Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 1328: Special Issue No. 1329

Reynaud, accompanied by Nausicaa, followed the coast of the fragrant sea at Shampo seaside, heading north.

When they arrived at an elephant trunk sea rock standing tall above the ocean surface, Reynaud turned to look at the small woods behind the beach.

“The entrance should be over there.”

Nausicaa gave Reynaud a doubtful look, “Should be? Haven’t you been there before?”

Since disembarking, Nausicaa had noticed Reynaud, who seemed to be injured, giving off a faint blood scent dissimilar to humans; but Reynaud was indeed a human, so Nausicaa could almost be certain that Reynaud must have fused with some kind of non-human bloodline.

Therefore, Reynaud’s identity was self-evident, he must be a Transcendent.

If he was a Transcendent, how come Reynaud had never been to the nearby Wizard Market?

“I’m not a local. Due to some accidents, I was healing in the fishing village a few days ago. I was planning to explore the market today, but I didn’t expect to encounter Miss Nausicaa,” Reynaud explained before adding, “Phasgap, that’s the name of this Wizard Market, and the symbol is that Elephant Trunk Sea Rock out on the sea.”

As he spoke, Reynaud walked towards the woods: “The entrance is the first pair of palm trees planted side by side you come across in the small woods opposite the Elephant Trunk Sea Rock.”

Reynaud took a few steps and then stopped. Right in front of him stood two palm trees side by side, about two meters apart.

Looking over, Nausicaa indeed sensed a familiar fluctuation between the two palm trees.

It was the fluctuation of an other-dimensional space!

Back during the Twilight grand auction, Nausicaa had been to the Duskdeep Well, which is an other-dimensional space, and its entrance was in a white wall behind the Meixiang Grand Theater.

The fluctuation emitted back then was exactly the same as the one coming from the two palm trees now.

“If this is indeed the other-dimensional space of the Wizard Market…” Nausicaa reached out and lightly touched it inward. The air rippled as if a ripple had formed, and her hand passed through to the other side.

Just as she had suspected. Seeing this scene, Nausicaa no longer had any doubts. Generally, if a Wizard Market is placed in other-dimensional space, then the setup is such that mortals cannot touch or enter it, but Transcendents can indeed walk in.

Nausicaa stepped forward and disappeared on the spot.

Reynaud glanced over and stepped forward as well.

Beyond, they were greeted by a long, narrow street. The street was flanked by iron-clad buildings of varying heights, and all sorts of peculiar floating decorations gave it a style that was both steampunk fantasy and shadowy and eerie.

The sky overhead was overcast, completely different from the azure outside. Each shop’s chimney was spewing white smoke, unidentified substances being released.

There were also airships cleaning the smoke in the air, constantly going back and forth.

Nausicaa could also faintly hear the whistles of steam trains in the distance.

“So this is… Phasgap?” Nausicaa looked around with interest at her surroundings. This style was quite intriguing, less harsh and metallic than Sky Mechanical City, yet infused with mechanical hues unlike the purely fantastical Barbarian Cave.

It was perfectly poised between the two, without any disharmony.

Nausicaa walked forward, the crowd bustling around her, paying her no mind. Moreover, most of the Transcendents here were dressed in strange fashions, their attire drawing no attention, let alone Nausicaa’s.

Nausicaa felt quite at ease. Having been away from the world of wizards for some time, she found reuniting with the Transcendent world to be completely natural.

The only thing that puzzled Nausicaa was—

Nausicaa turned her head to look at Reynaud, who was following beside her: “Is there something else you need?”

Reynaud shook his head: “No, nothing. I heard you mention earlier that you plan to participate in the New Star Contest?”

Nausicaa nodded noncommittally. The New Star Contest was now a buzz among the apprentices, and many were aware of it.

“I also plan to go to the New Star Contest, how about we go together?”

…

After a while, Nausicaa arrived outside a green-skinned building with an Owl mailbox at the entrance.

To Nausicaa’s surprise, there was a throng of people outside the building, many shouting, “Save one for me, quick! Don’t push!”

“Boss, give me one, I’ve already left Magic Crystals here!”

“This is mine, take your hands off! Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude!”

The noise spread from inside the building to outside until a roar silenced everyone: “Stop bickering, no hitting, no loudmouths! If anyone causes more trouble, I’ll throw you all out!”

After that, everyone quieted down for a bit, but their hands were still moving swiftly.

Nausicaa saw this scene with surprise in her eyes. She had heard that this store was selling the new issue of “Glowing City Night Talk” and rushed over immediately. But who would have thought it would be this popular?

Seeing more and more people heading to the bookstore, Nausicaa quickly stepped forward and got in line.

“It must be because the Supernova competition is approaching, and this issue of ‘Glowing City Night Talk’ features a special on it, which is why it’s selling like hotcakes,” Reynaud murmured.

As for the major potential seeds in today’s Wizards’ Realm, “Glowing City Night Talk” held extensive information. Whether one was participating or not, taking this opportunity to understand the current situation was excellent.

Nausicaa agreed with Reynaud’s opinion as well.

Reynaud continued, “Probably, the book includes information about some Supernova contestants, such as the Son of the Ocean Jiebo, Philosopher Scholar Suyatutai, the Armored Maiden Kavoline, The Gourmet Spirit, and so on… These people have a significant reputation, and they already have a vast number of admirers. It’s normal to see this sort of situation.”

Nausicaa hadn’t expected Reynaud to have such a deep understanding of these contestants. From the information implied in Reynaud’s words, it was clear that he was really following the Supernova competition. Just as he said, he indeed prepared to be a contestant.

Then her decision to team up with Reynaud wasn’t a mistake. After all, they would both be heading to Sky Mechanical City for the Supernova competition, and would certainly need to use teleportation. The more people there were, the less each person would have to pay for the teleportation costs.

While Reynaud was showing off his knowledge, a girl standing behind him said in a mocking tone, “Why don’t I see your cross badge?”

A cross badge was a symbol of a wandering wizard. The badge wasn’t a sign of something bad, but when she said this, it was clear she was mocking Reynaud as a country bumpkin without sophistication.

Both Reynaud and Nausicaa furrowed their brows. The girl, seemingly unaware that she had said anything wrong, continued, “Who told you we came to buy ‘Glowing City Night Talk’ for the Supernova competition? That special issue will come out next week! This week’s is a special additional issue, covering the Frostmoon Alliance’s participation in the Abyss War!”

“The Abyss War?” Nausicaa and Reynaud looked at each other in confusion.

Nausicaa was aware that the Frostmoon Alliance had plans involving the Abyss, but she was not privy to the details. And Reynaud, having been adrift at sea for the better part of a year, naturally was out of touch with recent events.

“I can’t be bothered to explain to you, it has nothing to do with the Supernova competition. If you want to buy the issue on the competition, come back next week.” Saying this, the girl tried to push Reynaud out of the way, wanting to buy the issue as soon as possible.

Reynaud indeed went with her push, leaving the queue.

The Abyss War sounded like an event several levels beyond their concern, something to pay attention to later, but for now… it didn’t seem necessary to think too much about it.

Nausicaa, hearing that “Glowing City Night Talk” wasn’t covering the Supernova competition, was about to leave as well. However, just then, a few people who had bought the magazine came out of the store.

They were holding the newly purchased “Glowing City Night Talk,” and Nausicaa caught a glimpse of the magazine’s cover by accident.

The cover featured a portrait.

When she saw the portrait’s face clearly, Nausicaa’s expression, hidden beneath her cloak, changed dramatically.

“Is that… Angel? How is that possible?” Nausicaa murmured to herself in disbelief.

To confirm, she looked repeatedly at the magazines in their hands, and the Transcendents, thinking Nausicaa might try to snatch them, quickly put the magazines away and left.

“Could I have seen it wrong?” Nausicaa frowned.

“Did you just mention Lord Pat?” the girl who had earlier scorned Reynaud suddenly asked Nausicaa.

“Lord Pat?” Nausicaa: “Are you referring to Angel Pat?”

She nodded, her eyes shining with a sequence of adoration, “Yes, that’s him. He is the goal I aspire to chase in the future!”

Nausicaa: ???

“Not only is he handsome, but he also handles things very steadily. Even when faced with great beings, he remains unflustered! Most importantly, he is an Alchemist who has once come into contact with a mysterious level!”

Nausicaa knew that after the Purification Garden event, Angel was forced to become Jiebo’s “arch-enemy,” and had his moment of fame.

But she hadn’t expected to meet an admirer here.

“He is indeed very impressive,” Nausicaa nodded along with her words, genuinely agreeing.

Nausicaa wanted to inquire about the cover of the magazine, but to her surprise, the girl who called herself “Luana” couldn’t stop talking as soon as she started on the subject of Angel, revealing all the information she knew.

“…The theme of this magazine issue is the great deed that Lord Pat did in the Abyss, which had a far-reaching impact. ‘Glowing City Night Talk’ made a special addition just for that!”

Although Nausicaa still didn’t know exactly what Angel had done, her face already showed a look of shock.

Lord Monty had plotted for so many years, and Angel had interfered? Not only that, but he also made it onto the cover of “Glowing City Night Talk”!

Nausicaa was somewhat unsettled. She thought that after successfully fusing her Bloodline, she might get closer to Angel. Instead, it seemed even further away.

Nausicaa was at a loss for words.

That’s when Reynaud stepped forward and asked, “Are you still planning on buying this issue of the magazine?”

Without hesitation, Nausicaa nodded, “Yes, of course.”

She was eager to see exactly what earth-shattering thing Angel had done.