"You're not coming back, brother?" Diana's voice held a touch of disappointment, though she tried to mask it with a light tone.
I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "No, I'm not planning to return to the academy right away."
Her eyebrows arched in curiosity. "And may I ask why?"
I leaned in a conspiratorial glint in my eyes. "I have some matters to attend to, some loose ends that need tying up."
A playful scoff escaped her. "You and your mysterious ways. It's practically your nature, isn't it?"
I chuckled. "Perhaps. But consider it a surprise. Something you'll find out when I return."
Diana's lips curled into a smile, both amused and intrigued. "A surprise, huh? Well then, I'll be waiting eagerly."
"Take care, Diana," I said, my tone softening.
"You too, brother." With that, she turned toward the portal that would carry her back to the academy.
As she disappeared into the shimmering light, I remained in the center of the portals looking at her back.
'From now on, I need to speed things up.' With that thought, I grabbed the sphere from my spatial ring.
DING TAK
<Callius?> As Aliya's voice came from the sphere, a smile bloomed on my face.
<It seems you have finished your business with that girl.>
As Aliya spoke, I could hear a small sulk in her voice. Certainly, she was not happy with what I did. And considering our situation, it was pretty normal....It would be a lot weirder if she was happy with it.
"I did. She has returned to the academy now."
<Tch....Here I thought I would finally get a little time.>
"You can get it as a payment?"
<Are you sure this is the payment I want?>
"I am."
<I really want to come there and punch that smiling face right now.>
"Really? Why don't you come then?"
<You know, it is not that easy to leave the academy, right? If certain someone hadn't wasted his chance with others, I could also be outside.>
"Isn't it your motto that rather than relying on others, you should do it yourself?"
<....Then, I guess you should have found Dragon Heart on your own.>
"That would be a lot harder....You know, only you can do it."
<Heh....Now, you remember this Lady's greatness.>
"I never have forgotten it."
<I know.>
After hearing her words, the small playtime was over, and it was now for me to get serious.
"Anyway, are the things I wanted from you ready?" I asked. This process I will go through right now will probably be one of the hardest and most important ones in my life.
<Yes. Everything is ready. Dragon Heart, the materials you have requested. It was a little hard to find some of them, but everything should be there.>
"Good. Where are they?"
<It is on our Aurora City branch. After going there, you should let me know; I will give a call to them. The Branch Manager will give you the materials.>
"Good. Has the festival started?"
<It will start in two hours. Are you sure you want to miss the festival? Can't you do what you want inside the academy?>
"No, I can't. This is why I am here."
<Sigh....I know, I know.>
"Stay alert. I feel like something is going to happen at the festival."
<Still?>
"Yes. Even though the Dark Mana surrounding the academy is lowered, this uneasiness is still there. Call it intuition. You don't need to limit yourself; just be careful. I know this is a very important time for you as well."
<I will be careful then.>
"Good. Do you have anything to say? Else, I am hanging up."
<Umm.....>
"...."
<....>
"What? Just say it if you are going to say?"I think you should take a look at
<Nothing.>
TAK
As she said that, Aliya finished the call. Looking at the atmosphere around me, I started walking toward the place where I would get the things I needed.
Thanks to the festival of the academy now, the number of people that wanted to enter the academy grounds was close to the entrance exam time.
That was because one could enter the academy and participate in the festival after the first two days had passed. The first two days were inclusive to students, but after that time, it was time for other people to enter as well.
'The security will be tight, but thanks to me revealing that Declan was a demon, they must not be planning to act.' I thought on my way.
After the duel night, I observed that the dark mana around the academy had significantly reduced. Even though some lingering mana was still there, the general amount was not. Therefore, this assumption doesn't seem to be wrong.
In any case, as my thought lingered like that, I almost reached the center of Aurora City. The Square was filled with people as everyone of different cultures was there.
I could even see some beast men, which was rare for sure.
THUD
Amidst the throng, a sudden thud against my shoulder caught my attention, and I turned to find a young boy beside me, his gaze apologetic. "Sorry, mister," he mumbled hurriedly.
I answered with a blunt tone. "It's fine."
As the boy tried to leave, I swiftly closed my eye and sensed the spatial mana of my ring. As expected, it was on the boy.
I paused, my eyes narrowing at the boy who was now a few paces away, mingling with the crowd. With a mental focus, I activated my telekinesis magic, my senses extending to the missing ring.
In an instant, the spatial ring reappeared in mid-air, suspended by an invisible force. It hovered for a brief moment before gliding back to my outstretched hand. The young pickpocket's eyes widened in disbelief as the ring returned to its rightful place.
"Be careful about whom you choose next time." I mouthed those words as the boy was looking at me.
Caught off guard, he stumbled, drawing the attention of a few passersby. Panicking, he took off running, disappearing into the bustling crowd.
I sighed softly, returning the spatial ring to its original position.
"I guess the money I put on his back should be enough for him to feed his family now," I mumbled as I remembered the lives of those I had seen while wandering around the world. For some people, life was cruel, and it never hurt to give a little salvation to others.
Eventually, I reached my destination—a building adorned with intricate engravings that spoke of its opulence.
A name could be seen on the table shown before the entrance.
Verdant Venture, a name that had been on the rise recently, was a company dealing in a range of valuable commodities. The consistent flow of people entering and exiting the establishment indicated its reputation and popularity.
The entrance was flanked by elegantly crafted marble pillars, and the facade was adorned with carvings that depicted scenes of prosperity and cooperation. As I stepped inside, I was greeted by an atmosphere of bustling activity. The interior was adorned with lavish decorations, reflecting the company's success.
Looking at the place like that, a sense of pride came. It was a company that Aliya built, and seeing her talent and success, made me feel quite good.
Just as I had been saying before, I was not staying idle while wandering around the world. With the small investments I made after finding talented people, suggesting some of them in the game to Aliya, and picking up people with rather complex situations, I was forming my own faction.
And now, everything is under the name of 'Verdant Ventures.'
The name I had chosen. And seeing it like that, it is impossible to feel proud.
'I don't need their help, but I will soon.' I thought, but now was not a time to reminisce about the past.
A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow that illuminated the polished marble floors. Richly woven tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of flourishing landscapes and bustling markets. The air was filled with a murmur of conversations and the occasional clinking of glasses from a nearby refreshment area.
I approached the reception desk, exchanging pleasantries with the attendant. "Good day. I'm here to collect some materials. Callius is the name."
The attendant's gaze shifted to a screen, her fingers dancing across the holographic interface. "Ah, yes, Mr. Callius. Your materials are ready for pickup. If you'll kindly follow me."
As the attendant was notified of my presence, everything was ready now.
I nodded and followed her through the elegant corridors of Verdant Venture.
We arrived at a secure chamber, where the attendant entered a code on the magical lock that I myself suggested copying from the knowledge of Earth. The door slid open, revealing a room filled with meticulously organized shelves. Each shelf contained a variety of materials, from rare gems to magical components. My gaze settled on the items I had specifically requested, neatly arranged and ready for collection.
As I inspected the items, the attendant offered, "Mr. Callius, please let us know if everything is to your satisfaction."
I gave a nod of approval. "Everything seems to be in order. I appreciate your efficiency."
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm The attendant smiled warmly. "We take pride in ensuring our customers' needs are met promptly. If you require any further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask."
"No need." As I finished my words, I left the corridors of the company and made my way toward the place where I would be using these materials....
'It is time for breaking through....'
It was time to destroy my body....
-----------------A/N--------------------
I will get my dental implants today. I don't know if I can post a chapter later.
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You can check my discord if you want. You can see the illustrations of characters there.
The link to the discord server is in the description of the book.
