grey Merchant’s group. So, it was clear that this gaze was from the Witch.

The Magic Elephant felt a chill and dared not turn his head to look directly at the Witch.

Everything happened so suddenly, and it seemed too coincidental. All the Magic Elephant could do was try to comfort himself.

At this moment, Vay’s figure had already appeared before the Magic Elephant. Seeing this, without hesitation, he pushed the Eye on his forehead to its fullest state.

The blood-red stream of light enveloped the Magic Elephant tightly, and Vay collided directly with the stream.

After a scream, Vay flew backward, landing dozens of meters away, leaving a long trail on the ground. This showed how terrifying the rebound force was on Vay.

And this was not the attack from the activated organ, merely the automatic defense energy shield produced when the Magic Elephant activated the organ.

As Vay struggled to get up from the ground, he finally saw the full form of the Magic Elephant after the activated organ was completely activated.

At this moment, the Magic Elephant no longer had his previously honest and straightforward appearance, not because his face had changed, but because his nose was covered densely with flesh buds. In the center of these flesh buds, there was a huge eye.

This blood-red eye was initially on the forehead, but now the Magic Elephant’s original eyes were obscured, leaving only this single eye exposed.

Apart from the changes on his face, the Magic Elephant’s body also changed slightly, becoming more massive, akin to a giant’s offspring.

But these were just outward appearances; what truly shocked Vay was the energy field surrounding the Magic Elephant.

Ethereal and terrifying, as if the energy was bottomless, continuously flowing out of the Magic Elephant’s body.

This was no longer a power regular apprentices could control; the accumulated energy was so vast that even the naked eye could see the rippling energy waves continuously rising around the Magic Elephant.

Upon gaining this sudden burst of power, the Magic Elephant actually had no idea how to best manage it, but fortunately, the activated organ seemed to possess self-consciousness, allowing the Magic Elephant to sense the control over all the energy with a mere thought.

He tried to gather this energy, following his instincts, as the surrounding floating blood-red energy began to converge.

As the Magic Elephant obtained control over the energy, a massive amount of information surged into his mind.

This information was all about the activated organ.

There was no need for the Magic Elephant to read; the information was directly etched into his mind as if it had rooted there from the start.

Looking at the information, Vay finally had a direct understanding of the activated organ that had integrated into his body.

The name of this activated organ was: Ancient Gaze.

It was made from an eye of a magical creature known as ”Ancient Tome”.

”Ancient Tome”, sounds like a book, but actually... it is indeed a book title.

The Ancient Tome is a magic monster in the form of a book, and magic monsters that can disguise themselves as books often write in Demon Language on their book covers: ”Ancient Tome”.

No one knows if there is actually a book titled ”Ancient Tome.” But there is definitely a magic monster named Ancient Tome.

Ancient Tomes are commonly found in some Abyssal relics, where they disguise themselves as books to lure outsiders close. When people approach, they unfold their pages, revealing a bloodthirsty maw inside and devour people alive.

According to some half-blood demons from the Abyss, the Ancient Tome is believed to be a follower of the Cruel Scholar, and it might be a creation of the Cruel Scholar.

The Ancient Tome possesses incredibly powerful energy manipulation abilities, effectively mobilizing all energy around, and inside their bodies, transforming it into Mimicry, releasing it in an instant.

For example, the Ancient Tome often gathers all its energy into a beam stored in its eyes, letting loose the beam upon opening its eyes, sparing few who are swept by the light.

Hence, the Ancient Gaze is also known as the ”Death Beam Eye” or the ”Death-Stare Eye”.

Given the energy manipulation traits of the Ancient Tome, it can cause extremely terrifying damage in a very short time, making it ideally suited for refinement into a disposable activated organ.

Wizards of the Modification branch, when venturing into the Abyss, almost always set searching for Ancient Tomes as one of their goals.

The Ancient Gaze, crafted from Ancient Tomes, can completely rival middle-high order Magic Rune Scrolls!

Unfortunately, Ancient Tomes are not commonly seen.

As a result, the Ancient Gaze is often only in the possession of Modification branch wizards, considered their prized treasure.

This time, when the Witch granted the Ancient Gaze to the Magic Elephant, it’s clear that great effort was put forth.