The Author's POV

"The headmaster?"

My eyes shot wide open.

"The SS ranked hero headmaster who never once showed up during my stay at the lock?"

Waylan almost spat out his drink. Giving me an odd look, he wrily smiled.

"Odd way to put it, but correct."

"...my god."

Leaning back on my seat, my brows furrowed tightly.

Although I knew that Waylen and the headmaster were on a mission together, I didn't actually know that they were in the dwarven domain.

This was because Kevin back in my novel only went to the dwarven domain after the conference that took place a couple of years from now.

That was also the first time the two properly showed up in the story.

Tap.Tap.Tap

Tapping on the table, I fell into thought.

'Who would've thought that he was here?'

The headmaster's presence makes things complicated.

Although he wasn't there during the tournament, most likely he was aware of me. After all, there was no way Donna wouldn't have told him about me.

Furthermore, as the headmaster, he was probably made aware of each death that occurred during that day.

Explaining to him how I was still alive was going to be really troublesome.

'ugh, how troublesome indeed.'

"Do you have any other questions for me?"

Waylan downed the whole drink and smacked the cup on the table. He then proceeded to wipe the foam that lingered on his lips.

Lifting my head, I nodded my head.

"Yes, one more."

"Go on, but make it quick I'm supposed to leave soon."

Waylan replied as he checked his watch.

Leaning forward, I asked.

"Have you perhaps heard of anyone called Malvil Ironhawk before?"

"Sir Malvil?"

An odd look flashed Waylen's face.

"Is there something wrong?"

From the look on Waylen's face, it seemed as though he knew him.

With a complicated look, Waylan scratched the back of his head.

"No, not really, it's just that...he's, mhhh, how should I say it."

Stroking his chin, Waylan tried to find the right words to say.

"...Let's just say that he's a very hard man to please."

"I figured."

Leaning back on my seat I let out a sigh.

Malvil was one of the few people that could handle Okleum properly.

He was a legendary craftsman. Without a doubt his standards for materials were high, and not just that, he was probably also very selective of his clients.

In no way would he craft artifacts for whoever asked.

But.

I still had to try.

"Even if he might reject me, I want to know."

I wanted to get stronger faster.

Surrounded by so many enemies, I had no choice but to get stronger.

It was a must.

At my response, a small smile appeared on Waylan's face.

"Mhm, if you insist."

Twirling his now empty cup, Waylan thought for a moment.

"Usually he's working at the fourth level, but you can find him on the first level from time to time. In fact, he's probably at his shop right now."

"Where exactly is that? Can you tell me the location?"

Don't expect him to make an artifact for you. No matter how rich you are, he won't do it unless

"Mhm."

Understandable.

said before if he just crafted for anyone, he'd have a line that would stretch all the way to

"Pay close attention."

To my surprise, it was a

pointed towards a certain area

here, you should be able to get there

"I see."

My brows furrowed slightly.

of a mess since wasn't an official map, but it got to

knew

to

suddenly stood up. Before he left, he tossed me a

before I go, take

"What's this?"

I

at the plate in my hand, Waylan

meet me, you can just show them to the guards

plate in my hand,

"I see...thank you."

come in

"No problem"

a grin behind the hood, Waylan

you again

"No problem."

something, Waylan's footsteps suddenly halted. Turning

we meet up again Dd tell me more about that guy you mentioned before. Very curious about

instantly dripped down my

"...sure."

"Good, good."

turned around and left

back from where I was sitting, I closed my eyes and

he really couldn't get out

***

[Leviathan building, Lock.]

this hour, Emma and Kevin would train at the public training ground inside of the

their own personal training grounds, but it was

swords in the middle of the training grounds,

"Achoo!"

"Kevin?"

short swords and worriedly looked at

onto his nose and raising his hand to gesture to

felt a chill run

"...got a cold?"

"Don't think so."

didn't exist anymore, Kevin had been feeling good these days. His strength

had just broken to rank not too long

was healthier than

probably just

muttered to himself before once again

—Sha!

yet deadly arc

probably

"That's great."

before

Kevin, did you finally make up

completely scattered and he turned

"...Regarding?"

me not

"Ah, that."

sword, Kevin's face distorted. Clenching tightly onto his sword, he

to go through with

"A pity."

look of disappointment

you since I also

"I know, but..."

Kevin's fists clenched tightly.

Ren's death to Emma's problems. Kevin realized that he was still too

been more powerful, or had someone backing him up, of the problems

again did he want to

head and raising his sword,

—Sha!

the Union is the fastest way to make up

***

of a mountain range, the only indication I got that

built underground turned on, warming up my

should be the

my head, I stopped in front of a fairly large

was the shabbiest looking one. Yet, despite it being the shabbiest looking one, it somehow felt like

was hard

its atmosphere? Or just my

I was just

[The Golden Hammer.]

looking insignia hung outside of the

my surroundings, to my surprise,

everyone was avoiding the

Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!

rhythmical, steady sound of metal being pounded was the only thing that indicate to me

a step forward, I knocked on