"I understand." Though he said this, Angel still had some doubts in his heart, but he did not express them at this time.
Angel gently waved his hand to release Speedy from the bracelet.
Speedy was still wearing the heavy alchemy golem shell, and as soon as he appeared, the ground trembled and dust flew up.
Once the dust settled, Angel quickly signaled Speedy to come out of the alchemy golem. But this time, even though Angel called out several times mentally, Speedy did not respond.
It wasn’t until Angel actively reached out and put away the alchemy golem, allowing Speedy to transform into a wisp of invisible wind, that he slowly came to his senses.
"What’s the matter?" Angel asked curiously.
After hesitating for a moment, Speedy offered an answer.
— He sensed something strange about the wind here.
Angel wasn’t surprised by this answer. He released Speedy with the hope that Speedy would study the wind here, and now Speedy spoke about the wind in this space without Angel saying anything, which was a good sign.
Angel conveyed his intention to Speedy.
Without hesitation, Speedy gave a definitive answer.
However, Angel also reminded Speedy mentally: "I haven’t sensed any danger in the wind here yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous for you. Be cautious while researching."
Speedy nodded and transformed into a light breeze, blending with the green forest wind blowing by under Angel’s watch.
Through the contract, Angel carefully sensed and confirmed Speedy’s emotions were stable with no abnormalities, putting his mind at ease.
"Is it your follower you mentioned?" At this moment, Lady Laplace asked floating in mid-air.
Angel nodded: "Yes."
Laplace was silent for a moment: "Then I seem to owe you a parting gift."
Previously, to repay Angel, Laplace gave gifts to all the intelligent beings around him, including Dangross, the Wood Spirit, and Earl Mi.
The only one who didn’t receive a gift was Speedy.
It wasn’t that Laplace forgot about Speedy, but rather at that time, Angel had arranged for Speedy to protect two apprentices.
Laplace did not know that Speedy was Angel’s follower at the time, so naturally, no gift was given.
Earlier, when Angel said he had a wind elemental creature in his space, Laplace thought it was an unknown wind elemental; she did not expect it to be a familiar face.
If it were an unknown wind elemental, Laplace might claim "you didn’t release it at the time" to not fulfill the promise of a gift, but since Speedy was already among them, she couldn’t use this excuse.
And Laplace wasn’t someone who enjoyed quibbles or taking advantage, so since she didn’t give a gift at the time, she owed Angel a gift.
"Don’t worry, a gift is merely a reflection of the heart. If I say it too well, it might become arrogant; if too poorly, it might lose motivation." Angel: "So, it’s no bother."
"Rather than a gift, I’m more curious about what’s happening with these winds. Why do they have various colors?" Angel asked.
Laplace: "Special phenomena of a special place."
"Ah?" Angel didn’t quite understand, looking at Laplace with confusion.
Laplace explained: "I don’t know about the situation with these winds either. When I solidified this space, I also reflected these winds. I researched for a while but found nothing."
"And what I just repeated to you were The Sage’s remarks on these winds. Whether true or not, I cannot guarantee."
The Sage claims these winds are special phenomena of a special place?
From the literal meaning, Angel understood—it’s perhaps inexplicable phenomena occurring in a special location.
Just like when Angel encountered the Ancient Cold Ruins in the Abyss, a place also considered special, unexplained phenomena occur here too. Occasionally, one might hear a summoning whisper beside them, and regardless of how closely watched, they disappear without a trace, never returning.
Although no one has explained the terrifying phenomena at the Ancient Cold Ruins, it has even caused the loss of official wizards. Yet, in emergencies, the Frost Moon Alliance generally chooses the route through the ruins for transporting goods because demons dare not approach it.
As for those who disappeared... there’s no way around it.
And this is what’s meant by "special phenomena of a special place."
However, The Sage’s explanation is too vague; there are many special places with inexplicable phenomena in the world.
Yet, The Sage’s words are not entirely useless. At least Angel learned that this special space reflected a special place.
And this special place is likely what Laplace referred to as: Lost Paradise.
Angel understood heavy curiosity isn’t good, so even though he had doubts, he restrained himself from asking more. He was more concerned about Speedy’s situation.
"These winds shouldn’t be dangerous, right?"
Laplace: "No danger to living things, but for pure elemental creatures without a body, I’m unsure."
Hearing Laplace’s words, Angel pondered for a moment, then directly connected with Speedy.
"How are you now, any danger?"
Speedy’s feedback was complicated, describing the feeling of the wind abstractly, which Angel didn’t understand... The only thing clear was Speedy indicated no danger.
Since there’s no danger, Angel felt relieved. However, he silently decided in his heart that once everything was settled, he must find a teacher for Speedy to train in expression skills.
Elemental creatures like Speedy, who are silent and don’t like speaking, preferring the ease of mind communication, certainly need improvement.
Mind communication might be convenient, but complex situations like now make it difficult to understand Speedy’s expressions.
They still have decades together. For his sake and to help Speedy grow, finding a teacher for language training is imperative.
"What does your elemental creature think about these differently colored winds?" At this point, Laplace’s voice rang in Angel’s ears.