Genius Warlock

Chapter 319

Landa's summer possessed an enchanting allure, a distinction amidst the prevailing conditions.

Reasonably so, as little else held such appeal.

Being the world's most affluent, glamorous, and advanced city did not exempt it from an overcast climate.

How else could one fathom the weather's alleged link to the city's distressing suicide rates?

Nevertheless, summer emerged as an anomaly.

Remarkably, the typically overcast Landa transformed into a haven of clarity and gentle warmth during this season.

Proof lay in the surge of park-goers, seeking solace outdoors.

Certainly, some souls met their demise during the ensuing cold nights, yet this narrative was unrelated to Theodore Brant.

Cold held no sway over him—the Grand Master of the esteemed School of Life Magic. Cold posed no threat.

"It's a nice bit of warmth, real comfy, eh?"

A voice resonated from Grand Master Theodore Brant's chamber, the very heart of the School of Life Magic.

Truly, a space reserved for his solitude.

Unperturbed, he recognized the speaker's identity.

"You still got a knack for poppin' up outta nowhere, Merlin."

Leaning forward from his chair, Theodore caught sight of his lifelong friend, who had materialized through magic.

"Understand me, mate. You know I'm one for just showin' up unannounced, don't ya? ...Besides, you sent a surprise invite to me and my disciple."

Merlin gently placed the invitation he held onto the table's surface.

The invitation extended a cordial summons to a collaborative conference between the School of Life Magic and Life Alchemy.

Upon glancing at the invitation, Theodore stood from his seat.

Remarkably, the figure that rose from the grand chair seemed far younger than an octogenarian.

His appearance appeared to align more with someone in their late thirties or early forties.

Furthermore, his features possessed a striking attractiveness, easily capturing one's attention.

At least, these were the standards prevailing in contemporary society.

His artificially lustrous golden hair, reminiscent of his grandson's, kind and benevolent eyes, unblemished fair skin, a well-toned muscular frame, long legs, impeccable posture, and unaided vision—all contributed to Theodore's captivating presence.

It almost seemed as though he had been purposefully designed this way.

This served as a clear exemplar of why numerous affluent individuals, including those in Landa, invested substantial sums into the School of Life Magic.

In contrast, Merlin's countenance as he faced Theodore appeared somewhat pitiable.

His visage bore the unmistakable marks of age—wrinkles etched like stories on his face, cheeks with a sunken aspect, a balding crown reminiscent of a peeled egg, and thinning hair with little remaining allure.

Even the coat he wore appeared antiquated, accentuating his somewhat disheveled appearance.

To an outsider's eyes, the camaraderie shared between these two, lifelong friends who acknowledged each other through the years, might seem an unexpected connection.

"Is it rude to ask a mate over just to show off what you've been workin' on?"

"...Don't ya remember I've left all that behind?"

Indeed, Merlin had once been deeply absorbed in eugenics, conducting a myriad of both lawful and illicit experiments on humans to an extent that even Theodore found disconcerting. Yet, one day, he abruptly relinquished his research—this occurred after he had ascended to the rank of Archiver, surpassing even Theodore himself.

This particular memory still bore a bitter tinge for Theodore.

"Maybe you've had a change of heart? Been a fair while, hasn't it?"

"...Not a change, a return. But still, I'll say no thanks, politely."

"That's a shame. I told folks you might be comin'. The ones at the conference'll be a bit let down."

"Sorry 'bout that, mate."

"You thinkin' of tellin' your disciple to stay home too? Him... what's his name, Kevin?"

"That's right. I asked him, and he's keen. Said he couldn't pass up a chance like this."

"Smart kid. For someone of inferior breed. Hope you won't be stoppin' him. You're not part of the Magic Tower anymore."

"That's the plan... Is this conference your last hurrah?"

"Last hurrah? What're you on about! I'll keep goin' as long as I'm breathin'. Just another step forward. Business as usual."

This characteristic was quintessentially Theodore. He was unfamiliar with the concept of resting.

This was why Merlin held his academic accomplishments in high regard, yet also nursed some concerns.

A car in perpetual motion is destined to collide; such is the law of the world.

Merlin desired to halt his friend, yet his hands were tied, and this was a source of lamentation.

"So, you're takin' it easy in retirement, eh?"

"What're you talkin' about? I'm retired, ain't I?"

"Ah, right? Must've slipped my mind. Heard you were off in the Sleeping Forest to find a princess."

"...You been keepin' tabs on me?"

"Ha! No way. How game would I have to be to watch an Archiver? I even acquiesced to your request, and let go of that warlock who suddenly intruded my laboratory."

Theodore's sneer was overt. The discourse between these two men, who were gradually advancing in age, bore a slightly juvenile cadence, yet it attested to their enduring friendship.

"I owe you one for that, mate."

"Don't worry 'bout it. You must've had your reasons. That Sleeping Forest must be important... And just so you know, I didn't spy on you. Got mates who tell me things."

Kevin looked at Oliver in silence. Every time he asked a question, an unexpected answer came out... No, maybe it was good.

"It could be bad."

“Pardon?”

“The place we're going is not entirely safe. Although it's near Galos, it's also close to the mainland center. So don't be careless like when you first left the mine.”

“I understand... But why are they holding the conference there?”

Oliver asked with real curiosity.

Although he didn't know well, it seemed common sense to hold a conference in a safe place.

Kevin answered.

“Places with guaranteed safety are under the jurisdiction of the state, and most of them have high interference. Magic Tower is an exception, but not a complete one... Anyway, we take risks in remote places to avoid interference. It's a common case. Like Mountain Pace.”

“Ah......"

"Also, many influential people come to the conference to network or trade. Anyway, they prefer a place without surveillance or interference, even if it’s risky.”

"I see.”

“So be careful in many ways. Not only Magic Tower and Rokuri University, but also small and medium-sized magical families from the central continent will be there. If you make a mistake, it could be a headache.”

Oliver agreed, and the dock appeared in sight.

They had arrived at Halfway.

***

Heeeing...!

When they disembarked and picked up their luggage to take the reserved carriage to the conference venue, a minor hitch occurred.

Many of the horses that were waiting for their reserved guests suddenly became frightened, uncontrollable, and unable to work.

Tired passengers, already fatigued from the boat ride, became frustrated at the unexpected commotion, and the coachmen also seemed troubled.

It would be understandable if only one or two were behaving like this, but suddenly all the previously calm horses were frightened.

As a result, the area around the dock fell into unexpected chaos.

Nobody knew the reason why... Oh, correction. Only one person knew.

“Is there... no way to ride a carriage?”

Oliver asked Felix, who was squeezed between the crowds.

Felix answered with a troubled expression.

“There probably won't be. Well, you might find one, but it'll be very hard. Carriages are widely used here, not individual cars."

“As if it's some country village.”

Derick interjected with an irritated voice.

Oliver looked at the coachmen again. Over a hundred horses continued to be restless, showing no signs of calming down.

Oliver slipped through the crowd and whispered to Kevin.

“Professor.”

“What? If it's not important, tell me later.”

"It seems a bit important.”

Kevin looked at Oliver with a puzzled expression.

“What is it?”

“Is it alright if I run there myself?”

“You know where the conference venue is?”

“I read the pamphlet before coming, and I checked the location on the latest map. I can go there.”

“Did you check how far it is?”

“I did. It will take some time, but if I stay here, it will continue to be delayed.”

“...? What are you talking about?”

“Animals seem to hate me.”

Though it was a sudden absurd statement, Kevin's face lit up with understanding.

He had seen a spirit he summoned get scared of Oliver before.

He was not only convinced but also wondered why he hadn't realized it before.

“... What's the reason?”

“I'm not sure. They just... seem to dislike my smell."

“So you want to go alone?”

“Why would he go alone?”

During Kevin and Oliver's conversation, an energetic voice naturally intervened.

Turning their heads, they saw a man.

It was Terence of the Roar family, who had taken over for Oliver while he was on vacation.

He raised his hand cheerfully.

“Hey.”