Warlock Apprentice

Sanders: ”Since the Nova Competition is over, are you here to discuss the details of your departure with me?”

Angel walked to the window. Through the spotless glass, he could see the happenings in the manor below.

Greya was training Toby, who had transformed into a gryphon, while Sharley sat with her eyes closed, sensing the emotions radiating from Toby and occasionally jotting down notes in her handbook.

”It is indeed time to leave, but I’d like to stay a few more days and try having Toby face the Extreme Resentment Thoughts,” Angel said.

Sanders: ”Is that why you’ve come to find me?”

Angel nodded.

”Fine,” Sanders said indifferently. ”Although Lord Rhein hopes we can return sooner rather than later, according to Maya’s prophecy, the ruins should remain stable for the time being.”

After a pause, Sanders asked, ”You’re saying you want Toby to face the Extreme Resentment Thoughts? Are you planning to have him enter the House of the Heart?”

”Yes. Based on some reports I had Frode conduct, the House of the Heart should be effective for Toby. However, the real reason I’d like to stay a few extra days is because of Sharley.”

Though the Water Pattern Witch had given Angel the authority to oversee Sharley, Angel was reluctant to take her out of Sky Mechanical City.

So he intended to solve Toby’s matter as soon as possible, utilizing Sharley’s sensory abilities while they were still in Sky Mechanical City.

Sanders neither approved nor disapproved; his main priority remained his research on macro and micro energy. Whether the research took place in the Sky Mechanical City or the Barbarian Cave made little difference to him.

”Toby’s matter is for you to decide,” Sanders said after a pause. ”But I am somewhat interested in that report about the House of the Heart you mentioned.”

A moment later, Sanders entered the Wilderness of Dreams and sought out Frode to review the reports related to the House of the Heart.

Angel, meanwhile, left Sanders’ study and went out into the courtyard.

When Angel appeared, Toby, who was undergoing training, cast tearful eyes his way. Despite having transformed into a massive gryphon the size of a small mountain, the watery, pleading look in Toby’s eyes evoked a sense of comical sympathy due to the stark contrast with its form.

Though Toby sent a clear distress signal to Angel, past experiences had taught him that Angel was unlikely to intervene on its behalf.

This time, however, took Toby by surprise.

Angel walked straight into the practice area and positioned himself between Toby and Greya.

Greya frowned slightly. ”What is the meaning of this?”

Because it was Angel, Greya softened her tone. Were it anyone else, she would likely have lashed out without hesitation, whip in hand.

”I plan to conduct an experiment that could benefit Toby’s situation,” Angel said flatly.

Hearing that it was an ”experiment beneficial to Toby,” Greya’s frown eased slightly. ”Does this have to do with the Extreme Resentment Tribulation?”

”Yes,” Angel nodded. ”The experiment has no particular requirements for Toby’s physical state, but it may necessitate a relatively stable mental state. That’s why...” he trailed off, implying the interruption of Greya’s training.

Understanding Angel’s intent, Greya lowered the custom whip she had been holding and stepped aside. ”I’d like to hear about this experiment you’ve designed and the outcomes you foresee.”

Once Greya moved aside, Toby, now overjoyed, rushed over to Angel and nuzzled against him to express its elation. However, Toby had momentarily forgotten that it was still in its gryphon state, with flames rolling off its body. Were it not for Angel’s quick reaction, his hair might have caught fire.

Noticing its mistake, Toby lowered its head with embarrassment, let out a chirp, and reverted to its ashen, diminutive bird form before perching on Angel’s shoulder.

Angel stroked Toby’s feathers and then walked over to Greya.

”For now, I must keep the details of the experiment confidential.”

”Confidential?” Greya’s face betrayed suspicion. Since this pertained to Toby’s Extreme Resentment Tribulation, why would Angel be so secretive? Unless, of course, there was something in the experiment Angel preferred not to disclose or wished to conceal?

”Yes, forgive me for not being able to provide specifics at the moment. However, I can reveal one detail: this experiment won’t take place in the real world.”

”Not in the real world? Then are you planning to conduct it in a dream?” Sharley, who had been eavesdropping nearby, couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.

Angel glanced at Sharley. ”You’re correct. This time, the experiment will indeed take place within a dream.”

Sharley was taken aback, unable to grasp Angel’s meaning immediately. Greya, however, caught on quickly. ”You intend to enter Toby’s dream?” She had seen Angel enter Toby’s dream back at the Black Castle, hence her question.

”As you know, Extreme Resentment Thoughts manifest as Dream Persons to lure and tempt Toby. Even in his dream, Toby struggles with full self-control.”

Greya nodded. ”Entering someone else’s dream is tantamount to stepping into a domain they’ve meticulously created. It’s a perilous endeavor.”

”Precisely why I won’t enter Toby’s dream. Instead, I’ll have Toby enter my dream,” Angel said, halting further explanation at this point.

Greya came to an understanding. Angel must be planning to conduct his experiment in the controlled environment of his own dream, though there were undoubtedly hidden aspects to it.

”I don’t know what experiment you’re planning, but how exactly are you going to bring Toby into your dream? Surely Toby doesn’t plan to learn the Dream Entering Technique across dimensions?”

”I have a means,” Angel said with a wink. ”The dream-related tricks I know aren’t limited to just the Dream Entering Technique.”

The implication was that Angel possessed other dream-related tricks capable of bringing Toby into his dream.

If a Dream Sorcerer with expertise in such matters were present, they would easily recognize this as a lie. Even if a method to pull someone else into one’s dream existed, it would hardly be simple ”tricks.”

However, Greya, standing before Angel, lacked deep knowledge of dream-related techniques—a faction so exceedingly rare that it often remained obscure. Thus, she didn’t immediately pick up on anything amiss.

After pondering for a moment, Greya said, ”If you’ve already made your decision, then... very well.”

Even though she harbored concerns about the unknowns of the experiment, Greya trusted Angel’s goodwill toward Toby. On this basis, she chose to place her faith in him once more.

Angel gave Greya a slight nod, signaling reassurance, before turning his gaze toward Sharley, who was openly eavesdropping nearby.

”When Toby and I enter the dream, I hope you can help record the changes in his emotions.”

Sharley hadn’t expected Angel to assign her a task and hesitated for a moment before nodding. After all, her role alongside Greya was to monitor and document Toby’s condition.

With arrangements finalized, Angel didn’t bother heading indoors. Right there in the courtyard, before Greya and Sharley’s watchful eyes, he sat down, bringing Toby with him as they entered the Wilderness of Dreams.

Once Angel and Toby had entered the dream.

Greya watched the now-sleeping Toby, a curious expression flitting across her face.