Chapter 450: “You’re going to the New Continent?”

Tower of Magic. Life Science Tower, Grand Master’s Office. The place where Merlin spoke was larger and more extravagant than the other Grand Master’s offices.

Despite quite some time passing since he returned from Gallos, Merlin’s desk was still piled high with various documents.

“Yes.”

“A Dark Mage going to meet a Paladin on the New Continent… Must’ve been quite a surprise.”

Oliver nodded.

In truth, Forest was quite surprised when he heard that Oliver would go to the New Continent to meet a Paladin. However, he didn’t stop Oliver or question his reasons.

“Still, he didn’t oppose my departure itself.”

“Really?”

“Yes… Considering there was a slight commotion in the X-District. He thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea for me to leave Randa for a while. He mentioned that Paladins or others might start to become troublesome.”

Indeed, despite being surprised, Forest didn’t think it was bad that Oliver would leave Randa for a bit.

He believed that Oliver being away would preemptively prevent some annoying situations from arising.

Of course, there was a risk that hostile forces might emerge again. But even that didn’t seem bad to him.

After all, negotiations with the City had already been concluded. The stage was set, and he said that at this point, only flies would move around.

And as for flies, finding them was hard, but catching them wasn’t, especially with the Fighter Crew and The Selectors around.

His words made sense. In truth, most of the redevelopment projects had been handled by the Fighter Crew and The Selectors, though their efforts were overshadowed by Oliver’s recent accomplishments.

They were also not a force anyone could ignore in Randa.

“Quite a considerate middleman, isn’t he?”

“I think so too… I’m quite fortunate.”

“Did you come here to brag about that?”

“Maybe… And also to inform you. As my temporary teacher, I thought you should know that I’m going to the New Continent.”

“Technically, I’m your temporary teacher.”

Merlin corrected his title. Though his emotions were hidden by a wall of magic, he didn’t seem sarcastic or malicious.

‘It doesn’t even feel like a joke.’

Merlin spoke again.

“But even a temporary teacher is a teacher. May I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“What do you plan to do after meeting that Paladin on the New Continent?”

“Um… I want to see how she’s living there.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m curious how she’s doing. Thanks to her, I was able to venture out into the world.”

Oliver recalled the time he talked with Joanna and how he ventured into the world, just as she had suggested.

He also remembered all the people he met, including Kent, Forest, Rosburn, Edith, Jane, Joe, Kevin, Merlin, and many others. Although there had been disappointments, he couldn’t deny that Joanna was a great benefactor to him.

“I also want to tell her about what I’ve experienced outside and ask her again.”

“Ask her what?”

“Whether I’m truly broken.”

“…”

“Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not as serious as it sounds. I just want her opinion and advice… To know if I’m truly broken and, if so, how I might fix it.”

“…What exactly do you mean by fixing it?”

“Um… It’s hard to explain. How should I put it… I want to feel things properly. Like emotions? Empathy? Something like that.”

Oliver fiddled with his fingers in the air as he spoke, resembling a child struggling to describe something difficult.

“Do you know I’m interested in beautiful lights?”

“I do. You’ve told me already.”

Oliver took out a silver cigarette case from his pocket. Inside were two Filgarett cigarettes.

“These Filgaretts are made from that beautiful light. One belongs to Duncan, the other to Seamus. I had a fight with both, but aside from that, I think they’re remarkable people.”

“Do you now?”

“Yes. Even though Duncan was a magic user who couldn’t use magic, he strived endlessly, dreaming of more than a wizard’s position. And Seamus, he had some kind of dream too. Something more precious than life itself… I’m curious to know what it was.”

“Don’t you know?”

“I’ve heard about it, but I don’t really… feel it here.”

Oliver tapped his left chest with his finger.

“Their dreams and goals are beautiful, but to me, they’re just at the level of being beautiful… In the past, that was enough, but now I want more. I want to understand it beyond just beauty. That way…”

“…So?”

“So I can genuinely apologize.”

Merlin tilted his head at the confusing statement but didn’t ask more.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I wish you luck with it. Learning is difficult, painful, and scary, but it’s worth the effort.”

Merlin offered advice. It sounded simple on the surface, but the depth was something else.

“I’ll keep your teaching in mind.”

“When are you planning to go to the New Continent?”

“I’m thinking of boarding the ship this evening.”

“Quite sudden.”

“Not really. I’ve already handled the urgent matters, so I just need to say my farewells and make one more stop at the X-District.”

It was the truth.

For the past week, Oliver had hardly slept, working with Third to extract knowledge from 82 druid corpses.

After using them, the bodies had been cleanly handed over to the Reformist Druids.

In addition, the socialization training for Third and First was almost finished, ensuring they could manage the forest in the X-District while Oliver was away.

The employees at the Angel’s House worked so well that Oliver had even managed to order coffee alone in a café yesterday,

Without throwing a punch or landing a soccer kick on the staff’s face. Compared to where he started, it was tremendous progress.

“That’s good then. But it’s a shame as well. There are many students and professors who want to meet you.”

“Me?”

“It’s not so strange. Considering your background and recent accomplishments, it’s only natural that passionate students are interested in you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, the professors also want to talk with you about your thesis. After repeated reviews, they’ve concluded that your thesis is quite feasible.”

“Ah…”

“Don’t worry too much. They’re researching on their own anyway.”

“Um… I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try to wrap things up quickly and come back.”

“Are you trying to make your temporary teacher look good?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“When that happens, you should just lie and say yes, even if it’s not true.”

“Ah… I’ll try to wrap things up quickly and come back for your sake. Only for your sake.”

“It’s too late, and it’s obvious that you’re lying… But I’ll give you a gift anyway.”

Merlin pulled a briefcase from under a pile of documents on his desk and handed it to Oliver.

“This is…?”

“A book of Demons.”

“What? Why are you giving this to me…?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve filtered out the less serious ones. I thought it would be harsh not to give you anything at all.”

Merlin’s words didn’t make complete sense, but Oliver didn’t nitpick. Whatever it was, a gift was a gift.

“Thank you. I can read this?”

“Of course, but only when you’re alone, away from people. Surely you’re aware of— Oh, you didn’t know! Good heavens!”

Merlin exclaimed at Oliver’s reaction.

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever it is, a demon’s book is a demon’s book. Handle it with care. One wrong move, and everything you’ve built could collapse in an instant.”

“Yes… But what exactly is in these books?”

“Methods to summon demons, diaries of when demons descended, folklore, and such. But it’s not exactly anything that would interest you too much.”

Oliver examined the documents for a while before responding.

“It’s still not bad. I won’t get bored on the way to the New Continent with this. Thank you for the gift.”

***

Finishing his conversation with Merlin, Oliver immediately headed outside the Life Science Tower.

While walking through the corridor, Oliver could feel various emotions in the gazes of others, similar to when he first entered the Tower of Magic.

Suspicion, vigilance, curiosity, competitiveness, jealousy, fear, resentment, and so on. Given it was the Life Science Tower, these feelings were stronger than curiosity.

As Merlin had mentioned, the shadow of Theodore seemed to still loom over the Life Science Tower, but Oliver paid no heed as he walked, popping a Calorie Bar into his mouth.

Whatever emotions people harbored toward him, it was their choice.

Luckily, as they were within school grounds, the emotions remained just as emotions. As Oliver moved away, most people gradually withdrew their gazes.

Just when Oliver reached the entrance, a familiar emotion surfaced.

“Yareli?”

Oliver greeted Yareli, who was standing at the entrance.

“Hello, Xenon.”

“Yes, hello… Have you come to meet the elder?”

“No, I’ve come to meet you, Xenon.”

“Me?”

Oliver asked while glancing around.

Around the conical structure of the tower, several people were gathered, all watching them.

It made sense, given that Yareli was called a hero in Gallos. Her name was frequently mentioned in newspapers and on the radio.

This hero, Yareli, spoke.

“Yes… Professor Kevin told me you might be here.”

At that moment, Oliver remembered. Kevin had told him before leaving Gallos that Yareli had wanted to meet him.

“What is it about?”

With a tight schedule, Oliver asked about her business directly, and Yareli showed a fleeting hint of disappointment.

“…I wanted to thank you for helping me last time.”

“It was nothing.”

“…And I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“Yes… Have you not recovered from the aftereffects of the battle?”

Yareli asked with concern as she looked at Oliver’s sunken cheeks. She awkwardly reached out her hand but then hesitated, as if unsure of what to do.

Oliver replied as he put another Calorie Bar into his mouth.

“Strangely, I haven’t been recovering well. No matter how much I eat, I still feel hungry.”

“Isn’t that dangerous? Shouldn’t you get treated?”

“It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry.”

Oliver half lied. It might not have been serious, but it could be.

After all, even a Holy Power item provided by Forest couldn’t heal him, so it might not be just simple starvation.

‘There’s no way to know right now. But I’m sure it’ll work out somehow.’

Thinking that, Oliver spoke again.

“You really don’t need to worry. What’s more important is why you’re apologizing. Is there something you feel you need to apologize for, Yareli?”

“I… took your credit.”

“If you mean credit… Are you talking about Ravely?”

“Yes, for eliminating the traitor at Loculi University and thwarting the Flesh Cook’s plan… I didn’t mean to, but I feel really gu—”

“—It’s nothing.”

Oliver raised his hand firmly, cutting off Yareli’s words.

“Though I understand what you’re saying, you don’t have to feel bad at all. In fact, I’m grateful that you took the credit, Yareli.”

“Why…?”

“Because I was a bit tired back then. I needed a break, and thanks to you, I got it. So if anything, I should be the one thanking you. How about you, Yareli? I heard you’ve been a bit tired too.”

“…I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“That’s good to hear… May I ask a favor if you don’t mind?”

“…? Do you have something urgent?”

“Yes… I have somewhere I need to be.”

“Is it X-District?”

Yareli guessed. News of Oliver’s business activities in the X-District had already spread within the Tower of Magic, along with various bizarre rumors.

Oliver replied.

“Um… Sort of, yes.”

A vague answer. Unconsciously, Yareli asked.

“Is it for business?”

“No, I’m planning to leave Randa for a bit, but I want to say goodbye before I go.”

“Leaving Randa? Where…?”

“That’s a secret. It’s a personal matter.”

***

“Kya-hya-hya-hya-ha!!”

“Kya-hya-hya-hya-ha!!”

Central forest of the X-District. The moment First and Third, who were in charge of managing the forest, saw Oliver, they screamed simultaneously.

Strangely, they shared the same emotions.

Resentment, hatred, contempt, disgust.

Oliver couldn’t understand why they were acting like this. After all, all he did was make them work with only 2–3 hours of sleep a day for about a week.

“Do you really not know?”

Forest, who was beside him, asked suddenly, looking at Oliver as if he were genuinely curious.

“Um… Is it because I didn’t follow the legal working hours?”

Forest raised his index finger, about to say something, but then closed it.

“It’s true the point is wrong, but still, you’re right. Even foreign workers aren’t made to work with just 3 hours of sleep per day.”

“But Child isn’t a person, so isn’t it okay?”

“Dear God.”

“Oh my goodness.”

First and Third muttered in shock.

It was quite surprising. Thanks to the education from the Angel’s House employees, their reactions were much more natural.

If I had known this earlier, I would’ve only let them sleep for three hours a day and trained them.

But it was too late to regret. Putting his regret aside, Oliver politely held the hands of the corpse puppets containing Bathory and Seamus, requesting First and Third respectfully.

“In any case, First, Third. Please take good care of this forest while I’m away. Especially you, First. Though you can’t control the forces of nature, please observe how Third works and learn how to handle natural forces. This way, you’ll be able to utilize the druid corpse puppets immediately when we have them.”

“…”

First narrowed his eyes, glaring silently at Oliver.

Unperturbed, Oliver turned to Third, making another request.

“Third, I ask you to manage the forest well. Since I’ve planted 10 of the 82 cells from Enjoyment, it should be easier to control than before. If it becomes too much, focus on protecting the core and ignore the outskirts. When you need to replenish natural forces, just report to Forest.”

Third also squinted his eyes, glaring as he replied.

“And both of you, please get along well with the people as you’ve learned from the Angel’s House employees. No fighting.”

“No guarantees.”

“What happens if we don’t comply?”

An unexpected reply. Oliver pondered for a moment.

“Um…. We’ll figure it out when we get there.”

At Oliver’s response, First and Third stiffened as if they’d seen something terrifying.

“But I believe in both of you, so I don’t think it’ll be an issue. I’m counting on you.”

First and Third quickly nodded, promising not to cause any trouble and urging Oliver to believe in them.

Entrusting the forest to the two of them, Oliver then turned to leave.

“They sure are reliable.”

“All Childs are reliable.”

“That’s not what I meant, but that works.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t worry about it. We should get going quickly. Joe and that young miss must be anxious.”

Forest said as he got into the car, and Oliver quickly shook off his thoughts and jumped into the car.

The ship headed for the New Continent would leave soon, but Oliver had come to the X-District to meet the young miss.

Understanding Oliver’s urgency, Al, who was driving, combined speeding and drifting, moving at full throttle. Soon, Oliver arrived at the Fighter Crew’s residential area.

In the middle of the road, bustling with manpower offices and material warehouses for redevelopment, Joe greeted Oliver.

“You’ve arrived?”

“Yes… Where’s Nora?”

“She’s inside.”

Joe pointed to his house.

Following Joe’s lead, Oliver entered the building to find Nora sitting there, looking more haggard than before.

…Perhaps saying she looked “like” a criminal was wrong.

Although she was used by the Reformist Druids to poison Oliver, the fact remains that she tried to poison him voluntarily.

If Oliver hadn’t decided to let this matter slide, it would have been hard for her to escape persecution, even with Joe on her side.

“Hello,”

Oliver greeted her. The greeting felt awkward, considering she had tried to poison him and was the sister of someone he had killed, but Oliver, who still felt no emotion regarding such matters, could only say that.

Nora kept her head down and didn’t say a word.

Just like she had when her attempt to poison him was exposed. Although she had grown up in a rough area and appeared mature, she was still a young girl in her early teens.

Honestly, Oliver preferred it this way. No matter what she said, Oliver didn’t have much to offer in response.

So, Oliver simply started saying what he had prepared in advance.

“Nora. There are three things I’d like to tell you. You don’t have to respond, but please listen.”

“…”

“First, I’m still not sorry for what happened.”

Nora remained silent, her feelings of anger and helplessness evident. It made sense, considering that the person who killed her family was now speaking to her. How could she not feel furious and powerless?

“Second, the thing you attempted wasn’t very wise. I understand why you did it, but whether you succeeded or failed, Joe, who is currently protecting you, would have been put in a difficult position. You’re aware of that, right? You’re a smart person, Nora.”

Nora stayed silent again. Despite her anger, she recognized the truth and reflected on it. Yes, she was indeed smart.

“Lastly, the third point… This is more of a request than something I want to point out.”

“…?”

Nora raised her head slowly, questioning.

Oliver knelt down on one knee to meet Nora’s gaze directly.

“Could you give me just a little time? Time so I can make a genuine apology to you… Until then, can you please eat properly, sleep well, and stay safe?”

Nora remained silent once more. Yet, her emotions…

***

After finishing his conversation with Nora, Oliver stepped outside the building.

Forest offered to see him off by car, but Oliver declined since he had already placed a piece of paper with portal magic imbued near the ferry dock.

“Portal magic? How convenient.”

“I think so too. We shouldn’t overuse it, but I was pressed for time.”

Hearing the response, Forest suddenly checked his watch and asked.

“Then, there’s still some time left. Care to take a walk with me? Just the two of us?”

“Sure, but why?”

“I just wanted to have a chat.”