After finishing lunch, it was time to start the afternoon work.

With Erica having gone to the third floor to check on some deliveries, Raine found himself gazing idly around the spacious floor with Helen.

"This place is really dull," Raine muttered.

"It sure is. But isn't it nice to have some time to relax? You were overworking yourself," Helen replied.

Raine sighed inwardly. **Is this what being sidelined feels like?** he wondered. **Is this how I'm going to spend my days, growing old and eventually dying?**

"What are you talking about? You're still in your early twenties," Helen responded. "Sure, the pay has dropped and your chances for promotion are slim, but at least it's not a stressful job, and you get to prioritize your personal life. It's all about perspective."

**But what exactly am I supposed to do with my personal life when it feels so empty?** Raine thought to himself.

"I just don't find any motivation here," he said aloud.

Helen sighed. "Then why not try mentoring Erica?"

Mentoring? Raine considered it. **Erica is motivated and has talent. She would probably thrive under guidance.**

"Do you think I'm capable of mentoring?" Raine asked. "I'm the guy who's disliked by both colleagues and the reception staff."

"Things can change," Helen said. "Besides, Erica is a gentle and kind person. She can brush off a few harsh words."

Raine had to agree. Erica always kept smiling, even when he said something out of line.

"She's a bright soul, isn't she?" Raine mused.

"How about making her your wife?" Helen teased.

"That would be unfair to her," Raine replied. **Not that I'd ever consider myself husband material.**

"Compatibility is what matters," Helen said with a shrug. "Oh, look, Erica is coming back."

Just as Helen said, Erica was descending the stairs and heading towards them.

"How did it go?" Raine asked as Erica took a seat next to him.

"Everything's fine. All the items are accounted for, and the quality seems good. I called them earlier, and they asked for the delivery to be made tomorrow morning," Erica reported.

"I'll come along. Show me the way," Raine offered. **There’s nothing else to do around here anyway.**

"Alright, please do," Erica said with a smile.

"So, what’s the plan for the rest of the day?" Raine asked.

"Not much to do," Erica admitted.

**Exactly,** Raine thought.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Maybe I’ll just read a book," he said.

"I'm going to study," Erica said, pulling out a book and some notes from her bag.

"Studying? For alchemy?" Raine inquired.

"Yes, I’m planning to take the level 9 exam next month," she replied.

The national alchemy certification exam was held four times a year, comprising both written and practical tests.

"Do you think you'll pass?" Raine asked.

"I'm on the borderline for both the written and practical parts," Erica said, sounding a bit uncertain.

**Hmm,** Raine thought. **This is one of those moments where I need to choose my words carefully.** The old Raine would have blurted out, *“You could pass that exam without even studying.”* But he knew better now.

"Well, even if you don't pass, there will be other opportunities. Just take it easy," Raine said encouragingly, glancing over at Helen.

"Why don't you help her study?" Helen suggested.

"Me? I'm not sure that's a good idea," Raine said. **I'm probably the least qualified person in the world to be a teacher. I’d just end up demotivating her.**

"Just be gentle and try teaching as if you’re explaining things to a child," Helen advised.

"Isn't that a bit insulting to Erica?" Raine countered. **She’s twenty, after all, not a child.**

"I think that kind of mindset would actually be just right," Helen said. "You’re the type who would probably say, 'Why don’t you understand this?'"

**I'm already thinking that,** Raine realized.

"Erica, would you like some help with your studies?" Raine offered, hoping she might decline.

But Erica’s face lit up. "Really? Would you?"

**Of course, she wouldn’t refuse,** Raine thought, resigning himself to the task.

"Sure," he said reluctantly.

"Thank you so much!" Erica exclaimed.

**Alright, let’s do this,** Raine decided.

"So, is there any particular area you’re struggling with?" he asked.

"Yes, I’m having trouble with alchemical reactions and catalysts," Erica said, opening her book to show him.

Raine began teaching her, recalling the lessons he had learned from his own classes and training with his mentor. He chose his words carefully, treating Erica as if she were a young student, explaining everything with care and precision. Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was past five o'clock.

During this period, Raine had to suppress the urge to say, *“Why don’t you get this?”* a total of fifty-five times. But he never let it slip.

“Hey... what’s going on here?” a voice called out.

Raine looked up to see the branch manager coming up to the second floor.

“Oh, branch manager. Raine has been helping me study,” Erica explained.

"That's good to hear," the branch manager said. "But that's enough for now. We're going to the welcome party."

**A welcome party?** Raine wondered.

"A welcome party?" he asked the branch manager as he approached.

"Yes, it’s your first day here since your reassignment. It’s a welcome party for you," the branch manager explained.

**I’ve never attended one of those in my life,** Raine thought.

“Do I have to go?” Raine asked hesitantly.

"What? What are you talking about?" the branch manager replied, puzzled.

**I don’t want to go,** Raine thought, feeling uneasy.

"You can’t refuse a welcome party, Raine. You must attend," Helen admonished.

"Why?" Raine asked.

“It’s an important social event. It helps build camaraderie with your new colleagues. Almost everyone attends,” Helen explained.

**I understand that,** Raine thought.

"But I'm not good at party tricks," Raine said. His reluctance to attend stemmed from a tradition at his previous company, where newcomers were expected to perform some act or skit at welcome parties. He had refused to do so and had avoided such events ever since, including at the headquarters in this life.

“You don’t need to perform any tricks. Besides, nobody wants to see that,” Helen said. “But that’s exactly what a superior might force you to do—to laugh at your expense. Just look at the branch manager. He’s ex-military, and military types are all about power harassment and sexual harassment.”

**They’re like athletes with a hierarchy,** Raine thought.

“What is he talking about with that cat? This is practically slander,” the branch manager muttered, overhearing part of the conversation.

“Hush, it seems they’re in the middle of some sort of training to improve Raine’s people skills,” Helen explained.

“I see… what a pitiful fellow,” the branch manager replied.

**There it is again, calling me pitiful…** Raine thought.

“Let’s go, Raine. Even though the branch manager is ex-military, he’s also a noble,” Helen insisted.

“Well…” Raine hesitated.

“You can leave after the first part of the party. Since Erica is here, you can use escorting her home as an excuse to skip the second part,” Helen suggested.

**That makes sense.**

“There won’t be a second part, actually. I don’t drink, and I’m not into parties,” the branch manager said.

“Neither do I,” Erica added.

**Erica’s one thing, but I didn’t expect the branch manager to be a teetotaler.**

“See? There’s nothing to worry about,” Helen said.

“All right, let’s go then,” Raine agreed, finally giving in.

**Guess there’s no avoiding it.**

“It looks like their meeting has ended,” Erica observed.

“Indeed… Is it always like this?” Raine asked.

“Pretty much,” Helen replied.

“Erica, just keep watching over him with kindness,” the branch manager advised, giving Raine a look as if he were some unfortunate soul.