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CHAPTER 10
“Legal assistant?”
“There’s a position for a legal assistant at Saint Agnes Church on Third Street in Whitehill,” Professor Immelia said.
At her words, Maria paused.
In Western Gephel, most legal professionals studied law through apprenticeship. Almost all lawyers began their careers as legal assistants.
After three years working under a mentor as an apprentice attorney, they were granted an interview opportunity, and only after approval from a judge and a successful interview could they become a lawyer.
However, these assistant positions were usually filled through connections, meaning graduates from prestigious universities inevitably had better opportunities.
In particular, in present-day Gephel—where royal decrees were no longer used—Maria, who had studied canon law, was at a strong advantage. It would be difficult, but she at least had a real chance of becoming a legal professional.
But it was impossible. Her father and brother would never allow it.
Even knowing that, Maria hesitated, and Professor Immelia quickly added,
“You know Monte De Plano Casino also needs legal advisors. As the business grows, they’ll need them more and more.”
“You’re not exactly someone who should be worrying about Monte De Plano’s legal affairs,” Maria replied coldly.
Immelia couldn’t hide her expression of discomfort. After a sigh, she spoke honestly.
“No… but I’ve seen what kind of person you are.”
As soon as she said that, she seemed to regret it and quickly added,
“Anyway, think about it. Just let me know before graduation.”
“I will.”
Maria left the classroom after saying goodbye.
It was true that Monte De Plano needed legal counsel. As the casino expanded, even Alexander—who had lived without law—was beginning to recognize the need for legal expertise.
Maria thought about Professor Immelia’s words for a while. The idea felt strangely tempting, as if she had gained unnecessary courage.
Even though she knew, logically, that it was impossible…
On Friday, Maria went to Tania University.
Saint Teresa University also had a library, but it could not compare to Tania University—one of Gephel’s most prestigious institutions.
It had multiple library buildings, and the number of books was so vast that anyone would be astonished.
Fortunately, the largest library, Mare Scientia, was open to the public every Friday until 5 p.m.
After quickly crossing several intersections, Maria arrived immediately after her morning class and skipped lunch to enter Mare Scientia.
The largest and most book-rich library in all of Gephel stood in classical beauty, supported by massive white columns.
Even if one devoted their entire life to reading, they would only be able to finish a tiny fraction of its collection. As its name suggested, it was a “sea of knowledge.”
Every time Maria entered, she would glance up at the Scala family crest mounted above the entrance.
It was noted there that the Scala family had donated nearly all their fortune to build this library over 150 years ago.
Because of that, any member of the Scala family could enter the university without conditions, and there was even a private reading room reserved for them.
But now, with the Scala family gone, it had become meaningless.
As she thought vaguely about how hollow fate could be, Maria frowned and turned her head at a familiar scent.
It was a smell she had only ever encountered in Bluegate.
Hopins.
Hopins was a mutated cactus species that grew in Bluegate. Its extract was used to create various hallucinogens and was itself an addictive drug.
Although Gephel prohibited its cultivation, there was no way to eradicate the cactus, which grew naturally across Bluegate’s vast land.
Many people there were addicted to it. Alexander was no exception, and it was also the substance he was preparing to commercialize.
And in the direction she turned, Benedict was standing there.
Maria frowned, surprised to see him here.
“Don’t tell me you’re high?”
More than his presence, she was more angered by the possibility that the Hopins smell came from him—and she only realized she had said it out loud after speaking.
Benedict replied calmly.
“I’m not. And I won’t be.”
Doubting him, Maria grabbed his collar and lifted his eyelids with her fingers.
Fortunately, he was definitely not intoxicated. Maria, who had seen countless Hopins addicts since childhood, could tell immediately.
She asked in relief,
“Then why do you smell like Hopins? And why are you here?”
“The answer to both questions is the same.”
Benedict glanced around, then leaned in and whispered into her ear.
“Someone stole a large amount of Hopins extract that Alexander was storing.”
“…What?”
Maria’s eyes widened.
She looked at him.
“A student did it?”
“I don’t know who. But I came because I heard students here are using Hopins.”
“What… what?”
“It spread from the Blue Brooch protest group at First Square.”
It was indeed big enough to bring Benedict Ivy here.
Someone had stolen from Alexander, and drugs were circulating inside Tania University.
Student addiction was a problem—but there was more.
Mayor Kohas Chetty and the other political figures who clung to power were waiting for the protestors to cause a major incident.
At the center of these revolutionary protests stood Tania University. If the drug truly spread through the protest movement, the politicians would not miss the opportunity.
Maria held her forehead.
“How are you planning to catch them?”
Benedict showed her his inner jacket pocket. Several small bottles of Hopins extract clinked inside.
“I tracked down a few buyers and recovered some. I also got information in the process.”
Maria covered her forehead, overwhelmed by fear and pressure.
After a moment, she spoke.
“I’m coming with you.”
“What nonsense. No.”
As expected, Benedict refused immediately.
“You stand out too much. I’ll be useful when needed.”
“True.”
Even as he said it, every student passing by had been staring at him since he entered the campus. Benedict attracted far more attention than expected.
He sighed, exhausted by the mix of scrutiny, jealousy, admiration, and mockery.
“I was going to assign someone less noticeable…”
“All your men stand out. They all look like thugs. A university student would be better.”
That was true—Maria was the best candidate.
She was enrolled at Whitehill and understood Hopins. Few people met both conditions.
After thinking briefly, Benedict finally walked ahead and muttered,
“This stays secret from the mayor and Alexander.”
“Of course.”
“And taking the mayor’s daughter out to hunt drug dealers… this is kind of messed up.”
“The mayor’s wife and son are both addicts. What’s so different?”
Maria’s blunt remark wasn’t wrong, and Benedict gave a short laugh. She quickly followed behind him.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked out of the library, saying sarcastically,
“If you get hurt, we both die.”
“I know.”
“You don’t know anything.”
Ignoring his complaint, Maria asked,
“So. Did you scare the buyers enough?”
“Why would I?”
“If they’re scared, they might actually quit.”
“I hate to say this, but this isn’t Bluegate. We should operate legally.”
“If getting beaten helps them quit—”
Maria, usually gentle, had become increasingly harsh—and even aggressive—after losing her mother and brother to drugs.
Benedict clicked his tongue, worried, and kept walking.
