However, Angel’s well-laid plans fell through.
When Magu brought Dangross over and explained the situation, Dangross initially showed a defiant attitude, refusing to participate, leading Angel to consider having Magu appoint another guide. But Dangross didn’t maintain its standoffish stance for long. Soon enough, it completely changed its mind, appearing as if to say, "Since you’ve pleaded so desperately and need me, I’ll condescend to agree."
Once Dangross agreed, its previous aloof and standoffish demeanor transformed into that of a sycophant. Its new target of flattery was naturally Toby, who was perched on Angel’s shoulder.
It showered Toby with compliments, as if they cost nothing.
Seeing Dangross like this, Angel understood that its earlier pretentious stance was purely a bluff. Because with Toby here, the likelihood of it agreeing was already over seventy percent.
Moreover, Dangross had been avoiding Duroche for days, feeling quite repressed. With Magu’s orders allowing it to leave openly, why would it refuse?
Angel sighed and thought, since things have come to this, let’s just go with it for now. At least, as a tool, Dangross was qualified.
"When are you planning to leave, sir?" Magu asked at that moment.
Angel showed a hint of hesitation in his eyes before replying, "Tomorrow, I guess."
Magu smiled and nodded, not pressing further.
Seeing that Magu and magic fire Midir had no more to say, Angel prepared to bid farewell.
When Angel expressed his intention to leave, magical fire Midir and Magu exchanged a glance, and finally, Magu said slowly, "Please wait a moment."
Angel looked over, puzzled.
Magu didn’t immediately explain but closed his eyes. After a few seconds, a beam of fire slowly descended from the elemental core alight in the ceiling, resembling a small sun.
The beam eventually landed in Magu’s hand, transforming into a fiery red crystal about the size of a baby’s fist.
At this moment, magical fire Midir stood up and pointed his index finger toward the fiery red crystal. A black magical fire covered it, as if it was now armored in black.
Magu handed over the crystal, now black and red, saying, "We’ve seen in ’The World of Wizards’ that wizards strictly adhere to the principle of equivalent exchange. Since you’ve left these Shadow Boxes for us, we can’t leave it unacknowledged. After discussing with His Highness, we decided to present you with a crystallized form of our core flames, as a form of exchange."
Although Angel was hearing of core fire crystals for the first time, just by observing its structure, he could guess its general uses. This is the ultimate compression of two special types of fire, capable of being activated as a means of attack, used to fuel special fires for support, or simply kept for research purposes on fire.
This crystal contained both the fire of Magu and magical fire Midir, making it immensely valuable.
Angel, tempted by its allure, ultimately waved it away, declining: "It’s unnecessary. Spreading the Shadow Boxes to other Element Lords already aligns with my goals. In strict terms, this doesn’t count as an equivalent exchange."
Just as Magu was about to say something, Angel continued:
"If Mr. Magu and His Highness genuinely want to regard this as an equivalent exchange, then consider this: when more human wizards enter the Tidal World in the future, cast aside stubborn biases and seriously consider the deals proposed by the organization I represent."
With that, Angel nodded, without another glance at the crystal, turned, and left the classroom.
Inside the classroom, Magu and magical fire Midir exchanged a long, deep sigh but did not follow him.
Elsewhere, Angel walked some distance after leaving the classroom and then halted.
"Wait for me—" Dangross, panting heavily, used its four fingers to hurriedly catch up to Angel, clutching at his pant leg.
Angel paused for a moment, then picked up Dangross.
Angel glanced at Toby on his left shoulder: "Should I put it up here?"
Dangross couldn’t keep running on the ground forever, nor could holding it up with Magic Power-Hand be anything but ostentatious, so Angel decided to just place it on the shoulder. After all, there was already one burden there, adding another wouldn’t matter much.
Though the shoulder was Angel’s, Toby considered it its domain, so Angel sought its permission first.
Seeing the hopeful look on Dangross’s face, Toby ultimately shook its head, indicating no.
Angel thought for a moment, then placed Dangross on a teardrop-shaped bead outside the Blood Night Shelter cloak, gesturing at it to hold on tight.
Even though Toby still felt slightly annoyed, it accepted this compromise since Dangross wasn’t on the shoulder.
With Dangross settled, Angel continued walking, occasionally asking, "Do you know where Kelonkcro is?"
Dangross pointed towards an alleyway, saying without suspicion, "Go that way."
Angel immediately changed course, intending to use this last day to build some rapport with Kelonkcro.
Time flew by as Angel stayed in Kelonkcro’s room for over four hours. Only when night fell did he leave.
Angel initially thought, with his departure tomorrow, he should directly express his intentions to Kelonkcro and let it choose. But after contemplating further, he decided against it, realizing from Kelonkcro’s current attitude, leaving with him was not likely.
Not wanting to give up on Kelonkcro, Angel decided to wait more.
After all, Kelonkcro, being an Elemental Sprite, wouldn’t leave the Region of Fire anytime soon. He could search for the "treasure" left by Feng and slowly wear down its defenses upon returning.
During their departure, Dangross, perched on Blood Night Shelter, curiously asked, "Why are you so interested in Kelonkcro’s talent?"
Angel didn’t answer aloud, because his interest extended beyond just Kelonkcro’s talent.
Dangross, indifferent to Angel’s silence, continued self-absorbedly: "Honestly, I think Kelonkcro’s talent is amazing too. I wish I had such powerful offensive talents, but mine is just a useless barrier."
For quite some time, Dangross talked about Kelonkcro’s talents, before shifting to self-pity regarding its own talent.
Angel didn’t interrupt its monologue.
Throughout the entire session, Angel couldn’t help but think that Dangross wasn’t just lacking in one or two aspects.
While Kelonkcro’s self-detonation was strong, its ceiling was clearly visible. However, Dangross’s defensive barrier could be used by other fiery beings. The more powerful the creature, the higher the Energy Level of the barrier. Though its lower limit might be low, its upper limit was extremely high.
Additionally, attack and defense shouldn’t be mixed together.
Yet this guy had never considered these aspects, only straightforwardly envying others for having offensive means.
Angel had nothing to say to that.