Chapter 108

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Chapter 108: Reunion (2)

Oscar Crucian became a Level 4 Mage.

This news spread throughout the entire tower just days after his return to the White Tower.

"Wow, time really flies. Feels like it was just yesterday when that guy became a Level 3 Mage..."

"Wait a second. It was literally just two months ago."

"…Huh? That doesn’t even sound possible."

There were those who predicted Oscar would never surpass Level 1 in his lifetime.

After all, he had spent over 10 years as a mere Level 1 Mage.

But when they came to their senses, they were stunned.

He spent only one month as a Level 2 Mage and just two months as a Level 3 Mage.

This kind of rapid growth was unprecedented in human history.

Naturally, debates broke out among the mages.

"No, this makes perfect sense. Oscar’s issue was always physical; theoretically, he was already professor-level."

"If that were true, then all the distinguished theoretical mages would’ve been high-level mages, wouldn’t they?"

"Okay, but if that’s not it, how else do you explain this absurd rate of growth?"

With such questions came a hypothesis that spread like wildfire:

Oscar must have been hiding his power.

"If he could level up but chose not to, that would explain everything."

"That’s absurd. He couldn’t level up because of mana depletion syndrome, remember?"

"Do you still believe he’s a mana depletion patient?"

At those words, everyone fell silent.

Indeed, it seemed as though Oscar’s mana depletion syndrome had been naturally cured at some point.

"Wait a minute. That means there are only two possibilities."

One: Oscar is the first human to overcome mana depletion syndrome.

Two: Oscar never had mana depletion syndrome in the first place and had been hiding his power, waiting for the right moment.

Naturally, the second option was far more sensational.

"If that’s true, who was he hiding himself from?"

"…No idea. But the most likely suspect would be the one who caused the great fire at the Crucian estate, wouldn’t it?"

While people were busy speculating and letting their imaginations run wild,

Oscar himself was in the Special Ops office, reviewing documents.

"…"

The atmosphere in the office was heavier and more suffocating than ever.

If someone as lively as Fran had been there, they likely would’ve run out of the room, unable to endure it.

"Sigh…"

The source of the dreary mood was, needless to say, Oscar himself.

He was sighing deeply at regular intervals, wearing a more melancholy expression than anyone in the world.

The reason was simple.

‘She still won’t meet me.’

Since meeting Sasha two days ago, he had been persistently requesting another meeting.

But the answer he kept receiving was “no.”

The official excuse was that she was busy with work, but it was clear she was avoiding him.

"What’s this? Everyone’s gathered here…"

Just then, Veronica entered the room after finishing her training.

Seeing Oscar’s condition, she exchanged glances with Kilian.

"Hey, what’s with him?"

"Huh?"

Unfortunately, the forest warrior Kilian had no way of deciphering her intent.

"That look in your eyes… Does it mean you want to spar with me?"

"…"

It was foolish of her to expect normal communication from him.

Letting out a faint sigh, she sat down and got straight to the point.

"Oscar. What’s wrong? Is it the rumors going around?"

"…Rumors?"

"Guess you haven’t heard yet. Everyone’s buzzing about how you became a Level 4 Mage. They’re saying you’ve been hiding your power."

"Hiding my power? Why would I do that?"

"Because your growth rate is absurd. People are just trying to rationalize it by coming up with explanations and adding more to the story."

Admittedly, his current rate of growth was astonishingly fast.

If he continued at this pace, becoming the youngest high-level mage in history seemed almost guaranteed.

‘Well, if they want to misunderstand me like that, I suppose it’s convenient for me…’

But honestly, he was so preoccupied with thoughts of Sasha that he had no room to worry about such things.

As Oscar let out another deep sigh, Veronica’s brow twitched.

"Hey, are you going to keep sighing and dragging everyone else’s mood down?"

"Sorry…"

"So what’s the deal?"

"Uh…"

After a moment’s hesitation, Oscar opened up.

"There’s someone I really care about, someone I cherish deeply, but that person absolutely hates me."

"…Someone you cherish deeply? Who’s that?"

"I can’t tell you that."

Veronica thought to herself.

‘A girl?’

Kilian also thought the same thing.

"A girl, obviously."

No, he just said it outright.

What was more surprising was that Oscar didn’t bother denying it.

"Well, biologically speaking, yeah, that’s true."

"…Seriously?"

Veronica’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Never in her life did she expect to see Oscar agonizing over a girl.

‘Well, for people our age, romance is a big deal.’

She herself was too busy to think about such things, but it seemed spring had come for him.

Come to think of it, he’d always been fairly popular even back in the academy.

‘I never understood it, but there were girls who chased after him, calling his obnoxious personality charming.’

Maybe he even had some romantic experience already.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Veronica asked.

"Have you ever dated anyone before?"

"…Me?"

Oscar hesitated.

Well, he couldn’t say he hadn’t.

In his past life, he had lived for 30 years, so of course, he had.

But that was a previous life, so it was hard to say whether it counted.

"Uh, I guess I can’t say I haven’t. Why are you asking all of a sudden?"

"…No reason. Forget it."

Veronica shook her head, sensing an inexplicable maturity in his nonchalant attitude.

She hadn’t expected the answer to be “yes,” but his demeanor suggested he was indeed experienced.

Instinctively, she glanced at Kilian.

‘Well, at least this guy definitely wouldn’t have any experience, so I’m not the odd one out, right?’

Receiving her gaze, Kilian suddenly spoke.

“For the record, I’ve been in a relationship too.”

“What? Don’t lie!”

“It’s true. I once spent time with a woman from a tribe I got along with. We’ve since parted ways, though.”

Wait, did this mean that between these two broken personalities, she was the only one who hadn’t been in a relationship?

Even if she wasn’t particularly interested in such matters, it still felt like an excuse.

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There was something strangely off-putting about being left behind alone.

Without realizing it, Veronica muttered under her breath.

“Well, I... I’ve been in one too. Though, it’s over now.”

Oscar thought to himself,

‘That’s a lie.’

Kilian thought the same and immediately said it aloud.

“That’s a lie.”

Seeing his lips curve into a smirk, Veronica exploded.

“What do you know to call it a lie? I’ve seriously been in one!”

“Well, if that’s what you want to believe, then suit yourself.”

“You little...!”

Feeling like she’d only make things worse if she kept talking, Veronica quickly shifted the topic.

“Anyway, why are people holding a grudge against you? Did you do something wrong?”

“Well, I did mess up, but... it was a long time ago. Are they still resenting me for it?”

“It depends on what you did, but unless it’s something completely unforgivable, can’t you just try to make amends?”

Something completely unforgivable.

Oscar’s eyes grew complicated.

Sasha, who had been abandoned by her parents as a baby, hated being left alone more than anything.

“......”

A bitter feeling suddenly overtook him.

It occurred to him that Sasha’s reaction was probably natural.

No, it was definitely natural.

No matter the reasons, the fact remained that he had left them, the White Tower.

And now, after twenty years, he had returned expecting a warm welcome?

Even he found it absurd and shameless.

‘And from what I’ve overheard, it wasn’t just about her disliking me.’

She wouldn’t even listen to anything about Lloyd or Gilliot, which clearly indicated something had happened.

As he wrestled with how to address the issue, Veronica asked.

“Oh, right. I heard the other day that there was an announcement for you to visit the Tower Master’s quarters. Did you meet her?”

“Yeah, briefly.”

And now, here he was, wracking his brain about it.

Unaware of his inner turmoil, Veronica murmured.

“She’s always busy with external affairs, but sje always return to the White Tower around this time of year.”

“Well, managing the Tower involves meeting people on a regular schedule.”

Indeed, back when he was the Tower Master, the start of the year brought a stream of visitors, creating endless commotion.

“For someone who’s supposed to be managing things, she hasn’t even shown her face. She’s been shut in her room the whole time.”

“Well, if she’s been traveling a lot, maybe she’s just unwell...”

Wait, unwell?

Suddenly, something clicked in Oscar’s mind, and his expression hardened.

* * *

“You want to see the Tower Master?”

Deputy Tower Master Hamel Grimwiz’s face showed clear discomfort.

Looking at Oscar’s desperate expression, he shook his head.

“I’m sorry, but it’s not possible right now. I’ll bring it up again when the timing is better...”

“It’s because of Fairy Bloom, isn’t it?”

“...!”

Hearing those words, the Deputy Tower Master’s eyes sharpened momentarily.

“Oscar, where did you hear about that?”

“I learned about it at the Starlight Mountain on my recent visit.”

“Starlight Mountain... from the Sage of the Stars, I see. That makes sense.”

Fairy Bloom.

It was a type of growing pain that fairies experienced.

Once a year, their immense life force would surge, causing them great pain.

If they overcame it, they would grow stronger and healthier, but some fairies succumbed to the agony.

‘If I recall correctly, Sasha’s Fairy Bloom occurs around this time.’

What an idiot.

A complete fool.

How could he have forgotten something so important?

Every year, when her body ached, he had been the one to suppress her pain.

Oscar bit his lip, angry at his own incompetence and irresponsibility.

“That’s why I’ve learned a method that might help ease the Tower Master’s symptoms.”

Hearing this, the Deputy Tower Master’s face lit up.

“Wait, does that mean you can ease their pain?”

“I can’t guarantee a perfect solution, but it should help significantly.”

“Hmm...”

The Deputy Tower Master glanced at the clock.

By now, the Tower Master was likely enduring the pain of Fairy Bloom alone.

He hesitated, unsure if it was right to intervene without permission.

“Deputy Tower Master, please.”

“...”

Hearing Oscar’s earnest plea, Hamel finally rose from his seat.

“If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t trust them. But for you, Oscar, I’ll allow it. However, I’ll observe the treatment process.”

“Of course.”

Nodding, Oscar quickly followed Hamel out of the room.

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