Theres a saying that goes, Luck accounts for 70%, effort for 30%.
The interpretation could vary, but Ascal completely disagreed with this sentint.
Simply because, to him, it was all about luck, 100% of it.
Look, Manager Ascal is passing by.
I heard he was selected as the Manager of the Year by the evaluation departnt.
You know, just his walk has this certain aura...
Dang. I want to be his friend.
His ears tingled from all the whispers.
Doing his best to avoid the crowd, Ascal entered his office.
A new frad picture had been added. The portrait, seemingly painted by a skilled artist, excessively glamorized and facing forward, displayed Ascal. Below it read:
He had hoped the hot spring discovered in the wasteland was just a temporary phenonon, but there was no such miracle.
Rumors even had it that the springs contained traces of magic, enhancing ones health with just a single bath. As a result, it beca a huge tourist attraction.
Thanks to this, the stature of the evaluation departnt was skyrocketing, and at its center was Ascal, basking in an unprecedented popularity hed never experienced before.
He was even receiving love letters. Quite a number of them, in fact.
Of course, Ascal was well aware that these werent letters of pure emotion; they were from people looking for a golden opportunity to climb the social ladder.
The letters, made of seemingly good quality, burned smoothly when tossed into the heater, making for good kindling.
Ah, Manager Ascal. Youre here.
Its my office. Isnt it natural for to be here?
Haha. I thought you might be out on business, given how busy you always are.
Despite the sarcastic remark, Kane laughed it off heartily.
Lately, Kane, the head of departnt 1, frequented Ascals office. It seed Ascal had genuinely won over Kane favor.
Had it been any other departnt head, they wouldve eagerly cozied up to Kane, the real power player, but Ascal wanted to cut those ties with a dagger.
What brings you here?
Didnt you hear? Theres a dinner party tonight.
Dinner party.
At that word, the mories from a past life surged in Ascals head.
That horrid culture where, after pouring alcohol into ones belly until heavily intoxicated, they would vow everlasting allegiance, only to regurgitate it all beneath a lamppost a few hours later.
This world was not much different.
Do I really have to attend?
Of course. Arent you the man of the hour?
What exactly did I do?
Kane responded incredulously.
You played a pivotal role in the revolutionary improvent of a magical stone that wouldve gone unrecognized and buried. Plus, you personally surveyed and developed the hot springs in the wasteland, making a significant contribution to the empires treasury.
Was this so kind of tribute to a great person? Ascal wanted to cover his ears.
And youre only ever ten minutes late.
Are there any officials who are never late?
Not that I know of.
I really need to get out of this godforsaken place.
Ascal made a ntal note once again. However, he had an uncanny feeling hed made this resolve before.
Must be imagining things.
.
.
.
What should our toast be? To the Barba Empire?
Nah, a toast has to co from the heart.
Oh, does it?
To safely reaching retirent, getting our full pension, and living off that pension for the rest of our days!
To that!
The place Ascal was forcibly dragged to was an upscale restaurant in the capital called Whales Breath.
From what Ascal knew, it was among the priciest in the empire. It was unreachable for the average wage earner and even the well-to-do upper class had to stretch to afford it.
In such a posh place, officials in their uniforms had rented out an entire floor, making a racket. And at that, Ascal was reminded of mobsters hed seen in old movies.
Eat up, Ascal. When else would you get a chance to dine at Whales Breath? Theres just sothing else about food paid for with taxpayers money; it just tastes better.
Yes, Im eating.
The main head of evaluation Departnts kept offering food with a friendly smile. It felt a bit oppressive, especially since he had taken the seat right next to Ascal.
To make things worse, on Ascals right was Kane, the head of Departnt 1. He was sandwiched between two quite overwhelming individuals.
It was very oppressive.
From afar, envious glances were cast their way.
To them, this mustve looked like the royal seats reserved for those guaranteed a bright future.
Royal seats, my foot... more like a straight path to the execution block.
If a rebellion were to break out, not only the royal family but high-ranking officials would be executed in sequence.
Staying a low-ranking official would be more advantageous for survival. However, it was already too late for that thought.
By the way, Ascal, how on earth did you discover the hot spring in the wasteland?
As the alcohol began to flow, the main head of the evaluation Departnt asked in a serious tone,
It was just good luck.
Co on. Its just us here. Be honest for once.
The main head exaggeratedly feigned disappointnt. The scent of alcohol emanated from his slightly flushed face.
Its true. I was just fortunate.
No matter how much he was pressed, all he had to say was that he had been lucky. After all, that was the truth.
Youre even keeping secrets in front of your superior? Tsk, disappointing, Ascal. I thought better of you.
Whistling, the main head excused himself, seemingly heading to the restroom.
Ascal wondered what he supposedly saw in him to say he thought better. He was so baffled that he just picked up so at with his chopsticks and ate.
At least the food was good. Without that consolation, he wouldnt have been able to endure this drinking session.
Interesting.
Amid all this, Kane seed to have had so realization, nodding his head thoughtfully.
Whats with him?
Ascal had no clue what Kane was thinking.
A young man whos had a drink tends to be unpredictable. In that sense, Kanes internal evaluation of Ascal had just risen a notch due to Ascals discretion in not revealing his secret, despite the relentless questioning from the main head.
All in all, it was an utterly maddening dinner.
.
.
.
The next day:
Ascal found packages laid out in his office.
It began with food, clothes, and flowers, but then extended to valuable knick-knacks, and even needless ornants.
From farrs, and successful clothing store owners, to florists. A bewildered Ascal asked Kane, who happened to drop by the office,
What are all these?
Nothing significant, just bribes. Seems like its about ti you started receiving so. Youre being recognized as an important figure now.
Arent officials not supposed to accept bribes?
Kanes eyes widened at Ascals words.
What kind of nonsense is that?
...Nevermind.
It appeared that common sense in this pseudo-dieval fantasy land differed slightly from the modern era.
Since the bribes werent particularly useful, Ascal passed them straight to the orphanage where Eileen resided, under the pseudonym Tall Uncle.
This would prove to be a good insurance later on.
By the way, now that youre a 6th-grade official, you should have an assistant. Got anyone in mind?
Not really.
In that case, Ill filter out so competent people and give you a list. Hows that sound?
Id appreciate that.
Later that afternoon, Kane returned with a mountain of docunts.
Are there this many candidates?
Well, youve beco quite famous lately. So, theres an overwhelming number of applicants. Ive narrowed it down to the cream of the crop.
Ascal reviewed the resus of the applicants.
The first was a knight who had served in the Rosemary Order. The knight was committed to providing 24-hour close protection, but his disposition seed questionable. Pass.
The second was a mage who had researched dark magic at the magic tower and was subsequently recruited by the empire after causing an uproar.
He expressed a desire to study my brain. Is he out of his mind? Pass.
Having sifted through nurous resus, including those from renowned accountants and even offspring of nobility, Ascal felt a headache coming on.
Just pick anyone.
Honestly, it didnt matter to him.
He wasnt planning to work much anyway.
Understood. Ill take responsibility and select the perfect candidate for you.
Kane seed to take this task very seriously, clenching his fist with a sense of strong responsibility.
He really didnt need to go to such lengths.
A few days later, Kane, who claid he would select a truly talented candidate, just as he said, truly ended up choosing a talented* person.
Let introduce you. This is Miss Lia.
Ascal slowly lifted his head. Flowing platinum blonde hair and eyes that looked like they were embedded with aquamarine were in front of him.
For a mont, Ascal felt as though he had been struck by lightning.
Pleased to et you. Im Lia.
She may have concealed her identity, but Ascal knew.
She was the future empress and the empires third princess, Yulia.
Why on earth are you here...?
[TN: Talented: The term Talented originally is a very nice wordplay by the author. In typical Korean usage, refers to talent or a talented person. The twist lies in the accompanying Hanja characters .
this () Denotes person and () Signifies disaster or calamity.
So when combined, the Hanja interpretation of alludes to a human disaster or a disaster of a person.
I just loved what the author did here .]
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