Chapter 48: The Overseer's Return

Chapter 48: The Overseer's Return

Cal didn’t change pace when he saw the Overseer, but he did change direction and approached the man.

The Overseer’s presence brought up another reason he decided to pick [Green Thumb]. The information on the skill options was all there for him to think over. That was not the case for the reward the laws of the world gave him.

His initial attraction to [Pocket Dimension] could still be the correct choice. It was a versatile reward that would do more than just store objects. Not only would it let him keep things of interest hidden, but it could also give him another ace up his sleeve.

One of the biggest reasons Cal had chosen [Mist Walker] was his hope that it could act as an option of last resort. If it ever came to a point where he had exhausted everything and was on the edge of life and death, he wished for [Mist Walker] to turn the tide and allow him to come out ahead.

That was what he wished for when he saw that he would have ‘complete control’ over the mist domain. The penalty that came with [Mist Walker] would make anything less cause it to be a severe lapse in judgment.

[Pocket Dimension] had no penalty, which made it an acceptable option even if he was wrong about what it could be capable of. Cal imagined that he could use it as a way to surprise any enemy by using the hidden nature of the [Pocket Dimension] to pull weapons from it at critical times.

It could give him instant victory, assuming that the [Pocket Dimension] could be used instantly.

However, as appealing as [Pocket Dimension] was, he needed to gain more knowledge of what types of [Class] that existed above [Mage]. Right now, all he knew was that they existed and nothing else.

If he rushed and made a choice before attempting to find out, he might come to regret it.

The key to finding out was probably the man Cal was approaching. The Overseer knew things he had no business knowing and seemingly had taken complete control over his situation in the Northern Wastes.

Either the Celestial Order allowed him to do so, or the Overseer took it upon himself. No matter which option it was, Cal found that impressive. Due to this, he already considered the Overseer to have a significant influence in the guild.

“You’ve once again exceeded my expectations, Initiate Cal,” the Overseer commented without looking away from the patch once Cal was close. “An Advanced-rank tool. Very impressive.”

Cal twitched in surprise. He expected the Overseer to speak about how he was cultivating crops successfully, not about the tool he carried on his back. Especially since the man hadn’t even looked at him yet.

This is another reason I didn’t pick [Pocket Dimension]. The Overseer already knew of the unnatural rate at which I was gathering high-level equipment. Hiding them would just bring up more questions.

“I thought so too, but with how the tools work when I use them, it’s really not,” Cal said with a shake of his head. There was no way around the fact that he had to reveal possessing Advanced-level equipment would be a common occurrence.

I suspect that he knows something about the [Class] I received. There’s no other explanation for the change in his attitude.

The Overseer finally took his attention off the land and looked at him with raised brows. “Interesting. I assumed this would be the case after how your tools miraculously upgraded after use. Still, I didn’t expect it to be at this rate.”

Cal gave a small shrug as a reply. He wasn’t sure what to say anyway, so it was best to be silent.

“I think it’s best in both our interests if I lay out the obvious. You aren’t going to return to the core guild, Initiate—” the Overseer stopped and narrowed his eyes. “It seems you are due congratulations, Apprentice Cal.”

“... Thank you,” he said with a nervous chuckle, not having expected his [Tier] increase to be noticed so easily. This only confirmed his suspicions about the Overseer being far more than he seemed.

“Hmm, you don’t care about the increase in status,” the Overseer commented. “Very well, I shall keep this hidden until you decide otherwise. Was I right about my assumption about you staying here for the long term?”

Cal’s eyes flickered to his field before he nodded. “I’m progressing too smoothly to even think about leaving.”

There was a brief moment of silence when the Overseer looked at the sledgehammer on his back. “How many tools do you have at the Advanced-rank?”

“Nine,” Cal again chose to be truthful. It was too easy to determine if his statement was a lie since the proof was in the storage room.

“... Nine?” The Overseer repeated, finally looking a little surprised. After some thought, he asked, “In your estimation, how soon will you get your first Rare-rank tool?”

This I can twist a little.

“I would say half a year at a minimum. The gap between Rare-rank and the others is massive.” Cal thought it was closer to a month, but there was no reason to give such an optimistic answer.

You have sold all your alternate pickaxes.

Three alternate equipment have been removed.

“By the way, Apprentice Cal, this is a job well done,” the Overseer motioned to the patch. “There have been attempts at reviving the Northern Wastes in the past, but those tries never had the care you’re putting into it.”

Cal preened under the praise. He was just following the steps Drex told him, but he still did the work. “I only wish to replicate this with the rest of my field.”

“You’re well on your way. Now, I didn’t visit this early without reason. I wanted to discuss the order you wanted. I’ll be able to procure it by this evening, but I wanted to ask if you really wanted to give up the Starlit Marble for it. We can work out a deal for you to keep both.”

Cal stared at the Overseer with visible confusion. He had zero clue about what was being discussed. “I have to admit I have no idea what we are discussing right now. Which order is this?”

The Overseer paused for a moment, tilting his head, before chuckling. “Forget I said anything. It seems I was mistaken.”

“... Alright.” Cal now wondered if the Overseer somehow knew that the Starlit Marble had no effect on him, so this was a way to offer to replace it. He decided that it was, so he played along. He cleared his throat and said, “Er, actually, that order should proceed. We can replace the Starlit Marble. No need for me to keep it.”

The Overseer laughed lightly as he nodded. “Sure, we’ll go with that. How is your relationship with Initiate Tavia?”

Cal blinked at the abrupt change in topic. “Fine? We seem to be meshing well.”

As long as I ignore her horrid taste in design.

“Good, good. I hoped that was the case when she practically ran to you when she left the core guild.”

“Ran to me?” Cal was ignored.

“It seems you have everything in control, Apprentice Cal. I’ll mostly be hands-off other than visiting monthly for the tools. Do you have anything you want to ask me?”

He considered a few things he was curious about and was harmless to ask. “What would have happened if Tavia didn’t have my place to escape to?”

The Overseer observed him for a few seconds before sighing. “The guild would have done its best to fix the issues she faced as long as she stayed within the territory. The other option is not worth being spoken out loud.”

That doesn’t bode well for what happened to her. Tavia never showed up in the core guild like she did this life, so I might be mistaken. I don’t think I will ever know what really happened.

“I see,” Cal said solemnly.

“As I said, it’s not worth discussing. It won’t come to pass,” the Overseer dismissed casually. Almost insultingly casual. “Is there anything else?”

Cal remembered that the Overseer asked the same thing right before leaving the last time he visited. It wasn’t important, but he thought it was interesting nonetheless.

“Yes, I need access to the library in the core guild.”

“That can be arranged. You can access it starting today,” the Overseer said immediately. “You know, if you officially change your status to Apprentice, you will have access without needing my intervention.”

“I'd rather have as little attention on me as possible,” Cal rejected the idea.

“I feel that is doomed to fail in time, but as you wish. Stay busy, Apprentice Cal. I want to see how much you progress in a month.”

Cal watched the Overseer leave his field before scratching his chin in thought.

The Overseer is more amenable than I could have thought. It looks like I have someone firmly on my side. There’s no doubt he has ulterior motives, but nothing comes free, so I can accept that as long as I benefit.