In his late twenties, possessing an almost ethereal beauty with radiant blonde hair, keen eyesight, and impeccable fair skin, Carl exhibited a healthy physique – neither overly plump nor excessively thin. His tall stature and upright posture further added to his commanding presence, all without the aid of glasses for his eyes.
As Oliver laid eyes on Carl, the grandson of the Grand Master of the life school faction and the person responsible for overseeing Mattel, he found that Carl remained unchanged since their last meeting.
It was as though time had frozen, encapsulating their familiarity in a moment.
While such a description might seem exaggerated, Oliver had complete certainty in its accuracy.
Because they promised not to forget each other.
"…Zenon. Zenon! Zenon!!"
Upon noticing Carl's gaze fixed on Oliver, Derick urgently grasped Oliver's shoulder and whispered loudly.
Given Derick's physical strength, Oliver was drawn along involuntarily.
Creating a path, Oliver stepped aside while Derick offered his apologies to Carl.
"Ah… I'm sorry. Professor Carl… He tends to drift off at times. Please overlook his unintended impoliteness."
Even Derick, who usually exuded confidence, appeared noticeably flustered.
This incident hinted at the extent of Carl's influence within the tower.
"My apologies as well, Professor. It seems Zenon caught you off guard."
Felix approached with an apologetic demeanor, offering his apology alongside a subtle gesture in the form of a reassuring pat on Oliver's shoulder.
With both Derick and Felix positioning themselves around him, Oliver's gaze shifted to Carl, who was intently observing him.
Carl's eyes held a mixture of skepticism and inquisition, as if he were seeking confirmation for something.
"…I apologize, Professor Carl. The surprise caught me off guard and led to my mistake," Oliver sincerely apologized after taking a thorough moment to study Carl. It was an admission of his error, one he felt compelled to make.
Initially expecting Carl to merely disregard him and move on, Oliver was taken aback when Carl actually addressed him.
"Are you the renowned Zenon?"
"Do… do you recognize me?"
"Well, you're the remarkable individual who assisted us at Mountain Pace."
"Oh… I believe it was mostly luck. The accompanying Solver played a significant role in resolving the situation."
"I've heard that you've taken on instructional responsibilities at the tower in place of the professor."
"It's primarily introductory training, and I'm merely following the professor's directives."
"But there's more to it, isn't there? Rumor has it that you're practicing an enigmatic technique hailing from the far eastern desert… How did you come by such knowledge?"
"I'm sorry. Sharing personal information requires the professor's authorization."
"Even if the professor's staff are servants, they don't interfere that much. Interesting, isn't it?"
"I don't know the details either, as it was set by the professor."
"I see. Quite intriguing indeed. I wonder what the underlying reason might be."
The atmosphere began to subtly shift. Just as Derick and Felix were on the cusp of sensing an underlying tension, a foreign yet melodious voice captured everyone's attention.
"Ah, Professor! Have you concluded your conversation?"
In response to the vibrant and captivating voice, all heads turned in unison.
Advancing towards them was a young woman in her early twenties, radiating freshness and vitality.
Her beauty was undeniable.
Her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears all seemed meticulously crafted, as if an artisan had meticulously designed and carved each feature.
Her physique and proportions were flawlessly harmonious, akin to a sculpture brought to life through meticulous calculation.
She extended a natural greeting to Oliver, Felix, and Derick, exuding not only her physical allure but also her social finesse.
"Hello. Are you researchers under Professor Kevin?"
In response to the stunning and vivacious woman's query, Derick spoke up, clearly familiar with her.
"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rose."
"Oh, am I known to you?"
"Absolutely. How could we not be aware of the young prodigy in the field of life alchemy from Rokuri University? Have you returned to the tower?"
Derick navigated the conversation adeptly. Curious, Oliver leaned in to Felix and whispered a question.
"What is Rokuri University?"
"It's like the equivalent of Galos's Tower. A magical institution established by the royal family, boasting a history even longer than the Tower itself. Its standards are exceedingly high. They share a sisterhood with the Tower."
Upon absorbing this well-known fact within the Tower, Oliver couldn't help but let out an exclamation, "Ah…."
While he might have appeared slightly foolish, his limited focus on Tower affairs could be understood.
Grasping Oliver's situation, Felix offered further context, "Ms. Rose du Bois is a prodigy from Rokuri University. She's quite the celebrity."
"I'm genuinely flattered to be called a prodigy, and I thank you for the compliment," responded Rose, having concluded her discussion with Derick. Her interest now extended to this group, and her distinctive blend of sociability and beauty was swiftly eroding any barriers.
Felix, slightly taken aback, responded, "Well, I was just relaying what I've heard… My name is Felix, a research associate under Professor Kevin. Pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise, and who might this individual be?"
"Ah, Zenon. I'm Zenon, a personal aide to Professor Kevin."
"Ah! Zenon…! I've heard about you. This is truly exciting. Greetings, the hero who came to the rescue of our life school faction! Meeting you has been a longstanding wish of mine, and now here you are. I'm truly delighted!"
Unlike the wizards Oliver had encountered, Rose spoke with effervescence. Yet, it felt entirely natural, aligned with her distinctive vivacity. But Oliver remained indifferent.
For him, the inability to perceive her emotions was more significant. They were shrouded behind a dense, opaque barrier, preventing him from accurately gauging them, akin to a thick sheet of frosted glass.
This sensation was akin to his interactions with Merlin, yet fundamentally distinct.
The contrast was notably surprising.
"Your lack of response… Oh! I must have overwhelmed you. Please allow me a proper introduction. I am Rose du Bois, an exchange student from Rokuri University. I had to leave last semester due to some issues, but now I've returned. Delighted to make your acquaintance."
Rose offered a formal introduction and naturally extended her hand, indicating a desire for a handshake.
As customary manners dictated, Oliver stretched out his hand.
"Ah."
Just as his hand was about to clasp Rose's, Oliver abruptly retracted it, involuntarily emitting a sound.
"……?!"
All eyes turned toward Oliver, their expressions marked by surprise at his unexpected behavior. It was a rather impolite action.
The room fell into an awkward hush, the suddenness of Oliver's actions suffusing the air with discomfort.
Recognizing the tension, Oliver deliberated for a while before finally speaking up.
"I'm sorry… I've never encountered such a beautiful person before. I made a mistake without realizing it."
"…..??!!"
"…..??!!"
Both Derick and Felix blinked in disbelief, doubting their own ears as they stared at Oliver.
The Oliver they knew wasn't someone who would utter such remarks.
What made it even more astounding was how naturally his words flowed.
While the room was momentarily hushed, struggling to keep up with the unexpected turn, Rose let out a soft chuckle and once again extended her hand.
"You're quite amusing. You're even willing to say embarrassing things to a woman you've just met… Shall we attempt the handshake again? Take it slow if you're feeling nervous."
Rose offered another handshake proposal. Just as Oliver contemplated how to decline, the office door suddenly swung open with a loud thud.
It was Kevin.
"Professor?"
"I overheard something I shouldn't have just now. What's going on?"
Derick and Felix turned their gaze to Oliver directly. Oliver replied, owning up to his words.
"I'm not entirely sure of the details, but I believe it was something I said."
***
A mild stir followed, but with Kevin's arrival, Carl and Rose discreetly departed.
Derick inquired about the situation, leading Kevin to invite them into his office. He explained that there was a matter to discuss.
"… An invitation to a conference?"
"Yes, the School of Life Alchemy and the School of Life Magic at Rokuri University are hosting a conference and have extended an invitation to me."
"Oh… Congratulations, Professor."
Derick and Felix exchanged awkward glances, clearly taken aback by the news.
The information wasn't negative, but the circumstances were certainly peculiar.
The Life School inviting Kevin, a Red skin, was unexpected.
Kevin, aware of the unexpected nature himself, didn't address their reactions.
"Regardless, this event serves as a platform for collaborative research between the Life School and the School of Life Alchemy. It's expected to draw a considerable crowd from the Magic Tower, including department heads, Grand Masters, and One Masters… To be straightforward, would the two of you be interested in attending?"
At Kevin's proposition, Felix and Derick's faces brightened.
"Yes, Professor."
"If it's possible for us to attend, we'd be more than interested."
"Perfect. Then review and sign these attendance confirmations, and align your schedules accordingly. Fortunately, research associates invited by professors can receive financial support for expenses."
Felix and Derick swiftly accepted the documents, examining them carefully. The conference appeared to be a more significant affair than they had initially assumed.
Kevin also handed them a pamphlet for the conference.
"Study this beforehand. While the focal point is the Life School, representatives from other departments at Rokuri University will also be partaking in this two-week conference. Endeavor to gather valuable insights that we can utilize."
"Yes, Professor."
"Absolutely."
"Great, wrap things up for the day, and handle the paperwork and scheduling I mentioned earlier. Draft a report detailing your plans for the conference."
In a natural manner, Kevin bestowed upon Derick and Felix the gift of early departure along with a homework assignment.
With evident enthusiasm, the two departed, leaving only Oliver and Kevin in the professor's office.
"They seem quite pleased."
"Well, such conferences don't come around often. Simply attending can broaden your horizons, and depending on how you approach it, you can gain invaluable insights. It's also an opportunity to make unexpected connections. That's why distinguished families often take their members to conferences from a young age."
"Ah, I understand… Can I go as well?"
"Of course. Why the question?"
"You didn't mention the staff members earlier."
"Ah… my mistake. I typically don't list individual staff members. They're akin to a professor's attire or shoes. You don't normally ask whether you should put on shoes before stepping out, right?"
Oliver more or less grasped the concept. In the tower's hierarchy, a professor's personal staff were regarded more as an extension of the professor than individual entities.
As long as he could partake in the conference, this detail wasn't a major concern.
Having handed pamphlets to Derick, Felix, and now Oliver, Kevin had smoothly distributed them. No separate application was needed. It was a product of being considered part of the professor's entourage.
As soon as Oliver received the pamphlet, he delved into its contents.
Inside, he found concise descriptions of Rokuri University, the School of Life Alchemy, a map, and conference details.
The subjects covered intrigued both the layperson and the wizard, encompassing themes like chimeras, bodily suturing and regeneration, extending life through physical modification, the advancement of artificial mana tank, procedures for superhuman physical augmentation, and more.
While engrossed in reading, something caught Oliver's attention.
"Professor? The conference falls within the vacation period. Is that acceptable?"
"Is there a concern?"
"Doesn't it overlap with the summer semester?"
"No need for worry. Such occurrences are routine in the tower. Students can opt for earlier exams. I'll pay a bit more attention to the grading."
"…Is that allowed?"
"Within the tower, it's customary to accommodate those higher in status. Moreover, it's advantageous for the students as well."
"How so?"
"If the professor conducting a class is participating in a conference, his students often have the chance to participate in the conference too. It's a form of privilege extended to professors to prevent any discontent."
"I see…"
"Consequently, in your upcoming class, make this announcement to the students and welcome those interested in attending the conference."
"Um… won't most of them want to attend?"
Oliver inquired, drawing from the reactions of Derick and Felix as well as Kevin's explanations.
"That's accurate. However, intent and feasibility can diverge."
"What do you mean?"
"Even if a student qualifies for participation, practical hurdles may arise. Take conference fees, round-trip travel costs, travel permits, accommodations and living expenses for a two-week event, and facilitation fees into account. It adds up significantly. At least 8 to 10 million, perhaps more. There aren't many students who can suddenly afford such expenses."
"Doesn't the Magic Tower cover the expenses?"
"That's only applicable to professors, research assosiates, and their personal staff. Students are responsible for their own costs."
"So, what about students who can't afford it?"
"Unfortunately, they're unable to attend."
"Ah…"
Oliver let out a disappointed sigh. It was indeed disheartening.
All the students in his class had been putting in their best efforts, and yet this was the outcome. Of course, this wasn't something he could take up with Kevin.
After pondering for a moment, Oliver spoke up.
"Professor, what if-"
"-No."
Kevin decisively cut him off before Oliver could finish his sentence. It seemed he had anticipated what Oliver was going to suggest.
"But I hadn't even finished my question."
"Your intention was to ask if you could cover their expenses, right?"
"How did you know?"
Oliver asked in amazement, wondering if Kevin had moved beyond understanding his emotions to predicting his thoughts. However, that wasn't the case.
"I've observed how you manage the Fighter Crew. You've been providing all the necessary training equipment, facilities, wages for the instructors, and so forth."
Kevin's statement was accurate. From the funds he received through the Fighter Crew's tuition fees, Oliver was covering everything from training gear and spaces to consumables and instructor payments, including for Al and Forrest.
"You can do what you want with the Fighter Crew, but you can't do that while you are my staff in the Magic Tower."
"Why not?"
"Why do you wish to offer financial assistance?"
"Um… It's within a range I can handle, and they're hardworking people, and it's regrettable that they're disadvantaged because of the circumstances all of a sudden? Isn't it pitiful if they can't learn because of money?"
"Your sentiments are valid, but still, the answer is no. If you provide assistance like this, they'll turn to you for help in the future. Will you be willing to assist them again then? It could also reflect poorly on me. Is that what you want?"
"No… That's not what I intended."
"Furthermore, it goes against the regulations. To receive such support, they should seek aid from the Magic Tower or affiliated Schools, or alternatively secure assistance from well-off individuals. That's the hierarchy. That's the rule."
"Wealthy individuals?"
"Yes. The Magic Tower receives considerable investment from them, as there are numerous areas requiring funding. In essence, if you really want to help them, don't help directly, go convince some fat and lustful tycoon of Landa. If you manage that, there won't be any issues, and it won't concern me."
***
"That's why I've come here."
Oliver concluded his explanation to Edith, seated across from him.
Edith's reaction was colorful: "This damn motherf*****…!"
