Warlock Apprentice

Angel arrived at the end of the narrow corridor. Standing before the red lacquered wooden door, he extended his hand.

However, before he could knock, the door opened on its own.

A deep, raspy voice came from within: ”Come in.”

When Angel walked inside, Sanders was staring intently forward at an illusion, the contents of which were various data and Magic Energy Formulas.

Sanders occasionally reached out his hand to make adjustments in the air. As Illusion Nodes flowed from his fingertips, the original illusion rippled like a rainbow, encircling him.

The data rapidly transformed, and a long string of Magic Energy Formulas continuously updated.

Clearly, Sanders seemed to be calculating something.

For all wizards, data and formulas have always been their most precious wealth. Some wizards can even deduce the research of others simply by analyzing a string of data combined with Magic Energy Formulas. For this reason, such information is highly private and not meant to be explored casually.

However, since Sanders didn’t avoid Angel and openly displayed the illusion, he evidently had no intention of withholding it for himself.

Angel, too, curiously looked over.

Since advancing to become an Official Wizard, Angel’s computational abilities had grown with each passing day. Observing the calculations and expressions within the illusion’s Magic Energy Formulas, he silently began his own deductions in his mind. It didn’t take long before he grasped what Sanders was analyzing.

—Deciphering the energy composition of the microscopic world.

If Wallace were here to see Sanders’ research topic, he might be dumbfounded, as such academic-focused, less practical subjects were typically beloved by the Academy Faction. And Sanders had always scoffed at them.

Although this topic leaned toward academia, Angel quickly understood Sanders’ intentions. He was laying the foundation for the energy system construction in the Wilderness of Dreams.

When the day came to practically implement it in the Wilderness of Dreams, Sanders would also require Angel to assist him through the Ability Tree. Thus, there was no need to conceal such data and information from Angel.

Angel quietly observed Sanders’ calculations, silently gaining insight in his heart.

About ten minutes later, a segment of node calculations was completed, and Sanders finally ceased his adjustments to the illusion.

”Previously, I only understood a superficial layer of energy. But now, after seeing Mentor’s research, I realize how vast and complex the energy system truly is,” Angel remarked with a faint sense of wonder.

Sanders: ”Both the macroscopic and microscopic worlds of energy can extend infinitely. If you truly wish to explore them thoroughly, a lifetime might still fall short. All I can do now is isolate one segment to study.”

”Still, I think that should suffice.” Angel: ”The Wilderness of Dreams itself comes with its own inherent rules. Once the energy system begins its construction, I believe the rules will naturally reconcile and complete the system themselves.”

In a world already supported by established rules, sometimes all that’s needed is a small catalyst to spur evolution—just like ink dropped into water that disperses and spreads on its own.

Sanders agreed with Angel’s perspective. After all, he wasn’t an Academy Faction wizard who spent his days diving into purely academic research. His approach, like Angel’s, aimed to provide an external stimulus to the Wilderness of Dreams and allow the actual evolution to be handled by the world itself.

As Frode said earlier: ”With dreams as the steed, the distant horizons cease to have boundaries.”

In a world with ”no limits set by dreams,” Sanders could leverage the greatest outcome with minimal effort.

”Your analysis is correct, but there’s another piece of crucial information hidden in this data. Do you see it?” Sanders pointed at the illusion before him and posed the question.

Angel re-examined the data from start to finish and didn’t immediately identify the other piece of important information Sanders referred to.

Just as Angel was about to shake his head, he caught a fleeting smile at the corner of Sanders’ lips.

Angel suddenly realized: ”Is it the degree of centrality?”

Sanders nodded: ”Not bad.”

Earlier, Sanders had obtained an ”Energy Level Limitation” Authority in the Wilderness of Dreams, but this Authority on its own didn’t enable him to release energy within the Wilderness. It still required another Authority to collaborate in constructing a unique energy system for that realm.

Due to Frode’s failure in fusing the ”Celestial Alternation,” Sanders had chosen to calculate the core degree of this unknown Authority first, as a precaution rather than seeking it directly through the Scroll of Fortune.

If the core degree of this unknown Authority fell within his tolerable range, he could proceed to fuse it.

Otherwise, if it exceeded limits like ”Celestial Alternation” had and resulted in dissipation, it would be a wasted opportunity.

When Angel mentioned ”degree of centrality,” his own thinking caught up: ”Mentor’s calculations are aimed at using minimal methods to pry open the door to constructing the energy system. This implies that the Authority required for energy system construction isn’t as central as imagined—it’s within the tolerable range?”

Sanders: ”You could say that.”

Angel’s eyes lit up: ”Then, Mentor, when do you plan to fuse with the second Authority?”

Sanders: ”That’s not urgent for now, as this conclusion only comes from the microscopic perspective. To construct a comprehensive energy system, it’ll certainly require macroscopic considerations as well.”

”I need to study it from the macroscopic perspective next and make a final comprehensive evaluation.” Sanders paused: ”Also, it might just be wishful thinking. It’s possible that the unknown Authority in the Wilderness requires a complete energy system rather than just isolating one segment of energy. If that’s the case, I’ll likely have to reach at least Legend level to be qualified to fuse with this Authority.”

”Let’s hope this guess proves wrong.”

Angel nodded, understanding Sanders’ choice. If someone were on the brink of life or death, rushing impulsively wouldn’t be out of the question. But without external pressures, exercising caution and deliberation was undoubtedly the wisest course.

After finishing the discussion on energy construction and degree of centrality, Sanders brought up a tangential topic: ”Regarding the New Star Festival, I’ve already heard about it. You really showed consideration for that Apprentice who challenged you.”

Sanders was clearly referring to Trom, the ”Phantom Deer.” Angel sighed: ”It’s mostly because I heard the reasons behind Trom’s challenge, and I felt a tinge of sympathy.”

As for the story behind it, Sanders wasn’t aware, but given Trom’s background, he could make a fairly close guess.

The Pale Witch’s infamous love for pranks was well-known throughout the Wizards’ Realm. Her surrounding circle—even her disciples—often bore the brunt of her antics.

Sanders: ”That may be true, but aren’t you concerned that others might see your rejection of the Apprentice’s challenge and begin slandering or taunting you? They might insinuate that you lack the strength to even accept a challenge from an Apprentice.”

”Why care about others’ opinions?” Angel responded calmly.

Sanders chuckled slightly at the response, nodding in approval. If someone were too concerned with public opinion, fleeting fame might well become a shackle, hindering progress and potentially turning into a vulnerability. For someone Angel’s age to grasp this illusory truth brought a sense of satisfaction to Sanders.

”Speaking of which, was there something specific you came to discuss with me?”