The Real Test (2)

[Stone Inscription.]

Nine put it in the middle of the vacant space. The grey stone shrine had a height of around 2 meters. The surface was flat and clean. This stone shrine would show the detail of the research work, be part of an exhibition for the guest.

"You didn't write anything."

[I'm busy. You should write it by yourself.]

After he came back, he was crueler. But it was reasonable because he had a job to do.

"I had to write it with Magic Pen, but I couldn't use it."

[Don't worry. I already prepare for you.]

Nine gave a cylinder bar to me when I pulled one side out, it had a shape like a pencil head.

[It's a whiteboard marker.]

[If you want to erase, you can use this wooden eraser.]

The square wooden with fabric on one side was sent to me. I didn't know a thing called whiteboard. The Magician School's board used one pen to write and erase, so this thing was strange for me.

"Um. It's work."

Tested done. I allowed Nine to close the connection and came back to edit the report until it was finished. It hadn't many points that I used the wrong value so after I check them, it was time to work with Stone Inscription.

First, I had to draft the detail of my work. The content in this stone was a short explanation. There was regular guest came to the conference too, so I had to make it easy to read and clear.

"Let's do it!"

At that time, Nine didn't contact me at once.

He might be trying hard on his side. I didn't happy that he got a problem it was my problem too. I wanted to do something, so just a little bit he wasn't here, I wished he could pass safely.

It took a lot of time than I expected. When I realized, it was already sunset.

[This is the dinner for you. Please enjoy.]

Nine served a Pork Rice Bowl[1]. The big piece of pork wrapped around by crisp flour. It had a sweet sauce that became more delicious when mixing with hot rice. The drink was a red flake that had a watermelon taste.

[It's call Watermelon Smoothie.]

I didn't know the meaning of smooth in this name, but it was fresh and sweet than the watermelon juice I used to drink.

It… could be a substitute for Pink Milk.

Nine cleaned all dishes and came back to work. Me too. I started to write on Stone Inscription when the sky was dark.

[How about this, High Sage?]

"Wha!!"

His voice and the magic came out like a ghost. I tried to keep calm and examined it for a while.

"That's right! It has to be like this!"

That thing was followed by my theories. You could do it if you do, wasn't it?

"But it…"

It still had some conflict points.

"Nine. It didn't be like this, right? Before you took it back, everything was clean."

[I'll fix it later. You just consider the main problem. If it's alright, I'm excused.]

Nine turned off the connection again. It looked like a fresh start more than fixed.

I started to worry about him.

…

[Is it alright?]

"Yes."

[I'm off.]

[Then what about this?]

"It's good."

[Thank you very much. I'll be back soon.]

The short conversations appeared time by time. Every time Nine came back, the work progressed a little. It was looking good, but we knew,

It couldn't finish on time.

"Nine..."

[…]

"Let's me help you! No. It's my work! It's must be something I can do! It's must be just one thing."

The contract… The evaluation… I didn't care about it. I made him trouble. My work was too hard I should listen to my teacher's words.

"I can explain! If you have a point you don't understand, I can sum it up. I'll do hardpoints. What is your stuck point? I know about my work more than everyone. If you can't do it alone, let's do it together!"

[…High Sage.]

"Nine!!"

[…]

He didn't answer. If that thing had to use magic, I…

I was useless.

[Stone Inscription.]

"Hm?"

[You didn't finish it right? Stop thinking about the interesting thing and move your hand.]

He didn't accept my help.

[You do your work, and I do my work. Same as you ask, and I create. Please, don't forget our service protocol.]

"But…"

[You don't have the time to worry. You have… only 10 hours left before the deadline. The one-night miracle just starts.]

But…

[Take a focus. After finishing it, you have to practice your presentation, prepare your cloth, take a shower, and have breakfast too. It has many things you have to do.]

He created one glass of Pink Milk in front of me.

[Please drink this and calm. I have to excuse a bit.]

At the end of his work, some wheels were dragged out. Nine walked to the far distance from the sound receiving. If it wasn't my eavesdrop skill upgraded, it must be that side was too quiet.

I heard Nine's voice.

'Are you free? Can you come here?'

'Yes. It isn't finished.'

'Too much.'

'Ok. Gathering as you can. Tell others, I'll give an OT and meals too. Come quick.'

'…Thank.'

That was a sincere voice.

Then Nine came back.

[Ha… I told you to stop thinking about the interesting thing.]

"And moves my hand. I got it."

[Good boy.]

He laughed.

I drank Pink Milk while wrote a description. He didn't put some conversation between us had only a strange push and click sounds.

[Is it bother you?]

"Not at all."

It was true. When I concentred, I didn't hear a surround sound. I got my calm back. I drank Pink Milk with a little until it was clean.

"Don't fill it. I don't want to go to the toilet much."

[Understood.]

We did our work in a quiet atmosphere. Was it would be, ok? When my mind started to think about it. I heard a noisy sound from Nine's side.

All voices were the man. They were far away and overlapped. It was hard to listen.

[Too slow!]

I flinched. His voice was hard and strong.

[My apologies. I'll come back.]

Nine walked to speak with the newcomers. One of them was Number Forty-one.

'My bad. It takes time, I have to pick them up. How about him? Does he sleep? I want to say hello~.'

'…'

'Alright. Alright. I won't do that. Everyone! We should finish it before 9 o'clock. Let's work people!'

'But first, I'll go to make a coffee~.'

Number Firty-one was running off. Maybe NUMBERS was the real company. It was out of the working time for so long. Even the sky was dark, it was the new day. I was going to make everyone trouble…

One thought made my mind flipped back. I rejected myself.

This was a service. It was the job they must do until getting the customer's pleasure that's why they gathered.

The countdown was 2:13:05 left.

Free Trial must end before 9 o'clock. No matter my work would complete or not, I had to sign the contract to present the work tomorrow. I had to 'beg' for the contract as he said before.

Such a wise snake guy.

Let me hear everything, knew his troubles, and his endeavor. Hypnotized me to softly with him, wanted to cheer, and help. He was a success for his actions. He knew how much I was weak.

I wouldn't let it become like that.

It wasn't related to the contract or subjection I already told him, I would judge him by his ability. High Sage would give the score by magic quality. Just like the teacher, I would ultimately carefully check it.

My willpower increased. My hand moved faster.

The miracle night just started!

[1] Katsu Don = Japanese food.