The Training Department aesthetic matches the Control Department, but feels more refined. The warm yellow glow makes the atmosphere comfortable and welcoming.
It is the unit responsible for corporate discipline, negotiations, and training programs. Training Department Employees also support other staff, helping them adapt to their work and life in the Corporation.
In other words, the Training Department grooms high-quality talent for the Corporation. It is essential. At least, every Department introduces itself that way, and the entire Corporation truly cannot function if even one is missing.
The Training Department is a vital organ, and one point clarifies why.
An employee's qualities must match the requirements, as they relate directly to workplace management. If a person is unfit for their position, they become a broken gear that causes the entire machine to be abandoned.
At the same time, the Training Department is supposed to be the most harmonious, intimate environment. More or less?
"Anyone in? May I enter?"
X gently knocked on the door of the Training Department office. She wasn't sure if the Dean would be there. X happened to be passing by, and Angela had not yet informed Hod.
She heard that the Training Department Dean was always in a hurry, constantly organizing activities for her staff. If X rushed in and disturbed their work, it wouldn't be right.
"Just come in, the door isn't locked."
A soft, somewhat weak female voice came from inside. Hearing it, X felt it was the incredibly cute type. Like a rabbit? Fragile and harmless.
X breathed a sigh of relief. This Dean would likely be like Malkuth from the Control Department: simple, approachable, and intimate.
Is she easy to get along with?
"Hello, I'm X. I just took the position of Manager."
Pushing the door open, her eyes fell on a girl with soft, feminine curls sitting at a desk, her head bowed over her work.
She had long, chestnut hair that looked docile, but a tuft of spiky hair at the top made her look more vibrant.
Upon hearing the introduction, the Training Department Dean looked up in a rush. Her calm expression shattered into a panic, as if X's sudden appearance had terrified her.
"AH AH AH! It's the Manager! Hel... Hello..."
The Training Department Dean was an adorable girl. She looked younger than the other Deans and lacked any formal stiffness. Only the badge on her sleeve with the initials "H" proved her identity.
Her sky-blue eyes were pure and clear, devoid of any worldly impurities. She was the polar opposite of Netzach.
Netzach looked like someone defeated by society, someone who had lost the will to fight. The girl in front of X was like a naive student who had just graduated, untouched by the world.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. You won't be angry, right?"
The Training Department Dean looked frightened, as if X were some kind of monster.
"Sit down and talk, you look nervous. I'm just a Manager. To be honest, this is the first time I've seen a Dean so scared of me."
Seeing her shock, X felt awkward. While she sometimes hated not being imposing enough, she wondered if she now had too much majesty. Why was the Dean so afraid?
Am I really that scary?
The atmosphere only relaxed after they sat down with two drinks. Then, the Training Department Dean introduced herself.
"Sigh... I am Hod, the Training Department Dean."
"The Training Department is... well, you know accidents happen often in our Corporation, right? Recent reports show that if Employees were more proactive during a crisis, we could avoid 40% of incidents."
"Therefore, the Training Department provides manuals and training skills. For the Corporation, the fewer incidents and absences, the better."
Talking about her work, Hod smiled. She was clearly proud of her job and enjoyed it.
However, her eyes mostly stayed on X's clothes rather than her face. She was still incredibly nervous.
"I know I'm not perfect, but I won't put pressure on the Employees!"
Her voice lacked confidence, but it was endearing.
"That doesn't sound bad at all, Hod."
X nodded, acknowledging the sincerity in Hod's words. Even if she didn't know the full reality of the office, having this kind of goodwill in the Corporation was a good thing.
"I'm so glad you agree. These days, I'm trying to develop several plans, though I'm not sure if they will work."
Hod was cheerful. The Training Department Dean was easier to handle than X imagined. Her personality wasn't strange, just a bit overly soft.
"Hod, can you explain further? I'd like to understand them better."
X felt herself floating again. Hod's respectful attitude made her a little uncomfortable. She wasn't a great leader. Most Deans didn't even use her title. It seemed their treatment of the Manager depended entirely on the AI's personality.
"Do you want to know more? As you know, the Corporation's working conditions are... extremely harsh."
"We conduct psychological polls and tests, but many Employees still lose their minds. I know what that feeling is like."
"I want to help them. I can't directly participate in the suppression of Abnormalities, but I am moved by their sense of loss."
"I don't know if these plans will be effective, but I truly hope they are."
Hod's face grew somber, likely remembering an incident she had witnessed. She was a sympathetic Dean who genuinely cared for her staff.
X could feel that Hod's concern was real. It wasn't just corporate lip service.
At the very least, Hod cared about them more than X did. X's concern was based on work requirements. She was the Manager and had to protect the Corporation's interests. If the work failed, she would be punished.
Her elegant, polite appearance was forced upon her by the AI Secretary and the Deans. Because they expected her to be a caring Manager, she treated them gently.
It was just a job. In reality, she was cold, only caring if she could survive the day in peace.
Sometimes X wondered if she was just pretending. Was this her real self? Was that smile truly for the Employee's health or the hope on the Dean's face?
Did she really want to save Netzach and pull her out of the mire?
X didn't know, but as she played the part, she tried to keep every promise she made.
"This sounds vital. Angela will be pleased. I'll seriously consider these plans."
X gave Hod a thumbs up and a genuine smile.
"Really? That's great! My plans are right here. Please take a look and tell me what you think."
When Hod saw the smile, she froze for a second. She stood up to grab a briefcase of documents from her desk, but then a knock sounded at the door.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
The Training Department office door vibrated.
"Manager... it might be an Employee looking for me. If you need more time, I can make her wait."
"It's fine. I'll get the door. Your work is for the Employees, right? If it stays on paper and isn't tested on the staff, it means nothing."
This was likely the first Employee to have a Manager open the door for them.
Behind the door stood a woman in a Training Department uniform. She looked unstable. She didn't even notice X. Her eyes were unfocused, her mind panicked as she rushed toward Hod.
Her pupils were scattered, as if she were on drugs.
"Thank you, Hod! I feel so much better now! Those scary thoughts are finally gone!"
The Employee's voice was filled with gratitude and heat. She bowed repeatedly to Hod.
But Hod didn't see anything wrong. She was just happy to have solved a psychological problem.
"You're the one who overcame them. I just showed you where to start."
X sat quietly on the sofa in the corner, observing them. The Employee's attention wasn't on Hod, but on the Enkephalin displayed on Hod's table.
Yet the words of thanks kept coming.
"I truly thank you! You are so good! If it weren't for you, I would have committed suicide by now! You saved my life. I'm so lucky you're our Department Dean!"
"You are truly a good person!"
The words were so rushed and fake that X felt a headache coming on. How was this any different from the Employee she met on her first day? That one was actually more coherent.
I'll have Angela deal with this later. No, this is Hod's subordinate. If I intervene, it breaks my 'gentle' Manager persona.
Resigning is a small matter, but X worried this Employee would manipulate Hod, ruining the Dean's mental state.
It sounded ridiculous, but Hod seemed easy to fool. She was being deceived by a pathetic addict.
X was no stranger to addicts. Netzach was the prime example. But the difference was that X wouldn't abandon a Dean. Employees, however, were just disposable parts.
X had the patience to help Netzach over and over, pulling her from the mud, but she had no energy to waste on a random Employee.
There were too many people in the Corporation. She couldn't save everyone. Even a saint couldn't do that, let alone a mortal.
She had been forced into this Manager role without being asked.
Life is like that. If you can't fight it, you follow it, adapt, and try to find some enjoyment.
X's golden eyes were cold, watching the Employee like a clumsy, third-rate drama.
How could Hod be so engrossed in such a bad performance?
"Thank you! But this is just my duty! Tiffany, I'm so happy for you! I heard you're transferring to another Department. Do your best there, and don't forget us!"
As Hod spoke, she gave the woman a farewell gift: a few doses of Enkephalin from her table.
The Employee, Tiffany, snatched the Enkephalin and stuffed it into her pocket. Her tone changed instantly.
"Sure, Hod. Bye!"
She vanished from the office without even looking at X on the sofa.
Once the door closed, X spoke.
"Hod, is that your Training Department Employee?"
"Yes! Did you see? My plan really worked! My work is so diverse, and I try so hard because I want to save them with everything I have!"
Hod said excitedly. She was immersed in the joy of 'helping' and looked like a child waiting for X to praise her.
Or maybe she just assumed X would.
X leaned in close. Her golden eyes locked onto Hod's.
This Dean was a bigger disaster than she imagined. She was a problem on the same level as Netzach.
But Hod's problem was much easier to fix.
"Hod, did you see her eyes? She is a deceitful, cowardly liar who cheated your feelings. But you also carry a great responsibility for this."
The air between them grew heavy. X's voice was soft and numbing, a spiritual shock that was impossible to ignore.
The Training Department Dean blushed like a child caught doing something wrong, shy and naive.
"Ma... Manager...."