Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Indefinite Contractor Receives Rewards
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A week had already passed since the mages dispatched to the north returned to the Magic Tower.
Unlike the other mages who jumped right back into their duties,
Daniel was currently adapting to the dramatically changed office life.
Why? Simple.
The attitudes of the Magic Tower mages had flipped overnight.
"Long time no see, Daniel. Want to grab lunch together? It's on me."
"Let me know anytime if there's anything I can help with."
"Got some time? Let's have a cup of tea, Daniel. I just got some fine leaves in."
What the hell is this?
Daniel was bewildered.
These were the regular employees who wouldn't even glance his way before.
But lately, they were the ones initiating greetings, acting friendly, and cracking jokes.
Something he couldn't have imagined before the northern dispatch.
Daniel gave a wry smile at the quick about-face from those who'd been too busy looking down on him.
Is it because of the magic stones? Makes sense. Nothing sweeter to a mage than those crumbs.
Daniel figured the regulars were eyeing the 20kg of top-grade magic stones he possessed.
There was no item more coveted by mages.
But that was the judgment of Daniel, the indefinite contractor who'd returned to company life with his brain checked at the door. The reality was different.
Of course, it would be a lie to say the magic stones weren't tempting.
But the regulars' sudden friendliness toward Daniel stemmed from an entirely different reason.
Don't let the indefinite contractor title fool you. This guy's the next big power player.
Titania's faction has been on the rise lately. They say he's her right-hand man? Getting close could help me hitch my wagon to them later.
Just the rewards from the north guarantee mid-grade 5th Circle Expert. And if the Magic Tower Lord adds his own... No reason not to buddy up. Gotta get in good!
To survive in the Magic Tower rife with scheming and intrigue, one needed not just magical prowess but a keen nose for power shifts.
The mages knew it well.
Leona might be the hero of the northern dispatch, but Daniel was the one reaping real gains.
He'd received commendations and medals from the Northern Archduke, knighthood and magic stones from the heir Rainer.
And that wasn't all.
Blue Jazer from the Magic Tower Lord, high-grade elixir aids from Elder Zeke.
With those, who knew how high he could soar? It was impossible to gauge.
He might be the closest to 5th Circle Master in the entire tower.
5th Circle Master.
A high-ranking Magic Tower executive and Archmage, not even thirty yet.
Reach that height, and Daniel's path to success was assured.
Hostility toward someone likely to become your superior was folly. Befriending him was the smart play.
That was why the regulars were cozying up to Daniel.
Of course, it was all a delusion.
A ridiculous one at that.
If Daniel, who had zero intention of going regular, heard it, he'd have snapped, "You drinking too much kimchi soup?"
But it wasn't entirely their fault.
"Daniel."
"Yes? What is it?"
"The Magic Tower Lord summons you."
"...!!!"
With bait like that sprinkled constantly, who wouldn't get the wrong idea?
Finally, the moment had arrived.
The day the indefinite contractor Daniel would receive official rewards from the Magic Tower.
The Magic Tower Lord's room at the tower's peak was a compact workshop and library.
Dozens of flasks and magic catalysts filled the lab.
Bookshelves stretched endlessly along the walls.
Selling just what's in this room could cover the tower's weekly budget, right?
The thought came unbidden.
The owner of this opulently lavish space for any mage—the Magic Tower Lord and 6th Circle Master, Dias—greeted Daniel warmly.
"Come in, Daniel. First time seeing your face like this."
"Greetings, Magic Tower Lord."
"You did fine work up north. Without you, the tower's reputation would've taken a serious hit."
"I merely performed my duties to the best of my ability."
"Tsk tsk. Duties, eh? Just as I heard. Sit."
Dias gestured to a seat.
Looking at Daniel across from him, the Tower Lord spoke.
"Truth be told, I first thought the regulars were slacking off. But after checking, no. My mistake. Even another regular wouldn't have changed much."
The Tower Lord paused, then stated firmly.
"How could desk jockeys beat a field operative as capable as you?"
"Thank you for the high praise."
"Heh heh. Just calling it as I see it."
The Tower Lord let out a hearty laugh.
"An able fellow like you stuck as indefinite contractor. Such a shame."
"You're too kind. How can I compare to true regulars who passed the formal exams?"
"Hahaha! Humble too. Rare find these days."
After some chit-chat, the Tower Lord got to the point.
"No fun yapping with an old coot like me anyway. To business—you guessed it, rewards. Artifact discount voucher, special bonus pay, official 5th Circle Black Mage license, and Infinite Archive access pass."
Jackpot!
Daniel inwardly cheered.
The other rewards were impressive, but what set his heart racing was the Infinite Archive!
The Magic Tower's core, holding all knowledge, research, and magic texts from every mage since its founding!
The holy grail every mage dreamed of visiting—a magical treasure trove!
Only the Tower Lord could access it freely.
Even the six elders got just 20 days a year; more required special permission.
Daniel's eyes sparkled at the chance to use such a precious place.
"Here's your pass. Check it."
At the Tower Lord's gesture, a document stamped with a golden seal flew from somewhere and landed before Daniel.
Let's see... Huh?
"Um, Tower Lord?"
"Yes?"
"The access period... it's a bit off."
"How so?"
"It says six weeks."
"That's right. Perfectly normal."
"Pardon???"
Daniel was stunned.
He'd figured a week at most, but six times that? No wonder.
The Tower Lord chuckled at Daniel, question marks swirling in his head.
"Heh. Heard you were straightforward, and you are. Listen, Daniel. I'm a mage."
"Y-yes?"
"Equivalent exchange is our creed. You donated 40kg of magic stones. I haven't paid up yet, have I?"
"Eh?"
Whoa. It came back like this?
Daniel was floored.
He'd given away the stuff because it'd burst his gut otherwise and he hated the backlash at work. Never dreamed it'd return as mega-rewards.
He's pretty shocked. Fair enough.
Watching the speechless indefinite contractor mage moved(?) by his own gift, the Tower Lord pondered.
His reason for this decision was simple.
Time to rein in the underlings.
He'd originally planned a week.
Two for a regular, but excessive rewards for an indefinite contractor could backfire.
But Daniel's 40kg donation changed his mind.
An indefinite contractor shows this loyalty to the tower, and what do the regulars do? Tsk. No one worth a damn.
The mages weren't entirely disloyal to the tower.
But when push came to shove, personal ambition trumped organizational loyalty.
Then this man appeared before him.
A mage who'd proven loyalty with his body, prioritizing the organization's logic over personal advancement.
A rare loyalist talent.
After dealing with shameless subordinates obsessed with self-interest, this was refreshing.
No need to spell out how the Tower Lord saw Daniel.
Leaders cherish and nurture precious talent.
Basic virtue.
It also sent a message to the regulars.
What makes you better than indefinite contractor mage Daniel?
To the Tower Lord, Daniel was a symbol.
That he valued indefinite contractors over regulars now.
Because they were more loyal and competent!
How would the regulars react?
Not hard to guess.
Better to nurture loyalty to the tower than mere talent.
His aim: shatter the regulars' arrogance.
And weed out those spurred to prove "I won't lose to an indefinite contractor!" by pledging loyalty to him and the tower.
A scheme on heavenly levels from the man atop the scheming Magic Tower.
Whoa, six weeks? Never even dreamed it. Huge win. Living the dream.
Blissfully unaware of the Tower Lord's machinations, indefinite contractor Daniel simply rejoiced.
Years later, he'd write in his diary:
[If I could feel that thrill again, I'd donate another 40kg of magic stones.]
The doors to the Infinite Archive opened after a long time.
The dream paradise every Magic Tower mage yearned to enter.
True to its name, bookshelves stretched from ground level nearly infinitely into the sky.
The assembled mages watched Daniel with eyes full of envy.
"Access pass verified. 5th Circle Archmage Daniel. Entry approved."
Under the guard golem's guidance and escort, Daniel entered the Infinite Archive.
The doors slammed shut the moment he passed through.
The remaining mages buzzed.
An indefinite contractor entering the Infinite Archive—first time in half a century.
Topic enough to draw attention, but mages focused on this day for another reason.
Heard? Six weeks access.
Gods. Elders get 20 days max, and he gets six weeks?
Unprecedented. This real?
What can you do? He earned it fair and square.
Ugh. True, but still.
Jealousy and resentment filled them, but none voiced it loudly.
Thanks to the Tower Lord's recent announcement.
"Any mage donating 10kg of magic stones to the tower gets a week in the Infinite Archive."
Those gearing up to protest Daniel's rewards went silent as clams.
Everyone knew about Daniel's donation—major scandal at the time.
They'd mocked it as idiotic then, but no more.
The "folly" had become a smart investment, rewarded with what every mage craved.
Now, instead of envy, they discussed constructive futures.
Hey, what about Daniel? Think he'll make it?
Expert mid-grade? Six weeks in there? Upper grade for sure.
Figured as much.
5th Circle Expert upper grade meant 5th Circle Master candidate.
An elite high Archmage, fewer than 100 even among regulars.
Value self-evident.
Mages could no longer ignore Daniel.
[5th Circle Expert Indefinite Contractor Black Mage]? Mockable.
But [5th Circle Master Candidate Indefinite Contractor Black Mage]? A political asset to befriend, not scorn.
Thus, the Magic Tower entered a heated upheaval centered on one indefinite contractor mage, Daniel.
What changes would the indefinite contractor bring to the tower upon returning from the Infinite Archive in six weeks?
As attention focused, time passed... and six weeks elapsed.
-Creak
The Magic Tower's indefinite contractor mage, under everyone's watchful eyes, finally returned.