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At the airport where the alchemist Park Seol-hwa’s private jet landed, Clock Tower employees were waiting to greet her.

“You’ve worked hard. We’ll take it from here.”

“You didn’t have to go this far…”

“It’s only natural for Britain’s savior.”

Since Jeong Ha-yul defeated the apocalyptic monster Behemoth that appeared in British waters three years ago, she has become Britain’s most honored guest.

If she hadn’t responded to Britain’s request, the high-ranking mages of the Clock Tower, led by Grand Mage Heinz, would have been wiped out, and Britain would have sunk into the sea.

In a way, it was only natural.

Jeong Ha-yul and her group, escorted by Clock Tower staff, arrived at the Clock Tower.

“Welcome! I’ve been waiting so long my neck is about to break.”

“Hello, Grandpa.”

“If your neck was about to break, you would’ve come to the airport.”

“…Gyeoul is getting cuter and prettier by the day, but the Demon King’s speech has gotten even more vulgar.”

The roof of Big Ben’s Clock Tower, which had been blown off by Jeong Ha-yul, had already been restored.

It was a testament to the potential of the Awakened Ones in the Magic Category.

It was no different from before.

The scratches here and there, the faded colors—the Clock Tower had even restored the traces of time.

As Jeong Ha-yul’s group marveled, Heinz tilted his head and looked at Jeong Gyeoul.

“Hmm? Your magic power feels sharper…”

“I removed one layer of the seal.”

Heinz, wide-eyed and inhaling sharply, looked at Jeong Gyeoul with concern.

“Whoa, such a dangerous act?”

“If I hadn’t, I probably would’ve died.”

“…What on earth has the Demon King been doing in Korea to put Gyeoul in such danger?”

Heinz, who treated Jeong Gyeoul like a granddaughter, attacked the Demon King.

But the Demon King wasn’t one to take it lying down.

“Be quiet before I destroy the Clock Tower again.”

“…?”

Heinz, who had tried to scold the Demon King only to be countered, looked at Jeong Ha-yul in confusion.

Seeing this, Jeong Ha-yul explained with a tone of disbelief.

“What were you doing at the Clock Tower while Fox Mask was entering Korea?”

“…First, I apologize, but isn’t that more the Korean government’s responsibility?”

Heinz shifted the blame to the Korean government.

Avoiding responsibility was something both Korea and Britain had in common.

It was a universal truth.

“Both Korea, which didn’t know about the entry, and Britain, which didn’t know about the exit, are safe thanks to Gyeoul.”

He growled, considering it fortunate that Jeong Gyeoul wasn’t seriously hurt.

‘Are the people around me incapable of having a conversation without inserting my name?’

Jeong Gyeoul’s name always came up in any conversation, no matter who she met.

And it always ended in a fight.

Sensing that this time would be no different, Jeong Gyeoul stepped in to mediate.

“I’m hungry, can we eat first?”

Jeong Gyeoul, whose fuel efficiency rivaled a sports car, hadn’t eaten the in-flight meal.

She had fallen asleep, lulled by the smooth comfort of the private jet, and woke up just before landing.

‘Riding the private jet of Park Seol-hwa, Korea’s richest alchemist, and not even getting to eat a single meal.’

It was something she’d remember even on her deathbed.

“Let’s do that!”

Heinz gladly accepted Jeong Gyeoul’s mediation.

He was pleased that Jeong Gyeoul, who was like a granddaughter to him, stepped in to stop the argument between Jeong Ha-yul and himself.

It felt like they had truly become family.

‘Does that make the Demon King my daughter?’

He glanced at Jeong Ha-yul.

“Ugh, what’s with that look? It’s creepy, get it away.”

Jeong Ha-yul, sensing something with her Demon King-like intuition, shivered and hid behind Kang-woo, blocking Heinz’s gaze.

‘Having a girl like that as a daughter would cut my lifespan in half. I only need Gyeoul.’

The Clock Tower’s cafeteria, which Jeong Ha-yul’s group visited after a long time, was still the worst.

Sitting down with today’s menu, roast beef, the group cut the meat with the noble grace of British aristocrats.

And then…

After the first bite, they remembered why they had sought out Korean food during their last trip to Britain.

‘They say British cuisine has improved these days, so why hasn’t this place gotten any better?’

The group couldn’t bring themselves to tell Heinz to change the chef.

They put down their forks and just exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, Jeong Gyeoul, who could run on regular fuel instead of premium, was inhaling the meat.

‘…Let’s go to Koreatown.’

It was clear what everyone wanted to say.

Jeong Ha-yul, who didn’t care about others’ opinions, spoke up.

“Do you want to live at the Clock Tower and go out to eat, or live outside and visit the Clock Tower for fun?”

“You quit being a hero, so you can’t just spend money recklessly. Let’s stay at the Clock Tower.”

Eun-chae suggested saving money, but Jeong Ha-yul looked at her in confusion.

“Why worry about money?”

“What? Why? Because you quit your job…”

“As long as I don’t live as extravagantly as the Money Ghost, I can take care of you, oppa, Gyeoul, and even future generations, so don’t worry.”

The Demon King’s calm declaration.

Eun-chae and Kang-woo nodded in understanding, but Jeong Gyeoul, who had put down her fork, was different.

Her eyes, which had been focused on the meat, changed.

It was like the gaze of a servant looking at an emperor from ancient times.

She radiated respect from her entire body.

Even Jeong Ha-yul, who adored Jeong Gyeoul and loved all her actions, felt burdened.

‘Why is she like this?’

Jeong Gyeoul, who usually responded with scolding and nagging and rarely allowed physical contact except when sleeping, suddenly clung to Jeong Ha-yul.

The 180-degree change in Jeong Gyeoul’s attitude, who usually treated the Demon King like an enemy, left Jeong Ha-yul at a loss.

Seeing this, the group smiled warmly.

Even the employees who were eating and glancing at the Demon King’s table.

After the meal, the group headed to Heinz’s office.

Before getting into the main discussion, Heinz brewed some tea himself.

“Earl Grey really is British.”

Jeong Gyeoul, sipping the tea, looked very satisfied.

Her cute expression was enough to bring smiles to everyone’s faces.

“…A nine-year-old knows the taste of Earl Grey? It’s a bit funny to say this after giving it to you, but is it okay for her to consume caffeine?”

“She usually can’t even have coffee unless it’s decaf, so a little should be fine. Moderate caffeine intake can be beneficial.”

“I guess we’ll have to brew it lightly for her. You all should have it lightly brewed too.”

Not planning to use two teapots, they all ended up drinking lightly brewed Earl Grey tea.

As the small talk continued and the teacups were emptied, Heinz brought up the main topic.

“So, what brings you all the way to Britain? It’s nice to see Gyeoul, though.”

“Korea is quite different from Britain. Even if you hide in the mountains, reporters will follow. We’re fine, but we came to let Gyeoul relax.”

“The land of gentlemen is a thing of the past. Britain’s paparazzi are just as relentless.”

“The Clock Tower will handle that. The Hero Association these days is…”

“After the former chairman passed away, I heard it’s falling apart. Don’t worry, as long as you’re in London, you won’t be bothered.”

At least in London, the Clock Tower had a firm grip.

He implied there was no need to worry.

“So, you’ll stay in Britain until the media quiets down? How about Gyeoul taking classes at the Clock Tower?”

“…A telekinetic Awakened One taking magic classes?”

“Technically, everyone starts in the magic category and develops their own unique traits. Using magic power is the foundation of it all.”

“Is that so…?”

“For you, controlling magic power is as easy as breathing, but usually, without a solid foundation in magic power, you can’t even use half of your abilities. Since she’s already revealed as an Awakened One, there’s no need to hide and learn. She might as well take regular classes.”

Heinz was calmly persuading Jeong Ha-yul, but inside, he was very anxious.

‘If she takes classes, the day will come when Gyeoul joins the Clock Tower. I must make sure of that.’

The title of the youngest Awakened One was impressive enough.

But when Jeong Gyeoul’s sealed magic power bursts out, she’ll earn the title of the youngest S-Class.

If such a child belongs to the Clock Tower?

Without a doubt, the Clock Tower will become the world’s top hero organization.

The Hero Association, which is falling apart, only managed to stay afloat because of Jeong Ha-yul’s power.

“Gyeoul, what do you think? Want to learn?”

“Yes! I want to learn!”

After the Starfield incident, Jeong Gyeoul, who had felt her own weakness, increased her usual training.

But she still felt something was missing.

Heinz’s proposal came like rain in a drought.

Jeong Gyeoul’s cheerful answer brightened Heinz’s face.

‘Great, she’s finally taken the first step. If I can make Gyeoul a member of the Clock Tower!’

‘If she can absorb the knowledge about magic power at the Clock Tower and build a solid foundation, she won’t be a burden like last time. I need to learn quickly and return to Korea.’

The Grand Mage, trying to get her into the Clock Tower, and the girl, only planning to use the Clock Tower’s studies as a stepping stone, were dreaming different dreams.

 

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