Warlock Apprentice

Although Toby successfully defeated the Extreme Resentment Thoughts, this was only the projection of the House of the Heart; it’s too early to celebrate. Only by truly overcoming the Extreme Resentment Tribulation can there be a sense of closure.

To increase the likelihood of surviving the trial, Toby resolutely decided to enter the House of the Heart once more. By undergoing repeated trials, Toby could grasp finer details about confronting the Extreme Resentment Thoughts, which would aid in the real trial.

During the previous attempt, Toby’s victory over the Extreme Resentment Thoughts was rather precarious. However, there were still nearly twenty Demon Bloodstones remaining, many of which were of premium quality. Toby believed that by exhausting these resources, there was a chance to decisively crush the opponent during the actual confrontation.

Yet, as Toby eagerly prepared to Enter Dream again, Greya stopped him in his tracks.

”It’s already too late today; start tomorrow instead,” Greya said.

Toby’s eyes flickered with confusion. Earlier, when he wanted to rest, Greya wouldn’t allow it; now, in his moment of enthusiasm, Greya suddenly called a halt—what was the meaning of this?

”These past few days, it hasn’t just been you working hard. Sharley has accompanied you the entire time without taking a break. While you may not feel tired, Sharley is exhausted,” Greya explained with a smile. ”Shouldn’t you give her a chance to rest?”

Though Toby didn’t fully believe Greya’s reasoning, Sharley indeed appeared visibly fatigued. Toby felt a twinge of regret but ultimately showed understanding. After some consideration, he nodded.

Angel, on the other hand, understood Greya’s true intentions. Toby was currently in an overly excited state, akin to being invigorated by adrenaline. In this state, even if he were to face the Extreme Resentment Thoughts again, he might still achieve victory—but it wouldn’t be a sustainable or normal condition. Allowing Toby to rest for the night and letting his overblown emotions settle would ensure that he could confront the trial in a more natural and optimal state.

With Greya’s suggestion to rest, Asaz and Sharley happily departed.

However, just as Sharley was about to leave, Angel called out to her.

Sharley looked at him with a curious expression. Angel didn’t elaborate but instead said, ”Follow me; let’s talk in the hall.”

Greya, as if aware of Angel’s intentions, joined them in the hall uninvited, thick-skinned and unapologetic.

Sharley initially thought Angel would discuss matters related to the Magical Energy Array. However, upon arriving in the hall, Angel wasted no time; with a glow of light in his hand, a finely-crafted little iron box appeared.

The small box was dark gold overall, adorned with embossed patterns depicting mountains and rivers, majestic castles, and loyal guards.

Sharley’s heartbeat quickened as she seemed to anticipate something. Her gaze unintentionally fixated on the box.

”I promised you before: so long as you could assist Toby successfully during his trial, I would refine an item tailored specifically to your profession,” Angel paused briefly before continuing. ”Although Toby hasn’t yet fully overcome the trial, you’ve already demonstrated your capabilities.”

Using the Hand of Magic, Angel gently placed the exquisite little iron box onto the table in front of Sharley.

”This is the fulfillment of the promise I made to you,” he said.

Sharley stared at the iron box for a long moment in a daze. ”This... is for me?” she asked blankly.

”Yes.” Angel gave a slight, nonchalant nod. ”You can open it now—or if you prefer, you can wait until you’re alone.”

As he finished speaking, Angel glanced at Greya, who was watching curiously on the sidelines, prompting her to roll her eyes in response.

”I don’t always intend to snatch things. Sharley has been tireless in helping Toby—I’ve seen it all. I’m simply curious,” Greya retorted, slightly annoyed.

Sharley, meanwhile, had already focused all her attention on the iron box, entirely ignoring the outside world.

Her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably with excitement.

Sharley’s mentor, the Water Pattern Witch, was also an alchemist who had refined numerous items for Sharley over the years. Yet none of those creations had ever aroused such anticipation.

This was a piece refined by Angel—a promise made specifically for a magician. Furthermore, Angel had assured her that the item was something she’d never owned before.

Sharley was immensely curious. What exactly had Angel created for her?

She couldn’t wait to see its contents. With Angel present, she could immediately ask questions if there were any doubts about the item.

Sharley reached out and cradled the small box in her palms.

The icy touch of the iron box caused Sharley to shiver slightly, calming her overly excited mood just a bit.

The box wasn’t heavy; compared to her usual magician’s short staff, it felt as light as a feather. She gently weighed the box in her hands but heard no sound from inside, unable to discern anything about its contents.

Instead of rushing to open the box, Sharley flipped it over to examine its exterior. She had sensed faint traces of energy emanating from the box’s surface earlier.

Soon, Sharley located the point of energy discharge in the lower left corner of the box’s back panel.

A relatively simple magic pattern was inscribed there. Though Sharley didn’t specialize in magic patterns, as a disciple of the Water Pattern Witch, she could recognize a few pattern components.

”Atmosphere, strength, energy interface...” Sharley murmured as she identified the pattern components, but she couldn’t deduce the magic pattern’s actual function.

”Levitation Rune,” Angel said directly, providing the answer. ”When infused with your energy, the rune allows the object to float according to your will.”

”I’ve noticed you enjoy letting items hover around you. This serves that same purpose,” Angel explained, casting a glance at Sharley’s rose-shaped hovering teapot, which housed a small otter named Gudu.

Sharley nodded in understanding. So Angel’s intention was to let the small iron box hover around her as the teapot did? This implied that Angel was confident she’d use this box frequently.

As a magician, Sharley couldn’t help but wonder—what could possibly be inside the box that she’d rely on so much, yet had never encountered before?

Sharley’s curiosity drove her to place her hand on the box’s latch, preparing to open it.

Before she could act, Greya interrupted, ”You found the Levitation Rune in the lower left corner of the box—but didn’t think to check the lower right corner?”

Sharley paused, startled. Was there something on the lower right corner as well?

Following Greya’s suggestion, Sharley flipped the box once more and examined the lower right corner.

To the naked eye, the lower right corner appeared unremarkable, but when Sharley reached out to touch it, she felt the uneven texture of embossed detailing. Additionally, she detected a faint trace of concealed energy.

”What is this?” Sharley asked Angel in puzzlement.

Angel didn’t respond, leaving Greya to explain instead. ”It’s a Concealed Magic Rune designed specifically for hiding information. Try infusing it with magic power and see for yourself.”

Sharley poured her magic power into the Concealed Magic Rune, and as the energy flowed into it, the hidden information revealed itself.

A lionheart insignia entwined with thorns appeared, radiating fiery energy.

Sharley recognized the emblem instantly—it was the symbol of Lionheart’s Flame!

This insignia was unique to Angel’s creations!

Greya glanced at Angel and remarked, ”That guy didn’t bother engraving his insignia on the drama-themed shadow boxes he sold at the Breeze Demonic Material Shop, yet he added it to this piece. It goes to show how highly he values this item.”

Angel quipped, ”The absence of a mark on the shadow boxes was intentional; it doesn’t signify anything special.”

Though Angel downplayed the significance, Sharley viewed the engraved insignia as a sign of Angel’s recognition and approval of this creation.

With this realization, Sharley’s curiosity about the box’s contents deepened further!

Suppressing the rapid thumping of her heart, Sharley carefully unlatched the box. Amidst the subtle sound of ”clicks,” she slowly lifted the lid.

A glow of energy unveiled the contents of the box, and Sharley finally saw what lay inside.

Her expression, however, shifted to one of confusion.

What was this?

A stack... of cards?