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"That guy has a great sense of fashion, contrary to his appearance. Even to an excessive degree."
The clock showed 8:50 PM as Kevin made this comment while stationed by the door, anticipating Oliver's arrival.
The basis for Kevin's remark lay in Oliver's attire, which seemed exceptionally refined for someone in his position as a personal staff member to a professor.
This choice of clothing could be rationalized by Edith's meticulous selection, influenced by his knowledge of Oliver's situation.
From the suit and shoes to the belt and wristwatch, every element was of the highest caliber.
In fact, it held its own against, or perhaps even outshone, Kevin's ensemble.
What added an extra layer of humor was that despite his impeccable attire, Oliver carried himself with a remarkable naturalness.
Usually, when clothing doesn't align with a person's demeanor, it generates an awkward atmosphere as if the clothes are wearing the individual. Yet, Oliver exhibited no such signs.
It was as though he had an innate connection to his attire.
Observing Oliver's appearance, Kevin's gaze prompted a question from Oliver, "Is something amiss, Professor?"
Kevin shook his head, replying, "No, nothing's amiss. Except that your attire seems a bit extravagant for a regular staff member… Maybe Edith has some issues with me."
Oliver responded, "He tends to have issues with almost everyone… Should I change into something else?"
"Different clothes?"
"Yes, I brought a few regular suits with me."
Kevin considered, then stated, "No, something bold is better than something ordinary."
Saying this, Kevin joined his researcher assosiates, Derick and Felix, to make their way to the top-floor social event at the hotel.
The social hall, akin to the hotel rooms, exuded a sense of newness and grandeur. Everything, from the ambiance to the temperature, humidity, and even the delicate scent in the air, was meticulously curated.
The atmosphere alone had a mood-elevating effect.
Inside the social hall, a mix of wizards, men in sharp suits, and women in dazzling dresses had already assembled.
Derick murmured, "Truly splendid," under his breath.
As part of the esteemed Redhill family of the Agni sub-faction, he seemed acquainted with most of the guests.
In contrast, Oliver and Felix were at a loss, but Derick noticed and kindly provided explanations.
"Those individuals over there are renowned professors from Rokuri University. The conversing group belongs to the wizard families of the central continent… Oh? Is that the One Master from the Blood Magic sub-school?"
Derick gestured towards a youthful-looking man with crimson hair. Despite holding the prestigious title of One Master, he appeared remarkably young.
"The One Master of the Blood Magic sub-school?"
"Indeed. It's been a while since I've seen him. Likely because it's a newly established school, just a little over a decade old, they haven't engaged much externally."
Derick, his astonishment evident, carried on explaining, with Felix and Oliver observing the guests in a tourist-like manner, following his lead.
Most attendees of the event were high-ranking individuals, possessing substantial and high-quality mana—a testament to the influence of the Life School.
"Oh, look, there are people from our Magic Tower."
Derick pointed towards a cluster gathered in a corner of the social hall.
Kevin recognized a few faces from his time at the Magic Tower.
But the most familiar was Philip, who had chauffeured them earlier that day.
Despite his advanced age, his imposing height and robust frame emitted a distinct presence, drawing people in like moths to a flame and forming a crowd.
It was a testament to his considerable influence.
Upon spotting Kevin, who had yet to engage with others, Philip waved cheerfully, beckoning him over.
"Kevin! Join us over here!"
His booming voice, a stark contrast to the social hall's ambiance, didn't seem to disturb anyone. Instead, it garnered surprise that he was taking such personal care of Kevin.
"General."
Kevin approached Philip with a composed demeanor and saluted.
Unlike their initial encounter, Philip received the salute with the appropriate decorum, setting aside his usual jesting demeanor.
A master of humor, he also understood the importance of seriousness.
"Indeed, good to see you. It's a pleasure to cross paths here… Allow me to introduce Lieutenant Kevin. Well, no, Professor Kevin Dunbara of the Magic Tower, now in active service. All of you working at the Magic Tower are acquainted with him, I presume?"
Philip naturally presented Kevin to the individuals he had been conversing with.
Kevin extended formal greetings, and they responded with courtesy, acknowledging Philip's authority.
Thanks to this, Kevin, who had been navigating the social hall without much interaction, finally managed to assimilate into the environment.
The more one observed Philip, the more considerate he appeared.
‘Huh?'
Mid-conversation, Oliver turned his head, detecting an unusual magical presence drawing near.
Perhaps a bit frigid in nature?
Oliver's line of sight reached the far end, revealing a scene where the crowd was parting, making way for an aged noblewoman.
This noblewoman possessed silvery hair impeccably arranged, standing tall despite her years.
Following behind her were several female wizards, including Yareli and attendants.
“Ah, One Master Tilda! It's been some time.”
Philip approached the elderly woman, his unique and unreserved demeanor unchanged, and greeted her first.
Tilda, the silver-haired elder, reciprocated Philip's greeting.
“It has indeed been a while, General Philip.”
Two distinct personalities. Nonetheless, Oliver perceived an undercurrent of mutual respect between them.
“Unexpectedly, I hadn't anticipated encountering Lady Tilda here. Did you, like myself, receive an invitation?”
“Yes."
“Heh, it appears that Mr. Theodore has orchestrated something quite impressive. Have any of the other One Masters arrived?”
“Not all of them. The One Master of the Gaia School dispatched a representative due to limited external engagements, and as for the others… Oh, have you met him?”
The pronoun ‘him' was a bit vague, but Philip grasped its meaning immediately.
“Regrettably, it seems he won't be attending… … Kevin!”
Philip called Kevin with a note of irritation, prompting Kevin, who appeared somewhat uneasy, to approach.
“Didn't he confirm he wouldn't be coming?”
"Yes, that's correct. General… … Greetings, One Master Tilda. It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
In response to Philip's inquiry, Kevin replied and then respectfully greeted Tilda.
Despite his courteous approach, Kevin harbored a sense of discomfort towards her, and Tilda, although distinct in character, displayed a similar unease.
Perhaps it was only natural. After all, Kevin had mentioned defeating Tilda's family, the head of the Skadi School and Yareli's father, to gain entry into the tower.
Tilda observed Kevin for a moment and accepted his greeting.
“Pleased to meet you… I've heard from Yareli that your teaching skills are quite exceptional.”
"I merely fulfilled my duty… Master mentioned he couldn't attend due to personal research. He requested me to convey his regards."
“Research?”
Tilda, who had maintained a chilly countenance, displayed a slight widening of her eyes, clearly indicating curiosity.
The fact that Merlin was engaged in research was indeed unexpected.
“Heh, research from him… I find myself quite intrigued by that notion.”
As Kevin was poised to respond, a fresh voice interjected—an energetic, youthful voice.
All heads turned towards a group of wizards representing Rokuri University.
Oliver's eyes instinctively sought out Rose and lingered on her form.
Among the Rokuri University attendees, she was the solitary familiar figure to Oliver and the sole person within this elegant ballroom whose emotions remained hidden from his eyes.
Yet, the focus of the others was not on her.
Their collective attention was directed towards a woman at the forefront of the assemblage, presumably the one who had spoken. Given the aura, she clearly occupied a position of significant stature.
‘But she seems remarkably youthful.’
Oliver mused, scrutinizing the woman's appearance.
However, his disquiet wasn't solely about her age-defying aspect. The abrupt entrance had taken everyone aback, inducing a state of stunned silence.
Even the typically composed Kevin, the emotionally expressive Philip, the frosty Tilda—all appeared so astonished that words eluded them.
The reason behind this reaction remained elusive to Oliver.
Thankfully, Philip soon dispelled the mystery.
“Could it be… Dean Dejiehe Durans of the Department of Life Alchemy?”
“Yes, you are correct.”
"Heh… Somehow you appear far younger than my memory recalls."
Philip exclaimed, and Dejiehe Durans responded with a smile tinted by an air of superiority.
***
To everyone's surprise, the woman named Dejiehe Durans was purportedly 64 years old at that juncture.
Yet, her appearance easily passed for someone in her early thirties… She genuinely appeared half her actual age.
Oliver could empathize with the astonishment of those who were privy to her true age. The gift of youth was a rarity few accomplished wizards could ever hope to regain.
As if confirming this, the serenity of the ballroom was suddenly disrupted, akin to a tranquil pool struck by a plummeting stone, setting ripples through the atmosphere.
Philip, Tilda, and others—all those who had intended to pay their respects to the prominent figures from the Magic Tower—swiftly shifted their focus, converging on the dean of life alchemy, who had inexplicably donned a veneer of youth. Their actions resembled chicks instinctively following their mother's lead.
On this evening, the social hall was alight with animated discussions. The customary exchange of pleasantries was overshadowed, replaced by an unrestrained fascination with the accomplishments in research attributed to the Life School faction and the department of life alchemy.
Though the pamphlet hinted at life extension and rejuvenation through physical alterations, none had anticipated the extent of the transformation.
‘Yet, it's entirely reasonable.'
Thus, the social hall buzzed with fervent curiosity and an array of desires, feelings that Oliver inadvertently perceived.
“Phew… that's quite something.”
A moment later, Oliver, having departed the social hall, exhaled.
It wasn't that he was uninterested in the wizard who had seemingly reclaimed her youth or the methods enabling such a feat. Given Oliver's current standing, role, and circumstances, he reasoned he wouldn't garner a satisfying explanation. Consequently, he chose to leave it be.
In fact, when a curious wizard posed a direct question about whether the rejuvenation was linked to research conducted by the Life School faction and the department of life alchemy, Dejiehe merely offered a vague assurance that the answer would be provided during the official announcement with Theodore.
Hence, finding it more prudent to explore other mysteries than that wouldn't yield immediate answers, Oliver sought Kevin's assent and promptly departed the social hall.
One such enigma was the lake that generated mana-infused mist.
"Indeed, the mist here is quite dense."
Oliver murmured while descending the hill beneath the hotel.
Since it was a road for vehicles rather than pedestrians, he had to trek a considerable distance before reaching the village below.
The fog seemed thicker in the lower reaches, where the village lay, than it had been at the hotel, and the added darkness further hindered visibility.
This might explain the deserted streets.
Nonetheless, Oliver wasn't there to engage with the local populace, so the emptiness didn't bother him.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Despite his constrained sight, Oliver consulted the map in the pamphlet and used the hotel as a reference point as he followed the road leading to the lake.
Given that the lake was a tourist attraction, it was well-indicated on the map, and the main road was straightforward to follow, leaving no room for confusion.
Occasionally, he felt the scrutiny of onlookers from passing inns or houses, but without encountering any difficulties or unusual incidents, Oliver arrived at the lake through the dense forest.
From a distance at the hotel, he had perceived that it was no ordinary mana-infused body of water. However, up close, it surpassed even those initial impressions.
While not on the scale of the land of ice, the concentration of magic was substantial.
Sufficiently potent for Oliver to harness and utilize without restraint.
Upon closer inspection, he discerned that the lake's periphery and the village's surroundings remained relatively untouched; it appeared that areas unaltered by human intervention retained a more abundant reservoir of mana.
"Hmm?"
While scrutinizing the expansive lake saturated with mana and its environs, Oliver spotted something perplexing.
Activating his warlock's eyes, he identified a series of subterranean water veins extending deep beneath the lake's surface.
These water veins were the conduits through which the lake's water circulated, branching out in all directions and encompassing the entire village.
Far from being natural formations, they appeared purposefully designed…
Reacting instinctively, Oliver extracted the pamphlet and a pen, cross-referencing his location to the map and commencing to mark it.
(To be Continued)
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