Chapter 321
Chapter 321
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 321
Chapter Title: Arrival (3)
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"...And so, our Lore family came to take charge of one of the kingdom's military pillars."
Philip Lore, seated across from him, stroked his lion's-mane beard as he spoke.
Oliver clapped lightly in admiration.
"Oh... That's impressive."
It wasn't mere lip service; he meant it sincerely.
And for good reason—the history of the Lore family that Philip described was truly captivating.
Magicians, revered for their superhuman power yet constantly kept in check, had been the first to read the currents of the era, pledge loyalty to the kingdom, and integrate into its structure. What was even more remarkable was that, even after joining, they never rested on their laurels. They evolved from mere human artillery pieces into the core of the organization.
They established a military magician system essential for the future, founded specialized training institutions for combat mages, developed magic-based military structures and strategies, and even created systems for developing magical weapons.
From being pawns on the chessboard to the players maneuvering the knights.
The process sparked more than just interest in Oliver, who had no prior knowledge of such matters.
Oliver posed questions whenever something puzzled him during the tale.
For instance, how such ideas had come about, and how they'd been put into action.
Thankfully, Philip Lore shared every story handed down from his great-grandfather's father and beyond.
"My great-grandfather said he learned it firsthand on the battlefield, mingling with the soldiers. What equipment they needed, the support they lacked, their hardships. That's why every man in our family starts in the field. Administration without field experience is just empty theory."
"Hmm... I don't know much about it, but isn't that dangerous?"
"Of course it is. Battlefields don't care about your strength—they can claim anyone. Even a stray bullet can end you if luck's not on your side... This one nearly bit the dust once."
Philip pointed to Terence, who was practically huddled beside him.
Terence was a sturdy man in his own right, but next to Philip, he looked like a child.
He said,
"Well... I owe Kevin for saving my skin that time."
Terence meant it sincerely. But Kevin's response was indifferent.
"I was just doing my job."
"Though it's true such people are rare."
Philip deftly acknowledged Kevin's words while undermining them.
"Ah! Right... Anyway, we should pick up where we left off?"
"What do you mean?"
"Kevin, you got a woman? Speak up. Anyone you're fooling around with casually, or maybe marriage material?"
Kevin raised one eyebrow again.
"Pointless. Just answer. You think an old codger like me will tiptoe around a young pup's feelings? Aging sucks, but it's handy at times like this."
Philip's brazenness finally broke Kevin.
"Sigh... No."
"Perfect. Want me to introduce you to a granddaughter? Number nineteen or twenty—she's single."
Oliver was stunned. Twenty granddaughters was shocking enough, but trying to set one up with Kevin? Unheard of.
For a Magic Tower mage Oliver had observed, this was wildly unconventional.
"That's an incredibly generous offer."
"You're a top-notch mage... Can't be bad for you, right? You're about my age. Time to settle down, have some kids?"
"A bit outdated mindset."
"How's marriage and kids outdated?"
"Anyway, I'm good. Thanks, but I'll pass—politely."
"You mean that? Not planning to end up alone and lonely like your master? That'd be tragic."
Kevin lapsed into irritated silence. His gaze shifted to Oliver—the real culprit behind this car ride.
Philip's eyes followed to Oliver, and he blurted,
"Your name's Xenon, right? Ever thought about enlisting?"
"Sorry, but I've got mana non-generation syndrome."
"Unfortunate, yeah, but skill trumps that. A man's judged by his ability. Rumors say you're pretty good—took down train robbers solo, even sparred with Magic Tower students?"
Oliver was mildly surprised. Someone knew his exploits.
"Just enough to protect myself."
"And you train those students well? With some Eastern sorcery?"
"A ritual from the distant Eastern desert lands."
"Yeah, that. Name sounds like someone fed it to you."
Oliver and Kevin both flinched. The words cut like a razor-sharp deduction.
Thankfully, Philip dropped it.
"Just messing with you."
Kevin jumped in to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"Major General... What brings you to this conference? You never attend these in person."
"Yeah, well, I got invited. By Mr. Theodore himself."
"Invited?"
"Yep. Directly to me—not my family or the Pure Mana School. Rude to refuse, so here I am. Especially Theodore... On that note, your master's coming? Heard rumors."
"Probably not."
"Ah... Shame. Wanted to pay respects. Still, your showing up is surprise enough."
"No reason he wouldn't."
Kevin replied, reining in his emotions. Short words, but laced with subtext.
Oliver couldn't tell.
A short while later, the thick trees framing the window thinned to one, then two, until they reached their destination.
A modest inland resort in Halfway: Lake Village.
True to the pamphlet map, Lake Village sprawled around a massive lake, dotted with labs and structures likely built by the Life School and Life Alchemy department.
As they entered the village, the car picked up speed, halting at their lodging—a colossal, weathered hotel atop the central hill.
Once opulent, the hotel now radiated faded glory, worn by time.
Evidently not just Oliver's impression; Philip remarked upon exiting,
"Fitting for the central continent's edge. Dreary."
"Agreed, Major General. Thanks for the lift—we arrived comfy."
Kevin, alighting with Oliver, offered thanks.
"Even flattery's welcome. Conference runs a fortnight—got plans?"
"Plans? Just peruse the hosts' presentations and unwind."
"Don't skip the socials. Conferences aren't just knowledge fests. Especially for us mages."
"Yes, aware. Planning to attend."
"Good. We'll cross paths then. Pleasure meeting you—parting ways here. Got greetings to make."
"Understood."
Kevin and Philip exchanged farewells and split.
Oliver trailed Kevin, luggage in tow, into the hotel. Something felt off.
"Whoa... Pretty nice?"
Oliver remarked, entering the VIP room for honored guests while carrying Kevin's bags.
The exterior was drab from age and lake mist, but inside? Far better than expected.
No—objectively excellent.
Spotless, with beds and furnishings gleaming like new.
"Naturally."
"Huh?"
Oliver queried, unpacking Kevin's things.
"Knew it was a decent conference, but this one's next level. Hosts pulling out all stops for guests."
"Ah... Reason for that hunch?"
"Philip mentioned it—he got a personal invite, bypassing family and school."
"Yes."
"Means one of two: game-changing research everyone'd gawk at, or a massive deal on the table... Details unknown, but head-of-org level, Grand Master involvement."
Kevin smoldered quietly with drive—more fueled by negativity.
He seemed tied to the Life School somehow. Troubling.
'But that's not all nagging at me.'
Oliver pondered the hotel staff they'd passed en route, unpacking.
Hard to pin: their life force and mana flows felt... off. Subtly wrong, but how?
Familiar, yet the source escaped him.
And it wasn't the only weirdness.
"Fog's thick."
With Kevin's unpacking done, Oliver peered out the window.
The village drowned in mist; lake and fog brimmed with mana, hindering normal sight—and even a black mage's.
Kevin replied.
"Lakeside thing. Once the lake's big draw."
"Tourist draw?"
"Why this huge hotel otherwise? Mana-rich lake and fog eased minor ailments just by bathing or breathing it. Hot spot back then."
Huh... Plausible, if surprising.
Inns dotted the area beyond their hotel.
"Doesn't scream tourist spot to me. Just us invitees?"
"Yep. Decline started fifty years back."
"Fifty? Why? Lake or fog lose potency?"
Oliver eyed the pure mana in the lake and mist.
Fog wasn't overly dense—high quality. Lake? Potent concentration.
"Nah. Black mages."
"Black mages?"
"Yeah, the Pied Piper types... Whew, dodged a bullet."
"Pardon?"
"That tangent would've burned time."
Oliver didn't argue—he'd have probed further.
"Time's not desperate, but tight. Boat was overnight two days; car hours. Then..."
Kevin checked his watch.
"Dinner in three hours, social kickoff three after."
"Yes."
Oliver confirmed. He'd reviewed the schedule.
"Hate socials, FYI. Drains me mentally. Still going—don't want fatigue before. Got it?"
"Crystal."
Oliver replied. No more tiring him today.
Kevin brightened.
"Good. Check Felix and Derek settled, then unpack and rest in yours. Know your spot?"
"VIP floor corner—servants' nook."
"Sharp."
"I'll handle it, head to my room. Swing by for social?"
"Yeah... Packed suit and shoes?"
Oliver nodded.
"Yes—per list. Unsure on formal, grabbed what was picked."
"Tailor?"
"No, Edith. She chose when I admitted ignorance."