Chapter 12……………………
“Feels like I’m in a corporate job interview.”
Even though I look like this now, in my past life I spent a long time as a job-seeker, going through countless interviews.
I can’t back down now.
After attending interviews at several companies, I realized a few things.
No matter how small, you have to highlight your strengths.
“Any department is fine. Even if it’s a department no one else wants—like the Ancient Sacred Language Interpretation Department—I would gladly accept the position!”
Ancient Sacred Language was a language briefly used long ago. Most of it had been lost, and the few fragments that survived were impossible to translate, so progress in the field was nonexistent.
It was also a department no one wanted to join because achievements couldn’t be made there.
“Ancient Sacred Language? All positions are already filled.”
Ugh! I thought there’d be nobody there since it’s a department where it’s hard to build accomplishments.
I had to find some position that would please him.
Cassius was surrounded by competent priests. I had to figure out what he was missing.
Then, in my line of sight, I saw Michael.
“By any chance, don’t you need a steward for Michael?”
“Michael’s steward?”
“Last time we met, he was attacked by a crow. I’ll safely take care of Michael, the sacred beast of His Majesty, so that never happens again.”
Heh, Cassius laughed so hard that even his body shook.
Even I had to admit that was a reckless thing to say.
And I added my desire to keep touching Michael to the mix.
But that just shows how desperate I was.
Seeing him laugh made my face flush with embarrassment.
Stop laughing…!
After a while, Cassius, still chuckling, spoke.
“Sonia, your coming to the Sacred Bureau is welcome. As for a position, well, we can make one for you.”
“Does that mean a decision hasn’t been made…?”
“I wanted to hear your thoughts first, so I postponed the decision. If you refuse the Sacred Bureau, I was thinking of creating a position for you in the Substitute Temple.”
So it had been postponed just to ask my opinion.
Ah, I overthought it for nothing. How embarrassing!
He rested his chin on his hand, leisurely observing my flushed face.
“To be honest, I want you to work by my side.”
My performance ranked high among trainee priests.
But the Sacred Bureau was full of naturally gifted geniuses; he wouldn’t want me just for my ability.
Besides, I had a healing attribute less efficient than sacred water. In other words, I was practically unnecessary in the Sacred Bureau.
Yet he wanted me. He wanted me by his side even revealing his secrets.
“Is it because I’m an Omega that you need me?”
“…I won’t deny it.”
I smiled.
It’s easier to have a clear reason than not knowing why he wants me.
Thinking of it as a transaction might let me interact with him more comfortably.
“Whenever you need to lift the curse of your abilities, call on me.”
I couldn’t completely lift the curse without engraving it, but I could reduce it enough so it wouldn’t go berserk.
I expected him to tell me to reduce the curse immediately, but Cassius brought up something else.
“So, what are your thoughts, Sonia?”
“I’d be happy if you called me to the Sacred Bureau first.”
“You don’t have to pretend to like it. Speak honestly.”
“Alright. To be honest…”
“Is it because of Michael?”
He seemed to have noticed that I petted Michael for personal reasons.
Ahem… Michael was part of the reason, sure.
“To be honest… it’s because of power.”
Priests of the Sacred Bureau hold such a high position that even imperial princes can’t treat them lightly.
Cassius chuckled.
“I like your honesty. Then I’ll assume Sonia will work at the Sacred Bureau from now on.”
“Yes! Thank you! But can I ask one question?”
“Yes, ask anything.”
“Am I going to become a confessor priest dealing with nobles?”
I didn’t have a department I wanted specifically, but Isaac had mentioned something.
The smile on Cassius’ lips stiffened slightly.
“Isaac said so?”
“I thought, since I learned court etiquette, this would suit me.”
“…If you want it, I’ll promote you to confessor priest. But I’d hate for you to meet another Alpha.”
It could be dangerous.
He added:
Since I knew etiquette, I was perfect for guiding nobles. But he didn’t want me to serve as a confessor priest.
‘He’s worried about me.’
If I met an Alpha, trouble could arise. It was considerate of him.
Cassius stared at me intently, imagining me, an Omega, counseling various believers and possibly encountering an Alpha.
I also realized it would be a disaster if that happened.
After thinking for a while, Cassius spoke.
“How about this? Would you like to learn pheromone control from me?”
“…Pheromone control?”
“Yes. Since we share secrets, I should teach you this much.”
I blinked at his words.
Ah, why didn’t I think of this before!
If I controlled my pheromones, my signature scent wouldn’t emit.
In a predator’s domain, only an Alpha could appear, so an Omega could control pheromones. I had forgotten that.
‘This is perfect.’
If I mastered control, I could live as a Beta unless I consciously released my pheromones.
“I want to learn! Absolutely!”
If I could properly regulate my pheromones, I wouldn’t need to worry about encountering random Alphas.
I could fully perform the role of a confessor priest.
Since I had to live as an Omega, I had to learn control as soon as possible.
Cassius thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Good. You’ll become a confessor priest once you can perfectly control your pheromones.”
“Yes.”
“First, I’ll teach you pheromone control.”
“Right now?”
“It’s urgent.”
He was right. If I unknowingly emitted Omega pheromones, I wouldn’t know which Alpha might be drawn to me.
Cassius raised his hand, and I instinctively grabbed it.
Guided by his hand, I sat on a nearby long sofa.
Sitting beside me, he said:
“Using pheromones is like using sacred power. You must first feel the strength within you.”
When I first awakened my sacred power, the first step was feeling the dormant strength within.
“I’ll try.”
“The first time won’t be easy. Take it step by step.”
“Okay.”
I closed my eyes and focused on the power. A strange sensation appeared at the back of my neck.
Sacred power is usually felt near the heart… could it be…?
‘Ah, this power?’
I found the pheromone power faster than expected. Exposure to Cassius’ pheromones last time probably triggered it.
I stimulated the pheromones. I felt something radiating from me.
A deep floral scent emerged.
It smelled of lily of the valley. On this continent, lily of the valley is nearly extinct, so its scent is rare. But in my past life, my boss liked it, and I had smelled it from air fresheners.
I liked the scent too and had savored it deeply.
‘What a nice smell.’
Who could dislike such a scent? I was completely absorbed in my pheromones.
“…Stop.”
A voice sounded as if trying to endure pain, and I opened my eyes.
Cassius, who had been beside me, was now at a distance.
Leaning against the wall, he glared at me, breathing heavily.
His eyes were fierce, as if he might bite my neck.
“Your Majesty?”
Had I done something wrong?
Cassius let out a low sigh.
“…Your pheromones are strong.”
His suppressed voice concerned me, so I looked at him again.
Cassius avoided my gaze, but the tips of his ears were bright red.
I had tried to control my pheromones, but apparently, I had overdone it.
“Are you okay?”
“…Yes.”
His voice did not sound okay at all.
I cupped the back of my neck where I felt the power.
I tried to control it like sacred power, but Cassius still struggled.
“How do you… control it?”
“First, release the… uh.”
He might pass out!
Even an Omega’s scent can be dangerous if too strong for an Alpha.
I had to calm him before it affected him negatively.
I tried, but I could only feel that the released pheromones were out of control. Panic made me lose focus, and the power seemed to run wild.
Cassius spoke, struggling.
“Think of… someone you love…”
“Huh?”
“Thinking of someone you love… will help…”
Someone I love? Nothing comes to mind. No partner, no fiancée from noble families either.
For now, I tried Eli, my long-time roommate.
It didn’t budge. Next, I thought of my beloved parents and Lancelot.
Oh, it seemed effective; I could feel the runaway pheromones stabilizing.
I couldn’t completely suppress them, but it felt like more than half was gone.
“How is it now?”
“Much better.”
“Phew, thank goodness.”
I relaxed on the sofa. I really thought something serious might happen.
People had actually suffocated and died from someone else’s pheromones.
I almost caused an accident just by trying to help. I slumped in embarrassment.
“You calmed quickly. Who did you think of?”
His voice was slightly sharp, as if on alert.
