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Reuniting with the Information Department's Executive Manager was a disaster.

Communications with the Information Department's Executive Manager were rare, and for a good reason. But this time, just picking up the receiver was enough to stop my breath.

"Oh, yes."

He looked pale and his eyes were aflame with unexplained fury as his body swayed slightly from side to side, looking like the epitome of burnout.

I nearly failed to respond properly to his wretched, tear-inducing state. Asking about the Academy's well-being seemed ironic when it came from him, who was clearly anything but fine.

'How did he end up like this?'

If he wasn’t looking, I would have burst into tears right there. I knew his default state was being overworked, but even this was just too much.

I quietly looked down as he let out a small and genuine sigh of relief.

Such a sight was both pitiful and frightening. Would I look like that in the future?

'You didn't have to show me.'

His 'kindness' in showing me such a daunting future nearly brought me to tears.

Perhaps the Information Department’s Executive Manager, in his youth, was also taught these lessons. Maybe he was just inheriting the empire's legacy of overworking...

My bizarre fantasy was interrupted by a sigh of exhaustion.

"Is it about the North?"

I ventured a guess after seeing the Information Department’s Executive Manager rub his neck. If a matter was severe enough to distress someone of his rank, then it must be the North, especially given the recent turmoil there.

And the Information Department’s Executive Manager quietly nodded in response.

I didn't argue with him because I felt the same way. Between the annoying but manageable rebels and the North which nearly brought down the Empire, the North was the obvious choice.

My only regret was that the empire, or rather the Ministry of Intelligence, was focusing too much on the North. This could make getting support for myself more challenging.

'Oh.'

It seemed that he read my thoughts.

His words were calm, but the message wasn’t. I hadn’t expected the Masked Unit to be deployed in this situation. I just assumed that they’d be sent to the North.

"Thank you for your consideration."

Though he told me not to worry, we both knew he meant, 'I’ve provided you with support, so handle it without any fuss.'

Of course, I planned to handle it smoothly. Why would I make a scene and wear myself out?

Besides, with three managers involved, this mission was basically fail-proof.

"I'll return them quickly."

For the first time throughout the conversation, the Information Department’s Executive Manager finally managed a smile.

***

The 2nd Manager’s discovery of a spy and the dispatch of the Masked Unit by the Ministry of Intelligence was a rare double cause for celebration.

"Isn't this overkill?"

In contrast, the news of the Masked Unit's arrival made the 1st Manager tilt her head. Although she seemed happy to be able to see the 4th Manager, she probably thought it wasn’t necessary.

"You have no idea how many there are. More force is always better."

I firmly responded to the 1st Manager's remark. Truthfully, the Masked Unit was overpowered for dealing with those Red Wave insects.

But given the unpredictable scale of the threat, wasn't it better to have more and stronger forces?

"They were also here for the Third Honor."

"That's true."

Once I mentioned the precedent, the 1st Manager conceded. Since the Masked Unit had been deployed during the subjugation of the Third Honor, it wasn't strange for them to be deployed to us regardless of the opponent. This was why precedents mattered.

"We'll finish this quickly!"

I nodded instinctively at she smiled. It would definitely be over soon.

The Masked Unit were known for their swift actions ever since their 4th Division days, and add to that their knack for handling troublesome matters efficiently.

"We might just end up watching this time, too."

They handled everything themselves during the Third Honor operation. I was just watching, while the 1st Manager came late for the interrogation.

The Red Wave might just get thrashed by the Masked Unit again. I sure hope so.

"We? You mean, you. Exclude me, please."

While I was feeling proud of walking the path of a great salary thief, a weary voice came from beside me.

Turning slightly, I saw Charles, no, the 2nd Manager, with a frown on his face.

"I'm the only one breaking my back here among the three of us—"

"Charles, stop whining and have some cookies."

The 2nd Manager was about to launch into a lengthy complaint when the 1st Manager physically cut him off by stuffing a cookie into his mouth.

Then, she turned to me and asked as if fishing for compliments.

"Did I do well?"

"Yes, you did."

Well, the 1st Manager did the right thing this time. The mood was good, and he could have ruined it.

However, the persistent and indignant 2nd Manager chewed the cookie a few times before swallowing it whole.

"I'm the only one working here. Just me!"

He then raised his voice while hitting the desk, though it looked more like he was just lightly tapping it with his palm.

"Work sometimes means rolling up your sleeves while others play. You've been a civil servant long enough; you should know better."

My response was nonchalant because his outburst didn't really resonate with me. Different responsibilities meant that some would rest while others worked. It was pretty much basic knowledge for anyone with experience in being a civil servant.

The 1st Manager agreed and nodded continuously while the 2nd Manager roughly wiped his face.

"If it were just the workload, he wouldn't be this stressed. It's because of your undercover identity, isn't it?"

"Because of his cover?"

I was momentarily puzzled, but then something clicked.

A few days after I pulled the 2nd Manager out of the lab, I had this conversation with Gerhardt.

It seemed that assistant teachers worked hard through the night as well. It was questionable whether they managed to get any free time or proper sleep, though.

Anyway, it seemed like the 2nd Manager was doing fine as an assistant teacher, so I let it go. It’d be better for him to fill the role so it wouldn’t seem weird to others, after all.

'What could have happened that stressed him that much?'

Seeing him so upset made me wonder what had happened.

"Come on, you just have to stay in the lab. Isn't that easy?"

Unlike my serious concerns, the 1st Manager seemed oblivious to the severity of the situation and smirked as she spoke.

Or perhaps she understood but chose to downplay it.

"It's like a prison, a prison."

The 2nd Manager shuddered as he replied.

But calling it a prison seemed too harsh. How could a lab compare to prison?

'Even prisoners have rights.'

Master’s students, apparently, did not. In that case, prison wins.

However, I couldn’t voice these thoughts as the two began to grapple with each other.

***

I unwrapped the bandage from my shoulder with trembling hands.

The wound from the North healed unusually slowly. It was probably because of the spell used by the high-ranking sorcerers.

'Finally.'

But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that the wound had completely healed.

My heart raced only after confirming that there was no scar on my shoulder. Now, I could go to him.

Several of us, including myself, were wounded during the conflict in the North. Though it wasn’t critical, the healing was unnaturally slow, prompting the entire Masked Unit to return to the base.

We didn’t feel any pain, but we didn’t know how their sorcery worked. Thus, it was only right to be prudent and receive treatment at the base given the unpredictability of its effects. I wanted to take this opportunity to catch my breath, but—

Hearing that, I became anxious. The Academy mission was clearly important.

I strongly argued with the Minister of Intelligence that we could proceed immediately, but it was denied because he said we couldn’t risk permanent injury.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the Special Service Agency was too focused on the North to find a replacement for the Masked Unit. It was ironic that we, who were still in recovery, were now considered the most available personnel.

That was enough. The vague condition of 'if it takes too long' meant that the Minister had already decided to send the Masked Unit.

Although the healing took longer than the healer had predicted, no replacement unit emerged. I was relieved not to lose the chance to see the Executive Manager.

If so, I should focus on healing. The Executive Manager would worry if we had even the smallest cut.

I recalled his concerned look and his warm touch as he tended to my wound before. It was comforting, but I didn’t want to see his sad eyes again.

'Executive Manager.'

Holding the unblemished bandage tightly, I bowed my head. I wanted to see his happy face, not the one filled with worry.

And now, I could. As the Minister of Intelligence had promised, I was now free to move.

'...Master.'