Warlock Apprentice

Rhein: ”Besides this, do you have anything else to ask?”

Angel thought for a moment and said, ”I want to know the current situation of the ruins.”

Angel has always been curious about that peculiar ruin. Because as far as he knows, aside from that ruin, creatures from the Nightmare Realm have not occupied other ruins, which indicates that there is something in that ruin attracting them.

Angel is very eager to know what exactly is going on inside.

Facing Angel’s inquiry, Rhein pondered for a moment: ”The situation inside the ruins is very complex, and we have not been able to explore it deeply yet.”

Angel: ”Even divination can’t be effective?”

Rhein nods: ”Divination is obscured. According to Maya’s speculation, there may be a force field inside that can shield prophecy, or perhaps it is affected by a mysterious object.”

Mysterious objects don’t seem to be scarce in the Nightmare Realm. For instance, the fox musician’s lyre is a mysterious object.

Back then, Sanders also visited a tower full of mysterious objects in the Nightmare Realm.

So, Maya’s speculation might be correct. The Nightmare Realm creatures possess mysterious objects, which cause divination to be blocked.

Angel: ”With prophecy being blocked, it seems we can only wait for the Astral Day to know the details.”

Rhein: ”That’s right, we originally planned for Maya to attempt star divination on the next Astral Day.”

”Now...” Angel hesitated, realizing that Maya originally went to the Astral Day for the matter of the ruins, but now because of him, it has changed? Thinking of this, Angel suddenly felt somewhat guilty.

Rhein waved his hand: ”No worries, I’ll notify ’Sea God’ Florenza, he will certainly arrange for Prophet Wizards to keep an eye on it.”

Florenza? Song of the Deep Sea? Angel couldn’t react immediately to the connection.

With Rhein’s explanation, Angel finally understood the hidden story.

The ruins appeared soon after the fusion of planes, when many Witcher Organizations and Wizard Families on the Pamiji Plateau were exploring the circumstances of the fusion. Song of the Deep Sea was among them. They also discovered the ruins and sent four official wizards to investigate, but they all perished. The four official wizards were all trapped in the ruin.

Because Song of the Deep Sea lost so many official wizards, even without Rhein’s reminder, they will surely look into the ruins on the Astral Day.

”Speaking of which, about the ruins, even if you didn’t ask me, I would have told you. Because according to Sanders, you have a way to interpret the emotional expression of the Nightmare Realm creatures?”

Angel did not deny: ”I can only interpret it vaguely, most Nightmare Realm creatures are not very intelligent, and their emotional expressions are simple.”

Rhein: ”That’s fine. You do know the story of the little Prince, right?”

”Crimson Moon, Diamond and Glow; Dawn, Quartz, and Floating Light.” Angel nodded, reciting the riddle from the widely known fairy tale of the little Prince.

Rhein: ”Take their emotional expressions as a riddle, interpret it, and connect the clues of the answer, eventually you might understand what they are trying to convey.”

Angel also understood this principle, Sanders had reminded him before.

Once they understand what the Nightmare Realm creatures are expressing, they might determine why they chose that ruin.

”In a few days, when the situation in the ruins calms down and the live issue here is mostly resolved, you and Sanders can come together.” Rhein: ”You want to understand the situation of the ruins, you should take a look yourself.”

Angel nodded in agreement, he intended to do so.

After discussing the ruins, they went on to chat about other topics, including the Frostmoon Alliance and Black Castle. They also talked about the developments in the Abyss and the changes in the forces observed there.

Mainly Rhein was speaking, Angel was listening. Rhein explained the current situation of the Frostmoon Alliance to Angel and helped him analyze whether to go to the Frostmoon Alliance headquarters to claim the ”Frost Moonlight Chapter” reward, and what future possibilities and pros and cons he might face if he went.

Rhein’s position determined his perspective, and his rich experiences encompassed every aspect, pointing out the way forward for Angel.

Thus, this conversation was more like Rhein guiding Angel, and Angel found it naturally enjoyable.

However, even the most enjoyable moments have an end.

After they had talked for two hours, Rhein finally stopped: ”That’s it for today.”

Angel nodded; he understood it was time for him to take his leave.

Angel was contemplating what final words to use for his farewell when Rhein took a sip of hot tea and asked with a smile: ”By the way, what are your plans next?”

Angel thought for a moment: ”Stay low-key, wait for the results of Astral Day. Then, practice quietly for a while.”

”Indeed, you should settle down a bit.” Rhein knows Angel hasn’t rested at all, having gone to Sky Mechanical City as a special judge right after advancing. As a newly promoted wizard, he indeed needs some quiet time to practice.

Rhein: ”Give me your bone card.”

Although Angel didn’t understand Rhein’s intentions, he still dug out the bone card from the bottom of his bracelet, which he hadn’t used for a long time.

Rhein gently brushed the bone card, and a ray of golden light entered it.

”I’ve granted you Second Level access to the Cloudtop Library, just below Book Elder’s Level 1 access. During this time, you can supplement and settle the knowledge you lack in the Cloudtop Library.”

Angel nodded respectfully: ”Thank you.”

”It’s the right you ought to have.” After a pause, Rhein added: ”Besides practicing, what else do you plan to do?”

”Alchemy perhaps.” Angel plans to study blending faction alchemy if time allows, as being a member of the Research and Development Institute, he needs to have some knowledge of blending even if he’s not an expert.

”Anything else?” Rhein continued to ask.

”I guess... that’s all.” Angel looked at Rhein in confusion, not understanding what Rhein meant.

Rhein smiled: ”Besides practicing and alchemy, I believe you will have some leisure time. I have two things here; you might as well give them a try.”

Practice and alchemy can each occupy all the time, where’s the leisure time! Although Angel thought this, he did not show it on his face.

Since Rhein kept asking him, it was clear he had something to say.

After all, Rhein is the leader of the Barbarian Cave; no matter how unwilling Angel was, he still had to listen attentively.

Moreover, he also wanted to know what the two things Rhein wanted him to do were.