Robb clearly remembered: the essence of the Black Warlock path was symbiosis with corruption, not being devoured by it.
In theory, if a more stable symbiosis could be achieved, it might be possible to avoid the risk of personality collapse.
"If the class system can integrate this path into the system... maybe the corrosive power can be acquired in a safer way?"
The idea both excited and worried him.
As he left the library, the old gatekeeper gave him a meaningful glance.
"Found what you were looking for, young man?"
Robb nodded cautiously. "I learned a lot. Thank you."
"Remember, knowledge is a double-edged sword. Understanding darkness does not mean embracing it."
The old man's voice was deep and stern.
"I'll remember that," Robb replied sincerely.
On the way back to the workshop, his thoughts still lingered on what he had read.
The temptation of the Black Warlock path lay in its shortcut to power, a road where insanity often triumphed over talent.
He shook his head, setting the thought aside for now.
Right now, his top priority was preparing for the Blood Arena in one month, where he hoped to impress and climb even further in the Wizard Reserve Track's rankings.
As for the Black Warlock path, he might continue studying it, but he wouldn't dare try it yet.
At least not until he had a way to ensure safety.
When he returned to the workshop, Layla was in the courtyard helping Daera practice water element control.
Seeing him, both girls lit up with welcoming smiles.
"Teacher, you're back!"
Layla greeted him cheerfully. "Daera's made great progress today, she can hold the water sphere for much longer now!"
"Master!" Daera ran over excitedly.
"Look what I can do!" She waved her tiny hands, forming a perfect water sphere that slowly morphed into a blooming lotus.
"That's amazing!" Robb praised from the heart, ruffling the little sea sprite's silver hair, a warm smile tugging at his lips.
On the path to power, there were some prices he would never willingly pay.
"Dinner's ready, Teacher," Layla added with a smile. "Your favorite, grilled fish and vegetable soup."
"Thank you, Layla. Let's go eat together," Robb replied.
As night fell, the warm glow from the workshop pushed back the shadows of the dark knowledge he had uncovered earlier.
Late at night, Robb sat cross-legged in his private study on the second floor of the workshop, meditating.
The forbidden knowledge of Black Warlocks, Awakening, and Corruption still flickered in his mind like a dark flame, constantly pulling at his attention.
In the silence of the night, he made a decision.
"With all the information I've gathered today, the system should've registered something new. Let's check, for now, just look, not act."
He told himself this, then cautiously opened his Class Panel.
Robb scrolled through the interface, searching for anything related to Black Warlocks.
Suddenly, he noticed a new option had quietly appeared in the class selection menu, something he'd never seen before:
[Black Warlock (★★★) - Tap to view advancement details]
Normally, the panel would issue a notification when a new class appeared. But this time, it had remained completely silent...
Heart racing, Robb tapped the option. More detailed information appeared:
[Profession: Black Warlock (Three-Star)]
[Advancement Requirements:
Prerequisite Class – Wizard Apprentice (★½) ✅
Mental Power ≥ 4.0 and accumulated moderate mental corruption
Master at least one spell that affects the mind ✅
Possess a special medium – High-Purity Sin Domain Black Crystal
Complete the Awakening Ritual and reach 10% Awakening Level
⚠️ WARNING: This profession greatly alters personality, enhances negative emotions, and reduces rational thinking.
Once class change is completed, the original personality cannot be restored.]
Robb stared at the information, both startled and strangely unsurprised.
The system had indeed recognized the Black Warlock as a valid class, but the warning was direct and brutal: This path would irreversibly transform his soul.
What stood out most was the three-star rating.
That meant the potential of this class exceeded any other path he had seen so far, including the ★★½-rated paths like Spellblade.
"The class change requires Sin Domain Black Crystal…"
He recalled the book he had read earlier, it was the same rare medium used in the Awakening Ritual.
He continued browsing and found detailed profession traits:
[Primary Abilities – Black Warlock]
Corrosive Spells
Corruption Perception
Awakened Body
Celestial Whispers (Using this accelerates mental corruption)
Robb couldn't help feeling tempted.
These abilities were indeed powerful, especially corrosive spells, which bypassed normal defenses and directly targeted a foe's mental weak points.
But then came the next section, which brought him back to reality:
[Additional Notes]
Unlike conventional professions, Black Warlocks do not progress through skill mastery.
They level up primarily by increasing their Awakening Level.
For every 10% increase in Awakening, a new ability branch is unlocked, but personality degradation worsens in parallel:
10% – Basic corrosion ability, mild personality shift
30% – Enhanced corrosion, moderate personality distortion, emotional extremism
50% – Advanced corrosion, severe breakdown, loss of all positive emotions
70% – Deep corruption, total personality transformation, minimal rationality
100% – Eligible to become an Apostle, transcending human limits
"This isn't a path I can walk right now…"
Robb concluded.
"Even if the class system makes it safer than raw Awakening… the outcome is still the loss of self."
He was about to close the panel when one last note caught his eye:
[Special Note]
Users with the Dual Soul trait may resist personality distortion to some extent, but cannot eliminate it entirely.
Final outcome depends on the user's willpower and choices.
This made Robb pause.
The Dual Soul trait might offer some buffer, but the risk remained high.
Maybe one day, when he acquired some rare relics that offered mental protection, he could try.
Closing the panel, Robb pulled out his Timewarden Pocketwatch.
Just then, a vine suddenly extended toward him, its leafy pad displaying a message from Valenwood:
"Master, Miss Talisa is here."
Robb immediately stood up, alert, and cautiously moved to the window.
Through the shadows, he saw a familiar figure approaching the workshop gates, Talisa.
At this hour? Why?
He quickly went downstairs, and sure enough, found the brown-haired girl in casual clothing, standing in the receiving room.
"Sorry for showing up so late."
Her voice was low, and her expression tense, an unusual look for her.
Her breathing was uneven, and her hair damp with sweat. She had clearly rushed over.
"Come in," Robb said, stepping aside.
Talisa slipped inside, scanning the room to make sure they were alone before whispering:
"My mentor spoke to me tonight. She said a series of strange events recently might be linked to the Black Warlock Revival."
Robb's heart tensed. "Black Warlock Revival?"
"Yes," Talisa nodded, worry in her eyes.
"There's a hidden Black Warlock group in the heartlands. They call themselves the 'Abyssal Eye', and follow a mysterious being known only as the 'Lord of Paradise'. The Order's law enforcement believes Cynthia's disappearance is connected to them. And…"
She hesitated.
"Oliver is likely one of their peripheral members."
Robb wasn't too surprised. Based on his readings and what he'd observed in Oliver, this fit perfectly.
"Why would Lady Corinna tell you all this?" he asked cautiously.
Talisa took a deep breath.
"She said I might be one of their targets. Three days ago, the law team found a hidden cave in the edge forest."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Inside were dozens of human and non-human corpses, all with their brains hollowed out. There were strange runes and ritual markings everywhere."
She pressed her lips together and added:
"Tonight, my mentor shared the details of the cave and confirmed it's tied to the Abyssal Eye. And…"
She looked Robb in the eyes.
"She said you might be one of their targets too."
Robb frowned. "Me? Why?"
"She didn't explain, only told me to warn you to stay alert. Especially around High Apprentices who act abnormally."
"She specifically said: Don't be alone with Oliver."
Robb sank into thought. He had interacted with Oliver a few times.
"Do you know anything else about the Abyssal Eye?"
Talisa shook her head.
"Very little. They've survived through multiple ages despite being hunted by every major wizard faction. The Lord of Paradise they worship might be some primordial entity…"
"What's the Order planning to do?"
"I'm not sure," Talisa said in a lower voice.
"But my mentor hinted that after contacting the Crystal Spire, the Order is preparing a large-scale purge. For now, we Wizard Reserve Track members are to stay alert, but not get involved."
Robb nodded slowly. "Thank you for coming all this way to tell me."
Talisa gave a faint smile.
"We're allies, aren't we? And... I think you're one of the few people I can actually trust."
She glanced outside.
"I should go. It's past curfew. My mentor arranged a temporary permit, but the time is limited."
Robb escorted her to the door, where he saw Luna, the panther girl, waiting with glowing green eyes in the dark.
She seemed to be warming up to him, previously she never left her master's side, but now she waited at the gate willingly.
"Be careful. If anything new comes up, let's exchange information right away."
Talisa nodded, then disappeared into the night with Luna.
Robb closed the door, thoughts churning.
The new revelations mirrored perfectly what he had uncovered in the library, painting a clearer, and far more dangerous, picture.
Oliver may have already become a Black Warlock and was likely involved with the Abyssal Eye.
That explained his use of Sin Domain Black Crystal and increasing mental corruption.
But why was Robb being targeted?
Was it simply his talent and potential?
Or… was there something deeper?
With these questions in mind, Robb returned to his room.
He resolved to act more cautiously from now on.
Whatever storm was coming, he had to be ready.
The next morning, Robb rose early and performed his usual "Whispers of the Star-Eater" meditation.
After finishing, as he prepared to return to the library for further study, a black parrot flew in through the window and landed on his desk.