Chapter 1588
Chapter 1588: Section 1589: Nail Granny's Departure
After a grueling half-hour duel, Xiliu won.
In this competition, although Xiliu emerged as the victor, Angel saw this “rising star” as having quite a few highlights.
The “rising star”'s real name was Izmir.
The reason why he knew his name was because as soon as he appeared, he smiled as brilliantly as the sunshine, and loudly announced to all the spectators, whether they supported him or not, using a voice amplification spell: “I am the shining new star, Izmir, and Izmir is the shining new star!”
It sounded not only embarrassing but also rather cringeworthy.
However, paired with Izmir's robustly bright smile, it seriously hooked a wave of female fans' goodwill.
From the start to the end of the match, Izmir would show his smile to the audience whenever there was a lull.
Among wizards, there were many who often wore smiles, but few had smiles that reached their eyes. Izmir was one of the rare ones Angel had seen whose smile was genuinely heartfelt.
It seemed that as long as he had the audience's support, Izmir was very happy.
Even when he ultimately lost to Xiliu and covered his chest, his face pale and blood oozing from the corner of his mouth, his admirers looked on with concern, but he still managed to give them a comforting smile.
However, a person who seemed to be filled with sunshine was actually a necromancer shrouded in an aura of death.
Izmir and “Soul of Myriad Stars” Saka were quite similar, both controlling the undead. Typically, necromancers have somewhat dark personalities, but Izmir not only did not come off as a necromancer, he appeared more like a fire-user, or even a light-worshipping priest.
And it was said that ever since Izmir entered the Wizard World, he had almost always stayed in the Tomb Ruins, often keeping company with the dead.
That such a person could still wear such a sunny smile truly impressed Angel.
His strength was undeniable, stronger than Saka. Unfortunately, Izmir was up against an Xiliu who was spiked with some kind of stimulant. As long as Xiliu didn't doze off, very few could beat her.
If Xiliu went into her berserk mode, then she could even set her opponent's blood on fire. However, so far, Xiliu had only entered that state when facing Jiebo.
The match concluded, and although Izmir lost, his impression on Angel was actually quite favorable. At least, when compared to his peer Saka, Izmir was much better.
After the match, Xiliu hadn't yet reached the contestants' backstage area when she fell asleep in the corridor.
In the end, it was Nausicaa who carried Xiliu back.
Angel didn't follow them to Fangling Hall but instead returned alone to Pat Manor. Come nightfall, Angel checked the communicator for the advancement results.
All of today's matches had ended.
Qi Li's match against “Spring Waltz” Dominico wasn't surprising at all, Qi Li won.
In addition to that, Angel also paid attention to other people's matches.
The one known as the strongest Apprentice, Jiebo, unsurprisingly defeated his opponent. However, since Xiliu and Jiebo were in the same group, there was a good chance they would meet. If they did meet… Angel could only pray for Jiebo.
Kavoline and Onassis advanced as well.
The former's advancement was no surprise, as wearing the Shepherd's attire, she might even have a chance to claim the championship.
The “Philosopher” Onassis from Uto Academy, on the other hand, was a dark horse; to this point, the judges couldn't see through him. Angel also had quite an interest in him and even planned to watch his matches if time permitted.
Apart from these favored contestants, some match outcomes were rather surprising to Angel.
“the Gourmet Spirit” Sinistra, who was on very good terms with Kavoline, lost. She was defeated by “Phantasmal Deer” Trom.
Xili, who previously had a very close match with Serum, also lost. Her opponent was actually quite famous and like Jiebo, also a contestant from the Song of the Deep Sea– “Philosopher Scholar” Suyatutai.
Also, Sharley, the disciple of the Water Pattern Witch, was defeated by a completely unknown Asaz.
Angel was initially quite optimistic about these three, because their strengths had been witnessed by him, and they were among the top contenders amongst their peers.
Unfortunately, all of them lost.
However, this also indicates that there are quite a few masters hiding during this new star competition.
While Angel was checking the competition results on his communicator, suddenly, a beam of light emitted from the device. Angel was startled and then tapped on the energy node of the communicator.
A light blue human-shaped spirit emerged from the thin glass screen of the communicator.
“Mr. Pat, good evening,” said the blue spirit with graceful emphasis.
“So, it's Anthony. What's the matter so late?” Angel asked.
Anthony: “Mr. Pat, it's like this…”
As Anthony explained, Angel gradually understood. After nearly two weeks of dispute between Muse and Rosen, they finally decided to dispatch personnel to search near the Ancient Asia World for Ivor, which is to say, to search for the location of the Reincarnation Casket of the Undead.
Angel was already aware of this. Although Rosen and Muse had been arguing, they had actually reached a consensus long ago–they must try to rescue Ivor.
Based on this consensus, dispatching forces was just a matter of time.
However, according to Anthony, Nail Granny would also be going along.
Although the news was somewhat unexpected, it made sense. For Nail Granny, finding Ivor is not just about the so-called bond but also about unraveling the knot in her heart.
If it weren't for the knot in her heart, Nail Granny wouldn't have refrained from touching Alchemy for a thousand years.
It was for this matter that Anthony notified Angel.
By the time Angel arrived at the Research and Development Institute, many special mechanical airships occupied the area–they were the personnel dispatched for the search.
Nail Granny was not standing among the crowd but stood alone to the side, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon, as if she could see through the dark sky dome a figure standing across the sands of time.
Angel approached slowly and did not speak.
After a long silence, Nail Granny finally lowered her head and looked at Angel: “Do you think my sudden decision to leave is impulsive?”
Although Angel indeed thought so, he still said, “It's Granny's choice.”
Nail Granny shook her head: “I'm not being impulsive, nor am I the main force in searching for Ivor. I'm just going to the Ancient Asia World to build a base, similar to Horus' stationing in Sky Mechanical City.”
If it's just about building a base, anyone could do it, right?
Perhaps sensing Angel's confusion, Nail Granny smiled and said: “I just want to be a little bit closer.”
Just want to be a little bit closer? Angel still didn't understand Nail Granny's feelings.
“Don't worry, even if we truly find the Reincarnation Casket, I won't recklessly enter,” Nail Granny said with a smile.
Knowing her own limits, Angel didn't say more but instead took out a box and handed it to Nail Granny: “This is a newly refined Cage of Shadows, as a parting gift for Granny.”
Nail Granny looked at the box in her hand, a gentle glint flickering in her eyes.
“If it were anything else, I might refuse. But the Cage of Shadows, I'm happy to accept,” Nail Granny paused, “I don't have anything else to give you in return, but since I'm leaving anyway, my Nail Alchemy House will just…”
Angel quickly waved his hands: “It's not necessary, Granny can keep the Nail Alchemy House.”
Nail Granny glared at Angel: “What, you thought I was going to give the Nail Alchemy House to you? I'm just leaving temporarily, maybe I'll return in a month or two. I won't let you benefit from it.”
Angel looked a bit embarrassed; he had indeed thought that Nail Granny wanted to give him the Alchemy House.
“What I mean is, I've entrusted my Nail Alchemy House to my Fragrant Wood Puppet–Neha for management. If you ever need materials in the future, you can go to Neha. I'll tell Neha to give you a discount.”
Angel nodded, being able to buy materials at a discount was also a nice benefit.
Leaning on her cane, Nail Granny nodded to Angel: “It's time for me to go.”
As the airship slowly sailed into the distance, Nail Granny's figure also vanished from sight. Only in the wind remained the last words Nail Granny left behind.
“Thanks to you, I learned of Ivor's news, no matter what… thank you.”