Chapter 43: Isnt This Job Description a Little Too Much of a Coincidence?
Chapter 43: Isn’t This Job Description a Little Too Much of a Coincidence?
“Whoa... this place is pretty impressive!”
The two of them wound their way through the bustling crowds, heading toward the far end of the street.
After more than ten minutes of walking, Lin Wei followed Yalis to a sprawling complex of buildings.
The main gate, constructed from white stone bricks, exuded an imposing aura. The ground beneath their feet gleamed, paved with massive mountain-hewn slabs—immaculate and spacious.
Peering through the iron railings that lined the perimeter wall, Lin Wei saw rows upon rows of elegant, uniquely styled buildings within the academy grounds.
Even in the heart of the bustling imperial capital, this academy stood out as a spectacle unto itself—a sense of luxury so palpable, you could feel it just by standing outside the gates.
“Hehe, impressive, isn’t it?” Yalis pulled down her hood, grinning as she strode confidently toward the academy.
As she walked, she kept a careful eye on her surroundings, making sure there was no danger, all the while explaining to Lin Wei:
“This is the Imperial Capital Magic Academy! By land area, it’s the largest school in the world. Since it recruits students from all over and offers an absurd number of courses, the student population is huge. You’ll even find demi-humans here from time to time.” “But don’t worry, Mr. Lin Wei—those demi-human students don’t require substitute instructors. If you ever get into a conflict by accident, someone else will handle it for you.”
To humans, demi-humans had always seemed closer to demons.
That was why, within the Empire’s borders, sightings of such races were exceedingly rare.
Even for an adventurer like Lin Wei, if no one gave him advance warning, he’d probably be startled if he bumped into one.
“Mm, I’ll do my best to steer clear of them when the time comes...”
Back when he was reclaiming lost territory in the Fallen Lands, Lin Wei had actually ordered those demi-humans around quite a bit.
He hadn’t treated them as slaves, exactly, but anyone who dared betray the demon—or worse, tried to assassinate the Demon Lord—never received a kind word from him.
Best to avoid them now. If some conflict broke out and he instinctively pinned one to the ground and made them kowtow, that would be... problematic.
“Anyway, the recruitment area’s just ahead.”
“Mr. Lin Wei, why don’t you take a look and see if there’s any position you’re interested in?”
Yalis’s voice beside him snapped Lin Wei back to the present.
Looking ahead, Lin Wei saw that what had been a quiet path was now crowded with people.
Up front, academy staff in matching uniforms maintained order, while both walls on either side were plastered with recruitment notices—each one listing job requirements and benefits in detail. The place was a cacophony of voices, bustling with hopefuls vying for substitute teaching posts.
“Alchemy Department seeking teaching assistants. Applicants must have in-depth knowledge of bio-alchemy. Entry test: create a Tier Two alchemical chimera.”
“Goblin Studies seeking volunteer substitute instructors. Must be willing to spend one night a week alone with goblins and document the experience in detail for classroom teaching.”
“Knight Department seeking combat assistants. Requirement: must withstand an unarmed blast from a Level 5 Explosive Spell without collapsing... Are these job requirements supposed to be this weird?”
Lin Wei’s hopeful expression faded as he read through the postings.
When he’d first heard about the Imperial Capital Magic Academy—especially with Yalis’s glowing recommendation—he’d imagined generous pay, a well-established institution, and a straightforward teaching assistant gig.
But the more he looked, the more something felt... seriously off.
Why did every job here either require you to create a chimera just to qualify, or to personally survive an explosive spell?
And this Goblin Studies position—were they actually serious? No wonder they had to rehire teaching assistants every year.
“Eheh... okay, maybe some of these positions are a bit much,” Yalis admitted sheepishly.
“But sometimes you get lucky and find a decent one. Look, this one doesn’t sound so bad!”
Though she knew the academy was hiring teaching assistants, Yalis had never actually visited the place herself, so she had no idea what the details were like. After reading the postings, she was just as shocked—only now realizing how tough the assistants in her own academy had it.
Still... she’d already brought Mr. Lin Wei all this way.
At this point, her only option was to help him find a slightly less terrible job and hope he’d agree to stay.
Spotting a notice that looked at least somewhat reasonable, Yalis hurriedly tried to make her case.
Never mind whether Mr. Lin Wei actually met the requirements—first, she just had to get him interested!
“Let’s see... Demonology Department seeking teaching assistant. Applicants must possess advanced wine-tasting skills, hold Imperial Capital citizenship, have lived on Saint Marlo Street for more than twenty-five years but less than twenty-six, and be under the age of twenty-four.”
“You really think an ordinary person could land a job like that?” Lin Wei deadpanned.
“Huh?”
Yalis scratched her head, not quite following. “I mean... sure? I know plenty of people who get jobs through postings like these once they come of age.”
“Granted, most of them quit and go home after a few months, but there’s always someone who meets the requirements, right?”
Yeah. If you set the conditions just right, your noble friends could get hired even if they weren’t quite human.
Honestly, it was obvious these jobs were tailor-made for their kind.
“I don’t think... there’s any job here that actually suits me.”
If there was one thing Lin Wei despised most in life, it was this sort of blatant abuse of privilege.
Looking at Yalis’s innocent face, Lin Wei sighed and decided not to explain further.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t all that surprising. Just the name “Imperial Capital Magic Academy” screamed importance and exclusivity. For a place like this to post teaching assistant jobs that were supposedly open to the public... well, judging by the scene here, that was just for show.
If you actually managed to land a decent position here, you’d have to be blessed by the gods.
“Hey? Don’t lose hope, Mr. Lin Wei!” Yalis exclaimed, flustered. “At least look for something you might like, even if you don’t meet the requirements or can’t finish the tasks. I can try to help coordinate, or ask the Holy Church if they’re short on substitute assistants lately—how about that?”
She waved her hands anxiously, doing her best to persuade him.
“Our Holy Church even offers Radiant Studies courses at the academy! I’m sure they wouldn’t have all these ridiculous requirements. With my status as a Saintess, I could definitely vouch for you and get you in!”
“Let’s not. I’m really not cut out for Radiant Studies,” Lin Wei replied, flatly refusing to dig his own grave.
“If it comes to it, I’ll just look elsewhere. Honestly, every job here is... Never mind. One day, the nobles running this place are going to get what’s coming to them!”
The urge to return to the demon and lead an army to crush humanity was rising in his chest. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
“Urgent recruitment! The Alchemy Department is in immediate need of a general assistant. Is there anyone here who can take the job?”
Just then, a sudden announcement rang out, cutting off Lin Wei’s train of thought.
He turned to look and saw a staff member—who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere—raising a sign as he made his way through the crowd.
Facing the gathered job-seekers, the staffer held the sign high and called out again, repeating the details in a clear, ringing voice:
“Alchemy Department urgently hiring a general assistant! Applicants must be capable of producing high-grade potions and have completed a significant number of advanced potion commissions for the Adventurers’ Guild. Age must be over twenty and under twenty-five.”
“For the entry test, you’ll need to brew a high-grade healing potion on the spot. If you have a record of meritorious service with the Holy Church or the Adventurers’ Guild, you’ll be given priority consideration!”
“If you meet the requirements, you can sign up with me right now!”
Lin Wei hadn’t expected this at all.
He subconsciously rubbed his neck. “Seriously... what are the odds?”