Chapter 502: A New Routine

Oliver recalled Milo.

He first met him during Murphy’s second request.

At the time, Murphy requested Oliver to guard the construction of a brewery.

Oliver accepted, and during the process, he met Murphy’s aunt, Maggie, and their youngest brother, Milo.

Although, they only had a brief conversation.

Anyway, after hearing about how Oliver defeated a wizard, Milo expressed his desire to learn black magic.

It was a very impulsive feeling that led to a very impulsive action.

As proof of this, Milo didn’t show up again or ask to be taught the dark arts.

But suddenly, he appeared out of the blue and asked to be taught black magic again.

Oliver asked,

‘Black magic?’

‘Yes, I asked you to teach me when we first met, remember?’

‘I do remember. Since you never mentioned it again, I assumed you lost interest.’

Milo hesitated.

‘Ah… well, I was helping with the family business. We’re a family-run operation.’

Oliver understood. Indeed, in Randa, many organizations operated as family-run businesses, and the Kimball Family was one of them.

While some were adapting to the more corporate style, family-run businesses still dominated because, in the underworld, family was the only thing one could trust.

‘Are you not helping with the business now?’

‘No… that’s not it. I just have some free time right now….’

It was the truth, but something was hidden. At that moment, the intermediary, who managed the redevelopment, Forrest, whispered,

‘Milo, being the youngest, doesn’t have a clear role in the Kimball Family. He mostly handles errands.’

‘Oh… how do you know that?’

‘Whatever it is, I’m a broker, aren’t I? I have to know these things.’

Oliver accepted the explanation. For a broker, information was the most crucial asset, and Forrest had been providing personnel to the Fighter Crew and the Crime Firm for quite some time. It wasn’t surprising that he knew this.

After hearing the story, Oliver directly asked Milo to verify, and while initially, Milo was embarrassed and denied it, he eventually admitted it.

He revealed that his brothers thought of him as nothing but a child and didn’t assign him any real tasks.

‘That’s why I came here. I want to prove that I can pull my weight too. Especially since we recently needed some muscle, and we’re currently lacking in that area.’

Forrest nodded in agreement. The Kimball Family had accumulated wealth comparable to the directors of the Crime Firm through the brewery business, but despite this, they were still somewhat lacking in military strength.

Due to their policy of avoiding conflicts with existing powers, they had become the largest employer of the Fighter Crew.

However, the real question was something else.

‘Why do you suddenly need more muscle? It seems too abrupt… Oh, is it because you’re expanding to Gallos?’

‘Yes? Ah, that’s part of it, but not entirely… Don’t you know what’s been happening?’

Milo asked in confusion, and Oliver turned to Forrest. Forrest sighed and explained,

‘Hmm… I was going to explain it later, as it might be too much to handle at once, but I guess now is the time.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Exactly what I said. The underworld has been in turmoil lately, enough to make the Crime Firm nervous.’

Forrest explained that the underworld had been chaotic recently.

The reason was the fall of the *Flesh Cook*. With the monster that split Gallos’s underworld gone, various black magicians and the Millieu were wreaking havoc, vying for control of the vacant spot.

‘But Gallos is across the ocean, isn’t it?’

‘That’s how big the commotion is. It’s like how large waves can send water flying far away… Even across the ocean. Moreover, rumors are circulating that another of the ‘fingers’ has been injured, adding fuel to the chaos.’

Oliver had an idea who the ‘finger’ might be and kept silent.

‘That’s why everyone is expanding their military might, trying not to get swept away by the waves of chaos… And we played a part in it too.’

‘We did?’

‘Yes… the *Fighter Crew* has grown from a subcontracted group into a fully independent organization. The Crime Firm can no longer fully trust us.’

True. To maintain balance, the Crime Firm avoided excessive military expansion and hired outside forces, trying their best to prevent unnecessary tension. Yet, the Fighter Crew’s establishment as a complete organization in X-District had changed that.

A complete organization that could make a profit outside their sphere of influence was vastly different from a subcontractor who relied solely on them. The implications were enormous.

As a result, each organization within the Crime Firm was currently focused on expanding their arsenal and improving their armament levels to protect themselves.

‘I feel kind of sorry.’

‘Ah. You don’t have to feel that bad.’

Milo interjected. Although his tone was light, there was a serious and clear sense of purpose behind it.

‘In this business, the strongest always devours the weak, so there’s no need to feel sorry… Besides, everyone wanted to expand their military might anyway. The Fighter Crew just provided them with an excuse.’

His tone might have sounded light, but each word hit right on target.

‘Lately, there have been conflicts with the Crime Firm’s directors in other cities, and the Security Bureau is growing, so everyone’s feeling uneasy… Anyway, all unaffiliated gangs in this city that were giving us a headache have been wiped out thanks to the Fighter Crew. No need to apologize.’

‘Oh… you’re well-informed?’

‘Why are you saying that? Even if I was just running errands, I’m still part of the Kimball Family. So, please teach me too. I’ll return the favor if you help, just like you did for my brother. For proof, I’ve already gathered some money.’

‘Alright.’

Before Milo could even take out the thick envelope of money, Oliver agreed.

So easily that not only Milo but even the people around them were stunned.

‘Really…?’

‘Yes.’

‘Wow… I didn’t think you’d agree so easily?’

‘You said you wanted to learn. But I have some matters to attend to, so I can’t teach you immediately. I have somewhere to go.’

‘Oh, oh. That’s fine! Totally fine! I’m grateful enough… But where are you going?’

‘The *Tower of Magic*.’

As Oliver answered, he snapped out of his memory.

Returning to reality, Oliver’s eyes took in the scenery of the Tower of Magic.

The vast grounds, the towers built in the unique style of each school. It looked the same as the last time he saw it, yet somehow different.

‘Did something happen?’

Oliver thought as he observed the students gathered on benches inside the Tower’s walkways, chatting uneasily.

‘Is the rumor true?’

‘Yeah, my cousin works for the Tower administration, and he said it’s true. The project the Tower was preparing got stolen.’

‘How is that possible?’

‘How should I know?’

‘No, seriously… how could a project be stolen? Do you know how much security and guards they have there?’

‘It sounds crazy, but I heard the guards weren’t doing their job properly. They got complacent, thinking no one would dare come here.’

‘Idiots… No, it makes sense. That’s why they’re only doing guard duty. They’re screwed now.’

‘Screwed beyond screwed.’

‘But, what about the security system? The one that uses the World Tree.’

Hearing the question, the student who was talking raised a finger.

‘That’s exactly the point. They built this security system with a fluidity pattern that would take even Druids at least 40 minutes to disengage, but it got hacked in under 2 minutes. By the time reinforcements arrived, it was already too late.’

‘How’s that possible? If you force it open, the technique would keep getting tangled up and take half a day to unravel, right?’

‘I don’t know, but it seems possible. That’s why there’s talk of a spy inside the Tower, and recently, there was a massive search—’

‘Hey, hey.’

One of the students on the bench poked the side of the student who had been passionately arguing.

Their conversation paused momentarily. Annoyed by the interruption, the passionate student asked, ‘What’s up with you?’ The other student gestured lightly in Oliver’s direction.

They had been so engrossed in their conversation that they stared at him too openly.

Feeling everyone’s gaze, Oliver awkwardly made eye contact with the students.

‘…’

‘…’

Stuck in uncomfortable silence, Oliver instinctively waved a little with the hand holding his Quarterstaff. The students, though somewhat hesitant, returned his greeting.

Oliver was honestly surprised. When he first arrived at the Tower, most ignored him, even pretending not to see him.

There were times when he got a bit of attention after completing some missions, but that was just out of interest. With few exceptions, it didn’t result in personal respect or greetings.

But now, they responded to his greetings, even though they didn’t know him. It was quite a novelty. Oliver thanked them again with a nod and went off on his way.

‘This is really curious.’

***

‘What’s so curious about it?’

Inside the Tower of Magic, in the Elemental School’s tower, Kevin Dunbar spoke while handling his work in the professor’s office.

As Merlin’s disciple, a Master of the Tower, and also a professor, he calmly continued the conversation while quickly reading and signing the papers.

‘You officially became a Tower employee and were active in several significant events, like the *Lake Village* and *Flesh Cook* incidents… It’d be weirder if they reacted the same as before. Compared to what you’ve done, this is just a drop in the bucket.’

‘Thank you for the compliment.’

Oliver responded very plainly. He alone had taken down Bathory, recovering the Life School’s research facility, thwarted Theodore’s plot, and even defeated the Flesh Cook of the Black Hand and his brother.

He was even managing a business in the X-District, an area considered impossible to develop.

Yet, Oliver just replied with, ‘Thank you for the compliment’… He never ceased to amaze Kevin, especially at times like this.

That unexplainable demeanor… no, that disposition was even more powerful than the talents Oliver had, making people recognize the gap between them.

‘… By the way, it seems like you’ve had quite an experience in the New Continent.’

Kevin paused briefly in his work, pointing to his right side, where Oliver had a bleached patch of hair and a burned arm.

Oliver replied, ‘Ah… Yes, a lot went down. It seems like you’ve been through a lot yourself, Professor.’

Oliver sensed a pure, potent magic within Kevin, stronger than before, beyond just stability, with a subtle aura of spirits emanating from his body.

In the past, it was faint, and Oliver, being unfamiliar with spirits, didn’t notice. But this time, the aura was clear. Also, he had gotten a close look at the Ice Gorger Elder, making him more perceptive.

‘Having better eyes now probably helped too.’

Kevin opened his mouth to speak.

‘A lot indeed… I’ve had my fair share.’

There was a subtle nuance in his tone. Of course, this wasn’t exactly Oliver’s area, but he still decided to ask.

‘What happened?’

‘…’

For once, Kevin remained silent, which was unusual for him. While silence was rare, this time it felt different.

‘For the first time in a long while, I’ve been disciplined.’

‘Disciplined? …You’re talking about the Elder, right?’

‘Indeed. Thanks to that, I was able to contract with several spirits. That’s the good news.’

‘…And the bad news?’

‘Do you remember Felix?’

‘Yes.’

Oliver nodded.

Felix. A student of the Gaia School within the Elemental School, the first time Oliver met him was during Kevin’s class. Oliver had aided in their physical training as a temporary replacement for Kevin.

Among the otherwise unmotivated students, Felix was the only eager one, so Oliver couldn’t help but remember him.

Later, Felix applied to Kevin’s lab as a researcher, passed along with Derrick, and even accompanied them to Lake Village.

In the middle of it all, Felix got caught up in Theodore’s scheme and had his magic and life force drained significantly.

‘Did he die or suffer a permanent disability?’

Oliver made the grim speculation without reacting much. Considering the injuries caused by Theodore, it wasn’t unfounded.

Felix’s body had weakened from the large loss of life force and magic, and the magic he had accumulated over a lifetime had diminished.

Kevin shook his head.

‘No. Fortunately, the potion you provided helped him recover from most of the aftereffects.’

‘That’s a relief. Then, what’s the bad part?’

‘The problem is, he’s a thief. He’s been secretly funneling Tower artifacts and research on the side.’