Chapter 32 :Path (5)
The Intelligence Department, Tello.
Even the person who recommended Tello to me didn’t seem to genuinely believe I’d choose it.
- Well, Tello’s a free-spirited organization! Once the probation period’s over, you can take on any mission you want! There are lots of people who travel the world alone!
- You know the Empire and our family don’t get along, right? So, most of the work involves the Empire. The rest is digging into the Demon Race.
- Tello’s great, but new recruits just don’t join… Still, that means strong people can quickly make a name for themselves! Of course, I’m not sure if someone who ranked first would choose it…
Compared to the pitches for other organizations, it was a hesitant invitation, but something in it struck me.
‘Demon Race tracking.’
It felt like the perfect organization for me, aiming to conquer Myeolji.
The freedom to move around was appealing too.
So, I chose the Intelligence Department, Tello.
The reaction wasn’t as explosive as expected.
No, people were too stunned to react at all.
“Hmm…”
A sound escaped the elder’s lips.
Until now, the elder had only listened to the Coming-of-Age Ceremony participants’ choices without showing any reaction.
Even this small response compelled me to add more.
“By joining Tello, I want to see the wider world.”
For fifteen years, I’d been confined to the 18th Autonomous Region.
I knew well that my goal, conquering Myeolji, couldn’t be achieved by building influence within the region.
I needed to create a force as great as, no, greater than the Adjak family.
I needed to gather exceptional allies from across the world.
“Tello isn’t a large organization. You may see the wider world freely, but it lacks the power of other organizations.”
I nodded at the elder’s words.
“I need information. Before breaking out of my cage, I need a guidepost.”
The elder didn’t react further.
But his eyes gleamed brighter than before.
He seemed more intrigued than angered by my decision.
“As I travel the world with the Intelligence Department, I won’t forget I’m a member of the Adjak family.”
Hearing my words, the elder gave a slight smile.
Then Keldric raised his hand and shouted,“Is it possible to change my choice? I want to join Tello too!”
* * *
Even after the elder left, the shock I caused lingered.
At Chilgong Fortress, not only the ceremony participants but also many influential figures from the family were present.
They had come to hear the participants’ choices and recruit them into their organizations.
In such a setting, for the first-ranked participant to choose Tello, a minor organization within the region, was bound to cause a stir.
But I ignored the atmosphere and approached my temporary allies.
No one had come to recruit them.
Only Blaze was by their side.
“Take care, everyone.”
I didn’t know exactly what drove them to choose the Crows.
But I could clearly feel my desire to support their resolve and my wish for their well-being was just as strong.
“Yeah, we’ll see each other again, right?”
“Of course, we will.”
Siriel, Kiyot, and I.
The three of us hugged tightly.
In this world, the brightest chapter of my life was made possible because of them.
“Take care too, Blaze.”
I also greeted Blaze, who stood at a distance. He flinched, startled by my words.
I gestured for him to put on his mask.
Blaze gave an awkward smile, not wearing it but offering a light bow.
I exchanged brief farewells with Soler and Balan too.
They’d surely excel wherever they went.
I imagined how much they’d grow by the time I returned to the family.
‘I need to work hard.’
It was time to leave.
Ignoring the reluctant looks from those around me, I calmly ascended out of Chilgong Fortress.
Only Keldric and I, who had chosen Tello, remained.
Feeling awkward, I asked him,
“Brother Keldric, why did you switch from the White Dragon Knights to Tello?”
“Because of you, obviously.”
“But… why?”
“Just because fun things happen when I’m with the boss.”
As I thought, what an unstoppable guy, our escorts approached.
A sturdy black-haired man and a short, bespectacled man who approached hesitantly.
They seemed to be our Tello escorts.
“Hi there! Two recruits this year—what a harvest. I’m Nofen from Tello. We’ve met before, right, Polarin?”
Nofen spoke rapidly, as if pouring out words.
The black-haired man clicked his tongue at him.
“Nofen, they’re our juniors now. Shouldn’t you speak more casually?”
After scolding Nofen, he introduced himself.
“Greetings, gentlemen. Welcome to Tello. I’m Eidon, a mage with the Intelligence Department.”
It was my first time meeting a mage.
In this world, mages are rare.
Not only sensing and emitting mana but also manipulating and transforming it.
Without talent, it’s hard to even start, and learning opportunities are limited to places like the Frost Magic Tower.
Seeing my curious gaze, Eidon, as if used to it, continued proudly.
“Tello is thrilled to have two outstanding recruits. I’ll mentor Keldric, and Nofen will mentor Polarin, teaching you the ropes of the Intelligence Department. If you complete the three-month probation well, you’ll be free to take on any missions you want.”
While Keldric eagerly shook hands with Eidon, I looked at Nofen.
Nofen, unaccustomed to such situations, avoided my gaze.
But I approached and greeted him again.
“Senior, I look forward to your guidance.”
“Hehe, got it…”
After brief introductions, Eidon stretched out both hands and began chanting a spell.
A glowing portal formed from his hands.
First-Rank, mana perception.
Second-Rank, internal circulation.
Third-Rank, mana emission.
Mages must at least reach the Third-Rank to begin.
Spatial magic requires an even higher rank.
It involves complex calculations to transport people.
He had clearly surpassed the Fourth-Rank, known as the limit of ordinary talent.
The elder had warned that Tello was a small organization, but these were still Adjak descendants.
Exceptional people were everywhere.
“Shall we head to headquarters?”
Eidon said proudly.
* * *
Tello Headquarters, Raveno.
It was called headquarters, but it looked no different from a textile factory.
“Don’t just stand there, move!”
“Oh, got it!”
Workers wove cloth and cut fabric tirelessly.
Amid the bustle, Eidon gave us a brief farewell.
“We have missions to jump into, so we’ll leave you here. Find the path, then walk it.”
“Yes, sir, find the path, then walk it.”
Eidon and Nofen exchanged Tello’s customary farewell and turned away. Keldric and I waved as we parted abruptly.
Eidon and Keldric’s steps were brisk.
Missions right after joining?
It seemed a busy life awaited without time to adjust.
I felt more excitement than worry.
I asked Nofen,“Senior, what mission are we assigned to?”
“Hmm, we’ve got a mission too. This way!”
Following Nofen, we moved to a corner of the factory.
He led us behind a staircase, to a spot where, on Earth, a cleaning closet might be.
“Ta-da! A bit cramped, right? But it’s got everything you need.”
No computers like on Earth, but stacks of documents and a makeshift screen were there.
It made sense that it had everything needed…
“First, we need to sort the goods coming in and out of the factory.”
Nofen spoke proudly, adjusting his glasses, as if it were a vital task.
This wasn’t the Intelligence Department life I’d imagined.
“Let’s start today!”
“Yes, sir.”
I didn’t let my disappointment show, respecting my senior’s pride.
…And so, I spent hours checking the quantity of textiles moving through the factory.
“Wow, you’re thorough!”
It was a simple task.
My experience with office work on Earth helped.
I learned the factory was larger than expected, and most of its earnings funded Tello’s operations.
Tello frequently relocated its headquarters, but setting up in a textile factory was a smart move.
It generated good revenue and, despite not being in an Adjak region, allowed operatives to blend in as factory workers, evading the Empire’s Intelligence Department while carrying out missions.
Since we’d be here for a while, learning accounting was recommended.
“Of course, for someone who ranked first in the ceremony, this might feel stifling…”
But no matter how much the factory earned, my salary here was far less than what Ims from the 9th Autonomous Region received monthly.
It hinted at Tello’s modest status.
While sorting, I grew curious about what Keldric and Eidon were doing.
“By the way, Senior, do you know what Keldric’s working on?”
“Of course! We know exactly what each other’s doing. Eidon mostly operates in the Empire. He verifies intel from informants, sometimes engaging in combat!”
“So, Senior, you don’t do fieldwork?”
“Nope, I deal strictly with ‘information’!”
Disappointing news.
I joined Tello to fill my gaps.
Coming from the 18th Autonomous Region with no solid foundation, I was ignorant of the world’s workings and most information.
I joined Tello to gather intel, understand the current situation, and plan for the future.
If I’d followed Tibou’s offer to join the White Dragon Knights, I’d have improved my combat skills but been tied to the knights too much.
I thought Tello would be different.
I thought I’d learn how the world works and travel freely.
But the reality was spending hours tracking textile quantities.
If this was daily work… achieving my true goals might be harder than I thought.
My disappointment must have shown, as Nofen, noticing, continued.
“We’re not slacking on Intelligence Department work! Of course, factory work is part of it, but…”
“What kind of work?”
“Well, you might not like this one…”
For some reason, Nofen hesitated.
When I pressed with a subtle look, he sighed and said,
“It’s not a popular job, but I quite like it. It’s tracking the Demon Race!”
“Demon Race tracking?”
“As expected… not your thing! Everyone chases the Empire, but I think the Demon Race is our real enemy! In this era of peace, no one takes it up, so it fell to me, but I enjoy it!”
“No, I’m interested!”
Demon Race tracking.
It was exactly what I wanted to do in Tello.
“How does Demon Race tracking work?”
“Your eyes are sparkling…”
I started pressing Nofen openly, despite his slight discomfort.