Chapter 2
New employees were split into teams for a three-month trainee period.
The group I ended up in included Yuliana and the mage tower’s sub-male lead.
‘Did the author assign teams by grades and then regret it? Why is this so careless?’
The top-ranked heroine, the second-ranked sub-male lead, and even me—the last place.
Our classmates had plenty to say about it.
“Wow, that’s the top group. Except for one person?”
“Pfft, why were the teams split like that?”
Yeah, the original author probably did it.
‘If I studied while working at an orphanage all day, isn’t it already impressive even if I’m last?’
Having the lowest exam score does affect your career prospects.
But this exhausted former office worker had no intention of chasing promotions.
‘Even if I got promoted, I’d just become a middle manager and suffer more underlings.’
Middle management is the worst job ever…
“Haa.”
For a moment, I almost teared up remembering my past-life trauma.
But I couldn’t waste energy on useless emotions.
Anyway, things were progressing exactly like the original story.
‘The heroine and sub-male lead both go to the Black Underpaid Department.’
The imperial palace departments were divided into three major categories.
First, the “Central Administration Department.”
It included familiar public offices like labor and education departments, similar to modern Korea.
Second, the “Mage Knight Department,” responsible for magical enforcement and security.
‘And finally, the Black Magic Collection and Suppression Department.’
…aka the Black Underpaid Department.
‘The most overworked department in the entire story!’
Since black magic was essentially “murder magic,” strong magical skill was required to handle it.
Naturally, only elite personnel were assigned there.
This year, only two positions were available.
‘Heh. Then I’m safe.’
There’s no way they’d choose me over the heroine and sub-male lead.
I’d just casually rotate through departments during training and cling to a decent one like a leech.
‘I should at least maintain decent relationships during the trainee period.’
When I arrived at the trainee team’s meeting point, Yuliana—who had arrived first—welcomed me with a bright smile.
“Layla! You’re here!”
“Hi, Yuliana.”
Good. The heroine side didn’t seem like a problem.
But the real issue was the sub-male lead.
Seamus Finley.
Purple hair, pale skin, deep cold black eyes.
A handsome man with a cat-like face and a slightly decadent aura.
‘He’s the son of the current mage tower lord, and later he becomes the tower lord himself, right?’
The mage tower operates independently from the imperial palace, and he and the heroine are supposed to develop a rivalry storyline.
But more than romance flags like that…
‘Wow, look at that outfit.’
He looked like a new hire who showed up in business casual… but wearing rubber slippers dragged lazily.
‘And he’s even wearing a skull bracelet.’
My buried “grumpy old office worker” instincts started rising.
Damn it, I need to bite my tongue.
Still, since we had to work in the same team, I tried to speak casually.
“Hi, Finley.”
“……”
“Let’s get along from today.”
“……”
Only then did he glance at me sideways.
Then he turned his head away!
‘This guy… this socially broken guy.’
Was he ignoring everyone except the heroine because she was the top ranker?
‘Fine. From now on, you’re just “purple head” to me.’
But I didn’t have time to sulk.
We had to rotate through all departments within three months.
And unfortunately, our first-week assignment was the Black Underpaid Department.
And the scene we witnessed there was…
“Oh my goodness.”
Yuliana covered her mouth.
Every few seconds, documents were appearing in the air with a pop.
And they were stacking up.
‘The mountain of paperwork is growing!’
Meanwhile, the original male lead, Carlisle Luphex, was staring at the rising pile.
The current heir of the Northern Duke House.
Even though he could comfortably live off his noble status, he devoted himself to eliminating black magic—true noble sacrifice.
‘And like every romance-fantasy male lead, he has hidden family secrets and trauma.’
The heroine will fix that anyway. I ignored it.
More importantly, he was staring at the growing mountain of paperwork.
With eyes full of sorrow.
I closed my eyes tightly, remembering my past life.
‘I didn’t realize when reading it…!’
Even the male lead of a romance fantasy novel is a miserable office worker in this world!
This place is worse than an apocalypse!
“Welcome to the Black Underpaid Department, new recruits.”
But suffering is suffering, and work is work.
The male lead composed himself and greeted us.
“Have you heard about what our department does?”
Yuliana nodded energetically.
“Yes, Lord Luphex.”
“You don’t need formal titles. This isn’t a banquet.”
“Ah, b-but…”
It made sense she was nervous. Even though commoners could now enter the palace bureaucracy…
‘It’s still a relatively recent change.’
And the Luphex family was one of the founding noble houses.
So it was natural to use honorifics.
But the workaholic, practical male lead shook his head.
“Just call me senior and junior. And Lowell.”
“Yes, sir.”
“How much do you know about black magic?”
“Black magic is magic cast with malicious intent.”
‘Malicious intent’ wasn’t just something like “ugh, my boss making me work overtime is annoying.”
It meant a hatred strong enough to completely destroy another person.
Only that level of intent could turn normal magic into black magic.
“The Black Underpaid Department prevents and eliminates the distribution of artifacts that trigger black magic.”
“That’s correct. And recently, we’re a bit short-staffed.”
A bit?
The paper pile is literally growing, and that’s “a bit”?
Maybe noticing my expression, he coughed awkwardly. So he’s embarrassed too?
“Cough. Then let’s start with some light paperwork. All three of you, this way.”
So this is what “a bit short-staffed” means—deploying trainees immediately. Wonderful workplace environment.
He led us to a desk where the paperwork pile was slightly lower.
On it were three vintage typewriters.
There were no computers or internet in this world. Documents were made using these.
You attach a magic thread to the corner of a document to send it somewhere…
“Whoa.”
Like sending an email attachment, the paper and object would vanish with a pop.
“Today’s task is basic. Send simple reports to the people listed here.”
He handed us stacks of documents.
‘Oh, manual labor from day one.’
This is basically copy-paste errand work, fantasy-style! Amazing!
But as I looked through the documents, I frowned.
‘Hmm, the content differs slightly depending on the recipient…’
If I’m not careful, this will become a headache later.
Then Yuliana raised her hand hesitantly.
“Um, Lord Luphex… senior. I’ve never used this typewriter before. Could you explain once more?”
“Alright.”
I glanced at the male lead explaining it to the heroine.
For the first time since regaining my past-life memories, my heart fluttered slightly.
‘Oh… this is actually a very nice setup.’
The heroine has a rivalry storyline with Purple Head (sub-male lead), a “this is interesting” dynamic with the hidden villain minister, and with the male lead…
A classic “mutual salvation” relationship.
Both the heroine and male lead had lost their families due to black magic.
It was caused by a curse placed by black mages on noble houses.
【“I already know what you’ve been through. So, Crosswell…”
“Yes, senior.”
“I… want to be someone who can help you.”
“…Me too. I want to be someone you can rely on as well.”】
Yes, please fall in love nicely while also cleaning up black magic.
That way I can slack off and live peacefully.
Heh. Even my thoughts are embarrassingly small and selfish.
After finishing his explanation, the male lead sighed while looking at me and Purple Head.
“Any other questions?”
I slowly raised my hand.
Before starting work, there was something I hadn’t been told.
“Um, sen— senior?”
“What is it, Lowell?”
“What writing style should we use consistently?”
“Hm?”
Surprised, he looked at me as I picked up a few documents.
“It seems like the formatting differs depending on the document’s purpose.”
Some were written in fancy cursive.
Others in clean, readable print.
‘It looks like each has its own system, but I need confirmation.’
At that moment, the male lead’s red eyes flashed.
