Chapter 13
Morgana Raven was reviewing grievance reports.
There were so many complaints that handling them never seemed to end.
Most of the reports were submitted by mages, and their demands were always the same.
Increase the number of demonic-energy healers.
Provide more aggressive healing support.
Morgana wanted to meet the mages’ demands.
But realistically, it was impossible.
There simply weren’t enough healers.
The only reason things were even holding together this much was thanks to Morgana’s administrative ability, yet the mages were never satisfied.
Still, she couldn’t just ignore their complaints.
After all, the ones risking their lives to destroy Rainbow Holes were the mages.
Everything Morgana enjoyed existed on the foundation of their sacrifices.
Without healers, mages would die.
Without mages, humanity would disappear.
She knew mages had to be prioritized and supported, but—
“These bastards deserve nothing! Don’t they know what satisfaction is?!”
Morgana snapped, shouting in anger.
Even the usually rational Morgana lost her temper when faced with absurd demands like forming a 24-hour healer standby unit.
She violently tore up a grievance report.
Each year, the number of mages increased, while healers awakened only rarely, like beans during a drought.
At this rate, the healer shortage would only grow worse.
Since healers couldn’t be created at will, the only solution was to improve efficiency.
If we could reduce the number of mages deployed by finding a more efficient way to raid Rainbow Holes…
Morgana picked up a report she had set aside.
Turning the cover page, she saw various sets of data.
At the end, based on numerical analysis, the report suggested optimal numbers of mages required per Rainbow Hole grade.
For example, the lowest-difficulty Red Hole required five mages.
A higher-grade Blue Hole required fifteen.
Of course, even holes of the same color varied in difficulty and manpower depending on size.
But the report stated that those factors could still be calculated based on preset baseline values.
The suggested numbers differed greatly from recent mage deployment records.
Why are twenty mages being sent to clear a single Red Hole?
Just reducing that inefficiency would save the Bureau’s wasted budget and somewhat ease the healer shortage.
Isn’t there someone? Some genius who can overcome this inefficiency with a revolutionary method?
That was when it happened.
—Eloise Rubelia.
Morgana flinched and looked around.
She was certain she was alone, yet she had clearly heard a voice.
“Vice Director, Miss Eloise Rubelia is here to see you.”
The voice belonged to Morgana’s secretary.
It came through the speaker connecting the secretary’s office and the main office.
“Vice Director, Miss Eloise Rubelia is here—”
“I heard you.”
“Oh, good. You didn’t respond even after I called five times, so I was worried something had happened.”
“I was thinking. Nothing’s wrong. Let her in.”
Eloise Rubelia.
Right—there was her.
The one who claims she can predict Rainbow Holes.
If that ability were real and properly used…
Could it possibly overcome the Bureau’s chronic inefficiency?
With cautious anticipation, Morgana welcomed Eloise inside.
“Come in, Miss Rubelia.”
“I’m here as well.”
An uninvited guest followed behind Eloise as she greeted her.
Morgana forced her lips into a smile.
She didn’t particularly like Gerard.
After all, he was the leader of those endlessly complaining mages.
True, he didn’t harass healers or make unreasonable demands, but that didn’t change how she felt.
More importantly, he exerted influence over the Demonic Energy Management Bureau, openly or subtly.
Until now—no, until just a few days ago—he hadn’t done so openly.
But that changed yesterday.
Specifically, after the meeting about establishing the Forecasting Team and issuing personnel appointments.
Recalling that moment, Morgana clicked her tongue.
“Did I come at a bad time?”
At Eloise’s question, Morgana shook her head.
“No. Do you like your new office, Miss Rubelia?”
She asked Eloise, but her gaze was fixed on Gerard.
Why is she staring at Sir Gerard like that? Don’t tell me she likes him?
Unaware of Eloise’s ridiculous misunderstanding, Morgana gestured to the sofa.
“Let’s sit and talk.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Eloise immediately sat down.
As if it were only natural, Gerard took the seat beside her.
Morgana, who had been heading toward the seat of honor, hesitated, then changed direction and sat across from Eloise.
Gerard might not care about formalities, but Morgana was a civil servant to the bone.
Her body reacted automatically.
Though it wasn’t clearly defined, the Mage Tower Master was generally considered above a Vice Director.
And he was also an imperial prince.
“Miss Rubelia, you said you had business with me?”
“Yes, Vice Director. First, thank you for establishing a new department.”
“You don’t need to thank me. The Forecasting Team exists because of your ability. That ability isn’t a lie, is it?”
“No! I can definitely make predictions. I was thanking you for issuing the appointment so quickly. It must be because you took a personal interest that the department was created right away, right?”
At that, Morgana looked at Gerard.
Gerard avoided her gaze and stared at the wall.
Shameless man.
Morgana muttered internally, then nodded.
“Let’s go with that.”
“Yes, thank you. But there’s one matter left that needs discussion.”
“What is it?”
Morgana raised an eyebrow.
Eloise straightened her posture with a solemn expression.
She clasped her hands together on her knees and spoke with heartfelt sincerity.
“Salary negotiation.”
“…Salary negotiation?”
“Yes. Normally, a civil servant’s salary increases according to seniority. But in my case, a brand-new department was created, and I was appointed as its head. I believe a different standard should apply.”
Morgana was momentarily speechless.
She wasn’t wrong—but there had never been a precedent of salary negotiation just for becoming a team leader.
There was usually just a small allowance added.
Deciding to hear her out, Morgana asked,
“How much do you want?”
Eloise closed her eyes deeply, then opened them.
For a moment, her blue eyes seemed to shine gold—surely just an illusion.
“How could a low-ranking civil servant like me possibly suggest a salary first? However, to help you consider the matter—”
She took a breath, then spoke rapidly.
“As a patriot and a civil servant working with a strong sense of duty, I consider it a great honor to dedicate myself to the Demonic Energy Management Bureau using my abilities. However, if you imagine recruiting an external specialist with the same abilities as mine, I believe you could determine an appropriate salary.”
Morgana blinked rapidly.
Eloise Rubelia feels different from yesterday.
Yesterday, she had just sat quietly beside Gerard.
Today, she was smooth and eloquent.
“I’ve heard your opinion. Innovation is important. But I can’t grant special treatment to just one person. There’s no precedent.”
Eloise suddenly raised her hand.
The bold movement made Morgana’s eyelid twitch.
“I’m sorry. In meetings, we always had to raise our hands to speak. It’s a habit.”
Eloise quietly lowered her hand.
Did someone just laugh?
She continued persuading Morgana.
“All innovation begins with exceptions. And innovation drives organizational growth. I believe your own promotion was such a case, Vice Director. I wouldn’t dare compare myself to someone I deeply respect, but my ability is highly specialized and could greatly help manage Rainbow Holes. Could you take that into consideration?”
Eloise clasped her hands over her chest.
She looked at Morgana with earnest, pleading eyes.
Hoping her pitiful expression would move her.
But true to her nickname, the “human machine,” Morgana didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.
“I understand your argument, Miss Rubelia. Innovation is indeed important. But for an organization to function properly, applying rules without exception is equally important. I prefer the latter.”
Long explanation.
In short—the salary negotiation was rejected.
Eloise forced her lips into a smile.
She couldn’t retreat like this.
Morgana’s presence was overwhelming.
As expected of a Vice Director who rose from commoner status.
But I’m not just anyone either!
Just as Eloise, who had returned from death, gathered her courage to speak again—
“You could just submit your resignation, Eloise.”
Both Eloise and Morgana stared at Gerard in shock.
With a calm expression, Gerard crossed his legs.
“As you said, hiring an external specialist would require spending a great deal of money anyway.”
A completely new perspective.
Eloise had never even considered leaving the Bureau—she might as well have been born a civil servant.
“And if you’re looking for a new job anyway,”
Gerard continued calmly,
“Why not try working at the Mage Tower?”
