Warlock Apprentice

The Ross Family had experienced an uneventful week if not to consider the new relationship between Neet and a servant girl who used to work at Sherry Patio. People were all wondering why Count Ross didn’t do anything about it. At this rate, the servant might actually have a chance to bond with Neet.

What was more, this had encouraged many more young ladies who had yet to find their companions to start looking.

There was another matter. The mysterious wizard visited the mansion again after a week when people thought he had left for real. But of course, no one questioned it.

Angor was taking his time in the study of the mansion while reading a book he borrowed from the city library, Dancing on Devil’s Tides. It was an adventure novel based on “Vile King” Torras as well as inaccurate historical events and the author’s imaginations. He found the book to be rather interesting because the stories were good.

Occasionally, he could reach his spirit feelers into the Church of the Deceased and check on Torras to see whether this man lived up to his name as the fierce pirate described in the book.

Torras still remained unconscious and helpless in the church, so… no. He sure didn’t look that way.

Today, Angor was reading another of Torras’ stories where the legendary pirate was fighting off a pirate clan who called themselves as “Kins of Poseidon” in order to claim leadership over the Eastern Seas. The author wasn’t good at describing the grand battle, but he did a really good job recreating the glorious image of Torras.

While reading, Angor slowly removed some black smoke from Torras’ prison. It had been three days since Torras received all of his bullets, and there were still loads of negative energy seeping out. In order not to affect Freud, who was basically Torras’ neighbor, Angor had to periodically get rid of the gathered dark energy.

When Torras’ prison was cleared out, Angor suddenly saw him moving on the floor. The soul hadn’t woken up yet, but his movement allowed Angor to observe his face.

And what Angor saw surprised him.

What was exposed on Torras’ face looked like a healthy teenage boy who spent too much time indoors. It didn’t sit well with the other parts of Torras at all.

Angor found it impossible to keep reading his book anymore. He simply couldn’t put what he just saw on Torras into the stories about a brutal and fearsome warrior. That would look ridiculous.

After putting away the Church of the Deceased, he sighed and left the study.

He took a moment to look into the mirror at the room’s door. As the reflection of an insignificant middle-aged man turned to his usual nobleman look, he felt greatly distressed to see the unhealthy colors on his face caused by the internal traumas.

Then he cast Glamor again and stepped out of Ross Mansion.

He saw Neet coming to the door while pulling a moose-pulled sleigh.

“You’ve been keeping an eye on me, eh?” said Angor. “Aren’t you going to enjoy the warmth indoors with Sonata?”

Neet scratched his cheek in embarrassment and blushed in the cold. “As long as you’re staying in the city, sir, I’m your personal driver.”

Angor chose to accept Neet’s offer instead of flying on his own. He would like to avoid spending mana while injured.

“So where are you heading to, sir?” Neet asked after seeing Angor climb onto the vehicle.

Angor looked to one side. “About that… she will tell you.”

Confused, Neet also looked that way and was startled to see a woman in white dress slowly showing up in the snow. He was sure no one was there a second ago.

“Mister Padt, my master has been waiting for you at Blue Estate,” the woman said without opening her eyes.

The other day, just after Angor returned to Ross Mansion, Haku came to him and claimed that Jebra would like to see him.

At that time, Angor rejected the invitation because of his bad condition. He excused himself by saying that he needed time to work on another alchemy creation and that he would meet with Jebra later.

“That’s where we’ll go,” he told Neet. “Blue Estate.”

Neet remained agape until Angor nudged him in the back.

“Oh, right! Blue Estate is just several blocks away.”

When Neet picked up the reins and ordered the moose to start moving, Haku bowed to Angor politely and disappeared.

Angor slowly removed his casual look and considered the brief encounter carefully. He knew Haku was here because that woman allowed him to. But now, he could no longer sense Haku’s presence at all.

He never saw such effective stealth abilities before. Obviously, this woman was an expert when it came to surveillance or assassination.

“Ugh. Of course there are always amazing people out there…” He wasn’t sure whether he would defeat her at all if they were to start a fight for some reason.

While on their way, Neet focused on his driving with a serious look. He seemed lost in thought too, probably because he just saw another supernatural individual showing up at Lost Paradise City.

The silence lasted until they arrived at Blue Estate.

“We’re here, sir.”

Angor hopped off the sleigh and looked at Neet. “I know what you’re worried about. You don’t have to. People like us usually do not harm mortals without a reason.”

Then he proceeded to the entrance of the deluxe-looking building in front of him, where he heard some noises coming from nearby. He looked that way and saw an elegant woman with purple hair smoking a long pipe at the door, who saw his arrival and approached him.

He knew this woman came from Summerdew Ridge because she was there watching when he was crafting Crimson Aegis.

“I’ve heard so much about you, Mister Padt, and I’m glad I finally got to meet you in person. Shall we find some time and have a pleasant talk?” she said while cat-walking her way toward Angor.

Instead of replying, Angor looked at the other side of the opened door where a handsome young man in blue attire was standing. He had a glowing fish scale at the center of his forehead that showed his identity.

“Don’t mind me, Jebra. I’m not going in there. Just being friendly with an old friend of mine,” said Swan.

Jebra glanced at the woman who intentionally dressed in a charming style and humphed.

“Old friend? I’m afraid I never heard of you being Angor’s acquaintance.”

Swan did a hair-flip. “We met at White Oak Mountain, didn’t we?”

Jebra snickered and walked to Angor without minding Swan. “It’s a pity that we didn’t get to hang out at Yothur City. Now that we both have time… This way, if you would.”

Angor nodded and followed Jebra inside the building, while Swan remained behind with an annoyed look.

“That’s ‘Shadow Swan’ from Summerdew Ridge,” Jebra whispered after closing the door. “Don’t you ever believe the way she acted. People have yet to figure out her… sexual preference.”

Angor would not carelessly discuss a stranger and decided to get to the point. “I’ve more alchemy report to work on later, so I’m afraid I don’t have much time to talk. May I know why you invited me here?”

Jebra quickly thought about the order he just received from Sliv.

“I heard that you’ve been in seclusion these days. You were writing alchemy reports?”

Angor quickly stayed more careful. It was obvious that Jebra was trying to ascertain his recent moves.

What Jebra asked next further proved it for him.

“I’m curious though. Where have you been for your seclusion? I sent Haku to contact you a week ago, but she only found you the day before yesterday.”

Angor put on a poker face and dodged Jebra’s question. “I see. Maybe Haku is an exceptional spy, but she’s not so good at finding people. Is this why you need me here?”

“No, of course not. There’s something else…” Jebra headed deeper into the building. “Let’s talk over a drink.”

Angor nodded and followed suit.

They took their seats in a guest room and spent a moment in silence while they both thought about their own suspicions.

From what Jebra just asked, Angor knew that Jebra was attempting to find out what he did during the last week. Yet he didn’t understand why Jebra would do such a thing. He was sure he left nothing on the island that could cause Song of the Deep to target him.