Extra 1: The Dog Worries All Out
"No prize guessing game! Does anyone know what day it is today~~~?"
Waklo Rockwa was leaning against the window, his pair of animal ears trembling wildly. Even without looking at his apprentice robe, which was rarely washed clean, one could tell that he, or this dog, was in a very good mood today.
Ran Jin (the future) was maintaining his bow and arrows when he heard this and asked, "School anniversary?"
"It's a shame the Spiral Tower's anniversary isn't until next month."
(Future) Ju Lei couldn't wait to raise his hand: "New... New, New Year!"
"It's only September now, so people think it's too early to celebrate the arrival of the new year."
Waklo shook his head helplessly: "I'll reveal the answer to all you foolish apprentices: the answer is birthday!"
"Oh, is it your birthday today?"
"No, no. That is a day that is far greater, more joyful, and more worthy of celebration than our birthday—"
Waklo opened his arms exaggeratedly: "It's Master Vansalar's birthday!"
"Lord Vansalar actually has a birthday..." Ranjin exclaimed.
"How can you say that? Lord Vansalar is also a human being. Is it strange to have a birthday?"
"Because he's so extraordinary, I always feel like he's a natural disaster, destined to descend one day and show his supernatural powers - don't bite me, you mad dog!"
Waklo retracted the Shadow Dog Head: "Sorry, it was Rockwa who bit it."
"It's all you, isn't it?"
"Anyway, I'm going to go give you birthday presents, so please help yourself~~"
Waklo ran away happily with a waltz-like pace, and the apprentices on the road tacitly avoided it for fear of blocking its way.
Everyone in the Spiral Tower knew that Archmage Vansalar's most prized disciple was his two-headed dog, and his favor wasn't in vain; his strength was truly top-notch. Last month, the strongest clay figure from Glimmer Academy challenged him to a fight and was nearly killed by two bites from it, proving with sheer force that the strongest academy was the strongest from top to bottom, and that even a dog could outsmart the top student next door.
Waklo ran to his dorm (or rather, his kennel) and found a carefully prepared bouquet of flowers. He had specifically requested them from the courtyard. Archmage Lavaeva supported his celebration, believing it would "help win back some favors for the heartless and cold-blooded demon." He stood before the mirror, holding the bouquet, and smoothed his hair.
"It's a bit too formal... It's not friendly enough..."
Waklo muttered a few words, and then an idea struck him, a kind and considerate one. So when the Archmage Vansalar left the classroom after class two minutes later, he saw his own black two-headed dog guarding the door with a bouquet of flowers in its mouth.
“……?”
Vansalar circled it back and forth, and Vaklo's head (or maybe Rockwa's head) turned 180 degrees like a propeller. He caught a glimpse of the shadowy tail slapping against the floor, and suddenly he understood.
"I see, that's how it is! Speaking of which, I've been a bit busier lately than before, with less opportunity to relax. After all, it's natural for species to have such thoughts. It's okay, leave it to me!"
He took the bouquet with a smile on his face and threw it out with force.
"Okay! Go pick it up, Waklo!"
Waklo howled wildly: "Woof! Woof woof woof! Woof!!"
"How dare you bite me, you stupid dog?! You won't get any snacks this week!!"
“Woof!!”
·
"Lord Vansalar is a self-righteous and hopeless idiot." Waklo said listlessly.
"This is a well-known fact," Olek agreed.
He was wandering around a newly established sacred tree settlement, scouting for a venue for his next game. Noticing this, Vansalar tossed Waklo over to him, hoping to prepare for victory in advance.
Waklo squatted under a big tree with his ears drooping, probably because he looked too weak, so a passing Gubo tribe member gave him some small fruits.
It stared at the fruit in a daze: "Do you think Lord Vansalar will like the fruit?"
"You're asking the devil for gift suggestions?" Orlek said playfully. "The truth is, just as I said, you're becoming increasingly confused about your own alignment."
"Compared to those notorious demons, Lord Orlek, you're quite easy to get along with. You don't fight earth-shattering wars or engage in mass destruction. Your so-called harm is just a small amusement... From this perspective, I've always felt that you're somewhat 'harmless.' There are always people who die due to misfortune, and your games are your duty, or rather, your purpose."
"I'm surprised you've lost some of your annoying stupidity. It seems the Spiral Tower's education is indeed effective." Orlek observed it. "However, you're wrong. I have my own standpoint. My standpoint is the ocean. I don't care about what happens on earth because no matter how you struggle, you can't harm the ocean. However, if a god truly devises a plan that endangers the ocean, I will personally destroy it immediately."
Waklo blinked and said, "Why?"
"Asking this question shows you're still stupid. A truly intelligent person can get the answer without asking." Olek grabbed a glass of juice from somewhere and started drinking. "If you want to study a person's preferences, the first thing you need to pay attention to is their stance. Interests and hobbies fade with time, and only their stance can determine their joys and sorrows."
"Lord Vansalar's stance... is truly that of a righteous hero protecting the world," said Waklo.
Olek nearly choked.
"You made me laugh, you idiot."
"So he'd like things that can protect the world. That means new spells, new weapons, and new powers. Of course, that's a gift worthy of Archmage Vansalar!" Waklo jumped up happily. "I understand, Lord Orlek! Thank you for your insightful advice. If you have time, how about starting the game tomorrow? You've got plenty of free time anyway."
It leaped into the shadow and slithered away merrily. Olek stared at the shadow with interest until another Vansalar clone jumped out of the shadow.
"Good afternoon, you old idler! Let's begin a new round of the Desperate Game. What's your trick today? Let me break your evil chess game!"
"Today is a truce," Olek told him. "For today only. I have more interesting things to do to pass the time."
Vansalar was deeply moved. "That's so true! Our old jellyfish has finally grown tired of his evil games. You've grown up, Olek. You're finally not that stupid and cruel kid who loved pouring boiling water on ant nests! Come and let daddy hug you!"
"I've changed my mind. You should go to hell."
At the same time, Waklo ran back to the Spiral Tower and trotted to Vansalar who was preparing a lesson plan. He raised his head proudly and fired a torrent of shadow cannons to smash the ancient beast specimens used as teaching materials into pieces.
"Waklo, get out of here!" Fansalar slammed the table in anger, and then said in surprise, "You developed a new spell?!"
"Yes, Lord Vansalar. I was bored a while ago and made a poor imitation of your signature spell." Vaklo bowed. "It's nowhere near as good as your Celestial Collapse Cannon—after all, I'm not a Silent Void yet—but this little trick can be activated using only shadow elements. I think it can be of some use at the apprentice level."
Vansalar rubbed its head vigorously. "Very good, very good, very good! Although I don't want to admit that the useless students in this school are worse than dogs, this doesn't stop me from praising your excellence. The teaching plan has been changed! We will perfect your little trick and put it in class tomorrow. Everyone will definitely like it!"
Waklo approached him in a servile manner: "Do you want to add your favorite horror elements?"
"I think you could add some sound and light effects to remind the apprentices to be cautious when using this move... and a couple of fierce shouts as background music."
“Ouch!”
"No, that's stupid."
“Ooo ...
Fansalar held his forehead and said, "You're yelling like a drowned dog."
"Woof!"
"Forget it, just draw some skulls. We can deal with the special effects later."
Waklo enthusiastically helped prepare the lesson plan and, incidentally, helped the Archmage sort out the daily warning letters. Then, he was sent out to hunt some exotic beasts for tomorrow's new teaching material. As he tossed the beast's head into the warehouse, ready to end this joyful and fulfilling day, both of his heads felt as if they had missed something.
"No... No, No, No!!!" Waklo held his head and screamed in pain, "You are completely wrong, Waklo Rockwa! Isn't this just another ordinary day!"
Their days were basically like this, so giving a birthday gift like this was almost the same as not giving one at all. Furthermore, Lord Vansalar himself hadn't shown any special signs of life; he was probably so immersed in work that he had forgotten his birthday. Thinking of this, Waklo sat in the hallway with a melancholy look on his face, feeling that his entire day had been completely wasted.
It was so downcast and dejected that anyone passing by couldn't help but ask, "What's the matter, Waklo?"
Waklo looked up dejectedly, then immediately stood up: "Master Supreme Mage!"
Karlsod was polishing his glasses, while several rainbow golems were behind him, helping him transport bizarre research samples from who knows where. He put on his glasses and smiled, "This is the first time I've seen you unhappy. If I hadn't just finished talking to Vansalar, I would have thought something serious had happened to him."
"Well..."
Waklo recounted the entire incident in a long-winded manner. After all, the Supreme Mage knew everything, and no one could hide anything from him. After listening, the Supreme Mage reached out and pressed down hard on its two heads.
"Oh my god, you little idiot. Do you know what the problem is?"
"I hope you can give me some advice."
"You didn't tell him!" Karlsrud laughed. "He's not a very understanding guy. How would he know if you didn't explain it to him?"
The Supreme Mage walked away happily, leaving Vaklo alone... and his dog... two dogs... standing there in a daze. As if awakened from a dream, it scurried back to its den to paint. Then it leaped out from the Grand Mage's shadow and smashed the newly constructed puppet model in the laboratory to pieces.
"If you don't give me a reasonable reason, I will use you as a teaching target for the Void Sky Shadow Method for the next month." Fansalar roared.
Waqlo held up the painting and screamed, "Allow me to wish you a happy birthday, Lord Vansalar!"
The painting showed a field of flowers. Vansalar stared at it and the painting in amazement, even his rapid speech slowed down a little.
"You...congratulate...me?"
Waklo didn't know how to respond, so he stared sincerely.
Vansalar looked at the painting again and laughed.
"By the Spirit, Waklo! You congratulated me! You looked up my birthday yourself? You even drew a picture??"
Waklo felt a little uneasy: "I hope this doesn't offend you..."
"Great!" Vansalar clapped excitedly. "I don't know how to express it, but you've done a great job—you've broken away from your blind obedience and now have your own thoughts and feelings! You're no longer a dog!"
"Let me remind you that I have always been two dogs," corrected Vaklo Rockwa.
"No, you're a human now! You're a person with your own opinions!" Vansalar cheered ecstatically. "Only humans think about others. Only humans consider others. You're now qualified to join civilization! You can find any Divine Tree City-State and become their citizen!"
"But I don't really want to go," said Waklo. "I want to stay with you forever."
"Of course you can't go. I can't bear to throw you out. Ah, birthday, birthday. Karthod mentioned this to me earlier, and I forgot about it..." Vansalar clapped his hands. "It's a rare birthday, so give yourself half an hour off! Let's play something. What do you want to play?"
It didn't take much wisdom to answer this question. Waklo looked at him expectantly, holding the paintbrush in his mouth.
"I gave you this so you could draw." Vansalar rolled his eyes. "But never mind. Go pick it up! Go!"
“Ouch!”
Waklo Rockwa ran out happily, with the archmage laughing behind him.
·
In conclusion, the Archmage's birthday was filled with laughter and noise as usual. However, from the second day on, Waklo discarded his apprentice robes and wore a dirty painter's robe that he had found from somewhere.
It firmly believed that its paintings were quite good, which made the great wizard very happy. So from that day on, it focused more on painting and developed many interesting little spells.
However, in the eyes of others, Waklo's paintings were neither very good nor very bad. It was obvious why the great wizard was happy.
After all, they are always happy when they are together.
(End of this chapter)
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