11

Chapter 11

Central Plaza, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, Year 2050, Planet: Grimoire

At Grifton's exclamation, Harper and Daryl frowned in confusion. "My, where did the time go?" Grifton muttered wryly. "I'm guessing we really do need to take this inside?"

"Yes, this discussion make take a while and doing so outside isn't ideal." Harper stated firmly.

When Grifton eyed them skeptically, "You two are being awfully mysterious right now." He wasn't sure how he felt about all this happening.

Harper shook his head and frowned.

At last, Daryl raised his hands in wry acknowledgement. "Also, I think we're going to have some interesting news that might shock you."

Grifton was now wary of what they had in their possession. "Ehh, maybe we should just go to the dormitory instead?" It didn't seem worth the hassle to remain in the marketplace.

Harper exhaled. "You'd be better off sitting when learning what we have discovered."

Hmm, these two didn't act like this very often. "You two aren't pulling my leg in some kind of nasty prank, are you?" Grifton frowned even more as a throbbing began in his temples.

Great, some kind of weather anomaly was about to break loose. The timing wasn't the type he enjoyed either.

"Now isn't the time to argue, Tinroy." The two brothers merely shook their heads. "We should really eat. Otherwise, we might pass out from hunger." They indicated that they weren't going to converse further until they'd left the sidewalk.

Grifton was abruptly reminded of why they'd come here in the first place when a receptionist came out to glare at them impatiently.

"We should go inside," Harper suggested. "After all, if we dally, we won't be able to eat comfortably, much less leisurely." He even made a point of turning his watch to silent mode.

When Daryl did the same, Grifton sighed. "All right, fine, we'll continue with the meal inside." They walked inside together, the two brothers chatted with Grifton, oblivious as usual to the striking image they presented.

This time, even Grifton wasn't aware of the fact that he fit right in with the duo. However, he wasn't interested in comparing appearances. A more annoying embarrassment was happening presently.

Now his stomach was growling and loudly at that. His companions didn't make any wry comments because now it seemed all their guts were in competition as to who could growl loudest.

The hostess was laughing silently at the trio as she passed them their menus. At this rate, they would become a laughingstock. That's when they finally began laughing at the completely ridiculous thing that happened.

"When was the last time either of you ate?' Grifton grinned broadly at their embarrassed expressions.

"Err, that is a good question," Daryl murmured. "I remember eating a sandwich at dawn I think."

Harper shook his head. "Not since the midday meal in the cafeteria yesterday." He admitted with a grimace. "I was too focused on research for my latest project. I've at least completed a prototype." Harper frowned. "I'm just glad I retrieved all my belongings from the warehouse yesterday. It would've been an unmitigated disaster if I hadn't." He shook his head.

Well, that was wonderful progress for both of them. Grifton knew that they'd been working hard for a very long time. Now he just hoped the results of their effort were worth the time they'd spent on their studies and projects. "Here's to a good ending for all working projects in progress." He offered as a cheer.

As for his own problems, well, Grifton knew that he'd figure out something. After all, he had created backup copies of everything he'd worked on to that point. Now Grifton just needed to set up a plan and execute it for recreating everything that was lost.

Harper derailed him with a surprising revelation though. "Oh right, I thought I should tell you something I noticed yesterday." He snagged Daryl's attention too.

"What might that be?" Grifton had almost drifted off into his own little world again.

"I saw official inspectors going through the various finished projects that were tagged for the finals." Harper mentioned. "I believe that someone was suspicion and therefore arranged a pre-inspection to take place." He shrugged. "I could be wrong, but I thought it was worth taking note of where exactly they were headed."

Hmm, if Harper was telling the truth, it meant that anyone whose work was completed was probably graded and ranked already. "Huh, well if that is the case, then all of mine was already done." Grifton finally told them as he exhaled slowly. "I had already made preparations to create facsimiles afterwards just in case of emergency."

Harper smiled. "So, you already had customers to send them too?" He didn't seem at all shocked to hear that.

"Yes, that's right." Grifton confirmed. "Therefore, I had to ensure that all of the submitted works were actually counted." He shrugged. "If what you're telling me is true, then I won't have to recreate everything again from scratch."

Harper smiled. "I heard that those that were counted, graded and ranked, were immediately transported once registered, to a secret location for safeguarding." He shrugged. "Though we won't know until after the investigation is finalized."

Ah well, Grifton wasn't worried any longer. "I think they always go through the seniors' work first, unless that routine changed." When Harper shook his head in confirmation that it hadn't, Grifton smiled.

"Well, then, I don't have to worry after all." A sigh escaped him as his entire body relaxed. That was truly a big relief for him when he thought of the incomprehensible number of hours and types of material that were lost otherwise.

"Heh, now none of us have to worry." Harper toasted Grifton.

"Nope, we're safe." Daryl agreed cheerfully. "Not only that, but I just got word that we're assigned to the Lamberton House dormitory."

Grifton blinked and then chuckled. "Well, at least that means you'll not need to worry about roaming after dark on the streets." He had been somewhat concerned about that little detail. Now it was one less concern bothering him that night after they departed.