Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Back from the Business Trip (1)
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"Oppa, oppa. I'm here."
A woman appeared at the restaurant, which was closing up after a day of business.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, an extraordinarily beautiful woman. It might sound cliché, but her features were like a sculpture.
Not a single flaw in her eyes, nose, mouth, or ears. Her eyes sparkled like jewels, her skin smooth and pure white as porcelain, without a single blemish.
She looked like the epitome of feminine beauty, pieced together from only the most perfect parts.
"What brings you here?"
The staff fetched the restaurant owner at her arrival.
He was her brother.
Not quite as stunning as his sister, but still handsome, with broad shoulders and a sturdy build typical of a Gallos man.
Yet he wasn't fat.
His flat stomach like a cutting board and the subtle muscles on his rolled-up forearms spoke volumes about his rigorous self-care.
"I was curious if business was going well... How's it been lately?"
"Same as always."
"That means it's booming. Well, your food is delicious and healthy, after all."
That was true. Her brother's cooking wasn't just tasty—it was miraculously good for you.
Frail people regained their health after a few meals, bedridden elders sprang to their feet, and noblewomen who'd lost their youth's blessings enjoyed a second wind.
That was why nobles, upstart capitalists, and even royalty from Gallos lined up with bags of money, despite the outrageous prices and conditions.
"How about you? College life treating you well?"
"Eh, it's fun. Lots to learn, and hanging out with the kids is a blast... Feels like I've gotten ten years younger."
"Ten years won't cut it."
His sister playfully smacked his forearm at his teasing remark.
"Ow."
"That's why I hit you."
She giggled in response.
Noticing she had something specific to discuss, her brother snapped his fingers, signaling the staff—who were also his disciples—to step back for a moment as they tidied up.
The staff immediately obeyed, tidying with the solemnity of slaves before their master.
The shop fell quiet. His sister sat at an empty table and spoke.
"I always notice it, but your disciples are so disciplined."
"That's how the place runs properly. It's one of our strengths... Anyway, any issues with the ham I sent?"
"Ham? Oh... No, it's fine. Tastier than expected, and packed with nutrition. See?"
She raised her hand, condensing high-density mana within it.
It was remarkably pure, on a level where even gauging its power was difficult—the top tier among the mana he'd seen in centuries of life.
"Impressive."
"Right? But the nutrition is so dense it takes time to digest, so I've been eating it in portions. Maybe a third so far?... Anyway, I'm getting used to it, so I should polish it off faster soon."
"Glad to hear it. So, what's the real reason you're here?"
"Do you think I only visit when I need something?"
"Isn't that the case?"
Smack!
She smacked his forearm again.
"Ow."
"That's why I hit you... Well, you're not wrong. I do have something to discuss."
"Then why hit me... What is it?"
"Hmm... Do you remember Batori?"
"...Of course."
He paused briefly but quickly composed himself, ensuring she couldn't read his emotions.
"She's been quiet lately, but as one of the factions hostile to us, naturally I remember. Why?"
"Hmmm... I have an informant in her group."
"In the Batori Family?"
"Yeah. No matter how elite a group is, there's always at least one coward."
"...And?"
"Seems like something's gone wrong with Batori."
She examined her nails casually, as if it were no big deal.
But the reality was far from it.
Even if they were turning a blind eye, the Batori Family was a formidable force among those opposing them—a strong contender among the chosen national powers.
Not on the level of their own human-flesh chef, the eternal puppets, the forever children fans, or the Pied Piper, but excluding those four, they weren't outmatched by much.
For such a Batori to have issues? That was no small matter.
Especially now, when the prophecy might have begun.
"Any proof?"
"No hard evidence, but circumstantial stuff. Word is, Batori took her slaves to Celland for personal business, and then contact suddenly cut off."
"Across the sea—maybe a communication glitch?"
"Oppa."
She flashed him a sharp look.
"Come on, you know how the Gene do communications. Sea or the other side of the world, would that cause issues? Or... do you still have lingering feelings for that bitch?"
Her emotions surged wildly, unleashing centuries of accumulated mana from her body.
The mana reacted instinctively to her fury, dominating the space in an instant, crumpling tables, chairs, and decorations.
Crunch! Crack! Snap!! Squish...!
If she wanted, she could crush this whole room like a tin can.
"None. Not at all. Just checking. It's no trivial matter."
He knelt to meet her eye level.
His eyes, gazing at her, were so clear no one would suspect he was a man-eater.
"Oh... I see. Sorry, then."
She smiled as if the anger had never been, and the mana dominating the space dissipated instantly.
"...Anyway, contact cut off suddenly. Some of our guys got suspicious and went to Celland themselves. Turns out, there's an interesting rumor going around."
"Interesting rumor?"
"Yeah. They say Batori got taken out by some fixer and a Magic Tower employee."
"......"
"Intriguing, right?"
She grinned.
"You're back?"
Oliver, who had returned to the Magic Tower via portal from the Outpost branch, was greeted by Kevin.
"Professor?"
"You look like you've seen something you shouldn't have."
"Ah, sorry... I just didn't expect you to come greet me."
"Do I seem that unfriendly?"
"No, I just didn't expect this level of kindness."
"......"
Kevin frowned at Oliver's blunt honesty, staring at him in silence.
"Well... You're not wrong. I had no intention of greeting you like this originally."
It was sincere, and not misguided.
Magic Tower professors were swamped with duties befitting their position—no time to greet employees returning from trips in their stead.
That was common sense here.
Especially for someone as diligent as Kevin.
So his presence meant there was good reason.
"Is something up?"
"Lying if I said no. Come with me."
Kevin ordered, and Oliver followed immediately. After all, Kevin was his employer at the Tower.
"Hold on."
As Kevin led Oliver out of the central ellipse, they ran into two men.
Judging by the 'Asclepius Staff' emblem on their chests, they were from the School of Life. Their innate mana suggested at least formal wizards.
"Well... Professor Kevin."
One spoke with feigned courtesy, though his discomfort toward Kevin was evident despite his efforts to hide it.
But this unease wasn't because Kevin was a Red—more like frustration at an obstacle during important work.
"Something you need from me?"
The two Life School wizards exchanged glances and spoke frankly.
"Yes, Professor. Actually, it's your employee we need."
Oliver tilted his head at the mention, but Kevin remained unfazed—as if he'd anticipated it.
"What for?"
"Well, uh... If it's alright, could we borrow your employee for a bit?"
Kevin fell silent at the abrupt request. The two looked awkward as they explained.
"It's orders from above... We'd be grateful and won't forget the favor."
"Fine."
"Really?"
"Yes, per Tower rules, as long as procedures and consent are followed, employees can be loaned out."
Not incorrect.
Personal employees of professors were a unique role—varying wildly by professor, from payroll leeches to errand runners or research assistants.
Some became exclusive servants, others public slaves.
So Oliver wasn't shocked by the sudden request.
"But I have business with him now, so submit a formal cooperation request later per procedure. That's the order when seeking help from another school's staff. Excuse us."
Kevin moved to proceed. One Life wizard blocked him in surprise.
"...What?"
"Sorry, Professor. But our Master—"
"—You seem to have forgotten the man before you is also a Master."
Kevin spoke in his usual clipped tone, and like most, they were cowed into silence.
"And not even from your school. How should I take such rude, out-of-the-blue demands?"
"...S-Sorry."
"Apology accepted. I understand the urgency. But distinguish public from private in the future. And..."
"......"
"Don't try commandeering my employee on a whim again. Need help? Request formally per rules... What are you waiting for? I've forgiven your error and given advice—respond."
"...Thank you."
"Good. Step aside."
The two parted ways at Kevin's words. He strode past confidently, Oliver following with a nod of courtesy.
Once past, Oliver asked Kevin.
"Something happen at the Tower?"
"Yes."
"Oh... What?"
"We'll discuss it with you now."
Leaving the Central Tower—which handled overall administration, inter-school relations, and Tower diplomacy—Oliver followed Kevin to the Elemental School tower.
En route, he felt a sense of déjà vu.
Like the whispers when he'd returned from vacation and started work again.
Glancing around, he spotted students murmuring about him and asked Kevin.
"This'll blow over in a week, right?"
"Doubt it... Might take longer than that."
"Pardon?"
"We'll talk inside."
Oliver shut his mouth as instructed and followed to Kevin's professor lab in the tower's corner.
Upon entry, Kevin snapped his fingers, enveloping the room in soundproofing magic before speaking.
"Alright, tell me what happened. Fiction version for the Tower report, nonfiction for the real story."
As if seeing through everything, Kevin cut straight to it.
Oliver asked.
"Which first—fiction or nonfiction?"