Warlock Apprentice

White Dove Library, named for the white pigeons that circle the skies throughout the day, is one of the top libraries in Sky Mechanical City.

As usual, the White Dove Library remains open to the public 24 hours a day. The only difference today is that fewer people are in the library compared to normal.

”Probably because of that trace of terrifying aura earlier, right?” said one of the female librarians who were gathered by the floor-to-ceiling window, chatting idly while admiring the scenery outside.

With fewer visitors today, they had less work to do and more leisure time.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the evening glow had dyed the entire sky a fiery red, as if it were ablaze. The crimson hue bore a striking resemblance to the blood-red skies depicted in the famous novel *Apocalypse Has Come*.

”According to the information transmitted from the Magic Energy Eye, the creature emanating the terrifying aura has already left, though who knows if that’s reliable,” another librarian murmured.

”I heard rumors from some Official Wizards that this terrifying aura might originate from a being beyond Legendary Level—a presence capable of crushing Sky Mechanical City entirely.”

”Seriously? Beyond Legendary Level?” The speaker covered her mouth as her eyes widened in disbelief.

”It should be true. That also indirectly confirms the reliability of the Magic Energy Eye’s message. A Legendary Level entity wouldn’t merely leave behind a fleeting trace of aura. Such beings, if they descended, would unleash a continuous, unrelenting presence. So, it’s likely that this entity has left.” Against the backdrop of the fiery sunset, the female librarian spoke with a look of yearning in her eyes: ”I wonder what a being beyond Legendary Level would be like. I really want to witness it.”

”Witness it? I’d say that’s not a great idea. What’s evident is that the aura comes from the Void—likely a powerful entity from an Outer Domain passing through the Wizards’ Realm. An existence from the Outer Domain? Who knows if it’s good or bad. If handled poorly, the Southern Domain might end up resembling the catastrophe in *Apocalypse Catastrophe*. I wouldn’t want that,” the woman hesitated, then turned to her companion. ”A stable life is much better, isn’t it, Xiao Liu?”

She was met with silence. Confused, she turned to look at the woman beside her.

It was a young girl with a black ponytail, large black-framed glasses, and a slightly baggy black librarian uniform—the standard attire for apprentices from the counter-district representing Sky Mechanical City.

Her nickname was Xiao Liu.

Normally, Xiao Liu was not very talkative. Although she always joined these casual conversations, she would sit quietly at the side, flipping through a book. She appeared to be reading but would occasionally tune into their dialogues, though rarely spoke unless directly addressed—at which point she’d quietly share her thoughts.

But tonight, Xiao Liu seemed particularly odd. Though she held a book, she wasn’t reading it, nor did she respond when called. She seemed distracted, occasionally casting glances in a specific direction.

The area appeared to be the Ancient River Beach magazine display section.

”What’s wrong with you?” Her companion gave Xiao Liu a gentle nudge, which finally jolted her back to reality. Her first reaction upon snapping out of it wasn’t to answer the question but to avert her gaze, looking nervous and guilty.

”N-Nothing... I just... just.” Xiao Liu stammered for a while, unable to come up with a coherent excuse.

”Xiao Liu, perhaps she’s trying to secretly observe *that person*?” quipped a colleague responsible for the same section as Xiao Liu.

”That person? Who’s that?”

”The person Xiao Liu has been daydreaming about all the time—wanting to meet them.”

Before everyone could react, another librarian overseeing the Ancient River Beach magazine section seemingly pieced things together: ”By the way, because of that fleeting terrifying aura earlier, fewer than ten people came to the Ancient River Beach section today. There’s only one person still there now... I see, Xiao Liu must be sneaking glances at them. It makes sense.”

”Who is it?” Curious, the others turned their attention in that direction.

The speaker didn’t hold back and directly revealed the answer: ”Someone who’s been in the limelight recently—a distinguished figure.”

In the limelight? And using such formal deference? Combined with Xiao Liu’s daydreaming, the answer seemed clear.

”Is it the Transcendental Wizard?”

”Really? The Transcendental Wizard in the library?” Xiao Liu wasn’t the only admirer here; upon hearing Angel’s name, several female librarians gasped in astonishment and stared in the direction Xiao Liu had been looking.

Some bold ones even walked straight over, intent on finding him. As librarians, they could use the excuse of tidying books to justify their actions.

However, before reaching the Ancient River Beach section, they stopped abruptly. A tall figure had begun walking down the corridor bend toward them.

The signature golden locks, coupled with his clear, emerald-like eyes—there was no doubt about his identity.

It was Angel.

Angel exited the section without pausing and headed directly toward the library’s front exit. Passing by the floor-to-ceiling window area, he briefly noticed the group of female librarians gathered there, who appeared to be performing a silent play, all bowing their heads and saying nothing.

Angel glanced at them but said nothing, continuing past them and leaving.

Only when Angel’s figure disappeared from view did the group of female librarians breathe a collective sigh of relief, immediately gossiping about the person at the center of their curiosity—Angel.

Only Xiao Liu remained silent, seemingly caught in indecision.

Suddenly, Xiao Liu stood up. Under the surprised and questioning gazes of her colleagues, she quickly walked forward, heading toward the library exit.

...

Outside the White Dove Library, Angel glanced at Toby, who was asleep in his chest pocket.

Lately, ever since discovering that Extreme Resentment Thoughts might try to lure Toby in its dreams, Toby hadn’t dared to truly sleep. Even when it closed its eyes, it would only venture to the Wilderness of Dreams.

Now, the tribulation had passed. Overwhelmed with joy, Toby’s first instinct was to sleep as deeply as possible.

Still, in order to stay in sync with Angel, Toby had stubbornly come to the White Dove Library, accompanying him as he browsed images. Once Angel decided to leave, Toby instantly drifted off into a deep sleep.

Angel chuckled helplessly at Toby’s thoroughly ungraceful sleeping position.

He had come to the library hoping to use Toby’s description of the ”Bai Yu” to locate its next tribulation form.

In the Ancient River Beach magazine section, Angel had skimmed through all the *Where is the Magical Beast* issues, including supplements, annuals, and celebratory editions from the past few decades. Toby had also scanned through them alongside him.

Unfortunately, Toby hadn’t identified any magic creatures resembling Bai Yu.

There were many similar ones, but none were significant since the similar creatures spanned from birds to beasts, and even extended to some aquatic feathered fish.

So, this library visit ended up being slightly disappointing.

However, it wasn’t entirely fruitless. At least Angel gained newfound knowledge of many magical beasts he had previously been unaware of.