Genius Warlock

Chapter 313

"......My goodness. What did you do?"

Temporary interview room of the Elemental Magic Tower.

Kevin asked, looking at the coffee cup in his hand.

Oliver, who brought the coffee, responded.

“I made some coffee?”

Kevin looked at Oliver as if he couldn't believe it.

“You made this?”

“Yes...... Did I make a mistake?”

Kevin shook his head. Not out of courtesy, but genuinely.

“No, it's just that the coffee tastes better than I expected.”

“Ah, thank you. I learned from some ladies I know, and then I tried adding a few recipes to suit my taste by looking at a book.”

“That's surprising... the fact that you know some ladies and that you have preferences.”

Kevin spoke sincerely.

It was surprising to him that Oliver had personal relationships with women and that he cared about the taste of coffee.

This guy, who when busy, simply settled for plain bread.

“The ladies, I got to know while working, and as for coffee, I also enjoy it occasionally...... Wouldn't you want it to be tastier if you could?”

Tastier.

Such a natural desire, yet it felt so alien when Oliver mentioned it.

It felt like a wolf or lion seasoning its prey with pepper after hunting.

Whether he knew it or not, Oliver asked calmly.

“Do you need anything else?”

To Oliver's question, Kevin shook his head.

“No, just go outside now and bring in the students listed in order.”

Oliver nodded, collected the list of laboratory applicants, and left the interview room.

Outside, there were a chair and desk for Oliver, and across from him, students waiting either sitting or standing were visible.

They were all students currently attending the magic tower, also applicants for Kevin's laboratory.

About fifteen or so.

Though it might seem like a lot, it wasn't necessarily so.

Many students apply to labs to build their career, network, develop their skills, or make money.

For popular professors, hundreds apply at once.

Compared to that, the number of applications to Kevin wasn't a lot.

Well, considering his reputation, it wouldn't be considered few either.

Anyway, Oliver sat in the chair and called the students listed one by one.

“Mr. Jim, are you here?”

***

Creak... thud.

The fifth applicant opened the door to the interview room and stepped out.

His name was Choji, a student from the Gaia School of Magic.

Despite preparing confidently by reading potential questions before entering, he came out drained after just a few minutes.

Of course, on the outside, he pretended to be fine, but inside, his feelings were a mix of confusion, shock, and self-loathing, as if they were bruises scattered here and there.

‘Just like the four before him.’

Oliver looked at Choji, who was walking more slowly than before, thought this, and called the next person. An unexpected one.

“Mr. Derick, are you here?”

In response to Oliver's call, Derick, who had been hiding amongst the crowd, slowly rose and walked forward.

The few applicants blocking the narrow hallway gave way when they saw Derick's face.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Derick walked confidently, making heavy footsteps, and stopped in front of Oliver.

“You don't seem surprised?”

“I was surprised when I first saw you.”

Sitting in his chair. After calling the first person, Oliver reviewed the list, and while observing the applicants with his warlock's eye, he noticed Derick and Felix.

It was somewhat surprising to see Derick there, even if Felix was expected.

“Hiding among the applicants?”

“Isn't there a list?”

Derick nodded, as if convinced. To him, Oliver spoke politely.

Oliver could roughly understand what Kevin was saying.

Hiring students for the lab was a matter that required more careful handling than he thought. It was not just about research efficiency or financial issues, but also for safety.

This was because there were quite a few cases where some of the students employed in the lab would embezzle research data for the benefit of other professors or for personal monetary gain.

This fact was recorded in the the diary of the Lightning Wizard and the research journal of Audrey as one of the backdoor businesses in the Magic Tower.

Outstanding magic research was worth that much.

Remembering that fact, Oliver slightly tilted his head.

"Then, wouldn't it have been better not to hire anyone at all? Looking at it comprehensively?"

"Not necessarily. Contrary to the original plan, I ended up taking on work like summer courses, and if I want to produce results within the deadline, I need manpower to do simple tasks."

"Ah..."

Oliver suddenly realized that Kevin had taken on a summer course he hadn't planned on because of him.

"I'm sorry, professor... I apologize."

"It's okay. I'm not the type to only engage in losing deals... By the way, how's your schedule afterward?"

Oliver checked his watch before answering.

"It's currently 3:54. I plan to finish the student categorization work I took on in the morning and leave work by 6 PM."

"Do you have anything scheduled after that?"

"Yes, I have personal matters from 8:30 PM."

This was not a lie. Recently, he had been teaching the Fighter Crew in District X again.

Currently, Oliver was teaching the basics of black magic to the new Fighter Crew members, and giving basic education for fostering warlocks to thirty-six Fighter Crew executives.

In addition, he was conducting basic physical training through pre-made assessment forms and teaching them to read and write for their development, but he didn't need to worry about that because Joe and Al were helping.

"From 8:30 PM? May I ask what it is?"

Responding to Kevin's question, Oliver carefully answered.

"It's not a big secret, but I would prefer not to disclose it as it involves personal matters."

"I've felt this way for a long time, but you tend to ask a lot while keeping your own matters secret."

"Ah, I'm sorry if you felt that way. It's just that it's not just about me, but it involves other people as well."

"I'm not convinced, but considering my regrettable position, I'll let it pass."

"Regrettable?"

"Do you remember the deal we made last time?"

Oliver remembered the strange deal he made with Kevin very well.

In exchange for teaching Kevin black magic that can fuse mana with emotions, Kevin would answer Oliver's personal questions.

Nodding his head at Oliver's agreement, Kevin answered.

"From today on, teach me steadily, even if it's just one or two hours a day. The paperwork is not urgent, so take your time."

Oliver looked at the clock. The clock pointed to exactly 4 o'clock.

"Um... How about having an early dinner and starting right away? I think I can spare time until 7 or 7:30 PM."

Oliver proposed without considering his own rest time.

It was time that could be used or not.

Kevin was pleased with Oliver's surprisingly proactive attitude, though he didn't show it.

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, I want to do it properly if I'm going to do it. Is it okay with you, professor?"

"It's fine... Then, let's go home right away, have a light meal at a restaurant, and go to my house."

"Your house, professor?"

"We can't train at the Magic Tower."

"Ah......"

Oliver exclaimed at the obvious fact.

"Don't worry, I have a training ground at my house."

"You have a training ground at your house?"

"I'm a professor at the Magic Tower. I have that much property."

"Ah... I see."

"But what are we going to start training with first?"

"I'll start with a test and then simple training."

Oliver answered calmly, and about an hour later, Oliver forcibly inserted emotions into Kevin's eyes.

Kevin groaned in pain.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrr......!"

"Yes, yes. It's okay. You're okay."

(To be Continued)