Chapter 9: The Baroness (Please continue reading)

Is Ron talented? In a sense, yes.

He was so talented that Olivia was unwilling to let him go, insisting that Ron complete his onboarding today, fearing that a delay of even a few days might cause him to join someone else and become a major threat to her.

The onboarding process was simple: sign the contract, place a thumbprint, and then stamp it with the official seals of the Stardust Society and the Police Department.

Behind the desk, Olivia rummaged through a drawer and casually tossed out a black booklet about the size of a palm.

“Here’s your ID. Keep it safe. Write your name on it, and your onboarding will be complete!”

“New recruits start as Level Three Investigators, earning twelve Gold Lions each month, with an annual reimbursement subsidy of one thousand Gold Lions.”

“Due to the nature of the work, there are no holidays; you must be on call at all times.”

“Oh, and you need to choose a codename. If you don’t want to, I can pick one for you.”

“How about ‘Blondie’?”

Sensing the dark humor in the black-haired woman’s words, Ron hurriedly shook his head in refusal. Such a childish codename would make it hard for him to face anyone outside.

“But speaking of codenames...” Ron pondered for a moment, deciding it would be better to choose one with a meaningful connotation.

In that instant, the names of great wizards from his previous life flashed through the boy’s mind—heroes of countless legendary epics. Among them, he quickly settled on one who practiced the holy light to fight darkness.

“Gandalf?” Olivia read the codename Ron had just written aloud, a professional air washing over her.

That name clearly meant business!

At that moment, dawn broke gradually over the horizon, the light dispelling the lingering darkness. When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the arched window and shone upon Ron, his onboarding was complete.

The boy’s expression was joyful; despite a restless night, there was not a trace of fatigue on his face.

Olivia looked at the upward curve of Ron’s lips and asked with a gentle smile, “Excited?”

Ron nodded.

“Feeling like you have endless energy?”

Ron nodded again.

“Good. With that spirit, I have some good news for you!”

?

The boy suddenly became alert. From his experience, when a superior says “good news,” it often isn’t good news at all.

What, are you having a baby?

Do I have to bring a gift even in another world?

Ron’s thoughts were, of course, unknown to Olivia.

The woman, said to be the fifth president of the Stardust Society, propped her long boots on the desk, striking a hooligan-like pose.

“Previously, to avoid alerting Silan Valentine, I didn’t directly contact the real Talia.”

“Now that her father and the entity occupying her body have both been eliminated by you, continuing to keep her at arm’s length is pointless.”

“So it’s time to bring her into the Stardust Society for examination, to prevent any mishaps.”

“I figure you’ll be interested in this mission.”

Olivia wore a magnanimous expression, but Ron could see through it—this woman was petty. Most likely, this was payback for his earlier threat and report.

Interested?

Ha!

Ron just wanted to stay far away from all this nonsense, waiting for other experts to handle the problems so he could reap the benefits.

Of course, this was only a thought he kept to himself.

After locking eyes with those amber irises for a few seconds, Ron gave in and was driven out of the office by Olivia’s unyielding gaze.

Click—

The ornate wooden door slammed shut, and inside, the black-haired woman’s tense facial muscles twisted. She stood up from her chair, swinging her arms wildly.

“Ugh... it hurts so much! Why isn’t the spell to remove negative effects working?!”

Olivia kept exhaling onto her wound. After some time, she gradually came to her senses amid the lingering pain.

She examined the old injury on her arm—one that countless treatments and even prayers to the Holy Light God of the Church had failed to heal—and suddenly froze in place.

Because she noticed the wound seemed, perhaps, maybe, slightly smaller?

“A talent indeed...”

...

Sunlight pierced through the alchemical smog hanging thick in the air, shining on Ron’s face.

Standing on intricately carved stone steps, the boy glanced back at the large Gothic structure occupying a sizable area in the royal city’s central district, feeling a sense of security.

After all, he finally had a steady job.

In fact, according to Ron’s previous plans, becoming a healing priest within the Church would have been the safest bet.

That would have not only provided a salary but also opportunities for side earnings. More importantly, such a large organization would have abundant magical knowledge and spell reserves.

Thinking of this, Ron couldn’t help but sigh at how much the world had changed. Had he traveled back a few centuries earlier, with his skill panel, he might have even become a hero.

“Hmph~♪ What a cute little one~”

“You’re Olivia’s new recruit, right?”

At that moment, a lightly seductive laugh drifted into the boy’s ears.

Ron hadn’t yet turned to look when he suddenly felt a cool shadow fall before him—someone was blocking the sunlight.

A woman with a languid air smiled warmly at Ron, as if seeing a priceless treasure.

Her tight-fitting clothes accentuated her graceful figure. Her blue eyes were like a clear spring, and her features carried an indescribable charm, her exposed skin smooth and delicate.

Dizzied by the sight, the blond boy only remembered one thing: white and big.

“Hmph~ Little one, what’s your name? Didn’t expect Olivia to like this type. No wonder she’s not interested in most men~”

A faint floral scent wafted over Ron’s face. At the same time, a slender, icy hand passed through the boy’s golden hair, brushing his cheek.

The manicured fingers slid slowly from his delicate face to the corner of his mouth, as if trying to pry his lips open to play with his tongue.

“Did you wash your hands?!” Ron snapped, slapping the hand away.

At that moment, the boy felt a surge of anger because he had just seen the unhygienic woman tighten her panties so much she tugged at them through her skirt.

Don’t think I didn’t see through your fake moves!

“Elena, you slut, don’t flirt with me here. If you’re itchy, go to the city hall and have them clear your drains!”

Suddenly, a voice dripping with disgust and an empty bottle were thrown from the top floor of the Gothic building.

Elena, the mature woman, hadn’t yet recovered from Ron’s reaction before the bottle struck her, toppling her to the ground with a loud thud.

The sound alone suggested it was a heavy hit.

“Heh... heh... Little one, you and your president are really alike...”

Elena got up from the ground, ignoring the curses and rage. Showing no anger, she continued to gaze at Ron with a gentle, mature look, as if nothing had happened.

“I’m an old friend of your president. You can call me Elena Mark.”

“I’m the fifth wife of Baron Mark. Little one, do visit my estate sometime.”

Still thinking about men at a time like this?

Seeing the bleeding wound on Elena’s head, Ron’s mouth twitched, feeling that Baron Mark might be getting a little green around the gills.

Just as he was about to refuse, a violent female voice rang out again from the Gothic building.

“Slut, what are you doing here again? If you have nothing to do, get lost!”

Hearing this, Elena showed no anger, only a soft sigh.

“Sigh~ Olivia, I still prefer the old you♪.”

“My husband knows I’m acquainted with you, a ‘big shot,’ so he sent me to ask how the Silan Valentine case is progressing.”

“He said such dangerous elements must never be allowed to harm the nobles of the royal city. The honor of Baron Mark’s family for generations compels him to uphold order.”