The First Magic World War

Charles had pushed these old colleagues to the back of his mind; his chances of intersecting with them were diminishing.

Although just a few months ago he was merely a first-level clerk, eagerly waiting for a promotion, he had now become a twenty-eighth class, second level Clerk Chief—a position almost unattainable for his former colleagues in their entire lifetimes.

Although in the realm of clerks, there was a chance for promotion every three years, various things always came up to interrupt the process. Especially, advancing from a clerk to Clerk Chief was exceedingly difficult; his old colleagues had worked hard for over twenty years, and it was a feat for them to even rise to the position of a first level Clerk Chief.

Only a select few elites could rise to a second or even third level Clerk Chief before retirement; anything higher required luck.

As everyone knows, those from ordinary families generally do not have much luck in the bureaucratic system.

Charles had received his identification papers and still had a few options.

Of course, the most responsible choice was to head to the embassy street, where not only embassies from other countries were situated but also officials dispatched by the Fars Empire, who would be "trained" there with free food and accommodation.

Charles decisively chose the most comfortable option; he had Madam Nancy drive the carriage to the University of Georgia to continue his date with Anne.

He arrived earlier than usual and still had to wait a while before Anne finished class. Charles was about to suggest having a coffee first before dinner, and then a follow-up program, when Anne whispered, "Shall we go to your estate?"

Charles was about to instruct Madam Nancy to head to Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58, when he heard Anne preempt him, "Madam Nancy, go to 221B Baker Street!"

Charles was slightly surprised; Anne gave a sweet smile and asked, "Have you not yet visited your mansion awarded by the queen in the Val de Vaz District?"

It dawned on Charles that he indeed had never been back to that mansion; while Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58 was merely a residence, anything bestowed by the queen certainly qualified as a mansion.

Charles gladly said, "Indeed, I have not yet visited. I did not expect that my first visit would be with Miss Annie, which makes it extraordinarily meaningful."

Anne, upon hearing this, was immensely delighted. Unknowingly, the two of them ended up holding hands.

On the way, Charles remembered that he had not yet collected the keys, but remembering that Anne knew the Lock Picking Technique, he did not want to ruin the romantic mood.

The carriage quickly arrived at Baker Street, a small, very quiet and elegant street, where the entire street consisted of condominium residences. There were no standalone houses, but the residences on Baker Street, both in terms of structure and services, were far superior to the Savings Association Apartments Charles had previously rented. No. 221B was on the first floor of the last apartment building on the street, with an independent door opening onto Baker Street, no need to enter through the main apartment entrance.

When Anne alighted from the carriage, she took out a set of keys and skillfully opened the door to No. 221B, also waving Charles over. Charles was momentarily stunned, but fluently accepted the situation, saying, "You already collected the keys for me?"

Anne spoke softly, "I hurried it along, otherwise who knows when the mansion would have completed all the procedures."

"However," Charles continued, "when I was awarded by the queen, I was only a twenty-ninth class first level Clerk Chief; the mansion I received could not possibly be any bigger."

Charles silently calculated; Baker Street was very close to the University of Georgia and 58 Sixth Avenue, and not far from Central Street either.

In other words, this was a secretly arranged meeting place by Anne, who selected and possibly influenced the Queen's gift through the power of the Count's family.

The location on Baker Street was very special as it was very close to the center of Val de Vaz District. Therefore, despite its unremarkable reputation, it was highly favored by the officials of the Empire because it was very convenient for their commutes to and from work.

This was why the residences in this location were highly sought after and generally not bestowed upon lower-level clerks, who would prefer a larger home rather than one on Baker Street.

However, these were all service apartment residences, so there was no space to park carriages; all carriages had to be parked in the nearby carriage parking lot. Of course, taking a public carriage was also a good option.

Because horses were not kept, the entire street was remarkably clean.

Charles entered 221B Baker Street and immediately saw a magical portrait hanging in the center of the living room. It portrayed Miss Annie Brittany dressed in hunting attire, spirited, with a warm smile, welcoming with a grand courtly gesture.

Although Miss Annie was stunningly beautiful and her portrait's gestures were pleasing, Charles couldn't help but swallow hard. He asked softly, "Is every portrait different?"

Annie nodded and said, "I have specially selected your favorite five outfits and ordered the largest frame overnight. Do you like it?"

Charles thought it would be even better if it were silk stockings. Unfortunately, whether in the Old Continent or the New Continent, such things did not yet exist. He even considered becoming an inventor himself.

"I like it! I really like it very much."

This small mansion was actually divided into two floors with stairs inside, having only one living room, one study room, and five residences. The living room and study were downstairs, while all the residences were upstairs without a kitchen; however, the apartment building itself offered meal services. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

Charles and Annie took a tour around the room, and he found that the entire 221B had been renovated and that all the furniture was new. He asked Annie, and unsurprisingly, she had helped with the furnishings.

Charles tapped a small brass bell placed in a corner of the hall. It was an inexpensive but interesting alchemical device, designed to ring its counterpart bell when struck. Sure enough, not long after, the apartment's butler arrived and politely asked, "Sir, what can I do for you?"

Charles smiled, "Please bring two cups of coffee and two sets of meals, and also buy a keg of beer and five bottles of fruit wine."

He handed over one Fu Er and said, "Keep the change as a tip."

The apartment butler happily departed.

It had been a long while since Charles knew many high-end apartments offered similar services, but his own Savings Club apartment was not up to par. Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58 was a completely different type of residence, and today was his first time trying it, which he found quite novel and interesting.

Annie also preferred to spend a quiet moment with Charles in a secluded corner, uninterrupted. However, previously, Charles's place was far too distant. Visiting Elysian Pastoral Street No. 58 meant he couldn't do anything else for the day, wasting much of it on carriage rides.

Charles was casually chatting with Annie while standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling alchemical crystal glass window, enjoying the serene streetscape of Baker Street when suddenly he frowned, spotting a familiar figure hastily passing by.