Chapter 317
Chapter 317
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 317
Chapter Title: Academy Invitation (2)
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Early to mid-twenties. Artificially shining golden hair and blue eyes, flawless white skin, a sturdy build neither fat nor thin, tall stature, upright posture, eyes unmarred by glasses.
Karl, the grandson of the Life School's Grand Master and the person in charge of Martel, looked exactly as he had the last time they met.
As if time itself had stopped.
It might have been a bit of an exaggeration, but Oliver was certain.
Because they had promised each other they wouldn't forget.
"...Non. Non! Non!!"
Derrick shouted lowly at Oliver, who was staring blankly at Karl, then grabbed his shoulder and yanked him aside.
Derrick's strength was superior to Oliver's, so Oliver was pulled along without resistance.
Oliver stepped aside. Derrick apologized to Karl on his behalf.
"Ah... I'm sorry, Professor Karl. He spaces out sometimes. Please forgive his rudeness."
Derrick, usually so confident, looked genuinely flustered.
It spoke volumes about Karl's prestige in the Magic Tower.
"I apologize as well, Professor. It seems Non was just surprised."
Felix came over to apologize too, patting Oliver's shoulder to snap him out of it.
Oliver glanced at Derrick and Felix pressuring him from both sides, then at Karl, who was staring right through him.
Karl eyed Oliver with suspicion and doubt, as if confirming something.
"...I'm sorry, Professor Karl. I was so startled I messed up."
After fully taking in Karl's appearance, Oliver apologized politely. After all, he had been the one at fault.
Oliver figured Karl would just ignore him, but surprisingly, Karl addressed him directly.
"You're that famous Non, huh?"
"You... know me?"
"Of course. You're the famous guy who helped us out at Mountain Face."
"Ah... It was just luck. The fixer who went with us handled everything."
"I heard you're teaching Magic Tower students in place of the professor."
"It's just basic training, following the professor's instructions to the letter."
"That's not all, from what I hear. Rumors are already spreading about some mysterious procedure from the far eastern deserts... Where'd you learn that trick?"
"I'm sorry, but that's personal information. I can only share it with the professor's permission."
"Even the professor's staff doesn't meddle that much, and you're just a servant. Interesting."
"It's the professor's decision, so even I don't know the full details."
"Oh? Now I'm really curious why he'd set it up that way."
The air grew tense. Just as Derrick and Felix sensed something off and drew attention, an exotic, beautiful voice rang out, captivating everyone.
"Ah, Professor! Are you done talking?!"
The bright, cheerful voice lifted everyone's spirits, and all heads turned.
A vibrant woman in her early twenties was walking toward them.
She was truly stunning.
Her eyes, nose, mouth, ears—even her figure and limbs formed perfect harmony.
Like a sculpture meticulously carved by an artist.
Not just beautiful, but sociable too, she naturally greeted Oliver, Felix, and Derrick.
"Hello. Are you researchers under Professor Kevin?"
Derrick answered the beautiful, lively woman's question. He seemed to know her.
"Yes, nice to meet you, Miss Rose."
"Oh, you know me?"
"Who wouldn't? The young genius of Roculli University's Life Alchemy. Are you back at the Magic Tower?"
Derrick handled the conversation smoothly. Oliver whispered to Felix.
"What's Roculli University?"
"Think of it as Galos's Magic Tower. It's a royal magic academy with a history far older than ours. Top-tier standards, and it's our sister school."
Common knowledge in the Tower, so Oliver let out an awed "Ah..."
It was pathetic, but unavoidable—he'd focused solely on Tower duties.
Understanding, Felix added more.
"Miss Rose du Bua is a genius from there. She's famous."
"Oh, calling me a genius is embarrassing. But I like the praise."
Finishing with Derrick, Rose turned her sociable charm their way, blending in effortlessly.
Felix replied, startled.
"No, just saying what I've heard... I'm Felix, a researcher under Professor Kevin. Nice to meet you."
"Me too. And this is...?"
"Ah, Non. Non here. Professor Kevin's personal staff."
"Ah! Non...! I've heard the name. So glad to meet you in person. Hello! The hero who helped our Life School! I've wanted to meet you. So happy!"
Unlike the wizards Oliver knew, Rose gushed excitedly. But it felt natural, blending with her vibrant energy.
Oliver barely noticed.
He couldn't read her emotions—like thick frosted glass blocked them.
Similar to Merlin, yet different.
Quite surprising.
"No reaction... Ah! My mistake. I got too excited. Let me greet you properly. I'm Rose du Bua, exchange student from Roculli University. I left last semester for some business but I'm back now. Nice to meet you."
Rose extended her hand naturally for a shake.
Oliver reached out—it was polite.
"Ah."
As Oliver went to grasp Rose's hand, he involuntarily yelped and pulled back.
"...?!"
Everyone stared at Oliver in shock. Terribly rude.
The sudden move left an awkward silence.
Realizing it, Oliver spoke after a moment's thought.
"Sorry... It's my first time seeing someone so beautiful. I slipped up without thinking."
"...?!"
"...?!"
Derrick and Felix gawked, doubting their eyes and ears.
The Oliver they knew wouldn't say something like that.
Even more shocking: it sounded oddly natural, almost fitting.
As everyone froze, brains lagging, Rose giggled and offered her hand again.
"You're more fun than I expected. Saying cheesy lines to a stranger... Shall we try the handshake again? Take it slow if you're nervous."
As Oliver pondered refusing, the professor's lab door swung open.
It was Kevin.
"Professor?"
"I just heard something I shouldn't have. What happened?"
Derrick and Felix eyed Oliver. He answered.
"Not sure what, but it was probably me."
There was a minor commotion, but with Kevin's arrival, Karl and Rose quietly left.
Derrick asked Kevin what happened, and Kevin explained after calling him into the lab for a talk.
"...An invitation to the conference?"
"Yeah. Roculli University's Life Alchemy department and our Life School are hosting one, and they invited me."
"Ah... Congratulations, Professor."
Derrick and Felix sounded awkward, clearly shocked.
The news wasn't bad, but it was bizarre.
Inviting Kevin, a pariah in the Life School.
Aware of it himself, Kevin didn't comment on their reaction.
"Anyway, it's a joint presentation by the Life School and Life Alchemy. Lots from the Tower will go—masters from each school, even the Tower Master and Grand Masters... Straight up: do you two want to go?"
Felix and Derrick's eyes lit up at Kevin's offer.
"Yes, Professor."
"If we can, of course."
"Good. Read and sign these confirmations, sort the schedule. Luckily, invited professors' researchers get expenses covered."
Felix and Derrick snatched the papers. The conference seemed bigger than expected.
Kevin handed over pamphlets too.
"Read these ahead. Life School's main, but it's two weeks long, so other Roculli departments will join. Find useful info for us."
"Yes, Professor."
"Got it."
"Alright, head out early today. Handle those papers, schedule, and a report on how to get there."
Kevin casually gave them early dismissal and homework.
They seemed pleased. Soon, only Oliver and Kevin remained in the lab.
"...Everyone's thrilled."
"These conferences are rare opportunities. Just going broadens horizons; you could gain big insights. Or make unexpected connections. Famous families take kids from young."
"Ah, I see... Um, can I go too?"
"Obviously. Why ask?"
"You didn't mention staff earlier?"
"Ah... My bad. Personal staff aren't mentioned separately. Like the professor's coat or shoes. You don't ask if shoes are coming, right?"
Oliver got it. Tower admin saw personal staff as professor's gear, not people.
Not bad, since he could go.
Kevin gave Oliver a pamphlet too—no separate form needed for "gear."
Oliver read it immediately.
Overviews of Roculli University, Life Alchemy, maps, conference details.
Chimera research, body stitching/regeneration, life extension via mods, mana tank expansion, superhuman enhancements—topics intriguing wizards and commoners alike.
Something caught Oliver's eye.
"Professor? The conference overlaps vacation—okay?"
"What?"
"Doesn't it clash with seasonal classes?"
"No worry. Happens all the time. Test early, boost grades a bit."
"...Is that allowed?"
"Tower caters to higher-ups. Good for students too."
"Why?"
"If professor's teaching, students can join. Perk for profs. Can't let them complain."
"Ah..."
"Announce it next class, take sign-ups for interested students."
"...Most would want to, right?"
Oliver based it on Derrick/Felix's reactions and Kevin's words.
"True. But wanting and affording are different."
"Huh?"
"Even eligible, practical issues: fees, travel, certification, two weeks' lodging/living, bribes for perks. At least 8-10 million Randa per person. Few students have that spare."
"No Tower funding?"
"Only for profs, researchers, staff gear. Students pay own way."
"Then those without money?"
"Sadly, can't go."
"Ah..."
Oliver sighed, pitying them.
All students worked hard; this sucked. Not Kevin's fault, though.
After thought, Oliver spoke.
"Professor. What if—"
"—No."
Kevin cut him off firmly, as if reading his mind.
"I didn't finish."
"You're asking if you can cover expenses, right?"
"How'd you know?"
Oliver was impressed. Had his emotion-reading evolved to thoughts? No.
"Saw how you train Fighter Crew. Gear, buildings, teacher wages—all on you."
Kevin was right. Training gear/space/supplies, egg, teacher pay, Forest fees—from Oliver's cut of training fees.
"Fighter Crew's your business, fine. But not as my Tower staff."
Sincere.
Oliver asked.
"Why not?"
"Why spend your money?"
"...Within my means, they're hardworking, unfair they're hit by our schedule. And sad if money blocks learning."
"Not wrong, but no. They'll run to you next time too. Help again? Could backfire on me. Want that?"
"No..."
"Against rules too. Ask Tower or school, or rich patrons. That's order."
"Rich patrons?"
"Yeah. Tower gets their investments. Lots of expenses. Want to help? Don't pay direct—convince some fat, lecherous Randa tycoon. No issue then; I won't care."
"That's why I'm here."
Oliver finished explaining to Edith across from him.
Edith said,
"This damn—!"