Fixing a Ruined Ending C3

Chapter 3

#3

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavy.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes darting back and forth between Fel and Rainer.

When Blen had remembered that particular clause during lunch, he’d thought he’d struck gold. After sharing it with everyone, even the Grade 2 seniors—including Fel—had looked astonished, as if the possibility had never once crossed their minds.

Which wasn’t surprising.

Being a minister’s assistant was generally considered a desirable position. The pay was better, and it also improved one’s chances of promotion.

As a result, assistant positions were rarely ever vacant. Even when they were, there were usually at least two or three volunteers competing for the role.

There had simply never been a situation where that clause in the law would come into play, so everyone had forgotten it even existed.

Until now.

Up until this point, anyone personally appointed by Rainer had reluctantly accepted the position, no matter how unwilling they were.

But after fifteen assistants had resigned…

No one could be blamed for finally deciding enough was enough.

“Haa…”

Rainer’s deep sigh broke the silence.

Fel instinctively shrank his shoulders.

Pretending to concentrate on his paperwork, Blen secretly watched Rainer’s every reaction.

“…The law, huh.”

Rainer’s tired eyes drifted into space for a brief moment.

He looked at Fel once…

Then walked right past him into his private office.

The moment the office door shut—

Fel let out the breath he’d been holding and practically collapsed into his chair.

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.

“…I think… we got away with it?”

Another member spoke cautiously.

He was right.

If Rainer had intended to ignore the law and force Fel into the position anyway, he would’ve demanded an application on the spot.

From that moment onward, a rather bizarre situation unfolded within the Department of Magic.

Rainer began appointing one Grade 2 member after another—everyone except Fel—to become his assistant.

Every single one of them invoked the law Blen had reminded them about…

…and exercised their right to refuse.

After being rejected three more times following Fel’s refusal, Rainer finally pressed a hand to his forehead.

“Do any of you have the slightest intention of properly running this department?”

“Or do you think work is some kind of children’s game?”

His already sharp gaze turned even colder.

Everyone lowered their heads, doing their utmost to avoid making eye contact.

Just when it seemed another furious lecture was about to begin…

Rainer took out his pocket watch and checked the time.

Clicking his tongue out of habit, he left the Department of Magic and stepped into the corridor.

Today was the day the heads of all five departments gathered for their regular meeting.

As he walked down the hallway, members of the other departments hurriedly greeted him with exaggerated politeness.

Anyone could tell at a glance that he was in an exceptionally foul mood.

“Every time I see Minister Rainer, his aura is unbelievable…”

“I know, right? He’s terrifying, but honestly… he’s so handsome it’s hard not to stare. If only his personality weren’t…”

“Then why don’t you transfer to the Department of Magic?”

“No thanks. I’d rather die. Even if I were a mage, I’d never work there.”

A few members from another department whispered among themselves.

Suddenly—

Rainer stopped walking.

He slowly turned his head to look at them.

The moment they felt his icy stare…

“…Ugh.”

The two froze, held their breath, then hurriedly fled in the opposite direction as though nothing had happened.

Rainer resumed walking.

He swept a hand through his bangs, leaving his black hair even more tousled than before.

His destination was the conference room on the third floor.

The instant he opened the door…

Several hostile gazes landed squarely on him.

The ministers from the other departments had already arrived.

Seated around the large circular table were the four ministers besides Rainer himself:

The Minister of Finance.

The Minister of Administration.

The Minister of Justice.

And the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Standing behind each minister was their respective assistant.

“So…”

“The youngest minister is also the last one to arrive.”

“My, how times have changed, wouldn’t you agree?”

The first to speak was the Minister of Finance, who leaned comfortably back in his chair.

“Being late is a relative concept.”

“I arrived before the meeting began, so there is no issue.”

“And I’m not sure what my age has to do with your claim that the times have changed.”

Even after such an obvious jab, Rainer’s expression remained perfectly unchanged as he calmly took the remaining seat.

The Minister of Finance openly clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Of the five ministers, everyone except the Minister of Administration viewed Rainer rather unfavorably.

To those with old-fashioned, conservative values, a young man rising to such a high position through ability alone wasn’t something they appreciated.

More importantly…

Rainer’s personality was infamous.

And those stories weren’t limited to the Department of Magic.

“By the way, Minister Rainer.”

“Shouldn’t you at least make an effort to look presentable?”

“Is that today’s agenda?”

Rainer asked flatly.

“If not, why are we wasting time discussing matters unrelated to the meeting?”

“W-What did you just say…?”

The Minister of Justice’s lips twitched.

His disbelief was written plainly across his face.

That was Rainer.

It didn’t matter whether the other person was older or younger than him.

It didn’t matter how much more experience they had.

He treated everyone exactly the same.

Which was precisely why so many of the other ministers disliked him.

The Minister of Justice’s lips twitched.

His disbelief was written plainly across his face.

That was the problem with Rainer.

His infamous personality wasn’t reserved for people younger than him.

He treated everyone the same—whether they were older, younger, or seasoned veterans with years of experience.

Given that, it was hardly surprising the other ministers found him insufferable.

“Whether it’s on today’s agenda or not, we ministers are meant to set an example for the members working under us! Maintaining a proper appearance is naturally part of that responsibility!”

The Minister of Justice, who placed great importance on etiquette and decorum, fixed his gaze on Rainer.

His black hair was a complete mess, as though he hadn’t bothered to brush it.

The ceremonial cloak worn exclusively by ministers was nowhere to be seen.

His shirt collar was left open, with the top few buttons undone because he wasn’t even wearing the necktie that was supposed to fasten it.

And the dark circles beneath his eyes only made his already fierce features appear even sharper.

With one look, it was obvious that “well-groomed” wasn’t a word anyone would use to describe him.

Rainer let out a weary sigh.

“I’m already busy enough just doing my own job.”

“Why should I also have to serve as some role model for the department members?”

“They’re not children.”

“They’re old enough to grow on their own and take responsibility for themselves.”

He set his documents down and slowly looked around at the four ministers.

“So…”

“Do all of you really think I look that terrible?”

None of them answered.

There was certainly plenty to criticize about his appearance.

And yet…

Oddly enough, none of them could honestly say he looked bad.

His hair was completely unkempt.

But paired with his strikingly handsome features, it somehow looked intentional—as though the messy style suited him perfectly.

The missing cloak…

The carelessly worn uniform…

Even the dark circles beneath his eyes only added to the mysterious air surrounding him.

If anything, they made him strangely captivating.

There had even once been a rumor circulating throughout the Imperial Palace that the Minister of Magic possessed the unique talent of making even dark circles look sexy.

“If no one has anything else to say, shall we stop chatting and begin the meeting?”

“We’re all busy people, aren’t we?”

Having once again failed to get the better of Rainer, the ministers merely cleared their throats awkwardly before finally beginning the meeting.

The meeting lasted around thirty minutes.

Each department presented reports on its major responsibilities.

Afterward, departments whose work frequently overlapped discussed matters requiring cooperation.

As the meeting drew to a close…

The Minister of Finance exchanged a meaningful glance with the Minister of Justice.

“By the way, Minister Rainer.”

“I heard another one of your assistants quit.”

“Yes.”

“That’s correct.”

“How many assistants has that been now?”

“I also heard your previous assistant caused quite a scene before resigning.”

“I honestly have to wonder how you treat your subordinates for something like this to happen over and over again…”

“My department’s personnel matters are my own concern.”

Rainer calmly gathered his documents and stood.

“If the meeting is over, I’ll be leaving.”

“Just a moment, Minister Rainer.”

This time, it was the Minister of Justice who stopped him.

“There’s a limit to what can be dismissed as ‘handling it yourself.'”

“I’m sure you’re familiar with the Imperial Palace Personnel Act?”

“…”

“Every department is required to have an assistant minister.”

“If the position becomes vacant, it must be filled within fifteen days.”

“If you fail to do so, it constitutes a violation of the law.”

“In that case, the Ministry of Justice will have no choice but to impose disciplinary measures against you.”

Rainer frowned.

Beside him, however, the Minister of Finance curled the corners of his mouth into a satisfied smile.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Without changing his expression in the slightest, Rainer walked out of the conference room.

He could hear the ministers clicking their tongues behind him.

Ignoring them was effortless.

“…Damn old men.”

Rainer muttered the words as he descended the stairs.

Strictly speaking, the Minister of Justice wasn’t wrong.

The law did require an assistant to be appointed within fifteen days.

But laws also allowed room for practical flexibility.

Were they really going to punish him simply because the position hadn’t been filled within exactly fifteen days?

That wasn’t justice.

It was nothing more than a bunch of old men being petty.

Still muttering irritably to himself, Rainer continued down the corridor.

Then—

A flash of silver hair entered his vision.

Thud.

He walked straight into someone.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“Tsk. Watch where you’re—”

“…Hm?”

“Minister?”

Rainer stared silently at the person standing before him.

The face looked familiar.

Very familiar.

Yet…

He couldn’t remember the name.

“…The incompetent one.”

Instead of a name, those were the only words that came out of his mouth.

Blen’s eyelid twitched.

“Why are you calling me that instead of my name?”

“I’m not ‘the incompetent one.'”

“My name is Blen.”

“Oh—and you dropped this.”

Blen picked up a folded sheet of paper from the floor and handed it to him.

Rainer accepted it.

But he didn’t recognize it.

Frowning slightly, he unfolded the paper.

“…”

He looked at Blen with an expression somewhere between disbelief and confusion.

“…What is this?”

 

“It’s an application to become your assistant.”

Blen smiled.

“I told you I’d rewrite it and bring it back.”

“And I believe I already told you.”

Rainer replied flatly.

“I have no interest in making an incompetent man my assistant.”

“But if the position stays vacant any longer…”

Blen met his gaze without backing down.

“…won’t you be the one in the most trouble, Minister?”

Just as Rainer was about to tear the application in half again…

He paused.

“…Let me ask you something first.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Have you been told you’re about to die or something?”

“Of course not.”

Blen hastily changed what he’d been about to say.

Well… close enough.

If he failed to change the original ending, he was destined to die.

“Then why are you so determined?”

“Is wanting to become your assistant really considered overstepping?”

“I think it’d be more than enough help to you, Minister Rainer.”

“…”

Silence settled between them.

Neither moved.

“…Ah.”

Rainer slowly lifted his eyes toward the ceiling.

The gesture practically screamed that everything in the world was bothersome and annoying.

He glanced down at the application once more.

Then—

Without warning—

He pressed the sheet of paper against Blen’s forehead.

“…Huh?”

“W-What are you—”

Startled, Blen squeezed his eyes shut.

Before he could react, he felt something moving lightly across his forehead.

It tickled.

…Magic?

For a brief moment, he wondered if Rainer was casting some sort of spell.

A few seconds later…

The presence in front of him disappeared.

Blen peeled the paper off his forehead and looked around.

Rainer was already far down the corridor, his long legs carrying him away without so much as a backward glance.

Frowning, Blen rubbed his forehead in irritation.

Then he looked down at the application in his hand.

“…”

His eyes widened slightly.

At the bottom of the page…

Was Rainer’s signature.

Using someone’s forehead as a writing board was unbelievably irritating…

But—

At least he’d taken the first step.