Warlock Apprentice

”Angel?” Lianna was a bit puzzled. Why did Fire Charm suddenly bring up Angel?

Fire Charm: ”I heard that when you left the Sky Mechanical City, you went to see Angel. Did he say then that he was going back to the Barbarian Cave?”

Lianna nodded: ”Angel did mention it at the time.”

Fire Charm’s eyes sparkled: ”Now that Sanders has returned to the Barbarian Cave, does that mean Angel is here too?”

Lianna thought for a moment, then shook her head: ”I don’t know about that. I haven’t heard anything about Angel coming back recently.”

”Not hearing about it doesn’t mean he hasn’t,” Fire Charm said. ”A few days ago, when Sanders returned, Lord Rhein also came back from the ruins for two days. If it were just Sanders, I don’t think Lord Rhein would have rushed back specifically. I speculate that Angel returned with them at that time.”

Angel is the real reason Lord Rhein hurried back to the Barbarian Cave. This is also what most wizards speculate.

Fire Charm knew that Lianna had seen Angel not long ago, so she specifically came to inquire if there was any insider information.

”But Lord Rhein hasn’t announced Angel’s return, and there’s no movement from Lord Tree Spirit either,” Lianna said. ”Angel has been promoted to Official Wizard and also became a member of the Research and Development Institute. In typical cases, there would at least be a banquet-like occasion for him to formally meet other wizards.”

Since there was no movement from Tree Spirit’s side, perhaps Angel hasn’t returned.

However, Fire Charm didn’t think so: ”We’re all guessing, perhaps it’s because Angel’s attitude isn’t right.”

Attitude not right? Lianna mulled over Fire Charm’s words and quickly reacted. Fire Charm meant that Angel’s attitude doesn’t align with what Lord Rhein and Tree Spirit expected, so they are deliberately neglecting and marginalizing him.

”Angel is young and has achieved such success now, maybe he’s become arrogant and his attitude has become overbearing. Even if he’s returned, he’s being deliberately neglected,” Fire Charm speculated.

Lianna shook her head: ”That’s definitely not the case; Angel’s character follows closely in the footsteps of his Mentor. Moreover, Angel is even more gentle, so your speculation is incorrect.”

Fire Charm trusted Lianna’s judgment, but then why is Angel being marginalized now, with no information being announced?

Lianna didn’t care much about this. Her relationship with Angel was good enough that a formal meeting through a feast wasn’t necessary. She was actually more concerned about the upcoming Tea Party than Angel’s situation.

But since Fire Charm was her friend, Lianna followed her thought process for a moment.

”Maybe there’s another reason; maybe Angel wants to hide his whereabouts? I can see that he’s not someone who likes to show off,” Lianna paused: ”Or perhaps...”

”Can you really be sure that Angel is back?”

Fire Charm was stunned. Indeed, all her speculations were based on Angel having already returned. What if Angel hasn’t come back?

”Maybe Angel has other matters and hasn’t returned to the Barbarian Cave yet. That isn’t impossible,” Lianna shrugged. ”As for why Lord Rhein suddenly returned... why can’t he come back? Does he always need a reason to return?”

Fire Charm was left speechless by the question. Lianna patted her on the shoulder: ”Stop making wild guesses. Just know, there’s nothing wrong with Angel’s attitude. Whether he comes back or not isn’t important.”

Fire Charm thought about it and agreed. It’s just that Angel has been a hot topic among the wizards in the Barbarian Cave, and she couldn’t resist her curiosity. In reality, knowing Angel’s whereabouts isn’t that important.

With that thought, Fire Charm stopped discussing Angel’s matters.

They were on their way to find ”Wood Leaf Blooming” Night Servi, who lived at the edge of the Eternal Tree’s coverage area, so they were flying in the direction away from the central area.

The route was desolate and devoid of people until they passed near the Cloudtop Library, where they finally saw some figures.

At that moment, Lianna suddenly halted.

Fire Charm looked over in confusion: ”What is it?”

”Nothing, just saw someone I know,” Lianna shook her head and continued walking forward without explaining who the acquaintance was; Fire Charm didn’t question further.

However, in a place Fire Charm wasn’t paying attention to, Lianna furrowed her brows, her eyes filled with contemplation.

At the same time, in the high sky near the Cloudtop Library, Greya, dressed in a deep purple dress, squinted her eyes: ”Fire Charm saw me just now.”

The red-haired, golden-eyed man beside Greya—Angel, hummed: ”And saw me too.”

Greya: ”When she recognized me, her gaze immediately shifted to you. I bet she figured out who you are.”

They were now near the Illusion Demon Island, and with another unfamiliar Official Wizard beside Greya, and Lianna knowing Greya was headed to Illusion Demon Island, a little deduction would pin down Angel’s identity.

Angel: ”Let her guess. I know Lianna; she saw me in disguise and knows I intend to keep a low profile, so I trust she won’t broadcast it.”

Greya concurred with this viewpoint. Lianna was a smart person, or rather, any wizard wouldn’t be foolish. Some wizards unfamiliar with Angel wouldn’t care whether he wanted to keep a low profile or not, so they would talk freely; but because Lianna was close with Angel, she’d think from Angel’s perspective, and she’d see that he wanted to remain low-key.

The fact that Lianna didn’t come over to greet them already indicated as much.

”Moreover, she doesn’t know where I’m going,” Angel added, since he was preparing to move to the ruins anyway, so even if Lianna recognized him and spread the news, the Seed followers would still be in the dark about his destination, rendering it useless.

When Angel mentioned this, Greya raised an eyebrow: ”I didn’t expect you just moved? The Seed followers might not even target you; your response is a bit extreme.”

Angel lazily flicked the red hair falling over his eyes: ”My enlightenment Mentor once told me a saying from their place: ’No sane person would stand beneath a crumbling wall.’

”I’m just taking precautions.”

As Angel spoke, he had arrived near the Spirit Tree Hall. He turned to Greya: ”This is as far as I’ll go. I will leave directly with Lord Tree Spirit later.”

Greya rolled her eyes and said snappishly: ”I’m not here to see you off; I’m here to see Toby off.”

Greya stroked Toby, resting in her palm, and said softly: ”You actually don’t have to follow Angel; staying with me would be fine.”

Though Toby was enjoying Greya’s touch, he remained silent. His attitude was clear.

Greya: ”If you stay with me, I can still make you some fish snacks.”

Toby’s eyes lit up, yet he remained silent.

Seeing this, Greya murmured a curse under her breath: ”What a thankless little wolf.”

With that, Greya tossed Toby to Angel.

Angel found it amusing to watch: the ruins were nearby, and at Toby’s speed, it took only a few minutes to go back and forth. Yet, Greya had made it seem like a scene of life and death parting.