Episode 8:
Undercover Job (part4)
Temia rolled her eyes wildly, trying to find the silhouette of the voice she was hearing.
And then, a bird flew toward her — a bluebird that had been standing still on the bed.
Thinking it was coming to peck her again, Temia quickly grabbed her pillow to swat it away like a fly.
> “I didn’t think you’d be this surprised.”
The bird’s beak slowly opened, and it spoke.
> Wait. The bird just talked? No way. Birds don’t talk… right? What if I’m still dreaming?
Temia loosened her grip on the pillow in shock.
The bird — noticing her relaxing — kept talking.
> “Sorry. I’m a summoned spirit named Lerry. My master told me to wake you up. He said he’s going to explain what you’ll be doing as his assistant, starting today. There’s a lot to prepare before opening the workshop, so he also said you should start waking up early from now on.”
> “…Huh?”
> “Did I speak too fast? Let me slow down. In short — please change your clothes and come downstairs to the first floor. My master is waiting to explain your duties!”
A summoned spirit.
She had vaguely heard about them back in the academy.
Normally, summoning spirits took a lot of mana, so most mages avoided it unless absolutely necessary.
But of course — this man, who would one day ruin an entire nation — must be insanely powerful.
He was the kind of guy who used a summoned creature just to wake someone up.
Temia felt overwhelmed.
> So I’ll be dealing with this kind of monster from now on…?
> “Hold on… So you’re saying you’re Roem’s summoned spirit?”
Hoping — just maybe — there was a mistake, she asked.
> “Yes! And I’ll be your guide from now on, too!”
That hope died instantly.
Temia sighed and forced her slumped shoulders to straighten.
> “I know today might be a little tough since it’s your first day, but hang in there! I’m here to help!”
Thinking her disappointed face was just nerves, Lerry flapped his wings and flew onto her shoulder.
> “Also, please speak casually with me! I might look mature, but I’ve only been ‘alive’ for three years!”
> “Three years…? What do you mean by that?”
> “I’m three years old.”
Wink!
The bird winked with one eye, and Temia’s brain went completely blank.
> Did a bird just wink at me?!
A talking bird was already strange. But a winking bird?!
Sure, she’d heard about summoned creatures before — but not ones that talked and acted like this.
Trying to snap out of it, Temia dragged her tired body to wash up and change. Even as she moved, she kept mumbling to herself:
> “The bird… talks… It actually… talks…”
There was another thought she didn’t dare say aloud:
> How does a heartless man like him have such a cute and cheerful summoned creature?!
Everything felt off.
Ever since she met him, nothing had gone the way she expected.
By the time she snapped out of her daze and walked downstairs, the clock read exactly 8 a.m.
She had barely slept and was thrown into chaos from the moment she woke up.
And now — her very first day — she was late.
Feeling awkward, she slowly stepped into the shop.
Standing in the center of the room was the wizard himself — Roem.
He looked up at her footsteps and smiled casually.
> “Well, you’re early! I was just reviewing some things before officially getting started.”
Thankfully, he didn’t seem angry. He wasn’t even scolding her — just teasing a little.
> “That paper in your hand — do I just follow it?”
Temia asked, still a bit out of it.
Roem nodded lightly.
He gestured toward a nearby table.
Temia sat up straight, and he took the seat across from her.
> “Yes, that’s right. I wrote it just in case, but there’s more to it. If you have questions later, ask me or the bird. You two seem to be getting along.”
He pointed to something, and Temia followed his hand — only to find Lerry sitting on her shoulder.
> KYAAAA!!!
She screamed inwardly but tried not to show it.
Lerry rubbed his head against her cheek — soft and warm.
Temia steadied herself, and Roem continued.
> “Let me give a quick explanation. As you might’ve guessed — this is a magic shop. The third floor is the living space. Only the first floor is open to visitors. Remember that.”
> “What about the second floor?”
> “That’s my personal research space. I manage it, so you don’t have to worry — just clean it once a week.”
> “Okay.”
Temia carefully stored every bit of information in her head.
That second floor… might hold secrets. She’d have to sneak in someday.
She gripped her hands tightly. A little sweat formed between her fingers.
Noticing this, Roem said bluntly:
> “You don’t have to be so nervous. It’s not like you can run away now.”
> “What…?”
> “You didn’t read the contract yesterday? You agreed to stay for three months — no matter what. I added that because too many assistants kept quitting.”
> Yup. Makes sense… Who could survive this guy?
Temia offered a brief moment of silence for her unknown predecessors.
Still, she had her own reason to stay.
This was her only legal way to watch him, investigate, and find proof.
If she took him down before the engagement with Kaili even started, her friend’s future would be safe.
He seemed like just a grumpy man right now, but Temia knew there had to be something darker hiding inside.
And she was the only one who could uncover it.
> “Your main job will be helping with the store. Once you get better, I’ll give you more responsibilities. Most new assistants make a lot of mistakes early on.”
> “I see…”
> “If you don’t show progress, I’ll end the contract. Can you do a good job, Temia? Please don’t run away.”
> Ugh, since yesterday, all he does is insult me…
Temia clenched her teeth, wanting to reach across and twist his smug mouth — but held herself back.
> Is this what all wizards are like? No social skills at all?
She was honestly stunned at how rude he was.
> “If I wanted to run, I would’ve done it last night.”
She muttered the words.
And then — she realized the little bird on her shoulder had gone stiff.
> Wait… Did I say that out loud?!
Oh no.
Temia nervously looked away, trying to hide her mistake.
Roem calmly shifted his gaze elsewhere and acted like nothing had happened.
> “At the academy — were you just a student? No work experience?”
> “Well… I was a student, but I also helped as a research assistant.”
She wasn’t officially a researcher — just helped her professor.
Still, it was something.
She felt a little embarrassed and fidgeted, hiding her hands behind her back.
> “Do you know how to sell things? Basically, we just sell magic potions and enchanted goods here. Most customers just buy what they need and leave.”
> Is he saying my experience is good enough?
Feeling relieved, Temia answered softly.
> “I think I can do well.”
> “Then…”
> “Did I pass?”
> “Sure, let’s say you did.”
Temia’s face lit up a little.
> So it’s official now?
But then — something felt off.
The way Roem was smiling was… annoying.
> He’s way too smug.
Maybe things were going too smoothly. It made her uneasy.
She took a deep breath and asked her final question.
> “One last thing.”
> “Yes?”
> “You said earlier that most people just buy and leave… That makes it sound like some don’t. What kind of people are they?”
