Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 3067: Chapter 3068: Time Illusionary Passage

The escape effect of Time Illusionary Passage is truly the Crownless King, reigning supreme over all series.

Even if the Black Earl personally sets up the constraining array, as long as there is no time-series energy present, one can still ”pass through walls” unnoticed.

And once Aex uses Time Illusionary Passage to bypass the area covered by the constraining array, the path ahead becomes much simpler, entirely manageable by Witch Sharon for spatial transmission.

This is why Aex and his companions can escape through numerous obstacles. Because no one could have guessed that there would be an extremely rare Time Mage among them.

...

”Time Illusionary Passage... so powerful, and yet merely a trick,” Vay mumbled softly.

Thinking about the tricks he had learned and comparing them to others’, Vay for the first time clearly felt the imbalance of the world.

Angel and Dox had similar thoughts to Vay. In the description of the Black Earl, the trick of Time Illusionary Passage is even more convenient than the majority of spell techniques.

However, according to the Black Earl’s previous statements, the abilities of the Time Series come with corresponding constraints, so such a powerful trick likely also has significant limitations.

Soon, the Black Earl provided the answer.

”Although Time Illusionary Passage is just a trick, its difficulty in casting and the risks involved are much higher than ordinary spell techniques...”

While it offers great convenience, Time Illusionary Passage also has major limitations.

The first thing to know is that the travel of Time Illusionary Passage is not a spatial displacement, but a kind of empty-time distance leap transition.

Whether it’s ”empty-time distance” or ”leap transition,” these are not terms used at the apprentice stage. The former involves cognition of the void, and the latter involves the expression of energy traits.

Due to the obscure and profound nature of this knowledge, even official wizards in other series might not engage with it. But it’s different for Time Series apprentices; since time is an implicit power, unlike other elements which can be easily tapped from external sources, mentors will introduce apprentices to ”expressing time and space vectors simultaneously” through empty-time distances to cultivate their time perception.

However, because empty-time distance touches upon the boundless void and the indescribable implicit power, many Time Series apprentices get lost in the infinite darkness.

Even if a mentor personally guides them, the changes in the void are too bizarre to be constantly mastered. Once an apprentice perceives the concept of time, in one moment they might still be beside their mentor, and in the next, they could cross layers of void into other realms, beyond the mentor’s control.

Therefore, the understanding of ”empty-time distance” in the Time Series can eliminate half, or even 70% to 80% of the apprentices.

Time Illusionary Passage is a practical application of empty-time distance.

It can be said that every Time Mage capable of using Time Illusionary Passage is a ”lucky one” surviving the void.

Because just practicing it is a life-or-death challenge, undeniably difficult.

Besides the challenges inherent in practice, the trick of Time Illusionary Passage itself also has hurdles and limitations.

For instance, the core leap transition of Time Illusionary Passage is beyond the grasp of apprentices and must, therefore, be accomplished through the consumption of demonic materials.

The demonic materials consumed are quite costly, not cheaper than those for Plane Corridors, especially the main material ”Time Energy Crystal,” which, according to the general price in the Southern Domain, does not fall below eight thousand Magic Crystals each.

However, this applies to apprentices. Official Wizards, on the other hand, do not need to consume a ”Time Energy Crystal” every time. A Time Energy Crystal, after all, is a crystal with time marks, and an official Time Mage can replenish the consumed time marks with their own magic power, allowing for multiple uses of the ”Time Energy Crystal” and saving a substantial amount of cost.

Still, even if saved, the cost reduction isn’t massive; in any case, each Time Illusionary Passage consumes over a thousand Magic Crystals.

If it were the advanced spell technique of Time Illusionary Passage—Spacetime Roaming—the consumption would exceed ten thousand Magic Crystals each time.

In all, this series of spell techniques is a trick molded with money, simply unaffordable for ordinary people.

Further, the traversal of Time Illusionary Passage has a distance constraint, with the empty-time distance displacement being less than a micro degree, translating to no more than a thousand meters in reality. If spatial barriers are to be crossed, the distance is further reduced.

Taking the Black Earl’s constraining array as an example, even with Time Illusionary Passage, the traversable distance is barely less than ten meters.

Fortunately, Aex was traversing within the plane layer; in reality, a ten-meter reach would be futile.

Besides the distance constraint, there’s also a limitation on the number of traversals. Continuous traversal in a short period significantly increases the chance of backlash.

The above are the explicit difficulties and limitations of Time Illusionary Passage.

Yet, these are the overt constraints; there are also intrinsic shortcomings: for example, using Time Illusionary Passage disperses a special rhythm in the void, by which certain void creatures specialized in exterminating ”Time-series members” detect and prey on Time Mages through the rhythmic waves.

Additionally, when Time Illusionary Passage lands, it also releases a special rhythmic wave, which, though not in the void this time, can still easily catch the attention of nearby extraordinary life forms.

Moreover, following the use of Time Illusionary Passage, the caster may experience a period of weakness, making them an easy target without protection.

Combining explicit and intrinsic limitations reveals the true negative effects of Time Illusionary Passage.

”Indeed, the negative effects are formidable, yet the benefit of Time Illusionary Passage remains overwhelming. For with teammates, those negative effects are not insurmountable.” Dox remarked after hearing Black Earl’s explanation.

Angel agreed with Dox, noting that teammates could share the material cost and provide protection for the Time Mage.

”If a teammate is a Space Mage, they can exhibit strong maneuverability to ensure higher survival chances and further mitigate the negative effects of Time Illusionary Passage when encountering obstacles in the void.”

Moreover, Aex indeed had teammates, among whom Witch Sharon happened to be a Space Mage—no wonder they dared to employ Time Illusionary Passage so recklessly.

Of course, having teammates is the foundational condition, as without them, the negative effects of Time Illusionary Passage become quite daunting, with the risk of drawing the attention of void creatures.

If Angel were a Time Mage, he wouldn’t likely utilize Time Illusionary Passage alone.

...

After hearing Black Earl’s detailed account of the Time Series abilities, Dox couldn’t help but exclaim: ”Despite the myriad constraints on Time Mages, their abilities are undeniably powerful, even their tricks shouldn’t be underestimated... no surprise it’s the rarest series.”

”I now understand why those people were so audacious; it turns out it was because they had a Time Mage as a backup.”

”Still, speaking of which, hasn’t anyone figured out the motive behind that group’s attack on Bilun Tree Court?”

Black Earl pondered, ”The Birlos Family hasn’t uncovered the reason yet. However, given the Birlos Family’s current situation, they’re less concerned with the motive and more focused on surviving this crisis safely.”

”Crisis? What kind of crisis do they have? Not that many people died.” Dox muttered.

Angel: ”A diplomatic crisis.”

Dox curled his lip: ”A lot of things are actually obvious; the Birlos Family probably has little to do with those attackers. The so-called diplomatic crisis is just the major wizard organizations smelling honey and gathering to divide the benefits.”

At least, from Dox’s perspective as a wandering wizard, the Birlos Family is somewhat innocent. The major wizard organizations are purely profit-driven big black hands.

Angel spoke softly: ”The Birlos Family being able to stand firm in the Bilun Tree Court also has support from the major wizard organizations. For example, the teleportation array; it seems like the Birlos Family paid the Sky Mechanical City to build it, but in fact, the Birlos Family only paid a small part of the expense. The long-term maintenance of the teleportation channels and order are done by the Sky Mechanical City for free. Although this also aligns with the Sky Mechanical City’s interests, the Birlos Family is undoubtedly a beneficiary of this welfare.”

”Therefore, they also indeed need to give the major wizard organizations an explanation.”

”Of course, what you said also makes sense. In the absence of default order, fighting for interests becomes the driving force behind everything.”

Dox glanced at Angel but didn’t refute, merely muttering something under his breath, which was unclear what he said.

Angel did not mind Dox but looked again at the Black Earl: ”I remember the Black Earl said, ’The Birlos Family couldn’t find the reason,’ so what about you, sir?”

What is the Black Earl’s view?

The Black Earl chuckled: ”My view? I don’t really have any views. However, to guess their motives, it might be possible to start with the three people themselves.”

Saying this, the Black Earl looked at Angel: ”How do you see these three attackers?”

Angel: Am I not the one asking? How did it circle back to asking me?

Angel inwardly complained for a while but followed the Black Earl’s words, thought for a moment, and replied: ”Let’s talk about the Sharon Witch first. From the information I have, it can basically be determined that this Sharon Witch is entirely a fun person.”

”In Paradise Land, I met some apprentices; they were trapped in various games. Although they might not crack the games, they didn’t face immediate mortal threats. From this, it seems Sharon Witch is not keen on killing, nor does she mean to abuse the weak. She is more about having fun, treating everything as a game; and setting various options within the game, watching the players struggle for amusement.”

”This makes it kinda like a Thief of Time.”

”In conclusion, from the perspective of Sharon Witch, she has no urgent motives. Creating Paradise Land games is partly for more fun, and perhaps to coordinate with her companions, to stall Elder Moon and others.”

”Continue.” The Black Earl did not comment on Angel’s remarks, since his exposure to Sharon Witch was brief, whereas Angel and Dox had more interaction.

Angel: ”Next, talking about Aex. From all the materials, he doesn’t seem like a bad person. And as one of the three attackers, not only did he not partake in the attacks, but he also saved many people. Had he not been Sharon Witch and companions’ ally, post this, his reputation in Bilun Tree Court and the Starry District would peak.”

”But after all, he was one of the attacking trio, eventually fleeing with two companions...clearly not to save people for the reputation.”

”He either saved to redeem his companions, or genuinely didn’t want to witness deaths.”

”In conclusion, he, in my view, leans towards a good and orderly camp.”

Black Earl: ”So, you think he also has no reason for attacking Bilun Tree Court?”

Angel nodded: ”He didn’t partake in the attack and saved people; on the sheer basis of actions, he doesn’t appear to have a reason to attack Bilun Tree Court.”

The Black Earl neither affirmed nor denied: ”Continue, there’s one more person.”

”As for Stop...I don’t know much about him, but the feeling I get from him is somewhat strange.”

Black Earl: ”What’s strange?”

Angel thought for a bit, organized his thoughts, then spoke: ”Judging by his character, performance, behavior, he seems like a thug.”

”Just...seems?”

Angel: ”I can’t ascertain if he genuinely is as extreme as he appears.”

Angel actually withheld some truths; regarding Stop, Angel found him most peculiar.

This peculiarity wasn’t reflected in his personality, but in his emotions.

The other two, whether Sharon Witch or Aex, their emotions reveal their basic characters. But Stop is different, his emotions are like an ocean.

The surface might be crashing with waves, but the deep seabed remains calm as ever.

Or perhaps the seabed surges with undercurrents, while the surface remains calm and wave-less.

Angel could sense distinctly different emotions in Stop’s aura, madness and sanity could both be found within his emotions.

One hidden deep, the other floating on the surface.

Like a joker, whether he cries or laughs, only he knows, outsiders see merely the illusion painted over with makeup.

The Black Earl didn’t know Angel had so many thoughts; he simply believed Angel might have less contact with Stop, lacking detailed analysis like the others.

Black Earl: ”In your view, does Stop have a reason to attack Bilun Tree Court?”

Angel: ”Possibly...yes.”

The Black Earl chuckled: ”I also think he has reasons to attack Bilun Tree Court, but I believe the other two also have reasons to attack Bilun Tree Court.”

”Eh?” Both Angel and Dox looked at the Black Earl.

The Black Earl: ”Stop is a pleasure-seeker. He revels in the world’s ugliness to please himself. His deeds might lack reason; just the sheer delight from pleasing desires could lead him to commit various heinous crimes.”

”So, he might attack Bilun Tree Court without a motive, yet he has personal reasons for the attack.”

”As for Sharon Witch, she and Stop are not quite different; entertainment can be enough reason for her to attack Bilun Tree Court.”

”Regarding Aex, in my view, he might actually be the main factor prompting Stop and Sharon Witch to choose committing crimes here.”