Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1350: Section 1351: Contestants in Strange Costumes
 

Near the main district of Sky Mechanical City, there’s a noble estate surrounded by trees and flowers, far removed from steel and concrete.

At this moment, a burst of surprised calling suddenly came from the estate.

“Welcome home, Master. It has been almost three years since the Master last returned. Number 1 misses the Master very much,” the magic energy eye Butler swirled twice in the air, saying in a dramatically theatrical voice.

Sanders nodded in acknowledgment as a greeting.

“Who are these two?” Number 1 turned its head, its red lights blinking.

Angel removed his Disguise Technique, revealing his true face.

“It turns out to be Young Master Pat. Welcome back,” the wary red light immediately turned green.

Angel pointed to Lyon beside him, “This is my older brother; he will be staying at the estate temporarily.”

Number 1 Butler nodded very humanely: “Okay, I have set the guest to temporary access rights. Welcome, guest. I am the estate’s Butler, Number 1.”

Since arriving at Sky Mechanical City, Lyon had seen many new and wonderful things along the way, and he was still somewhat dazed. It took him a while to regain his senses: “Hello.”

Sanders: “Number 1, go and tidy up the rooms.”

Number 1 immediately began to carry out the highest authority holder’s command, leisurely flying towards the interior of the estate.

Once Number 1 had left, Sanders snapped his fingers lightly, and the dark Illusionary Realm instantly enveloped the estate.

“Already more than ten gazes have been cast here, including the two City Lords of Sky Mechanical City,” Sanders rubbed his somewhat swollen temples and sighed, “It’s about the same as when I went to Punk Theme Park before. However, at that time, your matter had not yet started to ferment, so only a sparse few people noticed me.”

Recently, whether it was the broadcast effect of ‘Glowing City Night Talk’ or the messages spread within the Frostmoon Alliance itself, they had already spread throughout Sky Mechanical City. As the witcher organization with the most magazine agencies, seizing this news had become a big topic of discussion.

The magazine agency that first reported and made Angel’s name known was also in Sky Mechanical City. Therefore, many magazine agencies not only did a thematic report on this occasion but also unearthed the past events, creating a lot of sensational headlines.

Moreover, with the recent heat of the New Star Competition, countless Apprentices gathered in Sky Mechanical City. Faced with such explosive news, the discussions were fervent.

In such an atmosphere, Sanders’ appearance in Sky Mechanical City immediately attracted the attention of a portion of the Official Wizards, who cast their gazes over.

This was the reason Sanders set up the Illusionary Realm to shroud the estate.

“I estimate it won’t be long before Frostmoon’s people come looking,” Sanders looked at Angel, “When outside, try to change your face a few times to avoid attracting unwanted attention.”

Angel nodded, his expression also containing some worry: “Could they have already discovered me?”

“Your Disguise Technique is powered by the Power of Nightmare Illusion, except for those few top-notch individuals, others still can’t see through your true face, so you needn’t worry,” Sanders paused for a while before adding, “As for those top-notch individuals, I have already communicated with them previously, and they will not come to trouble you.”

On the other hand, Lyon was still confused and completely unaware of what had happened to Angel. Also, Sanders mentioned that he had communicated with ‘them’ on the way, but it was clear that they had met no one.

“I have other matters to take care of now, make yourselves at home,” Sanders turned and walked a few steps, then as if remembering something, he took Popota out from the Gravity Garden, “It’s best if he stays with you.”

The Gravity Garden could block some of the Divination probes, but not those from Observer-level Divination. According to Sanders’ information, Frostmoon had already contacted the Observer from the Crown Star Church, so it was better for Popota to stay with Angel.

After saying this, Sanders disappeared into the depths of the Illusionary Realm.

Angel looked at Popota: “My bracelet might be a bit small, but it should be no problem for you to research the hive. Just try not to make too much noise.”

With no other option, Popota was placed inside the bracelet.

It was only when the Illusionary Realm was left with just the two brothers that Lyon voiced the doubts in his heart.

“What exactly is the matter regarding you that Illusion Demon Lord mentioned just now?” Lyon furrowed his brows, “It sounds like a lot of people are looking for you?”

Lyon’s question wasn’t long unanswered.

At this moment, they had already left the estate, and in a secluded corner of the main city, Lyon held a magazine called ‘Secrets of the Wizards’ Realm.’

The magazine, from the cover to the main theme, the subtitles, and over eighty percent of the content inside, narrated Angel’s story. It included not only the recent Abyss incident but also the various large and small events that Angel had gone through—if exposed—were all included.

After reading it, Lyon was immensely shocked.

Even though he had previously heard some of Mentor Suise’s accounts about Angel’s exploits, what he heard were only conclusive results; he was clueless about the true hardships of the actual process. Moreover, Angel was the kind who shared good news but held back the worries, never speaking of hardships.

The magazine, while not dwelling on these tough processes, mentioned them in passing, yet those few sentences were enough to alarm Lyon.

Facing the ‘Queen of Dusk’ Isabella alone in the Silent Hill, breaking out of the encirclement in the Purification Garden in a life and death struggle, becoming mortal enemies with the Son of the Ocean Jiebo…

Lyon could not imagine what Angel had been through, but even encountering the Southern Domain had been so eventful, let alone the matters of the Abyss—which were highlighted in red—left Lyon feeling uneasy.

“Is the content recorded here true?”

Angel looked at Lyon’s hesitant expression, filled with complex emotions, and sighed deeply, “Actually… it’s not as hard as you think.”

At least for Angel himself, his journey as a Wizard had been quite smooth sailing.

“These dedicated gossip magazines are just using gimmicks to attract the readers’ attention. How could anyone fully know another person’s experiences? Moreover, many things are rumors, like how Jiebo and I are not archenemies at all; Jiebo’s true archenemy is someone else,” Angel said, only to find that Lyon’s expression was still somewhat serious.

Others look at the outcome, but as a brother, Lyon naturally cared about the process.

“What you’ve experienced actually doesn’t matter. People who contemplate the bittersweet journey have differing sentiments and experiences,” Angel said. “At least, judging from the outcome, my current situation isn’t bad.”

Lyon knew that worrying about past dangers now was merely empty talk. Still, reading the records in the magazine made him feel uneasy.

Lyon did not continue to question the past since it would only trouble Angel.

He flipped to the pages about the Abyss incident and asked, “Aren’t you worried about someone discovering the huge mess you’ve caused? Shouldn’t we just go back first?”

“If even the Mentor isn’t worried about me, why are you?”

Not to mention that he was now in Sky Mechanical City, where Sanders could provide support at any time, and his own strength was sufficient to face an Official Wizard-level enemy. If all else failed, he could still make a run for it by opening a door.

Though Lyon was somewhat worried, he couldn’t really grasp how significant the Abyss incident was, and in the end, Angel managed to smooth talk him.

All the way, Lyon pondered over the magazine’s content, not noticing the environment changing around him until Angel stopped in his tracks. It was then that Lyon realized he had stopped before a towering steel structure so tall that its top could not be seen with a single glance.

“This is Sky Tower.”

Bringing Lyon here was to observe some battles of his peers.

Sky Tower was an excellent platform for measuring strength.

This Sky Tower, compared to the one in Barbarian Cave, was taller and more massive, resembling the mythical Tower of Babel that Jon once spoke of—a place so imposing that standing at its base, one could immediately feel their own insignificance through comparison.

Like other Sky Towers, one could reach the higher levels inside via cable carriages.

However, the high-level battles weren’t particularly enlightening for Lyon, so Angel directly led him to enter from the first floor.

Even on the lowest level, there were still many people, and they were almost all Transcendents.

After marveling at the majesty of Sky Tower, Lyon also turned his attention to the other people around.

He had always thought the residents of the harsh, austere Sky Mechanical City would have a uniform style. But his experience over the past few hours told Lyon that his assumption was completely wrong.

Fancy and unusual clothing was the most ordinary sight.

Those who created spectacles or deliberately made grand appearances were not few and far between.

Like right now.

Clang, clang, clang—

Dull sounds came from the distant plaza, and the onlookers turned to look. Amidst the stirring of the crowd, voices rang out, “It’s Hammer King Kesar!”

The newcomer was a Transcendent whose height and build were twice that of an average person. He exuded a somber aura that was visible to the naked eye. Iron chains were strapped all over his body, extending several meters behind him to glossy black iron spheres.

“Commoners, make way!” While the commotion caused by the Hammer King had not yet subsided, sharp, loud laughter came from another direction.

A lady in an extravagant puffball gown, a tasseled golden fan in hand covering her mouth, sat atop a green-skinned giant who was kneeling down and slowly climbing towards the Sky Tower.

According to the bystanders, the noblewoman controlling the giant was also a famous contender within Sky Tower.

However, her reputation was limited to below the fifth level of Sky Tower.

Besides these two, Lyon saw all sorts of extraordinary Transcendents, and at that moment, the puzzle that had troubled him was finally solved.

Why did White Bear always wear a mascot suit?

Thinking about it now, White Bear’s mascot outfit was too commonplace compared to those with golden wings, walking on blossoming flowers, or covered in fireflies—it was several notches below.

“So, this is the Wizards’ Realm,” Lyon mused.

Angel coughed twice, “It’s not exactly like this.”