Upon going up to the second floor, Raine took a seat and prepared Helen's lunch.

Then, Raine took some supplements with water and began eating the bread he had bought for his lunch.

Next to him, Erika was eating a sandwich while reading a book on alchemy.

"Studying?" Raine asked.

"Yes, I suddenly feel motivated," Erika replied.

That was a good thing, Raine thought.

"I received the magic stone from Lutz downstairs just now. Also, the deadline has been shortened to three days," he informed her.

"Three days!? That's... quite tight," Erika said, sounding worried.

"It's no problem. Think of it as a chance to earn some overtime pay," Raine reassured her.

Though, his salary had decreased...

"I-I'll help you after all," Erika offered.

"It's fine, really. Erika, right now is a crucial time for you. You don't need to waste time on petty harassment from disgraced nobles. First, focus on learning the basics properly and studying. You could easily pass the 9th rank," Raine said, encouraging her.

Since she was already motivated, Raine would rather she prioritize that.

"Do you really think so?" she asked, a bit uncertain.

"From what I've seen of your skills, even if you fail next month, you'll pass the time after that. And there's no need to wait three months. If you reach the 9th rank, your salary will increase, and now, when things are quiet, is the perfect opportunity," Raine explained.

"Alright! I will do my best to study!" she said, determination in her voice.

Good, Raine thought. Keep it up.

"Aren't you going to try for the 2nd rank, Raine?" Helen asked after finishing her lunch.

"You need practical experience for anything above the 2nd rank. Five years for the 2nd rank and ten years for the 1st," Raine explained.

"Oh, I see. I didn't know that," Helen said, nodding.

"It's a pointless restriction. You can think of anything above the 3rd rank as the same. I've met a few people with the 2nd or 1st rank, and honestly, they're nothing to write home about," Raine added, chuckling.

Of course, there are some who are truly competent, he thought.

"Wow... Maybe that's why you've been disliked by those above you?" Helen asked, teasing a bit.

"Could be. I've certainly learned that the truth can hurt people. Sometimes a lie is necessary," Raine admitted.

It's only natural for people to get angry when you call them incompetent, he thought. I should be more tactful with my words.

"Wait... so when you said I could pass, was that a lie?" Erika looked up, concerned.

"No, that was true. Erika, you have the potential to pass not just the 9th rank, but the 8th as well. So, hurry up and get the 9th, and aim for the 8th," Raine clarified.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Got it!" Erika replied eagerly.

Good, good, Raine thought.

"Alright, let's get to work..." he said, taking out the magic stone and placing it on the desk.

"Oh, I should get back to my work too," Erika said as she began the process of turning iron ore into iron.

"I have nothing better to do, so I think I'll take a nap," Helen said, curling up and dozing off. Raine and Erika continued their work in silence.

By the time evening came and the clock struck five, Erika finally managed to turn a piece of iron ore into iron.

"One piece in a whole day..." she muttered.

That's slow... way too slow, Raine thought.

"Don't worry, it's all about practice. Remember how it was with potions and bricks?" Raine reminded her.

"That's true. Still..." she glanced at the wooden box behind Raine, which contained more than twenty magical stones.

"Yeah, it's all about practice," he repeated.

This is what the skill level of the 3rd rank looks like, he thought.

"That's impressive..." Erika said, awed.

"Yeah, but at this rate, we won't make it in time. I'll have to work overtime. You can head home, Erika," Raine suggested.

"Huh? But..." Erika hesitated, likely feeling guilty about leaving her colleague behind.

Me? I would just go home without worrying, Raine thought.

"I have Helen here, so I won't be lonely. You should go at your own pace, Erika. If you want to earn more with overtime, that's up to you..." Raine said.

He wasn't going to make a big deal out of it.

"N-No, then, excuse me... Please don't overdo it," Erika said before bowing and heading out.

"Good job today," Raine called after her.

"Thank you, you too," she replied.

Erika left, and Raine continued working.

"Aren't you going to ask Erika to help?" Helen asked once they were alone, having woken up.

"I can't rely on Erika for this. That Major would make a fuss over the slightest drop in quality. She's not ready for this yet," Raine explained.

Plus, she's probably never done this before, and I can't afford the time to train her right now, he thought.

"Isn't that a bit harsh?" Helen questioned.

"It's the truth. But I didn't say it out loud, did I?" Raine replied.

"You've grown," Helen noted with a nod of approval.

"Well, I don't want to be disliked," Raine admitted.

"Oh? That's unusual. Are you finally interested in women?" Helen teased.

I'm not some middle schooler, Raine thought.

"It's not that. It's just... after the thing with Adele, I've had some thoughts," he explained.

"That's a good thing," Helen said approvingly.

Raine continued working while chatting with Helen. Eventually, the clock struck nine, and he stood up to stretch.

"Are you still going to keep going?" Helen asked.

"Yeah. I don't know what might happen, so I want to get as much done as I can," Raine answered.

I don't think we can shorten the time any further, but since this task is basically harassment, it's better to get it over with quickly, he thought.

"Looks like you won't be able to clean your room today either," Helen commented.

Forget today; weekdays are out of the question at this rate, Raine thought.

"I'll do it on my next day off," he promised.

"Sounds good," Helen agreed.

Just as Raine was about to get back to work, he saw Erika poking her head around the staircase.

"Good work today. Are you still at it?" she asked, coming closer.

"Just a little more. What's up?" Raine replied.

"Did you have dinner yet?" she inquired.

"No, not yet," he said.

He planned to eat some packed food for dinner.

"If you'd like, I have some leftovers from dinner. Would you like them?" Erika offered, holding out a lunchbox.

"Are you sure?" Raine asked.

"Yes, I made too much, so if you don't mind," she said with a smile.

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Raine said, taking the lunchbox and placing it on the desk.

"Alright, then. Keep up the good work. I'll head home and get back to my studies," Erika said, bowing slightly before leaving.

Raine opened the lunchbox to find several sandwiches inside.

"She's a good person," he remarked.

"She really is... Raine, do you realize?" Helen said.

"Huh? Realize what?" Raine asked.

"These weren't leftovers. She made them just for you," Helen pointed out.

"What? Really?" Raine was surprised.

"There's no way this many sandwiches would be leftover. Plus, who eats sandwiches for both lunch and dinner?" she explained.

I eat bread for every meal, but... I get that's not exactly normal, Raine thought.

"She went out of her way to make these... I feel bad making her do that," he said, feeling a little guilty.

"That's why she called them leftovers. Just be grateful and enjoy them," Helen advised.

"You're right..." Raine nodded.

"Would you like one too, Helen?" he offered.

"I'll have one," she said.

Raine and Helen ate the sandwiches for dinner and resumed their work. Before the day was over, they wrapped up and headed home, took a bath, and went to bed.