Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2289: Chapter 2290: Mad Hat’s Coronation

On the four sides of the box, there are very intricate bronze rose vine patterns, with a blooming red rose made of numerous broken diamonds in the center.

In the center of the red rose’s pistil stands a jet-black cross.

This pattern looks like some sort of emblem.

Feng noticed that Angel kept his gaze on the rose and roughly guessed his inner confusion. He said, ”I don’t know what this pattern represents either. I guess it might be a family crest of some sort, but unfortunately, I haven’t found any related information. However, I don’t think the pattern is important because it’s merely symbolic, without any transcendent significance. Instead, the box itself is what you need to keep safe.”

Angel was originally focused on the pattern, but hearing Feng’s words, he shifted his attention to the entire box.

”This box looks very ordinary, and indeed, it hasn’t displayed any special effects. But when I first acquired it, this was the box it came in, and only this box can hold its true form; no other box can do that.”

Angel: ”It? Are you referring to the item inside the box?”

Feng nodded: ”Even if this box has no other effects, the fact that it can contain it and conceal its aura is already quite remarkable.”

Angel: ”It, what exactly does it refer to?”

”You can open it and see for yourself.”

With that, Feng sighed lightly and murmured in a voice as thin as a mosquito’s: ”Back then, if I had known the price paid would ultimately be it, I might have hesitated whether to visit the Book of Kael.”

Feng, facing Angel, still showed such reluctance, which indicates he has not been able to let go of the item inside the box completely.

To make a Legendary Wizard so attached suggests that the contents of the box are extraordinary.

”Since this item is so precious, I think it’s better left with Mr. Feng,” Angel said calmly.

Feng: ”I mentioned before, the game isn’t over, this is the price I must pay.”

Angel held the box, weighed it, then gently placed it on the table, pushing it toward Feng: ”I can accept it first, and then gift it back to you.”

Feng looked at Angel with interest: ”Are you really willing to part with it?”

Angel: ”I am. I’ve reaped many excellent rewards from this game, so I don’t mind parting with this one.”

Angel’s words were indeed true. Although he didn’t like being a pawn in the game, he couldn’t deny that he gained quite a lot from it.

In terms of tangible benefits, there were the bloodline avatar of the Demon God, the shell of the Demon God’s offspring that Lord Monty yearned for, and even the Primeval Flame, which he obtained because of getting caught in the game.

The intangible, unseen benefits were also numerous, including friendships with Odeclass, recognition from the will of the Continent of Yuantan, Wodell’s favor, development rights to the Tidal World, and more... There were many that Angel hadn’t counted, such as his warm relationships with Fafnir and Master Ye. These invisible gains included connections, friendships, and future prospects that couldn’t be seen yet, but were potentially more valuable than the tangible ones. Compared to tangible rewards, they were just as significant, if not greater.

Though many of the gains were fought for by Angel himself, fundamentally, it was because Angel entered the game that he obtained these benefits.

As he had already gained much, Angel didn’t actually lack this treasure. His persistent pursuit of the treasure was more about uncovering the game’s truth and understanding Feng’s intentions.

Feng looked intently at Angel: ”Answer so quickly? Why don’t you open it first, then answer whether you’re willing to part with it.”

Angel: ”If I open it, I might really not want to let go. So, it’s better not to open it at all.”

Hearing this, Feng was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

After a good while, Feng finally stopped laughing: ”I’ve always wondered if anyone would come here and what kind of person that would be. I never expected it to be someone like you... an interesting person.”

”If it weren’t for the fact that I’m just a sliver of consciousness, I would really hope to contact my true body and befriend you.”

Angel: ”Is there no difference between consciousness and the true body?”

Feng smiled and shook his head without answering, instead pushing the box before him back to Angel: ”I was a bit reluctant before, but now that I’m giving it to you, I feel better. At least its future owner is an interesting person.”

Angel wanted to refuse, but Feng waved his hand: ”Don’t decline. Do you think the game set up by the Book of Kael would let you slip away so easily? If it’s meant to be yours, it will be yours.”

”Moreover, I’m just a consciousness in the painting now, and it won’t be long before I disappear as this painted realm vanishes. Giving it back to me is pointless.”

”Don’t even think about giving it to my true body; it’s useless. Since I’ve decided to part with it, its destined ending belongs to you. Take it. Although it’s precious, ultimately it’s just a tool... Besides, since the Book of Kael designated this tool for you, it implies that keeping it with you is more suitable than with me.”

Since Feng put it this way, Angel thought for a moment and didn’t refuse again.

He’s indeed curious about what treasure Feng left behind.

With this in mind, Angel reached out to pick up the small box, studied it a bit, and quickly mastered the technique of opening it. With a gentle flick to the tiny mechanism lock, the box immediately opened a crack.

As the gap appeared, the aura that had been concealed inside instantly leaked out.

This familiar aura...

A glint of surprise flashed in Angel’s eyes as he looked up at the opposite Feng: ”Is it a Mysterious Object?”

Feng thought for a moment before saying: ”You could say that.”

You could say that? Why does it sound so uncertain?

However, Angel didn’t probe further. He could clearly feel the mysterious aura emanating from the box’s crevice... without a doubt, it must be a Mysterious Object.

If it is a Mysterious Object, no wonder Feng felt so pained. Mysterious Objects are irresistible temptations to any wizard.

Angel was no stranger to Mysterious Objects; he had them himself. However, there were cases of compatibility or incompatibility between Mysterious Objects and wizards. Some Mysterious Objects can only exert their strongest effects in the hands of suitable people, like the ”Dream Conch of Moonlit Coast,” which was insignificant in other wizards’ hands, but in Angel’s, it was a strategic tool capable of changing the era.

Since Feng said that this mysterious tool was the price designated by the Book of Kael for him to pay, it should be very suitable for him.

What would a suitable Mysterious Object be?

At this time, a memory scene suddenly flashed in Angel’s mind, a scene of him in the studio in White Cloud Village. The deepest memory that this studio left on Angel wasn’t the various paintings, but a certain Magic Tattoo Horn there...

Angel remembers that the Magic Tattoo Horn in the studio exuded a strong mysterious aura. It was precisely because of this Magic Tattoo Horn that the dog-eaten-like magic patterns in the studio not only took shape but also performed impressively.

At that time, after seeing that Magic Tattoo Horn, Angel speculated whether Feng possessed a Mystical Pen.

A mystical pen that can engrave magic patterns.

Angel didn’t know much about the mysterious objects Feng possessed, but he speculated that this ”mystical pen” would be very suitable for someone like him who specialized in Enchantment Studies.

”Is the pen for engraving magic patterns inside this?” Angel couldn’t help but ask Feng.

Feng raised an eyebrow: ”The fact that you could think of this means you’ve seen that Magic Tattoo Horn in White Cloud Village? Heh, your guess is correct in that direction, but do you really think... such a small box can contain a pen?”

Indeed, the box couldn’t contain a pen.

But who knows if this box might be a special spatial artifact? Previously, when Angel saw the oil painting, he hadn’t anticipated that there would be such a vast world within it.

However, since Feng said so, it probably wasn’t a pen.

Then what could it be?

Angel applied a little force with his hand, opening the gap of the box.

As the lid fully opened, the contents inside were revealed to Angel. However, when Angel looked inside, he was completely stunned.

He had speculated earlier that if it wasn’t a pen, it should at least be the nib of an engraving pen, otherwise, how could it create the Magic Tattoo Horn?

But to his surprise, the box was utterly empty... containing nothing.

However, it couldn’t be completely said that the box was empty because there was a magic pattern symbol that Angel was very familiar with on the inner wall of the box.

It was precisely the Magic Tattoo Horn he had seen in the studio in White Cloud Village!

This Magic Tattoo Horn was painted with a dark blue blood ink by someone on the inner wall. And within the entire box, all the mysterious aura emanated from this solitary magic pattern.

Angel carefully checked the interior of the box again and even observed it using his spiritual power perspective, but still found nothing else. Only this solitary magic pattern stood out, asserting its presence.

Could it be... Angel suddenly thought of a certain possibility and looked up at Feng.

”Is this magic pattern the mystical object?”

Feng nodded: ”Saying it’s a mystical object is correct, but it’s still too broad. More precisely, it is a mysterious magic pattern.”

Mysterious magic pattern? Upon hearing this, Angel seemed to have an epiphany.

He had read Culori’s notes and had some understanding of mystical objects. He knew that mystical objects were not limited to tangible items; some concepts, or even certain energies, could be mystified.

For example, Culori mentioned a kind of mystical object—the Growth Ray, which is an energy-mystified object. Its effect is that those illuminated by the Growth Ray will randomly develop organs within their body.

Similar situations exist with the mystification of potions. Angel once saw a bottle of mysterious potion called ”Sage’s Gaze” at Master Midora’s place, and this potion didn’t need to be consumed; just gazing at it could grant a special effect.

So, if rays and potions can be mystified, it makes sense for a magic pattern to become mystical too.

In the countless pan-dimensional planes, there might even be the birth of enigmatic ceremonies or mysterious-level inscriptions. With this thinking, a mysterious magic pattern becomes acceptable.

After his initial confusion, Angel became more excited when he refocused on the mysterious magic pattern.

Being proficient in Enchantment Studies himself, he was eager to discover what changes this mysterious magic pattern could bring to enchantments.

”What effect does this mysterious magic pattern have? How do you use it?” Angel couldn’t help but ask.

”You’ll find out its specific effect when you use it,” Feng said, pausing briefly before answering his own question: ”You probably know how to engrave magic patterns, right? You must, since the Book of Kael chose this as a reward. It should be most suitable for you.”

Angel didn’t deny it and nodded modestly: ”I know a bit about enchantments.”

”Then try it yourself to discover the effect. As for its use, it’s very simple.”

In just a few sentences, Feng summarized the general situation and usage of this mystical object.

The name of this mysterious magic pattern is ”Coronation of the Mad Hat.” Feng didn’t explain why it was named so.

The usage rules roughly include three points: First, the magic pattern can be transferred onto any object. As long as an object touches the magic pattern, it will move to that object. Second, once the object carrying the magic pattern is infused with energy, the pattern will no longer transfer. Third, the standalone ”Coronation of the Mad Hat” pattern does not function; it only works when combined with other magic patterns as a segment of a complete magic pattern.

For example, if an engraving pen touches the magic pattern in the box, the magic pattern will transfer from the box to the pen.

When writing, as long as energy is infused into the engraving pen that carries the magic pattern, the mysterious pattern ”Coronation of the Mad Hat” can be engraved onto parchment. At this point, because energy has been infused into the engraving pen, the magic pattern within the pen will not transfer onto the parchment.

After use, if energy is no longer infused, the magic pattern will regain its transferring trait.

Generally, after using the ”Coronation of the Mad Hat,” Feng returns the magic pattern into the box because when the magic pattern is on another object, it will continuously emit a mysterious aura, and only within this box could the aura be concealed.

After hearing Feng’s explanation, Angel took out a piece of parchment specifically used for engraving magic patterns from his bracelet, preparing to conduct an experiment.

Before engraving, a thought suddenly occurred to Angel: ”Will this mysterious magic pattern be consumed?”

Feng shook his head: ”No. At least, I have used it many times, and it has never shown signs of consumption.”

Upon hearing this, Angel sighed in slight relief. After all, this was a mysterious magic pattern, and if it got depleted after just one use, it would be a significant loss.

Angel took out his engraving pen, contemplating which magic pattern to draw.

This ”Coronation of the Mad Hat,” as grand as its name sounds, actually represents ”Transformation” within the magic tattoo horn.

In other words, as long as the magic pattern has the ”Transformation” segment, the ”Transformation” can be replaced with ”Coronation of the Mad Hat.”

”Transformation” is considered a very commonly used magic pattern segment, widely applied. However, Angel couldn’t start by engraving elaborate magic patterns; for experimentation, it was best to start with a simple pattern.

So, which simple magic patterns include the ”Transformation” segment?

After pondering for a while, Angel came up with an idea.