Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2192: Chapter 2193: Future Possibilities

Magu sighed, ”After reading it, I also understood that humans are neither inherently good nor bad. But Mr. Feng’s kindness towards elemental creatures makes me more willing to remember the goodness in humans.”

Magu opened up candidly, subtly signaling to Angel, expressing its own stance towards humans.

With mutual trust and similar attitudes, there is a foundation to continue the conversation.

Magu: ”I called you here today for only two things.”

”Firstly, His Highness and I have already accepted a destined future, where the portal between the Tidal World and the Wizards’ Realm being connected is an inevitable trend.” Magu: ”When the two worlds become interconnected, the pros and cons not only relate to humans but are also intimately connected with elemental creatures. So, I want to know, apart from you, when will humans come? Who will come?”

Angel understood Magu’s implication that it wanted to be prepared ahead of time, to know oneself and the enemy, so that when facing human wizards and exchanging interests, it wouldn’t be immediately exposed.

Angel thought for a moment and did not refuse. After all, the relationship between elemental creatures and wizards is inherently unbalanced; by informing the elemental creatures in advance, it could give them a little more leverage in negotiations, making the relationship somewhat more balanced.

A relatively balanced relationship can reduce the probability of conflicts intensifying and allow both parties to engage in friendly exchanges where mutual benefits are obtained.

”As for when humans will come, I can’t provide a precise answer. Perhaps in a month, three months, or maybe five months, but I believe the time won’t be too long; someone will certainly come within six months to a year.”

”In other words, you don’t have much time to react. But this is not necessarily a bad thing, as you have prepared for thousands of years, and now you are indeed in the best moment.”

Magu nodded, acknowledging that Feng had reserved time for their development and growth, and the Tidal World now has a certain qualification to face the surging torrent brought by wizard civilization.

”As for who will come,” Angel paused before continuing, ”this is something you can relax about slightly. Not too many people will come in because the portal to the Tidal World is a threshold that requires extremely high conditions to be met.”

While Magu was breathing a little easier, Angel’s next words made it nervous again.

”But you can’t be completely at ease either, because those who enter will surely have reached the Official Wizard Level. After watching the drama Shadow Box, you should understand what this signifies.”

Magu and Inferno Midir both nodded, knowing full well that the power of an official wizard is very potent, and only after reaching the official wizard level do they have a greater desire for elemental creatures.

”Initially, those coming in shouldn’t exceed fifty people.”

Angel is certainly prioritizing the wizards of the Barbarian Cave, and as for this number ”fifty,” it’s actually on the higher side. After all, the number of wizards still active in the Barbarian Cave doesn’t exceed fifty.

Upon hearing the number fifty, both Magu and Inferno Midir were somewhat relieved. If they had to face hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of official wizards at once, the Tidal World wouldn’t stand a chance.

However, knowing that these fifty were all official wizards on par with Angel still left them slightly anxious and concerned.

”I know what you are worried about; the desire of official wizards for elemental creatures won’t dissipate, but they won’t want just any elemental creature.” Angel: ”Perhaps this topic is uncomfortable for you, but if you’re willing, I can talk about the conditions for official wizards to choose elemental partners.”

Inferno Midir kept silent, but Magu showed no resistance, motioning with a stretch of its hand, ”Then I’ll be counting on you.”

Angel: ”The selection of elemental creatures by wizards comes with many restrictions. First, it must be suitable for them and match the element they practice. This is a very subjective and personal condition, often not even one out of hundreds or thousands of elemental creatures would be suitable for them.”

”Secondly, wizards generally don’t choose newborn elemental sprites. The cost to cultivate an elemental sprite to maturity is huge, and not every wizard can afford it.”

”Thirdly, wizards rarely choose fully mature elemental creatures. Mature elemental creatures have independent personalities, and it’s challenging to see humans as close partners.” Angel looked at Magu and Inferno Midir: ”Wizards want unconditional and unreserved support during their elemental practice. If they meet a fully mature personality, it’s hard to get such support. Like both of you, Mr. Magu and His Highness possess great wisdom, and it’s virtually impossible for wizards to get your voluntary help and closeness. Therefore, wizards seldom choose mature elemental creatures.”

”In general, the choice of elemental partners by wizards usually focuses on non-newborn elemental sprites and recently upgraded elemental creatures whose values are not yet fully fixed.”

Angel: ”Of course, this is under normal circumstances. If there are special situations or under financial freedom, some wizards may attempt to contract fully mature or straight newborn elemental creatures, but such cases are rare.”

After Angel’s discourse, Magu and Inferno Midir indeed relaxed a bit.

Their original imagination was that once humans entered the Tidal World, they would sweep through like locusts, capturing all local elemental creatures.

But now, according to Angel, humans don’t want everything; they have their own selection criteria.

Calculating it this way, even if hundreds of human wizards came in, they wouldn’t necessarily encounter suitable elemental creatures. Additionally, since the Tidal World is vast, the newcomers might not even be looking for Fire Elemental creatures, so once distributed, the Region of Fire wouldn’t suffer significant losses, perhaps not even a scratch.

Most importantly, the elemental creatures taken wouldn’t die; they would be nurtured and respected by the wizards, becoming close comrades and partners, and maybe even have the chance to return eventually.

Thinking of it this way, doesn’t it seem not so bad?

Of course, that’s just Inferno Midir’s slightly optimistic view in the Bitter Realm; its core remains resistant. But facing the irreversible trend, and considering the overwhelming strength of the wizards, maintaining such a balance is already challenging.

Angel observed the flicker in Inferno Midir’s eyes, along with Magu’s deep contemplation, understanding that they were digesting what he said.

He didn’t disturb them and waited quietly.

Once they came to their senses after the discussion on ”elemental partners,” he noticed their previous resistance had noticeably decreased. He slowly said, ”Actually, capturing elemental creatures does sound rather purposeful and coercive, and it’s not pleasant to hear. But, how about this: if elemental creatures took the initiative to partner with wizards, wouldn’t that sound better?”

Before Inferno Midir and Magu could respond, Dangross, who had been listening all along, interjected, ”How could any elemental creature willingly partner with humans?”

Angel: ”Who knows? Perhaps there are some elemental creatures who don’t like staying confined in their little birthplace and wish to see the larger world, to adventure outside? The outside world is vast, and perhaps dangerous, but undoubtedly exciting.”

”There are many humans who seek adventure and excitement. I believe there won’t be few elemental creatures like that either, right?”

Dangross opened its mouth, intending to refute, but couldn’t find the words. It knew among its own group, there were indeed those who loved exploring the wider world, like that Traveling Frog that always collected postcards... gemstones as souvenirs.

Angel gazed at Magu and the Demonfire Midir: ”Of course, this is just a suggestion of mine. If it can truly be a mutual alliance, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”

Magu pondered: ”Indeed, a mutual alliance with human wizards would be an ideal situation. However, this is difficult to achieve, as you can’t really make decisions on behalf of the humans, can you?”

Angel: ”I indeed cannot make decisions for other humans, but... standing behind me is a very large wizard organization, an unshakable presence even in the Wizards’ Realm. If they establish such a rule, I believe others who enter this realm won’t oppose it.”

This is actually Angel’s ambition. The Tidal World cannot remain hidden from others in the future. If they can take this opportunity to include the Tidal World within the territory of the Barbarian Cave, it would be greatly beneficial for him and for the Barbarian Cave.

And with the Tidal World backed by the Barbarian Cave, it wouldn’t be entirely defenseless when facing other humans. It could be said to be a win-win situation.

Angel could see the skepticism on the faces of Magu and the Demonfire Midir, but he did not explain: ”What I’m saying now might indeed be empty words. So let’s discuss this further when they come here next time.”

After Angel finished speaking, he truly did not elaborate further, but instead asked: ”Earlier, Mr. Magu asked about the first matter, so what is the second?”

Magu put away his previous complicated thoughts and pointed to the two drama shadow boxes on the table: ”The second matter, if possible, I hope you can give me more of these drama shadow boxes.”

Seeing the confusion in Angel’s eyes, Demonfire Midir explained: ”I proposed this idea. I want to send these boxes to the hands of monarchs in other regions.”

The portal to the Tidal World is about to open, and the meeting between elemental creatures and humans will involve not just fire creatures, but also other elemental types.

Demonfire Midir hopes that before humans enter the Tidal World, at least the information about humans can be delivered to all the major monarchs, so they won’t be caught off guard when suddenly facing humans.

”I hope you can agree,” said Demonfire Midir solemnly.

Seeing the hopeful look in Demonfire Midir’s eyes, Angel thought for a moment and nodded: ”I can do that, but I will also create a shadow box through the illusionary realm with the theme ’The Future Possibilities of the Tidal World’ containing what I said today.”

Angel plans to put the selection of elemental creatures by human wizards, and the ”friendly interactions” he mentioned later, into the new shadow box.

If they can use the shadow box to start with the higher echelons of elemental creatures and gradually change their mindset, it could potentially avoid conflicts when humans and elemental creatures finally meet.

Demonfire Midir naturally would not refuse Angel’s proposal.

Thus, over the next three days, Angel dedicated himself entirely to crafting shadow boxes, not even having time to contact Kelonkcro. Ultimately, he created twenty-six sets of drama shadow boxes, each set divided into three Chapters: ’Humans and Civilization’, ’The World of Wizards’, ’The Future Possibilities of the Tidal World’.

Among them, ’Humans and Civilization’ and ’The World of Wizards’ are purely educational, while ’The Future Possibilities of the Tidal World’ in the illusionary realm is a full record of his discussion in the classroom with Magu and Demonfire Midir.

After tirelessly finishing the shadow boxes, Angel once again entered Magu’s body.

It was still the same classroom, with the same people.

Angel handed the shadow boxes to Demonfire Midir, who, after a moment of silence, pushed seven of the boxes back to Angel.

Seeing Angel’s confusion, Magu explained: ”You’re planning to visit Frost Iser, Gentle Breeze Uranus, and Nami Midori, right? These are major regions, and since you’re going, you might as well deliver them on your way.”

”Is it appropriate for me to deliver them?” Angel wasn’t saying he couldn’t do it, but as an outsider, delivering drama shadow boxes to these elemental lords didn’t seem as convincing as if Demonfire Midir sent his aides.

After all, Demonfire Midir is also a monarch, and in the Tidal World, his status carries more weight than Angel’s.

Angel expressed his concerns, and after hearing them, Magu pondered for a moment: ”Your consideration is correct... How about this, I’ll let Dangross accompany you.”

Angel: ”What?”

Magu: ”Dangross was born from the ashes of Kalomchis. Most of the monarchs know this, and they also understand that Dangross represents me.”

Demonfire Midir added: ”Professor Magu carries significant weight in the Tidal World; not even Frost Iser would disrespect him.”

The implication from Demonfire Midir was that Dangross represents Magu, so the elemental lords would regard Dangross with respect due to Magu’s influence, which is evidently more compelling.

”It’s doable, but Dangross is a bit... well, reckless.”

Angel didn’t have any objections to Dangross, but the little rascal did give him a bit of a headache.

It seemed Magu understood Angel’s unspoken concerns and smiled: ”I’ll inform it in advance, so it knows to listen to you and not cause trouble. Plus, since it’s your first time in the Tidal World and you’re unfamiliar with the roads, Dangross can guide you.”

Hearing this, Angel felt tempted.

Although he had seen Feng’s map of the Tidal World, he had to admit, Feng’s map-drawing skills were quite poor.

Feng even left a note on the map with this comment: ”Oops, I’m not good at drawing maps, just make do with it.”

Evidently, Feng was quite self-aware.

So, while the map provided general locations, finding specific places based on it wasn’t easy. Having Dangross lead the way could save a lot of time.

Angel thought about it and nodded: ”I have no problem with that, but we still need to see what Dangross prefers. If it’s unwilling, we can choose another guide.”

For example... Kelonkcro?