Inside the white fences was an area covered in grass and in the center of the grassland, there was a luxurious 5-storey building covered in gray paint.
It almost looked like there many tiny buildings inside the large building. Many strange bumps were on the surface of the walls, and Angele also saw several shell-shaped balconies.
However, the whole area was cold and deadly silent.
The gate at the fence opened itself as the two walked toward it.
He just realized that there was a small creature standing behind the fences, a tiny man that was covered in short black hair.
"Welcome, master wizard Green." The tiny man was shorter than a dwarf. He looked like a three-year-old kid with wrinkles covering his face. The man was a hunchbacked man wearing a short gray coat.
"I’m a servant of master Shiva. Name’s Nicole, I’m a fire spirit." Nicole stood on the side and bowed to Angele politely.
His head was around the height of Angele’s knees.
"Fire spirit?" Angele was surprised. He only knew about such creatures in tales. However, he was also disappointed, since the tiny man looked nowhere close to the incredible spirit that was described in wizardry books.
They walked into the manor and saw a white path that led straight to the door of the building.
Surry was still looking at the fire spirit. He was curious.
Nicole led the two to the door quickly.
The door opened by itself as the three approached. Two female fire spirits were standing at both sides of the door. They looked identical to Nicole as their bodies were covered with short black hair. They looked weird in child clothes.
The main hall was painted in gold. A short man wearing a light green robe was there waiting for Angele. Countless gems and jades were inlaid on the back of his robe.
"Greetings, master Green. My name is Shiva." The old man was bald and his skin was covered in wrinkles, giving the impression of an old toad.
"Greetings, master Shiva." Angele smiled. "I’m sorry that I didn’t notify you earlier of my visit."
"Not a problem at all." Shiva smiled as well. "I went to visit you not so long ago, but I was told that you were busy with a lab experiment so I decided to leave you an invitation letter."
"Yeah, it was an…important lab experiment."
They walked to the sofas in the hall and sat down. Surry was asked to wait outside the door. The two fire spirits served them with black tea and fruits.
"Master Shiva, are you enjoying such a nice place alone?" Angele glanced around.
He saw many raven sculptures on the wall. Golden glowing crystals were inserted into the ceiling.
Large decorative vases were standing beside the sofa quietly. There was also a black piano around the corner by the fireplace.
The floor was covered by the thick white carpet.
"Well, I do have a lovely daughter and a handsome son, but they are living in other areas. An old man like me needs a quiet area like this." Shiva sighed. "I’ve lived for more than 200 years as a wizard and I’m working as a professor in the public area. I guide the students and I’m living a peaceful life here. Wizard Green, do you mind me asking why you decided to come to the Six Ring area?"
"Me? I’m a wanderer and I came to Nola for knowledge. Just like any other wanderers here, I met someone who invited me into the Six Ring area. Otherwise, I would have never gotten the chance." Angele was grateful for what Isabel did for him. Without her, he would still be searching for all the materials he needed in the public markets. It would take years before he could advance to the Liquid stage, that was why he decided to repay her one day.
Although Angele was certain that he could advance to Liquid stage even if he did not enter the area controlled by the major organizations, Isabel’s help still saved him a lot of time.
"A wanderer, huh? That was my plan, too. I wanted to explore the world, but my daughter and son asked me to stay in this area. They really treat me like a kid...Like, come on. I can still fight."
Shiva was a kind old man and was as knowledgeable as Angele. The two wizards were having a great time discussing events they had experienced in the wizards’ world. Shiva thought Angele was just a random light wizard but was proven wrong after the conversation. Angele had many similar ideas as Shiva. They exchanged their information on certain complicated research topics.
Angele was surprised. After all, it was the first time he engaged in intellectual discussion with a knowledgeable wizard who had already lived for more than 200 hundred years. He had a database in the chip yet the old man knew a lot of things that he had never heard of. The conversation benefited him a lot.
They sat on the sofa and chatted until the sun started setting.
"Time flies really fast, my bad. I should probably leave now." Angele saw the orange light coming through the window and realized it was late.
"It’s fine, really. For people like us, time is all we have, right?" Shiva chuckled. "Green, you’re not working for any organization, correct? Why don’t you come to my school? There are many benefits. Also, you mentioned that you’re interested in the ancient blood and the ancient worlds."
Shiva stopped for a second and made sure the fire spirits were not around. He then whispered, "Let me tell you something. There’s a World Stone in my school. I’m an associate dean. You can join the team that is studying the stone."
"The World Stone?" Angele wondered, "You mean the portal to the other worlds? Where will it bring us to?"
"No idea." Shiva shrugged. "We had it for more than 30 years but no progress was done."
Angele started considering the offer.
"Let me make one thing clear. This is your chance. Wizards from the three major organizations rarely have the chance to study a World Stone. The subject is usually left to the strongest wizards." Shiva stared at Angele and tried to convince him. "Look, you’re smart and knowledgeable. I think you have potential, young man." He smiled.
Angele looked at the old man’s smiling face, which was making him uncomfortable.
"If that’s a real World Stone, I’m down for it. However, my original plan is to join the Six Ring High Tower. You know I’m here for more knowledge, right?"
Shiva stood up. "That’s not a problem. We can give honorary titles to wizards like you. The school has a shorter history than the three major organizations but it is packed with ancient wizardry books. I can show you the collections at a later date."
"Sounds great." Angele nodded and stood up as well. "It’s late. I’ll be leaving now. Thank you for your time."
"Thank you too. I like you, young man. Come by when you have time." Shiva nodded slightly. "Also, my grandson and granddaughter will visit me on the 11th day next month. Why don’t you come pay me a visit and I can introduce you to them?"
"Sure, it’s great to join a family event." Angele looked relaxed.
"How’s your family by the way," Shiva wondered.
"Haven’t contacted them in years," Angele spoke in a light tone. He recalled the days he spent in Marua Harbor. Everyone changed and it made him depressed.
"Is that so?" Shiva hesitated for a second. "Well, I’ll ask the two kids to call you grandpa the next time you come."
"What?" Angele was not sure what Shiva was thinking. It was the first time they met, yet he was trying to make Angele join their family.
Angele was not sure what would happen if Shiva found out that he was a dark wizard from Ramsoda. His thoughts might change.
He was not sure how to respond to Shiva’s word. He decided to just leave the house before the old man could surprise him again with something else.
Angele could not imagine what it would feel like to be called as grandpa by two people that were likely older than him.
Shiva suddenly stopped Angele when he was about to step out of the door.
"Wait, Green." The old man was treating him like an old friend. "Catch this."
He threw a dark object to Angele.
*PA*
Angele caught the item and looked at it. "What’s this?"
"Open it and you’ll know." Shiva had a mysterious smile on his face.
Angele opened the black box. Inside, there was a dark leather scroll that was the size of a man’s palm.
He opened the scroll and it read: ‘Rare Slave Market’.
"You can find fire spirits like the ones I have if you’re lucky. Is Ivan’s family still providing you with food and daily supplies?" Shiva waved his hand. "Grab some slaves that were captured in the wars. You can find craftsmen, tailors, and cooks. Buying them is saving them from their misery. Also, build a farm and grow your own vegetables. You need to prepare for the future. A resource point needs all types of basic functions after all."
Angele thought for a while and nodded with a serious expression on his face. "Thanks for the advice. I will."
********************************************************
Angele gave the building one final look before leaving the manor.
*DANG DANG DANG*
The rings from the bell were deep and slow.
"So, it’s 6 p.m. already. Shiva told me that the bell will ring once for each two-hour that passes." Angele felt relaxed. "Let’s go, Surry." He turned around and walked toward the forest.
"Aye." Surry yarned and followed Angele. The two disappeared into the forest quickly.
He acquired the information on the World Stone from Shiva and knew that it was not a top-level secret. Studying the World Stone took time and it seemed like there was something going on in the school so the progress was slow.
Angele knew it was time for him to think of joining a strong organization.