Chapter 262
Chapter 262
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 262
Chapter Title: After the Party (1)
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“Pleased to meet you all. I'm Xenon Bright, Professor Kevin's personal assistant. Allow me to introduce myself properly.”
After returning to the Magic Tower from the party with Jane, Oliver politely greeted the group in a physical training room located in the Elemental School tower.
The people he was greeting were the roughly thirty students enrolled in Kevin's [Basic Magical Combat] class.
They looked at Oliver with furrowed brows, their expressions a mix of shock, denial, irritation, anger, and humiliation.
It wasn't hard to understand why.
Even if their combat abilities weren't quite up to keeping pace with Kevin's class, they were still official students of the Magic Tower no matter what.
So, for Oliver—who wasn't even affiliated with the Magic Tower, let alone a magician—to be guiding them in Kevin's place? It was no wonder they felt humiliated.
'Everyone in the Magic Tower has strong pride.'
Oliver scanned the students.
Even after a considerable amount of time had passed since his greeting, they showed no particular reaction.
As if the shock hadn't worn off yet.
'Well, I agonized over accepting this myself.'
To exaggerate a bit, Oliver had spent the entire weekend mulling over whether to accept Kevin's proposal.
While interacting formally with Magic Tower students offered surprisingly significant advantages, it came with equally notable drawbacks.
'More work is secondary; I could draw unnecessary attention.'
Still, after much deliberation, Oliver had accepted Kevin's offer.
There were risks, but passing up a rare chance for new experience didn't feel right.
'I'm pretty lucky, though. He said I could back out anytime if it felt off. That means I have to give my all to the task.'
With anticipation for this new experience, Oliver pondered how best to assist these people while focusing his gaze.
As his black magician's vision gradually sharpened, he could glimpse not just their surface emotions, but deeper ones as well.
Like seeing past the flower and stem to the roots, so to speak?
Some students were furious at the sudden situation, their motivation vanished. Others showed no interest at all. And conversely, some burned with humiliation and anger, harboring defiance.
The last group was at least the best of the bunch.
It wasn't positive, but at least they weren't giving up and were fueling their drive.
'The question is how to convince them to work with me... Maybe explain that I'll be assisting by building basic fitness nearby and helping with mana control?'
As Oliver, who had no experience with this kind of persuasion, racked his brain for the best approach, someone extended a helping hand.
One of the students spoke up.
“Um... Mr. Xenon.”
Oliver turned toward the voice and confirmed the student's face.
It was a familiar one.
Having followed Kevin, Oliver had memorized all the students' faces and basic profiles.
“Ah, your name is... Felix, right? From the Gaia Minor School?”
“Yes... that's me.”
“Yes, what did you want to say?”
Oliver asked with a hint of expectation.
He didn't know Felix well, but he'd seen how diligently the man attended classes.
Felix hesitated for a long moment before speaking.
“......Can I be honest?”
“Of course. I'd appreciate it.”
“Honestly, this situation is really hard to accept. It makes me angry, even.”
Pure sincerity.
Oliver gladly followed up.
“What's the reason?”
“......We admit we don't have the skills to keep up with Professor Kevin's class. But we're still official Magic Tower students and magicians. Whereas you, Mr. Xenon... aren't. Of course, I've heard about your big contributions at the Magic Tower lately and catching that train robber, but this is still hard to swallow.”
As Felix finished, the surrounding students radiated agreement and satisfaction.
Oliver felt the same.
“Thank you so much for being honest.”
“Pardon?”
“I said thank you for your honesty... First, let me clarify one thing. I have no intention of overstepping and teaching you in the professor's place. I'm just here to assist you slightly on the side while you follow the training he assigned. Don't think of it as me teaching you—think of me as your support.”
Oliver mixed truth and omission artfully.
His role was indeed to help them complete Kevin's directed training, but he had the discretion to adjust the volume and methods.
'If I'm doing the job, I need that much authority.'
Kevin had said so. But Oliver didn't mention it just yet.
His goal was to interact with the students, not to presumptuously teach them.
'For anyone who really needs help, I can decide then...'
As Oliver felt satisfied that he'd persuaded them reasonably well, another student raised a hand.
“Can I ask something?”
“Ah, yes, go ahead.”
“In the end, it's just basic training, right? So why do we need you there? We could do it ourselves.”
“That's a fair point, but the professor instructed me to assist on the side, monitor your training volume, and prepare reports... He does care about you all. He's just short on time.”
“What exactly does the training entail?”
“Building basic fitness needed for magical combat, and systematizing and mastering mana flow and spell formulas—that's the main focus.”
“Do you have the skills to assist with that and record it in the professor's stead?”
The speaking student radiated suspicion and various negative emotions toward Oliver.
The typical sentiments from Magic Tower affiliates toward outsiders.
Fundamental distrust and contempt.
Oliver asked to confirm.
“Can I ask you something in return?”
“What?”
“Is it that you can't trust me as a person, or that you can't trust my skills? If it's the former, I'll report to the professor and find another way. If the latter, I'll convince you.”
It was an unexpected response; not just the student who'd spoken, but the others looked flustered too.
He hesitated before answering.
“Don't get the wrong idea. It's not that I can't trust the professor's assistant... It's just doubtful if a non-magician can properly help us.”
“So, the latter.”
Oliver confirmed. There was no displeasure in his voice. If anything, he welcomed the situation.
He'd found his persuasion method.
Oliver pulled a mana potion from his pocket, drank it, then rummaged in his magical bag in the corner and took out tonfa.
Made of steel with mana-conducting properties, they'd been provided as teaching aids at Kevin's request.
Seeing the inexplicable action, a student asked.
“What... are you doing right now?”
“Proving it.”
“Pardon?”
“A demonstration. Even though I have mana non-generation syndrome and I'm not a magician, I can assist with basic training. Anyone care to step up, one at a time?”
Oliver spoke casually, tonfa in both hands as usual.
Which made it all the more ominous.
No one moved right away, so Oliver added.
“Time's limited—could someone come forward quickly?”
“Did the students piss you off or something?”
After finishing the [Basic Magical Combat] class and returning, Kevin asked abruptly.
“No. If anything, they were great students.”
“Really?”
“Yes, they expressed their thoughts so actively that it really helped with persuading them.”
“And that 'persuasion' involved beating them with tonfa?”
“It wasn't beating—it was sparring.”
Oliver stated confidently. Because it truly had been a spar.
To make them believe in his skills.
When he explained, Kevin looked exasperated but had nothing to say.
“Ah, did I mess up? With the train incident, I thought showing a bit of skill would be fine...”
“Nah, no problem.”
Kevin shook his head.
“The class is designed that way from the start, so as long as it's not too harsh, everyone accepts some injuries.”
“Good to know.”
“But no severing limbs or causing permanent damage.”
“......? Of course I know that.”
“Glad you do... I thought you were mad since it wasn't like you to beat up students.”
“Sorry if I caused a misunderstanding. I just figured sparring directly was the best way to show my skills... Thanks to that, we agreed I'll handle the basic fitness and mana control training.”
“Impressive.”
“Thank you... That said, if I may ask, is something wrong, Professor?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Not sure how to put it. You seem a bit off. And like there's more you're curious about.”
“Hm... It's about your personal life, so is it okay to ask?”
“I'll answer what I can, and beg off if it's difficult.”
“Fine... Did you go to the investment party at Sapphire last Friday?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Heard rumors.”
“Rumors?”
“Yeah. About how Derrick from the prestigious Redhill family of the Agni Minor School got utterly humiliated by a black magician at the party he hosted at Sapphire and slunk back home.”
Ah... Oliver let out a soft exclamation. He'd momentarily forgotten amid meeting Edith and dealing with the demonic tome.
“Utterly humiliated?”
“The worst kind of humiliation.”
“No, I wasn't asking about the word—I mean, why was Derrick humiliated? He was excellent.”
Oliver spoke sincerely.
His magic application, combat stance, attitude—compared to before, it was incomparable growth.
His emotions were still volatile, but he'd controlled them with patience and reason, constantly devising ways to counter with varied attacks.
It showed how hard Derrick had worked.
Yet utterly humiliated? Oliver couldn't agree.
“Maybe by your standards, but people have narrower views than you think. They only see what's right in front of them. Most just saw his pathetic figure, unable to take a single step against a black magician.”
“A single step? ...Ah.”
Oliver exclaimed again. Come to think of it, Derrick hadn't moved a step.
“Is that a big deal?”
“Well, he skipped classes from the shock.”
Oliver tilted his head slightly. He couldn't comprehend.
“That serious?”
“I'd call it whining normally, but honestly, it's pretty damaging. Humiliation for a Magic Tower student is fatal, and in front of outsiders? Even more so.”
“Isn't losing part of fighting? Especially since it was just a friendly match.”
“Maybe for you, but not for the Magic Tower or the party guests. Randa has many representatives, but the Magic Tower is always top-tier.”
“I know that.”
“It's not just knowledge or wealth. It's power first and foremost. Proof? Everyone says even top fixers can't touch Magic Tower students. You know that much, right?”
Oliver nodded.
After becoming a fixer, he'd heard it countless times, and seen how magicians—especially Magic Tower ones—were treated.
Still, one part was hard to grasp.
“Professor, not to brag, but Fixer Dave is a name-brand fixer. Shouldn't that make it fine?”
“For a regular student, maybe. But he's from the Redhill family? Not absolute nobility, but they have history and a name. For one of theirs to lose to a black magician at a party full of Randa's tycoons? No.”
Oliver was surprised by the stricter-than-expected standards but soon calmed.
He'd read similar in lightning magician and Aidri's journals.
Still, hearing it had actually happened felt different.
“Worst timing too. Right in the middle of their new thermal power investment prep. Rumors spread, and even promised investors are pulling funds.”
Ho... Oliver was startled.
Not intentional, but it seemed he'd put Derrick in a tougher spot than expected.
“Will Derrick get disowned?”
“Who knows? Don't want to meddle in family affairs. But he won't go easily.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, his skills have improved a lot. Even as a collateral, he's meeting family expectations...”
“Ah, that's a relief.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. I did my job, but I'd feel bad if he suffered too much.”
Kevin paused and stared at Oliver.
“Did I say something wrong again?”
“No, just... too carefree. Worry about yourself first.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. No intent, sure, but you humiliated not just Redhill but the whole Magic Tower. Magicians are proud.”
Oliver understood immediately.
“You mean retaliation from the Magic Tower?”
“Just keep it in mind. They're sensitive about authority lately. City security, black magicians, Crime Firm's fighter crew—lots of challengers. Be cautious. Rising fame in Randa is like stacking blocks high. One slip, and it crumbles.”
“I understand. I'll be careful.”
“That's the point. Cultivate caution inside and out of the Tower. This city doesn't just devour the weak... Off you go.”
Kevin said while pulling out documents, dismissing Oliver.
As the professor's personal assistant, Oliver bowed as instructed and headed for the door.
Grabbing the handle, curiosity struck.
Several students, including Derrick and Yarelli, had attended the investment party last Friday. What had Professor Kevin done?
He'd mentioned personal business, Oliver recalled.
Oliver stopped and asked.
“Professor, one more question?”
“Shoot.”
Kevin replied while working on documents, the picture of efficiency.
“Where were you last Friday?”
“Meeting with kingdom army officers and munitions company reps. For my research.”
Kevin continued working, as if it were nothing.