The New Part-timer at Mr. S's Mystery Shop

The Last Test (Part 1)

After a one-week break, Anna was more than ready for her final task. She was one step closer to being a part-time worker at Sam's shop.

She, along with her brother, met Sam at the entrance of his shop.

"For your final task, I'll let you be the shop manager today!" said Sam.

"Yay!" said Anna. This has to be her favourite part.

"Now now, don't be too excited. Every day more than 100 students visit this shop and it can get super busy!" said Sam. "As mentioned in the leaflet, you will have to do more than just working at the cashier. You'll also need to introduce new products to customers, load stuff on shelves and displays and once the shop is closed, clean everything up."

"Ok," said Anna.

"So today, from 10am to 4pm, you'll have to make at least 500 madols," explained Sam. "During the period you might get called for help in loading stuff that's been delivered, or generally helping the customers. So be alert and careful!"

"Okay! I'm ready!" said Anna.

"I wish you the best of your luck," said Sam, leaving the shop.

"I'll be going to class now," said Ace.

"Goodbye brother," said Anna. She then put on her name tag and apron. "I'll show Sam that I'm worthy of working in this wonderful shop!"

Anna then walked around the shop to be familiar with it. Then she noticed a lot of dust on the shelves and cupboards.

"Hmm, there's still half an hour til 10am. Let's clean the place!" said Anna and she took out a broom and a feather duster. As she cleans the shop, she sang a song to her self.

"Just whistle while you work

And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place

So hum a merry tune

It won't take long when there's a song

To help you set the pace..."

Unaware to her though, Sam has installed several CCTV throughout the store.

After cleaning, it was 10am sharp. A large queue was already waiting at the entrance.

"Gosh...Sam's right! It's gonna be busy!" exclaimed Anna.

She hurried to the entrance and opened up the shop immediately.

"Welcome everyone! The shop's opened!" said Anna warmly with her arms opened.

The queue cheered and quickly rushed into the shop like a flood.

"Woah! Settle down, everyone!" said Anna as she tried to pass through the crowd to get to the cashier. "No need to rush!"

After some struggle, Anna finally reached the cashier. She then started serving those who came to pay for they purchases. After an hour, Anna managed to make 100 madols.

"100 madols in an hour wasn't too bad, but I still have a long way to go..." mumbled Anna to herself.

"Anna Trappola...you do resemble your brother a lot..." said a voice.

"Wha...who are you?" Anna looked around trying to find the source of the voice.

"Up here!" the voice sounded rather cheerful. 

Anna looked up to the ceiling. A pale-skinned student with bright red eyes and black hair with pink highlights was hanging there.

"Woah!" Anna was startled. "Aren't you gonna fall, sir?"

"Nope," replied the said student. "And how nice of you to call me "sir". My name's Lilia. Lilia Vanrouge."

"Hello, Lilia," greeted Anna. "You're wearing a green vest. You must be from Diasomnia."

"I am indeed," smiled Lilia.

"Old man! You shouldn't be messing around in a place like this!" said another voice. The said voice sounded younger.

"Oh come on, Silver. Don't be such a worrywart!" said Lilia. "And how many times did I have to tell you not to call me that!"

Anna giggled as she saw Lilia and Silver interact.

"So, how can I help you?" asked Anna politely.

"My sword has become rusty," sighed Silver. "I tried to put a hardening spell on it and it became like this." He then took out his sword and showed it to Anna.

"Oh my it looks dreadful," said Anna.

"Therefore we're looking for a potion or something to make it nice and shiny again," explained Lilia.

"Sure! Let me have a look. Bear with me." Anna then went to the potions shelf and started searching.

"Hmm, let me see...freezing potion, fairy potion, and...Kyuketsuki*?" said Anna as she noticed a spraying bottle with blue liquid.

*Kyuketsuki: Japanese for Vampire

"Oh, that's a vampire repellent, invented by someone from Yuu's hometown" said Lilia. "Trust me, it smells."

"Oh ok...aha! The rust potion!" said Anna, picking up a small bottle with bubbling transparent liquid.

"It says here not only does it get rid of rust, but also makes the object harder!" said Anna.

"That's great!" said Silver with a smile. "Killing two birds with one stone. I like it."

"We'll buy two of this," said Lilia.

"That'll be 150 madols please," said Anna.

After Lilia and Silver left, Anna continued her job. An hour had passed and she made 70 madols.

"That'll be 320 madols," said Anna, counting the money she earned. "Looks like I'm making good progress here."

Sam came into the shop. 

"How's work?" asked Sam.

"It was fun!" said Anna. "I was a bit overwhelmed by the crowd at first but now I'm used to it."

"Glad to hear that," said Sam. "Now I know this is a bit early but it's time for your lunch break. Ruggie Bucchi from Savanaclaw will be here during the afternoon shift."

"Ok!" said Anna. She removed her name tag and apron, and went to the cafeteria.

"Hmm...I might get myself a decent worker..."mumble Sam.

At the cafeteria, Anna bought herself a glass orange juice, a hot dog and a slice of apple pie.

"I wonder what's this Ruggie like?" thought Anna. Suddenly, a boy with dirty blonde hair and ears on his head ran past her, with a muscular, dark-skinned student with spiky white hair and a matching large tail chasing behind.

"Ruggie! Stop stealing my food!" shouted the white-haired student.

"I didn't steal it. You left it on the table, Jack!" said the blonde haired student, waving his left hand while holding a hamburger on his right hand.

"Oh no...if that's Ruggie, that means I'll be working with a brat!" thought Anna. She shoke her head and went to eat her lunch.