Alina desperately rejected the worst possible possibility that flitted through her brain. Every year, they chose a receptionist who had more than seven years of experience under her belt. She was still in her third year. She had only finally begun to understand what quest-processing work entailed, how to manage it, how to improve her efficiency. Plus, she’d only just started being entrusted with slightly important work—she was that sort of mid-range employee who was neither newbie nor veteran.
“Wh-what is it?” Alina asked with a gulp as a heavy silence settled over the office.
The other receptionists stopped moving, and they held their breath as they watched. Despite how many people were staring, the counter chief smiled and handed Alina a stack of papers.
“These are some rush documents that headquarters has asked for. It’s the selection of the people who’ve applied for Civi Cathedral at Iffole Counter in the past few days. Can I leave these to you, Alina?”
“Huh?”
She looked down at the stack of papers that he held out to her. It was a job completely unrelated to the fighting tournament. Seeing that, Alina was instantly relieved, the tension in her whole body easing.
“Huh? Ah-ha-ha-ha, oh, sure, yes, sir, understood.”
While babbling from having gotten too worked up, Alina accepted the stack of papers. The counter chief’s business seemed to be actually only that, and he gave a nod and then turned around. The other senior receptionists who had been frozen also started returning to their own tasks, as if time had resumed after being stopped. While mentally complaining that this was really bad for her heart, Alina flipped through the documents she had been handed—
“Oh, and—”
The counter chief suddenly stopped, turning around to Alina as if he’d just remembered something, and then he made the announcement that would slam her with despair.
“There’s something important I want to talk to you about regarding the upcoming fighting tournament, so could you come to the visitor’s table?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Alina, the truth is, I’m thinking of putting you in charge of the fighting tournament work.”
Hearing the absolute worst request from the counter chief, Alina stood up and immediately argued back, “I’m against it! I…I mean, I heard that veteran receptionists have always handled it in the past! I’m still in my third year, and I’m really inexperienced!”
“I understand that, of course. But starting this year, I’ve been thinking about changing the simplistic policy of leaving it to a veteran.”
Showing no concern at all for Alina’s desperate refusal, the counter chief continued in a leisurely manner.
“Last time, I left things to a veteran receptionist, but unluckily enough, a new dungeon was discovered right when the application period of the tournament was going on. Since she was removed from her regular duties, we lost a major worker and fell behind on our normal office work. In the end, that veteran wound up being forced to take on her ordinary duties on top of handling the tournament…”
“…”
So that was it.
True, it would be a major blow not to have a big player available during a busy period. That was partly just down to lack of personnel, but sometimes, you had to rely on a veteran if something unusual came up, too.
“That receptionist has already moved to a different office, but it’s been four years since then, and the receptionists at Iffole Counter have all grown. I’m sure it would be all right if I left the fighting tournament duty to anyone, but I hold your ability in high esteem, Alina. I think you’ll be able to do a great job handling the tournament. I want you to gain more experience and knowledge so you can be an even better receptionist.”
“…”
By the way, Alina had no right to refuse.
Unless there were major extenuating circumstances, like if she was about to give birth, or she was critically ill, she had to put up with whatever she was assigned. That was why her seniors had been worried sick over the possibility they would get the job. Because no sooner would the chief ask you something than he would saddle you with an assignment masquerading as a request.
“………………Got it…”
With no choice but to accept, in a vanishingly quiet voice, Alina staggered over to a sofa and crumpled into it.