Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength
Chapter 50 First Day at Work

Chapter 50: Chapter 50 First Day at Work

Borlenwich, the largest settlement and central city in the eastern part of the Empire.

With a total land area of twelve hundred square kilometers, the urban area alone offers nearly three hundred square kilometers of vast space.

Even before Ronald’s crossing, it was a large city by any standard.

It even boasts a permanent resident population well over three hundred thousand!

Given the era in which this world is situated, the implications of this are quite clear.

However, in contrast to what Ronald had anticipated, Borlenwich was not a thoroughly industrialized city.

The existence of Yizi Forest, a natural barrier, meant that the city had been completely isolated from the neighboring country, situated safely in the heart of the Empire. Over a century of peace had made it the vacation destination of choice for the Gret nobility.

As a result, it was built with a focus on vacation culture and leisure.

The recent mayors of Borlenwich have strictly regulated the location and quantity of industrial areas, shifting the city’s emphasis towards art, entertainment, and various novel and interesting things.

In such a developing city, the local culture naturally inherited this characteristic.

The residential areas of Borlenwich mostly consisted of individual homes, and even young renters had the right to tend to their own balcony gardens.

Take Ronald’s rental for example.

He rented a room on the second floor of a privately-owned boarding house with an independent balcony and washroom, totaling 40 square meters of private living space, for 12 De Pu and 6 Nar per day, a price slightly above average.

Generally, boarding houses in Borlenwich providing breakfast have a daily rent of about 7 De Pu and 6 Nar. For a boarding and lodging apartment like the one Ronald rented, the price is usually 3 De Pu more expensive, which is 10 De Pu and 6 Nar per day.

Of course, the cheapest accommodations are not included in this.

If one must find it, budget lodging for 4 De Pu also exists.

Speaking of which, one must mention the currency policy of Gret.

Common currency naming practices in the world are generally divided into two types: "Named after People" and "Named after Countries," and like most countries, Gret’s currency adopts a symbolism of nationality, the "Country Naming" method.

Officially issued currency falls into three categories.

One main currency "Gret," two subsidiary currencies "De Pu" and "Nar," with 1 "Gret" equaling 20 "De Pu" and a total of 240 "Nar."

In conversion, this included the cost of the meals and laundering clothes.

Ronald needed to spend 4 to 5 Gret per week.

The daily expenses were even considered a fortune by the poor!

The reason he dared to be so extravagant in living expenses was, in fact, thanks to Alida’s help.

He had taken on the identity of a famous actor.

Ordinary living expenses were negligible for her!

Even Ronald’s newly acquired job was secured in less than half an hour after Alida intervened.

To be honest, living off a woman’s support...

Felt great!

He had only just gotten off the train, made a few complaints and negotiations, and then obtained a decent job at Borlenwich Station as ’Miss Alida’s childhood lifesaver.’

— Clock Adjustment Officer.

While the job might sound simple, it could also be rather tedious if one wanted to be meticulous about it.

In any case, due to the vast expanse of the Gret Empire, each train station, especially large ones like Borlenwich, naturally became an important node on the continental transportation network.

Due to frequent train schedules and operational times, it was necessary to arrange many clocks with different times based on geographical location.

Also, due to limitations in the era’s manufacturing processes, these clocks’ hands often experienced subtle deviations.

The Clock Adjustment Officer’s job was to calibrate them accordingly.

After all, it was a steam train era.

Even if the clock was a few seconds fast or a few seconds slow, it generally wasn’t a big issue for people of this era. As long as one ensured that train tracks were timely cleared of any conflicts to prevent tragic collisions, everything was fine.

So, Ronald’s job was indeed very relaxing!

If he wanted to, he could even get by with only half an hour of work a week.

That half hour was mostly spent winding the springs of the clocks.

Specifically, those in his office.

The actual large clocks outside were managed by specialized personnel and didn’t fall under the scope of Ronald’s responsibilities.

This type of leisurely job.

Anyone with common sense knew what it implied.

During the past three days, Ronald had already completed his identity registration in Borlenwich, acquainting himself with the local topography and other miscellaneous details. With Swift’s assistance, he had also sorted out any issues with registering his mystical identity.

Even the strange situation in the small town at the beginning of his crossover was reported to the relevant authorities on the mystical side during his identity registration.

Such matters were in the hands of professionals, so there likely wouldn’t be any trouble.

And today was Ronald’s first day on the job.

Clang—

Suddenly, a light noise came from the door downstairs in the morning.

It was the sound of the Coastline Morning News being delivered into the mailbox for the day.

Sitting in his room, Ronald put down his teacup and realized it was time to head out.

After all, it was his first official day of work.

No matter what, he had to make a good first impression on his new colleagues. After all, based on his plans, he would be staying in this city for some time.

Opening the door, Ronald immediately headed downstairs.

Early in the morning, Mrs. Hudson, the apartment’s landlady, was busy cleaning in her apron.

Hearing Ronald stepping out, she showed a smile from the second floor:

"Mr. Ronald, heading out so early?"

"Won’t you have some breakfast?"

"I’ve put some toasted bread by the fireplace, and there’s also tea ready on the table."

Waving to the landlady, Ronald returned the smile:

"Thank you, but I’ll skip it today."

"I need to make a trip to the station."

It wasn’t until Ronald reached the door that the landlady, who was still cleaning, spoke up again:

"If you’re going out, you could take a look at today’s morning paper."

"Just remember to bring it back."

"Sure!"

After responding to the landlady, Ronald pulled out the paper at the apartment entrance, then stopped in his tracks.

"..."

"Have I forgotten something?"

After pondering for a while, Ronald couldn’t recall anything important that was left undone.

Shaking his head, he left the apartment.

Borlenwich had a large number of rental carriages, with the starting price for the first three kilometers being one De Pu, and an additional five Nar for each extra kilometer.

Fortunately, the station wasn’t too far from the residence Ronald had carefully chosen; even walking on foot would only take about fifteen minutes.

Along the way to work, he even greeted the neighbors in the residential area whom he had met in the past couple of days.

Strangers seeing this might even mistake Ronald for a local resident.

Soon, Borlenwich Station came into view.

Borlenwich Station, unlike the small town stops where the East Wind once halted, was in a completely different league, as it was accustomed to receiving various nobles and merchants all year round. As the gateway to the city, the station’s construction and decor were absolutely top-notch.

The constant flow of passengers never ceased and patrolling guards were visible everywhere; the spacious and clean station plaza bustled with prosperity.

Ronald entered through the station’s main door and quickly reached the reception desk, following the stream of people.

Sitting behind the service counter, a receptionist with a practiced smile was on duty.

"Hello, I’m Ronald here to report for work today."

"In charge of clock timing adjustment."

"Could you please tell me how to get there?"

"Hello."

As soon as the receptionist laid eyes on Ronald, she smiled.

Such a young, handsome, blonde gentleman was rather rare even in her line of work.

And if he was to be a colleague of hers, that would be even better.

Pointing with her finger to Ronald’s left, she continued speaking:

"Go left, all the way to the end and then up a staircase; past the second-floor meeting room, you’ll find some rooms with nameplates. That’s where your work area is."

"Of course, I have a friendly suggestion."

Ronald raised an eyebrow:

"Do share."

Then, the receptionist revealed a radiant smile:

"When starting work at the station, it’s good to get to know your future colleagues."

"Like me, for instance."

"Maria Norma."

Ronald smiled:

"Then I’m very pleased to meet you, Miss Maria."

After a brief exchange with the receptionist, he proceeded toward his unit.

"Sss—"

He had only taken two steps.

Ronald suddenly gasped in pain, his complexion changing instantly!

His back hurt, really hurt!

He remembered what he had forgotten when leaving home.

It had been a week since the cursed toad pus capsules from Black Mountain finally lost their effect.

That’s right.

Those things could relieve pain, but they did nothing for healing!

The pain from the damaged soft tissues returned to afflict him, and he almost couldn’t help collapsing on the spot.

Great...

Am I going to miss work on my very first day?

Struggling to sit down on a bench in the resting room.

Ronald covered his face with the newspaper, feeling life’s overwhelming difficulties.