Warlock Apprentice

Greya muttered and whined for a good while before stopping: ”Speaking of which, your drama Shadow Box has become wildly popular in the witches’ circle recently. Lianna even mentioned that she attended a Fragrance Appreciation Conference, where people were still discussing novel scents a few days ago, but now the theme has been completely sidetracked by your drama Shadow Box.”

”Fragrance Appreciation Conferences and drama Shadow Boxes shouldn’t have much correlation, right?” Angel asked in confusion.

”Indeed, they don’t. But you crafted a drama called *The Fairy Queen’s Journey to Growth*. The Shadow Box of this drama was acquired by a witch at the Fragrance Appreciation Conference. She shared the drama at the conference, which led to the widespread buzz around it.”

*The Fairy Queen’s Journey to Growth* tells the inspirational tale of a Flower Demon born emitting a foul odor and how she transformed her scent to claim the crown of the Fairy Queen.

This drama had performances across various continents in the Southern Domain. In essence, it resembles *The Ugly Duckling* in some ways—the creator used an uplifting story to encourage the lower-class populace not to abandon hope. In truth, however, it was a ploy by the ruling class to pacify the hearts of the people. After all, in this rigidly hierarchical society, one’s birth largely determines one’s future. The so-called paths of upward mobility are essentially blocked off. But to gloss over this harsh reality, many similar stories have sprung up.

If this drama were sold to someone else, its reception might have been merely average. But as luck would have it, it ended up in the hands of a witch at the Fragrance Appreciation Conference.

When witches watch this drama, it’s not for its motivational content—they’re already at the top of the ladder. What they focus on... or rather, what they *smell*, is the scent of the Flower Demon within the drama.

Angel crafted the Alchemical Illusion, taking care to replicate reality—this included scent simulation.

The protagonist of *The Fairy Queen’s Journey to Growth* had her smell meticulously simulated by Angel, and these simulated scents quickly became adored by the witches at the Fragrance Appreciation Conference.

”By the way, many of them are asking: What exactly is the smell on the Flower Demon in the drama? What’s its origin? Numerous Fragrance Alchemists have tried to reproduce it, but not a single one has succeeded,” Greya asked inquisitively.

Angel responded earnestly, ”The scent isn’t real. Smells are merely products of consciousness...”

Before Angel could finish, Greya cut him off directly: ”The study of the olfactory sense is well understood by those in the fragrance circle—no need for your explanations. I’m just curious about how you managed to simulate that intensely seductive, feminine aroma.”

”It’s simulated through the Illusionary Realm,” Angel continued to sidestep the question, drawing even more suspicion from Greya.

Angel coughed twice, attempting to change the subject: ”Speaking of which, haven’t you been in the manor these past few days? How do you know about the Fragrance Conference?”

Greya raised an eyebrow: ”Don’t forget, with communicators and Alchemy Golems around, I may be physically in the manor, but my consciousness has been roaming across the world.”

Greya paused for a moment and then pressed on: ”You still haven’t answered me. Where did you simulate this scent from? Even if it’s an illusionary simulation, you surely had some reference material, right?”

”Or are you saying it’s from someone secretly close to you...”

Angel quickly interrupted Greya, speaking irritably, ”Don’t make wild guesses! The source of this scent is just a bit... unconventional, that’s all.”

”What’s so unconventional about it?” Greya leaned in closer with heightened curiosity.

Angel pondered for a moment, hesitated for quite a while, and ultimately spoke, ”Actually, like I said, the scent in the Illusionary Realm isn’t real—it’s simulated through Illusion Techniques manipulating the senses. The source of the simulated scent originates from the Abyss.”

”From the Abyss?”

Angel nodded: ”The Fairy Queen’s scent undergoes transitions. One part of it comes from a Water-System Pannas Charm Demon, while another part comes from the proprietor of a mysterious little shop in the Abyss.”

—None other than Baltica of the Land of Rest.

However, Angel didn’t mention her name—not out of inhibition, but simply because using someone else’s scent as a drama Easter egg felt slightly perverse to him. To preserve his image and avoid word getting back to her, Angel chose to remain vague.

Greya, observing Angel’s evasive manner, realized she wouldn’t extract more information. Smirking mischievously, she teased, ”So the scent isn’t from a secret lover but rather from a group of demon beauties, huh? By the way, why don’t you tell me—what’s the charm demon’s essence like?”

Angel responded with a cool glare, unwilling to elaborate further.

”Since it involves two Abyssal entities’ scents, it seems unlikely the Fragrance Alchemists at the conference will manage to replicate them,” Greya shrugged, choosing not to continue her playful ribbing. Instead, she brought up another subject.

”On the topic of your endeavors, besides your drama Shadow Box, there’s something else that’s been stirring up quite the buzz.” Greya stretched lazily, her damp bodice shifting downward slightly, exposing a tantalizing glimpse of skin. ”It’s called the Ice Whip, isn’t it?”

Angel nodded: ”If you’re referring to the weapon I crafted for Xiliu, then yes, that’s its name.”

”Such a bland name as usual,” Greya quipped, then continued, ”Several days ago, Xiliu was experimenting with the whip’s power at Fangling Hall. She was spotted, and ever since then, the custom weapon has remained highly discussed. I hear Ashiliya Academy even held several consecutive classes analyzing this Ice Whip you crafted.”

Angel gave a nonchalant nod in response. Having witnessed Xiliu’s experiments himself, he wasn’t entirely surprised by the ensuing waves of interest, though he hadn’t expected the topic’s longevity to be this enduring.

Soon, Greya offered an explanation: ”The Ice Whip is still under study, true, but the other custom order recipient has been exceptionally discreet.”

”Onassis?”

Greya nodded: ”The top three winners from the Rising Star Tournament inevitably attract attention—that’s expected. Moreover, with the consecutive Alchemy Omens accompanying your creations, people have been keeping a close eye on developments. After some deduction, it’s clear what’s happening behind the scenes.”

”The Infinite Battle Tower didn’t keep anything under wraps either. Everyone knows that Onassis and Xiliu have received your Alchemy Works. Xiliu’s has already been revealed, yet Onassis’s remains shrouded in secrecy—tightly held, in fact.”

Angel remarked, ”Xiliu’s weapon being exposed was just an accident. I imagine neither wished their custom items to be unveiled. If specifics aren’t being shared, it’s perfectly understandable.”

”But people are so curious,” Greya leaned closer to Angel, ”including me.”

Angel asked, ”You want to know what I made for Onassis?”

”And what you crafted for Sharley too,” Greya said with a mischievous grin, emphasizing her intrigue given how closely these items neared the High Order echelon. Even she didn’t possess many such creations, so her curiosity was naturally piqued.

Angel thought for a moment before responding, ”You’ll find out about Sharley’s item soon enough. As for Onassis’s... I don’t mind sharing a little.”

”What I crafted for him isn’t a weapon. It’s a... *Philosophical Speculation Hall*.”