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?"

you beforehand. Don't expect him to make an artifact for you. No matter how rich you are, he

"Mhm."

Understandable.

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

"Pay close attention."

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

a certain area on the

here, you should be able to get there in

"I see."

My brows furrowed slightly.

since wasn't an official map, but it got

now knew where

to go

back on, Waylan suddenly stood up. Before he left,

before I go,

"What's this?"

I

plate in

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

plate in my

"I see...thank you."

might come in

"No problem"

grin behind the hood, Waylan gave a slight

Thank you again for telling me

"No problem."

footsteps suddenly halted. Turning around,

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

dripped down my

"...sure."

"Good, good."

Waylan turned around and

his back from where I was sitting, I closed my eyes and wished Kevin the best

really couldn't get out

***

[Leviathan building, Lock.]

and Kevin would train at the public training ground inside of the

was it bigger than their own personal training grounds, but

swords in the middle of the training

"Achoo!"

"Kevin?"

her short swords and worriedly

his nose and raising his hand to gesture to her

just suddenly felt a chill run down

"...got a cold?"

"Don't think so."

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

rank not too

healthier

probably just

himself before once again

—Sha!

a beautiful yet deadly arc drew in

feeling great, probably just my

"That's great."

sighed in relief before suddenly

Kevin, did you finally

completely scattered and he turned to face

"...Regarding?"

you told me not too

"Ah, that."

distorted. Clenching tightly onto his sword,

have decided to go through

"A pity."

look of disappointment

you since I also think that this decision isn't a

"I know, but..."

Kevin's fists clenched tightly.

Kevin realized that

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

want to

raising his

—Sha!

is the fastest way to make up

***

of a mountain range, the only indication I got that it was

built underground turned on, warming up my shoes, and the air around

be the place

in

to the other shops that I saw, this shop was the shabbiest looking one. Yet, despite it being

hard

perhaps its atmosphere? Or just

was just about to find

[The Golden Hammer.]

hung outside of the

my surroundings, to my surprise, I barely found anyone frequenting

though everyone was avoiding the shop like

Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!

thing that indicate to me that I was in the

forward, I knocked on