Chapter 257
Chapter 257
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 257
Chapter Title: Continued Observations (2)
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Burning red hair and towering height—Derek Redhill strode out from among the party guests.
His striking stature, flamboyant hair, and sharp features stood out even among people decked out in expensive clothes and jewelry.
As if aware of it himself, he confirmed that all eyes were on him before speaking again.
"Hey, black magician. What makes you think you can spout off about magic like you know it?"
Oliver couldn't say a word. Not because he had nothing to say, but because he was shocked.
Who could have guessed he'd run into a familiar face here?
But on second thought, it might not be so strange.
They'd said Magic Tower students were the main attendees, so running into someone he knew was probably only natural.
'No way... Kevin too?'
Just to be sure, Oliver quickly scanned the surroundings with the eyes of a black magician.
He spotted familiar emotions here and there, but disappointingly—or fortunately—Kevin wasn't among them.
"Hey, you gonna answer or what?"
Feeling ignored, Derek approached and asked again.
He seemed seriously offended that Oliver had dared to speak freely about magic.
"Ah, sorry about that."
"I didn't ask if you were sorry. I asked what you know about magic. Where'd you even learn it?"
For a split second, Oliver nearly blurted out that he'd audited classes at the Magic Tower, but he barely held it back.
Right now, he wasn't Professor Zenith Bright's personal assistant from the Magic Tower—he was Dave, the fixer from T District.
"Uh... no."
"Then why the hell are you talking? Like you know anything."
Fuming, Derek closed in until he was right in Oliver's face. Clear provocation.
Apparently, a black magician discussing magic was a grave offense.
The other magicians at the party looked pleased with Derek's behavior, which proved it.
'Ah... They must have been pretty pissed that I was convincing the tycoons to invest. Everyone's got grudges built up.'
Oliver noted the new insight in his mind while pondering how to escape this situation.
Causing a scene could bring trouble not just to him, but to Jane, who had invited him.
In fact, Miranda was watching the whole thing with clear dissatisfaction.
Just as he considered apologizing again, someone wedged between him and Derek. It was Jane.
"Mr. Magician."
Jane spoke with her usual gentle courtesy.
At her appearance, Derek stepped back a few paces.
"I get what you're upset about, but we asked him first, so please calm down... Dave was just answering our questions."
Derek eyed Jane, his displeasure plain as day.
"...And who might you be?"
"I'm Jane. Nice to meet a Magic Tower student."
Derek glanced around at Jane's demeanor.
He'd stopped his aggression toward Oliver not because of her intervention, but due to the eyes on him.
"You... What was your name again?"
"Dave."
"Dave... Ah, I've heard of you. The fixer making a name on the streets lately, right? Makes sense you'd be here if you're at that level."
"It's not that impressive."
"I know. Even if you make a name, you're still street-level trash. Otherwise, you wouldn't be hiding behind a woman's skirts like a coward."
"Excuse me."
Derek, mid-insult as he glared at Oliver, suddenly looked down. Jane had cut in, indignant.
"Your words are getting out of line."
"...What did you say?"
"I said your words are out of line... It was our fault for discussing magic in front of you magicians, but you're all here for investments too. It doesn't matter who we ask for advice—you have no right to interfere. Above all, everyone here is an invited guest. Show them the respect they deserve."
Jane spoke more firmly than usual, yet her words were logical and composed, never emotional.
Derek fumed at her boldness all the same.
It was a bit surprising.
Derek was always so polite with Yareli or other female magicians... Guess he wasn't kind to all women.
Oliver was about to step in to head off any escalation when Shamus beat him to it by a step.
"-Our Miss Jane's got it right. Spot on."
Shamus slung his arm over the other's shoulder without asking, just like he had with Murphy.
He'd clearly been behind Oliver, but somehow he'd slipped behind Derek. His stealth and movement were astonishing.
"Wha—?!"
Derek startled.
He tried to shake off the arm, but Shamus's strength pinned him in place.
Derek was pretty built himself—not the type to be overpowered easily.
"Whew... Gotta work out more. You're all scrawny."
Shamus flexed his arm as he spoke, and Derek couldn't muster any resistance under the pressure.
Derek felt humiliation and shame, mixed with sharp wariness. He'd realized Shamus was no pushover.
"You... Who are you?"
"Who else? Just a street fixer like that guy. Difference is, I'm retired and a successful businessman now—and a druid, not a black magician."
Shamus pointed to the small deer antler sprouting from his head, as if presenting evidence. Derek's eyes widened in shock.
"Antlers...?!"
"Never seen a druid with horns? Makes sense—they're all off meditating in the woods... Take a good look. In return, mind answering my question?"
"What the—"
"Can I ask why you're strutting around so proudly when you're here begging money from Landa's real scum-of-society elite? What's with the confidence?"
A few party guests chuckled faintly at Shamus's bluntness.
"Everyone knows the magicians here are desperate for every coin."
Derek tried wrenching free in humiliated fury, but Shamus's arm held like an ancient tree root.
Like an adult grabbing a child, Shamus lightly gripped him and continued casually. Utterly relaxed.
"More than that, I actually agreed with what the kid said. Thermal power's hit its growth limit. I've got some magicians under me studying that stuff."
"Dropouts who flunked out of the Magic Tower—"
"Heh! Half the guys here are the same, aren't they? Run out of cash, lose sponsors, get kicked out... Listen, kid. Anyone can end up pathetic someday, so stay humble. That way, when you crash and burn, fewer people laugh."
Shamus cut him off, and the guests burst into louder laughter than before. Even Oliver found it impressive.
Anyone could become pathetic, so humility was key... Sound advice.
Shamus spoke up again.
"But ending it like this would leave you feeling hard done by, right? So here's a proposal. Why not prove it? See whose side is right."
"You want a debate here?"
"Kuhahaha...! Magic Tower young master, you're so innocent. Debate? In Landa, we've got a surer way! Prove it with strength!!"
Shamus drew power from his gut and bellowed.
Unable to grasp the meaning, Oliver tilted his head, and Derek scowled.
But the party guests who'd been listening perked up with interest regardless.
It was just like when a bar brawl broke out.
"You want the black magician to fight me now?"
Derek finally shook off Shamus's shoulder—though Shamus had mostly let go—and yelled.
"Yeah, Landa speaks with strength. The stronger one's right."
It made no logical sense, but surprisingly, the guests nodded along. Part of it was wanting to watch a fight.
Oliver felt a personal thrill in the situation.
Landa's upper crust, magicians, nobles—all these elites, and yet aside from the gold plating, it felt no different from an average tavern.
Drinking, chattering, sizing each other up, sorting winners from losers, thrilled by fights.
Not judging it, just finding it fascinating... Definitely worth coming.
Shamus fanned the flames with his signature cheerful tone, drawing cheers from the guests, who shed a layer of decorum and responded eagerly.
'Some want to see the magicians humiliated, others just love the chaos. Some are testing things out. All sorts of reasons... Huh?'
Oliver turned at the tug on his collar. Jane whispered with a worried look.
"...You okay?"
"Pardon? With what?"
"This situation."
Jane nodded toward Shamus egging on the fight and the crowd surging in response.
The party's center had shifted here, the talk now on whether the famed Magic Tower student or the street fixer would win. Some were even placing bets.
Fun and pleasant? No. But not outright unpleasant either. Just... whatever.
"Really?"
"Yeah... I heard about stuff like this before. Before we went to the auction at the grand museum with the supervisor."
"Ah..."
Right, of course.
Landa was a city ruled by violence. The powerless elite hired guards with personal might to compensate.
Rarely, the guards would clash. He'd steeled himself for that possibility.
Business was business.
"Of course, if you say no fight, Miss Jane, then no fight."
"Me?"
"Yeah. I'm employed by you first and foremost."
Her eyes flickered at that, then she smiled.
"Ha, ha... You're so consistent."
Oliver was about to reply, 'Am I?' when Shamus's thunderous voice boomed.
"Hey, Dave! Looks like the Magic Tower guy's backing out—what about you? Anything to say?"
"Me?"
"Yeah! Not easy pulling this much attention. As Fighter Crew's boss, got words?"
"Ah, speaking of which, I do have one thing."
"Oho? Spill it."
"I'm not the Fighter Crew's boss."
The expectant crowd's faces shifted to confusion.
Those in the know thought the black magician Dave had brutally killed Fighter Crew's leader and taken over.
"What?"
"Just like I said. No idea where the misunderstanding started, but it's all a mix-up. I did help them out a bit, sure, but they're not my subordinates—they're just Fighter Crew. I'm not their boss, not allied with Crime Firm. Just a humble fixer... Whew, feels good to get that off my chest. Felt bad misleading folks."
The heated mood cooled a touch as Oliver finished.
Shamus looked exasperated, while Jane calmly shook her head, seemingly accepting it now.
A few women from their group asked Jane, but she deftly put them off till later.
Oliver wondered if he'd said the wrong thing but decided not to regret it.
The reactions suggested now was the right time. Better clear up misunderstandings before they deepened.
"So you're too scared to fight the Magic Tower student?"
Miranda, who'd been silently observing, spoke for the first time.
Her influence here was clear— the murmurs stopped as all eyes turned to her.
Naturally, Oliver had to respond.
"Fighting's always scary. You might die... But a spar? I could manage that. If the lady who invited me permits it."
Oliver pointed at Jane as he answered, drawing all eyes to her.