Short Story: A Deserved Promotion

Kierdan looks over his appearance in his bedroom mirror. Reaching for his bowtie, he adjusts it in just the slightest to keep it perfectly straight. As he lifts his arm, the long sleeve of his coat slides downward, revealing a wrinkle in his shirt that was previously hidden.

Kierdan frowns. He tries to smooth the crease with his fingers but to no avail.

Glancing at the clock, he sighs with a hint of irritation. There isn’t enough time to change into a different shirt. This will have to do.

As important as it is to always look as neat and well-groomed for work as possible, it is even more crucial to be on time. Especially when one has so many eyes on them — and as a Waven, Kierdan has had eyes on him since he was very, very young.

This is true now more than ever since he received the promotion to the rank of commander at the Imperial Magic Authority last week. While he hasn’t received the title of Vice Commander yet, at least until the current one retires for good, the power and authority he wields is essentially only second to the Chief Commander.

A remarkable opportunity that he must seize.

Sweeping his gaze one last time at his reflection, Kierdan nods to himself. Grabbing his papers, he exits his room and makes his way to work.

The journey to the Headquarters of the Imperial Magic Authority is uneventful. He soon finds himself pushing open the heavy front doors of the entrance hall, entering the fray of mages bustling around.

His arrival doesn’t go unnoticed, and quite a few pause to respectfully, if a bit nervously, nod at him as he passes, though none dare walk up to him and greet him. Kierdan hardly pays them any mind, striding purposefully towards his new office.

As he walks through the winding corridors, the aroma of food wafting from the dining hall hits his nose. There’s a brief halt in Kierdan’s brisk pace of footsteps, and he suddenly turns on his heels, continuing on in the direction of the dining hall.

Not to get breakfast of his own, no. He’s already had his share at the townhouse when he woke up. What the smell of food has reminded him of is that one of the financial advisors have been crying about cutting down on the Authority’s expenses due to lack of recent funds, and he wonders if the daily buffets offered to workers could be a good place to start reducing costs.

As expected, the dining hall is practically filled to the brim with people at this hour. Doing his best to ignore the loud chaos around him, Kierdan slowly strolls along the buffet table, taking in the dishes laid out and the mages piling their plates high with delicacies.

It is then that he hears his name, just faintly amidst the din of the dining hall. His head tilts in the direction instinctively, and he turns to see two mages hunched over their table, muttering among themselves in perhaps a louder volume than they should have.

“Did you hear Lord Waven has been promoted yet again? How many times has it been in the past five years? Three?” an unfamiliar emerald-cloaked mage curiously. “It’s absolutely unreal. Have you ever seen anyone move up the ladder this fast?”

The other mage, a younger-looking man with sandy brown hair whom Kierdan does recognize, snorts dismissively.

“Everyone knows he only received it because of his family name. How couldn’t they give it to him when his father is so cozy with the king?”

Ah. So this is what they’re discussing.

Kierdan supposes it should come as no surprise. He knew when he accepted the promotion that this would turn many heads, and not necessarily in a favorable manner.

Yet what other people think does not matter to him. He is confident in his abilities, and he knows this promotion is well-earned, seeing as how he excelled in his previous position. It has been a known fact that, at the Imperial Magic Authority, if something needs to be done and failure is not an option, Kierdan is always the first option to be turned to.

His family is indeed influential, and he’d be naive to set aside the advantages that gave him in life. Yet as far as he’s concerned, that’s just part of the hand of cards he’s been dealt, and he has had to make the best of them like any other person.

If others fail to see the fact, then so be it.

The first mage nods in agreement, adjusting his cloak. “I agree, catching that fire mage wasn’t that impressive, and there are plenty of others who are more deserving.”

Kierdan’s brows pinch together. While he doesn’t care for their opinion on his promotion, he is shocked by their blatant underestimation of the severity of the case, yet daring to comment on it in spite of their lack of understanding.

The rogue fire mage, one who had somehow slipped under the radar of the Authority all this time, had been terrorizing the commoners with his powers, burning down homes to extort money, or simply, to kill for pleasure. Highly intelligent and aided by many allies, he had proven himself to be much more slippery than expected, eluding the Authority’s grasp for months.

Until the assignment was taken on by Kierdan. It was him who had finally managed to bring him into custody, and his handling of the case was what cinched the promotion. In his opinion, this reward is the natural next step in his career, and he intends to take it seriously.

“And,” adds the mage, leaning closer to his companion, “others who are plenty more personable. You’ve seen how Lord Waven walks around? With that steely look on his face? Why, his nose is so high in the air he can probably smell the heavens.”

The friend smirks in agreement. “Yes, he’s so cold to everyone. One has to wonder if he is capable of emotions at all.”

Laughing, he turns his head to look towards the clock — only to catch sight of Kierdan standing a short distance away.

A muffled sound of surprise escapes the mage, his expression of shock quickly melting into terrified mortification. “Lord Waven! M-my apologies, we didn’t realize —”

His spluttering turns incoherent. His companion, whose head had whipped towards Kierdan upon hearing exclamation, pales and looks as if he’s about to empty his stomach of the breakfast he had just devoured.

Kierdan doesn’t respond or acknowledge the apologies. Sending one last look devoid of any apparent emotion at the two mages, he turns and leaves the dining hall.

No matter. While it is unpleasant to be judged in such a way, Kierdan will not stoop to their level; he has no inclination to waste time on petty fights.

Though he admits he does not quite understand their obvious fear of retaliation. He has never given a reason for others to believe he would abuse his power, after all.

Doing his best to put the incident out of his mind, Kierdan heads to his office. As expected, there is already a sizeable pile of paperwork waiting for him. Taking a moment to settle into his chair behind the desk, Kierdan begins his day’s work.

The first thing that requires his attention is an archaeological exploration in the Northern region, searching for some ancient artifact that was last sighted in the area according to rumors. A delicate mission indeed, and important enough that if successful, the leader will no doubt be in line for a significant promotion.

Kierdan reads the report thoroughly and leans back in his chair, tapping his fingers against his desk as he considers his options of who to elect as the leader.

Coming to mind almost unbidden is the brown-haired gossiping mage from earlier — a well-known, talented earth mage with a good reputation among scholars and what seems to be a sixth sense for unearthing lost treasures. Considering his current availability as well, he would no doubt be the most suitable choice.

Although whether he is deserving of such an incredible opportunity...

Kierdan frowns almost involuntarily, then slowly shakes his head clear of those thoughts. His personal feelings on the mage do not matter; what matters is the success of the excavation.

He picks up his quill and begins to write.

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This story is written by Nicole Wooden and edited by me as usual. I hope you guys enjoyed it! Next one will be of Lyrissa! :D