Warlock Apprentice

Usually, runes were used for applying passive effects. This Helix Rune, too, had such an effect that changed the flow of energy and made it rotate.

To put it simply, any energy that went through the Helix Rune would come out spinning.

The rune was a rare one found in Angor’s book collection; even Mithra failed to recognize it the other day when Angor mentioned it to him. After learning about its functions, Angor followed some of Mithra’s advice and placed such a rune in the middle of the palm.

The most obvious trait provided by the rune was power enhancement. Letting something spin meant adding more momentum to it. As a Bloodline apprentice, Nausica could use this feature to unleash deadlier attacks both to people and to objects.

Secondly, the rune could amplify mana energy as well. Also following Mithra’s advice, Angor placed a wind generation rune to the arm. This one was usually used by alchemists during forging processes to create wind flows. But here, the wind could travel through the Helix Rune, thus becoming tornadoes as powerful as a level-2 cantrip.

This “spinning tornado” could help Nausica greatly both for fighting and escaping.

The other forms of attacks could change their nature via the Helix Rune as well. For example, spinning fire bullets, spinning ice arrows… As for whether they would be stronger or weaker, Nausica had to do her own experiments.

Angor meant to design the Helix Rune as a small boost that would allow Nausica to come up with a great number of her own ideas. With the right approaches, she might utilize the rune to its best extent.

After explaining everything, Mithra took them to an open ground under the hut and asked Nausica to test out the arm in a small arena.

Nausica took out a hairband of the same bright color as her cloak and bound her long hair into a ponytail.

Next, she took several deep breaths to calm her excited mood and began to move her newly obtained right arm.

Nausica did her best to show her physical abilities as well as mana control. She already looked like a skilled warrior without the arm. Even Mithra couldn’t help giving her nods and comments.

“That’s Brute Cavern for you… She has reached such a high level as an apprentice. Impressive.”

Both Angor and Nausica found the results to be satisfactory. Everything worked well, except for several trips and bumps when Nausica attempted to use the “spinning tornado” to escape.

And the remaining problems would be addressed once Nausica spent enough time with the new arm.

“Thank you.” Nausica returned to Angor and bowed down.

“Oh, don’t. We’re friends. I just hope that you can come back out in one piece with my help.”

“Of course I will, even if I’m only going to fulfill your expectation.” Nausica looked determined and vigorous.

“Let’s hope so then. I don’t want my invention to go wasted.” Angor smirked.

Neither of them noticed that Mithra gave them a strange glare after hearing those words.

Since the test was finished, Nausica was going to return to her hotel. Angor would join her because he had bloodline-related questions to ask so that he could do something for the Krakoks.

At the door, Mithra called Angor while asking Nausica to go first.

Nausica thought Mithra had some other alchemy stuff to discuss with Angor, so she didn’t have a problem with it. “Well, guess I’ll go on my own and work harder. You can always find me at Budding Quarter.”

After Nausica went away, Angor gave Mithra a curious look. The old man obviously had something private to say, and he wondered what to expect.

Mithra took out a metal card from his pocket and handed it to Angor. There was a line of strange characters written on it, and Angor failed to recognize it.

“Em, what’s this, Mister Mithra?” Angor checked both sides of the card and didn’t recognize anything on it. No special markings, no magic residue.

“This is the gate access card of the Research Department. Since you’re good at alchemy, find a time and go check out the place. There are a lot of machine alchemy products, either complete ones or unfinished ones. You will learn useful things, no doubt.” Mithra smiled kindly.

Research Department?!

Angor’s eyes went wide. To outsiders, the Floating Mech City was the heaven and birthplace for alchemists. And their Research Department was the true treasure vault in this heaven.

This card meant a lot to him.

“Is-is it fine for me to take it, Mister Mithra?” Despite the great excitement, Angor suddenly grew concerned about potential troubles.

“It is absolutely fine. The place is quite empty, only me and several more old souls are keeping our names running. Are you worried about people talking behind our backs?” Mithra chuckled. “Don’t be. A young man like you will bring more passion to our works. Otherwise, I’ll soon stop going there because it feels like a dead house.”

Angor nodded madly since he had no other reason to reject the great offer. “Oh yes! I’ll definitely go there! “But… the purification garden… I need to—”

“I know. The access card is renewed every century, so you don’t have to hurry. Besides… you’ll earn your way inside soon enough even without this thing, I believe.”

Angor tilted his head as he failed to understand that last part.

“The Floating Mech City is just another wizard organization as a whole. But the Research Department is independent. Several of those old men I mentioned aren’t from the city. Once you become another master alchemist, or, let’s say, you created something approved by us and allowed us to distribute your creation in the name of the department, we’ll also let you join.” Mithra put a hand on Angor’s shoulder. “And I’m looking forward to the day when you’ll finally create that ‘mech robot’ of yours and bring it to us.”

…

After Mithra watched the boy return into the city, he saw a faint shadow materializing beside the hut along with a familiar voice:

“Oh, come on, Muse. Can’t you just show up in front of people normally? And I have to ask my own wife to stay away from the house. When she comes back, she’ll order me to sleep on the floor for half a month, again.”

“Mithra” replied in a completely different voice, which sounded young and clear, “Wasn’t it YOU who came up with the idea? And you said something about not to startle the child. As far as I can see, the kid’s not easily startled.”

The shadow already took on a solid form of another individual.

Orange, wilted hair strands with burn marks, wrinkled skin, hunched body… the real “Elixir of Miracle” Mithra.

While the original “Mithra” who had been talking to Angor earlier slowly took up a different look as his body grew younger and taller.

Any wizard here would soon recognize the second city master who always hid inside the Research Department—”The Fool” Muse.

“I didn’t mean that when I said ‘startle’,” Mithra scoffed. “Angor’s a good kid. He’s smart, hard-working, and gifted. We can’t find better youngsters than him when it comes to logical thinking and creativity. Also, he once saw Mystery power… I’d say he’s likely to surpass us both given enough time. I just don’t want you to mislead his theories too much with your own.”

“Letting him roam freely might cost him his life quicker,” Muse said in a cheerful manner. However, his words somehow sounded cold and merciless.

“Well, nobody can tell. But you actually gave him the card? That’s not like you.”

“Like what? I judge him worthy of such a privilege, simple as that.” Muse changed the topic. “I just received info that Bogula entered the depth of Abysm. I can no longer monitor him.”

“… He chose his fate. And he needs to make more choices carefully to get out alive,” Mithra said with a sad look. He watched Bogula grow up just like how Yeliya cared for Toya. To Mithra, Bogula was both his student and his son.

“As for whether he can come back… Let’s take a bet, shall we?” Muse chuckled.

“What should we bet with?”

“If I win, you’ll take charge and manage the lower city for ten years. Otherwise, I allow you to be absent from department duties for fifty years.”

Mithra pondered. In ten years, he, as the vice chief of the Research Department, would stay on duty to administer that place. He did love doing researches, but at the same time, he had to handle all other matters such as advertising and trivial chores, which he would avoid.

“Alright, I accept your challenge.”

…

Instead of looking for Nausica, Angor headed back to Sunders’ mansion first.

The bloodline problem about the Krakoks wasn’t an urgent matter. He decided to let Nausica fully enjoy her training before the garden challenge.

Angor planned to use the last moment to train as much as he could. At the very least, he had to master Field of Fire and get familiarized with the sequence of gravity. If he could wield the gravity power properly, he would be able to compete with some of the most powerful apprentices in strength, and at the same time, he would be able to improve his mobility, which would be his second trump card to stay alive in the garden, apart from Infinite Reticence.

Time elapsed slowly but surely as he indulged in his schedules.