Ch.213Chapter 213 – The Emotion Called Obsession

To put it simply, hiring Mina as a maid did not happen.

“I’m sorry. According to Imperial employment law, Count, you cannot currently hire a maid.”

The reason was due to the specific clauses regarding the employment of maids and servants in Imperial employment law.

Everyone in the Empire has the right to employ maids and servants, and in very limited circumstances, even owning slaves is permitted.

However, most slaves are sent to state-owned mines, so slaves are rarely seen in everyday life.

Therefore, those who typically serve the nobility are maids or servants employed through formal contracts.

“What conditions am I lacking that prevent me from hiring a maid?”

“First, you must have a residence registered under your name. Additionally, you must have evidence of residing in the area where you purchased the residence for at least one year and paying taxes for more than two years.”

In other words, I needed to have a house in my name and a record of paying taxes in that area for at least two years.

“Therefore, although you hold the title of Count, you cannot hire maids or servants due to issues with housing and tax payment records.”

I thought there might be some grand reason, but in the end, I couldn’t hire Mina because I had no house and no record of paying taxes.

I conveyed this information to Mina.

“I see… I wanted to repay your kindness somehow…”

Mina showed a disappointed expression, clearly saddened by the fact that she couldn’t be employed as my maid.

“There must be other ways to repay the favor. Why are you so determined to become a maid?”

“Being employed as a maid would be much less of a financial burden on you than being employed as a magician.”

Ah.

So Mina was thoughtfully considering the option that would be less financially burdensome for me…?

Wait a minute.

“Wouldn’t I be paying either way, whether I hire you as a maid or a magician?”

“If employed as a magician, you must pay at least 100 silver coins monthly. For maids, there’s no minimum wage requirement. However, if no wages are paid at all, you must guarantee that they can take on other work.”

“So, you’re saying you want to be a maid who works without pay?”

“Yes.”

I was dumbfounded by Mina’s words.

I mean, when she asked to be hired as a maid, I thought it was her way of repaying the favor, but…

‘Working without any pay? What is this about?’

“Hah…”

“I-if you don’t like the idea…”

“That’s not it. But do I look like someone who would exploit you without pay?”

If there was something Mina misunderstood, it was that I didn’t help her expecting anything in return.

I mean, if my favorite person was in trouble and I was the only one who could help, wouldn’t I naturally do so?

Isn’t that what any decent person would do?

“Besides, I never did this expecting anything in return. So, return to the academy, complete your studies, and then come back as a magician. Then I’ll formally employ you.”

With that, I handed Mina a pouch.

“What is this?”

“It’s compensation issued in the name of the Glesius Academy Headmaster.”

“Compensation?”

“Yes. Think of it as consolation money personally given to you by the Headmaster for failing to prevent Caren Blechet’s wrongful actions.”

For reference, the amount in this pouch was about twenty gold coins.

Given that Mina’s monthly salary was around 40 silver coins, this amount was equivalent to about four years of her salary.

“Is this really so much?”

“You’re not the only one receiving it. I understand that similar amounts are being given to others who had to leave the academy because of Caren Blechet.”

This incident was largely the responsibility of the academy for failing to properly manage Caren Blechet.

So, Sister Regina decided to use her personal funds to provide compensation to the victims under the name of consolation money.

The total amount was about 200 gold coins.

That meant approximately 10 students had left the academy.

Most of the students who quit the academy lived far away from it.

So I gave Justin the list and pouches of consolation money, asking him to ensure the money was delivered accurately to these people.

“Since the Count has made this request, I will ensure the items are delivered safely and reliably.”

It felt a bit like I was using an information broker organization as mail carriers or delivery personnel, but it was easier than me running around trying to find out where everyone lived.

Of course, as a form of payment—though it’s a bit much to call it that—I agreed to repair the Black Feather’s building in Arkenium.

Though publicly known as a merchant guild, they were essentially information brokers, making it quite difficult for them to hire workers for building repairs.

While the exterior might not be an issue, the interior was challenging to work on due to various confidential materials, so Justin seemed satisfied with the arrangement as it allowed them to renovate the building while maintaining secrecy.

“Could you please convey my thanks to the Headmaster?”

“I’ll certainly pass that along. It’s getting late, so I should be heading back now. I’ll see you at the academy.”

“Ah, yes! Please take care on your way back!”

I left Mina’s lodging with her seeing me off.

As I exited the building, I noticed several armed individuals scattered around, engaged in conversation.

These were members of the Black Feather, who were escorting Mina until her return to the academy.

When I made eye contact with one of them, they bowed in greeting, and I nodded in response.

Having met with Mina and delivered the consolation money, it was time for me to return to my lodging.

◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈◇◈

Back in her room, Mina stared blankly at the compensation pouch Pathos had given her.

‘Do I look like someone who would exploit you without pay?’

The reason was precisely because of what Pathos had said.

His words about not being the type to exploit her without pay echoed in her mind.

Pathos had helped her without expecting anything in return because she was his favorite heroine.

He even intended to pay her properly despite her unreasonable request to be hired as a maid.

She had vaguely thought about being employed as a maid to repay his kindness by staying by his side for life, but she hadn’t considered any of the practical issues.

‘I still haven’t grown up.’

Mina sighed, realizing that despite her age, she still hadn’t matured.

‘Count Severio is truly remarkable.’

Naturally, she began comparing herself to Pathos.

Pathos, who received abilities from the Great Goddess and could be considered a reincarnation of the Nameless Hero.

And Mina, born to ordinary parents but possessing exceptional magical talent passed down from her ancestors.

The two had completely different starting conditions, so comparison wasn’t really appropriate.

However, for Mina, Pathos was becoming an indispensable presence in her life.

Their connection began when he repaired the crystal orb attached to the magic wand her parents had given her, and their relationship had continued since then.

Of course, they hardly met after entering the second year, but when she was falsely accused and expelled from the academy, Pathos was the only one who came to find her, apart from Elena.

This was partly because the academy’s rules had changed in preparation for the war with the Demon Cult, making it almost impossible to go out to meet her, and partly because Caren Blechet’s manipulation of public opinion had prevented Mina’s innocence from becoming known.

However, to Mina, who was unaware of these circumstances, Pathos was a savior who had rescued her life.

He had even died once and been resurrected, so to those who didn’t know him well, Pathos was regarded as almost a divine messenger.

For these reasons, an inexplicable feeling toward Pathos had been growing in Mina’s heart, and this incident had allowed it to definitively take root.

“I can’t give up… I must stay by his side.”

Obsession.

It was the emotion of obsession.

In Mina’s heart, her fondness for Pathos combined with her precarious situation had given birth to a new feeling of obsession toward him.

“Wait for me, Count. I will… become the greatest magician and earn the right to stand proudly by your side.”