Chapter 8: The Stardust Society (Please Continue Reading)

Leave?

"Where do you expect me to go?"

"Back to where you came from, naturally. I already have a grasp of your situation, so there is no need for you to provide a formal statement."

Olivia tapped her fingers on the desk, signaling Ron to get lost immediately.

Is that really what she meant?

The blonde youth twitched his lips and, with thick-skinned persistence, said, "Um... the 100 gold lions in advance pay that Miss Talia promised me haven't been given to me yet."

?

The black-haired woman behind the desk froze, surprised that anyone would have the audacity to try and extort her.

Money is not everything, but one cannot do anything without money.

Although the high-paying job he saw in the newspaper turned out to be a scam, the feeling of losing it left Ron feeling lost and unsure of his next step. If he couldn't pay the four months of back rent within the deadline, he would likely be homeless in a day or two. Three months of failed job hunts had taught him that he must seize every opportunity.

Olivia studied the youth's fair face and his slightly faded mage's robe, and she immediately understood the situation. She pondered for a moment, then shook her head in response to Ron's hopeful gaze.

"I am sorry, but the Ancaster family's assets are protected by law, and the real Talia Ancaster is still alive. Therefore, the 'imposter' cannot fulfill what she promised you."

Wait, what did you just say?

"The real Talia Ancaster is still alive!?" Ron asked in astonishment, finding it hard to believe.

The black-haired woman regained her stern demeanor. "Yes, she is still alive. Unexpected, isn't it?"

"The person who stole her body did not kill her. Instead, she trapped her fate in the Lower District, forcing her to work every day in her place to earn a meager wage."

"The imposter used a new vessel to assume everything that was Talia's, even graduating from the Enlightenment Society and becoming a Tier 2 Thought Scholar."

"The real Talia tried to resist, screaming or calling the police, but her 'family' dismissed it as a mental illness. We didn't discover her until half a month ago."

What kind of deep-seated grudge is this...

Ron felt suffocated just thinking about it and was deeply grateful that he had blown the imposter's head off with a single shot. After all, he wouldn't be able to sleep well at night knowing someone like that was targeting him.

Seeing the youth's reflective expression, Olivia crossed her arms over her chest and said sternly:

"I am telling you this so you understand the severity of the matter, and to keep you from talking about it everywhere!"

"This kind of forbidden truth can deceive even the gods; its status is absolutely equal to, if not higher than, divine miracles."

"This time the one whose brain was replaced was a wealthy merchant. What if next time it's a high-ranking noble, or even the King?"

"The Holy See and the Royal Court will not allow such things to exist, nor anyone or anything connected to them!"

So, you're saying I should thank you for sparing my life?

Ron paused, sighed silently, and stood up to leave.

He hadn't managed to swindle any money, let alone receive compensation, and now he was entangled in a mess of trouble with the risk of being silenced by the Royal Court and the Holy See.

Life is truly difficult.

As the blonde youth turned to leave, he scanned the office and suddenly had a bright idea. He straightened his mage's robe, smoothed out his messy blonde hair, and asked Olivia expectantly:

"Ms. Olivia, are you still hiring here?"

"Since you, the boss, have to go out into the field, you must be short-handed, right?"

If you can't beat them, join them.

It was a simple, plain, and extremely effective strategy. Ron dared not gamble his life on luck or the conscience of the Holy See and the Royal Court; this wasn't the rule-of-law society of his past life. Becoming one of their own meant all those risks would disappear, and he might even earn some credit.

Olivia sensed Ron's shameless intent, and her lips couldn't help but twitch. But when she saw the youth's pitiful expression, she sighed.

"We are an external department affiliated with the Kingdom's Police Department, though not entirely. You might have heard of the Mage Association from centuries ago."

"Ever since we lost contact with the branches on other continents, the Mage Association of the Olan Kingdom gradually transformed, becoming the predecessor to our Stardust Society."

"While the pay here is very high—higher than most municipal employees—the mortality rate is consistently high as well."

"As for the work, I think you have a rough idea."

"Hunting down heretical believers who worship evil gods, tracking down truth-crazed lunatics, stopping mythological monsters attempting to reappear, clearing away fragments of evil gods that fall into reality from the 'Deep,' and sealing 'forbidden truths' that defy common sense..."

"Are you sure you want to join us?"

The black-haired woman's voice turned gravelly, crafting an atmosphere that suggested certain death for anyone who joined.

Honestly, Ron felt like running away. However, the instinct born of poverty still drove him to ask the question he cared about most.

"How much a month?"

"12 gold lions," Olivia raised an eyebrow.

What? That's the same price as "Pink Romance."

Hearing the familiar figure, Ron was deeply disappointed and couldn't help but recall the kind soul who had given him three gold lions yesterday.

"How do I apply? Do I need to pass an examination?"

Olivia, surprised that the terrifying atmosphere she had created hadn't scared Ron off, nodded slightly.

"The condition for joining is simple: you must earn my approval."

?

"Is this a proper job?" Ron was stunned.

Earn your approval? Are you trying to play some kind of power game?

"Ron, I really don't think your way of thinking is like that of a minor!"

The black-haired woman rolled her eyes. "I mean... you must have some skills that are extraordinary."

"Not everyone is suited for the work we do here."

Extraordinary skills...

Glancing at the system panel, where his mastery of the Holy Light Healing spell was comparable to a god's, Ron nodded his blonde head vigorously.

I have them, I have them.

"I know the Holy Light Healing spell. Would you like to try it?"

Healing spell?

Isn't that something every mage knows?

He's so confident; could he be an expert in this field?

Watching the youth's earnest expression, Olivia decided to give this unlucky fellow a chance.

She rolled up her sleeve, revealing a wound about half a foot long on her fair arm. Inside the wound was a black substance that was hard to discern; just looking at it gave one a strange, sinking feeling, as if falling out of reality.

"Go ahead, try it. If you perform well, I might just let you pass," the black-haired woman said with a confident smile, resting her elbow on the desk.

Ron was overjoyed. He felt a long-lost sense of respect, felt the joyful dance of the Holy Light elements, and felt a sense of trust between people.

Therefore... Ron decided to use his full strength to showcase his uniqueness!

A radiance erupted from the youth's palm. It was an eternal, unchanging glow that illuminated everything—the scar on her arm, and even Olivia's pupils.

In that moment, this Tier 6 legend felt as if she were seeing the light, as if she were seeing the "God of Holy Light" beckoning to her.

No! Something is wrong!

"Stop! Don't move!"

Olivia struggled to break free from the near-death experience, calling for him to stop immediately.

Feeling the incomparable, bone-shattering pain in her arm, she immediately put on a stern face and gritted her teeth at Ron.

"You're hired!"

Hearing this, Ron looked solemn, feeling a warm current wash over his heart.

He knew it—gold will shine wherever it is placed!

The youth dissipated the intensely concentrated radiance in his hands and asked curiously, "Ms. Olivia, which of my qualities do you find so impressive that it moved you to tears?"

Olivia remained silent, only taking small, sharp breaths. Ten seconds later, she said slowly:

"Someone like you... keeping you in the Stardust Society just means I have to pay one more salary, but if I let you run off to some cult..."

That would be a disaster.