"Yes, over here. That’s good."
It had been a busy week. Standing in the classroom, which looked completely different than it did a week ago, I carefully instructed the workers who had entered the room.
"...I’d like for all of them to be in the middle, preferably."
"For the instruments, I’d like them transported to another room. Yes, make sure to install soundproofing. I need the music to be extremely crisp."
"The monitor...? Yes, it’s fine over there."
It was a busy day.
Thankfully, I managed to get everything set up before the day ended.
"Thank you."
I thanked the staff and let my gaze sweep over the studio before me. The transformation was staggering, nothing like the place I remembered. Sleek monitors, powerful stereos, sound capsules, and even a dedicated workspace for the programmers. Every corner of the studio was filled with something.
There was even an entire room dedicated to creating music and sound effects.
This time, the studio lacked nothing.
’I’m starting to feel like working already.’
It was just unfortunate that there was not enough time left until the day ended. I only had about an hour before I’d be stuck here for the night. Considering what would happen once it hit midnight, I knew not to be too daring.
"I guess I’ll call it a day."
But before that, I planned on checking something out.
Opening the door of the classroom, I walked into the corridor and stared at the room opposite. Reaching out for the door, I paused and looked at the corridor.
It stretched as far as my eye could see.
It was quiet, and the LED lights from above shone down on the marble floor.
The silence that shrouded the space felt eerie to some extent, and for a moment, I forgot to take a breath.
But then—
"I’d be very careful if I were you."
A shadow cast above me.
I didn’t look back to know who it was as a hand pressed against my shoulder and a head leaned closer.
We both stared towards the endless corridor.
"...It’s staring right at us."
A soft tear of flesh echoed in my ear, sharp enough to jolt my chest. I couldn’t see it, yet I felt every inch of it; The Conductor’s smile straining against the stitches, its gaze locked on the corridor ahead.
My body stiffened as its breath brushed my ear, voice slipping through the silence.
"Say..."
It suddenly waved its hand.
"...Hello."
***
At the same time, in a small and quiet room.
"The offer has officially been presented to the Guild Master, and he’s given me the green light to make a counteroffer for the two of you."
The Section Chief sat before Kyle and Zoey.
The three were separated by a large wooden oval table. Several documents were spread on the table.
Sliding them over to Kyle and Zoey, the Section Chief started speaking.
"We’re planning on matching the salary that Arithmus has offered the two of you. That is, we’re willing to offer you an annual salary of 2.5 million each."
In that moment, it was almost as if the air had been sucked out of the room. Neither Zoey nor Kyle knew how to react.
2.5 million...
That was more than double their current salary!
The two also understood that this salary put them above most of the people in the Guild. Despite being a Queen Grade Guild, they couldn’t afford to pay as much as the Guilds from the main island.
This sort of salary was a show of goodwill from the Guild.
"Before the two of you say anything, I’d just like to add that this isn’t all that we’re willing to offer."
"Wha..."
"There’s more?"
"Yes."
Nodding, the Section Chief took a deep breath.
He extended his hand, revealing two small, hexagon-shaped glass bottles, each sealed with a delicate glass cork.
The moment Kyle and Zoey caught sight of the bottles, their breathing grew heavier.
"Essence of Light of the purest degree, alongside an Essence of Time. These should be the last remaining items that the two of you need in order to upgrade to the next Order, correct?"
Neither Kyle nor Zoey answered. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to answer, but it was because they couldn’t answer at all.
H-how...?
The two had been working extremely hard in order to acquire the desired essence. While they did manage to find some decent ones, this was the first time that they had seen such pure ones. It was simply not something that could be found easily. Not only that, but with the high demand, even if it was found, it’d usually be already taken by someone.
With this...
"This is how much the Guild is willing to offer you in order to keep you. I won’t force the two of you to answer me now, but I’d like to hear from you soon. If the two of you don’t wish to continue with us, that is also acceptable. We’ll take the offer presented by Arithmus. But like I said, the Guild really holds the two of you in high regard. Please think about this carefully."
The Section Chief didn’t say anything else from this point forward, as a tense silence followed shortly after.
Kyle and Zoey then carefully picked up the papers and went through them.
Eventually, the two stood up and left the room. They were most likely trying to reach their lawyers.
"....."
With his arms crossed, the Section Chief stared at the door.
The silence within the room continued to press on until he eventually laughed.
"The Guild Leader really didn’t hold back with the terms. He’s finally starting to pay attention to our department. Who would’ve thought?"
It had been a long time since their department drew any real notice. That changed with the recent gate. The event and the wave of coverage that followed brought them significant attention.
This was most likely the reason why the Guild Master had decided to match the offer.
He was finally planning on developing their department.
"...Would’ve been appreciated if he didn’t take so long to do this."
But then again, had it not been for their past poor performances, he would’ve done this much faster.
The Section Chief’s expression turned serious upon reaching the thought.
The Guild Master...
He was the type to measure worth by results. The offers just now were a reward for their success at the gate, but the instant they stopped delivering, so would his attention and favor.
As such—
"We need to produce results."
Something even greater than right now.
"That’s easier said than done."
But it wasn’t impossible. The only thing that came to mind was the Guild World Conference, but the chances of them doing well weren’t very high. Especially now that Clara was not in the right state to compete.
"This’ll be troublesome."
Leaning back, the Section Chief ruffled his hair.
In their current state, they might not even achieve a good result. The Section Chief could already imagine the consequences that the department would sustain.
Getting Kyle and Zoey to the Fifth Order would certainly help their chances, but it was still far from enough. There were Myles and Rowan, and several others, but that was far from enough.
If only...
"No."
The Section Chief shook his head, his mind wandering over a certain individual.
’They’re too inexperienced, and he doesn’t even have an Order. Although they’re getting good clearance records right now, it’s still not enough. I’m also sure he doesn’t want to participate, and there are still the department trials.’
"No."
The Section Chief shook his head.
"...Absolutely not."
His voice grew weaker.
"...No."
He bit his lips.
And then—
"But what if...?"