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?"

but I'll warn you beforehand. Don't expect him to make an artifact for you. No matter how rich you are, he won't do it unless he feels like

"Mhm."

Understandable.

I've said before if he just crafted for anyone, he'd have a line that would

"Pay close attention."

holographic map soon appeared before us. To my surprise, it was a map of the

then pointed towards a certain area on the

this path over here, you should be able to get there in about

"I see."

My brows furrowed slightly.

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

knew where

to

back on, Waylan suddenly stood up. Before he left, he tossed me a dark

before I go, take this as

"What's this?"

it, I curiously

in my hand,

badge. In case you want to meet me, you can just show

plate in my

"I see...thank you."

come in

"No problem"

grin behind the hood, Waylan gave a slight

Thank you again

"No problem."

footsteps suddenly halted.

up again Dd tell me more about that guy you mentioned before.

dripped down my

"...sure."

"Good, good."

around and left

I was sitting, I closed my eyes and wished Kevin the best

he really couldn't get out of

***

[Leviathan building, Lock.]

this hour, Emma and Kevin would train at the public

own personal training grounds, but it was also great for training

swords in the middle of the

"Achoo!"

"Kevin?"

swords and worriedly looked

his hand to gesture to

suddenly felt a chill run down through

"...got a cold?"

"Don't think so."

fact that cold's didn't exist anymore, Kevin had been feeling good these days. His strength was progressing at

to

healthier

just

to himself before

—Sha!

a beautiful yet deadly arc drew in

probably just my

"That's great."

sighed in relief before suddenly her

did you finally make up your

moment, Kevin's focus completely scattered

"...Regarding?"

told me not too

"Ah, that."

Clenching tightly onto his

I have decided to

"A pity."

disappointment

it's not like I can stop you since I also think that this decision isn't a bad

"I know, but..."

Kevin's fists clenched tightly.

problems. Kevin realized that he was still too

powerful, or had someone backing him up, of

he want to feel so

his head and raising his sword, Kevin once

—Sha!

way to make up

***

mountain range, the only indication I got that

underground turned on, warming up my shoes, and

be the place

my head, I stopped in front of a fairly

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

hard

atmosphere? Or just

I was just

[The Golden Hammer.]

looking insignia hung

of my surroundings, to my surprise, I

as though everyone was avoiding the shop like

Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!

the only thing that indicate to me that I was

step forward, I