âBig brother doesnât know the ending eitherâŠ" Hua Que hung her head in dejection.
Although this special stage play was a bit scary, especially the sound effects combining with the sudden visual shocks that often startled Hua Que, after experiencing this stage play, Hua Que didnât feel uncomfortable. Instead, she began to miss that wonderful aftertaste.
It was a rare treat to see a stage play she liked, yet not be able to know the ending, which Hua Que found very regrettable. Moreover, she really wanted to know what that piece of sky Alex pursuedâthe world beyond the cageâlooked like?
If she did as Angel said and used her precognitive abilities to investigate⊠Hua Que wasnât actually opposed to it, but her ability to foresee was somewhat hard to control.
And she didnât know if she could see the ending?
On the other hand, Popota, who was worldly and knowledgeable, found the story of this special stage play just okay in his eyes. However, the prominence of the music and visuals, combined with the fact that Popota had never seen such artistic expression used to perform a stage play, left him shocked as well.
But compared to Hua Queâs fixation on Alexâs ending, Popota was more interested in what conclusion befell the self-proclaimed Time-Space Traveler.
In this special stage play, this Time-Space Traveler, whose face was unseeable, shrouded in a strange radiance.
As a live plug-in for the protagonist Alex, he ended his short journey in a heroic manner.
Where did the Time-Space Traveler finally return to? What was his ending? If, as Angel said, this is a true story, then who does the Time-Space Traveler represent?
Popota voiced his confusion openly.
Angel laughed it off: âWhen I heard the story, I didnât ask about its ending. But, the Time-Space Traveler, just the name itself sounds amazing, doesnât it? A sorcerer that transcends dimensions, a traveler who roams through time and space. Maybe he is everywhere, maybe he is also beyond the confines of time and space, quietly listening to your doubts.â
Angelâs explanation was vague, and naturally, Popota listened in confusion.
However, as Hua Que listened with pricked ears to Angelâs joking remarks, she suddenly had an epiphany.
Her special ability, dormant within her Soul Body, slowly stirred from the abyss. As this power activated, a vision flashed before her eyes.
The content of the vision was a blurry figure.
The Time-Space Traveler, whose features were unseen, cloaked in brilliance, stood silently against the backlight. He bowed his head and whispered to a startled Alex, âIf one day you can leave the cage, perhaps we will have the chance to meet again.â
This scene was part of the special stage play.
Based on the image alone, there was no change at all. But when she added the voice, Hua Que paused for a moment.
This voice was not the voice of the Time-Space Traveler from the special stage playâthis clear and melodious male voice, she was all too familiar withâŠ
Hua Que looked hesitantly towards Angel, who was smiling not far away.
Perhaps feeling Hua Queâs gaze, Angel turned his head and asked, âWhat is it?â
The voice was gentle and pure, pleasing to the ear.
Hua Que was momentarily confused, but the next second, she was instantly clear-headed, a radiant smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
âItâs nothing. I just think big brotherâs words are very true. A traveler who roams through time and space must be an incredibly powerful existence! And I believe that his ending must be a good oneâhe is so powerful, he will surely embark on a new journey beyond time and space!â
Hua Queâs sudden intense agreement not only further confused the already bewildered Popota but caused the boastful Angel to blush slightly.
Angel coughed twice to pass off his discomfort in expression: âCough cough⊠have you managed to see Alexâs ending with your ability?â
Hua Que shook her head: âI havenât seen it yet, but if I do see the final ending, I will find a way to inform big brother no matter what.â
Angel: âActually, I am just a little curious; whether or not I know the result isnât important, you donât need to go to such trouble.â
But Hua Que insisted: âThis is also the regret of the Time-Space Traveler. Maybe one day big brother will meet the Time-Space Traveler, and then he can tell him about Alexâs ending!â
Angel always felt there was an underlying message in Hua Queâs words, but after all, it was Hua Queâs kindness, and Angel wouldnât refuse it. He stroked Hua Queâs hair, smiling: âAlright, Iâll wait for your news.â
With that matter concluded, Angel packed up the âCage of Shadowsââwhich was the equipment for playing the special stage play.
Angel, looking at the two still immersed in the aftertaste of the stage play, was actually quite pleased with himself. It seemed that this attempt of his had not been too bad; the scene transitions, the impact of the camera, and the integration of music had been quite effective.
Perhaps in the future, he could open an immersive drama theatre in the Wilderness of Dreams that would surely be extremely popular.
âSo, after such a fantastic performance, do you feel more relaxed now?â Angel looked towards the siblings who were still whispering and discussing the plot.
âNot at all,â Popota turned his head, his complexion paler than after a night of staying up. The stage playâs occasional scares aside, the curiosity about the ending completely captivated Popotaâs thoughts, leaving no room for relaxation.
âThatâs a real pity,â Angel said offhandedly, his expression showing no sign of regret, âSince youâre not relaxed, then weâll have to continue with work. I just sensed that the egg in the insect nest seems to have signs of hatching.â
Angelâs words instantly shifted the expressions of both Popota and Hua Que. Although their minds were still partially on the special stage play, the most pressing matter was the egg; they had been working towards this moment for many days!
All the people present turned their attention to the insect nest.
In a small room next to the mother bug was a special egg, sticky and connected to a viscous tube. This tube, which linked to the mother bug, was specially designed to supply the egg with nutrients.
The reason itâs considered special is because other insect eggs, within the motherâs body, have an excess of nutrients. However, this insect egg, even after being born, still lacked a significant amount of nutrients, which led to it not only being soaked in Axoâs essence blood but also having a special nutrient tube inserted into it.
This insect egg, until not long ago, had not shown any signs of life, much like a dead egg.
But a few minutes ago, Angelâs spiritual power perception, which he had been keeping within the nest, detected a slight movement from this insect egg. At the same time, a small crack appeared on the eggshell.
As everyoneâs attention was focused on the eggshell, the crack grew larger.
With the widening of the crack, an extremely faint âpopâ sound reached everyoneâs ears. The nutrient tube that had been attached to the egg now slowly fell off.
And where the nutrient tube had fallen off, there appeared a small opening.
Following the appearance of the small opening, a strange pliant worm finally crawled out slowly.
âHuh?â Popota: âThe shape and color of this pliant worm are so strange; it looks likeâŠâ
Could it be that it wasnât the Transforming Soft-bodied Insect they were expecting?
The pliant worm before them was the most bizarrely shaped of all the pliant worms they had hatched. The previous Phantom Limb Pliant Worm, at least, looked like an insect, but this one looked like a blob of thick snot.
With its greenish gummy color and limp form, had it not been moving, it would have been mistaken for some disgusting viscous fluid.
Popota had seen pictures of Transforming Soft-bodied Insects, and this blob looked nothing like them.
This blob instead resembled the initial appearance of a pliant wormâs mother at birth. Surely they hadnât hatched a mother, had they? But that wouldnât be right; pliant worms arenât social creatures. Besides, this blob was at least twenty times smaller than a mother pliant worm at birth.
âIs it another failure?â Disappointment flashed in Popotaâs eyes as he turned to look at Hua Que.
There was a contemplative look in Hua Queâs eyes: âSomethingâs strange.â
Angel: âWhatâs strange?â
âThe form itâs taking now isnât what I saw in the vision.â What Hua Que referred to as âthe visionâ she âsawâ was actually the premonition she had observed.
Considering for a moment, Angel said, âItâs not necessarily a failure. The Transforming Soft-bodied Insect is named âTransformingâ precisely because it implies that it can transform at will. The images of Transforming Soft-bodied Insects youâve seen might just be what they choose to present to humans, which might not reflect their true form.â
Popota: âAre you suggesting that this blob of snot is the true form of the Transforming Soft-bodied Insect?â
Angel: âI donât know. Maybe itâs just emulating the shape of the mother worm, but we can perform a stress test.â
âŠ
Sanders was alone in the study, his hair as meticulously combed as ever. Sitting before a fireplace teeming with flame spirits, he was quietly reading a hardcover book.
When Angel arrived, this was the scene he encountered.
âThese past few days youâve been at the testing ground, Kimberly has been mentioning you daily,â Sanders said, lifting his head to look at Angel.
âWhat about?â Angel sat down opposite Sanders at his gesture.
âI heard that Kimberly has been pestered by inquiries sent through Black Castleâs correspondents from various magazines, all asking about your promotion. Itâs driven her to the edge, so much that sheâs completely cut off contact with the outside world,â explained Sanders.
Kimberly wasnât one to meddle in othersâ affairs, and now with Isabella in isolation and recuperation, she had no choice but to shoulder the responsibilities of Black Castle. The castle was already in dire need of reconstruction, which was enough of a hassle for her; the addition of these repetitive inquiries made it understandable for her to complain.
âDid she say anything?â
âNo. She said she would not overstep her bounds. Anyway, once you show up, things will settle down,â Sanders said.
Angel nodded. As long as he could determine the nature of the pliant worm, he should, barring any unexpected circumstances, accept the task from Headmistress Muse. Once he made an appearance at the New Star Competition, many questions would naturally be resolved.
âWhat brings you to me today? Ready to share your findings from the testing ground?â Sanders put down the book, a playful smile tugging at his lips. âOr perhaps youâre here for a fight, to showcase the residual effects of your spell invention?â
Angel gave a wry smile, âMy Gate of Void is only really useful in combat for spatial displacement, which you forced me to demonstrate before⊠Iâm still puzzled by the new characteristic, quite befuddled, really. But, I can almost certainly say itâs a kind of supportive functional Spell Technique.â
Sanders scrutinized Angel carefully, certain he wasnât lying: âThe Gate of Void, did you name it?â
âYes.â Angel looked at Sanders, waiting for his evaluation.
Sanders pondered for a moment: âIt seems that fate is still fair.â
Angel: â????â
âWhile you have great talent, your aesthetic sense for urban planning and ability to name things could be⊠questioned,â said Sanders.
Angel: âIâm just pragmatic.â
With a mischievously curved mouth, Sanders said, âI havenât forgotten your nickname from the Sky Tower days. Need me to spread the word for you?â
âLetâs not,â Angel coughed twice, cleared his throat, and forcibly steered the conversation back: âI came to see Mentor because of the pliant worm. The new pliant worm has hatched, but we are still unable to determine its identity.â
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