TL: Knight Errant
‘I can do this. I graduated from the Academy with top grades, and I’ve built solid connections. I can do this.’
James murmured softly to himself as he looked down the dull gray hallway.
The tightly buttoned shirt pinched uncomfortably, but he had no mental space to worry about that.
Today was the long-awaited Intelligence Agency interview day.
What kind of place was the Intelligence Agency? It was an organization that gathered only the best among the continent’s geniuses. Operating in secrecy, it moved the Empire from the shadows, and only a handful knew of its existence.
Entering the Intelligence Agency was no easy feat. One had to graduate from an elite Academy with top grades or achieve feats significant enough to gain recognition across the continent just to qualify for an application.
That was not the end of it. A rigorous background check had to be passed, along with a practical exam closely related to real-world duties. Reaching the interview stage itself was already a miracle. And James was determined to seize this miracle.
“Fuck, seriously.”
At that moment, a coarse curse reached his ears. He lifted his head and saw a black-haired man sitting across from him.
His uniform was unbuttoned and disheveled, his posture slouched, and his expression full of irritation. Just from a glance, it was clear he was brimming with discontent.
But all James could see was the uniform the man was wearing.
‘…An Intelligence Agent!!’
It was his first time seeing one in person.
The Intelligence Agency was a veiled organization. Even throughout the process leading up to the interview, he had not encountered a single person from it.
The man seemed to be around his age, yet he was already an Intelligence Agent? James’s eyes sparkled involuntarily.
“Got a problem?”
The man asked in an annoyed tone.
“Ah… No! I just thought you looked cool!”
James hastily stood at attention as he answered. If he passed, this man could become his senior.
“Taking out frustration on a chick… This is the worst.”
The man squinted as he pulled out a cigarette and placed it in his mouth.
“Want one? It’s good stuff.”
“No! I’m fine!”
The man did not offer twice. A red flame flickered at his fingertips.
“…A mage!”
James’s eyes widened. A mage working as an Intelligence Agent!
“First time seeing one?”
Instead of answering, James snapped his fingers. Small sparks flickered around his fingertips.
“So, you’re a junior.”
“I look forward to your guidance, senior!”
The man clicked his tongue softly. A puff of gray smoke drifted from his lips as he gave James a peculiar look.
“Why go through the trouble of joining the Intelligence Agency when there are easier paths?”
It was a reasonable question.
Normally, mages who graduated from the Academy entered the Magic Tower. If not that, they served under nobles.
Mages were more suited for research and development than combat. The money and prestige in that field were overwhelmingly greater.
James had received many invitations from the Magic Tower. But the reason he rejected them and applied to the Intelligence Agency was…
“I wish to dedicate myself to the glorious Empire!”
Since it was a predicted interview question, James answered without hesitation. The man squinted. Was that not the right answer?
“…Your mana is leaking a bit. Your compression process is weak.”
“You mean compression?”
“Like this.”
The man snapped his fingers again. Sparks flickered at his fingertips. At a glance, it seemed similar to what James had done, but he could recognize the precision in it.
“You can achieve the same efficiency with less mana!”
“Yeah. They don’t teach this at the Academy. Those who only read books think mana efficiency isn’t necessary. But in real combat, efficiency is everything. How long does it take you to replenish your mana?”
“Around three days.”
“That’s too long.”
“…Huh?”
James widened his eyes. Compared to his peers, he was on the faster side.
“Don’t just replenish mana mindlessly. Calculate its density from the moment you store it. If you just absorb it thoughtlessly like breathing, of course, it’ll take you three days.”
‘Calculate the density while storing mana?’
Just calculating the formulas when using magic was enough to make his head feel like it would explode, and now he was supposed to calculate mana density? Was that even possible? James nodded for now.
“If you calculate the mana density in advance and memorize it, you can use only the exact amount you need. That way, you can even do things like this.”
The man snapped his fingers repeatedly. Sparks burst out in succession. What started as a single spark quickly multiplied and formed the shape of a small flower.
A flower made of lightning, James was purely amazed by its intricacy.
“This works well on women. You should try it too. They’ll fall for it instantly.”
“……Ah, I see.”
“Got a girlfriend?”
“I broke up before coming here.”
“Because of the Intelligence Agency?”
“Yes.”
“How foolish.”
“Huh?”
The man exhaled a long puff of smoke. A refreshing lemon scent filled the air.
“Once you’re in, you won’t be able to date.”
“That’s fine! I plan to marry the Empire!”
“Have you asked the Empire’s opinion?”
“…What?”
The man chuckled as if coughing.
“Anyway, just remember one thing if you get into the Intelligence Agency.”
“What is it?”
“Close your eyes, shut your mouth, and do as you’re told. That’s how you move up.”
The man squinted. At a glance, he seemed to be smiling, but the corners of his mouth weren’t raised.
Just then, a door to the side opened, and a woman stepped out. She had a cold, striking beauty, and James unconsciously straightened his posture.
“Galahad, how many times have I told you no smoking indoors?”
“This is a mana-infused cigarette.”
“So?”
“It smells nice.”
The woman smirked and gestured inside with a tilt of her head. Clicking his tongue, the man stood up. James watched him in a daze.
“Make sure you don’t get divorced. Hang in there.”
“…Huh? Yes!”
The man patted James on the shoulder before stepping through the door.
James muttered the name ‘Galahad’ under his breath. Where had he heard that name before…?
‘…The youngest graduate in Academy history!’
The realization hit him late, and his mouth fell open in shock.
Galahad was a name recorded in the Academy’s history.
Most mages graduated at the 2nd rank, or at most the 3rd rank if they were exceptional. But Galahad had not only been the youngest graduate, he had reached the 4th rank by the time he graduated.
Then he had suddenly disappeared after graduation…
‘So he joined the Intelligence Agency.’
Now it all made sense. He had just met a living legend. James let out a small, excited “Yes!” under his breath.
This was the Intelligence Agency, after all. An organization that gathered only the best of the best to lead the Empire.
Just then, a rough voice echoed from inside.
“Fuck, are you seriously telling me to be a kept man?”
James’s eyes widened at Galahad’s voice.
He quickly looked up at the sign above the door. It read in large letters: “Deputy Director’s Office.”
And yet, someone was cursing so loudly inside…
‘So cool.’
James’s eyes sparkled.
‘I have to pass!’
He clenched his fist with determination.
He wanted to work under that cool Galahad.
****
“Galahad, how is marrying the Grand Duke’s eldest daughter the same as being a kept man?”
The Deputy Director squinted his fleshy eyes. Galahad took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
“Isn’t it exactly that? You know what kind of person the Grand Duke’s daughter is.”
“Of course. She’s the youngest Sword Master in history. She’ll inherit the title of Grand Duke in the future. That means you’ll become the husband of the Grand Duke. What exactly is the problem?”
The Deputy Director chuckled. His shameless attitude made Galahad seethe with anger.
Back when the Empire was first founded, a Grand Duke was truly a Grand Duke, the Empire’s sole duke and the second-most powerful person after the Emperor.
The problem was the location of the North. It bordered the Demon territory. The Grand Duke had to constantly fend off their assaults, and because of that, his strength was waning by the day.
On top of that, the ignorant Northerners viewed magic as a byproduct of the Demons and held extreme hatred toward mages. The Grand Duke’s territory was the only place without a Magic Tower.
Sending Galahad, a mage and an Intelligence Agency agent, there was practically a death sentence.
However, Galahad was the Deputy Director’s most favored prospect. There was no way he would discard him with his own hands.
“Where did this order come from?”
The Deputy Director’s face grew troubled as he pointed a finger upward. He did not recognize the Intelligence Director, who had been appointed from above. For such a man to point upward, it meant the order truly came from the top.
“This was your father’s doing.”
“Fuck! Seriously! That bastard…!”
Galahad couldn’t hold back his curses. He immediately grasped how things had unfolded.
Galahad was the third son of a count.
Among the nobility here, everything was inherited by the eldest son to prevent the family’s power from weakening. In some cases, this even meant eliminating all other sons.
Born as a noble’s son, Galahad realized his predicament at a young age. So he threw himself into studying magic with everything he had.
Studying itself wasn’t difficult, he had done plenty of that in his past life.
Back in Korea, Galahad had been admitted to a prestigious university. Compared to the tedious college entrance exams and university studies, learning magic was exhilarating. Every study session had a visual byproduct, making it infinitely more enjoyable.
Moreover, basic magic formulas were about as complex as high school mathematics from his past life.
Thanks to that, he graduated from the Academy as its youngest-ever graduate and secured a position in the Intelligence Agency. He had thought that would be enough for him to live comfortably.
‘Not only did they refuse to support me, but now they’re selling me off? Fucking hell.’
It was a purely political marriage of convenience. Galahad’s sharp mind quickly concluded that there was no escape. He was backed into a corner.
‘This is absolute bullshit.’
Having finished his calculations, Galahad sat across from the Deputy Director and pulled out a mana-infused cigarette, placing it between his lips. The Deputy Director raised an eyebrow but said nothing. After all, he was no longer Galahad’s superior.
“Galahad-”
“What?”
“Give me one too.”
Galahad squinted at the Deputy Director. Well, it wasn’t his fault, was it? He sighed, pulled another cigarette from his pocket, and handed it over.
“Light.”
“What era do you think this is? Can’t you even use a simple spell?”
“Wait till you get old. You’ll see how hard it is to learn new things. Light it.”
Clicking his tongue, Galahad lit the Deputy Director’s cigarette.
“What kind of man smokes something with a lemon scent? Lemon scent, seriously.”
“You sure have a lot of complaints for someone bumming a smoke.”
The two sat in silence, smoking one after another.
The Deputy Director’s expression was far from pleasant. Since Galahad had been his most promising prospect, losing him was practically the same as being stripped of all his assets.
“So, why didn’t you ever marry? You’re old enough by now.”
“I married the Empire.”
“It’s well known even I know how much you dislike the Empire.”
“And you don’t like your wife either, do you deputy director?”
“There’s some truth to that.”
Both men chuckled quietly.
“It won’t take that long.”
The Deputy Director spoke in a voice full of exhaustion. He had lost all his influence, there was no way he could call Galahad back.
“It’s fine. I’ll find my own way back.”
Galahad shook his head and stubbed out his cigarette.
“Well, you are popular with women. In fact, even Jamit has feelings for you.”
The Deputy Director pointed at Jamit beside him and chuckled mischievously. At that, Jamit scrunched up her face in displeasure.
“I actually already knew. Sorry, Jamit, but I’m not into workplace relationships.”
“…Give me one too.”
With Jamit joining in, the three of them sat side by side, puffing away in silence. Though no words were exchanged, each of their minds was racing noisily.
“Buy some candy or chocolate. Women like that stuff. They probably don’t have much of it in the North.”
Jamit said while creating a donut shape with her smoke.
“Candy, huh? I’ll remember that. Ah, that guy outside should be useful.”
“The guy outside?”
“The carrot-looking rookie.”
“Carrot?”
“You mean the interviewee?”
“Ah, I see. But Jamit, why are you suddenly using informal speech… Well, I guess it’s fine. We’ve worked together for so long. Haha. So, did he seem promising?”
“Yes, he said he’d marry the Empire.”
“That’s exactly what you said in your interview.”
Galahad smirked bitterly.
Had he really said that? Maybe he had. Wasn’t that just how interviews went? Everyone said they loved the company, that they’d dedicate their lives to it, just the usual spiel.
“Anything else you’re curious about?”
The Deputy Director leaned back in his chair as he asked.
When Galahad had first met him, his eyes had been filled with righteousness and ambition. Now, they carried only exhaustion and weariness.
Galahad studied him for a moment before finally speaking.
“So… is she really that beautiful?”
This time, the Deputy Director let out a loud laugh. He laughed so hard he nearly choked, wiping tears from the corners of his eyes as he nodded.
“They say she’s the most beautiful woman on the continent.”
*****
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