Cycle of Destiny

Chapter 54 Reunion with the Goddess

Harry wore the suit Veranika had sent him once again. Before leaving "The Lionheart" this time, he specifically told Veranika that if she wanted to prepare clothes for him for the banquet, the size should be a bit larger than she imagined.

Veronica didn't understand why Harry said that, but she clearly took it to heart—the coat and vest that were delivered this time were a bit bigger than before, and Harry felt they fit him better when he put them on.

Although he knew the dinner had been moved up, he decided not to change his arrival time.

He didn't feel the need to know other nobles, nor did he have the habit of flattering others or being flattered while eating. He was content eating alone and didn't need to surprise others with his good appetite.

He arrived at Veranica's house just as before. After sitting down, he focused on eating—cutting, chewing, and swallowing. The waiter always arrived at the perfect moment, clearing away empty plates and replacing them with new ones. In the spacious dining room, their teamwork remained seamless.

Harry ate for a long time, but this time, Veranika and the goddess did not come in halfway through.

This is not hard to understand—last time Veronica had to forcefully create an opportunity to meet, but this time Harry's attitude was so cooperative, so she could naturally make arrangements at her own pace.

Harry finished his tea and let out a satisfied burp, just as Veronica walked in.

Her long dress still had a wide hem, but this time Harry didn't ask her why she was dressed so formally.

Veronica led him to the study. Harry knew the goddess would be coming soon, so after sitting down in the armchair, he subconsciously tugged at the lapel of his suit and deliberately straightened his back.

The door was gently pushed open, and a dark figure walked in. Harry knew it was the goddess.

Harry immediately stood up. He bowed respectfully as the goddess stepped fully into the area illuminated by the oil lamp.

"Please sit, Harry," the goddess said gently, with a smile in her voice, as she gestured for him to sit.

Before the goddess arrived, the servants had already served Harry a cup of tea.

After the goddess sat down, Veronica personally brought her a cup, then quietly withdrew and gently closed the door behind her.

After Veronica left, only the two of them remained in the study.

A brass oil lamp sat on a low table between the two, becoming the main light source in the room. The flickering flame cast their shadows onto the tall bookshelf behind them, sometimes elongated, sometimes swaying.

Beyond the halo of light lay deep darkness.

The environment was deliberately designed to create an intimate atmosphere, like two close friends sharing their most private experiences.

The goddess spoke first. Her smile added warmth to her pale lips:

"Veranika told me that you talked to her for a long time yesterday, and that you also talked about me. I'm glad you were willing to see me today."

She still chose this opening line, but Harry's response was noticeably more enthusiastic than last time.

His face was filled with just the right amount of eagerness, and his blue eyes looked especially sincere under the light.

"Veranica told me many stories about you, and I admire you greatly. I just never expected that someone as important as the Goddess would take the time to meet me. This is truly the greatest honor I've had during my trip back to the capital!"

Harry spoke with enthusiasm and respect. If one didn't know he was a magician, one would probably think he was a longtime believer from the church just by listening to him.

Hearing Harry's answer, the goddess breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't seem to be in a hurry to state her intentions directly like last time, but instead chatted about ordinary topics, like two people who had known each other for a long time meeting again.

She asked Harry where he had returned to the capital from. Upon hearing that it was from the Orion Magic Academy, her smile remained unchanged, as if she were completely unaware of the conflict between magicians and the church.

She recalled her first trip to Orion, and casually asked Harry about his impressions of the climate in both places, how long he planned to stay in the capital this time, and whether his return trip from Orion to the capital was smooth.

Harry was initially worried that their conversation would reach a deadlock, but he was clearly overthinking it.

The goddess treated him as if Harry were a guest who had come with a letter of introduction, and one that the host was happy to entertain.

"...I was on the Alexander Landon, and then returned to the capital from the port of Genoa. The journey was smooth."

"Then you must have taken the return flight." The goddess nodded.

"That's right, the Duke of Langton was also on the ship at the time."

"Duke Langton..." The goddess paused when she said those four words, a flicker of something seeming to cross her grey-blue eyes. Then she looked at Harry and continued in a casual tone, "I know that Duke Langton has a close relationship with your magic academy."

Harry realized that the goddess's words were an opportunity for him to ask a question. He immediately followed her lead and asked:

"I don't know. What's her connection to the magic academy?"

"That happened many years ago." The goddess picked up her teacup and gently blew on the steam. "If you're not afraid of getting sleepy, I can tell you the story."

“Of course not,” Harry leaned forward, looking very interested. “I’m very interested in these stories.”

"Then let me tell you," the goddess said, placing the teacup back into the saucer with a light, crisp sound. "However, the Duke of Langton I'm referring to isn't the current Duke Elizabeth Langton, but her husband, Alexander Langton. You should know that name, right?"

Under the table, Harry unconsciously clenched the soft fabric of his dress with his hands on his lap.

Of course he knew.

Not only did he know, but his fate was now strangely intertwined with this name—he had inexplicably become the "successor" of this deceased duke.

But his face only showed a slightly thoughtful expression:

"I don't know much. I only know that he participated in the martial arts tournament and made a great contribution to the 'Crimson Invasion'."

"Yes, it's him." The goddess's gaze seemed to pierce through the flickering flame of the oil lamp, landing on a more distant past. "He had a deep connection with two people at the magic academy. One was the magic deacon, Cavill, and the other... was the founder of the magic academy, Odel."

"Holy Magician Odel?" Harry's heart skipped a beat when he heard Cavill's name. And when the name "Odel" was mentioned so clearly alongside Alexander Langton, he could hardly contain his reaction, his voice filled with obvious surprise.

It was this Lord Odel who forced him back to the capital; and it was also him who, no matter what choice he made, seemed "destined" him to become his apprentice.

Harry desperately wanted to know what Alexander Langton and the Holy Magician Odell were after him.

Now, the goddess brought up the connection between the two, instantly igniting all his curiosity.

He involuntarily widened his blue eyes and leaned his upper body forward eagerly.

If at first he only wanted to go along with the goddess's conversation, now he really wanted to know what the goddess could say.

"Yes, Holy Mage Odel. What is it?" The goddess seemed somewhat surprised by his intense reaction, her grey-blue eyes silently watching him.

Harry's mind raced.

He knew that since the goddess insisted on seeking his help, she must have already sent people to monitor his every move. It was true that the magic academy was poorly informed, but for a church goddess, it was not an impenetrable fortress.

The fact that Veronica knew she was returning to the capital and knew where she was staying already speaks volumes.

Now that the goddess already knew, Harry felt there was no need to hide it any longer, so he decided to tell her himself.

"He took me on as his apprentice."

Upon hearing this answer, the goddess smiled.

"Then congratulations! I know that Odel has never taken on any apprentices, even though he personally built the magic academy. He must have seen a bright future in you by choosing you this time. I believe that before long, a powerful magician will emerge in Orion."

It sounds rather strange that a goddess from the church would congratulate a magician.

But Harry was no longer thinking about any of that. He was eager to steer the conversation back on track:

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace. It was all just luck. You just mentioned that Duke Alexander Langton has connections with these two gentlemen from the Magic Academy?"

“That’s right, he has close ties with both Odel and Cavill. And your teacher, Odel, also plays a significant role in this story.” The goddess leaned back in her chair, her tone softening as if she were about to begin a long tale. “If you don’t mind, we can start with him.”

"Of course I don't mind," Harry replied immediately, his body stiffening even more.

"Odel now has many titles: the only Holy Mage on the continent of Arcanos, the founder of the Orion Magic Academy, and the hero who ventured alone into the Dark Cave and slew a demon." The goddess listed them one by one, each title legendary. "But regarding this Holy Mage's past, I believe I know far more than the great mages of your magic academy do."

Harry had heard about the last title.

In the far west of the northern border between the Empire and the Elves, there is a forbidden place called "Dark Cavern".

Legend has it that a demon dwells in the cave, and anyone who approaches, whether human or elf, will die inexplicably. As a result, nearly half of the province surrounding the cave remains uninhabited, and the elves on the other side suffer the same fate.

Many years ago, the holy magician Odel ventured into the cave alone and slew the demon, restoring life to that land.

"That's because, after Odel became a Holy Magician, the Church sealed away all his past." The goddess lowered her voice. "Discussing this powerful figure, whether publicly or privately, became taboo. Over time, his past was slowly forgotten, remaining only in the memories of those who are no longer young. As for you young people, you probably don't know much. Not only him, but also Alexander Langton's past."

Harry nodded. Indeed, that was true—he knew almost nothing about the young Saint Magician Odell. The past of such a legendary figure was always fascinated by the public. After all, who wouldn't want to know the extraordinary adventures of such a pioneering figure?

But strangely, it seems that his teacher did not go through the past, but suddenly became a holy magician and made so many great achievements.

As for Alexander Langton, there is very little recorded about this duke. His life is summarized in just two sentences in the "Who's Who," which is hardly enough to describe even the lowest baron.

"I cannot tell you why the church does this. But since you are now Odell's disciple, it is not presumptuous of you to want to know about your master's past. So, I can still tell you about these things. Of course, only for today, and only between you and me."

The way she said it was as if she were sharing a secret with a close friend, conveying an alluring sense of trust.

"Of course," Harry assured him immediately, his expression serious, "I will never tell a third person."