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.

looks like my earlier hunch

truly the same Diligence as the one in the

there are six other of these so

One was already scary enough… six more? I

Creak―!

wooden door of the chapel creaked, and I broke free from my thoughts. When I raised my head, my eyes paused on

'He looks familiar.'

the first thing I thought when my

at who had just

if it isn't our most

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

a certain voice, and

nice

nice that you

I must

gifts

something I picked up while

aren't you

'Oliver? Waylan?'

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

how rare. It looks

me, Oliver smiled and waved his hand at me. I smiled back and waved

to meet

have you come into this

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

"Is that so?"

he carried himself and his speech was the same as the Waylan that I

here for the past two decades, and you're the first person I've seen come into this

"Past two decades?"

at Waylan in

been coming here for

He's such a lovely young man. Each time he comes, he always brings

nun―sister Viviana―patted Waylan on

if it weren't for him. I must

flatter me too

of his

at the sight. There was something unsettling about the current situation, but I couldn't tell what

observed Waylan, the more I felt that there was nothing wrong with him. He was indeed 'normal', in the

"If I may ask…"

neck while

here?

I'd like to ask you,

put the gifts he brought toward the

isn't a very well known orphanage. There are many out there,

"Technology advances quite fast."

I chuckled a little.

Plus, you can say that I came here for a

came for

taking the gifts

"The Protector?"

me strangely before looking

tell me you actually believe the story

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

"It indeed is."

clothes. He then

daughter will nag me if I'm late today. She seems adamant about making sure I came home today. Something about helping a friend

"You're leaving already?"

fact, but that was as far as it went. She didn't try to

know how Emma can be when

"That's true."

Sister Viviana giggled.

to her for

"Will do."

brown coat