In front of the Transmission Hall at the Sandworm Market, Angel met Vay for the first time.
Vay stood motionless on one side of the Transmission Hall in a black hooded robe, looking from afar like a black pillar. It wasn’t until he saw Dox and the others approaching that Vay moved to greet them.
Once they were close, Vay removed his hood and saluted Dox and Angel.
It was only then that Angel got a clear look at Vay’s face.
A head of green curly hair, deep green eyes, a face dotted with freckles, with a youthful look and gaze.
However, being close friends with Dox for many years, it was clear he was well beyond the age of "youth".
After saluting, Vay’s gaze occasionally flicked to Angel, seemingly pondering his identity. As for Kaier, Vay directly ignored him. An apprentice, not worth focusing on.
Angel remained silent, simply nodding politely to Vay, then turned to Kaier and said, "We can set off now."
Kaier understood and nodded, taking the first step into the Transmission Hall to handle the teleportation task.
Though their destination, The Garden Labyrinth, was just next door in the Gumman Kingdom, the kingdom’s vast territory and the ruins being deep within it meant Angel would need at least a day and a half to two days flying at full speed on the Gondola.
Using the Teleportation Array to travel to the Bilun Tree Court Market nearby would only take a few minutes. As for the cost, since Kaier was reimbursing, Angel naturally delighted in the convenience.
While Kaier was handling business, Angel and the others entered the waiting area in the Transmission Hall.
Taking advantage of Angel’s distraction, Vay kept signaling Dox with his eyes, clearly wanting him to introduce Angel’s identity.
Angel now had red hair and golden eyes, a wizard Vay had never seen before.
Dox received Vay’s signals and understood his friend’s intent, yet hesitated, unsure whether to introduce Angel, or how to do so.
As Dox hesitated on how to start, a distinct breathing sound emerged from Vay’s abdomen.
Angel turned, his gaze fixed sharply on Vay’s abdomen.
Vay hesitated for a moment before retrieving a stone tablet from his belt inside the robe. Embedded within the tablet was a nose, the source of the heavy breathing.
And the nose was breathing in Angel’s direction.
After considering, Angel stepped forward and saluted, "Good afternoon, Lord Black Earl."
The breathing from the nose stopped.
Vay closed his eyes and opened them some moments later, saying, "My lord says that the scent of Illusion Demon lingers on you."
Vay actually softened the message; what he really heard was: This little guy’s scent is just like that damned Sanders, definitely related to him, how unfortunate!
Angel smiled knowingly: "Lord Black Earl is indeed correct; Illusion Master is my mentor."
Upon hearing this, Vay immediately recalled Sanders’ various disciples: Flora was female, eliminated; Sumishe was already a True Knowledge Wizard, eliminated; leaving only one answer.
The most renowned, yet enigmatic and inconspicuous new wizard: Angel Pat!
Having guessed the person’s identity, Vay’s expression was truly astonished; he had always assumed Dox’s described leader would be a Wandering Wizard. He hadn’t expected it to be the famous Transcendental Wizard.
"Lord Chaowei." Vay hurriedly bowed.
Angel did not mind Vay’s salute but continued focusing on the nose of Black Earl.
Recalling some entertaining insights Lord Reine had shared about Black Earl, Angel was about to share them when Kaier happened to arrive.
"My lord, it’s all set. The Teleportation Array can be activated now, though two apprentices are also heading to Bilun Tree Court but haven’t found a protector yet..."
Angel withdrew his gaze, turning to Kaier: "Not a problem, with Dox here, we can provide shared protection."
Dox replied irritably, "You could provide protection too, why push it onto me?"
Angel: "It’s an acknowledgment of strength."
Dox paused: "...Fine, I’ll take it."
Arriving at the Teleportation Array, the two apprentices seeking protection were already there, seemingly a couple, affectionately leaning on each other. Only when Angel and the others approached did they separate and respectfully salute the arrival.
Without a protector, apprentices dare not step onto the Teleportation Array lightly.
Angel glanced at them, confirmed they were Second Level apprentices, then focused elsewhere.
Yet Kaier seemed to know them, initiating greetings and a conversation.
From Kaier’s conversations, Angel gathered some information; the pair had shopped at Kaier’s store before, a fleeting acquaintance, prompting Kaier to tactfully inquire about the usability of his products before steering the chat towards their identities and purpose for visiting Bilun Tree Court.
Though Kaier deemed himself discrete, the couple clearly realized they were being probed for information.
Given there was nothing to hide, they feigned ignorance and shared what could be shared.
Originally from Bilun Tree Court, they belonged to a large family there, with their purpose being a return home.
The intel was trivial and unimportant, the noteworthy part was that they were indeed a couple, and also cousins.
Of course, Angel feigned oblivion, while Dox cast a knowing grin at them, clearly daydreaming about a dramatic backstory.
Two minutes later, the Teleportation Array activated.
Dox began his protection, enveloping everyone within a force field to shield against potential spatial disturbance injuries.
Kaier alone stepped beyond protection, reveling in the spatial distortion of teleportation while collecting fragmented Power of Space.
This was normal for the Space Series. As an apprentice, Kaier could only manage this much. If an Official Wizard, they might even dare directly gather Spatial Magic Material during teleportation.
This is the charm of the Wizards’ Realm: three major frameworks, countless branches, and a hundred flowers in bloom. Every wizard in each discipline has their own unique skills.