NOVEL NEXT After Resignation, I Refuse the Obsession from the Male Leads
Chapter 18
Mandrake.
It is a very rare human-shaped magical herb that resembles ginseng and can revive memories. ‘It seemed to be the most effective one from the book that Seamus had shown me.’ The rest were too terrible to mention. ‘If you’re going to curse me for being shameless, I should just say it was a joke.’ I stared intently at Director Theodore’s expression. What kind of expression is that? It doesn’t seem like he’s about to curse me with his eyes. ‘It’s not ridiculous, it looks like he’s seriously thinking about it…?’ Before long, the Director smiled brightly like a young boy. “Yes. If it helps Miss Lowell.” “Heuk…! Really?” “It’s just a small reward compared to the humiliation.” After a while, the Director brought a small box from the medicine cabinet. “Do you think this will help improve efficiency, Miss Lowell?” “Ah… yes!” Inside the box was a mandrake with its roots spread out like a ballerina leaping. ‘…Surely it won’t scream when I eat it?’ At that moment, I paused for a moment with a brief, gory imagination. Director Theodore spoke affectionately. “Miss Lowell, everyone knows that while the BM-RP department can be very rewarding, it’s also a tough place to be.” “Director…” “So, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Just feel free to tell me.” …Hearing those words, my heart felt tight. Have I ever received such comfort in my entire career? Even if it’s just empty words for social life anyway. “Thank you…” “Not at all. Come by to visit when the next recruit is assigned here.” “Yes!” “Finley, be careful on your way back.” “…Yes.” As lunch hour was about to end, the two of us hurried back to the office. ‘Okay, I’ve gotten the ingredients.’ As the 《The Embarrassing Encyclopedia of Magic Potions》 says… I can’t recall my entire life’s memories with this. ‘To put it in terms of exams, you can only take one subject you want.’ Since I want to thoroughly review my memories of the original work, that level of effectiveness is enough. ‘Let’s go back to the dorm and try it!’ And now, shall we watch the other team get robbed? * * * Director Theodore’s report had an immediate effect. The Artifact Production Team of the Magic Knights Department was soon summoned by the audit team. [L, let go of this!] [This is unfair! I did nothing wrong… !] [Everyone else is doing it, so why are you only picking on me?!] In fact, the amount embezzled is a type of corruption that the noble class can overlook among themselves. An embezzlement of around 5 million won is hardly noticeable in a large corporation, just like that. ‘But the timing is not good.’ For now, everyone was on edge due to the team leader Allison incident. ‘If anything gets caught, it’ll be unlucky and everything will be exposed.’ So sweet… To survive among those who are being exposed, they had to prove that they were involved in something very, very important. That’s why the artifact that was requested for me was quickly produced. But… “Lowell.” “Yes.” I ended up having a counseling session with the male lead in the break room that has a bed for LaXLaX. The male lead sighed while washing his face dry. “Ha… Did you report the production team’s corruption to Director Wadsworth?” “…!” I almost fainted at that moment. How did the male lead know about this? ‘I had a solid alibi that day, though?’ Director Theodore and Seamus said they wouldn’t say anything? ‘In fact, the biggest problem isn’t the accusation.’ The problem is that I skipped my direct supervisor, the male lead, and went straight to the head of the department next door. I know it was because I was in a hurry to quickly stop the incident, but… ‘I forgot that it would be upsetting from a senior’s perspective since it’s been a while since I was in the position of a new recruit.’ “I’m sorry, senior.” So I bowed my head as if I was going to bang my head on the ground. “A, actually… I had a request for the Director. I wanted to ask for a mandrake…” “A memory booster? Why would you need that?” “I just want to do my job well, but there’s so much to memorize… I guess I got a bit impatient.” “….” Come to think of it, it’s not entirely wrong. Actually, isn’t this the truth? The male lead quietly listened to my rambling apology. Uhm, what would happen if this person got angry? I was starting to get scared. ‘I’ve heard that being near someone with strong magical power makes it hard to breathe because of the aura they emit.’ The male lead had dark circles under his eyes, but his abilities were completely suppressed by force. ‘If he gets angry enough for his aura to be released, even the slightest touch of the air might feel like it’s cutting through flesh.’ At that moment, the male lead took his hands off his face and stared at me. Fortunately, his red eyes didn’t burn with anger toward his stupid junior. “I really appreciate that you’re trying to adapt to a place you didn’t want to be in the first place.” “Ah, yes.” “And in the end, it turned out to be a report that helped the director, so I wasn’t planning on scolding you either.” “Ah, yes. That’s right… the reporting order…” “You should have relied on me, right? I even made a promise.” Somehow, the male lead looked quite disappointed. “I’m just grateful that you’re so sincere about the BM-RP department, but don’t use medicine.” “Oh, but that…!” “I’ll never get angry, even if you make a mistake.” Ah. The male lead wasting the strongest face in that worldview on a company? I almost felt like crying because it was such a waste. “…T, thank you.” It ended on a good note, but I’m still going to eat the mandrake. ‘It’s not like I’m the only one who likes it.’ I shout to crush the BM-RP Department, but in the end, if I catch the mastermind early, the male lead will be happy too. ‘It’s about catching the guy who ruined his family, after all.’ It’s a belated excuse, but please forgive me this time. The male lead, seemingly satisfied that I had reflected enough, handed me a box containing an artifact. “You received the item properly. Try it out.” The artifact that shares vision and sound with those out in the field was a silver ear cuff. The lower part of the ear cuff sparkled with a deep pink gemstone. “Do I really have to wear an ear cuff?” “It’ll be more comfortable for you. Monocles are harder to use than you might think.” “Yes, yes… yes.” The moment I awkwardly placed it on my right ear and pressed the gem. A round lens appeared in front of my right eye, and my reversed image was reflected. “Oh! Ohh?!” “It’s connected to my vision right now.” “Oh, so that’s why it looks like this.” “That’s right. Just don’t use it too much, except when you’re looking at the core.” “Yes.” I didn’t show it because I had just gotten in trouble, but the artifact earrings were really amazing. Even though it’s so small, it must be expensive enough that a commoner would never be able to afford it in their lifetime. ‘Will I be able to keep them even after I quit my job?’ They’re simple, so I can wear them with my official uniform. But when I looked up, the male lead was still staring at me. “Do you like them?” “Ah, yes…” Come to think of it, the male lead requested this ear cuff. ‘Did you make the jewel pink to match my eye color?’ It seems the male lead is also trying hard to be a good senior. Even if he’s one of those who dragged me into a department I didn’t want. I smiled awkwardly. “Thank you, senior.” “….” The male lead didn’t move at that moment. His face hardened for a moment, as if he hadn’t expected me to thank him. Then he quickly turned his head away. “Um, then. Let’s get back to work.” “Yes.” Phew, it was fortunate that the interview ended sooner than expected. ‘I’m done preparing before intervening in the original incident.’ What’s left is… tonight, I plan to eat the root that looks like it’s doing a ballet jump. * * * After work, Carlyle took the two juniors back to the dormitory. Until then, Carlyle’s expression was no different than usual. Serious and polite, always maintaining a composed expression, even when attending meetings. However, once the juniors safely entered, Carlyle’s face changed. His expression was filled with irritation, bubbling with frustration. I would greatly appreciate your continued support by leaving a positive rating on NU so I can continue translating this novel. Thank you.
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