I Can Copy And Evolve Talents

Chapter 1188: The New Tower Master

Oland stood there, blinking, his mouth half open, features frozen in awe.

Northern stared at him, awaiting a response. The offer seemed sudden, but it wasn’t. Since creating the variants of the Tower, he’d been considering whether to control both. There was nothing wrong with that, but Northern was thinking about the future — delegating certain duties to certain people. He didn’t have to do everything.

Being the manager of the tower would grant Oland automatic piloting skills and other abilities, such as controlling the tower at will. As long as he remained within the Thunderhead Dreadnought, Oland would be invincible.

Of course, Northern would still be the Superintendent of control — the Tower originated from his own unique attribute, after all. This was one of the reasons he felt comfortable doing this.

Now, the rest was left to Oland. Would he be willing to set aside the past and accept this daunting offer?

Oland lowered his head, teeth catching his lower lip.

”B—but why?” His breath hitched. ”After everything I’ve done...”

Northern raised his brows.

”Everything you’ve done? Oh, that. After giving Rughsbourgh a few punches and making him run with his tail between his legs, I think I’m better. We should put that behind us and work for a better future now, shouldn’t we?”

A gentleman’s smile curved his lips.

”I’m not one to give speeches. All I’m saying is I want you to work for me, and I can guarantee you’ll grow. You’ll become powerful, useful, able to take care of your family and live your life as a cartographer. Don’t you want the chance to live out your dream?”

Oland swallowed, staring at Northern with sudden light radiating from his dull eyes. Something in his features creased, as if unable to believe this, unable to accept that this man would be this generous, this forgiving.

At last, he exhaled — shakily — and bowed.

”It would be a great honor to work for you, my lord. Thank you so much...”

”Whoa, whoa, let’s ease up on the title, okay?”

Oland’s gaze snapped up to Northern’s nervous face, intensity burning in his eyes.

”I’m sorry. I can’t find any other words befitting... and I dare not call you by name. It would be rather ignorant of me after everything I’ve seen.”

Shock flashed across Northern’s expression.

’What did he see?’

He glanced at Knight Eskedar, whose brown hair hung wet and twisting, his features sharp and high like someone from a middle-class family who’d busted his ass to be this good.

’Come to think of it, he also referred to me as Your Highness. And they all have a regal tone toward me even though I look obviously younger.’

Northern had missed it because it felt somehow normal these days, hearing those things from other people due to the influence of Bairan, Revant, and even his own might.

But these three had been in Soul Forge for the longest time. They should know nothing.

’Ah... it’s whatever. I’m just going to have to get used to it...’

It still felt uncomfortable, but these guys didn’t look like they’d give him much choice. He locked eyes with Oland.

”Step closer.”

Oland obeyed immediately, closing the distance in two steps. Northern extended his right hand and touched Oland’s forehead with his index finger.

’Aoi.’

[Registering Drifter ”Oland” as the Storm Bastion’s Tower Master]

[Drifter Oland has become the Tower Master of the Storm Bastion]

[Skill ”Autopiloting” has been gained]

[Skill ”Tower Authority” has been gained]

Oland couldn’t resist the dizziness as energy surged into his head. He staggered back, nearly collapsing, but Northern caught him by the hand and steadied his shoulder until he regained balance.

It took a few seconds, but Oland regained his footing. Northern stepped back, studying the man who stared at his own hands in awe.

”How do you feel?”

Silence stretched for several seconds, Oland’s face awash with surprise, awe, and disbelief.

”I feel... bigger than this body... like I’m so much more, like I can do anything.”

Northern’s smile returned, and he nodded.

”The Tower does have a way of making you drunk on the Authority it gives you. Indeed, you can do anything, but be careful — that only applies within the confines of this tower. And the Storm Bastion is definitely not indestructible... if somewhere like Reimgard decides they want it down, if you’re reckless, they could have their way. But don’t worry, the tower is bound to evolve in the future, so it’ll get more terrifying than this.”

He surveyed the surroundings of the Tower, a soft smile on his face.

Then his gaze returned to Oland.

”So, are you ready to fly us to the Region of Death?”

Oland’s eyes sharpened with resolve, a white and ethereal glow igniting in their depths as a smirk curved his lips.

”Yes, my lord! I know exactly how to fly us there. With the speed of the Tower, we should be there in about forty minutes.”

Oland entered the navigation chamber. Through the glass windows, the surroundings were perfectly visible, unobscured by the darkness of the storm — as though he were magically peering through it. More than that, the entire Tower felt like his eyes, making the windscreen almost unnecessary.

But Oland felt too giddy to forgo the experience of turning the wheel at the helm. His grin widened.

”I should get a uniform designed. I wonder if he’ll let me recruit crew members.”

He took hold of the wheel and spun it with ease, changing the Tower’s direction. As the Tower shifted, the storm rolled and lightning crackled. The massive structure carved a path through the dark skies of midnight, the rumble of distant thunder subtle beneath the howl of wind.

Northern stood on the deck, watching the sky as snow fell gently. He opened his hand, letting snowflakes settle on his palm.

Then it hit him.

’Oh right...’

He turned to Eskedar and Chryslar.

”Happy New Year.”

Both men blinked, caught off guard, before straightening.

”Happy New Year, sir.”