Genius Wizard Conceals His Origins

The telegraph code system was established based on a simple principle.

Each alphabet letter was assigned a combination of one to four codes at most.

The length varied according to the frequency of use of each alphabet letter, with short and simple codes for frequently used letters and complex codes for less used ones.

For example, E is ·, and Y is ― · ― ―.

Simply put, it’s a simple character system consisting of only two codes.

However, actually using it was a different story.

Director Lovelace said while lighting his pipe:

“Telegraph operator? Not just anyone can do it. It’s not simply memorizing, but your body has to remember it. Moreover, telegrams often deal with urgent matters, so you have to minimize mistakes as much as possible. It’s not a professional job for nothing.”

I agree with that opinion.

I tried to memorize the code table in my spare time during work and attempted to interpret the content by listening to the tapping sounds of the telegraph operators.

It wasn’t an easy task at all.

However, it wasn’t entirely meaningless, and I finally came up with an idea.

After all, the work of telegraph operators is about memorizing patterns and mechanically inputting them.

If so, couldn’t it be semi-automated by applying magic?

If I cast a spell based on the code table stored in my mind to input the codes, extreme accuracy could be guaranteed.

It would require the speed of a telegraph operator, so the number of magicians who could realize this would be few.

Anyway, the opportunity for me to put this idea into practice had not yet come.

That’s Because I was just a lowly employee…

…and because I lacked the energy to actively engage in work.

“I, I solved it!”

Thud.

Late at night.

I finally finished the third math workbook for the entrance exam preparation.

As I collapsed onto the desk, I looked at the calendar.

There was only a month left until the exam.

It was the eve of the storm.

#October 2nd. Slightly cloudy.

Lena had been extremely busy lately.

[Mr. Underbridge]

[I’m attaching 600 pounds. Please invest it in the Eastern Telegraph Bureau.]

A letter suddenly arrived.

It was a humble beginning.

Although from an anonymous investor, it was the first investment received by the Eastern Telegraph Bureau.

Investment funds were entrusted to her, who still had little credibility and visible achievements.

Lena started her work with the mindset of not wasting a single penny of the investment.

She divided the six hundred pounds appropriately, investing some in stocks and some in telegraph bureau facilities.

The seeds she sowed bore fruit faster than expected.

The stock price began to rise significantly.

In addition, as rumors spread that Director Lovelace had used her family’s influence to attract new investors, the stock price rose even more.

It was time to break out of the shell and take flight…

and today was the day for the Eastern Telegraph Bureau to spread its wings and soar.

The Eastern Telegraph Bureau’s facilities were still insufficient compared to the Western Telegraph Bureau.

It was the morning of an important day when new facilities would be brought in en masse, and some investors would come to inspect the business site.

Clang!

The metallic sound pierced Lena’s ears, snapping her to attention.

Before her were Susan and Sally, looking at her with pitying eyes.

“Lena.”

“…Huh?”

“You shouldn’t doze off at the dining table. You dropped your fork, didn’t you?”

“Ah…”

Only then did Lena realize that the previous noise was due to her dropping the fork.

She hurriedly picked up the fork and thought.

‘This is bad.’

She wasn’t focused at all.

Was it because of the recent nights she had to stay up for?

Pulling all-nighters for a day or two is one thing, but as it continued, the accumulated fatigue began to affect her daily life.

“I-I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.”

She said this while pretending to be fine and using her fork, but the fork kept hitting the plate uselessly.

Susan’s gaze intensified.

“Hahaha…”

By this point, Lena’s mind suddenly cleared.

As she looked up with an awkward laugh, her eyes met with Eugene’s, who happened to be looking her way.

Lena held her breath.

A gaze mixed with worry and dissatisfaction.

The black eyes shining brightly amidst the gray hair seemed clearer than ever, but.

Lena, for whom fatigue was now routine, could recognize it.

That was a kind of state of awakening. It was the look of someone who was enduring with willpower despite suffering from extreme fatigue.

“…”

In Lena’s heart, a sense of competitiveness began to rise instead of fatigue.

She didn’t want to appear weak, especially to Eugene.

The competitive spirit manifested as a smile on her lips. Lena put down her utensils and grinned.

“Today will be the busiest day. Are you ready?”

Eugene nodded.

And so, the two went to work at the Eastern Telegraph Bureau.

“Please place the newly arrived telegraph machines to the left of the existing ones. Ah, a little more to the left. Yes. Thank you.”

“About the wire installation? That’s for those employees over there…”

“Who has the circuit list document?”

It was autumn. Despite the cool air starting to set in, a bead of sweat rolled down Lena’s cheek.

It’s busy.

More than expected.

The most chaotic atmosphere since the establishment of the Eastern Telegraph Bureau was driving Lena crazy.

Originally, Lena focused only on clerical work and consulting, befitting her title as a consultant, but today, she was partly taking over the director’s duties, directly commanding the employees.

Director Lily Lovelace. Usually, Lena avoided her as she enjoyed puffing on cigarettes and enjoyed stroking Lena like a cat.

But today, even Director Lovelace’s decadent face was missed.

It was impossible to ask for her help.

The director was in charge of one of the most important tasks. Touring the investors.

“So this is the Eastern Telegraph Bureau.”

“Hmm. The place seems a bit chaotic.”

“Come now. Let’s go inside and have a chat over a cup of tea!”

Director Lovelace, who had coaxed and persuaded the displeased investors into the room, suddenly looked up at Lena on the second floor.

What could it mean?

A gaze mixed with worry and dissatisfaction.

It was exactly like Eugene’s gaze from this morning, but Lena couldn’t guess its meaning at all.

As some time passed like this…

The telegraph operators reported an emergency.

The veteran telegraph operator with white hair sighed deeply and explained the situation to Lena, who had hurried down to the first floor.

“We’ve increased the circuits, right? Telegrams are piling up to the point where four telegraph operators aren’t enough. We’re exceeding our processing capacity. We need more people.”

“…We have recruited new telegraph operators, but…”

“When will they arrive?”

Lena bit her lip.

She couldn’t bring herself to truthfully answer ‘in a few days.’ That would be like telling the telegraph operators to continue this hardship for a few more days.

But that was the truth.

It’s a scheduling mistake.

‘In the first place, recruitment isn’t my responsibility.’

‘Is this my fault?’

But…

“Uh…”

At this point, Lena realized she had reached her limit.

Her mind went blank.

Her lips wouldn’t part.

Her head turned white, and the surrounding noise faded into the distance.

A feeling of being left alone in the world.

Lena, who had always been so excellent, had no way of knowing that this was her panicking. She could only tremble at the chill and fear enveloping her body.

Just as the moisture in her eyes was about to spill over…

Grab.

Someone grabbed Lena’s shoulder and shouted.

“I’ll help!”

It was Eugene.

At that moment, all strength left Lena’s body, and she grabbed Eugene’s arm and slumped into a nearby chair.

The voices gradually became unclear.

{What? You…? Even if Consultant Lena brought you, still…}

{I’ve memorized all the code tables. And I have an idea…}

{Magic? Instant input with [Move]? Is that even possible?}

{It’s worth a try…}

{Alright! See that machine over there? Sit there and…}

{For mana supply…}

{Connect the wire and…}

She felt like she was underwater.

In the chill engulfing her from all sides, the only thing Lena could rely on was the warmth of the hand that hers was connected to.

{You can rest now.}

That was the final blow.

Lena closed her eyes in the blurring vision.

Pat. Pat.

As periodic noises were heard, Lena’s consciousness slowly floated to the surface.

Disheveled blonde hair tickled her face.

“Oh. You’re awake?”

“…Director.”

Still half-asleep, her mind wasn’t clear at all.

So, Lena spoke with her lips while half-asleep.

“Don’t pat my head…”

“You don’t want me to?”

“This isn’t the time for this… I haven’t compiled the documents yet… There’s still accounting work left…”

“Everything’s been taken care of nicely. Thanks to your brother, too. Our little consultant girl is truly a treasure.”

“It’s finished…?”

“Yes. We wrapped it up neatly among ourselves.”

“That’s not right… You can’t be trusted…”

“This little one. You’ve got quite a mouth on you for talking to the director like that.”

Thwack.

She felt the pain of someone flicking her forehead.

“Ouch…”

“That was meant to hurt, Lena.”

Lena was still in a daze. The director’s voice echoed, making it hard to hear what she said clearly.

However, she could tell that there was a tinge of melancholy and dissatisfaction mixed in those words.

“It’s not bad to rely on each other sometimes.”

“…”

“Sorry for waking you up. Well, get some rest… Oh right. I toured the investors and guided them perfectly. I’m a proper director now, so don’t ignore me, okay?”

With a wink, Director Lovelace faded away in her vision.

Lena closed her eyes again.

Rock, rock.

How many times had the rocking chair gone back and forth?

When she opened her eyes again, she saw a gray-haired man trying to cover her with some kind of blanket.

Still in a drowsy voice, Lena said:

“…What is it?”

“No. It’s just.”

“…Are you copying me?”

“Huh?”

“Blanket…”

In the complete darkness, the gray-haired man’s eyes widened slightly.

Only then did she realize. It’s Eugene.

Lena spoke as things flowed:

“Why are you working so hard… You must have been as tired as me, no, even more so…”

“…”

“It’s frustrating…”

A drop of water rolled down her cheek.

However, the water droplets didn’t continue to flow endlessly. Eugene wiped them away with a handkerchief midway.

No answer came.

Instead, Lena felt as if she was floating in a dream.

“Oof.”

After blinking her eyes and briefly checking her surroundings, Lena realized that she was being piggy-backed by someone and was leaving through the telegraph bureau’s main gate.

She no longer had the energy to say anything more.

The swaying, almost like that of a rocking chair, was quite comfortable.

Lena fell asleep.

She rested her weight and fully felt the warmth coming from the broad back.

It was autumn.

It was an autumn night when red and yellow fallen leaves decorated the night path.

#November 1st. Rain.

Time flew by.

Finally, the time had come.

T/N

Edited all instances of Loverace to Lovelace (6/30/24)

Hello! Axiomatic here.

The second bonus chapter will follow shortly.