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 wasn't

same Diligence as the one

other of these

One was already scary enough… six more? I

Creak―!

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

'He looks familiar.'

thing I thought when my gaze paused on

get a good look at who had just entered, but the moment I laid

isn't

words as I turned to see her rushing

back, I heard a certain voice, and my breath

nice to see

Oliver. It's so nice

what I must

these gifts

I picked up while

aren't you kind,

'Oliver? Waylan?'

closer look at him, the man that stood before the nun was indeed Waylan.

It looks like you have visitors

taking notice of me, Oliver smiled and waved his

to

come into this

me while looking around the

and sister Viviana. I've never seen anyone else here… You can

"Is that so?"

himself and his speech was

for the past two decades, and you're

"Past two decades?"

looked at Waylan

coming here for

a lovely young man. Each time he

Viviana―patted Waylan

in quite a lot of trouble if it weren't for him. I

me

of his head in

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

indeed 'normal', in the sense that his body did not contain Akashic Laws… but the very fact that he was here was

"If I may ask…"

of my neck while keeping my eyes focused on

reason you're here? How did you find this

question I'd like

smiled as he put the gifts he brought toward the

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

"Technology advances quite fast."

I chuckled a little.

you can say

came for

taking the gifts that were

"The Protector?"

me strangely before looking toward

actually believe the

"It's a fascinating story,

"It indeed is."

his clothes. He then

My daughter will nag me if I'm late today. She seems adamant about making sure I

"You're leaving already?"

that fact, but that was as far as it went. She

Emma can be

"That's true."

Sister Viviana giggled.

to

"Will do."

on a light brown