Chapter: 128
I’ve always heard that time flies during holidays like school breaks, but that didn’t really seem to be the case for me. Maybe it was because I wasn’t exactly in a position to enjoy the break, rolling around in my predicament. It wasn’t even a proper holiday, anyway.
Thinking back, each day passed in a flurry, but the vacation zone itself felt like it was crawling at a snail’s pace. And I have to go through this five more times? What a treat.
‘At this rate, I should get a diploma myself.’
After stubbornly sticking it out at the Academy for three whole years, I must deserve to be called an honorary graduate, right? If the principal had any sense of recognition at all, he’d hand over that diploma. I trust the principal—I believe in his benevolent nature.
— At least you don’t have to commute to work while you’re at the Academy.
“……”
— Forgive me. Please don’t look at me like that.
The betrayal stung even more since those words came from the Executive Manager of the Information Department, a buddy caught up in the same struggles as me.
If they asked me to choose between babysitting royalty at the Academy or just going to work, let’s be real—I’d choose the latter. If I told them, “You go instead,” I can picture them writhing in refusal.
Realizing he had gone a bit too far, the Executive Manager quickly threw in an apology. In fact, since that day, he had even mellowed out a bit.
‘That’s how people should behave.’
When I learned that Louise was using the unique magic of the Mage Duchess, I contacted the Executive Manager, wondering if the Information Department had any idea how she had managed to learn it.
But the response I got was a grotesque betrayal. Instead of looking into it, the Executive Manager miraculously decided to stick my story right in the Mage Duchess’s ear.
I was—needless to say—furious. He even schemed to dodge me whenever I came around, anticipating my complaints. How despicable!
— So, Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office, how have you been?
“Wow, a traitor called me. I really missed you!”
Then, just a few days later, he approached me as casually as ever.
“Hope you’ve been doing well?” he says. I’d just been summoned for prying into the Duchess’s private life! Thankfully, the Mage Duchess just offered me a light warning as a heads up.
— I apologize. The Mage Duchess has an excessive number of eyes and ears around the capital.
He says it like he means it, but there isn’t a shred of remorse on his face.
So was it actually the Mage Duchess who caught wind of the Information Department’s actions, or did the Executive Manager just throw me under the bus to her? Only he knows the truth.
‘You wicked, vile traitor…’
Still, since he comprehended what it meant to be offered up as a sacrifice to the Duchess, his demeanor softened somewhat after that fiasco.
I’m at least glad he still had some decency left. I couldn’t go on a personal revenge spree against his family after all.
— Anyway, I sent everything you requested through the crystal communication.
“Yes, I’ve received them. Thanks for accommodating my sudden request.”
And I was genuinely happy to ask the Executive Manager for information without feeling like a burden at all.
— No worries. I’ve been keeping a close watch on those matters, so we had plenty of information anyways.
The Executive Manager slightly shook his head as a gesture of acknowledgment to my thanks.
What he meant by “those matters” were the five organizations from the original story that seemed any minute ready to create chaos at the Academy.
Among them, the Third Honor and Twilight Cult were already dog meat. However, three dangerous elements still loomed. I needed to keep tabs on their movements, or I wouldn’t have my peace of mind.
Honestly, I had almost forgotten about the Third Honor after we vanquished them, but the fact that the Twilight Cult crawled back to the capital shook me awake. I expected them to sneak into the Academy, but I never imagined they’d dare to hit the capital too! Crazy folks, I swear!
‘Can’t let my guard down anywhere.’
So, I requested additional intel on the remaining three groups. It would be catastrophic if we got ambushed while returning to the academy.
— And as you probably noticed, among the three, the Five Pillars have remained relatively quiet.
According to the Executive Manager’s comments, the Five Pillars were staying under the radar, busy promoting traditionalism in the United Kingdom of Yuben while secretly receiving aid from the empire. They didn’t seem interested in storming the empire just yet.
Still, I couldn’t afford to get complacent. It was always better to prepare for the worst. Besides, Lather was likely at the academy for that very reason.
— I’ll notify you if I receive any more intel.
“Ah, thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
I nodded at his willingness. Automatic updates like that were always welcome.
After exchanging a few more parting phrases, we cut the line.
…But wait! That gentleman seemed to be holding some documents in his hand.
‘It’s already nighttime.’
A sudden wave of solemnity washed over me. Sure, I was sold to the Academy, but my working conditions were still better than his. Being sold to the academy is a different issue altogether, but that’s just how life goes sometimes.
In the vast depths of despair, there’s always someone worse off. Thanks to the Executive Manager, I’ve managed to keep my sanity intact.
*
The day after my unintentional peep into the Executive Manager’s late-night overtime, it was time to head back to the Academy. It was about time to move; the carriage ride wasn’t going to wait!
“Looks like I’m going back now.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Our departure was set for the afternoon, so I decided to pay a visit to the Mage Duchess in the morning before leaving.
After the incident with the Twilight Cult, she had insisted I come see her. I couldn’t just disregard her wishes, plus there was something I needed to collect anyway.
“This should last you through winter.”
At her words, a box that had been hovering next to the Mage Duchess glided towards me. Talk about impressive magic skills on even the little things.
“Thank you! I’ll make sure to savor it.”
But really, what did it matter? It was magic aimed at looking after this pitiful civil servant’s health anyway, so who cares?
This was going to replenish my stash of the Mage Duchess’s special potions. Judging from the amount, it should indeed last until winter.
‘What a pretty color, too.’
The reddish ginseng hue of the potion soothed my mind and brought a smile to my face. Not to mention that I had received a few other items from my mother, so there was no need to fret about my health for a while.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
“Then I’m glad to hear that.”
The beaming smile of the Mage Duchess was certainly worthy of the ‘Mother’ title.
But seriously, this was impressive. I’ve sampled nearly every potion available on the market so far, but I’ve never tasted anything of this caliber. If she started mass-producing and selling these, it would be game-changing.
As I gazed at the potion, I shifted my gaze to the Mage Duchess, who simply shook her head.
“I have no plans to sell it. Mass production is impossible.”
“Oh really?”
Well, what could I say? If the person who made it says it’s impossible, what can I do? It’s not like the Duke is strapped for cash anyhow.
“It’s based on your blood, so it probably won’t have much effect on anyone else.”
“What?”
My… blood?
I stood there momentarily dumbfounded by that shocking revelation. Was this red hue from my blood, not a ginseng root? I couldn’t have seen that coming!
Suddenly hit by this extraordinary truth, I became dazed, and the Mage Duchess’s ears drooped a bit.
“Well, didn’t I tell you there would be good results soon? This is what I meant.”
“Oh, right. I remember now.”
Thinking back, she did mention that the day I got summoned due to the Louise incident.
I had forgotten about it, assuming it would take ages due to her half-elf lineage, but it had turned out to be what she called “soon” by human standards.
‘But that doesn’t matter.’
I was initially shocked, but it isn’t a big deal. What comes from my body is just returning back to me, right? Sure, if it were something I had to drink instead of water due to lack of options, that’d be sad. But transforming it into a super health food? No biggie!
Still, the Mage Duchess seemed to take my reaction to mean I was disgusted, as her ears continued to droop, and her gaze fell.
“That’s good. I’m relieved that it was worth pulling.”
And without hesitation, I gulped one down. Seeing an elder worry so much about a younger person didn’t sit right with me. With how things unfolded, it seemed like she hadn’t purposely kept that from me either.
Soon after, the Mage Duchess’s ears perked up again. Though her face was close to a poker face, her ears were far too honest in their expressiveness.
“All thanks to you, baby. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.”
I felt relieved that her mood lightened.
*
Back from cheering up the Mage Duchess, I returned home loaded with gifts. This was reminiscent of when I met the Invincible Duke. Is generosity becoming a fad among the dukes?
“You should remember, this is only for you, baby. If anyone else drinks it, it’s no different from plain water.”
The Mage Duchess stressed this several times with a serious expression before sending me off. But honestly, the efficacy seemed a bit too extreme.
‘If the pharmacist says so, it must be true.’
If I can’t trust the expert, then who can I trust? Even herbal remedies can be a headache if misused; can you imagine a potion made from blood?
Still, I felt a bit disappointed. I wanted to share a few bottles with others. But if it’s nothing more than water to them, it would be better to give them something else.
“Master.”
“Why are you waiting here?”
As I meandered towards the mansion, the 4th Manager greeted me. It was odd that she was waiting outside the fence.
Where else can you find a maid waiting for her master outside the mansion? Talk about excessive loyalty!
“Today is the last day, isn’t it?”
Seeing the 4th Manager cast her gaze downward with a hint of disappointment tugged at my heartstrings. After all, I wouldn’t be seeing her for a while after today.
I felt a twinge of disappointment myself. It would’ve been so much easier if the 4th Manager and the Masked Unit could’ve been stationed at the academy.
“I’ll come back during winter, so let’s meet then.”
I patted her shoulder, suppressing my own sorrow. The summer vacation may be over, but winter break is not terribly far off.
Of course, whether the Special Service Agency sends the Masked Unit for winter break remains to be seen, but I reckon they will unless something goes awry. A civil servant’s trait is to appoint the same person for a repeated job.
“Yes, Master. I’ll be waiting.”
The 4th Manager’s face brightened in response.
I was simply relieved that I got to conclude my time at the imperial capital with the 4th Manager. If it had ended with the 1st Manager’s provocation, I’d have boarded the carriage while gripping my neck in exasperation.
Just imagining it makes my neck ache. Is this the infamous effect of the 1st Manager?
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