Chapter 55

After enjoying the tea and snacks that Elies had prepared, I moved to my desk. A stack of documents was already sitting there.

The Filius plush toy that I had been hugging, Mars had placed on a shelf next to my desk along with the Let plush toy.

...It stands out in this simple, function-focused office, but it’s comforting and cute.

Well, it’s time to get to work, so I need to focus.

"From now on, Yurii will check the amounts in the document columns."

"Ai."

"Each column’s total is at the bottom and on the right. Please check that they match, and that the grand total in the bottom right corner is correct. If the calculations are correct, leave them as they are. If there are errors, correct them with a red pen and give them to me or Mars."

Elies explained while showing examples from the top two documents she had pre-selected.

"Can I use two lines for corrections and write above them?"

"That’s fine."

"Should I hand over the corrected documents one by one, or all at once?"

"Then please hand them over all at once. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Ai."

After confirming the minimum necessary points with Elies, I went to my desk. I took out an abacus and a red pen from my bag, where I had stored my stationery earlier, and put the stack of documents in my desk. I need to keep the finished and unfinished documents separate, so I have to be careful. However, I need to check the desk carefully after finishing.

Alright, this is my first job. Let’s do our best!

For calculations with fewer digits, I do mental math, and for those with more digits, I use the abacus to confirm. I double-check to avoid mistakes. I place the documents with correct calculations vertically at the left end of the desk, and those with errors horizontally below them. There are few errors, but it’s not zero, so I can’t let my guard down.

The stack of documents placed on the desk was finished with calculations in about an hour. I checked again to make sure none were left in the desk, and then I observed Elies and Mars. They both looked at me.

"I’m done."

"Oh, that was quick. Let me see."

When I raised my hand and said this, Elies stopped what she was doing and smiled.

I took the documents with errors to Elies, who quickly went through them. She must be doing the calculations at the same time. That’s amazing.

"...There are no issues. Please take the next set of documents. This time, bring them to Mars when you’re done. Mars will give you new documents."

"Understood."

I received a new stack of documents from Elies and followed her instructions.

Is this going to be an endless loop?

When I finished the documents from Elies, I took them to Mars after getting his attention. After passing Mars’s inspection, I received new calculation documents and was instructed to take them to Elies.

It seems I need to alternate between the two. When I confirmed this, Mars nodded.

Documents from regular members are continuously brought to Elies and Mars’s desks, so the calculation documents keep coming back.

How many documents circulate in a day?

"Good job!"

While I was concentrating on the calculations, there was a knock on the door, and Kalaf’s voice was heard.

I looked up to see Kalaf, Jott, and Yaeto at the entrance of the office.

"Oh, it’s already that time.

Yurii, let’s finish with the document you’re currently working on."

"Understood."

After confirming the time with her pocket watch, Elies told me to finish, and I turned back to the document.

Since it was a document with many digits, I tapped the abacus and confirmed there were no corrections needed. I then separated the finished and unfinished documents and placed them on the desk. I put the stationery back in my bag and hung it on the hook next to the desk.

After doing this, Mars signaled me to come over, so I took the documents, stacking them vertically and horizontally, and brought them over.

"...No issues."

"Great. No mistakes. Mars, how many documents did you check?"

"82."

"Today’s total is about 200 documents. You can also handle interest calculations, so next time, we’ll try something a bit more challenging."

Hearing Elies and Mars’s conversation, I felt relieved that I might be able to do some work.

"Yurii, you really are doing calculation work, huh?"

"Kalaf-onee-sama. Jott-taicho, Yaeto-taicho, thank you for your hard work."

"Good job. You look cute in the document team uniform, Yurii."

Kalaf, who had been observing from the entrance, smiled and spoke. I smiled back.

But, you know, no matter how much you tease me, nothing will come out. I get embarrassed, you know.

Ah, but I wanted to thank Jott.

"Jott-taicho, thank you for the pen. It’s really easy to write with."

"That’s great. If you need any adjustments, bring it to me anytime."

When I expressed my gratitude, Jott laughed heartily and replied. His response was truly that of a craftsman. He’s a seasoned professional.

"So? Why did you call us here?"

Jott shifted his gaze to Elies and asked.

Come to think of it, why did Jott and Yaeto come here?

"Yurii."

"…Huh?"

I was puzzled, but then Elies called my name.

"Tell the two experts what a 'Magic Mirror' is. Something interesting might come out of it."

"‘Magic Mirror’?"

Elies’s words made me remember, and I clapped my hands. Jott and Yaeto’s voices overlapped.

"Apparently, it’s a mirror that looks like a normal mirror but can see through from the back. Yurii seems to know a little about it. It might be worth listening to her story."

"!"

Elies almost did all the talking for me.

I feel a bit awkward being looked at as if I found an interesting toy, Jott and Yaeto.

I can’t say anything technical about the Magic Mirror, but a similar phenomenon is actually hidden in everyday life.

"Like this, it’s the same."

I moved to the window, grabbed the edge of the closed curtain, and managed to open it a little to show the phenomenon. Everyone in the room looked at my finger.

What I pointed to was, of course, the window.

The outside was getting dark, and the inside was lit by Mars, creating a contrast between the inside and outside, making the room visible through the window glass.

"From the outside, it’s just a window. But since it’s getting dark outside, it looks like a mirror from the inside.

And, well, you need to apply a very thin layer of silver so that the inside can’t be seen, and you need to adjust the lighting inside and outside, right??"

I remember that such adjustments were necessary. That’s why it wasn’t easy to make.

I expect the two experts to fill in the gaps in my explanation and come up with some creative solutions.

"Is it about creating an artificial phenomenon that mimics a natural one?"

"…If this can be put into practical use, it will be an incredible device."

"It’s easy to say, but the question is how far the blacksmith team’s technology can shape the material. The current mirror plating won’t work."

"Don’t worry, if you say that, the equipment team will have to research the installation technology. After all, it’s a setup that involves two rooms. Moreover, it requires light adjustment regardless of day or night. Theoretically, if the light and dark are reversed, the visible side will also be reversed, right?"

...Is this getting serious? And they understood so much from just that explanation?!

In the end, Jott and Yaeto started exchanging technical terms, and we were completely left behind.

"Yurii, you know some amazing things. To see the team leaders start a heated discussion like new recruits is quite something."

"I’m not that great. I just know about it, but I can’t do anything with it."

I just heard about it. I don’t know what to do with it like Jott and Yaeto.

That’s the kind of thing, and I can’t do much.

"People like me are called 'useless experiments.'"

"...Who told Yurii that?"

"Really, who taught Yurii such a thing?"

When I tried to laugh it off, Kalaf and Elies, in perfect unison, gave me a sinister smile with a threatening tone.

Why?! And they can both produce such voices?!!

Feeling intimidated by Elies and Kalaf, I clung to Mars’s leg, who was quietly listening nearby. Mars patted my head.

...Mars doesn’t talk much and has a blank expression, so I can’t tell what he’s thinking, but being around him might be comforting.

"Excuse me... What’s this?"

"Dilnan-taicho!"

The office, which had become slightly chaotic, welcomed the appearance of Dilnan. He looked at the heated discussion between Jott and Yaeto, the sinister smiles of Kalaf and Elies, and me clinging to Mars’s leg, with a bewildered expression.

Happy to see Dilnan, I let go of Mars’s leg and ran to him.

When I ran over, Dilnan picked me up.

"Did you do your job well?"

"Well, well, a lot happened."

"Of course. The old man is eagerly waiting to hear your story."

There’s so much to tell from a very content-filled day.

I met many people and made mistakes.

What should I start with? What kind of reaction will I get?

"So? Is it okay to take Yurii back?"

While I was giggling in anticipation, Dilnan asked Elies. This made Elies’s sinister smile disappear.

"Jott and Yaeto are in that mood, so they might come to Yurii directly if they have any questions. You can leave the documents here, but I don’t think you will."

"Of course not."

"That’s a shame. Yurii, I’ll come to pick you up in four days. Come to the office in good health. Don’t forget your bag and Let."

"Ai!"

When I received permission to leave, I was let down from Dilnan and returned to my desk.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to touch Yaeto’s muscles this time. Next time!

I took my bag from the hook next to the desk and put it on my shoulder, and I only hugged the Let plush toy from the side shelf. This plush toy is surprisingly big, so I have to be careful not to fall.

"Let’s go, let’s go."

I returned to Dilnan with the Let plush toy in my arms, and for some reason, the heated discussion between Jott and Yaeto stopped, making the office strangely quiet.

"Good job...!"

"Is the plush toy handmade by Kalaf-onee-sama?"

"Yes, it is."

"Thank you. I’ll take good care of it."

When I thanked Kalaf, who made the plush toy, with a smile, she gave me an even bigger smile.

Still, this plush toy is really comfortable to hug.

"Indeed, the plush toy suits you better than the real Let."

"Yurii, you’re always the best."

"Elies, did you ask Kalaf to make this?"

"Are you worried about criminals?"

"The head of the document team...?"

While I was rubbing against the Let plush toy, such conversations were exchanged above my head.

And, does the document team have criminals...?

Before leaving the room, I properly said, "Thank you for your hard work," and was carried back to the dining hall by Dilnan. It was fast and easy.

When we entered the dining hall, it was crowded with people having dinner. The smell of good meat filled the air. My stomach growled, but Dilnan took me to the back of the kitchen.

"Yurii, I’ll teach you the subspace magic tomorrow. For now, put the plush toy by the blanket."

"Ai."

I nodded at Dilnan’s instructions, was let down, and walked back with the large Let plush toy in my arms.

"Y, Yurii-chan!"

"Haai?"

When I turned around at the voices of the Three Idiots, Dilnan waved his hand, signaling me to go.

I obediently went to the order table and placed the Let plush toy in the corner.

Then, I returned to Dilnan, and Ordima brought my dinner.

Today’s dinner was grilled meat, salad, mushroom soup, and bread.

Luxurious meat, here it comes. Yay.

"Since the schedule is tight, we’re serving dinner first. Eat well while I clean up."

"Ai!"

I replied energetically to Dilnan’s words.

When my stomach growled, laughter spread through the kitchen.

Since I was alone, I took my time and thoroughly enjoyed my dinner.

The meat was soft and juicy, and the grilled meat salad sandwich was delicious. Yum.

Ah, I’m full. So happy.

After finishing my meal, I took the dishes to the return area and noticed that the number of people having dinner in the dining hall had thinned out, and the usual cleanup team was greedily eating.

In the midst of this, the Three Idiots and the cooking team were talking while cleaning.

"Then, we’ll buy notebooks with the budget..."

"I want a notebook too."

Reacting to the word "notebook," I called out, and everyone looked at me.

"...Do you want a notebook, Yurii?"

"Ai. I want a sketchbook and a cooking book."

"Then, I’ll apply for them tomorrow."

"Thank you, Ordima."

Taking advantage of Ordima’s willingness to listen, I asked for two books, and she nodded easily. It’s worth asking!

While this was happening, the satisfied diners left the dining hall, and the cleanup progressed rapidly.

"Alright, let’s take a bath."

"Jii-chan and bath~♪"

"Tell me the tales of the little one’s bravery."

"I’m turning off the lights."

"Okay."

After confirming that the work was done, Ojji gave the order, and everyone headed to the bath together.

It seemed that new pajamas, underwear, and regular clothes from Kalaf had been delivered to Dilnan, this time in an animal-patterned bag.

I quickly took off the document team’s robe and jumped into the bath, where I was thoroughly washed by Ojji, who had already entered, and I washed Ojji’s back.

I also scrubbed the backs of the others. It was a surprisingly fun task. Nice muscles! Yes, fine muscles!!

When I was carried by Ojji into the bathtub, I talked about the day’s events.

The first test in the morning, the walk in the morning and the team leaders and mounts I met, the visit to the infirmary, the plush toys that appeared when I woke up from my nap, getting lost and being retrieved by Vass and scolded by Elies, the document checking work in the afternoon, and the visit of Jott and Yaeto before returning to the dining hall.

There were so many topics that I almost got carried away, getting in and out of the bathtub, and even drinking water while talking.

At times, I was laughed at and worried about, and the bath was a big hit.

The fun time passed quickly, and when I started yawning from drowsiness, the bath time finally ended.

I was more tired than I thought, and as soon as I got into bed with Dilnan, I lost consciousness.

I think Dilnan said something, but I was too sleepy, so I’ll ask again tomorrow.