Two days later, the second underground level of the ruins.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway, accompanied by a rich milk scent wafting through the air.
Angel, who had been hunched over researching, sniffed the air inquisitively and raised his head to look towards the door of the study.
In less than two seconds, a knock sounded at the door.
Angel frowned, retracting the green patterns that pulsated on his right eye, right hand, and right forearm, then he covered the handbook on the table with a magazine before speaking, "Please come in."
The lock on the door automatically disengaged.
A petite figure pushed the door open, carrying a strangely shaped plate, and walked in.
Angel lifted his head and looked at the newcomer.
It was a petite witch, slightly taller than the desk, wearing a long dress with colorful mushroom patterns. Her porcelain doll-like flawless features were slightly marred by heavy dark circles under her eyes, resembling smoky eye makeup, disrupting the overall ambiance.
"Regina," Angel greeted softly.
The visitor was indeed "Mushroom Witch" Regina, who had been in the laboratory on the third underground level of the ruins, researching mushrooms like the Mist from Duling Garden.
"No need for such formality, just call me Regina," she said, placing the oddly shaped plate on the table. "I heard from Tree Spirit that you’ve returned, so I came to see you. These are fresh milkwater mushrooms I’ve cultivated, with a sweet cream flavor, which can be served as a dessert. Tree Spirit mentioned you might like them after he tried them, so I specifically brought them for you to taste."
Angel looked at the dozens of pure white mushrooms on the plate, resembling little desserts, but remained silent.
He wasn’t sure how to respond—refusing seemed impolite, as Regina presumably meant well without any teasing intentions; accepting would expose his personal tastes, not that it was anything significant, but Angel felt a bit embarrassed.
"Hmm? Don’t you like them?" Regina asked, puzzled.
"...Thank you." After a moment’s hesitation, Angel accepted Regina’s kind gesture.
Regina raised an eyebrow, seemingly understanding Angel’s internal conflict, her lips curling slightly. However, she was sensible and did not dwell on the topic of milkwater mushrooms, instead directing her gaze to Angel’s side.
There rested a magazine titled "Metal Dance."
Regina had never heard of this magazine, but did not think much of it, assuming it was some unknown gossip publication. Her gaze was more focused on the densely scribbled handbook beneath "Metal Dance."
"Looks like you’re working, I won’t disturb you further." Regina yawned, then turned to head towards the door.
As Regina reached the doorway, she turned around and asked, "By the way, did Portia contact you recently?"
Angel shook his head, "No."
Regina nodded, "That’s good, I’ll be going then."
With that, Regina didn’t linger, briskly exiting the room. Angel listened to her hurried footsteps descending the stairs back to the laboratory. Soon, the sound of clattering instruments echoed from the lab, indicating Regina’s enthusiasm for research exceeded even Angel’s.
Still, Regina made time to see him.
Angel figured his charm was certainly no match for mushrooms in Regina’s eyes; her visit was probably motivated by concerns regarding Portia.
After all... Portia was involved in researching forbidden techniques. As Portia’s friend, Regina’s worry was understandable.
Angel exhaled, dismissing further thoughts, and uncovered the "Metal Dance" magazine over the handbook, ready to continue studying the green pattern structure provided earlier by the Dalmatian.
Yet, this time, after studying for a while, Angel found his concentration waning.
After several moments, Angel slowly lifted his head, directing his gaze to the plate on the desk.
After hesitating repeatedly, Angel finally reached out his hand, reasoning, "I’ve been focusing on research these past days; it has probably drained my mental energy, hence the difficulty in concentration... I need a nutritional supplement, yes, a supplement."
Having found himself an excuse, Angel contentedly bit into the juicy and flavorful milkwater mushroom.
The narrow study instantly filled with a faint milk fragrance, the air seemingly turning slightly sweet.
While Angel enjoyed his delightful afternoon snack, his chewing momentarily paused as an unfamiliar sensation emanated from the depths of his Mind Space, transmitted by the Authority Tree, representing the "Gatekeeper" Authority.
"A newcomer has entered the Wilderness of Dreams," Angel promptly interpreted the significance of the ripple.
Since Angel had handed over a large number of Log-in Devices to Lord Rhein, he had paid less attention to newcomers entering the Wilderness of Dreams, as that period saw daily influxes. However, the Log-in Devices given to Lord Rhein were limited, and after distribution and consumption, fewer newcomers were logging in these past days.
Thus, Angel had reactivated the ripple alert for "newcomers entering the Wilderness of Dreams."
While there’s the risk of interruptions, compared to being disturbed, he still firmly decided to supervise every new entrant to the Wilderness of Dreams. After all, he’d previously handed Log-in Devices to the Observer and the Dalmatian; these two were significant figures, and should they enter the Wilderness of Dreams, Angel would need to meet them immediately.
Even while researching the green pattern these past two days, as soon as he sensed the Gatekeeper’s Authority alert, Angel would prioritize the visitor.
This time was no exception.
Angel settled his mind, viewing through the Gatekeeper’s Authority at a pitch-black and narrow passage.
This was a brand new Dream Bridge.
At the end of the Dream Bridge lies the gate to the Wilderness of Dreams.
Soon, a thin figure appeared on one side of the Dream Bridge. It was an elderly man with gentle eyes, dressed in a wizard robe embroidered with the dark pattern of Lanwei flowers, with a small curly beard and white eyebrows hanging down to his chest.
Seeing the visitor, Angel breathed a slight sigh of relief.
It was neither the Observer nor the Dalmatian. The visitor was the head of the House of Lilith, Kanter of the Night.
Angel had already heard from the Tree Spirit yesterday that Wizard Kanter was with Sanders and had also gone to the Tidal World. At this time, he had not yet left the Tidal World.
Now, Kanter had entered the Wilderness of Dreams again, presumably because Sanders used the Nightmare Illusion Dream Technique to bring him in.
Angel sensed the situation inside the Wilderness of Dreams, and sure enough, Sanders was online.
Although Kanter was not a wizard of the Barbarian Cave, his House of Lilith and Illusion Demon Island had a contractual relationship, and he himself was a close friend of Sanders. Since Sanders had already agreed to let Kanter in, Angel naturally did not object.