Lukas seemed to see an illusion of flowers blooming around Min Ha-rin when she saw him.

Master!

He felt that she was exuding joy that was far greater than the last time theyd met. Min Ha-rin ran up to Lukas and smiled like a lost puppy.

Is everything okay?

Huh? Oh. I can summon two Fireballs at the same time now.

Thats a pretty encouraging achievement.

Yeah. But besides that, Id like to ask you something Ah.

Min Ha-rin, whose attention had been focused on Lukas the entire time, finally noticed Leo.

whos that behind you?

This is Leo Freeman. My new disciple.

Duk.

Min Ha-rin froze.

Disciple?

Right.

Lukas nodded and wondered.

It was strange. He was having a strong sense of deja vu at that moment.

Ah

It was Nina.

Shed had a similar reaction when hed said he was taking Min Ha-rin as his disciple. Even their stiff facial expressions were the same.

Masters new disciple

Min Ha-rin spoke each word slowly.

This is the first time Im hearing about this

Because this is the first time I mentioned it.

There was silence again.

It was at this time that Leo stepped forward and bowed to Min Ha-rin.

Im Masters newest disciple, Leo Freeman. Please take care of me.

Min Ha-rin stared at Leo for a moment with a blank expression on her face.

What was going on? This boy had an unbelievable appearance.

Leo appeared haggard because of Lukas training, but that did nothing to hide the sheer brilliance of his appearance. At least Min Ha-rin had never seen a boy with a face as pretty as Leos.

Shed never had an inferiority complex when it came to her appearance, but she couldnt help but feel this way now because of a man.

With a complicated expression on her face, Min Ha-rin replied.

Im Min Ha-rin. Please take care of me too.

Please speak comfortably, Senior Sister. (TL: Actually had a bit of trouble with this as I never had to translate it to English. But in essence, hes putting himself beneath her and saying that she doesnt need to be polite to him.)

Senior Sister?

Yes.

This caused her expression to become even more complicated.

Min Ha-rin turned to look at Lukas as if asking for help, but Lukas simply avoided her gaze as if he was telling her to deal with it on her own.

Then Leo.

Yes.

Ill take care of you.

Yep.

Leo smiled faintly, and the atmosphere in the room seemed to soften.

It was like an invisible bond had been formed between them. And the fence that made them a community was Lukas.

indeed.

This was probably how Schweiser felt.

It was a different relationship from family and friends, but it was not lighter than them.

Lukas felt that he could finally understand why Schweiser had accepted so many disciples.

Come to think of it

Lukas couldnt remember when last hed had such a comfortable feeling.

Can I ask you one thing?

Anything.

Was Master training you for the past week?

Yeah. Hes been at my side guiding me the entire way.

at your side the entire way

Because he could feel a gaze on him, Lukas looked up and found Min Ha-rin staring at him with a complex gaze.

But he didnt think much of it.

Im curious about what you achieved so far. Can you show me?

Yeah.

Min Ha-rin nodded.

Fireball.

Crackle-

A ball of flame bloomed on the tip of Min Ha-rins finger.

Her casting speed was admirable. She was already comparable to a 2 star Wizard.

Then, another ball of flame bloomed on another finger.

Lukas looked at this fireball.

It appeared unstable and flickered as though the flames would go out at any time. Then, the flames did go out with a huk sound.

You failed to maintain it. Thats a phenomenon that occurs when your mind is distracted during casting. Focus a bit more. You wont be able to play your part if youre like this.

Im sorry. I didnt know because I trained on my own for a week. I didnt have anyone to explain it to me.

Lukas expression became strange when Min Ha-rin bowed her head.

I see.

A sudden, tense silence filled the room.

After a while, Lukas opened his mouth.

Are you perhaps

Huh?

no. Its nothing.

Lukas was about to ask if she was upset.

But his sharp and accurate intuition, which had been honed after living for such a long time that humans couldnt even imagine, was telling him.

To just stay still for now.

* * *

President. We received a call from the Chinese Branch.

Nina frowned.

She could already predict what they wanted, but she still asked him anyway.

What did they say?

It seems they are asking for Lee Jong-haks return.

Ha.

Nina burst out into a laugh that was a mix of cynicism and helplessness.

Naturally, Lee Jong-hak didnt listen to Ninas orders. This wasnt a situation where she was pressuring him and forcibly keeping him in the European Branch.

Lee Jong-hak was performing missions in Europe of his own volition.

And Beijing, China, in other words, the East Asia Branch, should also have known this fact.

Nevertheless, there was one reason why they were sending their requests to Nina.

Because they didnt have the power to force Lee Jong-hak to return, either.

Its easier to use me.

Crunch.

Nina grit her teeth.

Europe and Asia didnt have a balanced relationship.

This wasnt just about the headquarters in Russia. The entire European Branch, which was now in a precarious position, was receiving great support from them.

From manpower to food, information, and other important material resources. If any of these were cut off, the effects would be devastating.

They wouldnt publicly cut off their support.

But it was still possible for them to delay the shipment of goods or subtly reduce the amount they sent by using all kinds of excuses.

The pressure from that alone would give Europe a hard blow.

Did you tell them that Lee Jong-hak refused?

Ive said it numerous times but they dont believe me.

Theyre only pretending to not believe. After all, theyre not stupid. Hmm. They know, but theyre still pushing us.

That means

Theyre trying to get something from us.

Nina frowned.

Then what does the Asia Branch want?

There was nothing for them to gain by squeezing Europe. Or at least thats what Nina thought.

The number and quality of their hunters were all superior to the ones on this side. And they didnt lack resources or have a special crisis.

can you excuse me for a moment?

Ludwig pointed to his ear. Hed probably received another report.

When Nina nodded, he turned slightly to the side and lowered his head.

Its me. Right. I just reported it What?

Ludwig looked shocked.

He glanced at Nina for a moment before speaking.

wait a bit. Ill report it now and contact you after. Right.

Ludwig fell silent after saying that. It seemed that he was trying to organise his thoughts.

What is it?

They made a request to connect a portal.

A portal?

Yes, they want to meet Lee Jong-hak directly and persuade him.

Nina pressed her fingers to her temples for a moment.

In truth, she didnt have to agonise over it for very long. Their request wasnt troublesome at all.

The two sides would meet and directly have a discussion.

For Nina, this was something she should welcome.

She wouldnt have to suffer like a shrimp in a battle between whales anymore.

Where is Lee Jong-hak now?

In Germany.

Hoo.

Nina nodded.

Contact the German Branch and connect the portal.

(TL: I wonder if you know who is coming to Europe Could he and Lukas have a meeting and subsequent clash soon? Or are the Chinese hunters just trying to warn Lee Jong-hak)