Chapter 14. Withdrawal Symptoms
“…Did the deputy from Team 2 already report it?”
Burkin hesitated in front of Chief Ed’s office. Even if she had experience working at the headquarters and was considered elite, the truth was she had only arrived in Deepdale two days ago.
If that old deputy from Team 2 had already gone to work buttering up Chief Ed, it would definitely put her at a disadvantage. Steeling herself like she was heading to a battlefield, Burkin adjusted her outfit.
Even if she didn’t care about impressing that Team 2 deputy, Chief Ed was different. Burkin had a clear goal—to become a deputy in Deepdale by the end of the year.
“Excuse me, Chief Ed. This is Vice Burkin Redfield.”
“Come in.”
Creak.
As she opened the door, she saw Chief Ed holding a quill, scribbling something on parchment. Once she noticed Burkin’s presence, she set the quill down and stood up.
“Come over here, Miss Burkin. I called you because we need to talk.”
Chief Ed seated Burkin on the same couch where they had previously spoken, then disappeared into the back. Likely to make tea.
What excuse should I give?
If I say it’s a new team and I’m still adjusting to the branch… no, that sounds like an excuse. Besides, it’s natural that the more experienced Teams 1 and 2 work a bit longer than Team 3. Or maybe I should just ask for more capable manpower!
As Burkin anxiously fidgeted with her hands, Chief Ed returned, carrying the same two teacups as before, along with the magical kettle.
Clink.
As the kettle floated in the air and began pouring tea into the cups, Burkin continued organizing her thoughts. Eventually, she couldn’t hold it in anymore and spoke first.
“Um, about the division of consultation duties—”
“Miss Burkin, you had a designated consultation today, right?”
“Pardon?”
It seemed Chief Ed had also been waiting for the right time to speak, as she cut in at the exact same moment. Burkin paused and let the chief speak.
“Designated consultation. You received one this morning, didn’t you?”
“…Yes.”
“The client was Mr. Liam Moore?”
“Yes.”
…Wait, she didn’t call me in because of a general counseling issue?
Burkin blinked in surprise. Chief Ed looked as though she was hesitant to say something as she held the teacup. But then, she finally spoke.
“I heard you refused to charge mana into the items.”
“…Yes, that’s true. He brought in forty-six items, and I told him it wouldn’t be possible to finish them all today.”
“Forty-six?! That crazy—! I mean… I understand your position, but listen carefully, Miss Burkin.”
Chief Ed’s reaction was unusually sharp. She looked at Burkin with pity, yet her voice was firm.
“Our Service Department has an obligation to assist with mana charging for any items Mr. Liam Moore brings in.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I didn’t mention it before, so you wouldn’t have known. I’ve always handled it personally until now, so I didn’t expect Mr. Liam to make a designated request for you. I apologize for that.”
Burkin stared blankly at Chief Ed, unable to respond.
“You’re still new to our Deepdale branch, so you probably don’t know… but Mr. Liam is a core member of the Item Development Department. He’s a renowned magi-engineer, even in the capital.”
“He’s… famous?”
“You’ve probably heard that he has a unique constitution, right? Because of that, he excels more in magi-engineering than in traditional magic. Even though he’s a 9th-circle mage… it’s due to his constitution.”
9th circle… due to his constitution?
Burkin thought she’d never heard anything more ridiculous. While she had to come all the way to Deepdale and serve as a vice-mage because she couldn’t even reach the 1st circle, he was a 9th-circle mage because of his constitution?
And he’s supposedly a genius in magi-engineering too? She started to feel stomach pain—this time, not from stress but pure jealousy.
Chief Ed, still hesitating, continued.
“As you know, everything the Item Development Department creates is classified. So I’ve always handled it personally… but Mr. Liam submitted a request form. He said your mana matches his items better and asked to switch to you as his designated handler.”
“Being a pain in the ass again…”
What a royal pain.
She muttered so quietly that Chief Ed only responded with a questioning “Hm?” Burkin just gave an awkward smile and brushed it off.
“Anyway, from now on, you’ll be in charge of charging mana into Mr. Liam’s items. If it gets to be too much, bring them to me—but no one else can be involved. All Item Development Department work is top secret.”
“Even if it’s unreasonable for me to do it alone?”
Burkin asked, recalling the Service Department’s official manual.
“…I’m sorry I can’t offer more support.”
Her head was spinning. Just today, she had charged that ridiculous “Leo’s Mithril Shield” and felt utterly drained. Now she was expected to do that every day?
She couldn’t lash out at her boss, so she closed her eyes tightly instead. Seeing this, Chief Ed offered some comfort.
“In return, I’ll help with your regular consultation duties. Team 3 was scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m., right?”
“Yes…”
“Then during that time, you’ll handle Mr. Liam’s consultations. I’ll set his appointments to be fixed. I’ll handle Team 3’s regular duties during that slot.”
Sure, the mana used on the mithril shield alone had far exceeded that of all her general consultations today—but she was still grateful. This was the best Chief Ed could offer.
Burkin could only lower her eyes and softly reply, “…Understood.” Then Chief Ed suddenly shifted her tone.
“That’s it as your superior. But now, as someone older and more experienced in life, let me ask: what’s going on between you and Mr. Liam?”
“I… don’t really know. He said he was struggling because of low mana, so I just offered a little help…”
“He… struggled? He said he’s struggling? That rabid dog?”
Apparently, the only time Chief Ed referred to him as “Mr. Liam” was when she was being professional. Now, she had no issue calling him a “rabid dog” outright.
“Did he eat something rotten…?”
It was so out of character for the usually composed Chief Ed that Burkin raised her head in surprise.
“So I gave him enough mana to last a week and told him I hoped not to see him again for a while, but today he suddenly shows up demanding mana for all sorts of items.”
“…You’ve been bitten hard, Miss Burkin.”
“Excuse me?”
Chief Ed rubbed her temples like she had a headache.
She continued.
“I heard from the Item Development Chief—who’s apparently close with me—that Liam cleaned out the department’s items this morning.”
“You don’t mean…”
“Yep. All the items he brought you today? They’re from the Item Development Department.”
And yet he wasn’t fired?
Burkin struggled to keep her thoughts from escaping her mouth.
Chief Ed sighed deeply, as if she had read Burkin’s mind.
“The Item Chief told me, crying, that Liam broke them all. When she tried to stop him, he just said, ‘Put it on my bill,’ and threw down gold—twice the items’ worth.”
Now even Burkin started to feel bad for the crying Item Development Chief. If someone that reckless worked under her… it was a terrifying thought.
“He’s outrageously talented, and upper management wants us to keep him happy… sigh. He’s released dozens of new products so far, with at least ten major hits. Take this Basfort series, for example.”
“That was his work?”
“Hard to believe, right? That guy made such sentimental, charming items? I wonder what’s in his head.”
Even Burkin was shaken. The Basfort series was beloved across the empire, especially by housewives. Though just daily-use items, they perfectly matched customer needs with aesthetic touches.
That lunatic made them?
Her hands trembled. She hadn’t grasped what “9th-circle mage” meant, but knowing he created the Basfort collection made it real.
How much must he have earned? At least a million gold… from that line alone.
For someone like Burkin, who dreamed of buying her own house, that was a fantasy-level sum. Her jealousy from earlier evaporated instantly. Now she understood Chief Ed’s attitude.
“Miss Burkin. Just suffer through two hours a day. I’ll take care of the rest of Team 3’s work.”
Burkin felt like her future had turned pitch black. From now on, for two hours every day, she’d be stuck with Liam.
Once again, the universal truth held—when the boss calls you in, it’s never good news.
* * *
The next day.
Burkin once again faced Liam, just as Chief Ed had warned. But after hearing about his achievements, she found herself able to maintain a calmer demeanor.
“Mr. Liam Moore.”
“Yes?”
“Let me be clear. I’ll only help for exactly two hours—from 4 to 6, which is when I’d normally be handling general consultations. With 30 minutes per item, that’s a maximum of four items a day. Even if I could do more, I won’t overexert myself.”
Liam silently studied her serious expression, as if trying to understand her sudden change in attitude.
Luckily, he hadn’t brought too many items today. Burkin picked the easiest-looking one and began charging mana into it.
Even after starting, Liam kept watching her. Eventually, she broke the silence.
“…You can leave if you want. I’ll get everything done.”
“No.”
“You don’t have to worry. I was known for my mana charging skills even back at headquarters.”
“Still no.”
Of course, Liam hadn’t come just to charge items. He had no intention of wasting the only two hours he could spend with her.
Burkin gave up on further conversation and focused on her task.
Even though her mana pool was ridiculously vast, she still had to pace herself. Slowly, she began pouring her mana into the item.
Two tense hours passed.
“Thank you for your patience.”
“That’s it already?”
“All four are done.”
Liam tapped the charged items absentmindedly, as if unsatisfied. His touch was so casual it made the items look like cheap knockoffs.
Just as Burkin stood to leave, Liam spoke again.
“Burkin.”
“Yes?”
“…Can you charge me too?”
No shame at all?
The items he’d brought today, while not as draining as the mithril shield, still required twice the mana of average ones. And now he wanted some for himself too?
Burkin was tired. Too tired to argue. She sat back down and stretched out her hand, emotionless.
“Hand.”
“Okay.”
Liam placed his large, warm hand over hers. For someone with such a cold demeanor, his hands were surprisingly warm. Burkin closed her eyes and transferred her mana.
About 10 minutes passed.
“I’ll be going now.”
Deciding she’d given him enough, Burkin left the room quickly—without even saying goodbye.
The consultation room was now empty except for Liam.
Left alone, he clenched and unclenched his hand a few times. Then, he noticed his fingertips trembling slightly.
Just 10 minutes.
Just 10 minutes of holding her hand, and he felt a pleasure so intense it made his hair stand on end. A satisfied sigh escaped Liam’s lips,…
