Warlock Apprentice

Only three doors lay before Shalu.

It seemed that other than choosing one of these three doors to open, he had no other options.

But which door should he open?

To Shalu, these three doors each represented a different emotion.

The first door, represented the nostalgic memories of childhood; the second door, represented the cold, unwanted scars; and the third door, represented his current state.

If Shalu were to truly choose from the bottom of his heart, he would want to push open the first door.

He thought that having left his old home for so many years, he had already forgotten its appearance. But when this door appeared before him, he realized he had never forgotten, nor erased the memories of his old home. It was like the most precious gift, treasured deep within his heart, reluctant to be unearthed.

So many years had passed, and that gift still held the image of his departure. On the contrary, he himself had grown from a naive child into an adult.

The once mischievous brother Lisa had become composed and mature, while he himself had become the person he used to despise the most.

Shalu stood before the first door for a very long time, various memories flooding his mind.

His hand stretched out numerous times, but each time he only touched the door, never pushing it open.

After a long while, Shalu turned away and left the first door.

”The most precious gift, better to keep it treasured,” Shalu murmured lowly, unable to distinguish whether it was homesickness or that he could not face his former residence with his current self.

Between the second and third doors, Shalu didn’t hesitate and went straight to the third door.

Seeing the second door, it was as if he saw the stingy faces of his uncle’s family; he didn’t even deign to touch that door.

As for the third door, it was a miniature version of the entrance to Originheart City. After all, he was brought here by Angel and Frode, and according to his own thinking, maybe they would be waiting for him behind the third door.

Thus, he eventually chose to push open the third door.

This time, he did not hesitate.

With a ”creak”, the stone door was slowly pushed open, and Shalu walked in.

The moment Shalu walked through the third door, the surrounding light brightened slightly, but it was still only a bit brighter than the previously dim corridor, resembling a gloomy, cloudy day.

A cold breeze blew, causing Shalu to shiver. He turned his head and looked around, realizing that he was not unfamiliar with this environment.

”Colosseum?” Shalu looked at the grand and majestic buildings around him, rows of ascending seats, and several columns carved with beast statues, immediately recognizing the place.

Colosseum in Southern City of Originheart City.

After confirming the location, Shalu’s expression turned slightly gloomy. Previously, after fusing with that monster, he had fought a battle here with Sir Sabel where he was about to win, but was stopped by Angel... This was a somewhat shameful memory for him.

Even though Shalu knew that he had been tempted by the monster at the time, nearly falling into an endless abyss.

But he still couldn’t let go.

Shalu didn’t know why he found himself here, but his mood was very bad now, and he did not want to stay longer in this place that made him feel ashamed.

Shalu hurried towards the grand gate of the Colosseum, wanting to leave this uncomfortable place.

But just as Shalu opened the grand gate, he froze.

According to his memory, behind the grand gate of the Colosseum should be Gensen Street of Southern City, so why outside was... the dark Void?

There were no paths at all, stepping out would mean falling into the Void.

Shalu stood frozen in front of the door for a long while, unsure of what to do. Suddenly, a strong gust of cold wind blew from the Void, making it impossible for Shalu to even stand.

After tumbling around, Shalu crashed heavily onto the ground like a thrown object.

When Shalu opened his eyes, he realized that the cold wind had blown him onto the fighting ring.

Enduring the pain, he struggled to stand up and leave. However, just as he stood, a whistle sounded in his ears, yet he saw no one around whistling.

But the whistle was unmistakable, as if a referee was signaling... the match to start.

Hiss Hiss—

A strange rustling sound came from behind Shalu.

Listening to that familiar sound, Shalu’s entire back tensed up, and he slowly turned around, trembling. When he saw the creature making the noise, Shalu couldn’t help but step back.

A nauseating, worm-like head, ears adorned with butterfly wings, a body soft like a snake, covered in barbs and segments.

This monster was the very one that had fused with him initially!

There was nothing around before, how did it appear?!

As Shalu was startled, the monster suddenly let out a bizarre laugh: ”You have arrived...”

”You, why are you here? And where is this?” Shalu asked, trembling.

The terrifying monster lifted its worm-like head and didn’t answer Shalu but slowly said: ”You truly disappoint me, didn’t you say you were not content before? Why did you abandon me?”

Shalu shook his head: ”I didn’t abandon you, it wasn’t me.”

The monster’s segments rapidly moved, making a rustling noise as it approached Shalu. When it almost pushed Shalu to the edge of the ring, it stopped and repeatedly asked: ”Answer me, why did you abandon me?”

”It’s not me, it was the master of the new world, he extricated you from my body, I didn’t know anything!” Shalu cried out in haste.

”It’s still because you are too weak.” This voice clearly came from the monster’s mouth, but to Shalu, it sounded eerily familiar, yet he couldn’t recall whose voice it was.

”Since you abandoned me, you must pay the price!” The monster’s voice returned to its eerie tone, it raised its high head: ”I must kill you; only by killing you can I return!”

As soon as the words fell, an attack as fast as lightning reached right in front of Shalu.

...

”...Mr. Jon has already started to refine the details and plan the overall strategy for New City, at the current pace, the preliminary blueprints are estimated to be completed within half a month to a month.” While Shalu was experiencing the House of the Heart, Frode took advantage of the gap and picked up a planning document, reporting the recent developments to Angel.

However, after speaking for a long time, Frode didn’t receive any response from Angel. He lifted his head in confusion and looked towards Angel.

It was then he noticed that Angel was not looking at him, but was quietly staring at the tabletop and the House of the Heart.

Following Angel’s gaze, Frode saw nothing unusual with the House of the Heart and Shalu hadn’t woken up either. So why was Angel staring at the House of the Heart?

While Frode was confused, Angel suddenly said: ”The amplitude of the illusory power fluctuations has suddenly become very large.”

”Ah?” Frode didn’t understand.

”It seems that Shalu must have encountered something, otherwise the illusory power fluctuations shouldn’t be this intense,” Angel remarked.

In the Wilderness of Dreams, Frode was essentially a mortal; he couldn’t perceive energy fluctuations. Angel, however, could detect them. It was the first time the illusory power fluctuation amplitude in the House of the Heart had been so intense, hence it caught his attention.

Based on Angel’s speculation, at this moment, Shalu might be facing something, perhaps his inner demon.