The Author's POV

It first started with the first cataclysm.

A shift in tectonic plates all over earth. Moving countries from where they previously were, and producing tsunamis and earthquakes in the process. By the end of the first cataclysm, the world map changed completely creating one supercontinent.

Many hypothesized that the first cataclysm occurred so the earth could acclimate to the mana that would soon enter the planet.

It made sense, and I also believed it was the case.

I was wrong.

"So you're telling me the first cataclysm wasn't something that occurred naturally but was instead done by this so called Protector?"

"The First Cataclysm, as the world named it as such, was the day that the Protector blessed this world with his presence." The nun looked at the statue with reverence. "His mere presence brought change to this world."

"What?"

The more she spoke, the more confused I become. Despite that, I somewhat understood some of her words.

'Is she implying that the first cataclysm happened because he came to this world?'

…How powerful was that?

"Mana was a gift that the Protector bestowed upon us from the goodness of their heart." The nun paused, looking at me with a clear smile. "Since they bestowed upon us this power, it is only fitting that the Protect decides who should keep the power and who shan't. Am I right?"

'I think I've heard enough.'

What she said… It was enough to make me understand what was going on.

"Why did the protector 'bless' us with mana?"

If they were too afraid of us getting too much power, why even give us the power in the first place?

It made no sense.

"The motives of the Protector aren't things that the likes of us can understand."

The nun replied.

"We must appreciate what they have already blessed us with."

"Right."

I found myself tearing my gaze away from her and focusing it on the statue.

'Is this what you were trying to show me, Kevin? This so called Protector?'

While I wasn't sure about the specifics behind this so called 'blessing', I knew for a fact that it had something to do with the records.

The clues were there. The Laws in Octavious's body, Matthew's words, the Nun's words… Everything linked to the Records.

Whoever this protector was… they were most likely with the Records, perhaps even their creation.

"This Protector of yours…"

I looked at the nun. There was something else I was curious about.

"…Do they have a name?"

Protector of the seat of Diligence. That was more of a title than a name.

'I'm sure, whoever this Protector is, they must have a name, right? ... Or do they just go by titles?'

"Name?"

The nurse looked at me incredulously.

"How would the likes of me know? The true name of the Protector is not something we can know. Only Protectors can know the name of other Protectors."

"There are others?"

This… how should I say… I somewhat expected it.

like my earlier hunch

truly the same Diligence as the one in the seven

mean there are six other

myself frowning at the thought. One was already scary enough… six more?

Creak―!

chapel creaked, and I broke free from my thoughts. When I raised my head, my

'He looks familiar.'

the first thing I thought when

so dimly lit that I was unable to get a good look at who had just entered, but the moment I laid my eyes on them, I

if it isn't our

turned to see her rushing toward

her back, I heard a

It's nice to

Oliver. It's so nice that you visit us despite being

what I must

gifts for

I picked up while coming

aren't you

'Oliver? Waylan?'

he looked familiar. Upon casting a closer look at him, the man that stood before the nun was indeed Waylan. He looked exactly

looks like you

taking notice of me, Oliver smiled and waved his hand at me. I

nice to meet

into

to me while looking around the

isn't often that I come to visit, but it's usually just me and sister Viviana. I've never seen anyone else here… You can

"Is that so?"

way he carried himself and his speech was the same

and you're the first person

"Past two decades?"

at

here for

Each time he comes, he always brings gifts for

nun―sister Viviana―patted Waylan on the

a lot of trouble if it weren't for him. I must say, he

me too

back of his head

something unsettling about the current situation,

nothing wrong with him. He was indeed 'normal', in the sense that his

"If I may ask…"

scratched the side of my neck

reason you're here?

a question I'd like to

he put the gifts he brought toward the nearby

orphanage. There are many out there, and I'm

"Technology advances quite fast."

I chuckled a little.

to find. Plus, you can say

for

taking the gifts that were resting

"The Protector?"

before looking toward

you actually believe the

who knows." I smiled at Waylan. "It's a

"It indeed is."

and tidied his clothes. He then

if I'm late today. She seems adamant about making sure I came

"You're leaving already?"

was as far as

how Emma can be when

"That's true."

Sister Viviana giggled.

to her for

"Will do."

brown coat before turning his attention toward