Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2490: Chapter 2491: Kanter Enters the Dream

Two days later, the second underground level of the ruins.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway, accompanied by a rich milk scent wafting through the air.

Angel, who had been hunched over researching, sniffed the air inquisitively and raised his head to look towards the door of the study.

In less than two seconds, a knock sounded at the door.

Angel frowned, retracting the green patterns that pulsated on his right eye, right hand, and right forearm, then he covered the handbook on the table with a magazine before speaking, ”Please come in.”

The lock on the door automatically disengaged.

A petite figure pushed the door open, carrying a strangely shaped plate, and walked in.

Angel lifted his head and looked at the newcomer.

It was a petite witch, slightly taller than the desk, wearing a long dress with colorful mushroom patterns. Her porcelain doll-like flawless features were slightly marred by heavy dark circles under her eyes, resembling smoky eye makeup, disrupting the overall ambiance.

”Regina,” Angel greeted softly.

The visitor was indeed ”Mushroom Witch” Regina, who had been in the laboratory on the third underground level of the ruins, researching mushrooms like the Mist from Duling Garden.

”No need for such formality, just call me Regina,” she said, placing the oddly shaped plate on the table. ”I heard from Tree Spirit that you’ve returned, so I came to see you. These are fresh milkwater mushrooms I’ve cultivated, with a sweet cream flavor, which can be served as a dessert. Tree Spirit mentioned you might like them after he tried them, so I specifically brought them for you to taste.”

Angel looked at the dozens of pure white mushrooms on the plate, resembling little desserts, but remained silent.

He wasn’t sure how to respond—refusing seemed impolite, as Regina presumably meant well without any teasing intentions; accepting would expose his personal tastes, not that it was anything significant, but Angel felt a bit embarrassed.

”Hmm? Don’t you like them?” Regina asked, puzzled.

”...Thank you.” After a moment’s hesitation, Angel accepted Regina’s kind gesture.

Regina raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding Angel’s internal conflict, her lips curling slightly. However, she was sensible and did not dwell on the topic of milkwater mushrooms, instead directing her gaze to Angel’s side.

There rested a magazine titled ”Metal Dance.”

Regina had never heard of this magazine, but did not think much of it, assuming it was some unknown gossip publication. Her gaze was more focused on the densely scribbled handbook beneath ”Metal Dance.”

”Looks like you’re working, I won’t disturb you further.” Regina yawned, then turned to head towards the door.

As Regina reached the doorway, she turned around and asked, ”By the way, did Portia contact you recently?”

Angel shook his head, ”No.”

Regina nodded, ”That’s good, I’ll be going then.”

With that, Regina didn’t linger, briskly exiting the room. Angel listened to her hurried footsteps descending the stairs back to the laboratory. Soon, the sound of clattering instruments echoed from the lab, indicating Regina’s enthusiasm for research exceeded even Angel’s.

Still, Regina made time to see him.

Angel figured his charm was certainly no match for mushrooms in Regina’s eyes; her visit was probably motivated by concerns regarding Portia.

After all... Portia was involved in researching forbidden techniques. As Portia’s friend, Regina’s worry was understandable.

Angel exhaled, dismissing further thoughts, and uncovered the ”Metal Dance” magazine over the handbook, ready to continue studying the green pattern structure provided earlier by the Dalmatian.

Yet, this time, after studying for a while, Angel found his concentration waning.

After several moments, Angel slowly lifted his head, directing his gaze to the plate on the desk.

After hesitating repeatedly, Angel finally reached out his hand, reasoning, ”I’ve been focusing on research these past days; it has probably drained my mental energy, hence the difficulty in concentration... I need a nutritional supplement, yes, a supplement.”

Having found himself an excuse, Angel contentedly bit into the juicy and flavorful milkwater mushroom.

The narrow study instantly filled with a faint milk fragrance, the air seemingly turning slightly sweet.

While Angel enjoyed his delightful afternoon snack, his chewing momentarily paused as an unfamiliar sensation emanated from the depths of his Mind Space, transmitted by the Authority Tree, representing the ”Gatekeeper” Authority.

”A newcomer has entered the Wilderness of Dreams,” Angel promptly interpreted the significance of the ripple.

Since Angel had handed over a large number of Log-in Devices to Lord Rhein, he had paid less attention to newcomers entering the Wilderness of Dreams, as that period saw daily influxes. However, the Log-in Devices given to Lord Rhein were limited, and after distribution and consumption, fewer newcomers were logging in these past days.

Thus, Angel had reactivated the ripple alert for ”newcomers entering the Wilderness of Dreams.”

While there’s the risk of interruptions, compared to being disturbed, he still firmly decided to supervise every new entrant to the Wilderness of Dreams. After all, he’d previously handed Log-in Devices to the Observer and the Dalmatian; these two were significant figures, and should they enter the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel would need to meet them immediately.

Even while researching the green pattern these past two days, as soon as he sensed the Gatekeeper’s Authority alert, Angel would prioritize the visitor.

This time was no exception.

Angel settled his mind, viewing through the Gatekeeper’s Authority at a pitch-black and narrow passage.

This was a brand new Dream Bridge.

At the end of the Dream Bridge lies the gate to the Wilderness of Dreams.

Soon, a thin figure appeared on one side of the Dream Bridge. It was an elderly man with gentle eyes, dressed in a wizard robe embroidered with the dark pattern of Lanwei flowers, with a small curly beard and white eyebrows hanging down to his chest.

Seeing the visitor, Angel breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It was neither the Observer nor the Dalmatian. The visitor was the head of the House of Lilith, Kanter of the Night.

Angel had already heard from the Tree Spirit yesterday that Wizard Kanter was with Sanders and had also gone to the Tidal World. At this time, he had not yet left the Tidal World.

Now, Kanter had entered the Wilderness of Dreams again, presumably because Sanders used the Nightmare Illusion Dream Technique to bring him in.

Angel sensed the situation inside the Wilderness of Dreams, and sure enough, Sanders was online.

Although Kanter was not a wizard of the Barbarian Cave, his House of Lilith and Illusion Demon Island had a contractual relationship, and he himself was a close friend of Sanders. Since Sanders had already agreed to let Kanter in, Angel naturally did not object.

Angel even helped Kanter by sending him directly to the location in the Wilderness of Dreams, right beside Sanders.

After finishing all this, Angel exited the Wilderness of Dreams.

Since it wasn’t the Observer or the Dalmatian, he didn’t need to enter the Wilderness of Dreams immediately... However, Angel remembered that Kanter had mentioned he needed to meet him. His agreement to help Nis in the Mist Belt was also for the purpose of coming to see Angel.

”It seems I still need to meet with Lord Kanter.” Angel mumbled to himself: ”But let’s wait a little longer, let him get acquainted with the Wilderness of Dreams first.”

If he went in now, Kanter would probably have a long list of questions about the Wilderness of Dreams for him.

The reason for such certainty was that almost every wizard who entered the Wilderness of Dreams became incredibly curious, asking questions relentlessly.

Even Lord Rhein and the Tree Spirit were not exempt, and Kanter was likely no different.

He didn’t want to explain every single question, it was a task better left to Sanders.

Once Kanter had learned enough, Angel decided to meet him. By then, he would have sufficient understanding for a normal conversation.

Angel, feeling quite pleased, refocused his attention on the green pattern.

...

In fact, Angel’s guess was indeed correct.

Kanter initially didn’t have high expectations of whatever mysterious dream technique Sanders had, but once he stepped into the Wilderness of Dreams, he was completely stunned.

Is this the Dream Realm? But why does it have traits of reality? It’s so real, you can even feel magic power?

What was happening with his body? It felt like his own, yet his bloodline was dormant, and his Mind Space seemed somewhat solidified?

Kanter was astonished as he examined himself, only to generate more questions.

He hurriedly glanced around, seeking to ask someone about it.

Then, he saw Sanders nearby, wide-eyed and staring at him in surprise.

”How did you end up here?” Sanders asked in confusion. This was a Mana Hut in the New Town Suburb, how did Kanter come here? Normally, the entry point when using the Dream Entering Technique should be Originheart City, right?

”I wanted to ask you the same question... Don’t you know? Or are you not actually Sanders? Tell me, who are you?!” Kanter abruptly leapt aside, glaring angrily at the man sitting behind the desk.

Sanders fell silent for a moment and then realized the cause.

Likely, Angel sensed the newcomer, recognized it was Kanter, and conveniently sent him over.

Looking at the bewildered and wary Kanter across from him, Sanders couldn’t help but sigh deeply:

”As expected from my student, truly... considerate indeed.”

Sanders actually shared the same thought as Angel; he was also reluctant to explain the ”why” to newcomers. Even if the person was his dear friend, he wasn’t inclined to do so.

But since Kanter was right in front of him, he had no choice but to—

kick him out.

Yes, Sanders mercilessly ejected Kanter from the Mana Hut.

He took advantage of the fact that Kanter couldn’t use simulated magic power yet and directly set up a defensive barrier in the Mana Hut, allowing entry only to those he recognized. At this point, Kanter was clearly excluded.

Still, no matter what, Kanter was Sanders’ close friend, so he didn’t do it too harshly.

After expelling Kanter, Sanders pointed him in the right direction.

Kanter, lying prostrate in confusion at the Mana Hut’s door, saw an illusionary letter slowly floating out in front of him.

”Dear Kanter, I know you have many questions, but unfortunately I am in the middle of research and can’t explain them to you one by one. But no worries, head southwest. There’s a city still under construction over there, and you can find someone there to answer your questions about the Wilderness of Dreams. —Your dear friend, Sanders Iguro.”