I Became a Civil Servant Who Can Use Magic

Before Loen’s return,
Rumors about her spread instantly throughout the entire capital.

Not just within the Inspection Headquarters, but also in noble society and even the imperial court.

Thanks to this, Loen’s name was mentioned without fail whenever there were gatherings among nobles.

The birth of the youngest Senior Investigator.

Up to here, it could be understandable.

The birth of the youngest Senior Investigator of the ‘Inspection Department’.

When put this way, the story changes.

Because all the past Directors of the Inspection Corps belonged to the Inspection Department.

Director of the Inspection Corps.
Head of a core imperial power institution.
One of the pinnacles of power even in the vast empire.

Through this incident, Loen showed the possibility of becoming one of the highest power holders in the empire in the future.
Although it wasn’t her intention.

Of course, she could stagnate if she doesn’t achieve any notable results after the promotion.
However, just showing a glimpse of possibility has great significance.

Moreover, excluding her background in the Franz family, she had no proper support base or deep connections, so there couldn’t be better conditions for those looking for opportunities.

From now on, the central nobles would be keeping an eye on Loen.

On the other hand, Loen was just peaceful.
To be precise, she didn’t have the luxury to worry about that far.

Anyway, after the early promotion, wouldn’t it be noisy for a few days and then quickly quiet down?

Her thought was that when that happens, she would calmly consider her path and direction, and then run towards 5-star.

“Waaah~”
“Applause!”

As she entered the office, an awkward welcome ceremony greeted Loen.

Pop.
First, Senior Ria set off a firecracker with a cheer.
However, it failed to ignite and only made the sound of opening the lid.

“Huh?”

Clap, clap, clap.
Then came the sound of Psyche’s applause, trying to encourage a response.
But the only one clapping was Psyche.
Understandably so, as Senior Ria, who should have been clapping along, was flustered wondering why the firecracker didn’t go off….

“……”

Loen, passing by this ridiculous scene, arrived in front of the Team Leader.

And the Team Leader’s first words.

“How was the purge?”

It seemed that was what the Team Leader was most curious about.
No interest in anything else, only the purge….

Momentarily taken aback, Loen soon recalled her memories from Brinut.

“I carried out the purge in the audience hall ……… and thus eliminated all their families as well. We couldn’t leave any future troubles. Since the justification was clear, I didn’t feel particularly burdened or uncomfortable.”
“Maknae! You’re more meticulous than you look, or rather, as meticulous as you look?”
“Certainly, in that situation, that was probably the best course of action.”

The team members who had gathered by then each threw in a comment on Loen’s explanation.
In order, it was Senior Ria and Senior Gilbert.

Psyche shrugged her shoulders beside them as if she had done it herself.
Well, Psyche did work hard in her own way too.

Finally, the Team Leader also added a word.

“Must have been fun.”

The Team Leader seemed very regretful that he wasn’t present at the purge site.
It wasn’t particularly fun though..

“Let’s have a team dinner soon.”
“Team Leader, what’s the occasion!?”
“Sounds good.”
“Wow~ Team dinner!”

A sudden team dinner declaration from the Team Leader!
Well, it would be stranger not to have a team dinner when the youngest senior promotee in the team was born.

“Now that you’ve become a senior, we should change how we address you too, right? Ria, Gilbert. From now on, call her by name or rank, not ‘newbie’.”
“Yes!”
“Understood.”

Ria and Gilbert replied to the Team Leader’s words.
Until now it felt like an ‘apprenticeship’, but from Senior Investigator onwards, one is treated as a true member of the Inspection Department.
Therefore, they shouldn’t treat her as before. The seniors knew this well, so they immediately nodded at the team leader’s instruction.

“Lastly, Loen. Submit a detailed report within this week.”
“Yes.”
“Alright, everyone can go now.”

Finally, the Team Leader waved his hand, sending everyone back to their seats.

“Mak.. no. Loen! How was the solo dispatch?”
“Apart from being flustered because things got bigger than expected, well. Just so-so?”
“R-really? Honestly, I was a bit surprised too. Who would have thought such a thing would happen in the frontier..”
“Indeed.”

Perhaps because she had said not to worry, that nothing would happen, that it would be like a light walk, just before leaving for the Barrier.
Senior Ria, feeling guilty, grabbed Loen’s arm and clung on.

“Ahem, I’m saying this just in case. You won’t suddenly start speaking informally to me just because we’re both seniors now, right?”

I hadn’t really thought about that aspect.
But seeing her making a fuss, a mischievous desire arose.

So I stared intently at Senior Ria.

“………..”
“..”

Seeing Loen staring at her silently, Ria broke out in a cold sweat.
No way.. After how well I’ve treated her all this time! I didn’t think she was that kind of person, no way!

Beside them, Psyche watched their interaction with an excited face.
What will be Loen’s choice?

“Still, you were my direct senior, so suddenly speaking informally just because we’re the same rank is a bit.”
“I knew I could trust you~”

Since I’m not the type to prefer informal speech in the first place, formal speech was rather more comfortable. So I decided to keep calling her the same as before.
Both ‘Ms. Ria’ and ‘Senior Ria’ felt awkward. Calling her ‘Senior Ria’ just rolls off the tongue well too.

“Then what will you do when Loen gets promoted to chief first?”
“What?”

At Psyche’s question, which was clearly full of impure intentions, Ria quickly turned her head to look at Loen’s mouth.
Of course, that probably won’t happen… But still, you never know.

Loen’s answer after a moment’s thought.

“Well.”
“..!”

At Loen’s ambiguous answer, a warning light went off in Ria’s head.

At this rate, I might have to call her ‘Chief Loen’ later…!
No, anything but that.

Suddenly, a desire for work surged deep in Ria’s heart.

“I’m going out for a bit!”

Shouting that, Ria disappeared outside the office.
Seeing her like that, Gilbert shook his head.

“That’s why you should have worked hard normally, tsk.”

After finishing lunch, Loen was walking down the corridor when she ran into Seraphine.

“Seraphine? It’s nice to see you after a long time.”
“Ah. Lo-Loen, Investigator..”

Perhaps because they had sparred and even shaken hands, when she met her, Loen felt glad and greeted her first. Seraphine also responded with an expression mixed with gladness and awkwardness.

At her ambiguous reaction, Loen’s eyes narrowed.

‘She was talking about being rivals just before I left for the Barrier..’

Unlike her confident appearance then, Seraphine was now avoiding eye contact.
I think I know the reason.

Then, as Loen unconsciously raised her gaze upwards, she paused.
It was because there was a drastic change in Seraphine’s hairstyle.

‘And why is her hair like that? What on earth happened in just a few months..’

Originally, Seraphine had long straight hair with golden waves rippling through it.
But now….

What should I call that? Twist? Roll? Drill?
Right, drill.

The sides of her hair had transformed into a drill shape.

She already had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a noble impression, but now with her hair changed like this.
Now she really gave off an atmosphere like she might laugh “Ohoho~”.

“Investigator Seraphine. By the way, it seems there’s been quite a big change in your hairstyle. Was there some change in your state of mind?”
“Ah~ You mean this.”

Seraphine, as if shooting an advertisement, tilted her waist back and flicked her hair with her hand.

“After losing in the duel, to pull myself together from the bitter feelings and also for a change of mood, I tried this new hairstyle. How is it? Isn’t it quite nice?”
“It suits you well.”

It’s not nice at all, but I went along with it moderately.
Seraphine continued with a pleased expression.

“Right? As expected of someone from another ducal family, you have a good eye~ Hmmph. By the way, I heard you had a lot going on during your solo dispatch.”
“Somehow it turned out that way.”
“A newcomer who just joined carrying out a purge…. As expected of my rival. I should work even harder too.”

There’s no need to work harder..

“More than that, Investigator Loen. There’ve been widespread rumors in social circles lately, did you know?”
“Me? In social circles?”
“Of course. Everyone’s been asking me to arrange a meeting with you so earnestly! Really.”

While saying this, Seraphine sent an expectant look.
Loen, letting out a small sigh, decided to meet her expectations.

“Invite me sometime.”

Seraphine was startled by the positive response. It seems she didn’t expect Loen to actually agree.
Of course, Loen only said so, nothing more.

Afterwards, with her tension heightened, she suddenly started pouring out words.

‘She was talkative to begin with. But still… She’s been avoiding my eyes since earlier.’

From when they first met, Seraphine’s gaze had been consistently directed at Loen’s neck and mouth, not her eyes.
Seeing her clumsy gaze management, Loen narrowed her eyes and said.

“I have something to say.”
“…… A certain lady was so surprised when she saw my hair and.. Huh?”

Seraphine gulped at Loen’s calm gaze.
In fact, she could guess what Loen was about to say.

“Wh-what do you have to say?”
“I got promoted, you know. So from now on, please call me Senior.”
“Ah..”

Seraphine – Enforcement Team 1 maknae, 2nd year Investigator.
Loen – Inspection Department maknae, 5-month Senior Investigator.

The harsh truth Seraphine had been trying to ignore.

Of course, Loen was just joking. She had no intention of being treated as a senior like this, nor did she feel the need for it.

The problem was that Seraphine didn’t feel that way at all.

Because Loen’s appearance, speaking with flashing red eyes, looked so serious, Seraphine’s pupils shook uncontrollably.

“I’m joking.”

Even if she says it’s a joke now.

“……”