Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#32 Stop the Car

It was a day like any other.

The pub master wiped glasses, as he always did.

Enoch sat at the counter, ordering a late lunch.

He was pondering what to do after finishing his meal,

when suddenly, the communicator chirped.

-Tri-lee-lee

-Click

“…Who is this?”

-…Ah, hello? Mr. Enoch? Is this you?

“Yes. It’s me. Who is this?”

The caller was a woman.

The woman on the other end of the communicator seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

-It’s Clareena. A disciple of Master Felton. Do you happen to recall?

“Ah, of course I remember. I decided to invest, didn’t I.”

The other party, Clareena, Felton’s disciple.

An NPC responsible for medical facilities in Eoin.

-It’s an honor you remember me. I’m calling today because of that matter. Do you happen to have time now?

“I’m free. I’ll give you my location, so come this way.”

Enoch chewed on his sandwich, adding,

“Or, do you have a particular place in mind?”

-No, nothing like that. In the first place, it’s not the location that’s the problem.

“Not the location? What sort of talk is that?”

Enoch tilted his head.

Something felt slightly off.

Clareena let out a soft, “Ah,” of lament.

-Perhaps… haven’t you been contacted yet?

“About what, precisely?”

– Orban’s lackey is dragging me away by force. Said he was coming to see you directly, Enoch?

Enoch’s eyes widened, just a hair.

At that moment, the pub’s closed door swung open.

Enoch’s and the Master’s gazes snapped to the entrance.

– *Creak*

“…Hmm.”

It was a fair-haired man who appeared.

A gaudy fellow, draped in expensive robes and festooned with jewels.

A wizard of distinctly frivolous air.

He was the young owner of the D’Mira Corporation, possessor of fifteen percent of the continent’s wealth.

Orban Barker, the Golden Wizard.

“I heard you were lingering in one place, so I wondered what sort of establishment it was.”

Orban surveyed the pub.

Then, with a wince, he passed judgment.

“Shabby and wretched. The materials, the interior – all unspeakably cheap.”

“…”

“But the atmosphere is to my liking. A mere mote of subtle romance. Inspiration should flow readily here, I imagine.”

Orban ran a finger along the pub’s windowpane.

Dust clung to the tip of his finger.

He flicked the dust off, then tilted his chin, asking,

“You’re the one called Enoch?”

“And if I am?”

“Indeed, you have a haughty look about you. An appearance perfectly suited to your insolent manner.”

The barbed words stung.

Enoch didn’t bother to reply.

The other wasn’t worth the effort.

Instead, he drank his whiskey.

Seeing this, Orban gestured, as if giving a command.

“Come outside. Let’s change venues.”

“Is that a challenge, then?”

“Hah! Running around with the Master Mages, are we? Lost your sense of fear, it seems. Do I look so idle to you?”

Orban chuckled, a dry, rasping sound.

Such a preposterous attitude, tossing around the title of Master Mage so carelessly.

Enoch wondered just what kind of confidence fueled this man’s arrogance.

‘Still, not a bad situation. No reason to refuse him, really.’

Enoch sorted his thoughts.

He’d been planning to meet him soon anyway.

And here he was, arriving uninvited.

Judging by the atmosphere, he wouldn’t budge until he’d said his piece.

Tit for tat.

No reason to avoid it.

Enoch deliberately swirled the drink in his glass.

“Good. I’ll finish this and come out.”

“Five minutes. Be at the car by the entrance.”

Orban’s face twisted in a scowl before he stalked out.

Muttered curses drifted back through the door.

Once again, a stillness settled over the pub.

The comm-device was still connected.

Clarena’s voice, laced with bewildered frustration, lamented.

-…Seems he only just arrived.

“So it seems. How long until you arrive?”

-Five minutes. I contacted you the moment I reached the airport.

“Good. I’ll see you shortly.”

Enoch deactivated the comm-device.

He drained the remaining liquor and headed out.

@

A short while later, Enoch stood face to face with Clarena.

She immediately bowed her head in greeting upon seeing him.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Clarena, disciple of Master Felton.”

“Enoch. A mage, for now.”

“I’ve heard tales of you often from the Teacher. Should’ve sought you out sooner, but my schedule became… tangled.”

“It’s not as though I minded particularly.”

“Even so. At the very least… I didn’t wish to meet as if fleeing, because of a wretch like that.”

Clarena cast a sideways glance.

Orban, who had been standing silently, gave a dry chuckle.

“Huh. Are you saying that for my benefit, perhaps?”

“And wouldn’t it be? I told you ages ago I reject your proposal. What is this clinging, so… sordidly, for?”

“Why, you ask? Why, because I am Orban Barker, of course. I never relinquish an item I’ve once laid claim to.”

Orban said this, cackling as he spoke.

A frivolous laugh, at odds with his flamboyant appearance.

He then opened the car door.

Gesturing towards the two who still stood.

“Hurry up and get in. Do you intend to chatter endlessly in the street?”

“…”

Clarena wore an expression of clear dissatisfaction.

But to continue standing was also awkward.

From the moment she’d been forcibly brought here, agency had been forfeit.

For now, she had no choice but to comply with his commands.

-Screech-

“Good. One has boarded. What are you doing? You too, quickly-“

“Do not command. The guest will do as he sees fit.”

-Screech-

Enoch cut him off, getting into the car.

Orban stared, jaw slack with disbelief.

“…Impudent little b*stard.”

-Thwack!

@

Orban’s vehicle, bearing its three passengers, set off for destinations unknown.

Not that there was any particular destination in mind.

Simply to kill time, to allow for conversation.

“For now, I shall treat you as guests. If there’s anything you desire, speak it.”

Orban leaned back into his seat and popped open a bottle of champagne.

He then retrieved three glasses from a drawer.

“Perhaps a light toast, to begin?”

“I’ll pass. I’m not one for forced drinks with unwelcome company.”

“I don’t mind. Pour me one.”

Enoch gestured with a flick of his wrist, pleased.

Clarena questioned with her eyes, as if asking whether he was serious.

Enoch offered no reply.

It was Orban, of all people, whose pride was wounded.

He rolled a glass across the table, as if to say, take it yourself.

-Rattle rattle

-Shatter!

“It broke. Fetch me another.”

“…”

The madman.

Orban choked back the rising curse.

He retrieved another glass and passed it to Enoch.

This time, he gave it a light push instead of rolling it.

-Shatter

It fell again.

Enoch hadn’t even attempted to catch the glass to begin with.

“Bring me another.”

“…You son of a b*tch. Are you toying with me?”

Orban finally let the curse escape his lips.

His posture was clearly enraged.

Clarena recoiled unconsciously.

She wondered what on earth was making this man act this way.

Enoch, however, remained perfectly serene.

He merely flicked his finger again, as if to say, enough nonsense, just give me the glass.

– *Kkadeuk* (A subtle click sound, like a tongue click or light tap)

“What are you doing.”

“……”

“Surely, not long ago you said you would treat me as a guest?”

“……”

“Perhaps the Golden Mage doesn’t know the art of hospitality?”

Enoch spoke with a biting edge.

Orban, dumbfounded, squinted.

In his heart, he wanted to tell him to serve himself.

But, by position, Orban was the closest.

In the end, with no other choice, he took out a new glass and handed it to Enoch.

This time, he didn’t needlessly roll it around.

It would only be a loss for him.

– *Tak* (A distinct click sound, like putting the glass down)

“This time you’re doing well.”

“…”

“You should have done this from the start.”

Orban forcibly swallowed the rising curses.

Surely, a fellow like Enoch had nothing but connections.

But those connections were excessively dangerous.

No matter how golden a mage, he couldn’t antagonize the Master of the Magic Tower.

Later, perhaps things might be different.

Right now, there was no need to needlessly stir up trouble.

– *Huu…* (Exhalation sound)

“……Introductions are unnecessary, I presume. Let’s get straight to the point.”

Orban regulated his emotions.

Suppressing the surging anger, he took out the prepared documents.

“I’ll say this in advance, I’ve come to make a proposal beneficial to all.”

– *Chwareureuk* (Sound of paper rustling, like documents spreading out)

“It won’t be a loss for you either, so first, take a look and judge for yourselves.”

Orban pushed the documents, saying as much.

At the same time, he placed a small paper envelope before him.

“What’s this?”

“Open it.”

“You do it.”

“……”

Orban inwardly regretted it.

He should have brought a servant.

This Enoch fellow was even more unhinged than he’d heard.

After a moment, Orban finally unfolded the creased envelope wide.

Inside was a white powder of uncertain origin.

– *Sluuurk*

“What is this?”

“This is—”

Orban was about to explain the powder.

At that instant, Klarena, who had been observing the situation, dipped her finger into the powder and tasted it.

– *Thwup*

– *Chop chop*

“…This is, narcotics. And a top-quality one made from milled Byeol Susu.*”

“?”

“…?”

Klarena stated plainly.

Enoch’s and Orban’s eyes widened slightly.

Without realizing it, the two men met gazes in the air.

It was out of sheer bewilderment.

“…Why? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…Miss Klarena. I know it’s a rude thing to say, but I must still ask.”

“What is it?”

Klarena tilted her head, puzzled.

Unable to hold back, Orban finally posed the question.

“Oi, how in God’s name do you even *know* this is a drug?”

“…”

“Even know the *type*? Good heavens. Did I bring a junkie instead of a researcher, then?”

Orban shuddered, as if feeling a creeping chill.

He, too, was not fond of drugs.

Clarena, as if that accusation stung, hurried to explain.

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s all a misunderstanding, truly.”

“…A misunderstanding?”

“A misunderstanding, yes. Hear me out, at least. What is the reason, pray tell, you’re so intimately familiar with the varieties of narcotics?”

“It’s nothing much. Just…my profession often brought me into contact with them.”

“……”

“……”

The explanation fell flat.

Enoch quietly widened the distance between himself and Clarena.

Orban gestured with a finger to the driver.

“Stop the car.”

-Screech-

“Out. Get out now. There’s no room in my car for a drug addict.”