Chapter 296
Chapter 296
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 296
Chapter Title: After the Mission Ends (1)
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Arc Orphanage.
According to the file Carver had given him, Holy Knight Joanna hailed from the Arc Orphanage in the Arc region of Gallos.
Abandoned there alone in the cold winter, she had grown up at the orphanage. Even as a child, she possessed a brighter disposition than others, along with compassion, a strong sense of justice, and exceptional physical abilities, making her someone everyone at the orphanage relied on.
Not just the villagers, but even in the eyes of the local priest.
The local priest had recognized her extraordinary potential and arranged for her to take the Holy Knight exam. Upon demonstrating remarkable talent there, she was immediately selected as a Holy Knight candidate.
'I don't know the specifics of the exam, nor do I have details on the training from the Church. But it's certain that the Pater Church began donating to the Arc Orphanage once Joanna left as a candidate.'
Carver had kindly provided a thorough investigation, including the orphanage's financial statements, photos, and information on its people.
Thanks to Joanna, the Arc Orphanage, now with some financial breathing room, had increased the number of children it took in. It also provided education to the kids, helping them secure proper means of livelihood even after leaving the orphanage.
'It's a remarkably upright place. Not just raising them like livestock, but actually setting them up with ways to make a living. Even the city officials could learn a thing or two from it.'
Oliver examined the photos of the orphanage staff one by one.
People who had nothing to do with him...
At that moment, Carver spoke up.
'Well, things have suddenly taken a turn for the worse, though.'
'Pardon?'
'The Pater Church abruptly cut back on donations, so the situation's gotten a bit rough. They expanded to take in more kids and increased education costs in line with the growing support, but then the support dropped off. It's only natural.'
Caught off guard by the unexpected news, Oliver asked why, but Carver just shrugged.
'Couldn't dig that deep. It's private info. But I can speculate from a worldly perspective.'
'Speculate?'
'Sure. Cutting funds either means there's no more reason to keep paying... or they're trying to torment her into submission.'
It was a fairly plausible theory.
Nothing shackled people in peace quite like money.
But why suddenly tighten the noose around Joanna's neck? That was the question.
As he pondered it briefly, a past conversation with Holy Knight Elton came to mind.
The one who had been paired with Joanna.
He had explained that the Pater Church was an ancient, massive organization, and that sometimes they had no choice but to compromise with reality.
Those who didn't were broken.
'Joanna... that girl kept insisting to the higher-ups for months that the mages were conducting horrific human experiments and that an investigation was needed. Then she got reassigned elsewhere...'
Holy Knight Elton had said exactly that, calling it a form of demotion.
For those who wouldn't conform to the organization.
Oliver didn't want to believe it, but he wondered if cutting the orphanage's donations fell into the same pattern.
'...Is it really that tough for them?'
'Most orphanages struggle plenty... If you want, I can look into it more. It's not hard to check on an orphanage's situation.'
'You could do that?'
'Consider it a cheap gift for our unofficial alliance. Of course.'
'Alright, then—'
"—are you heading back to work?"
In the corner of the Elemental School tower at the Mage Tower, Oliver snapped back to reality at the sudden voice and turned his head. He had been waiting in front of the professor's lab.
There stood Kevin, fresh from his lectures.
Kevin Dunba, Master of the Mage Tower, professor, and disciple of Merlin.
It had been quite a while since his last proper attendance, but he didn't seem particularly annoyed or irritated with Oliver.
"Yes, Professor. Sorry I'm so late."
Oliver bowed politely in greeting.
Kevin looked down at him for a moment, then opened the door to his lab and gestured for him to come inside.
"Is the ABC matter all wrapped up?"
As Oliver closed the door, Kevin casually cast a soundproofing spell and asked.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't investigate it myself—the rumors just reached my ears on their own."
"Rumors?"
"You didn't think a quadrillion-unit financial scam would slip past the Mage Tower, did you?"
"Ah..."
"Especially when that quadrillion-unit scam is deeply tied to the Druids and the World Tree. Naturally, we'd hear about the black mage who handles World Trees, mixes emotions with mana, and even extracts natural forces."
"Aah..."
Oliver let out another sound. Thinking back, he'd been so caught up in the moment that he'd ignored prying eyes far more than he should have.
"I'm sorry... I think I went a bit overboard."
"A bit?"
Kevin echoed Oliver's words. He looked like he had plenty to say, but he held his tongue.
Oliver apologized again.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize to me... That's your business, not mine. Still, I couldn't help thinking it was a tad excessive. In Randa, great power is a weapon, but it also paints a target on your back."
"I heard about that from the broker I'm dealing with."
"Then I won't waste my breath. Be careful—some people are taking an interest."
"...How serious is it?"
"Not that serious. Just that the rumors are out there, and a few folks have perked up. At worst, some mages or students might team up privately to ambush you."
"Oh, then that's a relief."
It wasn't a relief at all, but that's how Oliver reacted.
"A relief?"
"Ah, I mean, I was planning to take a break from fixer work for a while anyway."
"Hm... Smart thinking. Lay low, and the mentions die down, along with the risks. What will you do in the meantime?"
"For starters, I'll throw myself into Mage Tower duties to make up for all the time off."
"After using your vacation like that, 'throwing yourself in' might be a bit late, don't you think? Plus, summer break's coming up soon."
"...Summer break?"
"Yeah, summer break. This semester's almost over."
Oliver had no idea how to respond to the completely unforeseen answer.
He knew about breaks, but he hadn't realized it was already that time. Time really flew.
"So... I won't have anything to do?"
"Not quite. I'll keep up my research during break."
"Can I help with that?"
"I don't mind, but why offer?"
"I think it'd be fun to assist with your research, Professor, and I'd learn a lot. Plus, I'm still getting paid—feels wrong to do nothing."
Oliver answered honestly.
It could come off as presumptuous depending on the context, but coming from Oliver, Kevin just thought it sounded like him—not angry, just typical.
"Fine, whatever. Conveniently, I have some questions for you."
"For me?"
"Yeah. Like the Seamus mission, how you mixed emotions with mana, or when you started using Druid powers."
Questions that would take considerable time to explain fully.
After some thought, Oliver started with the one he could answer most simply.
"As for the Druid powers, I don't really have much to say. I just reached out without thinking and extracted it, and it worked."
"You just tried, and it worked?"
"Yes."
"...I heard you perfectly mimicked Seamus's technique too. Was that just on a whim?"
"Yes. Well, precisely, I mimicked Seamus exactly."
It sounded like it was no big deal. And honestly, that's what he meant.
All Oliver had done was adapt what Seamus did to fit himself and mimic it perfectly.
But to the listener, it was mind-boggling.
"I can't discuss the ABC mission due to secrecy, but for the rest, I'll write up a report and submit it if you want."
"Nah... I'm busy with my own stuff anyway, so I can't look at it now. I'll hear it from Master when he gets back."
"Ah, right... The elder hasn't returned yet?"
"No, it's taking longer than expected. But he'll be back soon... Anyway, head out. I need to grade the midterms."
Kevin placed the notebook from his belt on the desk and said.
He evaluated students himself during every class, using it to check progress, adjust lessons, or reteach as needed.
His feelings toward students and the Mage Tower weren't great, but separately, his diligent attitude was commendable.
As Oliver bowed and turned to leave, Kevin suddenly called him back.
"Hold on."
"Yes, Professor?"
"I almost forgot—I have a message to pass on. Lots to talk about."
"What is it?"
"Remember Felix?"
Oliver nodded.
A member of the Gaia Elementary School, enrollee in Basics of Magical Combat, lacking the skill to keep up with Kevin's class so he trained basics with Oliver. Right before Oliver took leave for the Seamus matter, he'd helped Felix get a feel for it.
"A few days after you left, his skills shot up, and he moved into my class."
"Oh, really?"
"You look a bit pleased."
"Achievement brings great joy."
Oliver said it as plainly as ever. As he'd just stated, achievement was a great joy.
Not just his own, but others' too. Seeing someone else's progress meant he could learn something new himself—how could that not be joyful?
Seamus's growth helping Oliver's was a prime example.
Curiosity piqued, Oliver asked.
"Did his skills improve a lot?"
"Yeah. Stamina and mana capacity were fine, but mana control always held him back. That bottleneck's gone now. He can use mana faster and more fluidly, his spell chaining improved too. Once those blocks cleared, his growth accelerated, and it's noticeable."
"That's great."
"But it's stirring up weird rumors about you again. Felix kept his mouth shut as promised, but people saw you two meeting a few times. Some kids think you did something."
Fortunately, Felix had kept his word.
After helping Felix, Oliver had asked him to keep any achievements secret from everyone except Kevin.
"Why'd you say it was a method from the far eastern desert lands?"
"The elder told me to mention the East or the desert, so I combined them. Both sounded good, so together it'd be even better."
"What an astonishing way of thinking... Anyway, that'll draw curious folks your way. Keep a low profile."
"Yes, I'll keep it in mind. I don't plan to overuse it anyway, so I'll stay put as instructed."
"Good. Now go."
"Um... If it's alright, could I ask one question?"
This time, Oliver addressed Kevin.
"What?"
"What kind of grade will Felix end up with?"
Oliver asked out of genuine curiosity about Felix's results.
It was impressive that Felix made it into Kevin's class, but plenty of other students were already there.
"If he keeps at it, he'll score pretty high on the final. Conveniently, one kid dropped out, so it's easier."
"Dropped out? Who?"
Oliver racked his brain, recalling Kevin's class.
Many had dismissed Kevin's class because he was a Red Man, but his unique diligence and passion gradually won them over. Regardless of personal feelings, everyone followed the lessons diligently.
So someone suddenly quitting? It didn't make sense.
"Derek Redhill. Seems like that guy's hit a wall."