Chapter 80: Unusual Information |
Hearing O’Brien’s words, Mario trembled with excitement—this was the confidence of a Grandmaster!
This was the protection brought by overwhelming strength!
Had their Artisans’ Association finally gained a pillar capable of deterring all ill-intentioned forces?
“N-no problem! Absolutely no problem!”
Mario’s voice turned hoarse with excitement as he responded almost impatiently, even standing up in agitation:
“Master Ryan, would you… would you be willing to take over as president of the Artisans’ Association? I am willing to step down immediately and assist you with all my strength!”
“No need. You can continue as president. Just give me a nominal position—I’m usually very busy.”
As he spoke, he waved his hand again. A heavy-looking cloth bag appeared on the table. The mouth of the bag was slightly open, revealing the crystal-clear magic crystals inside.
“These funds are for the initial preparations. Establish some basic cultural and technical courses as soon as possible. Among them, smelting, carpentry, and runes must be prioritized as the three core subjects.”
“I will check progress from time to time, and I will also make time to personally teach and answer the students’ questions.”
Mario carefully picked up the bag of magic crystals, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Suddenly thinking of something, he asked cautiously:
“Master, regarding the students’ age… do you have any requirements? Also, would those of us old members in the association have the opportunity… to listen to your teachings?”
O’Brien glanced at him and replied calmly:
“Anyone can attend the lectures, but young students must make up the majority. My goal is to cultivate enough new blood.”
“Understood. I will personally ensure your requirements are fulfilled!”
Mario straightened his back and made a solemn promise, as if a flame had reignited in his heart.
Afterward, the two continued a detailed discussion on various matters such as curriculum, teaching staff, and student recruitment.
This time, Mario also invited Molly and Fuke to join the discussion.
During this period, the attentive Molly arranged for a sumptuous lunch to be delivered.
In this way, the group talked continuously until evening.
Dean remained quiet the entire time, acting like a diligent student, carefully recording and digesting their discussion.
O’Brien, who had been secretly observing Dean, raised his evaluation of the young man’s temperament by another notch.
“Master Ryan, I have already prepared a private residence for you in the association’s elder district. I wonder if you would need it…”
Mario respectfully handed over the prepared elder credentials and badge while asking cautiously.
O’Brien fell silent for a moment.
Living within the Artisans’ Association would indeed make it easier for him to implement his plans and better protect those commoner students.
Although it would likely bring quite a few troublesome matters, the sacrifice was worth it for the plan.
“Very well.”
O’Brien’s answer filled Mario and the others with overwhelming joy.
That very evening, they gathered all the association’s senior members to hold a banquet welcoming O’Brien.
Although O’Brien had always disliked such social occasions, he understood they were necessary.
However, the result wasn’t as bad as he had imagined—the atmosphere of the banquet wasn’t as hypocritical or formal as expected.
Because nearly everyone present was essentially a group of “technical fanatics”~
Thus, the welcoming ceremony very reasonably drifted in a rather strange direction~
Only Dean sat there completely bewildered, listening to a group of technical experts discussing things where he understood every word individually, yet together they sounded like an incomprehensible heavenly script…
***
The ancestral land of the Aiven family, Edlin Island, Moonlight City—Morantia.
As the last golden ray of the setting sun sank beneath the horizon, this beautiful city slowly awakened.
Pale silver moonlight draped over the entire city like a thin veil. The ancient stone-paved roads glowed with a gentle luster, and even the air carried a faint aura of mystery and tranquility.
Within a large, quiet, and elegant courtyard—
Clang! Clang! Clang!
On the training ground, the crisp sounds of metal collisions rang out like a sudden storm.
Dozens of crimson afterimages darted rapidly under the moonlight, each carrying a sharp blade wind as they fiercely slashed toward the tall metal armor standing at the center of the field.
Metal gauntlets clashed continuously with blades, sparks flying!
Alvaro raised his palm, effortlessly blocking each of Caitlin’s attacks with perfect precision.
Even though Caitlin’s speed had become so fast that the surrounding air seemed to burn, waves of heat scorching the neatly trimmed grass into charred patches—
Even so, she failed to leave even a single mark on Alvaro.
“Phew…”
The afterimages dissipated as Caitlin stopped her attack.
“That’s enough for today.”
She showed no discouragement at all—knowing one’s limits was important; there was no need to compare oneself with monsters.
She casually walked to the tea table at the edge of the training ground, poured herself a cup of crimson liquid, and took a light sip.
Alvaro followed and voiced the question that had long puzzled him:
“Miss Caitlin’s progress is rapid. Alvaro does not understand—your talent is not lacking, so why do you seem unconcerned with improving your strength?”
Caitlin paused mid-sip, gently setting down her cup as her gaze drifted toward the distant city lights.
“It’s not that I don’t care… I just find endless training rather boring.”
Her voice carried a trace of laziness:
“I prefer the warmth of ordinary life—the feeling of working at sunrise and resting at sunset. That makes me feel like I’m truly alive…”
Alvaro’s mind began processing at high speed again. While he could understand the literal meaning of her words, he could not truly grasp the emotions behind them.
Perhaps this was the limitation of being a metal lifeform.
“Alvaro, don’t you have anything you truly love?”
Caitlin suddenly asked, curiously studying this unique being who had always loyally followed her younger brother.
He always executed Kyle’s orders flawlessly, as if he had never had desires of his own.
“Something I love?”
Alvaro fell into deep thought.
His memories began in the darkness of an ancient tomb. It was Kyle who awakened him from slumber, and ever since, he had followed Kyle.
Time held no meaning for him. He did not know how long he had lived, nor had he ever considered the meaning of life.
Only after traveling with Kyle—seeing bustling cities, barren deserts, and dazzling starry skies—did he begin to form a vague understanding of the world.
After a long while, he finally spoke:
“Perhaps… knowledge. I want to know more and more—about the history of this world, about the mysteries of magic, about the true meaning of ‘life’…”
“Knowledge, huh?” Caitlin smiled, taking another sip of her drink. “That’s quite an ambitious goal.”
At that moment, Alvaro suddenly froze—
A familiar spiritual force forcefully pulled his consciousness, dragging him instantly into the mental sea of Isos.
Before he could react, he saw that Kyle’s figure had also appeared within the mental space.
“Kyle.”
Kyle’s expression was extremely serious.
“I’ve received some unusual information—possibly related to a secret realm along the Greenfield Trade Route.”
“You must depart immediately to investigate. Remember, prioritize your own safety above all. If you encounter an overwhelming crisis, do not hesitate—take the necessary personnel and evacuate Coral Thorn City at once!”