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

"Mhm."

Understandable.

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

"Pay close attention."

To my surprise, it was a map of

towards a certain area on

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

"I see."

My brows furrowed slightly.

a bit of a mess since wasn't an

now knew where

to go

up. Before he left, he tossed me a

I go, take this as

"What's this?"

I

in my hand, Waylan

me, you can just show them to

plate in my

"I see...thank you."

might come

"No problem"

hood,

you again

"No problem."

Waylan's footsteps suddenly halted.

up again Dd tell me more about that

instantly dripped down

"...sure."

"Good, good."

around and left the

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

he really couldn't

***

[Leviathan building, Lock.]

this hour, Emma and Kevin would train at

than their own personal training grounds,

swords in the middle of the training grounds, Kevin suddenly

"Achoo!"

"Kevin?"

her short swords and worriedly looked at

his nose and raising his hand to gesture to her that he was

just suddenly felt a

"...got a cold?"

"Don't think so."

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

to

was healthier than

just

muttered to himself before once again raising his

—Sha!

deadly

great, probably

"That's great."

in relief before suddenly her

way, Kevin, did you finally make up

moment, Kevin's focus completely scattered and he turned to

"...Regarding?"

you told me not too long

"Ah, that."

sword, Kevin's face distorted. Clenching tightly onto

I have decided to go through with

"A pity."

look of disappointment flashed

stop you since I also think that this

"I know, but..."

Kevin's fists clenched tightly.

death to Emma's problems. Kevin realized that

had been more powerful, or had someone backing him up, of the problems would've ever

he want to

his head and raising his sword, Kevin

—Sha!

the Union is the fastest way to make up for

***

city built directly inside of a mountain range, the only indication I got that it was nighttime was the slight chill that travelled in

quickly disappeared as the thermal system built underground turned on,

should be

head, I stopped in front of a fairly large

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

hard to

its atmosphere? Or just

sure, but I was just about to

[The Golden Hammer.]

looking insignia hung

notice of my surroundings, to my surprise,

as though everyone was avoiding the shop like

Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!

pounded was the only thing that indicate to me that I

step forward, I knocked on