In the distance, a layer of mist rose from the sea.
However, there was already a vast amount of mist surrounding them, so the newly emerging fog didn’t cause any ripples. Until a silhouette appeared within the mist, catching everyone’s attention.
"It seems like someone has drifted over there, is it Lord Ferro?"
"Are you blind? Does that figure look like a man’s? Clearly, it’s a woman."
"In this sea area, how could there be a woman?"
"Who knows, but her right arm seems a bit odd..."
Cindy and the other apprentices exchanged glances, feigning surprise as they spoke.
Their voices reached Reynaud’s ears.
"Drifted person, woman, right arm..." These words rushed into his ears like they triggered a crucial switch, pouring a refreshing stream into his muddled thoughts.
Is it Nausicaa? The question flashed in Reynaud’s mind.
Instinctively, he looked up and gazed towards the mist not far away.
Indeed, just as the others had said, there was a faint silhouette struggling against the sea’s surge, sometimes surfacing for air, sometimes overturned by the waves, like a little boat on the verge of sinking, desperately striving for survival.
Because of the waves’ concealment, Reynaud couldn’t clearly see the person’s face, but the silhouette behind the curtain of water was incredibly familiar.
It’s her, it is her!
"Nausicaa!" The dazed Reynaud suddenly stood up and dashed towards the mist madly, mumbling to himself: "Save her, I have to save her."
The sea submerged Reynaud’s legs, the waves crashed against his glowing soul body, unable to hinder his steps.
He seemed to see a glowing lighthouse, recklessly rushing towards it.
He pushed through layers of mist, crossed one wave after another, using all his strength, finally reaching into the mist. He glimpsed a hint of the silhouette’s true form.
Brown waves of long hair floated on the water, her head drooping, face obscured, but the attire of soft armor and the neck’s curve on the water’s surface, it was Nausicaa’s!
At this moment, Reynaud was merely five or six meters away from "Nausicaa".
He slowly approached, his emotions growing more excited, one step, two steps, one meter, two meters.
As he neared, he didn’t notice that his once muddled eyes began to clear up. The consciousness submerged beneath boundless emotion rose like a morning star, reaching the seat of awareness.
Just then, Reynaud heard a low voice by his ear: "It’s time, do it."
Before Reynaud could react to what was happening, he felt a pair of hands seem to rest on his back.
Then a pure soul force surged in from behind, and his vision instantly turned completely white, as if he had arrived at the mythical sanctuary. The soothing feeling filled his entire soul body, causing him to unconsciously close his eyes, his consciousness like a swimming fish, pursuing that pure soul force...
Meanwhile, in the real world—
Reynaud hadn’t stepped onto the sea, nor was there any silhouette on the sea. He merely closed his eyes as if in sleep.
It was all a phantasm, even Nausicaa’s appearance was an illusion woven by Angel to stimulate Reynaud’s slumbering consciousness.
About two minutes later, Nis withdrew his hand and let out a long breath: "Alright, his consciousness has returned to its place. If all goes well, he should regain clarity when he awakens."
Angel used illusion to stimulate Reynaud, while Nis guided Reynaud’s soul.
Nis paused, his eyes slightly sagging: "But I really lost a lot this time, using up more than half a month’s soul force to awaken his consciousness. It’s like I’ve been practicing in vain for half a month."
Though he said that, Nis wasn’t truly saddened.
He was constantly pondering why Dororo had called him over. His interpretation wasn’t much different from Angel’s; perhaps Dororo had seen an opportunity relevant to him here.
Opportunities also have levels.
To Nis, many opportunities seemed insignificant, nothing compared to the Quest World’s coordinates within the stone slab.
Dororo knew well that Nis was deciphering the Quest World’s coordinates within the slab yet still suggested he come here; this might mean the opportunity here is at least as valuable as the coordinates.
And such an opportunity might be one that could impact his entire life.
What kind of opportunity could reach such a level? Nis could only think of one... related to the path of True Knowledge.
Though it was just a guess, it didn’t hinder his excitement. If the opportunity here could truly lead him to the path of True Knowledge, he wouldn’t mind sacrificing half a lifetime’s soul force, let alone half a month’s.
While Nis was lost in thought, Reynaud’s eyelids in the distance began to tremble.
"He seems to be waking up!" the chubby apprentice exclaimed.
"Didn’t I tell you not to speak? Then don’t speak." the purple-robed apprentice retorted casually.
In the past, the chubby apprentice might have argued back, but now with two Official Wizards present, he dared not say more and obediently shut his mouth.
However, his outburst drew Angel and Nis to focus their gaze on Reynaud.
After trembling for several seconds, Reynaud finally opened his eyes slowly.
At first, Reynaud’s gaze was still in chaos, making the surrounding apprentices anxious, but the chaotic gaze didn’t last long, clearing up in a matter of seconds.
"Nausicaa, I just saw Nausicaa!" The moment Reynaud’s gaze became clear, he stood up and rushed towards the sea.
Yet before he could step off Reef Island, Nis blocked his way.
Nis grinned and said: "You just had a dream."
Was it a dream? Reynaud’s expression froze, and his eyes turned vacant once more.