“What is it?” The bald superintendent sat behind his desk, rubbing his shiny head as he looked toward the door.
“Mr. Zat, there’s a girl at the reception desk with a recommendation letter.” The officer handed the letter over to Zat.
“A recommendation letter… Another one… Where does everyone think we have all these positions?” Zat grumbled, taking the letter. After glancing at the seal on the envelope, he tossed it onto his desk with a sigh.
“Mr. Zat, the girl… looks like she’s only thirteen or fourteen years old.” The officer hesitated before adding this detail.
“Another little girl? What is this, a marketplace?” Zat rubbed his temples and let out another sigh before finally tearing open the envelope. After skimming its contents, he said, “Alright, let her in.”
“Yes, sir.” The officer jogged back downstairs, returning shortly after with a beautiful red-haired girl.
Another student… Zat thought as the girl entered. Attending such a prestigious school, couldn’t they just focus on their studies? He rubbed his temples again, trying to soften his tone.
“Miss Ciel, is it?” He gestured toward the chair in front of him. “Please, have a seat. Call me Mr. Zat.”
“Uh… Miss Ciel, let me explain the situation first,” Zat straightened up slightly, carefully choosing his words before reluctantly speaking. “I know you’re very capable, and I trust Headmaster Jenny’s judgment. But the truth is, the police department is already fully staffed…”
“However, I do have another suggestion. If you’re looking for work, there are departments here that still need assistants. The salary would be paid by whoever hires you, not the department itself. Do you understand what I mean?”
“Once there’s an opening for a proper clerical position, I can transfer you over. How does that sound?”
Zat looked at Ciel sincerely, waiting for her response.
Of course, Ciel understood what he meant.
Temporary worker, intern… Call it whatever you like; either way, it wasn’t a stable position.
“What’s the salary like?” Ciel asked.
“It varies… but generally, it’s about 12 shillings per week,” Zat replied.
This was Zat’s way of subtly discouraging her. Given Ciel’s status as an excellent student, she could easily find a job with a higher salary elsewhere.
“Alright. When can I start?” Ciel thought for a moment before asking directly.
Twelve shillings a week wasn’t much, but it was better than nothing. Lichie earned about 10 shillings a week at the factory. With 20 shillings equating to one pound, earning enough for tuition through work alone seemed highly unlikely.
But Ciel wasn’t here to make money. She just needed an official position as a cover.
Working at the police department, no matter the role, would be considered a respectable job.
“Uh…” Zat was momentarily caught off guard by her acceptance. After a brief silence, he said, “Alright, I’ll see who needs an assistant.”
After all, she came highly recommended by Headmaster Jenny, whose reputation extended to the daughters of prominent council members. Not arranging a position for Ciel could lead to inconvenient questions from the council, which wouldn’t reflect well on the chief.
Ciel waited in the office for about ten minutes before Zat returned, looking slightly awkward as he sat back down in front of her.
“Miss Ciel, there is someone who needs an assistant. They’re offering 15 shillings a week… but the department…” Zat hesitated before finally admitting, “It’s a bit… unconventional.”
“What department?” Ciel asked curiously.
“The Investigation Department. You could think of it as the detective division. The work might involve frequent field assignments.”
Investigation Department?
Ciel’s thoughts immediately turned to her last simulation, the one where she encountered Avena. In that simulation, she overheard the Investigation Department mentioned by police officers—specifically, it was Avena who had come from that department.
Ciel had already been looking for an opportunity to get closer to Avena, and now one had fallen right into her lap. Naturally, she wouldn’t let it slip by.
“That’s fine,” Ciel nodded.
“I’ll take you there now. You can discuss the details with them.” Zat stood and gestured for her to follow. He led her up from the second floor to the third floor, the top level of the police station.
After passing the chief’s office and several others, Zat stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway.
Zat opened the door but didn’t step inside. Standing in the doorway, he said, “I’ve brought the assistant. I have other matters to attend to, so you can take it from here.”
With that, Zat turned and left. Ciel couldn’t help but notice that his footsteps seemed noticeably quicker, as though he were eager to distance himself from the Investigation Department.
Isn’t he the superintendent?
“Sorry for intruding,” Ciel stepped into the office. It was a spacious room with excellent lighting from the large windows. There were about four or five desks scattered around, though only one was currently occupied.
“It’s you?” Avena, sitting at the occupied desk, looked up in surprise at Ciel standing by the door. “Come in, and don’t forget to close the door.”
Ciel closed the door and walked over to Avena. “Hello, my name is Ciel.”
“Avena.” Avena removed her gloves, shook hands with Ciel, and then sized her up from head to toe.
“Hmm… I’m not sure if you’re suited for this job,” Avena shook her head and said expressionlessly, “You’re too conspicuous, Miss Ciel.”
“What’s the job?” Ciel asked curiously.
“Mostly helping me conduct basic surveys, asking different people different questions, and compiling the information for me.”
“That’s a simple task, Miss Avena,” Ciel said. “I believe I can handle it.”
This job was too easy for Ciel.
With five shillings of her weekly salary, she could hire two reliable teenagers in the Clock Tower District to do the legwork for her. There would be no shortage of eager candidates—it was far better than working as a child laborer in a factory.
As for herself, she wouldn’t have to lift a finger, earning five shillings a week while enjoying a respectable position as a police assistant. It was both flexible and dignified.
Whether it was the contract’s influence or the effect of 【Art of Conversation】, Avena lowered her gaze in thought for a moment before saying, “I think I can trust you.”
Avena opened a drawer and retrieved three silver coins bearing a crown, handing them to Ciel. “Here are 15 shillings, your advance for this week’s salary.”
“May I ask about my assignments for this week?” Ciel accepted the coins and asked directly.
“You’ll be accompanying me to investigate unexplained dehydration cases in the Clock Tower District,” Avena said. “I’ll need you to record observations while you’re with me. Be here at 7 AM tomorrow morning, on time.”
Unexplained dehydration cases? In the Clock Tower District?
“What’s happening in the Clock Tower District?” Ciel couldn’t help but ask.
“That’s not something you need to concern yourself with, Miss Ciel.” This time, Avena chose to maintain her impassive demeanor, offering no further comment on the matter.