Mage Manual

UK, London, 247 New King’s Road, Chelsea, Aurora London Game Company.

Felix, holding a large pile of documents with both hands, struggled to turn the handle of the general manager’s office, using her shoulder to push the door open. Perhaps in a hurry to get to the restroom, she walked two steps quickly and accidentally twisted her high heels, falling straight forward.

"Ah."

Papers scattered all over the floor, but Felix found that she hadn’t fallen onto the carpet. She turned her head and saw Ash holding her waist; apparently, in that split second, the usually non-athletic general manager had surprisingly managed to prevent the accident.

Just as Felix was thinking about how to tactfully express her willingness to use money or even overtime—any means that wouldn’t deepen her relationship with Ash—to thank him for his help, Ash pulled her up and steadied her. She looked up to see Ash holding a phone to his ear with his right hand, signaling her to quickly leave so as not to disturb his call, not even needing her to pick up the documents.

"No worries," Ash squatted down to pick up the papers, "it was just a little accident... Hey, don’t slander me; do I look like someone having an office romance? Working ten-plus hours a day isn’t enough, and then going for another ten-plus hours after work—do I look that foolish to you?"

This conversation naturally wasn’t directed at Felix, because Ash was speaking in Chinese.

Felix left the office, gently closed the door but left a crack, pressed her ear against it, and heard Ash say, "Next time, Nevin, when you come to London, we can find a bar to chat slowly. So, what exactly do you need to discuss with me right now?"

Felix immediately recognized that the person Ash was speaking to was the chairman and general manager of the head office, Director Cha, whose English name was Nevin Moore (Nevermore). Although using that term as a name is quite peculiar, akin to someone in China naming themselves "Forever," it made sense since it was a game company and they were Chinese. Everyone was used to it; not everyone had a name like Ash’s, combining Chinese and English.

"Huh? Setting up a new mobile game project team at the London branch... the initial budget is so large?"

"No, I’m of course happy, but why would such a great opportunity land on my lap? It’s definitely a major project that all studios at the headquarters would want to snatch, right? And considering technical skills..."

"Mm, okay, since you all have made the decision over there, I won’t refuse it... Any requirements? Do you need me to bring people back for training?"

"Huh? Marriage? Why do I need to get married!? What does that have to do with me!"

Felix’s eyes widened, listening intently to the sounds inside.

"Even if I were to get married here, it doesn’t mean I would get residency. Married people can still get divorced; do you think I’m some kind of Divine Artifact that, once bound, can’t be undone? If you’re worried that I’d bail halfway, I’d be willing to sign a leverage agreement with you. Would the board really feel assured just because I got married here?"

"Even if it’s about developing an IP that could last decades, it doesn’t have to be managed by the same person from start to finish, does it? If I were really able to run it well, you’d hardly need to worry about finding someone to take over later. Even if I return to my country, the studio wouldn’t follow me—everyone’s signed non-compete agreements."

The voice became more distant; Ash seemed to have walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. The increasing distance, coupled with Felix’s limited Chinese proficiency, only enough for playing domestic mobile games, made the conversation sound muffled. Anxious to hear more clearly, she couldn’t help but gently open the door a bit.

"... No need to think it over more. After you’ve said so much, what more can I consider? Actually, I had been planning this originally, but work had distracted me, and I kept putting off making a decision. I owe you, really, for giving me that push."

"Rest easy; before next Tuesday, I’ll choose someone from the company."

...

...

"Really, I heard it with my own ears—he told Nevin that by next Tuesday, he’ll choose someone from the company to marry!"

At Bar Soho, Aurora’s staff occupied two booths, separated by a white horse statue. No one was listening to the house band’s performance. General Manager’s assistant Felix gulped down her cocktail in one go, her cheeks flushing lightly, appearing even softer under the dim pub lighting: "He sounded so sure, as if he already has someone in mind!"

"And it’s not just one person to choose from," analyzed Operations Manager Weiser: "He said ’choose someone,’ which means he has many options for marriage partners within the company and is confident that the person won’t reject his proposal."

"He’s that confident?" Tech Department Manager Diya looked puzzled: "He doesn’t seem particularly close to anyone..."

"Probably thinks that with his status, no woman in the company could refuse him," Finance Manager Vishi sneered: "Power play, unwritten rules, sexual harassment, there’s always something that suits him."

"Is it possible that Ash does have several girlfriends ready to marry at any moment?" HR Manager Hanna pondered: "Though I’ve never seen him close to anyone, he did say he’d choose from within the company... Sonia, what do you think?"

Deputy Manager Sonia was swirling her drink, and it took Hanna calling her name twice for her to snap back to reality, shaking her head: "I don’t know either. He’s always been focused on work; it seems like he doesn’t have much private time."