Chapter 158: Hope
The Larr Mountains, in the dead of winter. The heavy snow, combined with the extreme cold air howling from the central wind tunnel, made the entire mountain range exceptionally frigid.
The mirror image Ace was busy tending to the small, migrating company. Dozens of ordinary people and several Lesser Wizard Apprentices had fallen ill in the bitter cold. Most suffered from varying degrees of frostbite, some had sustained fractures from falling, and a few had underlying conditions triggered by the cold and weakness.
“Thank you, Great Torch-Bearer. I feel much better thanks to your potion.”
“Torch-Bearer, my chest is still tight. Am I going to die?”
“Your Excellency the Torch-Bearer, my heart hurts so badly! It feels like a knife is twisting inside!”
…
Ace worked frantically, treating them. Although his medical skill was relatively good, and he possessed tools like Ultrasound Perception and Insight Perception, he could not save every life. Despite his best efforts, several ordinary people were permanently left behind in the snowy mountains.
Fortunately, the Lesser Wizard Apprentices possessed stronger physical constitutions than ordinary people. With Ace’s timely treatment, they survived the severe illnesses and were slowly recovering.
“Everyone gather! Come closer! Let’s surround the Great Torch-Bearer!” Daina organized the crowd, forming concentric circles around Ace. Once everyone was in position, Ace activated the Soul Spell Advanced Magical Trickery.
“Fire · Constant Temperature · Mana-Crystal · Ultra Large Protection Membrane!”
Accompanied by the pulse of Mana, Ace spoke the incantation in a unique language. A massive Protection Membrane, carrying the effect of constant temperature, began to form three meters above Ace’s head. With his incantation and gesture, the entire Membrane swiftly materialized, enveloping the crowd.
The membrane radiated a faint reddish glow. A small amount of unstable fire element was distributed within it, creating a constant, normal temperature.
Ace did not stop. He continued chanting, pointing his hand at several spots on the membrane.
“Mana-Crystal · Circular Vents!”
Accompanied by the incantation, small circular vents opened in the Mana-Crystal Protection Membrane for ventilation. With the crowd packed inside the ultra-large Mana-Crystal Protection Membrane, Ace transformed the Monster corpses, which had been turned into buttons, back to their original form.
Daina rushed forward and used the Mana Crystal Shaping spell to create several Mana Crystal knives. She skillfully skinned and gutted the Monsters. Their cooperation was seamless, as if they were back on their journey to the Northern Marches.
Ace inscribed a Scorching Rune Array onto the ground, channeling Mana into it. The entire Rune Array burned like a furnace, searing the blocks of meat and making sizzling sounds.
Donna quietly approached Ancestar. The young woman, with her charming innocence and naturally soft red hair, was dressed in an exquisite lady’s skirt. Her boots were leather. Her skirt was dirty and worn from the flight.
Donna looked at the handsome and melancholic Ancestar, swallowed, and inhaled the aroma of the roasting meat.
“Knight Ancestar! I am so happy to see you again. You are still so melancholic, so charming.”
Donna appeared before Ancestar, her face slightly flushed. She nervously touched her fingers together and said happily.
“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Donna.” Ancestar replied courteously.
“I never thought you were also a Wizard Apprentice! No, I should have realized it sooner. You are so powerful and gentle. I… I still like you!” Donna had always been passionate and often had crushes, but this time, she felt she was truly in love.
Now a Wizard Apprentice herself, she had feared she would never see Ancestar again. Finding him here, she felt it was a destined coincidence, like an epic tale.
Arno and Ollie exchanged a glance, their expressions showing immense curiosity.
“Melancholy Uncle, aren’t you going to introduce us?” Arno said with a hint of mischief.
“This is Miss Donna. Stop thinking nonsense!” Ancestar hesitated, carefully choosing his words, and said slowly.
“Although it is rude to say this to a lady who favors me, I am too old. I am not suitable for you. You should find a handsome young man your own age. I merely regard you as a niece.”
Just as Donna looked hurt and slightly awkward, Betty set down Apprentice Model 1 and rushed over, staring at Ancestar:
“How could you reject a lady like that! Age is not a barrier! Height is not a barrier! As long as two people want to be together, there is no problem!”
“Don’t mind him. Come chat with us. Tell us how you met Ancestar!” Ollie pulled Donna to sit with Betty and the others. They immediately started chatting excitedly.
Ancestar looked at them with a hint of envy and helplessness. His eyes were melancholic, as if he were reminiscing about someone.
On the other side, Bayen was discussing something with Warren.
“Mr. Bayen, I still don’t quite understand this irrational inequality. How do you model it using graph functions?” Warren, having discovered Bayen’s proficiency in mathematics, relentlessly pursued him with questions.
“It’s like this: you must first draw an auxiliary line here…” Bayen looked at the knowledge-thirsty Warren with appreciation. Although Warren’s mathematical talent was ordinary, he possessed genuine intellectual curiosity and perseverance. Even if he couldn’t achieve great things in mathematics, he could certainly lay a solid foundation.
During this month-long journey, Warren had gradually earned the nickname “Warren the Great Question Mark” among the Wizard Apprentices. This was not entirely a compliment.
Most of the Wizard Apprentices yearned for power. They cared more about the nature of runes and how to construct powerful rune structures.
Warren, however, constantly asked why a certain rune had a particular nature or why a certain structure was viable. His questions often left many apprentices speechless, making them keep their distance from him.
Ace, watching the lively crowd inside the Mana-Crystal Protection Membrane, felt a surge of warmth. Indeed, it is only among people that one finds the core of what it means to be human.
The choice the host body made might have been flawed. The host body should have retained his human emotions, and his current projection shouldn’t be so detached.
Ace spread salt onto the sizzling meat roasting over the fire. He then chanted a spell, dividing the roasted meat among everyone. Watching them feast, he smiled genuinely.
It is truly rewarding to be able to help others and be trusted by them.
In a few more days, they would reach the nameless valley. It was time for the host body to rejoin the company, rediscover the beauty of the mortal world, and reclaim his emotions and self-identity. As for solving the problem of the Abyssal Whispering, he finally had an idea.
Chaotic and evil Abyssal beings are immune to mental control spells. Ace used the Mechanized Mind to make them act somewhat normally. Could he not modify this spell to create a spell specifically for counteracting the influence of the whispering, or even create a Magic Item?
Ace pondered this, unconsciously chewing on the roasted meat Daina had handed him.
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