Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 64: [63] Building the Pillars of Governance

-Third Person POV-

The interview hall in Arkan’s office was bustling with hopeful applicants from all across the region. Some arrived looking nervous, dressed in their best attire, while others carried themselves with quiet confidence, despite their humble clothing. Seated behind a sturdy wooden desk, Arkan surveyed them with sharp yet welcoming eyes. In his hands was a list of candidates, while just at the corner of his vision, a translucent interface hovered—displaying a rapid assessment visible only to him.

This system—his lifesaver since arriving in this world—continued to prove its usefulness. Beyond granting access to an expansive library of 21st-century Earth knowledge, it possessed a unique feature: the ability to invest skill points into acquiring human talents. There was nothing supernatural about it—no magic, no mystical energy—but its efficiency was an invaluable asset in a world devoid of modern technology and structured methodologies.

Over the past few months, Arkan had strategically invested in four skills he deemed essential: Speed Reading, Environmental Adaptation, Spatial Awareness, and Social Perception. On the surface, these seemed ordinary, yet the benefits were extraordinary.

Skill 1: Speed Reading

This allowed Arkan to digest pages of documents in minutes. Tax reports, food distribution records, citizen complaints—what used to take hours could now be thoroughly analyzed with precision in a fraction of the time. Administrative work no longer consumed entire days, freeing him to focus on larger strategic decisions.

Skill 2: Environmental Adaptation

Thrown into a medieval world after living in a modern society, Arkan had desperately needed this ability. It helped his mind acclimate quickly to new surroundings, enabling him to learn Latin efficiently, understand noble etiquette, and grasp the subtleties of local customs without feeling alienated.

Skill 3: Spatial Awareness

This was the key to many of his ambitious plans. The ability to mentally map out landscapes, understand terrain layouts, and design infrastructure made him invaluable. With this, he could visualize entire settlements as if he were studying a three-dimensional model. When discussing agricultural and irrigation projects with Rainer, he wasn’t merely theorizing—he saw the solutions before they were even implemented.

Skill 4: Social Perception

Perhaps the most useful of all, this skill enabled Arkan to read people’s emotions and motivations with near-flawless accuracy. Body language, tone shifts, microexpressions—every subtle detail painted a clearer picture of a person’s true thoughts. It proved especially helpful during today’s interviews, where he needed to separate capable candidates from the unqualified.

Yet, the system was not without its limitations. Every time Arkan tried to rely on it too much, he was met with an abrupt, almost condescending response from the interface itself.

[Such thinking is unnecessary. You have a brain—use it.]

Arkan had frowned when the system displayed this message weeks ago. Though immensely beneficial, the system seemed to possess a personality—one that was blunt and dismissive. Whenever he attempted to lean on it entirely, he was reminded to think for himself.

"Then what’s the point of you?" he had grumbled once, only to receive an equally curt response:

[I exist to support, not to replace your feeble mind.]

Annoying, but he couldn’t deny that it forced him to be independent and analytical. Rather than being a tool that solved problems for him, the system pushed him to optimize his own potential.

Back in the interview hall, Arkan methodically assessed each candidate. Simple yet precise questions were asked, designed to gauge their fundamental skills. With the system’s assistance, he could instantly detect nervous liars, hidden talents, or subtle insecurities that would hinder administrative roles.

A middle-aged man with calloused hands sat before him, answering confidently. But at the corner of his vision, the system displayed:

[Low analytical skills. Better suited for manual labor than administration.]

Arkan nodded politely, then redirected the man towards a more suitable logistics position. He wasn’t here to turn people away; rather, he was ensuring that everyone was placed where they would excel.

Conversely, a timid young woman caught his attention. She sat anxiously, fidgeting with her hands—but her neatly written application and keen attention to detail stood out.

[Potential administrative ability. High developmental potential.]

"Are you willing to learn more if given the opportunity?" Arkan asked, his gaze steady.

Her eyes brightened, and she nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, sir! I want to help make this region a better place."

A faint smile crossed Arkan’s lips. "Good. You’re hired."

By the end of the day, he had successfully assembled a promising group of individuals to form the backbone of his administration. However, behind his composed expression, his mind was already moving ahead—strategizing the next steps in shaping his domain’s future.

###

Among the many applicants Arkan accepted that day, one of the least conspicuous was a young man named Selian. His messy black hair and thin frame made him look malnourished, yet when he answered questions during the interview, his voice remained steady, and his eyes shone with determination. He was hired as a document recorder—a position that required meticulous attention and high focus.

However, what Arkan didn’t know was that Selian carried a heavy burden.

-Selian-

That evening, Selian walked home from the newly constructed administrative building commissioned by Arkan. The crisp autumn breeze bit at his skin, yet his steps remained firm. In his hands was a small folder containing work instructions. A faint smile played on his lips, though it wasn’t one of happiness—it was a somber smile of a man looking toward the future with uncertainty.

"Finally," he thought. "I have a job."

Yet behind his relief, an unshakable sense of urgency weighed on his heart. His thoughts drifted back to his family, who still lived in a small village outside the city. His mother and two younger sisters remained in a crumbling house, barely surviving off a failing farm. Selian was their only hope.

As he crossed a small bridge, he paused, staring at the gentle flow of water below. Memories of the past resurfaced—the day his father left without a word. He remembered his mother’s silent weeping that night, and the heavy burden that fell onto his young shoulders.

"I can’t fail them," he muttered, steeling his resolve.

Selian knew that his role as a document recorder wouldn’t bring him wealth overnight, but he believed in Arkan—a man who spoke of grand visions and a prosperous future. If Arkan succeeded, then perhaps Selian, too, could lift his family out of poverty.

Elsewhere in the Territory

On the other side of the region, a young woman named Mariam was finishing her tasks in one of the vineyards under Arkan’s management. Her long brown hair was neatly tied back, sweat glistening on her forehead. Yet despite the exhaustion from a long day’s labor, her expression was one of satisfaction.

Mariam was one of the new workers hired to expand the wine production. Previously, she had been just another farmer’s daughter, tending to her family’s crops. But when she heard of job openings in Arkan’s estate, she applied without hesitation.

"This is my chance to learn something new," she thought.

She vividly remembered her interview with Arkan. Unlike the skeptical glances she often received from others, he had listened intently as she spoke about her experience caring for plants.

"Then I want you working directly in the main vineyards," he had said decisively.

Now, Mariam’s days were filled with rigorous tasks, yet she found purpose in her work. Every morning, she carefully inspected the plants, ensuring they remained healthy and free from pests. She even experimented with new farming techniques Arkan had introduced, like using fermented organic fertilizer.

But deep inside, Mariam held a dream that extended beyond the work she did now.

"One day, I want to own my own vineyard," she mused while gazing at the rows of growing grapes. "And maybe... create my own brand of wine."

At a Small Tavern on the Outskirts

At a modest tavern near the city’s edge, an elderly man named Garlan sat in the corner, sipping his warm tea. Despite his age and the wrinkles that lined his face, his sharp gaze betrayed his sharp intellect. A retired soldier, Garlan had spent his later years teaching the village youth the basics of combat.

However, in recent weeks, rumors had begun circulating about the new ruler who was reshaping the territory.

"That young lord... intriguing," Garlan thought.

Though he had never met Arkan personally, he couldn’t ignore the changes unfolding before him. Roads were being repaired, villagers appeared livelier, and most noticeably, security had improved. As a veteran, Garlan knew that transformations of this scale didn’t happen without a capable leader at the helm.

"I need to meet him," he muttered, setting his teacup down.

-Arkan Lawrence-

Back in his study, Arkan sat before a large map sprawled across his desk. A pen in hand, he marked key locations across his domain. Though his mind was consumed with strategies for improving his region’s productivity, he was also keenly aware that economic reforms alone wouldn’t be enough.

"Everyone here has their own ambitions," he murmured, recalling the faces of the workers, applicants, and villagers he had encountered.

"If I can help them achieve their goals... then they, in turn, will help me achieve mine."

A small smirk formed on his lips, his eyes brimming with determination. Outside, the sun was setting over a city slowly rising from its ruins—one step closer to a new era of prosperity.