Creak, creak.
As Oliver extended his spine, a rejuvenating noise resonated in the room.
Upon glancing at the timepiece, he realized it was already half past six in the evening.
His gaze shifted towards the mountain of books on one end and the barren bookcase waiting to be replenished on the other.
The daunting task of sorting and shelving all those volumes lay before him, a mission he had to complete single handedly by the next day's dawn.
"Certainly. Others have already contributed by bringing in new books and taking away old ones, so it wouldn't be fair to expect them to assist with the final touches. You'll need to arrange everything from here onwards."
The statement seemed both justifiable and unjust at the same time, yet Oliver refrained from arguing.
There were two primary reasons for this.
First, despite the situation, the librarian's words held some truth, and second, he had somewhat foreseen this predicament.
On the first day, Kevin had cautioned him about the likelihood of being taken advantage of.
However, not everything was negative.
Immersing himself in the task allowed him to fret less about Joanna's affairs and Puppet's enigmatic remarks.
Oliver attempted to concentrate on the brighter side and maintain an optimistic outlook.
After all, securing a position at the tower itself was a serendipitous turn of events, so enduring a bit of adversity was insignificant.
"Actually, it's quite enjoyable."
"What's enjoyable?"
His murmuring was interrupted as someone spoke up while he tried to return to his task.
It was Kevin Dunbara, the tower professor who had employed Oliver.
With his ruddy complexion and meticulously styled black hair, he had seemingly entered unnoticed and was now standing in the corridor.
"Professor, have you arrived? How did the meeting go?"
"Not good, I have another meeting tomorrow. They appear hesitant to grant me a substantial budget."
"I see. What brings you here?"
"You left a note mentioning you'd be assisting here, didn't you?"
That's right. Before the librarian whisked him away, Oliver had penned a memo and left it on his desk.
It was courteous to leave a note indicating one's whereabouts when stepping away.
"Oh… I didn't intend for you to come. Did I make a mistake?"
"No, I just stopped by to see what you were doing. I was curious why you hadn't returned, even though it's well past closing time… As expected, you have quite a workload. What about the others?"
"They went home."
"Did they leave all the work to you?"
"Um, yes, but I joined the work late, so I agreed to handle the final organization. It seems only fair."
"Because of the caller?"
"Yes… I plan to retrieve one from the management office tomorrow and set it up. I'll complete the remainder of the tasks you assigned to me before lunchtime and place them on your desk."
His statements were genuine, not an attempt to make excuses. Thanks to Forrest's excellent guidance and his own habit of reading numerous books, Oliver was quite proficient in his work.
"I didn't come to pressure you. I came to apologize."
"Pardon? What do you mean…"
"The caller issue, and all the books I handed to you were from a year ago. I acquired them as they were distributed in the undergraduate program, but it's my fault for not verifying them. I apologize."
Taken aback by these unexpected words, Oliver bowed his head.
"No, it's fine."
"No, I must apologize. Regardless of their position, individuals should perform their duties properly, and I failed to do so this time. I apologize."
In that instant, Oliver perceived a sense of resolve or determination in Kevin's emotions.
The reason for apologizing to Oliver was not simply because he was sorry, but because he had violated the rules he had created himself.
"….Understood. Then, I will gladly accept your apology."
Oliver immediately resumed his work. After checking the memo he received from the librarian, he inserted the book into the designated position.
Kevin still looked at him silently, as if he had something more to say.
"Do you have anything else to say, Professor?"
Kevin sat down on a nearby chair, spreading his mana to check the surroundings, and asked bluntly.
"…Aren't you angry?"
"What do you mean?"
"The whole situation. Someone as skilled as you should be angry about receiving such treatment."
Kevin's words contained some sincerity.
They had fought with their lives on the line, so Oliver seemed to know Kevin's skills, and Kevin knew Oliver's skills.
Oliver's skills were at least at the professor level, meaning he was a Master.
A Master, following GrandMaster and One Master.
Even at the Master level, Kevin, who had almost no equal, fought on par with Oliver, meaning Oliver was at least an upper-level Master.
Extraordinary skills considering age and social status.
Even considering the situation where such a skilled person had to hide his identity, it was only natural to be angry about the unfair treatment, but there was no such emotion to be read from the warlock in front of him.
Rather, he seemed to be enjoying it.
"Um… should I be angry?"
"Usually, yes."
"Usually, huh… I'm sorry, but I don't know."
"Why is that?"
"I think I'm already receiving more than enough treatment."
"Really?"
"Yes, I've been curious about the Magic Tower for a long time."
"…?"
"I happened to obtain diaries and logs of people from the Magic Tower and read them."
"……."
"But soon I realized I couldn't enter the Magic Tower. Due to factors such as birth, talent, social status, and credit that are difficult for me to deal with… But then I got in like this. I'm just grateful for that."
"Even though people here ignore and harass you?"
"I've been harassed at the orphanage and mine. At least they don't pinch me until I'm bruised here, so it's fine. Organizing books is also fun."
"You're quite positive."
"I don't know if it's positive, but thank you for seeing it that way."
Upon receiving the response, Kevin stood up from his seat.
He appeared as though he was preparing to depart, but instead, he channeled his mana and carefully placed the book that Oliver was trying to organize back onto its proper spot on the bookshelf.
This task required Kevin to concentrate and apply a spell that harnessed physical prowess. Though it was a fundamental skill, executing it with precision demanded significant discipline.
"Professor?"
"It's because of my mistake that you're taking on this task, so let me just help you out this one time."
"Ah… Thank you. But is it okay to organize it like that?"
"Why do you think it's not okay?"
"I thought books were precious and should be carefully organized by hand. The other librarians and staff members also organized them by hand."
"That's just because they don't have the skills. If you can, it's okay to organize them like this. It doesn't damage the books."
"Ah…"
As soon as he heard the answer, Oliver drew up the mana stored in his body and stretched it toward the books piled up on one side.
"Wait, if you do too much for the first time…"
Kevin fell silent as he observed Oliver's impressive display of skillful book control. Oliver had managed to levitate all the books in midair with precision and stability, arranged at the perfect angle.
Swish- swish- swish-
Oliver snapped his fingers according to the list he received from the librarian, and hundreds of books moved swiftly and inserted themselves into the bookshelf.
It was a great help to imitate the way Merlin had used books in the past.
The work that should have taken at least five or six hours was finished in no time.
Looking at the organized library, Oliver asked Kevin.
"Is this okay?"
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
Swoosh!
A wilderness with nothing but snow and rocky mountains.
Unbelievably, a luxurious mansion was built on top of the highest rocky mountain.
It was a mansion where one would doubt if anyone lived there, but surprisingly, there was an old man in the mansion.
He paused his research in the laboratory and had a conversation.
"That's quite interesting. That young lady is applying for your class. It's highly unlikely she would have any good feelings toward you."
[Yes, I find it strange too. But since she applied, I have no intention of rejecting her.]
Merlin nodded as if he had expected it.
It was very much like Kevin. He never backed down, whether it was a test or a fight. Well, if he showed a weak side, everyone would try to devour him, so it was a natural attitude.
Even if it was Merlin, all he could give was an opportunity.
"Takin' on three classes instead of the planned one, ya must be bloody busy, eh?."
[Even though the plan has changed, I intend to get a lot of class budget in return.]
"It won't be easy. Should I help you a bit?"
[Please don't say something you don't mean.]
"Hehehe. As expected, ya know me pretty well. I don't plan to get involved personally. Officially, I'm retired, ya see."
[Yes, officially.]
"Instead, I have some interesting material for ya. I'll chuck it your way."
[Interesting material? Is it a backdoor deal?]
Kevin quickly grasped the situation. The backdoor material Merlin mentioned was extracted from the journal Oliver had obtained in the past.
"Yeah, mate. It's somethin' I stumbled upon by chance. Folks these days got such big egos, ay."
[Hmm… In that case, I'll appreciate it.]
Merlin burst into laughter. But it was only for a moment.
As the laughter faded away, a moment of silence ensued, and then Merlin's serious voice flowed out.
Now it was not a private conversation, but an official one.
"How’s the task I gave ya going?"
The task referred to observing Oliver. After all, the reason Merlin sent Oliver to the magic tower was to keep an eye on him from afar.
[I’m still observing him.]
"Found anything?"
[Other than not coming in sometimes because of the Solver work, there's nothing particularly noticeable. In general, he is diligent and competent.]
Merlin admired in silence. Kevin, who possessed talent and diligence, was strict with himself and just as strict with others, rarely giving compliments.
If he said Oliver was competent, it meant that he was truly competent, not only in terms of job performance.
[The most noticeable thing is his mental state. I've felt this from the beginning, but he doesn't get agitated or angry in most situations.]
"His mental state is indeed different from others."
[Honestly, I don't think it's just at that level.]
Kevin spoke with such seriousness that it could be felt even through the communication device.
"Could you be more specific?"
[Hmm… I'll tell you after observing him more. It's hard to say anything easily right now.]
"That's a good answer. It's better to observe as much as ya can, unless it's bloody urgent."
[Yes… But I've been hearing some noise since earlier, what are you doing?]
"Ah, I was just havin' a crack at a simple experiment to find out somethin'. Let's wrap up the call for now, mate."
[Yes, understood.]
The communication was cut off abruptly.
Merlin immediately lowered the communication device and looked ahead.
In front of him was a containment experiment box with multiple sealing spells, and inside was a small entrance to hell, suppressed by numerous mana.
…Fizz! Crackle…!
The tiny entrance to hell, the size of a grain of rice, was slowly breaking the spells that would immobilize most wizards.
It would be dangerous to delay any longer.
Merlin remotely controlled his mana, imbued into the experiment box, and clenched his fist.
Yellowish magical chains intertwined, wrapped around the spherical entrance to hell, and crushed it.
The entrance to hell vanished like dust.
It may not have looked like much, but the faint sweat on Merlin's forehead told how dangerous it had been.
Merlin looked at the test tube he had received from Dave in the past. Inside, a faint black emotion was contained.
It was Dave's emotions.
"I have no idea how to handle this."
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
Vroom—Crash!!
Inside District X, at a crossroads with a giant stake. There, some warlocks were sparring, risking their lives with each move.
"Don't worry. You won't die."
Oliver, who had quickly closed the distance, thrust his quarterstaff again.
Joe barely managed to block the threatening attack with his arms.
Kwa-Kwak-Kwak!
The black-suited quarterstaff mercilessly wore down Joe's fully armed defense.
The difference in the power of black magic was too great; had he not blocked it, he would have been thrown against the wall.
"Phew…!"
Joe, controlling the black armor on his arms, grabbed Oliver's quarterstaff and stretched it out.
Then he shouted.
"Now! Attack all at once! Let's try to land at least one hit!"
"Uwaaaa!!!"
One of Joe's colleagues, of the same rank, charged at Oliver, swinging a knife covered in black magic.
The intention was to really cut him. However, it didn't matter whether they harbored such feelings or not. It was more than insufficient for Oliver.
Oliver held his quarterstaff firmly as he deftly removed one hand and adorned the black armor on his forearm, effortlessly deflecting the attack. It was a defensive maneuver that Joe had taught him, but the ease with which Oliver executed it was astounding. It made one wonder if he had always possessed such remarkable skill.
Ching—!!!
The sharp sound of metal scraping echoed as Oliver instinctively countered the attack, parrying the blade effortlessly and throwing a light punch. Despite its seemingly gentle force, the black magic imbued in Oliver's strike was enough to knock out his opponent instantly.
"Ugh…!"
With a single counterattack, the fifteen fighter crew members surrounding Oliver hesitated and held back from advancing.
Despite having the numerical advantage, they were intimidated by the vast skill gap between them and Oliver. These were individuals who had endured the harsh realities of living in the slums.
"Uh… everyone? What are you all doing?"
Oliver spoke up.
"Isn't this a good situation to attack me?"
His quarterstaff was held by Joe, restricting his movements, so it wasn't wrong to say that.
"Since this is training and not a real fight, you should charge at me as much as possible."
It was neither mockery nor provocation nor insult; it was simply the truth.
Oliver spoke like a teacher encouraging a student who wasn't paying attention in class.
"I'm controlling my strength, so you probably won't get hurt too badly."
"Probably?"
"Well, we've got potions over there, so even if a bone breaks, you'll be fine."
Oliver pointed to a basket of potions piled up on one side.
It was a gift from Murphy, a sort of bribe to get along with Oliver.
"Soon, you'll have to prove your skills to the Crime Firm, so shouldn't you practice as much as possible while you still have time? Unfortunately, since Mr. Forrest and I made a promise, you all have to work hard whether you like it or not… Didn't you promise?"
A promise. As soon as the word was mentioned, Joe shivered with fear and shouted.
"Everyone, attack! Before we're all screwed! If we slack off, he'll hit us even harder! Hurry up and attack!!"
At those words, Owen, who was on Joe's team, charged at Oliver with an iron club covered in black armor.
Owen was unrivaled in strength among the fighter crew members.
It wasn't something that could be deflected like before.
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
Owen screamed as he lifted the iron club, and Oliver, still held by Joe, lifted his quarterstaff and used Joe to block Owen's attack.
Joe looked at Oliver with a surprised expression.
"Wait a second, shi—"
——Bang!!
Before he could finish speaking, Joe was struck by Owen's iron club, sent flying, and slammed into the wall in the distance.
Owen, who had struck Joe, was surprised.
"Joe…?"
Dumbfounded, Owen looked ahead and saw the quarterstaff flying toward him.
Bang!!
After the training was over, Oliver approached Forrest, who was in the corner.
"How long did it take?"
"8 minutes and 42 seconds."
Forrest checked his watch and replied.
"If you add up the time they spent hesitating, they managed to hold on for just under 8 minutes."
"That's still impressive. They couldn't even last 5 minutes before."
It was true.
After completing basic black magic training, Oliver conducted intensive training primarily with the higher-ranking members of the fighter crew.
Most of them couldn't even withstand 5 minutes.
Even considering Oliver going all-out on purpose, it was a pitiful gap.
However, as a result of diligently sparring every day, the time they could endure had increased by about 1.5 times.
"Good. With a little more effort, they might be able to last 10 minutes."
"Assuming they don't kick the bucket before then."
Forrest said, looking at the fighter crew members beyond Oliver.
They all couldn't even properly stand due to being beaten by Oliver.
It was a true irony – their attacks were more ferocious during training than when they fought for their own survival.
"Their skills are improving rapidly, aren't they?"
Forrest couldn't deny that point and nodded.
To Forrest, who had seen many decent Solvers, the skills of the fighter crew's higher-ranking members had improved to a rather satisfactory level.
In particular, Joe could now use Oliver's original black magic, Black Suit and Black Armor, to a certain extent, making him a match for most solvers.
Joe's friends, Sam and Owen, also actively developed their unique skills, resulting in noticeable improvements.
"At the rate we're going, I’m sure the Crime Firm will be happy. Sure, they might not be on par with the wizards from the Magic Tower or those flush security agencies, but they'll definitely hold their own in Landa's underworld."
"Um… That's true, but I'm planning to teach them as diligently as possible during the training period. Once the training is over, I plan to focus on my own work again."
Forrest nodded silently.
Sometimes Oliver seemed selfless in his help, but at other times he drew a surprising line. This made it both comfortable and difficult to deal with him.
"So, are you planning to do more training?"
"I'll do it a bit later. I think everyone needs some rest now."
"Agreed."
Forrest replied, looking at the exhausted fighter crew members.
"So, what's next for you? You don't seem like you're planning on taking a break."
"How did you figure it out? I have some business to attend to."
"Business to attend?"
"Yes."
As Oliver answered, he picked up a huge hammer wrapped in bandages.
It might have been an illusion, but the hammer seemed to quiver like a living creature.
"I have a question I want to ask."
(To be Continued on May 08(MON))
OR
$5/month6 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$15/month12 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$30/month19 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$45/monthAll advance chap + 6 chap/week
