༺ This Place Is An Excellent Source of Civil Servants (1) ༻
The vacation was over, and a new sester had begun. It was the second sester of the first year, a ti when the autumn leaves and snow would be beautiful.
Of course, I was trying not to think of the fact that there were still four sesters left.
‘There’s still two years.’
I couldn’t help but sigh internally, but I was grateful that it was only a three-year program. Imagine how terrible it would be if it were a six-year program like in elentary school. I’d have to spend more ti at the Academy than my entire civil servant career. That would probably render a real student, not an honorary one.
So, I decided to be thankful and persevere.
“I’m graduating next year.”
When I turned to the sullen voice, I saw Marghetta looking at with her chin resting on her hand.
It was indeed regrettable. I sotis forget, but Marghetta was one year ahead of the pastry club. I would still have to spend one more year at the Academy even after she graduated.
And once she did, I wouldn’t be able to rely on the Vice President’s office as much as I did now. Who should I rely on then?
“Is repeating a year not an option?”
If Marghetta took a year off, it would be good for both of us. Of course, it was just a joke.
“My grades have been too good until now. I don’t think they’d let go of easily.”
However, her gloomy tone surprised . It seed like she was genuinely disappointed. No way. Was she seriously considering it?
If Marghetta actually repeated a year, it would undoubtedly be problematic. If the news got out that the precious and adorable youngest daughter of the Iron-blooded Duke repeated a year, he might just collapse. He might even try to kill if I showed up while he was investigating the reason why Marghetta was repeating a year.
‘It’ll be difficult if the Iron-blooded Duke’s animosity towards increases even more.’
He had already declared that I should co and beg on my knees if I wanted to marry Marghetta. It wouldn’t end with just kneeling if I provoked him any further.
With my feeble creativity, I can’t even imagine what cos after kneeling. The Iron-blooded Duke had walked quite a few battlefields in his pri, so he probably knew a lot of unconventional thods.
“Are you disappointed that I’m graduating first?”
While I was lost in my thoughts, Marghetta smiled and spoke.
“Are you asking when you already know the answer?”
“I wanted to hear it from your own mouth.”
Her smile grew wider as she spoke confidently. How had she endured all this ti?
“I want you to stay by my side instead of leaving first.”
Then she nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
‘It’s amazing.’
What I was talking about wasn’t Marghetta. She had already declared that she would beco more proactive and honest.
What surprised was myself. The fact that I could talk to Marghetta so casually and that my heart felt lighter than I expected.
Even though I told her about my past, getting closer to her was a separate matter.
But having a friendly conversation with her felt remarkably comfortable. It happened so quickly that it felt like a dam had burst inside .
‘How did I manage to endure it all this ti?’
I, who had endured for two years, finally burst when the opportunity presented itself.
***
I was used to the Prosecutors’ Office’s Executive Manager’s visits. Before the vacation, he ca every day at the invitation of the Duke’s daughter.
The Student Council room was off-limits to all but the most senior mbers, but that was a trivial issue. How could we dare impose the Academy’s rules on a capable and dedicated servant of the Empire?
There was just one small problem—
‘When should I go in?’
The dessert I was holding had nowhere to go. I had planned to treat the Executive Manager with it as a celebration for the start of the second sester, but I couldn’t find the courage to enter the Vice President’s office after overhearing their conversation.
I naturally knew that the Lady had strong feelings for the Executive Manager. I had seen them together for months; I’d be an idiot if I didn’t notice.
However, the Executive Manager wasn’t usually this warm. What happened during the vacation?
‘Well, never mind.’
I gave up on going inside. Desserts like this could be served later.
If the Executive Manager was happy, then that was all that mattered. He was my lifelong benefactor, so he deserved to be happy.
As I admired the Executive Manager, a business card automatically popped into my head.
No, it wasn’t just any business card. It might have started as one, but it had beco a treasure ever since the Executive Manager had touched it.
“You’ve done well, truly well! You have nothing to worry about from now on!”
The business card, now an imnsely powerful letter of recomndation, had pleased my father greatly when he saw it during the vacation.
No wonder. I was the son of a re viscount, not a high-ranking nobleman, and wasn’t even the eldest son who would inherit the title.
It wasn’t a future that could be described as particularly bright. I might not live in poverty and be lacking, but it was also unlikely for to live a life of wealth and recognition.
But a letter of recomndation from the Executive Manager, a key figure in the Imperial Crown Prince’s faction? This undoubtedly brightened my future and paved the way ahead, like a path adorned with flowers. My personal success was assured, and if things went well, even the Connor Family’s prestige could rise.
It had been a few months since I received the letter of recomndation, but my heart still swelled with pride. Thank you, Executive Manager. My loyalty lies with you. If I make it into the Ministry of Finance, then I’ll beco a person you could rely on.
He was going to be my boss anyway, so it was only fair that I be loyal to him in advance.
“Demian? What are you doing there?”
I was in the midst of pledging my loyalty to the Executive Manager when an impudent person dared to disrupt this sacred mont.
I suppressed my annoyance and turned to see the Treasurer looking at blankly. Oh, it was this unchosen child.
“It’s nothing to worry about, so just focus on preparing for the civil service exams. You must be busy with that.”
As I said this, the pen the Treasurer was holding flew toward my neck. It would have struck if I hadn’t ducked.
“I was going to make sure you’ll never be able to speak again.”
I was surprised by the Treasurer’s audacity, but I quickly regained my composure. Winners always maintained their composure; how could I react to every provocation from a loser?
“A jealous kid sure is pathetic.”
“You’re really sothing, aren’t you?”
I quietly closed my mouth after seeing the treasurer sweep her hair back with annoyance. I’d have to lay off on the teasing for now. If I did it again right away, I’d be caught in a headlock.
The second sester of the third year was a sensitive ti to be a Student Council officer. It was the final sester at the Academy, aning we’d have to take the civil service exams imdiately after this sester.
If I hadn’t received the letter of recomndation, I would have been living in a state of anxiety and sensitivity. Anxiety about whether I could beco a civil servant, and the uncertainty of what I would do if I failed the exam.
‘We were lucky.’
It wasn’t just . We were all lucky.
“Mr. President, I have a question.”
“I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Those were the words the Excutive Manager ntioned just before entering the Vice President’s office today.
“How are the other Student Council officers?”
I had a feeling that this was an opportunity for my treasure to beco our treasure.
“Even leaving aside my bias of being their friend, I can say that they are all diligent and excellent.”
“That’s good news.”
The Executive Manager nodded lightly and entered the Vice President’s office, seemingly satisfied.
There was no doubt about it. After three years in the student council, I had gotten to the point where I could read people’s expressions. It was an ability that ca naturally when dealing with students who were high-ranking nobles.
“I’ll pass the exam anyway.”
“If I recomnd you, wouldn’t your chances of passing increase?”
That was why I could provocatively say things like this without hesitation. After all, they would eventually receive recomndations too.
If I provoked them without knowing that they were receiving a letter of recomndation, then that was just inhumane. Did I go through all the trouble during the first sester for nothing?
But with exclusive knowledge about the letters of recomndation, this was my chance.
‘Darn it.’
When the lady beca my nominal subordinate as the Vice President, how much did she mock , who was her superior on the surface?
It was ti to pay back the humiliation and disgrace I suffered back then. This was also thanks to the Executive Manager’s favor.
Loyalty to the Executive Manager.
***
I started hearing chatter outside. It was quiet until a mont ago. Did soone co?
“It sounds like the President and the Treasurer.”
“That’s surprising. Both of them seed like the quiet type.”
There was the President, who had Marghetta as his subordinate (not exactly a subordinate), and the Treasurer, the de facto second-in-command of the Student Council (with a heavy workload).
Perhaps it was due to the challenging environnt, but both of them generally had quiet personalities. Of course, the sa could be said for other officers as well, except for Marghetta.
As I listened closely to the faint conversation, I heard the President lecturing the Treasurer. He had quite a way with words.
By the way, I ntioned earlier that I was considering kidnapping, or rather, recomnding, the other officers as well.
“They seem close.”
If the President was doing that even though he knew, then he was probably just teasing the Treasurer.
“I heard there has been so interaction between their noble families for a long ti.”
“That does happen.”
I found it fascinating because I’ve never experienced such a situation. While the Krasius family did have interactions with other Imperial Families, I’ve never personally made friends with anyone.
Maybe I was just socially awkward? Maybe even Erich had made friends without knowing about it.
“It’s unusual that they get along so well. Regardless of interactions between noble families, it ultimately cos down to the relationships between the heads of the families. It doesn’t affect the children below them much.”
I felt relieved by Marghetta’s words. Thankfully, I wasn’t the weird one.
“If they have a good relationship, then it might be a good idea to put them in the sa departnt.”
Saying that, I took out a business card from my pocket, and Marghetta burst into a soft laugh.
“Fufu, that’s right. They will definitely be pleased.”
I agreed. Skipping the botherso exam and becoming a civil servant right away would indeed be a cause for celebration.
But where should I recomnd them to? The military would be better than the administration, right?
Invincible Duke, I’m sending one your way now…
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