Chapter 5. Endure It, Hang In There!
While Liam was shaking down Chief Willem in search of Burkin, she had already quietly returned to the Tower’s first-floor hall.
“What are you talking about? Me, in the Item Development Department?”
“Aren’t you Burkin Redfield?”
The woman at the desk spoke with a slightly annoyed tone. Burkin couldn’t blame her, but she couldn’t stop questioning either.
“I was definitely assigned to the Service Division at headquarters…!”
“Shall I repeat it again? Burkin Redfield, Item Development Department, Project Team. I’m not sure what more you want me to read.”
The woman’s voice was unusually sharp. Sensing that, Burkin stopped herself from protesting.
Right, it’s not this woman’s fault.
Standing in front of the desk, Burkin lifted her head, unsure what to do. She cautiously asked, watching the woman’s expression.
“Um, may I ask what my position is…?”
“You’re currently a trainee researcher.”
“…Excuse me?”
The woman’s eyes sharpened again at Burkin’s instinctive reaction. Unable to stay there any longer, Burkin trudged away from the desk.
She had nowhere to go. She wasn’t with the Service Division, and heading to the 8th floor would just confirm her place in Item Development…
Her defeated footsteps eventually led her to the Tower’s indoor garden. It was a glass-walled artificial garden in the center of the grand hall—costly and heavily enchanted, but quite beautiful.
Thud.
She plopped down on a brown wooden bench. Her neatly pressed gray pants wrinkled, but she didn’t care.
What now? Go back to HQ and grab that bastard Gendall by the scalp?
Ah, right. He’s bald.
Useless thoughts ran through her head. Gendall, that damn Chief Gendall… As she muttered his name again and again, Burkin looked down at her wrist.
The watch issued by HQ was still strapped on. Though it was only useful for contacting HQ personnel and was supposed to be replaced after transfers, she had kept it due to its value.
Ah—my watch!
The device wasn’t only for internal use; it was designed to contact HQ staff even while out in the field. Cursing herself for not thinking of it sooner, Burkin hastily began manipulating it.
She set the hour hand to 5, minute hand to 58, and second hand to 12. A faint blue glow enveloped the watch.
Beep…
The familiar Tower PR tune rang in her ears. Not long after, someone picked up.
―“…Burkin? What’s going on…?”
It was Chief Gendall, his voice sour. He seemed genuinely surprised to hear from her so soon after she’d left for Deepdale. Burkin cleared her throat and answered.
“Hello, Chief Gendall. This is Burkin Redfield.”
Her heart pounded with nerves, but she greeted him like the seasoned vice she was. Bursting into anger wouldn’t help.
―“…Right. How’s Deepdale treating you? If I recall, your start date was around now.”
“Chief Gendall.”
―“Mm? What is it?”
“I’m sorry, but I just arrived and was told I’ve been assigned as a trainee researcher in the Item Development Department’s project team. Could you please explain what this is about…?”
Gendall had made it clear. If she worked as a deputy at Deepdale for a few years, she’d return to HQ in an even higher position.
Believing that, she’d agreed to transfer out to the provinces. Her lips trembled in frustration.
―“Ah, that? Haha. You know, don’t you? Item Dev pays better and has better perks than the Service Division. I arranged a good spot for you.”
“What! What are you even talking about?!”
Haa…
Burkin moved her mouth away from the watch and let out a long, deep sigh. Gendall’s irresponsibility was palpable.
―“I’ve got an old friend in Deepdale, so I asked him to look after you. He said there was a great spot available. This will be a good opportunity for you.”
Yeah, if I were a magical engineer.
Burkin had attended a magic academy, but never took advanced courses in magical engineering. Her only exposure was a shared 1st-year course, Magic Mathematics II.
By 2nd year, students had to choose between the Magic or Magical Engineering departments. She picked Magic without hesitation. It felt doable with effort (though it wasn’t), but Magical Engineering? Just the math alone made her nauseous.
And now she was supposed to join the Item Dev Department?
She imagined her future there—getting ignored by teammates, being useless, then quitting in misery.
“…Chief Gendall.”
―“Mm? Still there?”
“I’m sorry, but this position feels undeserved. I took pride in the work I did in the Service Division. If possible—”
―“You’re saying you don’t appreciate my consideration?”
His voice took a cold turn. Burkin instantly sensed his displeasure. Years in the workplace had trained her to recognize these signs.
But if she backed down now, she’d be stuck in Item Dev for good. Putting on her most pitiful voice, Burkin spoke carefully.
“Yes, I really appreciate your consideration, but—”
―“Fine. I’ll contact my friend and get your reassignment processed.”
Beep. Click.
Did he… hang up?
That bald bastard?
Burkin’s mind spun. What was happening?
The biggest clue: Gendall had cut her off and said his piece. That meant one thing.
Chief Gendall was sulking.
Burkin shot up and ran back to the desk.
Though the distance was short, her heels doubled the effort. She slapped a hand on the desk and asked, eyes filled with panic:
“Can you please recheck Burkin Redfield’s assignment?”
“Huh? I just checked a moment ag—Oh! A new notice just came in.”
Her throat bobbed.
“Burkin Redfield… Service Division, Team 3.”
“T-Team 3?”
They always claimed team numbers didn’t matter—but that was complete BS.
Burkin, who had been reassigned from Team 6 to Team 1 after three years at HQ, knew better than anyone what the numbers meant: the number of rookies in each team. Team 1 had one newbie. Team 3 had three.
In other words, the bigger the number, the more useless idiots there were.
Still, it was fine. She was an outsider who had just arrived in Deepdale. With some effort, she could work her way up to Team 1 again. All she had to do was prove herself.
…But what about her rank?
“Um, my position…?”
“Oh, Burkin Redfield? Let’s see… You’re a vice.”
Son of a…
Bald. Son of a bitch!
Burkin squeezed her eyes shut.
“You’ll obviously be at the deputy level. Spending three years there could be a great opportunity.”
Obviously at deputy level? She was a fool to believe that.
Not a single word from that sleazy bald man should’ve been trusted.
Burkin clenched her teeth as her rage boiled over.
Tears don’t come only from sadness. When you’re truly furious, they fall too. As she felt her eyes sting, Burkin bit the inside of her cheek to hold it in.
“Um… Are you okay?”
“Yes. Thank you for your concern.”
Despite her reddened eyes, she answered in a perfectly calm voice, bowed once, and walked away.
The woman at the desk mumbled to herself, watching her retreating figure.
“…Feels weird, like I just made a beauty cry.”
If I’d known this would happen, I should’ve just endured Helaine’s tyranny.
She had already seen and endured everything back at HQ. Following a senior’s advice to hold out no matter what (though that senior had left long ago), she survived by eating in bathroom stalls.
So why hadn’t she endured Helaine’s tyranny too? Burkin knew herself well. She always said it was hard, but once she committed, she endured.
She had survived a noble-dominated academy where commoners like her were looked down on, and even endured the creepy superior who touched her rear.
Even when she thought she’d die, remembering her single mother and young sibling made it all seem like nothing.
Burkin regretted her foolish decision again and again. But it was too late now. After a deep breath, she knocked on the door before her.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
A woman’s voice. So the chief here was a woman. Still, she was Gendall’s friend. Burkin lowered her expectations and stepped in, posture upright.
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Burkin Redfield, newly assigned from HQ.”
“Ah, welcome. You’re Burkin Redfield, right? Originally assigned to Item Development, then moved to us?”
“…Yes, that’s me. I’m sorry if the sudden change caused any trouble.”
Still dazed, Burkin replied awkwardly.
Wasn’t a boss usually arrogant? But this chief, her silvery-white hair neatly swept back, was speaking politely to a lowly vice like her.
Was she really friends with that bastard Gendall?
“No, not at all. We’re really short on staff here in Deepdale… Besides, who would say no to someone like you? Oh, I heard you’re from Turfmoor Academy?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Hmm, how rare. A Turfmoor graduate coming to backwater Deepdale? I mean, I’m glad, though.”
The chief stood from her chair and approached with graceful, long strides. Her suit fit her slender waist and long legs perfectly.
She extended her hand.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Adret Venus. You can call me Chief Adret.”
“Oh… Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Burkin Redfield. Please call me however you like.”
Burkin took her hand politely with both of hers. Chief Adret smiled and gently pulled one of Burkin’s hands away.
Now holding only one hand, she lightly shook it.
“A handshake isn’t done with both hands. If I wanted a gesture of reverence, I wouldn’t have offered my hand.”
Burkin stared blankly as Chief Adret returned to her seat and lifted a teacup with elegant fingers—her pinky poised as perfectly as her poise.
“Hmm? Burkin, you’re free to go. Team 3 is the third door down the hall.”
Could she really be friends with Gendall? Burkin couldn’t shake the doubt.
She was furious that someone like Gendall had such an amazing person in his life. Honestly, if not for that connection, Chief Adret would be someone Burkin aspired to become.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“I’m a Turfmoor graduate too. Haha. It’s nice to meet a fellow alum. Let’s do our best together.”
At that moment, Burkin was certain.
Chief Gendall… was probably the one and only stain on Chief Adret’s otherwise flawless life.
💬 Wise Tower Life Tip!
Most Chiefs are in their late 50s. Chief Adret is a youthful 53!
