Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2927: Chapter 2928: Invitation Letter and Letter of Recommendation

On the racetrack, Glaipnir, with the animal transformed into a cat, entered the first challenge: Sea Stone Pillars.

The stone pillars were still densely distributed, and Glaipnir carefully stepped forward, without any problem.

However, it would take a long time.

Initially, Glaipnir wasn’t in a hurry; as long as he kept advancing, time wasn’t an issue.

Yet, every time Glaipnir barely stepped onto a stone pillar and prepared to catch his breath, he saw the Black Cat already standing on a new pillar, displaying agility and elegance.

Watching this, Glaipnir developed other thoughts.

Perhaps, he didn’t need to personally face the challenges with his old limbs; if someone could carry him, it would be much easier, right?

With this thought, Glaipnir gazed intriguingly at the elegant black figure walking with feline grace...

...

In mid-air, Laplace was no longer paying much attention to Glaipnir’s race. From the moment she could control the Black Cat, this track was essentially secured.

She now cared more about the white envelope in Luigi’s hand.

Angel was actually curious about what was inside this letter too. Now that Laplace was asking, he naturally perked up his ears.

Luigi wouldn’t hide anything from Laplace and even wanted to give her the white envelope.

However, as soon as the white envelope touched Laplace’s hand, it automatically disappeared and returned to the table in front of Luigi, as if it had never been moved.

This suggested that only Luigi could pick up the white envelope.

Since he couldn’t give it to Laplace, Luigi decided to open the white envelope and read out its contents.

But the moment Luigi opened the envelope, a large stream of information flew out from inside, diving into Luigi’s forehead.

These streams of information were invisible to Laplace. But Angel clearly saw them, and even had a feeling that if he could advance his control over the ”Wonderland of Dreams” authority further, he could directly read these streams... but not yet.

These streams weren’t unfamiliar to him; whenever there was a new ”system prompt”—or rather, a ”wonderland prompt”—these streams would appear.

Such as after clearing an instance, there would be a ”wonderland prompt” surrounding the person who cleared it, providing a rough score of their performance in that instance.

Additionally, when rewards were given, these information streams would also appear.

For example, when Glaipnir received ”Bella’s Long Whip,” Angel saw the surge of information streams.

Now, with Luigi opening the envelope and similar information streams appearing, Angel could basically confirm that Luigi had received a ”wonderland prompt.”

Sure enough, after digesting the contents of the information streams, Luigi shared all the information he received.

According to Luigi, after opening the envelope, two options appeared in his mind: one was an invitation, and the other was a recommendation letter, they couldn’t coexist, only one could be chosen.

Although it was a choice question, it wasn’t a closed-book choice. When Luigi focused his thoughts on the ”invitation,” relevant prompts would appear:

”Sunshine Circus Invitation”

”Your performance dazzled the audience. The entire Sunshine Circus sends an invitation, sincerely inviting you to become a member of the Sunshine Circus.”

”After accepting the invitation, you will automatically receive identification as a member of the Sunshine Circus.”

”After accepting the invitation, you will soon enter the multi-loop interconnected dream ’Sunshine Circus Carnival’”

In effect, he would earn an identity and gain an opportunity to enter the ”multi-loop interconnected dream.”

The identity was somewhat similar to the Nobility identity Laplace received. However, the ”Sunshine Circus member” identity was extremely useful in the Sunshine Circus’ special dreamland.

This identity even equated to an ”exemption.”

Meaning, if Luigi chose to become a ”Sunshine Circus member,” even if he failed the relay race, he could use the identity to exempt the penalty.

After all, joining the Sunshine Circus family meant becoming one of them, and penalties wouldn’t follow.

On the matter of gaining identity and entering the multi-loop interconnected dream ”Sunshine Circus Carnival,” it’s unclear whether this is good or bad. They don’t know what ”multi-loop interconnected dream” entails, but they can be certain it’s a new special dreamland, perhaps similar to the ”Glutton’s Banquet.”

Besides transforming into an invitation, the envelope could become a ”recommendation letter.”

When Luigi focused his thoughts on the ”recommendation letter” term, he received a string of information entirely different from before.

”Joker’s Recommendation Letter”

”Your performance captivated everyone present, and as the host with the sharpest eye in Sunshine Circus, cherishing your talent, has decided to write a letter recommending you to his Mentor and gives you the chance to stand on the brightest stage.”

”After choosing the recommendation letter, you will soon enter the special dreamland ’Uriel’s Choice.’”

Compared with the invitation, the recommendation letter was much simpler.

It didn’t grant an identity nor involve any peculiar ”multi-loop interconnected dream,” but directly stated that choosing the recommendation letter would offer the chance to enter the special dreamland ”Uriel’s Choice” in the future.

They don’t know what ”Uriel’s Choice” is like yet. However, based on the prompt information, Uriel may be the Mentor of the host in Sunshine Circus.

After confirming the envelope’s situation, Luigi faced the decision of choosing between the invitation or recommendation letter.

Laplase’s suggestion was: ”You can wait for the next track to come out and then decide. If the next track is too difficult and Angel can’t clear it, then choose the invitation. At least, that way, you can exempt yourself from penalties.”

Laplase’s idea was good, but Luigi showed a bitter expression: ”I might not be able to wait until then.”

With a puzzled expression, Laplase looked at Luigi, who said helplessly: ”It was fine before opening the envelope, but after opening it, I must choose immediately. I can feel a countdown in my mind, only three minutes total... Now there’s only one minute left.”

This meant he had to make a choice within a minute.

If no choice was made within a minute, it would default to a random selection.

After hearing Luigi’s words, a hint of embarrassment flashed in Laplase’s eyes since she was the one who prompted Luigi to open the envelope, leading to the immediate decision now.

Laplase pondered for a moment: ”In that case... I still recommend choosing the invitation, but don’t feel obliged to listen to me; follow your intuition.”

After speaking, Laplase glanced at Angel, seemingly wanting him to voice his opinion.

Angel thought for a moment and then said: ”Personally, I’d choose the recommendation letter. The reason being... hearing ’multi-loop interconnected dream’ sounds tricky, likely a high-difficulty special dreamland. Also, being related to Sunshine Circus likely means external forces can’t be used.”

Angel’s thought was, to take the easy path when possible; ”multi-loop interconnected dream” sounds troublesome, whereas ”Uriel’s Choice” is directly labeled as a ”special dreamland,” straightforward and clear.

Although this ”special dreamland” may not be as simple as it seems, at least, on the surface, it appears clearer.

After listening to Laplace and Angel, Luigi nodded, seemingly having made a choice in his mind.

A minute later, under everyone’s gaze, the opened white envelope slowly sealed itself.

A bit of gold trim was added to the simple envelope as decoration, and even the hastily sealed mouth was coated with wax, stamped with a Joker-themed circus insignia.

Upon seeing this, both Angel and Laplace understood that Luigi had made his choice.

”Your choice is...” Laplace asked.

Luigi: ”The letter of recommendation.”

Laplace paused for a moment: ”Intuition? Or do you agree with Angel’s words?”

Luigi shook his head: ”Neither.”

Luigi smiled: ”Because the hint on the letter of recommendation resonated with me deeply.”

The hint on the letter of recommendation? Laplace recalled the hint Luigi had mentioned before, and gradually, an understanding gleamed in her eyes.

Laplace: ”Is it because of that sentence... about stepping onto the brightest stage?”

Luigi nodded without hesitation.

Although the ”Sunshine Circus invitation” offers an identity reward. But what value does being a ”circus member” hold?

Laplace’s noble identity is at least versatile.

The circus membership probably holds some value only in this special dreamland.

Thus, for Luigi, this so-called identity credential is trivial.

Moreover, as a bard performing constantly in a circus feels demeaning.

Luigi wants to showcase his charm on a bigger, more luminous stage.

The clear words on the ”Joker’s letter of recommendation” promising him a place on a more dazzling stage immediately swayed Luigi.

Therefore, neither intuition nor Angel’s suggestion was Luigi’s focus.

He merely wants to perform, on a larger stage. Even if that stage only exists in a dream, how does it matter?

Laplace didn’t comment on Luigi’s choice.

After all, choosing one or the other doesn’t really matter.

Though Angel commented briefly: ”Previously, I was wondering, how those Crystal Creations would emerge when they were all hidden. Now I realize, I overthought it. This special dreamland follows one sequence after another, no need to specifically search for Crystal Creations, they find you actively.”

The envelope Luigi casually obtained represents two Crystal Creations.

The invitation corresponds to the ”Sunshine Circus Carnival.”

The letter of recommendation corresponds to ”Uriel’s Choice.”

No matter what Luigi chooses, it implies a new instance is soon to arrive.

This ”Wonderland of Dreams” Authority knows how to ”play”, completing one linkage and now multi-linkages, now even hidden activation conditions for new special dreamlands.

This surpasses some games in the Holographic Tablet in terms of intrigue.

While Angel was sighing, below, Glaipnir’s progress had reached the latter part of the second checkpoint—Swamp Fire Circle.

Glaipnir now advanced without the previous cautious steps, released the long whip, turning the black cat back into a Black Tiger.

Additionally, she directly mounted on the Black Tiger’s back, letting the Black Tiger leap with her.

Swamps are indeed difficult to traverse, it’s true.

But there are stone pillars across the swamp, if she were to walk herself, it would certainly be hobbling. However, with the Black Tiger, she can rely on it to move freely.

Each leap by the Black Tiger crosses several stone pillars, with almost no pauses in between, much faster than solo navigating.

Even when jumping through the fire rings, Glaipnir needs not move— just a little crouch, and the Black Tiger can easily leap over it.

In just five short minutes, the first and second checkpoints were completely cleared.

Now, they traverse the swamp and arrive at the third checkpoint—Gravity Space.

Gravity Space resembles a gyroscope-like indoor area; Glaipnir and the Black Tiger are currently at the base of the gyroscope with their destination being the top, where a tiny exit reveals the external light.

There are no auxiliary tools inside Gravity Space; finding a way to the small, elevated exit relies on running the inclined walls.

Achieving an explosive initial velocity, reaching maximum acceleration, and ultimately sprinting to the top.

That’s the way to pass the Gravity Space checkpoint, the most conventional method.

Yet, after contemplating for a while, Glaipnir did not choose this ready method; she learned to adapt.

She swung the whip directly, Bella’s long whip lengthened wildly in mid-air, initially about three meters, extending directly to twenty meters.

Furthermore, securely hooked onto the top of Gravity Space.

Once confirming the tail end is secured, Glaipnir began retracting the whip’s length, like a lifting cable, pulling herself to the top of Gravity Space.

As for the Black Tiger, now transformed back into the black cat, it was carried alongside up to the top by Glaipnir.

What originally seemed the hardest checkpoint to Glaipnir was easily circumvented using the transfer and extension characteristics of ”Bella’s long whip”.

At this point, Glaipnir faced the fourth checkpoint: Aerial Ropeway.

This checkpoint appeared even simpler for Glaipnir; she let the black cat transform back to Black Tiger, notable for its excellent balance. All she had to do was sit on the Black Tiger as before, letting it traverse the aerial ropeway, ensuring easy passage.

Once Glaipnir stepped onto the ropeway, Angel withdrew his gaze, undoubtedly confident, Glaipnir had this checkpoint in the bag.

If it’s stable, then there’s no need for worry.

He refocused on Laplace, having had a lingering query while Laplace told the story of plane fusion.

Now with an idle moment, Angel asked:

”You mentioned that transactions could occur with Mirror memories in the Ancient Ruins of Tooth Fairy?”