Chapter 45
The Most Useless Duel in the World (1)
“A… line?”
It wasn’t like I hadn’t considered how it might look—that my promotion was a result of being in someone’s line. Still, I’d gotten so many headaches recently that the word made my scalp prickle.
“It’s more like support than a line, I’d say.”
“The First-Class Secretary’s probably already thinking about what to do with you when he becomes Chancellor. Didn’t he call you up to the rooftop the other day to talk? Pretty sure that was him telling you to stay on his good side.”
Apparently, Lucan had already seen through everything about that arrogant man. When I didn’t deny it, he only shrugged like he’d expected as much.
“Leo’s an assistant clerk, so no one’s going to bother him, but you got promoted to Junior Secretary overnight. You should be careful.”
“Is that so.”
Since I’d already chosen to go my own way, his warning didn’t hit that hard. Still, Lucan finished his meal with impressive efficiency. Seriously… what a skill.
“I think the Finance Minister had a reason for recommending you. I saw that document, you know. What you wrote on your first day—it wasn’t something a beginner could’ve done. I get why he chose you.”
So that’s why he didn’t treat me with hostility and approached me so naturally. For someone with such an easygoing personality, Lucan’s judgment was remarkably practical. No wonder he was already head of his family.
“Thanks for the heads-up. That was helpful.”
We left the cafeteria and began walking slowly toward the Chancellor’s Office. Lucan waved a hand dismissively.
“Don’t mention it. The Finance Minister’s usually calm, but when he does get angry, he’s terrifying. I’ve seen a few Finance Ministry folks end up in tears after getting roasted alive.”
“Really?”
That was unexpected—I’d never seen that side of him.
Wait… didn’t they say the Finance Minister was the Duke’s mentor?
Suddenly, everything started to make sense.
And now, unintentionally, I looked like I’d joined that line. This was going to need some careful navigation.
“Oh, right. One more thing—be careful,” Lucan added with a slightly troubled look. The list of things I needed to watch out for was getting longer by the minute.
“Elicia’s been acting a little… sharp lately.”
“Why? I don’t have any issues with her.”
“I know. But you know how some people get territorial. She really doesn’t like you. Probably because there was a lot going on that first day.”
I couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh.
“If she’s got a problem, shouldn’t she be talking to the Finance Minister instead of me?”
“If she were that rational, I wouldn’t be warning you right now.”
“Noted.”
Lucan’s warning came true sooner than I thought.
“Junior Secretary Cornelia.”
Elicia Langford approached my desk with a cold expression and dropped a document onto it with a sharp thud.
“I think there are a few typos in here. Rewrite it.”
I had already checked it thoroughly—there were none—but I didn’t make a fuss.
“Yes, of course.”
I rewrote it and handed it back. But that wasn’t the end of it.
“Finish these by today.”
A thick pile of documents landed in my hands. I smiled sweetly.
“Is it urgent?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
I picked up the pace for the first time in a while and finished them before the end of the day, placing them neatly on her desk.
The next morning, an even taller stack awaited me. Elicia’s expression was sour despite me having met her demand perfectly.
“Are these urgent too?”
“Yes. Can’t handle it?”
“Not at all.”
I debated how far to play along, then decided I’d had enough. After verifying a few things, I clocked out on time.
The next day, Elicia stormed over, her face red with anger.
“You didn’t finish yesterday’s work! What’s the meaning of this?”
“There was too much to get done in one day.”
“I told you it was urgent! I said it had to be done!”
I smiled lightly, as if reassuring a child.
“Well, while you were out yesterday, the Finance Minister came by. He asked if it was urgent, and I told him what it was. He said to take my time, so I made sure it wouldn’t affect your duties.”
Elicia scoffed.
“And why exactly are you checking with the Finance Minister? I’m the one in charge.”
“Oh, he said it was for a direct report. Since you weren’t here, I asked him myself. Sorry for not updating you sooner.”
Lucan chimed in from nearby.
“Yeah, I heard that too. That wasn’t urgent, right? Even the document you redid last week—Finance Minister said it was fine. What’s the problem?”
Elicia’s face went from pink to bright scarlet, practically steaming. I decided to toss in a little more fuel.
“Junior Secretary Elicia, I may have been promoted recently, but since we’re of the same rank now, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak to me like I’m your subordinate.”
A loud voice cut through the office.
“You!”
Elicia Langford was shaking, pointing a trembling finger at me.
“You think getting promoted overnight makes you untouchable?!”
“Elicia, calm down.”
Lucan tried to intervene, but she was past reason. I didn’t flinch or play meek like before—I just looked at her steadily, waiting to see what else she’d spit out.
“So what if the Finance Minister likes you? You think this job’s easy? You think you’re that amazing? That competent?”
It was absurd. I wanted to answer, but honestly, what could I say? There was no logic, no reason—just pure, baseless fury.
“My promotion was the Finance Minister’s decision. If you think it’s unfair, maybe you should take it up with—”
“If you’re that great, then… compete with me!”
“…What?”
Her shout rang through the office, and silence followed like a curtain dropping.
Did I just hear that right?
“What…?”
“A duel. Let’s have a work duel, you and me!”
I blinked. She was actually serious.
Across from me stood a girl with perfectly braided golden hair and round glasses—Elicia Langford, model of restraint—now looking like she’d lost her mind.
“You’re not scared, are you?” she challenged, smirking.
A duel like this made no sense. Even if she lost, she’d face no consequences—while I stood to lose everything.
But I decided quickly.
“No, not scared. Let’s do it. A work duel.”
God, even the name sounded ridiculous.
“If I win, you’ll go to the Finance Minister yourself and ask to be demoted back to assistant clerk.”
A steep risk for me—but also an opportunity. If I could get through this, maybe the hazing would finally stop.
“Fine. But if I win, you’ll recognize me as your equal—and apologize, formally.”
Not that there was much to gain for me, but still. Elicia nodded confidently.
“Deal.”
“And who’s judging? Anyone we pick will probably be biased.”
Before either of us could speak, a tall red-haired man stepped forward.
“The Second-Class Secretaries will. Victor and I will set the task and evaluate your work.”
I frowned. Great—two people who probably belonged to the same clique. But Lucan whispered from beside me,
“It’s fine. Better them than the First-Class Secretary.”
He wasn’t wrong. Victor stepped up beside Lucius, both standing before us.
“We’ll keep it simple,” Lucius said with an easy smile, handing us each a sheet of paper.
“One of a Junior Secretary’s main duties is to convert meeting notes into official statements. You’ll rewrite what’s written here into a document fit for public release.”
“Time limit: fifteen minutes. We’ll compare the results openly.”
I glanced at the paper.
The original text read:
“Land maintenance outside the capital will begin early next month. Citizens’ cooperation is required. Due to lack of supplies, no assistance will be provided during the work.”
“Robbers,” I muttered under my breath.
My brows furrowed instinctively.
So this was a document beautification duel.
Take something politically awful and make it sound… palatable.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Elicia already scribbling with intense focus.
I thought back to every public apology, PR statement, and internal notice I’d ever seen in my working life.
Well… no matter how I phrase it, it’s still an order to work your body to death without pay.
My head throbbed.
Still, this was familiar territory.
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