Kobold Wizard's Journal

Chapter 277 Opportunity and Exchange

The sky in the nightmare world changes as usual, with a normal and orderly side amidst endless irrationality. But in seemingly normal corners, strange things are presented to everyone. So-called miracles, from another perspective, are extraordinary things that transcend common sense.

Before Ruger, the petite girl looked at the roaring campfire and the wildly flickering flames, a perfectly measured smile on her lips while tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

The girl didn't speak again, and neither did Ruger or Leiden.

In the eerie atmosphere, the two of them kept their heads down and did what they were doing.

Ruger lowered his head in thought. He felt that, in this strange atmosphere, the petite girl sitting diagonally opposite him seemed more human, with an indescribable feeling, as if she were more real.

In fact, he was already very certain of the answer in his heart.

He lowered his head, lost in thought.

Perhaps she was more willing to give up than anyone imagined, even to a degree that her true self hadn't anticipated. It was a resolute determination and courage she had pondered alone for countless years, and she knew that she only had one chance, just this once. Compared to defeating, or rather preventing, the resurgence of her true self, what she wanted was rebirth, and she devoted more of her energy to this.

Ruger considered one possibility.

In her shock at her original self, she abandoned everything, including both of her selves. Then, using magical dreams, she dreamed in reverse, projecting her dream out of the dream world through the tower's layout and tree roots, reshaping her body and using the nightmare world to give birth to a new self. This is what Ruger and the others witnessed together. The collapse of the town at the end may have become nourishment for that new life. He originally thought it was over, but now it seems there is one last step: magical dreams. The dreamer who creates the new life is the last thing to be abandoned. Once the dream is finished, her mission is complete.

Perhaps it was abandoning that river of ethereal light, or perhaps it was severing ties with herself, striving to create the purest version of herself, untouched by their past, which also resulted in her current state of confusion and abnormality. But she also achieved her dream, becoming a living, truly alive person, and it is precisely because of this that she can be called reborn.

Ruger recalled the way she tasted the kebabs.

Theoretically speaking, she has never eaten anything real. Even the one who orchestrated all of this was just a remnant of consciousness from a long time ago in the nightmare world. She has never actually eaten anything, nor does she need to. When the original wizard was alive, she would merge with the original wizard every midnight and share memories, and some feelings about food and tea would remain. But when she discarded those things and abandoned many inconveniences, the newborn girl became someone who had never eaten anything at all.

She was very lucky to have Leiden's carefully prepared meal for her very first meal, Ruger thought.

Ruger tried to control his wandering thoughts.

The real answer may only be known to the person in question, or perhaps those who knew it have already disappeared. For example, the petite girl still understands some magical matters, is still a fourth-level wizard apprentice, still wears an old robe, and knows that she is a pharmacist apprentice who has accepted a commission. It's as if someone fabricated an identity for her, which is why Ruger initially doubted that his judgment was wrong.

The Spirit Hair Nourishment Technique flashed continuously across the plush doll.

Ruger felt as if he had received a novel toy, or even rediscovered a bit of his childlike innocence, rather than simply facing extraordinary knowledge or magic. He also felt a different kind of anticipation and excitement than before.

For a moment, his mind was very active.

He thought of the Black Prison of Blood Fortress, of the bald old wizard, and of what the old wizard had said.

In the wizarding world, there is no danger, only opportunity; every danger represents a chance.

He looked up at the petite girl by the campfire.

Isn't this a tiny danger sitting right there?

He blinked, recalled his judgment, and said in a deep voice, "Miss Nana Erz, are you aware of the sublimation ritual that can enhance the power of one's bloodline?"

Ruger believed that her stunned reaction to his earlier questions about her origins and her casual mention of being a fourth-level wizard apprentice stemmed from a disconnect in her thinking. She didn't understand why she was a fourth-level wizard apprentice, how she became one, where her hometown was, or where she came from. It wasn't that she didn't understand the meaning of "originating from," or that she was unaware of the significance of the phrase or the meaning of "fourth-level wizard apprentice." Before the bewildered girl could react, Raiden looked over.

His gaze seemed to say that he was bold enough.

The girl tilted her head and thought for a moment, without getting angry or having any other reaction. Immediately, a strong sense of anticipation appeared in Luger's eyes.

"I'm very interested in your spell."

The girl suddenly pointed with her eyes at Luger's hand, which was constantly stroking the doll and casting a spell.

"Spirit Hair Nourishment Technique?"

Ruger was somewhat surprised, but then he thought that such a weakened zero-ring spell with the effect of spirit awakening should be quite rare.

“We can exchange them,” he said in a deep voice.

The petite girl, tears streaming down her face, nodded calmly upon hearing this.

“But I don’t have that kind of sublimation ritual.”

The petite girl spoke earnestly.

Luger's breath hitched.

“But I have another way, I don’t know if you agree,” she said seriously, “which can also achieve your requirements, but it won’t be as direct.”

“Of course,” Ruger said, “I’d trade for it if it’s worth it.”

As he spoke, he took out his notes from his research on the Spirit Hair Nourishment Technique.

“However, I don’t have high-level spellbooks like those from the Temple of Knowledge,” he said, waving the notebook in his hand. “I only have my own handwritten notes, which contain complete spell models and my own insights.”

Nana Erz raised her hand and touched the bun of hair at the back of her head, and a notebook appeared in her hand.

She casually stood the notebook upright, facing Ruger.

Luger glanced at her casually and immediately understood what she meant: it was something that required no further explanation just by seeing the words on the cover.

"Tsk tsk! I thought there would be some chaos among you, but it seems not so bad, you're still exchanging magical knowledge in a friendly manner."

A sudden sound broke in; it was a short-haired man in a black robe, who looked to be in his thirties, walking towards the entrance of the camp.

Under Nana's surprised gaze, Ruger took the notebook from her hand and handed her his own. He had no doubt that the girl might have a fake, so there was no need for him to hesitate.

The man stopped at the camp entrance. When he saw the three people by the campfire stand up and look over, he made no attempt to conceal the spiritual energy fluctuations of a first-ring wizard. The aura of his transformation flashed by, simply revealing his identity.

(End of this chapter)