Chapter 1617: Section 1618: Persistent Beliefs

The person walked out of Asaz’s room and casually closed the door behind him. Then, he leisurely walked towards them.

As the figure approached, a hint of surprise flickered in Asaz’s eyes.

Sebastian had mentioned earlier that there might be someone in his room, and Asaz thought he was referring to the woman who had blocked him earlier, only to realize that he was talking about him… Angel.

Having been in the Sky Mechanical City for so long, how could Asaz not know of Angel. However, he had only heard rumors about Angel from others before, and this was his first time seeing him in person. Unexpectedly, it was coming out of his own room.

Upon seeing Angel, the oddities he had experienced earlier flashed through Asaz’s mind.

Although Angel was most famous for his alchemy skills, he himself was part of the Illusion Series. He had clearly gone downstairs earlier, but then he appeared on the fourth floor; could it be an illusion created by Angel?

Asaz couldn’t help but recall the “creak” sound of the door opening he had heard earlier.

Was it an auditory illusion?!

Whether Asaz’s suspicions were correct or not, from the situation at the scene, the bizarre phenomena he encountered must have been Angel’s doing, meaning Angel and that girl blocking the way were in cahoots.

Asaz felt his palms begin to sweat. Dealing with that girl alone had exhausted him. Now with Angel added into the mix, facing two Official Wizards simultaneously, he stood even less of a chance.

Moreover, Angel was a member of the Research and Development Institute, and members of the Institute enjoy the highest treatment in Sky Mechanical City. With just a command from Angel, there would truly be no place for him in Sky Mechanical City.

Despite it being the day of flowing fire, Asaz felt as though he was in the harsh winter, cold from the inside out.

“Feeling desperate facing two Official Wizards?” Sebastian’s voice echoed in Asaz’s mind.

“Dear Miloris, don’t forget, I can be your backup. Just agree to the conditions I mentioned earlier, and I will help you fight them.”

It was very likely, at this moment when facing life and death, that Asaz felt hesitant.

Perhaps, he could really agree to Sebastian.

“You’ve done nothing wrong, yet you’ve become the unbridled target of these people. Aren’t you frustrated?”

“This disgusting world, no one will understand you. Except for me, only I will treat you well and make you better. So, trust me.”

Sebastian seemed to see Asaz’s hesitation, the tempting tone in his words intensified.

“What do you think is more important, your life or your worthless will that you cling to? Come into my arms, we are the only allies who truly trust each other.” The demon in the darkness stretched out his hands, as if waiting for Asaz’s embrace, originally blood-red demonic eyes twinkled with tenderness, yet beneath that tenderness, cunning and hypocrisy were hidden.

But it must be said, this confession from the demon sounded more heartfelt than any before.

Even he had already made all preparations for how Asaz might respond to him afterward.

However, what Sebastian didn’t expect was that the scales in Asaz’s heart, after wavering for a long time, returned to the Origin Point.

“No,” Asaz said very firmly.

As if all those earnest persuasions had been in vain.

“Why?” Sebastian’s voice became a bit cold, in face of the life-and-death situation, Asaz still insisted on that elusive ideal?

Asaz didn’t answer, he indeed hesitated for a moment, but this hesitation slowly faded away after Sebastian spoke. Especially when Sebastian said, “that worthless will you cling to,” this phrase awakened Asaz.

Sebastian is merely a Demon after all; perhaps for him, that adherence is utterly meaningless. But it’s different for Asaz; it is the foundation of his transcendence, the belief established at the beginning of his journey as a wizard!

If he can’t even cling to his belief, does he still have the right to pursue the so-called truth?

“You’re truly beyond help,” Sebastian scoffed. “Then just await your death.”

Asaz withdrew from his contemplative state of mind. Although he held onto his belief, he knew that one needed life to keep a belief. All he was doing now was waiting for an opportunity.

He knew that Angel was a wizard inclined towards the Academy Faction; maybe there was a glimmer of hope if he could explain himself clearly?

If he couldn’t explain… Asaz didn’t know what choice he would make; maybe he would be forced to change his belief, just like his prematurely deceased Mentor.

As Angel slowly approached, Asaz opened his mouth intending to explain, but before he could speak, the girl on the other side coldly said, “Angel, kill him for me!”

Just then, Angel passed right by Asaz.

He paused for a moment, his gaze turning towards Asaz.

At first, panic was evident in Asaz’s expression, but he soon calmed down and spoke with difficulty, “I have not danced with the Demon.”

Angel looked at Asaz, although Greya always said that Demonic Power could obstruct the results of validation, sometimes there was no need to use it.

From the moment he first stepped onto the arena to now, Asaz’s eyes had always been so pure.

They carried a naive stubbornness, never obscured by shadows.

Asaz was extremely nervous, especially when Angel scrutinized him. He feared that in the next second, Angel would do as the girl had said and simply kill him.

Even though Angel’s gaze was calm from beginning to end.

In those seconds, hanging by the thread of his heart, maybe the most tense moments of his life. It might have been a long time, or perhaps just a moment, but Asaz did not witness Angel make a move.

Angel just glanced at him, then bypassed him, walking towards Greya.

“Your decision about his matter can wait. Your situation is more severe.” After Angel passed by Asaz, he heard him say, “However, I still stand by what I said earlier; try listening to his explanation.”

Perhaps Angel spoke casually, but in that moment, Asaz felt a deep sigh of relief within.

During that brief instant, he even thought about whether to turn to the embrace of the Demon. If no one in the world trusts him, what value does clinging to his belief have?

But Angel’s words dissipated that thought. Even though Angel didn’t express his belief in him, he at least provided him an opportunity.

…

Greya did not respond to Angel’s words; she hadn’t the time to speak further.

The Demon’s Fire continuously corroded her flesh.

She had seen many types of Demon’s Fire, but none brought her such a strong sense of invasion as this. Greya even felt that if she relaxed for just a second, the Demon’s Fire would break the balance and completely take over her body.

While Greya was busy dealing with the Demon’s Fire, Angel walked up to her.

“The fire pattern of the Fire Demon is not so easily exorcised… let me handle it.”