WARLOCK APPRENTICE

Chapter 1372: Section 1373 Magus Tome

“Grafting Demon?!” Angel turned his head abruptly to look at Portia, his eyes serious, “Are you talking about the Witch of Dong La?”

Portia nodded, “It seems you have also heard of her ‘reputation’.”

“Dong La is also a member of the research institute. She has never missed a testimony ceremony in the past, and has threatened death to every new member, no matter who they are. When I first entered the institute, she even threatened me, wanting to sew my mouth shut and graft the backside of a foul beast onto it,” Portia said, her eyes carrying a trace of coldness when she cited her own example, “Don’t think she’s joking. She’s a lunatic who is capable of anything.”

“This time, she didn’t appear at the ceremony. So, in fact, you are quite lucky,” she added.

After hearing Portia’s words, Angel couldn’t help but scoff internally, it wasn’t that his luck was good, but rather that Dong La was currently scrambling for her life in the Abyss…

Previously, when he was in the Fantasy Mechanical City, he had wondered if Dong La might be a member, and it turned out she really was.

If Dong La had truly been there, conflicts would likely have arisen, because she was indeed an unreasonable person.

Angel sighed. In fact, he had met and seen very few alchemists, aside from those from Barbarian Cave, Dong La was one, and another was—

“I wonder if ‘Mithril Reformer’ Jelal is a member of the research institute?” Angel asked.

Portia shook her head, “Jelal is almost there, but I’ve heard that Muse has been assessing him in secret. We all thought it would only be a few years before he became a new member, but unexpectedly, you appeared out of nowhere at this time.”

Angel felt somewhat embarrassed being spoken of like this. He wanted to reply that it was all due to karmic affinity, but saying that might make him seem less confident.

However, before Angel could respond, Muse suddenly coughed, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Just a short while ago, I was discussing the matter of mechanical armaments with Angel, and his views gave me much inspiration. Alas, I could have delved deeper into the discussion, but I was told by Antonio that some of you were becoming impatient, so I had no choice but to come here and handle this matter first,” Muse paused, then swept his gaze over the crowd, “The reason I called you here has already been mentioned before, I won’t repeat it here.”

“I don’t like to drag things out, so we will start the testimony ceremony now. The sooner it’s done, the sooner you all can be free,” Muse finished.

Upon hearing Muse’s words, everyone at the table glanced at each other. It seemed like there was something to say, but no one took the initiative to speak up.

Just then, Antonio, who was emanating a blue glow, suddenly appeared beside Muse, “My lord, a statement from each member is required before the testimony.”

Muse frowned, “What a nuisance, does anyone have anything to say?”

As soon as Muse’s voice fell, Portia, sitting next to Angel, was the first to speak up. She shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t have much to say. I have high hopes for little brother Angel.”

After saying this, Portia gave Angel a smile. It was clear to see the friendliness she was intentionally projecting.

Angel, to this point, was still in a daze. One second he was fighting with Brufen, the next he was brought to the research institute, and before he could figure out what he was supposed to do, he was already being evaluated by everyone. Such sudden changes made him feel a bit overwhelmed. However, Portia’s smile was a small comfort in his confusion.

After Portia, Midora also expressed her stance, “I also have high expectations for Angel. His unique way of thinking might inject new vitality into the institute.”

Once Midora finished speaking, the meeting room fell into silence for a while, with no one else speaking up.

As everyone was exchanging glances, Nail Granny broke the silence, “I also believe Angel has great potential.”

After Nail Granny’s words, a slightly odd voice suddenly said, “Potential belongs to the uncontrollable unknown, potential is just potential, not yet converted into power. There are countless chasms in between, which he must cross one by one.”

Under the watchful eyes of the attendees, the center of the long table slowly revealed a figure, who was the one who had spoken those words.

When the figure appeared, everyone present furrowed their brows.

Angel looked over and recognized this was someone he had never met; they wore a black bird beak mask covering the nose, sharp and elongated, and one side of their face was covered in mechanical parts, the other side showing only a pair of pale red eyes. They wore a high hat decorated with gears and a coat full of gear elements.

At first glance, this was a person inclined toward Mechanical Alchemy.

“This is an Alchemist from the Concord Council, called Magus Tone. Be careful around him,” Portia said to Angel in a low voice.

Magus Tone? Angel thought about it, but he still couldn’t figure out who he was. However, the Concord Council was not unfamiliar to him, as it was one of the Witcher Organization’s subordinates under the Frostmoon Alliance.

Like Candy House, Black Castle, and others are to Fairy Tale Town, the Concord Council is the same.

Given Angel’s current delicate relationship with Frostmoon, the appearance of Magus Tone caused everyone seated there to frown.

After all, this was the research institute, the supreme authority.

Even if they all shunned the responsibility of presiding over the research institute’s meetings, it did not affect their affection for the institute.

They didn’t want the complications of the outside world to be brought into the institute’s conference rooms.

But now that Magnusson had spoken, they couldn’t stop him.

“The potential I speak of is probably different from what you understand as potential,” Nail Granny began, “The potential you’re referring to probably peaks at your current level, while the potential I speak of lies in a place much farther away.”

Perhaps it was because of the insinuations in Nail Granny’s words that Magnusson’s expression turned somewhat icy, “So, are you saying that you support him because of the rumors that he has touched the mystical realm? Well, that makes sense, after all, Ivor had also come into contact with the mystical realm.”

Ivor? Angel heard a familiar name, one that just recently, atop the research institute, was inscribed on the showcase of that mysterious object: Ivor Schubert.

So, does this man bear some relation to Nail Granny?

“Rumors that he has touched the mystical realm? Hah, it’s not just rumors. I believe you know in your heart whether it’s true or not,” Nail Granny didn’t shy away from the subject and nodded, “Having touched the mystical realm is indeed the biggest reason why I support him. Tell me, is there anyone else here who has come into contact with the mystical realm? How about you?”

The implication of Nail Granny’s words was clear, being exposed to the mystical realm was a ticket into the research institute!

And that’s not open for argument!

Unless you have also touched it, there’s nothing to discuss, because fundamentally, you two are different.

Magnusson was left speechless, indeed, it was an irrefutable logic. Did he have any ground to argue that “having come into contact with the mystical realm amounted to nothing”? Even if he truly thought so, expressing such would only invite scorn from those present and would be ridiculed if word got out.

“Fine, I can accept that point, but this at most puts him at the observation stage. Isn’t it too soon to grant him full membership status?” Magnusson, unable to argue against it, shifted his phrasing.

“The observation stage? Who will conduct this observation?” It was Midora who spoke up this time, not Nail Granny.

Magnusson froze for a moment; he suddenly remembered that the observation stage was naturally overseen by the Head of the institute, and the fact that this sudden evidentiary session was actually initiated by Head Muse already indicated certain implications.

Muse chimed in timely, “What’s the matter, Magnusson? Do you have objections to the testimonial session that I’ve organised?”

Magnusson opened his mouth but suddenly found himself at a loss for words. After struggling for a while, he managed to squeeze out, “His techniques haven’t yet reached the step of a full member, have they?”

Muse smiled as if reminded of something and looked towards Angel, “Speaking of technical issues in alchemy, I actually wanted to ask earlier, there was a shadow recording that went viral in the alchemy circles, it’s of your alchemical work at sea, and although its specifics couldn’t be seen from the footage, the final product showed signs of high-order creation. Is that true?”

Muse’s question also stunned Magnusson; he had actually forgotten about that. If Angel could really produce high-order creations, then obviously Magnusson’s previous claims about Angel’s inadequate skills were self-defeating.

Because, nowadays, many so-called Alchemy Masters struggle to consistently produce high-order creations.

Magnusson also looked at Angel, his eyes filled with unfathomable emotions.

An apprentice who hadn’t even achieved the status of Official Wizard, could he really have produced a high-order creation? Despite having seen that recording, without witnessing it firsthand, it remained unbelievable.

Not just Muse and Magnusson, but all the members present turned their attention to him.

The emotions contained in their gazes were varied; some indifferent, some curious and investigative, some mockingly skeptical, and some encouraging.

Under everyone’s scrutiny, Angel pondered for a moment. The Ocean Rhythm’s footage had already been exposed for a long time, and apart from some Barbarian Cave apprentices and Jelal, only those demons knew its actual effects.

And about his shop in the Abyss – perhaps because some demons were awakening, fearing negative repercussions, the ‘Glowing City Night Talk’ had not reported it. Even if it had been reported, they still wouldn’t know the specific effects of the Ocean Rhythm.

Eventually, Angel produced the Ocean Rhythm.

He understood that in the face of alchemists who value technique above all, hiding his light would only cause trouble. Only by showing his own brilliance would he be taken seriously.

When the Ocean Rhythm was placed on the table, everyone present was captivated by its perfect form.

Even if they had gotten some understanding from the footage, seeing the actual object still left them amazed.

The perfectly dressed mermaid, the twinkling stardust, the dark seashell faintly emanating ocean waves – each element was a delight to the eyes.

Never mind the effect, the mere aesthetics alone proved that Angel’s sense of beauty reached a very high standard.

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