Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2191: Chapter 2192: Two Shadow Boxes

”Your Highness must have gained a lot from this closed-door cultivation.” Angel looked at the imposing Demon Fire Midir and spoke.

Demon Fire Midir coughed lightly and subconsciously glanced at the left earlobe where Angel had hidden the mark: ”Indeed, I have gained a lot.”

Angel smiled gently; from the details in Demon Fire Midir’s eyes, it was evident that it had indeed studied something from Odeclass’s Flame Mark.

It must be said that elemental creatures far surpass ordinary people in terms of perception and understanding of pure elemental power.

Even elemental wizards might not gain insight just by seeing Angel’s Flame Mark. But Demon Fire Midir managed to, despite the influence of the Elemental Tide, which is quite remarkable.

Angel didn’t probe into what Demon Fire Midir had researched, simply smiled, and glossed over the topic.

”I wonder what Your Highness wanted to see me about?”

Returning to the main topic, Demon Fire Midir’s expression shifted from evasive to calm: ”Now, Mr. Pat should have time to talk to me about the meaning of the ’portal’ in the Tidal World, right?”

Demon Fire Midir had asked about this before, but at that time, Angel didn’t answer because he needed to seek more information about Feng and was unsure of how much elemental creatures understood about this world, planar fusion, or humans.

But now, they could have a conversation about it.

Because Angel had met Mago, and this Sage knew a lot of information.

Even about the ”portal,” Mago understood the reason for its existence, though not its exact location.

Now that Demon Fire Midir had asked again, Angel believed it must have learned quite a bit from Mago, so there was no need to conceal anything.

With this reflection, Angel spoke: ”To understand the portal of the Tidal World, we must start from the world-ending disaster of the past. For the beings living in the Tidal World, the disaster was indeed catastrophic; But when viewed from the perspective of the entire world, considering the world as a whole, the disaster was actually an opportunity.”

Angel then clearly explained how the Tidal World and the Wizards’ Realm had already merged, the reasons for the world’s fusion, and the potential for mass casualties among life forms during the fusion.

Demon Fire Midir had already heard some of this from Mago before and was shocked at that time. Now that Angel provided more details, its astonishment could no longer be hidden.

It never expected that what it had assumed as a world-ending disaster was actually a chance for the world.

The Savior, who was always mentioned, was indeed a true savior, but his saving wasn’t what Demon Fire Midir initially thought. Instead, he guided external elemental forces to breathe new life into the withering world, concealing the planar fusion and keeping the existence of the Tidal World hidden for thousands of years!

The so-called ”saving” by the Savior was basically giving the elemental creatures time to proliferate and thrive, avoiding facing plundering humans in their dire state...

After listening to Angel’s description, Demon Fire Midir remained silent for a long time, the information overload and overturned perceptions left it momentarily unable to digest.

After some time, Demon Fire Midir returned to its senses, gazing at Angel across from it: ”Can you tell me where the portal is now?”

”It’s not the time yet,” Angel paused: ”I understand Your Highness’s eagerness to control the portal, but with the power of wizards, entering the Tidal World doesn’t necessarily require traveling through that passage.”

Demon Fire Midir exhaled deeply, speaking solemnly: ”I understand. Teacher Mago told me, when the two worlds merge into one, such a day is inevitable.”

Demon Fire Midir didn’t pursue the ”portal” issue further. Its teacher had already asked before and was declined by Angel. So, it didn’t really expect an answer from Angel, only inquired as a trial.

Besides, from Teacher Mago, it had already learned the portal was certain to be in the Region of Fire and had narrowed down a range. Even if Angel didn’t reveal it, it could slowly search and find it on its own.

”Alright, let’s not discuss this further, let’s change the subject.” Demon Fire Midir descended from mid-air, sitting on a throne forged from flame gemstones: ”Could you tell me about humans?”

”Humans is a vast subject, which aspect would Your Highness like to hear about?”

Demon Fire Midir was silent for a moment before finally deciding: ”I want to understand it all.”

A look of insight flashed in Angel’s eyes, understanding that Demon Fire Midir was beginning to gradually accept and change its perceptions, and his response could likely influence Demon Fire Midir’s future attitudes toward humans.

Therefore, his answer was very important.

Because it was important, Angel knew he couldn’t be overly subjective, nor could he exclusively emphasize humans’ positive traits.

Humanity, with its thriving civilization, is much more complex than elemental creatures, and even Angel himself wasn’t entirely confident in claiming he fully comprehended the ’book’ of humanity.

All Angel could do was objectively convey what he had observed about humans.

”To understand humans, the first step is to understand civilization...”

Civilization is an indispensable element in the lexicon of humanity. It’s likewise a vast topic, with even a rough clarification requiring several days, and a detailed explanation demanding much more time. Angel didn’t have that much time, so he could only describe the definition of civilization, then—

Angel spent a few hours crafting a simple play-like shadow box, themed on ’Humans and Civilization,’ expressing the development and dense flourishing scenes of human civilization through illusionary imagery. In this shadow box, Angel also included his own understanding of humans.

As for the question Demon Fire Midir was most interested in: human values and morality.

Angel provided an answer, not biased, as it couldn’t be a blanket statement. Good and bad have always been relative, a matter of perspective.

Demon Fire Midir watched for about half an hour, going from astonishment at how real the illusion appeared to later being gradually overwhelmed by the grandeur of human civilization.

Demon Fire Midir didn’t finish watching because the information contained within the play-like shadow box was too vast to digest at once. Anyway, Angel had already given it the shadow box, and there would be plenty of time to watch it in the future. Perhaps then it could share it with Mago and other beings of the Region of Fire, to understand humans, which they will inevitably face in the future.

Demon Fire Midir exhaled a breath of impure air, solemnly placing down the seemingly unremarkable small box, then looked at Angel: ”I briefly perused the contents inside; it’s very astonishing.”

After pausing, Demon Fire Midir continued: ”However, I didn’t see the presence of elemental creatures. May I ask, what is the human attitude towards elemental creatures? Is it like the Savior, or like you, sir?”

Angel shook his head: ”There are those like me, and those like Mr. Feng, but none are all-encompassing. To discuss humans’ attitudes towards elemental creatures, one has to start with the World of Wizards.”

Demon Fire Midir already knew beforehand that the Savior was a powerful wizard. So, upon hearing Angel mention ”wizards,” it realized it was surely a key point.

”The situation with wizards is actually quite complex.”

Angel briefly spoke about some aspects of wizards, then...

He created a second shadow play box themed ”The World of Wizards,” detailing the wizards’ situation through an illusionary realm. However, although it was about the ’World of Wizards,’ it actually focused more on the ’unspoken rules of the wizard world.’

Because these unspoken rules are not only a set of guidelines but also the behavioral norms for wizards in their daily lives. These include their attitudes towards the world, ordinary people, and extraordinary beings, including elemental creatures.

Of course, their attitudes are both good and bad. After all, wizards are not good people.

In addition, this shadow box also provides a general description of the wizards’ abilities, and Angel even created an illusion of a wizard in battle. This was the only bias Angel allowed in the shadow play box, serving as both a warning to Midir and a reminder.

Wizards are very powerful, and directly opposing them is definitely not a good idea.

Midir had a rough look and understood the warning Angel gave. Midir did not show anger at this because it was something it was going to ask about anyway.

After all, elemental creatures from the Tidal World would inevitably encounter human wizards, so it’s natural for them to have a general understanding of each other’s strength.

In the illusionary images of ”The World of Wizards,” what stirred Midir the most was the humans’ coveting of elemental creatures.

All official wizards would find ways to capture elemental creatures.

When Midir saw the scene of an elemental creature being captured in the illusion, the flames on its body surged upwards by several meters.

”Despicable humans!” Midir couldn’t help but roar in anger.

Midir’s aura surged, creating ripples in the air that caused the rocks on the cliff walls to crack.

Under these circumstances, Earl Mi also appeared proactively, guarding by Angel’s side, while Toby, even while soaking in the volcanic magma pool, flew swiftly to Angel’s vicinity, ready for defense.

Fortunately, Midir is not an irrational monarch. It controlled its anger and apologized to Angel.

”I understand Your Highness’s feelings, but I think Your Highness can continue to watch.”

Because of their own interests, most wizards would not wantonly kill elemental creatures.

Even if elemental creatures are forcibly captured, they are not treated harshly. The term ”elemental partners” is not just talk. The word ”partner” is very sacred to wizards, and placing elemental creatures in that position shows how much they value them.

The later contents of the shadow box include the wizards’ stance and attitude toward other races and magical creatures.

If using the wizards’ attitude toward elemental creatures as a comparison, elemental creatures are incredibly fortunate.

So, Angel let Midir continue to watch.

After seeing the later content, Midir did indeed quiet down significantly.

It gradually understood that wizards, based on personal interest, would not easily harm elemental creatures unless necessary. But concerning other races and most magical creatures, wizards act with little hesitation.

This comparison strangely relieved Midir.

Like with the first shadow box, Midir did not delve deeply, only taking a general look before putting it aside.

”Even though humans do not annihilate elemental creatures completely, their greed and coveting remain a threat to elemental beings. In my view, elemental creatures are merely pets in disguise for humans.”

Angel could still feel a residual discontent toward humans in Midir’s heart, which is understandable from its perspective.

Angel didn’t elaborate much on this matter, stating simply, ”No matter how Your Highness perceives it, wizards consider the elemental beings that assist in their cultivation as partners.”

Angel knew that arguing over this topic at the moment would likely not change Midir’s mind no matter how logical or objective his reasoning might seem. The rational and objective stand of humans is also aligned with human interests, and from the perspective of elemental creatures, such supposedly rational and objective speeches might be very offensive. Thus, saying less to make fewer mistakes and avoiding aggravating emotions that could lead to more contrary thoughts is advisable.

Let things cool down and allow Midir to contemplate in the future; this might be the best approach.

Midir understood Angel’s intent as well. After remaining silent for a while, it decided to end the conversation for the day and planned to take the two shadow play boxes to Teacher Magu to seek the Sage’s advice.

By this time, the external world had also arrived in daylight.

Angel and Midir came to the Lava Lake together, where Midir prepared to dive into the lake to meet with Magu, while Angel, along with Kelonkcro—who had been waiting by the lake—prepared to return to the cave.

Watching Angel and Kelonkcro leave, a flash of insight passed through Midir’s eyes, linking it to the message Freespanel had sent earlier.

Coupled with the wizards’ attitude toward elemental creatures in ”The World of Wizards,” it became clear to Midir what Angel intended.

Midir did not stop them, watching quietly as they disappeared into the distance before it submerged into the long-familiar Lava Lake bed.

...

As daylight faded, Angel returned Kelonkcro to the Lava Lake.

After Kelonkcro submerged into the lake, it was not long before the lake’s surface bubbled with a large number of high-temperature bubbles, and an energy probe, invisible to the naked eye, slowly rose.

”Mr. Pat, may I have a word?” A distant and aged voice was conveyed.

Angel watched the probe, which resembled a bean sprout, and nodded slightly: ”Alright.”

A while later, inside the classroom within Magu,

Angel sat with Dangross, who yearned for Toby’s affection, beside him, and opposite them were Magu and Midir.

Facing each other for about half a minute, Magu broke the silence first. From under the desk, it took out two boxes and gently placed them on the top: ”I have finished viewing the illusions within these. Many things that puzzled me before have now been answered.”

”I also understand the painstaking efforts of Mr. Feng and Kalomchis.” Magu sighed deeply, ”In such an irreversible trend, the years Mr. Feng has strived for the survival of our elemental tribe is more commendable than saving the world from destruction.”