Summoned creatures of Summoning Wizards are a very unique kind of existence in the Wizards’ Realm. Its uniqueness can basically be summarized into two points:
First, summoned creatures come in all shapes and sizes, big, small, living, dead, organic, and inorganic. Among these, the inanimate objects make up the majority. Even if they are lifeless, if used properly, they can be of great use.
Second, it relates to the origins of the summoned creatures. The mainstream method is for Summoning Wizards to find suitable summoned creatures and sign a contract with them. But there are also some non-mainstream methods, which involve random summoning through a summoning ritual.
This is like drawing a blind box; as long as there is a willing respondent, they can be summoned. However, this method has significant drawbacks, mainly because inanimate objects are more likely to be summoned as they basically do not resist; and the utility of inanimate objects is limited, so if they are useless once summoned, it’s essentially a waste of precious materials.
Even if strong summoned creatures are brought forth, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can sign a contract with them, and there is also a chance of backlash.
Therefore, this kind of random summoning is essentially a gamble, mostly chosen by Summoning Wizards who have compelling reasons.
However, there are exceptions. The Academy Faction wizards enjoy using random summoning, not for battle, but to witness various different groups, which also enriches the research of species.
Because only about a ten-thousandth of the Otherworld, where the summoned creatures reside, is known to wizards; most of it comes from unknown domains.
Moreover, even if it’s a well-known domain, it doesn’t necessarily summon known creatures.
So, summoned creatures that appear randomly sometimes cannot be judged with common knowledge.
From the known definitions of summoned creatures, Otherworld summoned creatures are considered "infinite," while wizard’s knowledge about them is "finite." Measuring infinity with finiteness is inherently unreasonable, so it is normal for some anomalies to appear occasionally among the summoned creatures.
The black-faced sheep might just belong to this category.
Vay’s speculation isn’t without reason, at least Dox kept nodding after hearing it. But at this point, the Black Earl gave a negative.
"As long as they are summoned from the Otherworld, whether living or dead, they will be tainted with Otherworldly aura, which is an aura that is incompatible with the Southern Domain Wizard World. If you have ever visited the gray trading market of Pan-Dimensional Plane creatures, or the Loren Bill on Lujima, you can sense this aura being rejected by the World Will on those Otherworld entities."
"Even if the aura is concealed through Inscription, if you carefully discern, you can still sense something odd."
The odd aura the Black Earl mentioned is something Angel is all too familiar with, as it was this aura that caused Jon’s predicament.
The Black Earl said, "I can smell it; they are not from Otherworld."
The Black Earl currently has only a nose, but his nose is the most sensitive one at present, definitely reaching the level of a peak Southern Domain wizard. Since the Black Earl dares to give such a definitive answer, he must be confident. This also means Vay’s guess is wrong.
But since they are not summoned creatures, nor are they Otherworldly beings, and it’s unclear if they are tangible or intangible, it’s quite odd.
Just where did these four black-faced sheep come from?
As Angel analyzed this, he suddenly thought of Toby, far away on the Illusion Demon Island, undergoing training under Greya. Toby, as a created lifeform, could also be considered a rootless existence.
Could it be... that these four black-faced sheep are also creations?
Angel found it hard to believe. Greya’s Creation Magic was so phenomenal that it startled the entire Southern Domain Wizard Realm, and even she has only managed to create one sentimental lifeform so far: Toby.
Judging from the previous conversation with the Shepherd, these four black-faced sheep also belong to the realm of sentient beings. If they were creations, such a number emerging all at once is too overwhelming.
Setting aside this unrealistic thought of creations, let’s return to the original question posed by the Black Earl: What is Speedy doing?
Why isn’t Speedy attacking these four black-faced sheep? Could it be that Speedy has discerned the origins of these sheep?
Or has Speedy been subtly incapacitated by the abilities of the four black-faced sheep, hence forced into inaction?
Perhaps it is only Speedy who can ultimately provide an answer to this perplexity concerning these four black-faced sheep.
But since Speedy isn’t even listening to Vay’s command now, obtaining an immediate answer is impossible.
Angel could contact Speedy directly through their contract, but doing so now would essentially mean directly interfering with the duel. The Wise Sovereign will surely not turn a blind eye, so Angel must wait for the duel to end.
What comforted Angel amid all these happenings was that the trump cards he left for Kaier were still sufficient.
Although Speedy was specially arranged to help Kaier deal with the Shepherd, it doesn’t mean other trump cards are useless. Even though Speedy is now down, Kaier, as long as he utilizes the other trump cards, can at least ensure his standing on an unbeaten ground.
But to achieve victory may depend on his performance... after all, the Shepherd’s strength is not lacking.
...
On the arena stage, after being engaged closely by the Shepherd, Kaier didn’t panic.
Through a few brief encounters, Kaier understood the Shepherd’s strategy.
The Shepherd’s close combat abilities were quite formidable, and with Wind’s Force augmenting him, both his speed and power were greatly enhanced. Especially the significant increase in reaction speed gave Kaier the illusion as if he were battling a Bloodline Apprentice.
The vicinity was almost entirely filled with the Shepherd’s afterimages— a result of his astonishing speed.
Through swift close-range strikes, the Shepherd continually launched targeted attacks towards Vay. His target was clear, focusing entirely on Vay’s Power of Space.
Whenever there was a leak of Power of Space from Vay, the Shepherd would quickly attack.
Releasing space series abilities inherently requires concentration and is more challenging compared to other branches, with greater backlash risk. With every attack from the Shepherd, Vay must evade to prevent mishaps and avoid backlash, thus disrupting his spellcasting.
The Shepherd, through this strategy, kept blocking Kaier’s path.
Kaier was well aware that continuing in this manner was extremely disadvantageous to him.
Without Speedy’s response, and finding it hard to break through, Kaier made a decisive decision, pulling out another trump card given by Angel.
Kaier reached his hand into the void, and under everyone’s gaze, pulled out a gray-black robe.
The robe was crafted very simply, with hardly any adornment.
But as Kaier wore the robe, a wave of astonishment arose from the spectator area.