Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2038: Chapter 2039: Reeves

The story of Reeves is actually not complicated.

He hails from a wizard family named Vansel on Berth Island. Among the numerous wizard families in the Southern Domain, Vansel may not be the top, but it ranks at a first-class level because the Vansel family once produced a True Knowledge Level Magic Rune Mage.

Angel does not know Reeves, but he has heard of this Magic Rune Mage—Yagluo, known as the ”Mirror of the Ebbing Tide.”

When Antonio previously introduced some aspects of the Sky Mechanical City to Angel, he mentioned that many long-distance teleportation arrays of the Sky Mechanical City were drafted by Yagluo from the Vansel family.

As a Magic Rune Mage, and one specializing in the Space Series, Yagluo’s unparalleled Magic Pattern Drafting made him very well-connected socially.

However, unfortunately, Yagluo unexpectedly left the Vansel family more than a hundred years ago.

No one knows where he went or if he will return. A century has passed, and Yagluo still has no news, seemingly completely disconnected from the Vansel family.

The comings and goings of wizards in the Southern Domain are quite common, just like the former Controller of the Barbarian Cave, who, after becoming a Legend, left the Southern Domain and never returned. So, this is not an unusual occurrence, as the pursuit of truth often requires sacrificing something.

However, this carefree and unrestrained departure and return is only applicable to the Witcher Organization. Most Witcher Organizations have strong successors, like Lord Reine, who rose to prominence early, overwhelmed his contemporaries, and smoothly ascended to power, controlling without mishap for a millennium.

But the Vansel family is different; Yagluo was one of a kind, and before that, the entire family basically depended on Yagluo. After he left, the family was short on talent, with no one able to replace Yagluo.

If it weren’t for Yagluo’s good connections and the long-term contracts he had with major Witcher Organizations still being in effect, the Vansel family would have long been devoured by others.

For the past century, the Vansel family has struggled to maintain the appearance of a first-class family, but Yagluo’s departure significantly reduced their influence in various circles of the Southern Domain, deprived them of good resources from the outside, and internal pressure and emotions have been accumulating for a long time, ready to erupt at any moment.

Under this internal and external pressure, they are in dire need of transformation.

Therefore, Reeves was entrusted to leave the Vansel family and search for hope.

The so-called hope could be either Reeves breaking through to True Knowledge during his travels or finding something beneficial to the family’s development.

Embarking on the path to True Knowledge is no simple task, especially since the wizard family’s resources are lackluster, leaving Reeves with unstable knowledge and foundation, gaining nothing over the years.

Thus, he turned his attention to the outside world, hoping to find something that could aid his family’s development.

His original intention was to find a useful Mysterious Object, but despite visiting many places—from the Devil’s Sea to Silver Palm Island—he still saw no trace of any Mysterious Object. In his frustration, he received news of a planar fusion occurring at the Pamiji Plateau!

The benefits brought by planar fusion are significant, such as Constant Fragments—main materials for the Witchcraft Garden. If he could secure a Witchcraft Garden for the family, it would surely boost their spirits again. Even if he couldn’t obtain Constant Fragments, discovering new sub-planes and looting their materials would also be advantageous.

Thus, Reeves arrived at the Pamiji Plateau.

What followed was naturally a tragedy; the planar fusion failed, and all hopes were dashed. As Reeves prepared to leave the Pamiji Plateau to restart his journey for hope, he spotted a saline pool under the starry sky. Beneath this Star Pond, he could vaguely see deep tunnels and traces of human excavation...

...

After listening to Reeves’ story, Angel felt quite sympathetic to his plight.

Hope named as despair, coincidental despair, genuine despair—all laid out on Reeves’ path. He originally had another path to take, but the burden of familial responsibility shackled him, forcing him to press on.

However, the sympathy was fleeting. Angel did not specifically seek out Reeves just to hear the sorrowful history of the Vansel family.

Angel: ”From what you said, you should be among the first batch to enter these ruins?”

Reeves nodded, his expression carrying a hint of self-mockery: ”To be precise, I was the first to enter the ruins. I always thought that being the first to prospect would yield the greatest rewards, never considering that the gold might not choose me.”

Upon confirming Reeves’ answer, Angel’s eyes lit up. Knowing that Nightmare Realm creatures only entered the ruins later, and that Reeves was captured by them, indicated that he was still exploring the ruins before they arrived. He might know the secrets of these ruins!

”Could you describe what you saw after entering the ruins?” Angel restrained his excitement and asked Reeves.

When the ruins were mentioned, Reeves’ gaze flickered briefly, resulting in him slowly lowering his head, silent.

”I don’t know if you realize that this ruin is very strange. Even before the Nightmare Realm creatures entered, it caused several wizards, including you, to lose their way. After they entered the ruins, there was no trace of them, so I am eager to know what is peculiar about these ruins?” Angel inquired.

Reeves raised his head: ”...You managed to become an Official Wizard in such a short time, truly a genius. I also heard that your alchemical skills are even more impressive. Given such achievements and a bright future, why have you come to these ruins?”

Angel: ”Actually, not long ago, I was at the entrance of the ruins, preparing to leave. However, I encountered some circumstances... I accidentally fell in here.”

Angel briefly explained some information.

After listening, Reeves quietly observed Angel for a long time before finally speaking: ”I don’t know if what you’re saying is true, because your story involves Misty Goldlady... she’s a terrifying madwoman—you managed to escape from her hands and freely move in this area, which is hard to believe.”

”However, I just saw Misty Goldlady flying back to her domain, so despite how absurd your words might be, there seems to be some truth in them.”

”But whether you’re lying or not isn’t too important to me, as my time is short, and sharing with you doesn’t matter... at least you’re human.”

Angel could understand Reeves’ suspicion, though some of his words drew Angel’s attention.

”Even though I also fell in here unintentionally and am not here to save you, since I found you, I’ll do my best to rescue you out of consideration for being fellow humans.” This was Angel’s response to Reeves’ comment about his impending death.

Reeves shook his head: ”I understand my situation better than you. My death is destined; I can’t be saved. Even my soul will be eternally trapped here...”