Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: The Indefinite Contractor Prepares for Dispatch (2)
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"I've been dispatched to the provinces a lot ever since I was a newbie. But most of the time, they come to the Magic Tower for the same reason."
"What's that?"
"Nothing major. They just don't have enough manpower."
"M-Manpower?"
"Yes."
Daniel began his explanation.
The capital region and central areas have large populations and plenty of knights, so they handle problems internally most of the time.
They only call in mages for issues that only mages can resolve.
But the provinces were different.
"They're simply short on people. Soldiers to conscript, adventurers, raw manpower in general—it's a constant shortage."
"……."
"Problems that could be solved with enough bodies go unresolved because there aren't enough. So there's only one option: hire specialized forces from outside, pay them to fix it. Mages from the Magic Tower, like me."
This manpower shortage in the provinces compared to the capital was the same whether in reality or fantasy.
"Once I got out in the field, there was tons of work but never enough time. So I thought about it. How could I handle tasks more efficiently? You probably already know what conclusion I reached."
"...Daniel decided to make up for the shortage in quantity. That's why you picked the imp?"
"Bingo."
The imp was the lowest-grade demon. Compared to other demons, its summoning cost was overwhelmingly cheap, and multiple contracts were possible.
It was perfect for covering the practical issue of manpower, so yeah, spot on.
Except...
"Normally... wouldn't people aim higher than lesser demons?"
From a mage's perspective, it was a big fat zero. That was the problem.
Every black mage dreamed of contracting with a higher demon.
Superior beings with immense power incomparable to imps, boasting a variety of abilities.
Contracting with one of them greatly increased the chances of growing into a stronger, higher-realm black mage.
Contracting with an imp was tantamount to giving up that potential.
Naturally, no ordinary black mage would even consider such a choice—let alone think it.
But Daniel was different.
"What's wrong with prioritizing efficient work performance over personal development?"
He was a reincarnator with a different mindset.
Contract with a higher demon?
Sure, it boosted realm advancement potential, but when would it even answer your call? And even if it did, that often meant a shot at going full-time.
On the flip side, multiple contracts with lesser demons like imps?
Lower realm growth potential, but maximized task-handling capacity for ultra-efficient work.
For a reincarnator whose mindset was more corporate drone than mage, it wasn't even a question.
"……."
Titania was speechless.
She knew he was different from other indefinite contractors, but she hadn't expected this level.
A mage pursuing efficient task processing over stronger spells or higher realms.
'So that's how he became this freakish mage?'
His personal magic skills were subpar, but he was a black mage specialized in commanding over a hundred magic soldiers—an army-focused powerhouse.
Now that she understood the secret to his competent subordinates, she felt a twinge of shock, but it passed quickly.
Her eyes gleamed with a sharp realization.
'So... Daniel's not all-in on magic talent—he's all-in on work ability. Right?'
Her gaze heated up.
Her mental calculator spun wildly.
'No worries about him taking training leave and ghosting, top-tier efficiency, and still room to grow in work skills?'
Titania's fingertips trembled.
She had figured it out. The true value of the man before her.
'No desire for realm advancement! He's only interested in handling work quickly and easily!'
Indefinite contractor mages who barely finished their quota before rushing to the training grounds.
Regular mages who seemed competent until divine inspiration hit and they took training leave to hole up in the Tower library.
The reason was simple.
A thirst for realm advancement.
The universal desire of every mage!
But Daniel didn't have it.
A mage stripped of mage-like ambition!
It felt like looking at someone from another world.
'I have to have him!'
She swallowed hard.
'Keep him hidden, no matter what. If word gets out, someone will steal him!!'
That's right.
This man was an un-mage-like mage.
Mage abilities, but no mage soul.
More like a diligent worker or soldier.
A mage who prioritized tasks and missions over self-improvement!
Her heart pounded fiercely.
In a place overrun by mages who put their own magic paths above orders from above, a mage who prioritized work over magic was one of a kind!
Wouldn't any Magic Tower manager covet such a top-priority talent, dirty tricks be damned?!
In a way, more valuable than a 5th Circle master!
Realizing this gem was working under her, she quietly resolved.
'I won't let him go!'
She'd make him hers for sure before anyone else spotted this un-mage-like mage's worth.
Her eyes sparkled like stars, as if she'd claimed a new treasure.
How could she stamp "mine" on the treasure before her?
Her conclusion was simple: invest.
Not just any investment, but one named an unrepayable debt.
In that sense, training was a prime investment vehicle.
"Daniel. By now, you know what you're lacking, right?"
"A powerful nuke, and talent as a mage."
"Spot on. So we'll train to fix that. Talent will improve naturally with mana control drills, so we'll skip that."
Her eyes were those of a businesswoman picking an investment, not an instructor. She continued.
"No worries about firepower either. You've got just the thing, Daniel."
"Huh?"
"Dark Flame Rain."
"…….!"
Daniel's expression hardened.
"The black magic the Tower taught you when you advanced to 5th Circle. Let's master it this time."
Dark Flame Rain. A name laced with love and hate.
Back then, before he'd settled on his style, he'd picked it for raw power.
He regretted it madly within two days.
Dark Flame Rain was too hard to use.
Mana control was key, and the requirements were absurdly high.
And that wasn't all?
Unlike normal spells that just wasted mana on failure, this one exploded mid-cast on screw-ups, triggering mana detonation—a fatal flaw.
Once, during practice, he'd nearly lost an arm and ditched it entirely.
He never dreamed he'd hear it mentioned here.
"I-Is that okay?"
"Of course. You haven't forgotten who I am, right?"
"5th Circle master..."
"Exactly."
Titania nodded.
"I'll watch over you. Nothing safer or more reliable than training 5th Circle magic beside a master."
Of course, the difficulty would make practice hell. But the gains were huge.
Mastering Dark Flame Rain required boosting mana control.
And success meant hitting three birds with one stone.
First, Daniel's magic ability would rise.
It wasn't exaggeration to say all magic started with mana control.
Next, his work performance would improve.
A powerful one-shot to fill his gap, maximizing efficiency against wyverns up north.
The final effect was straightforward.
'Odds of him becoming mine go way up.'
A 5th Circle master personally investing time to skyrocket his long-lacking skills.
From what she'd seen of Daniel's personality, he'd feel indebted.
Debt. The perfect emotion to bind someone.
She felt no shame.
If it meant securing Daniel, she'd stoop lower.
'I'll make him mine, no matter what.'
"Alright. Intensive training starts now. No breaks until you master Dark Flame Rain."
"I'll give it my all, even if it kills me."
"Hehe. Good answer. Shall we begin?"
Her eyes flashed with conquest as she geared up to snag three rabbits at once.
Oblivious to how his unwitting flirt had sparked this, Daniel simply prepared to train and meet his superior's expectations.
And so time passed... a month later.
Kazan was holding its breath.
Word spread like wildfire: the Highland Tribe, those hated mortal enemies, was marching south.
Salt and food prices skyrocketed in the markets. Forges blazed through the night.
Some sought solace in church prayers.
Others sharpened dulled blades for the desperate fight ahead.
Tension gripped every heart, palpable on the walls, in the churches, on the streets—throughout Kazan.
A guest who might lighten the heavy mood a bit had arrived last night.
"Young master. What did you think?"
"Hm."
In his office.
Rainer set down his pen at Syril's question, lost in thought.
"If you mean first impressions, he was unexpected."
"Why's that?"
"His resume speaks for itself. I figured he'd match Sir Rood's veteran aura or look—various things like that. But..."
"He seemed ordinary. Like a low-level clerk who'd file paperwork well."
"Exactly."
Rainer recalled the mage who'd arrived late last night.
If not for the mage robes, you'd swear he was a castle administrator—prim and proper.
Frankly, looks-wise, he wasn't the rugged type northerners favored. Far from tough.
Since it was late, they'd only exchanged brief greetings before parting, leaving him with nothing but first impressions—which irked him.
"No need to worry. Be patient a bit, and you'll see if he's a dud or the real deal."
"True enough."
Thinking of the welcome banquet scheduled for evening, he sipped his tea.
The warmth spread through his body, but his heart was as cold as the northern eternal snows.
'I hope he doesn't disappoint.'
The north's number two, unaccustomed to disappointment, closed his eyes.
Wishing evening would come sooner.