214. Tick Tick Tick Tick (2)
woozy, woozy.
A cool sound echoed as Oliver straightened his back.
I looked at the clock and it was already 6:30 in the evening.
Oliver turned to see a pile of hundreds of books stacked to one side and an empty bookshelf for them to fit on.
I had to put all of those books together by tomorrow morning. alone
‘Absolutely. Others came early and brought new books, pulled out old books, etc., but it’s not fair if we finish together. From here to there, you organize it.’
It was something reasonable and irrational, but Oliver didn’t argue.
There are two main reasons.
Whatever the circumstances, the librarian’s words were not entirely wrong, and the second reason was that he was prepared for such a situation to some extent.
You warned me on the first day that Kevin would be bullied.
On the other hand, this wasn’t too bad either.
Being busy with work allowed me to care less about Joanna’s work and Puppet’s riddles.
Oliver tried to think positively by looking at the positive side as much as possible.
Whatever it was, working in the tower itself was like a miracle, so it wasn’t hard or anything.
“It’s rather fun.”
“What is fun?”
Someone interrupted me as I was muttering to get back to work.
That was Oliver’s hired Matop Professor Kevin Dunbar.
With his red skin and dark hair neatly organized, he came in and stood in the hallway.
“Are you here, Professor? Did the meeting go well?”
“No, I have to go to the meeting again tomorrow. The budget given to me was a waste of money.”
“okay. But what did you come here for?”
“Did you leave a note here asking me to help you?”
right. Before being taken to the librarian, Oliver wrote down a note and left it on his desk.
Because I was taught manners to leave where I was going when I was away.
“ah····. I didn’t mean to come, did I make a mistake?”
“No, I’m just here to see what you’re doing. It’s been a while since I got off work, but I can’t see it, so I want to do something… Again, a lot of work. What about the other guys?”
“You left work.”
“Are you leaving all the work on to you?”
“It’s long to say the least, but somehow I ended up joining the job late, so I decided to take care of the cleanup. That makes it fair.”
“Is it because of the pager?”
“Yes···. I’m thinking of getting it from the equipment management room tomorrow and installing it. I will finish the task you entrusted me with and put it on the desk by noon tomorrow.”
It was the truth, not an excuse. Thanks to Forrest’s good teaching and reading a lot on a regular basis, Oliver was quick with his hands.
“I didn’t come here to rush it. I’m here to apologize.”
“Yes? What is that…”
“The pager thing and the book I gave you are all from a year ago. I got what the college gave me, but it’s my fault for not checking it. Apologize.”
Oliver shook his head at the unexpected words.
“No, thanks.”
“No, I want to apologize. Regardless of position, people are supposed to do their jobs right, but I couldn’t do it this time. Apologize.”
Oliver could read feelings from Kevin at that moment, such as belief or will.
The reason he apologized to Oliver was not simply because he was sorry, but because he had violated the rules he had made.
I like it.
“····All right. Then, I will gladly accept the apology.”
Oliver immediately resumed work. After checking the note from the librarian, I put the book in that location.
Kevin looked at him silently, whether he still had something to say.
“Is there anything else you would like to say?”
Kevin sat on a nearby chair and spread his magic to check the surroundings, then asked.
“Aren’t you angry?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s all about this. If someone as talented as you is treated like this, you might get angry.”
Kevin’s words were mixed with some sincerity.
Oliver seems to know Kevin’s skills because they risked their lives to fight each other. Kevin knew Oliver’s skill.
Even if Oliver’s skills were minimal, he was at the level of a professor. In other words, it was a master level.
Grand Master and One Master, then Master.
Even if he fought on an equal footing with Kevin, who had almost no rivals at the master level, Oliver was a master at the top level at best.
Unusual ability, even considering his age and status.
Considering that such a powerful person had to hide his identity, he should be angry if he experienced such an absurdity, but he could not read such feelings from the warlock in front of him.
Rather, I was enjoying it.
“I do not know···. Should I be angry?”
“Usually it is.”
“It’s usually like that…. I’m sorry, but I don’t know.”
“Why?”
“I think I’m already being treated unduly enough.”
“okay?”
“Yeah, I’ve been curious about a place called Mahatap from a long time ago.”
“······?”
“I accidentally obtained and read the diaries and journals of people from Matop.”
“·················ogue.”
“But I soon realized that I couldn’t get into the tower. Because of factors that are difficult for me to do, such as birth, talent, status, credit, etc…. But this is how I came in. I am just grateful for that.”
“Even though people here ignore you and bully you?”
“I have also been bullied in orphanages and mines. It’s ok, at least not pinching it until it bleeds. It’s also fun to organize books.”
“So positive.”
“I don’t know if it’s positive, but thank you for your consideration.”
Upon hearing the answer, Kevin stood up.
He thought he was about to leave, but he drew magic from his body and put the books Oliver was trying to organize on the bookshelf.
After condensing magical power, it was given a spell to express physical power, and although it was basic, it required a high level of delicate control.
“professor?”
“I took on this job because of my mistake, so let me help you this time.”
“ah····. thank you But can we arrange it that way?”
“Why did you think you couldn’t?”
“Books are precious. I thought it was carefully arranged by hand. The other librarians and staff also organized it by hand.”
“It’s just because I don’t have the skills. If you can, you can do it this way. It’s not that the book is ruined.”
“ah·····.”
As soon as he heard the answer, Oliver raised the magical power stored in his body and directed it toward the book stacked on one side.
“Wait, if you do so many topics for the first time…”
Kevin stopped talking.
Because Oliver controlled the whole book in a stable and orderly manner, and floated it in the air at an angle.
swish- swish- swish-
Oliver flicked his finger to match the list he had been given the librarian, and hundreds of books swish, swish, swish, swishing, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, and swish right in front of the bookshelf.
It was a big help to borrow the way Merlin used books in the past.
Five or six hours of work was completed in an instant.
Oliver looked at the organized library and asked Kevin.
“Are you okay with this?”
***
Whew hey!!
A remote place with nothing but snow and stone mountains.
An incredibly luxurious mansion was built on top of the highest stone mountain among them.
It was a mansion with doubts about whether there were people there, but surprisingly, there was an old man in the mansion.
He talked on the phone instead of doing research in the lab.
“That’s really fun. That girl is signing up for your class. It is unlikely that you will have any good feelings.”
[Yeah, I think it’s weird too. However, since I applied, I have no intention of rejecting it.]
Merlin nodded in anticipation.
It was really Kevin. Whether it was a test or a fight, he had no way of avoiding it. After all, it was a natural attitude because if he was a red man, if he showed his weakness, he would try to eat them all.
The only thing Merlin could give me was a chance.
“Unlike the plan, I took three classes. I must be busy.”
[The plan has gone awry, but I plan to take out a lot of the class budget instead.]
“It wouldn’t be easy. Can I give you some strength?”
[Don’t say anything that doesn’t make sense.]
“Heh heh heh. You know me well too. I have no intention of getting involved myself. It’s officially retired.”
[Yes. Officially.]
“Instead, there is some interesting material. give it to me.”
[If it is an interesting material, is it a back transaction?]
Pretend if you’re good. Kevin quickly grasped the pulse. The behind-the-scenes data that Merlin was talking about had been taken from a log captured by Oliver in the past.
“Yeah, I got it by accident. Everyone has a swollen liver these days.”
[Uhm… Then, please.]
Merlin burst out laughing. But for a while.
After a moment of silence, the laughter disappeared, and Merlin’s soft voice came out.
It was now a public story, not a private one.
“How did your assignment go?”
The task entrusted to him was observing none other than Oliver. The reason Merlin sent Oliver to the tower in the first place was to watch him from afar.
[A friend named Dave continues to observe.]
“Anyway?”
[There is nothing that really stands out except for the occasional absence of work due to work as a fixer. Basically, sincere and competent.]
Merlin sighed in admiration. Kevin, who had talent and sincerity, was strict with himself, and he was also strict with others, so he did not praise him well.
If he was capable, that means he was really capable. Besides simple work skills.
[The most striking thing is the mental state. I’ve felt it before, but I’m not even upset, let alone agitated in any situation.]
“My mental state is different from others.”
[Honestly, I don’t think it’s at that level.]
Kevin spoke so seriously that it could be felt through the communication device.
“Specifically?”
[Well····. I’ll let you know after I’ve observed it a bit more. It’s hard to say anything right now.]
“That’s a good answer. If it is not urgent, it is best to observe as much as possible.”
[Yes······. But I heard something from before, what are you doing?]
“Ahhhh…. There’s something I need to know, so I was doing a little experiment. For now, hang up.”
[Yes, I understand.]
A chirping and disconnected communication sound.
Merlin immediately lowered the communication device and looked ahead.
In front was a control test box enchanted with multi-sealing magic, and inside there was a small entrance to hell that was suppressed by numerous magical powers.
… Don’t fall for it…!
The millet-sized entrance to hell was slowly breaking the magic that would immobilize even a mage.
It’s dangerous to take more time than this.
Merlin clenched his fists by remotely controlling his magical powers given to the test box.
Yellow magic chains were entangled and wrapped around the entrance to hell in the shape of a sphere, crushing it as it was.
The entrance to hell that vanished like dust.
It didn’t seem like much, but the faint drops of sweat running down Merlin’s forehead showed how dangerous it was.
Merlin looked at the test tube that Dave had given him in the past. There was a subtle black feeling inside.
Dave’s feelings.
“I don’t even know how to handle this.”
***
Boo-woong―――――――Bang!!
Inside Zone X. A crossroad with huge stakes.
There, several warlocks competed. If you do, you can even lose your life.
“Do not worry. I will not die.”
Oliver narrowed the distance in an instant and again called the quarterstaff.
Joe obliquely blocked the threatening attack with both arms.
Kwagwagwak–!!
The quarterstaff, dressed only in black suits, mercilessly slashed Joe’s fully armed defense.
The difference in the firepower of black magic was so great that if it hadn’t been spilled, it would most likely have flown away and hit the wall.
“Breathe…!!”
Joe manipulated the Black Armor that was worn around his arm, grabbing Oliver’s quarterstaff and hanging down.
even shouted
“Now! Attack them all! Let’s hit one!”
“Ahhhh!!! die!!”
A colleague of the same class as Joe wielded a cleaver covered in black with black magic and rushed at Oliver.
Really thinking about cutting. But there was no problem. Whether they have that kind of heart or not. It wasn’t enough for Oliver.
Oliver, caught by the quarter staff, released one of his hands, put black armor around his forearm, and let out a light attack.
The defense technique Joe taught me. Even so, I was shocked to learn that so quickly. Was it like that originally?
👌👌👌👌!!!
With the sound of scratching the iron, Oliver let the blade flow naturally, and Oliver lightly clenched his fist.
Clearly a light fist. However, due to black magic, the other side fell out and was stunned.
“ね・・・・!”
With that one counterattack, the fifteen fighter crew members around him could not approach and stopped.
Even in an advantageous situation, he was afraid of the overwhelming skill gap. People who endured the harsh ghetto life.
“uh·····. everyone? What are you all doing?”
Oliver said first.
“Isn’t it a good time to attack me now?”
It was not wrong to say that a quarter staff was caught by Joe and his actions were restricted.
“It’s not really a fight, it’s training. You have to go as far as you can.”
It wasn’t mockery, provocation, or insult, it was literally the truth.
Oliver spoke like a teacher chastising a student who was not paying attention in class.
“Because I’m in control. It probably won’t hurt too much.”
“maybe?”
“I got the potion over there, so it should be okay if I break a bone.”
Oliver pointed to the potion basket stacked to one side.
It was a gift from Murphy, a kind of bribe to get along with Oliver.
“I have to meet with a crime firm soon to prove my skills, shouldn’t I practice when I have time to spare? Unfortunately, it’s a promise between me and Forrest, so you have to work hard whether you like it or not… Didn’t you promise?”
promise. When the word came out, Joe shouted in terrifying horror.
“Come on everyone! Before it’s all fucked up! If you’re lazy, you hit harder! Attack quickly!!”
At that, Owen, who was teaming up with Joe, raised his iron rod covered in black armor and ran towards Oliver.
A unique presence within the fighter crew with only one strength.
It was not at a level that I could spill like before.
“Wow!”
Owen screamed and flashed his iron stick, while Oliver picked up the quarterstaff as he had been caught by Joe and brought him to the trajectory of Owen’s attack.
Joe looked at Oliver with a surprised expression on his face.
“Wait a minute, Mr-”
――Bang!!
Before he could finish speaking, Joe was hit by Owen’s iron rod and flew away and crashed into the wall.
Owen, who hit him, was surprised.
“article·····?”
Owen, who had lost his voice, looked ahead and could see the quarter staff flying towards him.
bang!!
***
When training was over, Oliver approached Forrest in the corner.
“How long did it take?”
“Eight minutes and 42 seconds.”
Forrest answered, checking his watch.
“Excluding the time of hesitation and the time you mentioned, you lasted a little less than eight minutes.”
“Still, it’s great. You couldn’t last five minutes before.”
That was true.
Oliver trained intensively with the executives in the fighter crew who had completed basic black magic training.
Most didn’t even last 5 minutes.
Even considering Oliver’s intentionally going strong, a disastrous gap.
However, as a result of fighting hard every day, the time had increased by 1.5 times.
“Great. If I work a little harder, I can fill in 10 minutes.”
“Unless you die before then.”
said Forrest, looking at the members of the Fighter Crew beyond Oliver.
Everyone was beaten up by Oliver, so they couldn’t control themselves properly.
It was ironic indeed. They attack more viciously during training than when fighting for their lives.
“Aren’t your skills going up quickly though?”
Forrest couldn’t deny that and nodded.
Even in the eyes of Forrest, who had seen quite a few solvers, the skills of the fighter crew executives increased to the point that they were very satisfied.
In particular, in the case of Joe, he was able to use Oliver’s original black magic, the Black Suit and Black Armor, to some extent, so it seemed that he would not be left behind in a fight with any solver.
Sam and Owen, Joe’s friends, also actively developed their special skills and improved their skills significantly.
“・・・・・I think the crime perm will be satisfied with this. Although it still lags behind the magician of the tower or the money-packed security bureau, it will work quite well in the world behind Landa.”
“Well·····. That said, I try to teach as hard as possible during the training period. After the period is over, I plan to focus on my work again.”
Forrest nodded silently.
Sometimes I want to help so much that I look heartless, but sometimes I draw a line surprisingly. Therefore, it was difficult to catch up, and it was comfortable and difficult at the same time.
“Then, do you plan on doing more training?”
“I’m going to do it in a little while. I think everyone should get some rest.”
“Um… I agree.”
Forrest answered, looking at the fighter crew executive who vomited.
“Then what are you going to do now? I don’t think I’m going to rest.”
“How did you know? I would like to see you for a while.”
“Ball?”
“Yes.”
Oliver picked up a gigantic hammer wrapped in bandages with an answer.
Perhaps it was an illusion, the hammer rattles like a living creature.
“I have something to ask you.”