Chapter 615: The Report (Part 1)
Flap. Flap. Flap.
Tower of Magic Administration. Department Head’s Office.
The department head, Burke Post, was sitting at his desk, reading the freshly printed morning newspaper as he usually did.
Internally, the Tower of Magic Administration handled minor administrative tasks, but externally, it had the responsibility of representing the Tower’s stance. Thus, whether he liked it or not, Burke needed to stay attuned to the latest news.
And the best means for doing so was, naturally, the newspaper.
“It’s efficient, after all. While it may not capture every hidden detail, it at least provides a basic outline of events—just for a few coins.”
As Burke folded the newspaper, he turned to his morning visitor.
The visitor was none other than Oliver.
“That makes sense… Any particular news catch your attention?”
“There’s plenty. I hear the Central Continent is in chaos, leading to a significant rise in refugees. Among them are quite a few black magicians, which has been troublesome.”
Already aware of this, Oliver gave no reaction. He, too, read the news daily and was kept up to date on local events through figures like Armand, the Archpriest, and the Gallos Branch of the Chosen Ones.
“The curious part is that the reason behind the chaos isn’t specified. Do you know why?”
“I couldn’t say. Do you know, Department Head?”
“Well, it’s the Central Continent, after all. That place is always in disarray.”
Burke shrugged as he spoke casually.
While somewhat dismissive of the region, Oliver could somewhat agree.
As Burke said, the Central Continent was perpetually unstable. Unlike the Unified Kingdom or a major nation like Gallos, the area was comprised of small kingdoms with weak administrative power. This was the primary reason for the chaos, along with their failure to keep up with the wave of industrialization.
Lacking the capital for industrialization, the kingdoms of the Central Continent had seen a decline in both the number and skill level of magicians as most had left.
As a result, many small kingdoms in the Central Continent remained feudal and were said to have more black magicians than regular magicians.
“So, the Central Continent is often described as poor, backward, and dangerous. Chaos is almost a given there.”
“I see.”
“But if we’re being serious, there are clues we can piece together.”
Burke’s tone shifted from casual to serious.
“Like any nation, the small kingdoms in the Central Continent dislike their people leaving. For such tiny countries, an exodus could lead to collapse. If someone tries to flee, they’ll do anything to stop them, sometimes even deploying the military. What does that suggest to you?”
“Could it mean there’s something scarier than the military?”
“Exactly. We might also infer that even black magicians found it terrifying enough to want to escape.”
“That makes sense. But I don’t understand why the newspapers don’t mention the reason. It seems like it would make a great story.”
“Good observation. We can make some guesses from that as well. It could be that the details aren’t fully known yet, or perhaps someone is controlling the information.”
“Controlling the information?”
Oliver questioned, understandably so. It wasn’t easy to control multiple newspapers at once.
It was more than just an issue of power—it was a matter of influence and politics.
“It’s just speculation. Since they haven’t printed specific reasons, it’s a possibility. Or it could be that the Central Continent is simply too dangerous for anyone to get that information.”
Burke shrugged again, a gesture that suited someone who handled countless affairs within and beyond the Tower of Magic.
He approached every issue with a balance of seriousness and nonchalance.
“There are other eye-catching articles too. There’s the dispute over the ownership of the Sea of Oblivion, which has recently been reclaimed, and a new magical institute being prepared by the royal family. But the most notable article has to be this one.”
Burke handed over the newspaper.
"Major Conflict Breaks Out in the Contaminated Zone! What Happened?!"
The article reported that a conflict had occurred in the Contaminated Zone involving individuals of superhuman strength.
As Oliver looked at the photograph accompanying the article, he asked a question. The picture showed the ground in the Contaminated Zone, which appeared devastated, with a massive crater at its center.
“How did they take this photo?”
“It’s Landa, isn’t it? There are countless freelance journalists who’d go anywhere as long as it pays well. This might have been taken by someone living in the Contaminated Zone itself. What matters is that the conflict was significant enough to make the news. So, what exactly happened?”
Burke’s curiosity was clear, and Oliver began to report most of what had happened in the Contaminated Zone.
He explained that he had gone there for a clean-up operation, the chaos that ensued due to external forces, and his decision to eliminate the source of that chaos.
He kept certain facts to himself, however.
For instance, he didn’t mention that the ones commanding the rogue gangs were members of the Traditional Gaia School affiliated with Pinkman, nor that these Pinkmen were digging into research connected to demons in the underground.
The reason was simple: mentioning these details would only lead to complications.
Oliver had a sense of who was likely behind the demon-related research and exchanges involving Pinkman, and he knew that disclosing his knowledge about the demon in the underground of the Contaminated Zone could embroil him in troublesome affairs.
So, Oliver employed the Landa trick of pretending not to know—a tactic he’d picked up from the locals.
“So, while confronting the gang digging for research materials underground, things escalated to this?”
“Yes, Department Head. I don’t know exactly what the research materials were, but that’s how the gang members described it.”
“The gang in question was the Shield Brotherhood, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, interesting. The Shield Brotherhood is supposed to be a gang formed mainly by retired soldiers, yet they used this level of magic?”
“It seemed they had hired a magician from outside, but I’m not sure of the details.”
Burke didn’t press the matter further, accepting Oliver’s answer despite its ambiguity.
While Oliver hadn’t disclosed everything, what he had reported was entirely truthful.
“Did I make a mistake by allowing the details to be published in the newspaper?”
“No, that wasn’t the case. If we had objected, the article wouldn’t have been published at all.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Most of the newspapers in Landa are cooperative with the Tower of Magic, largely due to the advertising revenue they receive from us.”
“Oh.”
Oliver realized a simple truth. The Tower of Magic, with its many magic-related businesses, was one of the newspaper companies’ largest clients.
“I was merely curious about who might have been behind it.”
“Then I didn’t make a mistake?”
“No, in fact, you did quite well. You eliminated most of the criminals and managed to keep most of the illegal refugees under control. Now, what is it that you want?”
Burke looked at Oliver with a knowing expression. When Oliver asked how he knew he had a request, Burke responded as if it were no big deal.
“Generally, those who achieve surprising results often have something they desire in return.”
It was indeed a reasonable statement. Oliver didn’t hold back and stated his request openly.
“Hmm… Before I tell you what I want, may I ask what your personal thoughts are on my actions to establish a black magic school?”
“Why do you ask?”
Instead of giving a stock answer, like ‘for the benefit of the Tower of Magic,’ Burke asked the reason behind Oliver’s question.
To Oliver, this was a positive sign.
If Burke were opposed, he wouldn’t have even bothered asking for a reason. Moreover, Burke’s overall attitude was favorable, although there were hints of concern and unease. Still, these were relatively mild reactions.
In response to Burke’s openness, Oliver replied honestly.
“I wanted to know if you would be willing to help me, Department Head.”
Burke didn’t respond immediately, letting a heavy silence fill the room. After a moment, he finally spoke.
“Personally, I’d like to help you.”
He meant it.
“While the Tower of Magic is fine as it is, it’s precisely when things are stable that some new stimulation is needed. Otherwise, it risks stagnation. Besides, a black magic school could benefit the administration in several ways.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, the administration’s presence within the Tower of Magic isn’t as influential as the responsibilities and authority it bears would suggest.”
Oliver understood what he meant.
He was well aware of the Tower’s history and the current standing of its administration.
“If I were to support you in establishing a black magic school, the administration’s influence would certainly grow within the Tower. Having the authority to establish a school and actually doing it are worlds apart. And if a black magic school is founded, it would likely be cooperative with our administration, benefiting us in many ways.”
“You’re being quite candid.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.”
Oliver shook his head, and he meant it.
In a place where there were magicians who cooperated with hired hands solely to protect their own achievements, it was not his place to judge someone who desired the prosperity of the organization to which they belonged.
“Anyway, I’d like to assist you in setting up the school. But it won’t be easy. As I mentioned before, establishing a school on the initiative of a single individual is quite unprecedented—especially for black magic.”
“It would require more scrutiny and face greater resistance, correct?”
Oliver accurately summarized, recalling his previous conversations with Burke.
Oliver’s expression grew contemplative as he let out a thoughtful hum.
“Hmm… In that case, could I request support in a different form?”
“A different form?”
“Yes, something like a support program within the Tower of Magic.”
Oliver produced a business proposal he had carefully prepared after researching the Tower’s administrative and business regulations.
It was a business support program targeting Tower employees, instructors, and students. If a proposal demonstrated enough potential, it would qualify for financial support and receive various benefits, such as tax exemptions within the Tower.
After all, Oliver’s primary motivation in creating a school was to obtain tax benefits. Since founding a school in the immediate future wasn’t feasible, he decided to explore alternative routes to his goal.
“What’s your business idea?”
Oliver retrieved the business proposal he had prepared. Filling out the forms correctly wasn’t difficult.
“Pharmaceutical products combining druid herbs with black magic? I’d heard you had some knowledge of druid rituals, and it seems it’s true.”
“Yes, the full details are in the proposal.”
Burke quickly skimmed through the report.
“But it doesn’t include any magic itself, does it?”
“The Tower handles the review process, so it shouldn’t matter.”
Burke found no grounds for rebuttal to Oliver’s point.
It was true that the Tower of Magic conducted its own evaluations, and there was virtually no external body overseeing their operations.
At most, Landa’s City Business Management Bureau might check whether the business was legal, but that was the extent of their involvement.
While the combination of black magic with druid herbs posed some legal ambiguity, Landa had a high tolerance for new technologies and was unlikely to interfere with a venture involving druidic rituals.
Burke caught onto Oliver’s plan immediately.
“If the Tower rejected this proposal, you would’ve gone straight to Landa’s city bureau, right?”
Oliver neither confirmed nor denied, which was as good as a confirmation.
Establishing a school to gain formal membership and tax benefits within the Tower of Magic was realistically a long-term goal.
Oliver had thus brought forth the Tower’s business support program as a second option. If the Tower declined his proposal, he planned to bypass it altogether and negotiate directly with Landa’s city bureau.
While tax exemptions weren’t easily granted, the promise of value often justified the concessions.
“Plus, there are other potential products, like blood elixirs, druidic potions, life force supplements…”
Oliver thought of the many cards he held.
The issue was that this approach would put the Tower in an awkward position.
Seeking smooth, amicable solutions without clashing with his surroundings, Oliver had asked Burke if he’d be willing to lend his support.
“What other conditions do you want? After coming this far, I’m sure you must have something else in mind.”
“I would like exclusive access to the entire Contaminated Zone.”
“The Contaminated Zone?”
“Yes, I’ve made a promise to the refugees there. In return, while I hold the rights, I will thoroughly clean up the area.”
It wasn’t a bad offer. Besides removing unauthorized residents, the proposal also included revitalizing the derelict buildings and purifying the contaminated land—one of the more challenging tasks in the area.
“I plan to purify the contaminated land by creating a druid forest there. Although it’s different from holy purification, the druidic cleansing rituals are powerful. I’m even considering establishing an entire forest. If you wish, I could share the results with the Tower of Magic.”
“Are you serious?”
Burke didn’t question whether it was possible. He could tell from Oliver’s reputation as the fixer Dave Light, his standing as Zenon within the Tower, and from directly observing Oliver’s demeanor that he was not one to make empty boasts.
In Landa, where con artists thrived, Oliver was an unusual figure.
However, it was precisely this straightforward competence that made his words carry weight. Oliver had succeeded by relying solely on skill, not deception.
Oliver answered.
“Yes, good things should be shared.”
“In that case, it would be easy to persuade others. I’ll bring it up as soon as possible and aim to secure the best support package for you.”
Burke gave his word, and Oliver rose from his seat, ready to begin his work.
...
As promised, Burke wasted no time.
Before long, the Tower of Magic’s administration provided Oliver with the financial support he needed, and he could finally secure the resources required to begin his work in the Contaminated Zone.
With these funds, Oliver set up temporary housing for the refugees and established cleaning teams, offering them work and wages. Thus, the cleanup of the Contaminated Zone commenced.
Due to its size and condition, progress was slow, but step by step, they began clearing the area.
In between, Oliver also took time to meet with members of the Redevelopment Coalition and to teach Mari new black magic, repaying her for the limitations placed on her use of traditional black magic.
Day by day, Oliver continued his tasks until one day, he encountered Merlin, who informed him,
“A prince will be visiting Landa soon.”