“I don’t want to choose a secretary based on whether the job is fun or not, nor do I want that to be their motivation.”
“No, I believe a playful spirit is necessary precisely because it is a demanding job.”
She seemed to genuinely believe that. Jared couldn’t sense any deception from Ari.
Jared wanted to accept her, someone who had helped him and was affiliated with the Mage Association, which owed him a favor. However, something was still missing.
He had a good impression of her. Talking to her was enjoyable, and she left a positive impression.
If the unknown Ari Fel was the sun, then her older fiancé, Olivier Alway, was the moon. Crysta Oken, an underclassman, was perhaps the closest person to her in terms of impression.
It was rare for someone to be bright, cheerful, and leave a good impression without making others uncomfortable. While Crysta did so unconsciously and Ari did so consciously, there was no inherent good or bad in either approach.
“I never intended for you to be in a state of constant tension, so perhaps a playful spirit is good. However, you also seem to have a mischievous streak.”
“Oh, you can tell?”
“Of course, I can.”
Jared let out a wry smile at Ari, who made no effort to hide anything.
Yet, he felt no aversion whatsoever. It was curious how she could so openly expose her inner thoughts while concealing her background. He was unsure whether it was appropriate to ask about it.
He found himself thinking that her background didn’t matter.
His intuition as a magician assured him that she was alright. However, the truth was, he didn’t want to hire her solely based on a gut feeling, especially when considering getting her closer to Olivier and the others.
Perhaps he didn’t need to be so cautious, as Dennis and the others had already deemed her acceptable. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that an extra layer of caution was necessary.
“Since you seem quite troubled, Lord Jared, allow me to state this: simply having this conversation with you today means a great deal to me. Therefore, I promise that even if I decline the secretary position, it will not inconvenience the Mage Association.”
It seemed she was adept at reading his mind. Or perhaps he was simply too transparent.
Either way, if Ari’s words were to be believed, Dennis and the others wouldn’t be inconvenienced even if she declined the secretary position. She didn’t seem to be lying, so he wanted to trust her.
“May I offer some advice, with all due respect?”
“Please do.”
“Lord Jared, your emotions tend to show on your face. It’s not a bad thing, and I find it rather endearing, but it might cause problems when dealing with nobles in the future.”
“Then, can you do it?”
Ari nodded eagerly, as if she had been waiting for this.
“Of course. While I am a young woman intrigued by magic and by you, Lord Jared, I do not presume to become your secretary on that basis alone. My role, as I see it, is to eliminate the riff-raff who will inevitably flock to you.”
“That’s reassuring, but is it truly possible?”
He was all too familiar with the troublesome nature of nobles. While his family circumstances kept him out of the public eye, he couldn’t help but hear things.
Parents seeking connections through marriage, pushing their daughters forward forcefully. Those desperate to curry favor with people of higher status. The hidden rivalries among seemingly elegant young ladies. He heard things he wished he didn’t know.
Jared wasn’t foolish. He understood just how rare and valuable the position of Court Mage was.
Even as a **Court Mage Candidate**, there had been voices expressing interest in marriage proposals to Olivier, a **young lady** and his **fiancé**. Nobles were persistent. They could be advantageous allies, but they were troublesome when they became enemies, leading to unwanted outcomes. Unlike his previous enemies, a simple solution of fighting and defeating them wouldn’t work. It was difficult to engage in combat unless the opponent resorted to truly underhanded tactics.
It was natural to question whether a single **woman** could handle such nobles.
“Are you aware of the risks involved?”
“I am capable, and I promise that even if something were to happen to me because I became your secretary, I would not hold you responsible.”
“However, your **family** might. You may be truly capable and able to handle nobles. But please understand the significant risk of keeping a non-combatant by your side.”
His biggest concern was Ari getting caught in the crossfire.
In the past two months, he had dealt with issues concerning Olivier’s **mother**, the clashes with Waalthe, and even the truth behind his **mother**’s death and the **masterminds** behind it. He had been injured, and had even come close to death. In his fight with Wahash, he had been utterly outmatched. He hesitated, wondering if it was right to bring Ari Fel, a **magician** but not a combatant, into a life of constant battles.
“If that’s the case, will you accept me as your secretary if I can convince my **family**?”
“Even so—”
“I understand the risks. I don’t want to die either. However, it’s not a certainty that something will happen, and I will die someday even if I’m not your secretary. I might encounter danger somewhere. Therefore, I want to live my life to the fullest, without regret.”
Ari’s smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression as her blue eyes met Jared’s. He couldn’t honestly understand what made her so eager to become his secretary. He probably never would.
However, there was one thing he did understand.
Ari Fel was serious.
It wasn’t for show, nor was it out of whim. She didn’t seem to harbor any ulterior desires, yet she genuinely wished to become his secretary for some reason.
“…Very well. Then please obtain your **family**’s approval. Once you do, I will accept you as my secretary.”
“Really?”
Jared, succumbing to her earnestness, nodded in affirmation. Ari’s face lit up as if she had bloomed.
“Thank you. Then—starting from this very moment, please take care of me.”
“—Huh?”
‘Wait, what about my **family**’s permission?’
As Jared was about to ask, Ari, with a triumphant smirk, pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and unfolded it.
“No way, you’ve got to be kidding me.”
The paper was a family consent form issued by the **Mage Association**. Jared had also had his **grandfather** sign it, as he was a minor, to avoid leaving any lingering issues.
“Actually, I already have my family’s consent. Please look after me for a long time, Lord Jared.”
She had played him. She had utterly outmaneuvered him.
From the beginning, she had already obtained her **family**’s consent. Given the **Mage Association**’s inability to refuse her, she was likely from a noble family, or a prestigious lineage related to magic or knights.
She must have thoroughly researched becoming a court mage’s secretary beforehand. And she had completed all the preparations: her relationship with the **Mage Association**, her **family**’s consent, and her own volition. All that remained was for Jared to agree.
“Haaa… I concede. Please use your abilities to the fullest as my secretary and support me.”
“Of course! Lord Jared, I will do my utmost to work for your sake!”
Ari bowed deeply to Jared, who raised his hands in surrender and spoke with a weary voice.
And so, Ari Fel became his first secretary.
