Warlock Apprentice

Chapter 2694: Chapter 2695: The Birth of Spirit Intelligence

Angel: "Didn’t we already talk about this?"

Black Earl: "Are you sure you don’t want to change it? Honestly, the deal I discussed with you is more suitable for Dox. Are you certain about this choice?"

Dox, who was suddenly mentioned, looked at Black Earl and then at Angel in confusion, completely unaware of what they were discussing. Had they talked before? When did they discuss this? What deal is more suitable for me?

Dox wanted to ask, but Black Earl dismissed him with "You’ve chosen to leave the conversation."

Meaning, since you’ve chosen to leave the conversation, don’t butt in now.

Leaving the conversation demands stability. But if Dox realizes while listening that staying would be better, and suddenly changes his choice, the previous decision becomes meaningless.

Dox was left speechless, forced to listen to Black Earl and Angel’s conversation, trying to analyze the hidden information in their dialogue.

Angel: "It’s not about who it suits, but about broadening one’s horizons."

Black Earl gave Angel a deep look: "So you agree that Spiwey’s theory, opening one’s eyes, is more important than confining self-learning?"

The Spiwey Black Earl mentioned was not the one whose soul entered a young body, falling from a wizard to an apprentice and starting over under Flora’s tutelage, but the scheming Great Wizard Spiwey from five thousand years ago.

Angel: "Don’t extend my words to the age-old factional and theoretical battles. I don’t want to see myself in magazines as a faction supporter when I go out in the future."

Before, Rhein had mentioned to be careful around Black Earl. He might not dare to harm you, but he will trap you in small details. Sometimes, you fall into his trap unwittingly, and Black Earl controls a well-selling wizard magazine that almost all wizard families in Flourish Continent subscribe to.

Many gossip magazines eye these family magazines, adding fuel to rumors.

So, with public opinion in Black Earl’s hands, say less about views and more about facts when dealing with him.

"My thoughts are simple. Undeniably, the scope of my knowledge is too narrow. To truly establish myself as an Official Wizard, I need to absorb diverse knowledge. Only by broadening my horizon can I integrate and find the most suitable knowledge for me."

Angel paused, then continued: "This theory comes from a wizard who recently invented a spell technique. Her summary, I believe, because that’s exactly what she’s done."

Earlier, Angel earnestly answered the reason but then shifted the topic to a "recently invented spell technique" wizard. This tactic was also a diversion, as everyone realized he was changing the subject to avoid Black Earl’s trap, yet they couldn’t help but be drawn in.

Who is this wizard who recently invented a spell technique? Angel used a female reference, so it’s a female wizard?

While everyone pondered, Black Earl privately messaged Angel: "Are you referring to Greya?"

Angel: "Yes."

Black Earl: "To my knowledge, Greya’s recent breakthrough seemed to happen on Illusion Demon Island, with your influence behind it?"

Angel: "I didn’t expect the Black Earl, who is so close to Lord Rhein, to also plant spies in Barbarian Cave."

These things are not known to outsiders. Moreover, Rhein ordered secrecy, so only a spy could have leaked this information.

"How can you call them spies, merely developed intelligence personnel," Black Earl said, quite aggrieved: "I only developed an apprentice-level informant, but that old Rhein adapted one of my third-generation descendants as a spy. Comparatively, I am much milder."

Angel: "..." Lord Rhein is formidable.

Of course, more formidable is Black Earl knowing his descendant was made a spy, yet he couldn’t easily eliminate them, as they are kin. Instead, he tried to convert or, at least, make them a double agent...

However, why were they talking about espionage?

Angel shook his head, eager to steer the conversation back on track: "Indeed, I meant Greya. I was beside her when she created the spell technique, so forcibly saying it was related to me, I concede. But the impact? Minimal."

"Back then, Lord Rhein was also present. According to Lord Rhein, her creation had hit a bottleneck, purely because she was fixated on the culinary system. When she discovered broader horizons and witnessed a more vibrant world, she could touch upon her core, elevating the culinary system to new heights."

Angel: "This is why I don’t limit myself to the breadth of knowledge. While you think the clone talent is more fitting for bloodline-focused Dox, I don’t deny it. However, I may not practice it; I just want to understand its principle, for analogical learning."

"Who knows, if I create a new spell, it may relate to the clone technique knowledge imparted by Black Earl?"

Angel said this casually, and instead of being displeased, Black Earl felt delighted. Black Earl is not that generous a person, though he isn’t stingy either, unwilling to disclose his spell technique secrets randomly. However, if it’s a genius like Angel seeking guidance, he wouldn’t mind sharing his non-talent based technical core knowledge.

Just as Angel said, "if he creates a spell relating to his own clone technique," it would be quite prestigious for Black Earl. More importantly, creating based on a rooted basis could open broader vistas for Black Earl.

This is an exclusive exchange among geniuses. Black Earl wouldn’t hide in this exchange but would hope Angel truly could, from his perspective, creatively integrate with the knowledge provided by Black Earl, forming new capabilities.

Angel wasn’t aware of such an "unspoken rule" in the Wizards’ Realm and only said it offhandedly but unexpectedly touched Black Earl’s heart.

"In that case, I look forward to seeing what kind of spell you will create."

With this sentence, Black Earl solidified the agreement with Angel.

Angel hadn’t thought much of it, as Black Earl had hinted before about sharing clone talent knowledge with him. To Angel, this knowledge might not necessarily be useful, but since it was a bonus, he didn’t mind.

After all, his eagerness to visit Augustine’s Legacy Site wasn’t any less than Black Earl’s. No extra incentives were needed; he would go anyway, and even more so with a bonus.

However, thinking back, he did mention Greya earlier.

In fact, he slightly lied about this matter. When Greya created the spell, his influence wasn’t slight but definitely substantial.

According to the original timeline, Greya’s second creation should at least wait until she found a body, nurtured it for a few or even a dozen years. However, Angel inadvertently accelerated this agenda.

The most secretive ability that Angel absorbed from the Dalmatian: Mysterious Concrete Object.

This was the source of Greya’s sudden creation.

Angel rarely used the Mysterious Concrete Object, as he was an apprentice at that time. Sanders advised him to avoid using it, as it was like a baby holding treasure through a busy market, inviting disaster and envy.

Unless Angel became an Official Wizard and then a True Knowledge Wizard, with formidable strength as support, he could use it in moderation, mostly on himself.

He was now one step away from being a True Knowledge Wizard. If coupled with Earl Mi and Toby’s combat power, he would surpass ordinary True Knowledge Wizards.

Since that’s the case, could he now use the Mysterious Concrete Object?

Maybe he could attempt to combine it with spell techniques, or use it in alchemy?

Thinking of the Mysterious Concrete Object, Angel’s thoughts drifted further away, and his desire to practice grew more urgent, almost forgetting where he was.

Angel’s thoughts were already on the verge of running wild until Dox’s voice echoed in his ear, pulling back the reins that had gone astray.

"What exactly did you exchange with the Black Earl earlier? Tell me about it so I can have something to reference." Dox had listened for a long time, yet couldn’t understand what the Black Earl and Angel were discussing. Eventually, their conversation became so encrypted that it got under Dox’s skin. After repeatedly holding back, he couldn’t resist and approached Angel inquiring.

Angel glanced at the Black Earl. The latter remained silent, seemingly indifferent to Angel revealing their exchange.

In fact, the Black Earl truly didn’t mind. He had mentioned earlier that his clone skill was more suitable for Dox, and this was true; given it’s related to the bloodline, it’s easier to accept this kind of bodily separation... However, his clone skill is different from ordinary clone skills: the separation of body is one thing, but each clone’s consciousness is independent, which is quite frightening. Once controlled poorly, the clones are likely to seek independence.

Of course, the Black Earl could use various methods to restrict the consciousness of the clones, but the more he restricts, the less significant his clones become.

Wouldn’t that make it just like any other clone skill?

Therefore, the Black Earl didn’t limit the clones, allowing them to develop freely. Without restrictions, each clone of the Black Earl possessed the depth of his knowledge.

As for ensuring that the clones still behave primarily as extensions of the "main body," he naturally has his methods, which is one reason why his cloning technique is an independently created spell technique.

That is to say, even if Dox truly wants to learn his clone skill, without solving the issue of independent consciousness, the clone skill would just be an ordinary clone skill.

Angel, however, is different. He has already clarified his situation. He does not blindly follow learning because no matter how he learns, it’s impossible to surpass the Black Earl on the current foundation. Angel’s intention is to delve into different areas of knowledge and extract the essence from various fields, possibly ending up with something completely unrelated to cloning when he creates his technique.

But even so, as long as Angel extracts relevant knowledge from the clone skill, the Black Earl can see the highlights in Angel’s creative spell.

Perhaps this is the mutual support between geniuses.

Dox may also qualify as a genius, but the Black Earl does not believe his clone skill will yield anything new in Dox’s hands.

So, he doesn’t mind Angel leaking this information to Dox.

If Dox indeed decides to exchange knowledge on the clone skill, it saves time, as Angel could simply arrange to exchange it together. Teaching two at once is a win-win for him.

However, indifference doesn’t mean agreement.

He wants to see how Angel handles this situation.

"Exchange of knowledge." Angel said to Dox: "As for what knowledge, you can ask the lord yourself after leaving. Don’t be swayed just because the Black Earl says this knowledge is more suited to you. You might already be familiar with similar knowledge. Don’t harbor too high expectations."

"If you also want to engage in knowledge exchange, I suggest prioritizing the knowledge you currently lack instead of following my choice."

After hearing this, Dox contemplated for a moment and finally nodded, agreeing with Angel’s words.

The Black Earl also agreed with Angel’s approach.

Though he didn’t mind Angel sharing with Dox, since Dox decided prior to leave for exchange, Angel telling about their exchange now breaches the Black Earl’s proposed rule.

The Black Earl can tolerate breaking rules, but would remember this incident. Consequently, his evaluation of Angel might slightly decrease... Why not drastically? Because Angel showed his skill.

No matter how low Angel’s emotional intelligence, or how offensive his temperament, as long as his alchemy technique remains and doesn’t directly oppose the Noah Clan, the Black Earl will choose to maintain good relationships.

The distinction between surface-level good and genuinely good depends on Angel.

At least this time, Angel responded appropriately, didn’t break the rules, and gave Dox advice within limits, balancing sincerity with honesty.

The Black Earl prefers friends from the Academy Faction, especially those with skills.

Their discussions concluded, and Angel finally raised his head, preparing to speak to the Wise Sovereign about their decision.

Only upon raising his head did he realize the Wise Sovereign was continuously staring at him... behind him.

Angel turned to look and was first bewildered when he saw the scene behind him, then gradually frowned.

The Wood Spirit was still hiding behind him. Previously, the Wood Spirit dared not hide in Angel’s shadow because Earl Mi resided within.

But at present, the Wood Spirit ran into the shadow, playing with Earl Mi.

To be precise, not playing with "Earl Mi" but with the Blue Lantern Flower sprouting within the shadow.

The Blue Lantern Flower was controlled by Earl Mi, continuously swaying its body, shedding a multitude of bubbles.

The Wood Spirit seemed to enjoy those bubbles, frequently popping one. At first, it poked at the outer bubbles but gradually, as the outer bubbles vanished, and after several seconds of hesitation, the Wood Spirit stepped into Angel’s shadow, nestled next to the Blue Lantern Flower, and immediately manipulated branches to poke any bubble that was blown out.

The entire scene was harmonious.

But in Angel’s heart, there was a sense of strangeness.

The Wood Spirit’s affinity for the Blue Lantern Flower was normal, as although the Blue Lantern Flower was created by Earl Mi, it indeed is a plant.

Being fellow plants, the Wood Spirit naturally gravitates toward the Blue Lantern Flower.

Additionally, in the Underground Aqueduct, the Wood Spirit never encountered any plant, so seeing a "companion" for the first time felt more endearing.

This is understandable.

However, what puzzled Angel and was less comprehensible was... Earl Mi’s actions.

Earl Mi acts purposefully in everything. Generally, if Angel issues an order, Earl Mi prioritizes execution; if Angel doesn’t order, then protecting Angel becomes the priority.

Under the Seed of Distortion’s control, Earl Mi acts entirely on command without doing anything unnecessary.

But now, what is Earl Mi doing?

Letting his Blue Lantern Flower grow, blowing bubbles to amuse the Wood Spirit?

Judging from the current situation, there seems to be nothing... but upon deep reflection, one discovers Earl Mi is gradually developing spirit intelligence?

It is precisely for this reason Angel’s brow furrows tightly.

Previously, there were vague signs of this, but this time, the signs are more pronounced.

He doesn’t know whether this is fortuitous or ominous?