Chapter 82. For the Sake of Living, Time to Work
At Wode Academy, the end of Vanessa’s compulsory class was always the most exciting time for the students.
“Finally, we’re free—!”
With a chorus of cheers, the entire corridor erupted into joyful commotion.
According to Wode Academy’s rules, students were required to attend one compulsory class per day. Elective classes were optional, so the teaching model here was quite liberal.
Watching rows of students celebrating their “freedom,” Vanessa smiled wryly and shook her head. Carrying a stack of student records in her arms, she strode back to her office with her long legs.
After setting the files down on her desk, Vanessa stretched lazily and glanced out the window at the laughing children outside. Her mood was especially good.
Then, sneaking a quick glance left and right, she confirmed that the staff room contained only one other person: an old man currently studying magic.
That man was Gran Black, the elective teacher who specialized in enchantments. He was tinkering with a longsword and didn’t even glance at Vanessa as she entered.
Seeing this, Vanessa exhaled in relief. Then, carefully, she pulled a bottle of red wine from her desk drawer.
Just as she uncorked it and was about to sneak a sip, the old man named Gran spoke up.
“Respected Director Vanessa, if the headmaster finds out you’re drinking in the academy again, you might not get off with just a fine this time.”
“Mr. Gran… uh… hehe, you’ve misunderstood.”
Looking a bit awkward, Vanessa quickly stuffed the wine bottle away again. “I was just taking it out to sniff the aroma—not planning to drink it.”
“Well, even sniffing it wouldn’t be advisable.”
“Ha, there aren’t that many rules.”
Vanessa waved her hand indifferently. “I know old Caesar said no drinking, but he didn’t say I couldn’t smell it. Smelling shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Hehe, Director Vanessa, my point is that if you smell it, the scent will linger. Showing up in front of students with alcohol on you might damage your image as a teacher.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. My class is already over. Those brats are probably wishing I’d disappear—why would I appear in front of them again?”
“Well then… just now, a little one came looking for you.”
“Looking for me?”
Vanessa was stunned.
Usually, students were scared stiff of her. When would they ever seek her out in private?
Just as she was frozen in thought, a little head peeked into the room from the door.
A silvery-gray-haired little girl walked in with her hands behind her back. She looked very well-behaved, blinking her crimson eyes cutely, and gave Vanessa a polite bow.
“Ms. Vanessa, I was the one looking for you.”
“Erika?”
Vanessa was surprised but smiled as she responded, “Usually, you’re the first one to leave the academy after class. Waiting for me today—how rare.”
“Not at all…”
Erika blinked sweetly and grinned, revealing her two little tiger teeth. Her hands remained behind her back, making her look like a proper, obedient child.
“I’ve always loved your classes most, Ms. Vanessa. Among all the teachers, I think you teach the best. Plus, you’re such a beauty—pretty and so full of personality…”
“Okay okay, that’s enough!”
Vanessa quickly stopped Erika’s flattery and laughed, “Just get to the point, little one. What do you need?”
“Hmm—…”
Drawing out the syllable, Erika said softly, “Ms. Vanessa, remember when you came to my house? You mentioned you’d arrange things like meals and housing for me and Gladys…”
“And?”
“We don’t need help with housing or protection anymore. I’d like to ask Ms. Vanessa… to help me find a job.”
“A job?”
Vanessa looked surprised. “You? Looking for a job?”
“Yep, me.”
Erika patted her chest. “I’m really capable—I can do anything! And… I don’t want Gladys to be too tired. I want to support myself.
That way, I can occasionally buy gifts for her too… She’s already done so much to take care of me—I don’t want her to keep worrying.”
“That’s admirable, Erika. Compared to other girls your age, you’ve really earned my respect.”
The thought of this small girl wanting to find work amused Vanessa, but she still answered seriously: “I do have a maid job available. You can give it a try.”
“M-maid?”
Hearing that, Erika narrowed her eyes. “Whose maid…?”
“A disabled woman’s.”
Hearing it was a woman, Erika let out a breath.
No way was she going to work as some man’s maid—she’d rather die.
“Then… what does a maid usually have to do?” Erika asked.
“Just take care of her daily needs. After class, you’d go there and clean up, stuff like that.
As for pay—it's very good. Five gold coins per day.”
“So much?”
Erika was surprised at the amount.
Five gold coins wasn’t a small sum. That could buy tons of delicious food and beautiful dresses.
But after thinking about it, Erika found it strange.
Why would such a high-paying job be left for her?
“Of course, there’s a reason for the high pay.”
Vanessa explained with a smile: “I previously hired several maids for her, but every single one got yelled at and left. That woman has a very bad temper.”
“Is she that fierce?”
Erika pursed her red lips. “Why did she scold them? Did the maids do a bad job?”
“Who knows.”
Vanessa shrugged. “She’s just weird. The kind of person who snaps and yells at people for no reason.
If you go, I can give you a tip.”
“What tip?”
“Don’t use any honorifics when addressing her.”
“Then what should I call her…?”
“Call her Miss Sunflower.”
Miss Sunflower?
What a strange person… she even likes being called that…
Vanessa glanced at Erika and handed her a piece of paper with an address.
“This is her home. If you're willing, just go there and say you’re the new maid.”
“Oh, alright.”
Taking the address, Erika smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Ms. Vanessa.”
“And Erika…”
Vanessa added a reminder, “If she scolds you and says you’re not good enough, don’t get angry, okay?
Because that woman… was once a hero who protected countless people.
She was the previous Saintess of the Holy Church.”
Saintess!?
Hearing that, Erika was stunned.
She didn’t know exactly what being a Saintess meant, but she did know that the Holy Church was one of the most revered and sacred institutions in the world—home to the great Gods themselves.
While Erika was still processing that, Vanessa gave another sigh beside her.
“Erika, you really are a charming little thing.”
“Ah… why?” Erika blinked in confusion.
“Do you know? Gladys is famously stubborn. She usually refuses all my help. But this time…”
Vanessa looked over the little girl carefully.
“…it was because of you. Before class this morning, she came to see me. She asked me to find her a simple job. She said she promised you and couldn’t keep earning money her old way.
I originally wanted to get her something a bit more prestigious, but getting into court mage positions in the Imperial Capital isn’t easy, and she didn’t want to do those things anyway.”
“So what job did you give her?”
“Captain of the North Gate Guard in the Imperial Capital—pfft, hahaha…”
At this, Vanessa burst out laughing. “If it were the old Gladys, she’d never agree to it.
But now she obediently went off to become a gatekeeper for the capital.
That job’s actually really easy—doesn’t require appearances or high status. Plus, there are rarely any incidents at the city gates. She hardly even needs to be there most of the time. You could call it a very… leisurely job.”