Chapter 320
Chapter 320
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 320
Chapter Title: Arrival (2)
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A height of 180 centimeters, straight and tall; broad shoulders; a solid muscular build; hair slicked back neatly with pomade; a short beard trimmed to perfection.
Terrence Lore raised his hand slightly in greeting to Oliver and Kevin.
Kevin, startled by his sudden appearance, quickly caught on and returned the gesture. Oliver, too, bowed politely in response.
He'd done a great job covering during Oliver's vacation, and he'd been kind about it. Sure, he'd thrown a punch that nearly killed him, but hey, that could happen, right?
As Kevin and Oliver exchanged greetings, Derek and Felix smartly followed suit, nodding to Terrence.
Terrence acknowledged them graciously.
"Ah, nice to meet you all. Nice to meet you. I'm Terrence of the Lore family. Who would've thought that lone wolf would take on researchers? What a proud moment. Stick close and learn from him. He's got a prickly personality, but his skills are the real deal."
Unlike the gruff Kevin, Terrence shook hands warmly with Derek and Felix, offering kind words.
Kevin watched the exchange and let out a sigh.
"Haa... You weren't visible from the ship. How'd you get here?"
"Wooow... I had no idea you'd miss me this much."
"Don't people usually feel the opposite?"
"Kekekeke! Prickly as ever."
Terrence responded to Kevin's curt reply not with a frown, but with genuine laughter, not the fake kind.
Oliver had seen it before—Terrence was always unusually friendly toward Kevin.
'Well, all the military folks were friendly with the professor.'
Oliver recalled the train ride to Mountain Pace.
The moment he'd revealed he was Kevin's personal aide, everyone had warmed up instantly.
He wasn't an expert in that world, so he couldn't judge too hastily, but it wasn't just respect for a Magic Tower professor—it was genuine fondness and admiration for Kevin himself.
Kevin must have not only excelled as a combat mage but also looked after those around him.
'Not that surprising, seeing how he handles being a professor.'
The conversation between Terrence and Kevin continued.
"As you know, I'm a pampered rich kid. The kind who leads with the family name over my own. Naturally, I took a private passenger liner."
To prove his point, Terrence pointed to a liner docked not far off at the pier.
Surprisingly, it was almost identical to the one carrying Kevin's group.
By Oliver's standards, it seemed excessively lavish for one person.
"Even if you're Lore family nobility, you're just one of many. That thing all by yourself...? Ah, the lieutenant general's here too."
Kevin trailed off mid-sentence, noticing something. Terrence smiled.
"You caught that quick. Then you know why I'm here? Follow me."
Terrence beckoned with a finger, his decision final. Kevin grumbled but complied.
Kevin turned to Oliver, Derek, and Felix.
"You three too."
"Kahahahaha! Long time no see, Lieutenant Colonel! Looking good!!"
Near the pier, away from the crowded road swarming with people heading for carriages, a man in his mid-50s or early 60s lounged in a large folding chair, waiting leisurely.
He was an unforgettable figure.
How to describe him...? Like a rock, or a lion. Or better yet, a lion carved from rock.
He exuded solidity and ferocity.
Easily over two meters tall with broad shoulders, even his thick formal attire couldn't hide the massive muscles radiating power.
His body evoked a golem more than a man. Add a lion's mane-like beard and flowing hair, and his mere presence commanded awe and intimidation.
Terrence and even Kevin looked small beside him.
It was downright impressive.
"Good day, Lieutenant General Philip. I hope you've been well."
Philip Lore replied.
"What hardships could an old retiree like me have, training the next generation? More importantly, did you pawn off your salute somewhere?"
Philip's demeanor was surprisingly soft and jovial, mismatched with his appearance, yet he occasionally unleashed waves of intimidation.
Like a lion joking with prey animals.
But Kevin wasn't prey—he stood firm and answered.
"I'm no longer a soldier. I'm a Magic Tower professor now."
"That's always been a regret... I should've nailed you down, no matter the means."
Surprisingly, it wasn't a joke—he meant it. Circumstances had just gotten in the way.
Philip, shaking off his regret, brightened as if struck by inspiration.
"That's right...! Got a woman? Someone for fun, or maybe marriage material."
"Pardon?"
Kevin arched one eyebrow at the sudden personal question, his tone laced with discomfort and irritation.
Philip, brimming with confidence and pride, brushed off the minor displeasure and pressed on.
"You got a woman? Serious or casual... At my age, I can ask that much."
"Haa... That's not something to answer in front of my researchers and aide."
Only then did Philip turn to Oliver, Felix, and Derek.
"Ah, my apologies... Nice to meet you all. I'm Philip Lore, head of the Lore family—one of the pillars upholding the kingdom's army for over a century. You've all heard of us, I'm sure?"
Philip asked with utmost confidence, his family pride overflowing.
Derek and Felix nodded yes. Everyone except Oliver.
"I don't know the details."
"............"
"............"
"............"
"............"
"............"
A silence heavier than lead—more like solid iron—suddenly crushed the air around them. All eyes turned to Oliver, gleaming with displeasure and bewilderment.
Oliver shot Kevin a look.
'Did I mess up?'
'Big time.'
Kevin's eyes replied. Oliver scrambled to salvage the situation.
"I know your emblem is the lion, that you're a renowned combat mage family, and that you've earned countless merits in the colonial and continental wars. That's about it for details."
Oliver belatedly shared what he knew.
Info from Murphy's second commission—gleaned while subduing a Magic Tower student from the Lore family during that mission.
"Haa... Good thing. I thought you were dragging around some ignoramus, Lieutenant Colonel, but you know the basics at least. So why say you didn't?"
Philip's expression softened in relief, then furrowed again as he questioned.
"Sorry. That's all I really know about the Lore family. Saying 'that much' felt disrespectful to you, sir."
"Hoo... Fair point. It's a mistake to claim you know the Lore family only that much."
Philip stroked his chin with a thick finger, lost in thought. Being caught in that hand would hurt as bad as a lion's bite.
"At least you're not lying—honesty's a virtue. Want to learn more about our family?"
Kevin shook his head at Oliver. Taking the cue, Oliver replied.
"I'd love to hear if you're willing to share."
"For real?"
"Yes. As a mage, I'm curious about the Lore family—mages who stay so close to the royal army and shone in the colonial wars. I've got some personal questions too."
Oliver spoke his mind honestly. It reached Philip.
His lion-like mouth curled into a grin as proof.
"Heh... What an interesting guy. I figured your new aide wouldn't be ordinary, Lieutenant Colonel, but you're exceeding expectations."
"Sorry. I'll educate him properly."
"No, no—it's a compliment. I like him. Curious about our family?"
"Yes. I'd be honored to learn whatever you share."
"Knew I liked you! Alright, Lieutenant Colonel—you're coming with me!"
"Pardon?"
"Don't act like you hate it... You know I won't let you off easy if you do? Besides, you've got no other way to get there."
Philip gestured to the still-chaotic road. The horses had calmed once Oliver moved away, but backed-up passengers were still arguing.
Going now would waste half a day, clearly.
Kevin, who hated wasting time, surrendered with a sigh.
"Haa... Then excuse us."
"Gladly accepted. Would've been nicer without the sigh."
"...Did you call a separate carriage, by chance?"
Kevin belatedly remembered the horses' fear of Oliver.
If it was a carriage, they'd need alternatives—maybe have Oliver walk separately.
Fortunately, Philip shook his head.
"No way. Would a gentleman of the world's most advanced kingdom—the honorary grand master of pure mana studies, principal of the royal magic academy, director of the royal magic research division, and head of the Lore family—resort to such outdated transport?"
"Then... did you bring a car on the liner?"
"Ah... Half right, half wrong. Guess retirement dulled your instincts."
Philip sighed and reached out to a female attendant standing by.
She had a sturdy build and sharp eyes, handing him a travel bag from the pile of luggage.
It looked ordinary, but Oliver spotted multiple magic enchantments on it.
'Advanced miniaturization, lightweighting, and shock absorption spells.'
Basic pure mana spells, but difficulty spiked with the target.
Oliver wondered what was inside.
Click.
Philip opened the bag, revealing a small car model within.
Exquisitely crafted... But Oliver soon realized it was real.
"A real car."
"You think I'd carry a toy car at my age without getting flak?"
Philip set four miniaturized cars on the ground.
Kevin, Derek, Felix—even Oliver—stared in astonishment.
As mentioned, miniaturization, lightweighting, and shock absorption were basic pure mana spells, but their complexity exploded with scale, weight, and internal mechanisms.
Larger, heavier, more intricate meant exponentially finer control.
For a car with ~30,000 parts? Beyond imagination.
Sustaining it long-term? Even more so.
Oliver knew Philip's massive mana reserves and precise control marked him as exceptional, but this was next-level.
Snap!
Philip flicked his thick finger, dispelling the spells. The cars expanded to full size in a row.
Custom luxury vehicles, armored yet elegant with blue bases and golden lion emblems.
All eyes around locked onto them.
Philip beamed proudly.
"Four of 'em—plenty for everyone. Lieutenant Colonel, ride with me."
"Yes, sir. You three, take the last one."
Kevin directed Oliver, Derek, and Felix to the rear car. Philip stopped him.
"Hold on... That young man rides with you."
"Xenon?"
"Yeah. You just agreed to tell him about our family, right?"