The Author's POV

'I'm sure I heard Oliver… Did I hear wrongly?'

I didn't think so.

"Eh, my dad's been kind of busy lately. I haven't even seen him around these past few days."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, but it's not like it rarely happens. It's been like this since I last remember… I'm sure you understand me."

"Yeah."

"Ehm…"

I interrupted the conversation between the two. Scratching the side of my cheek, I altered my gaze between Amanda and Emma before finally settling on Emma.

"What did you say that your father's name was?"

Emma looked at me strangely.

"You don't know who my father is… ?" She paused and furrowed her brows. "No, never mind. It's not like he's some sort of big shot celebrity. Why should I expect everyone to know his name?"

"His name is Oliver."

Amanda answered for her, and I found myself blinking several times again.

"Oliver?"

"Yes."

Only after Amanda confirmed it once more was I finally convinced that I didn't hear incorrectly.

'Oliver? Why is his name different?'

This wasn't the name that I knew of.

I looked at Emma.

"By chance, do you know of anyone that goes by the name Waylan?"

Perhaps he was still called Waylan, but went by a different name in front of people? It wasn't impossible.

…Or so I thought.

"Waylan? No, I've never heard of him before."

Emma looked at Amanda.

"Do you know what he's talking about?"

"No."

"I see."

I had no choice but to give up when I saw that neither of the two knew who Waylan was.

'I guess it makes sense in some way.'

Even though everyone I interacted with in this world had the same name as the ones in my world, it wasn't impossible for some others to have names that were different.

After all, this was a different world, and its history was completely different. The fact that their names were the same was the odd part.

'Well, whatever.'

I shrugged the thought off. It didn't seem like a big deal.

Ding―!

Right then, I received a notification on my watch. I smiled when I looked at it.

'They're faster than I expected.'

[Ashton City Community Orphanage―Middlestone Street 56.

―Read More]

***

a glimpse of Octavious's memories, the orphanage was the

memories led me, but

will be

"Mhm."

the window of the car revealed a run-down neighborhood. There were no towering structures, and most

Guild, I felt as if my life suddenly became simpler. In addition to

that I was able to find

"We have arrived."

car stopped, and the driver got out. Coming around, he opened the door

is

the way it appeared in the memories I saw. It was probably a little bit more rundown, but other

you like for me to wait

"That's okay."

I shook my head. From the exterior, nothing seemed amiss. It looked

this

can leave; I can go back

my clothes and moved toward

in Octavious's memories was true, then whoever this

how may I

She was a different nun than the one from Octavious's memories. She seemed rather young, and what particularly struck me were

I greeted her politely.

to take a look. You see, my wife

"Ah."

up, and she smiled

if that isn't great

led me toward the

will contact the head nun and let you see the

"Thank you."

Creak―!

pushed it open, revealing a dark interior

was heavy with the scent of

eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, I looked around to notice the pews were draped in tattering black cloth and the walls were adorned with faded paintings that were no longer discernible. There was something unsettling about the paintings, but I

'There it is.'

the center of the chapel stood a familiar statue. Its marble surface was chipped and stained. Clearly from the wear

stop, and I stared at the

'It looks normal.'

where I was, there didn't

to notice something since I can now control

didn't seem to be

you interested

a distant voice. When I looked up, I saw an elderly nun making her way

squinted my eyes at her

'She seems familiar.'

on me. Something about being in her presence was soothing, and it made me want to

impression that

outwardly display my wariness and

am indeed interested in

took a few steps forward, and curiously looked at the statue while

churches in my life, and I've never seen such a statue

to." The nun smiled, caressing the statue next to her. "Our chapel doesn't belong to a religious branch.

"Hm?"

I cocked my head.

"That's rather interesting."

worship. If they weren't worshipping a god,

say that you were interested in taking a child for

recalling what I had said to the other nun at the entrance,

I

"Is that so?"

and I found myself frowning. For some reason, it felt as though I was being seen through at this

a pleasant sensation by any stretch of the imagination. Especially ever

"Is there something wrong?"

Her smile was unsettling.

someone that has no shred of mana in

wrong." The nun shook her head. "It's just that we don't appreciate

"Hm?"

I raised my brow.

"Lie?"

"Mhm."

head. She then gently

to me. You're not here for the