Samantha
I woke up, panicking for a mont. The last couple of days had been incredibly stressful, but at least Emperor Michael had finally left. I sorted myself out for the day in my tiny room inside the Imperial Palace. The fact I was even living here was a step up from the other people working under Clarissa.
After getting ready, the sun, or light source was coming up. I shouldn’t have asked Emperor Michael what he ant by light source. Now the weird physics of this place were stuck in my head and annoying constantly. I took a deep breath to center myself and to focus on the tasks that actually needed doing.
Checking my notebook, I looked over my schedule for the day. It was frustrating not to be able to use my phone and have an automatic scheduler and e-mails. It was impressive how Clarissa managed everything in the stone age we were stuck in.
The first eting was breakfast with Supre Governor Clarissa. I made sure I was impeccable for that eting. While she let so appearance issues slide, she had ntioned once that how a person presents themselves is an indication of their character. Unkempt people would be ssy with their work.
People that bad attention to their appearance would pay attention to their work. That was one reason why I took the ti every morning to look as nice as possible. It was a struggle to keep my afro maintained, but it set apart. It wasn’t fair, but I needed to use every edge I had to rise up in this governnt.
Like the other assistants, none of us wanted to be fighting monsters or fighting in wars. We liked the comfortable desk jobs. Even if it went exhausting work every single day to get everything running smoothly, no one dared to complain.
Complaining was the second fastest way to lose your position, right after corruption. I shuddered at the people who had been caught and killed. While Michael talked about killing people, and he had in the past. It was Clarissa who was far more terrifying and her iron grip on all aspects of governnt.
No one dared to move against here either, with her personal guards, imnse number of stats, and Emperor Michael backing her every move. I had listened to him speak enough, that I knew she had his unconditional trust. As far as I knew, she wasn’t planning anything against him either. There was no romance or anything sexual, despite keeping an eye out for such things.
Michael hadn’t even noticed any of the suggestions I had made. Everyone was right, the man was a brick wall. A brick wall would be easier to seduce. But that was probably why Clarissa liked him and worked with him. He was focused on power and this tournant. I shuddered slightly as I made my sure my afro was completely together before stepping outside my room.
It was hell, with all his demands and requirents that could change at a whim. But I had endured and now things were finally coming together, and he was gone. The risks were high, with one misstep being utter despair and possibly death, but I wasn’t afraid.
I knew what poverty was like. After getting a scholarship was my country in Africa and going to college in England, I had succeeded where countless others had failed. I had learned to deal with threats, and all manners of setbacks.
This place was honestly a bit pleasant in so regards to the intense nature of my life before being mysteriously transported here by the Almighty System. Another thing Emperor Michael had insisted on. He went to great lengths to let know about how it was the God of this place and that it was a true God watching everything.
I wasn’t sure what to believe, but the one thing I had learned was you don’t criticize the powerful man in control of everything. I made my way from my room to the private dining room. Michael had eaten with Clarissa here, but she was the one to use it all the ti. eting with a different mber of her governnt for each al to better understand what was going on and any problems.
Taking my seat, I was a bit early, but that was important when you weren’t the big boss. If you weren’t fifteen minutes early, you were late. Soldiers entered the room and I stood up. I then bowed slightly as Clarissa entered.
“Good morning Supre Governor Clarissa,” I said.
“Good morning, Samantha, sit, please,” she said, and I sat. Food was brought out by servants. Much more carefully prepared and presented than the regular fare that was served in the dining hall in the Imperial Palace.
Everything was set out and we helped ourselves. The orange juice was amazing. That normally wasn’t available in the dining hall. Since it took a lot of effort and cost to squeeze out oranges. “Enjoy working with Emperor Michael?” Clarissa asked .
I had prepared for this eting the night before, thinking of possible questions and answers she might ask and making sure I had the best possible answers ahead of ti. Being prepared was key to moving ahead of others and maintaining my grades, and now my position.
“It is complicated, but an enjoyable challenge. The demands are often varied and complex. The arena expansion caught off guard, but I have found learning to adapt and be ready for anything has helped,” I replied. Clarissa smiled at as she buttered her toast.
“And what do you think of him personally?” Clarissa asked .
“A driven individual, who often acts without consideration for all the consequences, but that is his prerogative as Emperor,” I replied grateful I had an answer ready for that question. I picked up a piece of toast and began putting so jam on it. My sweet tooth was my guilty pleasure, and I would allow myself to indulge a little bit.
“You have been handling everything quite well. And no one has been lted. Even the committee mbers haven’t complained too much to about everything. Still, that could be Michael’s actions helping you,” Clarissa said and then paused. I knew she was giving the chance to speak up and express myself.
“It has helped of course. I won’t deny he has a certain efficiency for cutting through any nonsense or power plays. That certainly has helped move things along. But I needed to soothe over so egos and to make certain arrangents to ensure the tournant and the Monster Battle Arenas run smoothly,” I explained.
“You have done very well. So far. I am impressed. Emperor Michael ntioned he was pleased with you before he left,” Clarissa said, and I was a bit surprised at that. With how much he lectured , I had been a little bit concerned.
“That is good to hear. I am glad I am exceeding expectations,” I replied.
“Keep it up. Long term, you will most likely be appointed to handle anything between him and the Imperial Governnt. Personal Assistant to the Emperor would be your new title if he approves after the tournant is handled,” I considered that for a bit. It was a huge step up, from just an Assistant inside the governnt.
Ti to do a little probing of my own. “I would have thought you would want to be more involved with Emperor Michael personally?” I asked. Clarissa gave a piercing look.
“That is astute of you Samantha. But the simple answer is that I am delegating. I have earned a vacation, so my goal is to get everything working smoothly with only minimal input from . Your job will be to handle everything for him on behalf of the Imperial Governnt. That includes correspondence, any edicts he issues, and arranging etings,” Clarissa explained to .
“That is an incredible amount of power,” I replied.
“Indeed, but you have shown yourself to be diligent and immune to bribery. You pass the tests I set after all,” Clarissa explained. My eyes went wide at that. “Oh yes, those people offering bribes that you reported, were auditors. You didn’t fall to corruption or threats, so good job.” I thought I was just reporting regular people, not auditors.
I had co that close to death, but thankfully avoided it. The rules were very clear and I didn’t plan on breaking any of them. “I am glad to hear that. I will be happy to take the position once it is available,” I replied.
“The main thing is to prevent any excessive decisions and involve as little as possible. I don’t mind eting with him. But sothing like this tournant, I don’t want to be in the middle of,” Clarissa explained and I nodded at that.
“And his protection detail, would I be handling their support on our end as well?” I asked.
“No, Captain Francis has total control over that aspect of Michael’s entourage. When he returns, you should speak with him. As you have seen he is responsible for Michael’s safety. Not that he needs it.”
“And the pay?” I asked.
“Ten thousand points per day,” Clarissa said and my eyes went wide. “You will need stats. Specifically Mind and Aura so you aren’t targeted with a skill. There will be an advance made against your salary after the tournant to raise them up enough to ensure you aren’t casually targeted.”
“In addition, you will be authorized two soldiers whenever you leave the Imperial Palace for your protection, since you will be acting on behalf of the Emperor,” Clarissa said. That was very big. Very few people got personal protection besides Clarissa and Michael. It was a sign of prestige and power.
Clarissa held onto that very carefully. Only Directors were afforded that privilege. “I would be on the sa level as the Directors?” I asked.
“No. You will not have that authority, only what the Emperor commands you to do or if you act in his na. You can sit in on etings to answer questions or concerns he might have, but you can’t bring anything up yourself, unless he directs you to, or it impacts his interests. Outside of that you have limited authority, that of an Assistant. Don’t abuse this privilege, since you can use it to cut through quite a lot of paperwork,” Clarissa said while staring intently at . I felt sweat form on the back of my neck and quickly nodded.
“I won’t abuse the position, I promise,” I replied.
“We will see. Actually, the position should be fairly easy, since Emperor Michael will most likely leave for long periods of ti after the celebration to scout out level 4 and 5 zones. To improve his combat ability. But making sure everything runs smoothly while he is present within the city is paramount. Any issues and you will be held responsible for them,” Clarissa said.
“I understand,” I replied.
“Well you are handling a project for him, so I suppose you do.” Clarissa picked up a piece of chilled lon shaped like a bird with her fork. “I am always impressed how these co out she said.
“There is an artistry to it,” I replied.
“You also need to think ahead. To get ahead of him. I suggest you consider that if you want to remain in his good graces. He likes a little bit of initiative. I will let you figure it out,” Clarissa told . My mind whirled. What was she expecting to do?
I would have to review this conversation carefully and think about this. “Thank you for the advice, I will take it to heart and consider it very carefully,” I replied. You didn’t get to my position without being able to pick up subtle hints at what you should be doing.
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