Chapter 313 - 145: Sorry, I Refuse
Wei’en: "..."
A title, gold pounds, free intelligence... It sounded like they were giving him charity.
"You... you people are going too far! What do you take an outstanding Wizard like Wei’en Mage for? An ordinary Intelligence Officer?"
Director Amiditch turned his head away, looking like he didn’t want to speak with him.
Dean Josue seemed to curse in frustration before turning to Wei’en and saying, "Rest assured, our Research Center isn’t like them."
Wei’en’s interest was piqued. "Oh?"
’A Research Center?’
’Are they going to give me an extra reward?’
"After a unanimous decision by the heads of all 44 research institutes within our Research Center, we would like to formally invite you, Wei’en Loft, to become the head of our Center’s 45th research institute."
Looking as if he were fighting an injustice on Wei’en’s behalf, Dean Josue continued, "You will also be assigned at least ten Wizard-level researchers. Furthermore, as the head of a research institute, all of your expenses will be covered by the Center. You will also receive a separate annual research fund, which includes, but is not limited to, various precision instruments, Arrays, and Era Relics."
"And you don’t have to worry too much about the Dawn Church’s wanted notice. As long as you join the Research Center, the School will absolutely go head-to-head with Dawn to the very end. You just need to focus peacefully on your various research projects and periodically submit partial research reports..."
"Wait, wait!"
This string of research institutes, Wizard subordinates, and various reward materials had Wei’en completely bewildered. He quickly raised a hand to interrupt, "Dean Josue, do you mean you want me to go to the School to conduct research projects?"
"That’s right. With your accomplishments in runology, I’m certain you will make a name for yourself in the Wizard World."
Dean Josue nodded. "In fact, if you were to publish the runes for some of the Magic you currently possess, it would absolutely make you famous."
’Magic, runes, reports, research?’
Wei’en was beginning to understand.
So, the Ghost Soul School, or rather the Research Center, had taken an interest in the Magic he had cast in Caster: Corpse Explosion Skill, Blink, Necromancer’s Claw...
"Excuse me, if I agree to join the Research Center, does that mean I’ll have to stay there permanently?"
"Of course. Our Feng Enliso Research Center, whether in terms of personnel, equipment, or power, is among the absolute top tier within the Ghost Soul School..."
"Um," Wei’en had to interrupt him again. "I’m sorry, Dean Josue, but I refuse."
"Of course no prob—huh? You refuse?" Josue’s empty mouth fell wide open, and the bone of his chin dropped off completely. "CLACK... CLACK..."
He hurriedly reattached his jaw. "How can you refuse? Why? Are our conditions not good enough?"
Perhaps his earlier behavior toward Amiditch had been an act, but now, he was genuinely panicking. He knew his Wizards would go fucking crazy if they didn’t figure out the runes for that Magic soon.
"That’s not it,"
Wei’en knew his own situation very well. The only reason that Magic had such effects was due to the random enhancements from the Death God’s origin. He himself didn’t understand the principles or runic knowledge behind it.
’If I really went to the Research Center, wouldn’t I be exposed immediately?’
More importantly, he didn’t want to stay in one place. Or rather, to increase his strength, he had to force himself to face all sorts of dangers.
’If I really went back to the academy, my knowledge and gold pounds would be secure, but where would the panel get survival points? I can’t just start fights with other Wizards and stir up internal conflict, can I?’
"Then what is it?"
"I’m sorry, Dean Josue. I don’t plan on returning to the School anytime soon. As for the reason... please forgive me for keeping it confidential for now."
"Why don’t you think about it for a bit..."
At that moment, Director Amiditch, who had been listening quietly the whole time, spoke up. "Dean Josue, Intelligence Officer Wei’en has clearly stated his refusal. According to our agreement, you can no longer interfere with the Intelligence Department’s personnel appointments and work arrangements."
Huh?
Wei’en paused. ’An agreement?’
’What does that mean?’
’Did these two make a private agreement before they came?’
Dean Josue glared at him, seemingly resentful of his words. "Director Amiditch, I wasn’t finished speaking. If you don’t honor our agreement, I..."
"My apologies!"
Amiditch blinked his vertical pupils and raised a hand to do something.
Seeing his action, Dean Josue shouted in exasperation, "Amiditch, you damned, rule-breaking Werewolf!!"
Immediately after, Dean Josue’s figure abruptly vanished from the screen.
Wei’en: "..."
’So they were playing good cop, bad cop this whole time?’
"Ahem," the coldness on Amiditch’s wolf-like face dissipated as he cracked a smile. "Apologies. Dean Josue was very keen on you joining the Research Center, so he forced his way into this meeting..."
Wei’en took a deep breath. "Director Amiditch, if you have something to say, please just say it."
"Mm," Amiditch didn’t mind his bluntness. "In light of your outstanding performance in this incident, the School will grant you the title of Honorary Mage. The Intelligence Department has also prepared a special reward for you."
"To be precise, it’s a privilege. For the next five years, no matter where you are, you can access all the intelligence from the local Intelligence Department at any time."
"All of it?"
’Now that’s a nice and practical reward...’
"That’s right. And if you wish, you can also become the Liaison Officer for the region."
"I’ll pass on being a Liaison Officer." Wei’en shook his head. The mention of Liaison Officer reminded him of that woman. He had no desire to be in that position, doing disgusting things.
"Very well. The reward will be sent to you shortly."
Seeing that he didn’t want to talk further, Amiditch didn’t press the matter. He added one last thing, "If you have any problems, you can contact me directly. Internal designation 2348."
With that said, he vanished from the screen without waiting for Wei’en to reply.
"..."
’This Director Amiditch is surprisingly decisive.’
But, setting the rewards aside for a moment, he was already very satisfied with the Ghost Soul School’s attitude alone.
At the very least, they didn’t throw him under the bus because of the Dawn Church’s wanted notice...
"The Ghost Soul School seems to care a lot about you," Clelia said, leaning against the workshop doorway.
"I suppose that’s good news."
"Let’s go. Menor wants to have a chat with you, too."
"Just him?"
"Of course. It’s just a casual chat before you join. You don’t actually think he’s going to give you a reward, do you?"
"No."
Wei’en shook his head, stood up, and walked out of the workshop.
He just didn’t want to face another round of good cop, bad cop...
PS: Just one Chapter today. The new volume is just starting, and I’m still organizing the plot, so the writing is a bit slow. Please bear with me.
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