The Chief Seat and the Last Seat (Part 2)

...Delicious.

Jack ate the food on his plate in small, elegant bites.

Even though his stomach felt as hollow as if it were devouring itself, he could not shed certain habits cultivated in childhood—such as dining etiquette, or his refined palate.

The common saying that "everything tastes good when you're starving" did not apply to him.

If anything, he had become even more fastidious.

Especially after drinking the magic potion.

Though he was so hungry he felt like biting into anything he saw, he couldn't swallow ordinary food. He could only stomach the most exquisite dishes he had been able to afford back when his family was still wealthy. Yet, his appetite had grown, leaving him in a state of perpetual, gnawing hunger.

In such a state, thinking was, of course, impossible.

However, thinking had no meaning for Jack anyway.

What was there to think about? The fact that his father had an illegitimate child? That his mother had a lover? That his family had gone bankrupt? That his father had forced him to drink the magic potion? That he had grown strange horns? That even then, he hadn't gained any Mana? That the school wanted to expel him? That everyone's attitude toward him had changed? Or the fact that every time the horns on his head began to grow, his hunger became even more unbearable?!

Reflecting on any of these things brought nothing but increased pain; it was utterly meaningless.

And so, Jack abandoned all thought, living like a beast.

To him, studies, graduation, and employment were all irrelevant. As long as he could quiet that eternally wailing stomach, nothing else mattered.

Jack didn't even know where he was or what he was supposed to do; he saw only the meal on his plate.

It was truly delicious.

Even without thinking, Jack understood that this was a "eat this meal, don't expect the next" level of luxury.

Thus, he ate with even greater focus.

"My, this is the handiwork of a five-star master!" Owen exclaimed in admiration. His tongue was equally sharp, and having tasted his fair share of delicacies, he even identified the chef. "This is the work of Chef Edward from the Cloud Restaurant, isn't it? Did you invite him here?"

"I didn't invite the man, but the dish is his," Angellreplied vaguely.

He hadn't expected anyone to be able to tell; that meant he couldn't sell it out front anymore! It was, after all, a pirated copy.

Angellthought with a touch of regret.

That was right; this meal was "pirated"—it hadn't been cooked by that master chef himself!

Angellhad spent half the day studying the Alchemy Pot, concluding that letting the pot "eat" at various famous restaurants was a viable solution.

After all, as a chef, it was impossible to cook every single day while channeling emotions like "gratitude for a mother's love," "fury toward an enemy," or "I will become the best in the world," right? This wasn't a cooking anime like Chuuka Ichiban!

So, Angellhad taken the pot to the Cloud Restaurant, the highest-rated establishment in Cecilia City.

After consuming three recipes containing emotions like "Edward's carelessness," "Edward's boredom," and "Edward's single-mindedness," Angellfinally obtained a steak devoid of any emotion.

This was the very one they were eating now.

Angellhad considered selling them, but since the Alchemy Pot did the work, the ingredient costs were low once you subtracted the chef's salary. If he sold them too well, he would be stealing the chef's livelihood—killing the goose that laid the golden eggs.

However, when he had time later, he could use a teleportation array to "hunt" for delicacies in distant cities and sell them in areas that wouldn't affect the original chefs' lives, or simply pay those chefs a commission.

But with no money and no time at this stage, he would just keep it exclusive to the staff cafeteria!

Angellthought to himself.

Assistant Will, however, was unaware of these inner workings.

Hearing the conversation between Angelland Owen, he smiled sheepishly. "Did you go out of your way to buy this? You really didn't have to be so polite."

He certainly didn't think Angellwould serve five-star cuisine just to entertain a group of brats, but since the other party couldn't possibly have known that the Mayor was gracing them with his presence, he assumed Angellwas just being hospitable to him.

Angellreplied, "It's no trouble. It's just the standard fare for the staff cafeteria from now on."

Will chuckled, assuming Angellwas just bragging.

Still, providing such delicacies to the staff was definitely a worthwhile investment.

Good food was the best way to win people over.

Even with Angell's emotional intelligence, he could see that while some had looked clueless when he spoke about their benefits earlier, after this meal, almost everyone was flushed with satisfaction, their eyes shining.

Especially the boy with horns on his head; he ate at a steady pace, finishing nine steaks, yet still looked hungry. Angellhad the cat serve him two more.

The horned boy took the plates and continued, not even lifting his head, eating whatever was put in front of him.

This sheep is a carnivore, then!

Angellfound it amusing. He loved feeding little animals that ate quickly in small bites; the best part was that they just ate without displaying too many emotions.

...Though, this child is human, right?

Angellwaited until all the boys had finished eating and rested enough before beginning the interviews.

The interviews were held on the second floor of the Magic Gear shop, which would also be their future workplace.

Although there were plenty of production rooms behind the shop in the workshop, the staff was currently small, and operations mostly utilized the first-floor storefront. Angellfigured there would be time to clean and renovate the workshop interior later.

The point was, after lighting up the staff dormitory, Angell's funds were only enough to unlock the second floor of the shop.

But the second floor was enough for now.

Angellhad the cat-servants clean the place thoroughly, then moved several tables over from the production room. He partitioned the space with dividers and bookshelves and added a few potted plants, making it look much like his studio from his past life.

Angellalso brought over the small perks typical of an internet company.

"You are free to drink from the Carbonated Water machine at the entrance, and the snacks in the cabinet here are also free for the taking," Angellsaid. "Working hours are flexible; as long as you complete your daily tasks, I don't mind when you clock in or out." After all, they would end up working overtime regardless.

"Whoa~~" a few of the naive youths exclaimed.

The atmosphere among the youths had completely thawed. Setting aside their initial prejudices, many now genuinely felt that staying to work in this workshop wouldn't be such a bad idea.

However, interviews are a two-way street.

The job seekers were worried about future benefits and promotion paths, while the recruiter needed employees with sufficient talent.

"Next, I'll need everyone to undergo a small test."

Angellfinally brought out his interview questions.

He beckoned with his finger, and a whiteboard inscribed with runes, mounted on wheels, rolled over to his side with a clatter.

"I need everyone to copy the runes on this whiteboard. Those who can successfully copy them and replicate their effects will be considered qualified," Angellsaid. "The Rune Pens and Rune Slates are on the tables nearby; you may use them as you wish."

This was content the youths were familiar with.

Strangely, many of them felt much more at ease.

If this Black Robe kept giving things away without asking for anything in return, the youths would have truly worried that Angell's goal was to toss them into a pot to boil. Now that they heard there was a test they had to pass, the previous perks suddenly felt reasonable, and they even developed a sense of competitiveness. They wanted to show off their skills, if only to be worthy of the treatment Angellprovided.

And so, some youths looked at the whiteboard to study the questions, while others headed toward the desks to pick a spot. Before long, they were all seated and began copying the runes.

Assistant Will watched the youths' movements from the side.

Once the scene quieted down, he took out his pocket watch to check the time.

"Mr. Angell, aren't you going to set a time limit?" Assistant Will asked.

"I don't mind," Angellreplied.

Currently, aside from Angell, there wasn't a single Rune Master in the workshop. Even if the other party took three days to copy a single rune, they were still combat power, so Angellhad no room to be picky about time.

Will's expression turned somewhat bitter: "But it's already very late."

They had arrived by train in the afternoon, then toured the dorms and had dinner; it was already eight o'clock in the evening. If there was no time limit, this would drag on until the middle of the night.

Angelldidn't have that concept: "Is it late? I feel like it's only just noon."

What kind of sleep schedule do you even have?!

Will said patiently: "But I'm worried these children will run out of energy."

...The Carbonated Water in the drink machine next to them was spiked with Energy Potion; one sip would definitely keep them awake until tomorrow.

Angellultimately didn't show the cold side of the Black Robe.

He only complained: "That's why I said, it doesn't have to be today."

"...I apologize," Will said.

However, since the assistant had gone to such lengths, Angellfelt he couldn't be entirely heartless (Will: ...).

"Two hours, then!" Angellalso checked his pocket watch.

"Two hours for the assessment. However, considering their energy levels, if they can't pass this time, they can stay in our workshop for a week to recover their spirits before testing again," Angellsaid. "If they truly can't pass, they can return to school to study further; we welcome them to try again next time."

If they go back to school and help us promote the workshop, that would be even better, Angellcalculated.

Though his emotional intelligence was low, there were precedents in his past life for how to win over fresh graduates.

This wasn't just a simple recruitment drive; it was an advertising opportunity!

Fresh graduates were the easiest to coax. You didn't even need to offer internships; as long as you gave them multiple chances during the interview, let them see the "exquisite" life at your facility, and drop hints about the benefits of successful employment, these kids would develop a favorable impression of the company even if they didn't become employees, automatically turning into living advertisements.

Will didn't know the dirty thoughts in Angell's mind, only thinking to himself:

Then what is the point of this assessment?!

Will finally understood what Angellmeant when he told Branch President Hume, "I want them all."

He meant "all" in the literal sense!

This Black Robe wanted to scoop up every single magic graduate!

I wonder what Mayor Owen would think if he heard about this plan?

Will thought, looking uneasily at Owen, who was sitting to the side.

Mayor Owen was watching the children working hard to copy the runes with intense focus, his smiling face revealing nothing of his true thoughts.