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 wasn't

the term 'Diligence' was truly the same Diligence as the one

six other

already scary enough… six

Creak―!

chapel creaked, and I broke free from my thoughts.

'He looks familiar.'

was the first thing I thought when my gaze paused on

was unable to get a good look at who had just

if it isn't

the nun's words as I turned to see her rushing toward the man who had

a certain voice,

It's nice

nice

what I

these gifts for

little something I picked up while coming

you kind,

'Oliver? Waylan?'

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

rare. It looks

smiled and waved his hand at

nice to meet

have you come into this rundown place

to me while looking around the

but it's usually just me and sister Viviana. I've never seen anyone else here… You can say it's a breath of

"Is that so?"

carried himself and his speech was the same as the Waylan

two decades, and you're the first person

"Past two decades?"

looked at Waylan in

here for the past

a lovely young man. Each time he comes, he

Viviana―patted Waylan on

trouble if it weren't for him. I must say, he really is

me

the back of his head in

sight. There was something unsettling about the

the more I felt that there was nothing wrong with him. He was indeed 'normal', in the sense that his body did not contain Akashic Laws… but the very fact that he

"If I may ask…"

scratched the side of my neck while keeping my eyes focused

here? How did you find this

question I'd like

the gifts he brought

isn't a very well known orphanage. There are many out there, and I'm surprised

"Technology advances quite fast."

I chuckled a little.

wasn't really that hard to find. Plus, you

for the

suddenly said, happily taking the gifts that were resting

"The Protector?"

looked at me strangely before looking toward the statue

tell me you actually believe the story behind the

Waylan. "It's a

"It indeed is."

and tidied his clothes. He then checked his

I'm late

"You're leaving already?"

was as far as it went. She didn't try to convince

know how Emma can be

"That's true."

Sister Viviana giggled.

to her for

"Will do."

proceeded to put on a light brown