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“Just wait a moment. I will discuss this matter.”
The head of the Magic Tower’s administration spoke to Oliver. Despite maintaining a composed exterior, he was exuding feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, confusion, and reluctance internally.
The masters seated on either side experienced similar emotions.
Their sentiments were undeniably intricate.
While they did not have a personal liking for Oliver, they still recognized his position.
However, they couldn’t simply allow Oliver to depart.
Their conflicting feelings of aversion and acknowledgment were in intense conflict with each other.
This indicated that they were engaged in profound deliberation.
After numerous discussions, the administrative chief and the masters finally addressed Oliver.
“It seems we need more discussion. For now, please step back and wait.”
***
Wait– It was a somewhat uncomfortable decision, but Oliver, content with the outcome, rose from his chair and offered a respectful bow to the administrative chief, Moira, and the two masters of the spatial school before exiting the room.
As the door closed behind him, he found himself in the spacious yet austere ambiance of the square corridor.
This atmosphere was befitting of the administrative building, which played a crucial role in mediating relationships and disputes among the various schools.
Despite it being a holiday period, Oliver retraced his steps and exchanged greetings with the staff responsible for maintaining the Magic Tower’s operations.
Their reactions towards Oliver were somewhat formal.
Not unpleasant, but still somewhat concerning.
He couldn’t help but wonder if maintaining this strained atmosphere would become troublesome as the vacation drew to a close.
‘It’s questionable whether I’ll remain in the Magic Tower until then… Hmm, since I might get kicked out, should I just read books for a while? That’s troublesome, I have two places to visit too—Hmm?’
As he turned the corner towards the entrance, Oliver unexpectedly encountered a group of individuals.
Among them were Yareli and Kevin, accompanied by researchers Derick and Felix.
“Hello, everyone.”
It was an unexpected encounter, and Oliver extended his greetings with proper decorum while observing their condition.
Yareli, with her silver curly hair and thick glasses, appeared as neat as ever. However, Derick and Felix seemed notably different.
Both men, who had once exhibited strong physical prowess, now appeared to have diminished in stature, as if they had endured a prolonged period of illness, with gaunt faces.
Especially Derick, whose vibrant red hair had significantly faded.
‘I heard that due to Mr. Theodore’s experiment, his magic and Life-force were absorbed and he became weak.. It was this serious.’
Almost instinctively, Oliver used his warlock’s eyes to assess Derick and Felix’s condition.
As Kevin had warned, their magical abilities had drastically diminished.
Nearly halved.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Oliver realized why Kevin had cautioned him about his choice of words.
Seeing it firsthand left a more profound impact than hearing about it. The palpable sense of loss in both Derick and Felix was evident.
‘I need to think more deeply about issues like this in the future.’
Aware of his own previous insensitivity, Oliver spoke with genuine concern.
“Are you both alright?”
“Well, we’re getting better… We can walk now at least.” Derick replied. Yareli added,
“Up until a few days ago, both of them struggled even to walk.”
It was disheartening news, but not surprising. Oliver had witnessed firsthand the atrocities committed by Theodore.
Frankly, surviving such an ordeal was a testament to Derick and Felix’s resilience.
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad you’re getting better.”
Derick’s initial reaction was a momentary flinch, accompanied by a flicker of anger, but it was brief.
He took a moment to collect himself and regain control of his emotions, indicating that he had something to say.
“How did the interview go? Have you decided to officially join the Magic Tower?”
As Derick composed himself, Yareli inquired, and Oliver responded reflexively.
“Eh? Oh, no, not yet.”
“Not yet?”
Yareli was surprised, as if it were a given that Oliver would join the Magic Tower. Derick and Felix shared a similar sentiment.
“Wait, why…?”
“Surely, someone didn’t oppose it?”
Oliver shook his head, attempting to calm their curiosity, and proceeded to explain the situation step by step, clarifying why he wasn’t joining the Magic Tower.
Upon hearing the explanation, their reaction mirrored that of Kevin, the administrative chief, Moira, and the two masters of the spatial school.
“I really don’t understand… It’s an unparalleled opportunity… Even if Zenon has succeeded outside, this is…”
Yareli was so flustered that she trailed off, an unusual occurrence for her. Oliver could tell she was frustrated, and just looked around.
“I would appreciate it if you could understand it as a personal preference. I don’t dislike the Magic Tower.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t.” Derick replied sarcastically. His emotions began to stir like a dormant volcano, with anger, jealousy, and resentment bubbling up.
“Hey…”
Felix interrupted Derick, seemingly trying to prevent the situation from escalating.
However, Derick continued, driven by the intensity of his emotions, like a volcano erupting with molten lava.
“It’s true, isn’t it? A talented guy like him doesn’t need to stick around the Magic Tower, right? With his abilities, he can live well anywhere… He doesn’t have to care about others like an idiot, and he can kick away opportunities that others can only hope for in their lifetime. Impressively.”
His emotions flowed freely. They were sharp and passionate, but Oliver wasn’t offended.
Because they were aggressive, yet undeniably honest.
It was Yareli who intervened, growing visibly upset.
“You really-“
“-No, it’s okay. Ms. Yareli. I’m fine with it.”
Taken aback by this unexpected response, all three turned their attention to Oliver.
He took control of the conversation unintentionally and began to speak calmly.
“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m just glad that Mr. Derick spoke honestly, not that I intend to insult or mock.”
Oliver paused, making sure his message reached Derick.
Fortunately, it seemed to have done so.
“I understand why Mr. Derick is angry with me. You’ve been through a lot, and amidst the tumultuous situation, I acted against the order of the Magic Tower and your values… I seem to have been careless. For that, I apologize. However, I believe that my decision itself is not wrong.”
Oliver conveyed his perspective gently yet firmly.
Seeing this, the anger in Derick’s heart subsided, and he felt somewhat foolish for getting so worked up.
“It’s unbelievable… The opportunity you received is tremendous. I’ve heard about your thesis. With just that, you could quickly rise to the position of master, and with your skills, you could aim even higher… Because you’re the one who fought Theodore.”
Derick spoke sincerely, not sarcastically. Apparently, he had witnessed Oliver’s battle with Theodore without losing consciousness.
Was it because of this? Despite his feelings of jealousy and anger, he seemed to acknowledge and even admire Oliver to some extent, though he attempted to downplay it.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s not a compliment, it’s the truth…”
“Still, I’m glad to be praised by someone as strong-willed as you, Mr. Derick.”
Derick flinched and gazed at Oliver, trying to gauge the sincerity behind his words.
Regardless of his judgment, Derick spoke up.
“…Sorry. Actually, I came to thank you for saving us…, sorry…”
Derick stumbled over his words, seemingly unaccustomed to apologies or expressions of gratitude.
His voice was soft, and his words were somewhat unclear, but his emotions were undoubtedly genuine.
As evidence, he continued to express his gratitude and apologies to Oliver, despite his initial hesitance.
It was genuinely heartwarming.
“I’m truly grateful that you say thanks.”
Oliver placed his hand over his chest and spoke politely. Felix also expressed his gratitude, and Oliver responded with the same courtesy.
“Thank you, Ms. Yareli, for bringing them here.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing difficult. But what happens now? Are you leaving the magic tower, Zenon?”
“I’m not sure myself. For now, they told me to wait.”
“Wait?”
“Yes.”
“They must really covet your skills. I can’t say I don’t understand.”
Derick spoke more comfortably than before, and it seemed that his initial resistance had diminished. It was heartening to see him acknowledging others.
“Ah, by the way, when do you expect to recover?”
Felix responded, “I’m not sure about the specifics, but it seems we’ll need to devote a considerable amount of time to recovery. We’ve lost not only mana but also vitality, so for now, we need to focus on recovering our physical strength.”
Oliver glanced at Derick and Felix again through the eyes of a warlock.
Their life force had weakened, not just their mana.
“Can’t you recover with potions?”
“Potions won’t work.”
Yareli emphasized.
“They won’t?”
“Yes. Ordinary people think of potions as miraculous medicine, but if used incorrectly, they can be lethal. Strictly speaking, the role of potions is to act as a stimulant. They forcibly activate the body to enhance healing of injuries. Depending on the quality of the potion, only the effects and side effects differ, but they can’t escape that mechanism.”
Oliver nodded, absorbing the detailed explanation.
While he had studied herbalism, he hadn’t delved into alchemy yet. He had assumed that perhaps the Magic Tower’s potions were different. It was evident that not even magic had universal solutions.
It seemed that not even magic was omnipotent.
“That’s why potions can be convenient when used properly, but can be poisonous if misused, especially when the consumer’s physical strength is low.”
“So, how do you recover?”
“Eating well, getting enough sleep, and doing appropriate exercise for natural recovery is the best course for now. Other than that… at most, dietary supplements, I guess.”
Dietary supplements… Oliver rummaged through his belongings.
“I’m not sure about this, but would you like to try this? It came to mind when you mentioned dietary supplements.”
Oliver produced a small medicine bottle containing two pills. They were red, but the color was so deep that they appeared almost black at first glance.
It was the Blood Elixir .
“What is this…?” Yareli inquired, sensing an unusual energy.
“It’s a medicine I happened to come across (the recipe for). From what I’ve heard, it helps men recover their Life-force and improves women’s skin beauty. Would you like to try it?”
Derick showed a mixture of suspicion and unease.
“Is this made with black magic?”
“Not that I know of. I do know someone who takes it, and they said it works well.”
Oliver recalled Edith, who regularly received the medicine from him and expressed great satisfaction.
‘-I can now do it five times a day!’
A compliment whose meaning remained somewhat unclear. Nevertheless, Edith was pleased.
“It appears to be a valuable item. Are you sure you want to give it to us?”
“Yes. I genuinely mean it.”
Oliver was sincere. In the past, he would have struggled due to a shortage, but thanks to the face-adorned vest he received from Ewan, his work efficiency had improved, and so had his productivity.
Oliver’s productivity had soared to the point where First could now work an astonishing 16 hours, a reduction of 2 hours from the legal work hours (excluding rest) of 18 hours.
He still recalled First’s reaction.
‘-Fuck.’
Derick and Felix each held a pill of the Blood Elixir , contemplating whether to take it or not.
“Ah, of course, there’s no need to force yourselves.”
“Is this really effective?”
“Most of the users have been elderly, so to be honest, I’m not sure what effect it will have on younger people. However, I believe it will have some effect.”
“I never dreamed I’d be playing the role of a guinea pig when I came to say thanks.”
“Again, there’s no need to—”
-Gulp!
While Oliver was in the midst of explaining, Derick swallowed the Blood Elixir , followed by Felix, who also downed the pill with closed eyes.
A hushed silence fell over them. Oliver inquired,
“How do you feel?”
“We just took the medicine.”
“Ah… Right. Can I ask you a favor?”
“Don’t say anything if you’re asking for something. You should have mentioned that before we took it.”
“No, it’s not about that, but could you keep the medicine a secret? Unless side effects occur, that is.”
Derick scrutinized Oliver, wary of the peculiar request.
“Why?”
“There’s a personal reason. I’ll explain it in detail later.”
Though still skeptical, Derick nodded. Despite his doubts, he chose to place his trust in Oliver.
It was a rather gratifying outcome.
“Thank you for considering my request.”
“Don’t be too grateful. If there’s a problem, I’ll report you right away… But do you have somewhere to go? You’ve been checking your watch.”
“Oh, my apologies. There’s still some time left, but I checked just in case.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“Just with some people I reconciled with briefly.”
“Briefly?”
“Yes. There’s something I need to tell them.”
***
In the middle-class residential area of Landa, Oliver had arrived at the Bathory family’s residence.
“Thank you for meeting with me.”
“How could I refuse? You’re the one who provided this house and our living expenses.”
Elizabeth Unna, the current head of the Bathory family, responded with a cold formality.
“You don’t have to feel that way. As I’ve said, this house was given as a gesture of atonement, so please don’t feel burdened.”
“Of course. It’s the price for taking our mother’s life.”
“That’s not what I meant… I’m sorry.”
“That’s enough. The fate of the weak is to be miserable. I understand that… But what brings you here? Have you come to ask us something?”
“No…”
Oliver’s voice trailed off as he took a seat at the table.
Elizabeth Pal, the youngest of the Unna sisters, served Oliver a cup of coffee, and the other sisters soon joined them in the living room, curious about the purpose of his visit.
Naturally, they gathered around Oliver.
“If you have nothing to ask… then why are you here?”
“It’s simple, I’ve come to formally apologize again, regarding the matter with Ms. Bathory.”
Crack.
The typically composed and rational Unna clenched her teeth in anger.
However, Oliver did not shy away.
“You came to mock us.”
“I’m sincere. Truly… I’m sorry.”
“Didn’t you already say you were really sorry before? Was that a lie?”
“No. It’s just that it feels different now.”
“Different how?”
“Yes, before, I didn’t understand what it meant to lose someone dear, so although I was sorry, I didn’t understand how much pain you were in.”
Oliver’s thoughts turned to Marie, who had taken a blade for him and fallen…
“But now, I think I understand a little. So, I came to apologize again. It seems the right thing to do.”
Oliver maintained unwavering eye contact with Unna as he spoke.
Unna stared into Oliver’s eyes for a moment, but apparently overwhelmed by his unwavering gaze, she eventually averted her gaze.
“Is that all you came here to say?”
“No. Actually, there’s one more thing I need to tell you. You might not like it, but I think it’s right that I say it.”
“What is it?”
“I told you I had no choice but to kill Ms. Bathory, right? For my own survival?”
“…”
“The truth is, that was a lie. I could have subdued her within a reasonable limit, but I killed her. I cut off her limbs and her head.”
“!!!”
Unna, Orshoya, Katalin, Andrassy, Pal—daughters of the Bathory family—once again revealed the suppressed murderous intent they had concealed.
The atmosphere became charged with tension.
If it weren’t for their wariness of Oliver’s abilities, they might have attacked him on the spot.
However, Oliver remained seated, making no threatening gestures, just locking eyes with Unna.
With fury boiling like venom, Unna’s expression contorted into something resembling a beast as she shouted.
“Why are you telling us this?!”
“To justify myself. The reason I killed Ms. Bathory. She threatened to kill a person dear to me, after cutting off their limbs.”
Surprisingly, with that single revelation, the tense atmosphere seemed to slacken like a loosened whip.
The Bathory family’s rage was defused by Oliver.
Oliver idly traced his finger around the rim of his coffee cup as he continued to speak.
“At that time, I was subdued by Ms. Bathory, and she was serious… I was annoyed, and that’s why I killed her.”
“…”
“Of course, I’m not saying that I had the right to kill Ms. Bathory. Nor am I saying that I don’t feel sorry to you all.”
“…”
“However, please consider the fact that your dear one intended to harm someone dear to me first. Because… Well, I’m not sure how to put this.”
Taken off guard by this unexpected revelation, the Bathory sisters – Orshoya, Katalin, Andrassy, and Pal – exchanged meaningful glances with one another.
Only Unna abstained from this silent exchange; she was contemplating how to respond.
“Who is this dear person that you would go to such lengths for?”
“I would like to tell you… But I can’t right now. Because of the people down below. Is it the disciples of Mr. Human-meat Chef?”
Oliver’s gaze pierced through the floor of the living room, directing his attention to the cellar below.
There, individuals were intertwined with an unnatural blend of emotion and mana, resembling clumps of differently colored clay.
“We’re busted!!”
A voice emerged from below the living room floor.
With a hearty shout, a black sword strike formed from emotion surged upward, targeting Oliver.
Simultaneously, Unna and her sisters poised themselves to pounce on Oliver.
However, their resolve faltered under Oliver’s resolute gaze and a subtle nod, signaling them to hold back.
“…”
Employing the eyes of a warlock, Oliver deftly evaded the sword strike originating from below, extracting a portion of it and converting it back into black magic, which he coiled around himself and his quarterstaff.
Then, unable to withstand the assault, the living room floor gave way, and Oliver descended precisely as he had planned.
Upon landing, he found himself face-to-face with a man brandishing butcher knives in both hands.
The man’s teeth were unnaturally pointed, as if they had been filed down with a metal file.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! You’re coming down to me!! I, the disciple of the Human-meat Chef, will—”
—Bang!!
“Sorry, but I have more urgent matters.”
Leveraging the momentum of his descent, Oliver thrust his quarterstaff forward, shattering not only the assailant’s butcher knives but also his jaw.
All in a single swift strike.
(To be Continued)
CH 394-403 (Vs Human-meat Chef Part1) $3CH 404-413 (Vs Human-meat Chef Part2) $3CH 414-423 (Vs Human-meat Chef Part3) $3CH 424-433 (Vs Human-meat Chef Part4) $3434~ $1/chapter
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