Chapter Fifteen - Surya

 [Huh?! But the ring was his?!]

I facepalmed. I would be lying if I said I didn’t suspect him as an option at first. But after Noren explained why they chose him, I knew he wasn’t the answer.

I mean, come on! ‘The founder of Jade Innovations, who is married?’ If the person who received that clue was knowledgeable on Jade Innovations, the answer would be way too obvious!

[We’ll talk about this later, Noren. For now, goodbye.]

[...]

“Now that one participant has failed,” The intercom sounded. “Every participant can access only one screen on their ‘Surya window’ to see their clues!”

I opened the ‘Surya window’ and examined their clues once more but from my own eyes. As expected, I found nothing more useful than what I’ve already known.

I did notice that the couch was the exact same as the one in my room.

[Halette, is there anything we should know about the couch?]

[Nothing important. This design is Master Surya’s cushion spot. -Halette]

‘Nothing important’?

[That information seems pretty important. - Julian]

Oh Julian, I’m glad I’m not the only one who has to stare dumbfoundedly at the screen.

[Well, the whole room is designed the exact same way as Master Surya’s room, other than the small clues in the middle, so I didn’t think it’d be that important. -Halette]

Is this small room the same as his?

That’s sad.

Wait. But that’s incredible information.

The map of the third part of the test takes place in a copy of The God of Innovation’s room?

[Would you happen to know what your God is doing now?]

[hsfbfbeibrgvno]

[That wasn’t my response. - Halette]

I sighed.

[I know.]

[Master Surya spends his mornings, evenings, and afternoons in his room watching movies. He barely does anything else. Or… He never does anything else… - Halette]

Wow. He sounds like an amazing, productive God.

[He sounds lazy. - Julian]

How blunt.

[Master Surya works harder than anyone else I know. - Halette]

Do you even know anyone else?

I looked at the couch once more.

So, this is where the God, Surya, spends his life?

[Veer, I found something else. - Julian]

[Tell me.]

[The ‘Surya window’ looks roughly new. And it made me think… Would this really be the first most innovative invention? And I was able to turn it on, and only a screen saying ‘fraud’ appeared. - Julian]

Well, isn’t that interesting?

[Halette, can you check when the trophy was made?]

[Yes. The trophies are handed out every year on Master Surya’s birthday. So, the text on the side says ‘22nd anniversary’. - Halette]

[And when did the ‘Surya window’ earn the award?]

[On the 56th anniversary. - Halette]

[That’s not much time between.]

[Master Surya is the youngest God and Surya has only existed for 90 years. - Halette]

So, this God isn’t even a century old?

But if this is the case, then maybe we had the test question wrong the whole time…

I held up the paper hat once more and then returned to the keyboard.

[I’m going to try to communicate with Janica.]

[Okay. - Julian]

[Understood. - Halette]

I breathed in before slowly typing.

[Empty Town Train Station]

Even if the pup can’t read, he’s seen this combination of words together way more times than steps he’s ever walked. He’d have to know I’m trying to talk to him.

[gheibfeoedg]

I sighed from relief before beginning to type again.

[...Jade]

The reason I typed this was simple. We’ve gotten two clues about Sebastiron being married without anyone even saying his name. Which means Janica’s clue would be obvious. Who did he marry?

After all the trippy tests, they were close to impossible.

But if I had to guess what similarity each test had, it’d be obvious.

[Nancy Jaderfd]

I knew it.

(I’ll ignore how he accidentally typed more letters.)

After seeing the text, I smirked and immediately pressed the button.

*DING DING DA DONG!*

“One of the participants is taking their chance at guessing the answer! The participant who clicked the button is the only person with access to the keyboard and TV. You can explain your thought process but please type your answer on the TV within 5 minutes.”

I placed the paper hat on my lap before beginning to type.

[I apologize to everyone. I also kept an important clue from you guys.]

I unfolded the paper hat which showed the following details: A terribly drawn picture of Nancy and Surya, probably when they were younger. And the text between two people in horrible handwriting.

“I want to know how many believers I have.” Words were shared in an orange crayon.

“Then I’ll invent something, so you’ll always know!” A response in a purple crayon read.

As expected, this quiz was impossible for the average person. Only a God is really familiar with the ‘Gods window’. Which meant that the original question, “who came up with the ‘Surya window’?”, was actually “who came up with the ‘Gods window’?”

[Unfortunately, if I shared everything with you, it still wouldn’t make sense. So, let’s just say this. I already kinda knew who it was, I just needed one last bit of confirmation from Janica before coming up with the answer.]

I smirked before continuing.

[Who did Sebastiron Jade marry? The following tests related to ‘The God of Innovation’s’ past life with a certain someone. So why now make the test about someone completely irrelevant? Unless they weren’t irrelevant.]

I thought back to the previous clues.

[The ring, and indicating that only one of the founders of Jade Innovation was married was enough to know that the connection was through a marriage partner. The couch was enough to know that the answer followed ‘The God of Innovation’s’ story once more. At this point, the answer was more than obvious. But I needed Janica’s last clue to make sure that this person was, indeed, the marriage partner and connected to Surya.]

I took a deep breath once finally finishing my oversimplified explanation.

[I’d like to give my answer now.]

“Proceed!” The voice over the intercom sounded.

[Nancy Jade]

*DING DING DA DONG!*

“That answer is…” The voice drum rolled. “Correct! The participant, Veer, answered correctly and passed the test! He will be the only participant to move forward. This means that participants Janica, Julian, and Halette have failed the test and will not be able to proceed.”

[Julian, watch over Janica until I finally get out of here.]

I finally typed. I planned to finish this as soon as possible to avoid any conflict since Janica had that status, but from how long it's been in the test already, I’m unsure of how long my meeting with ‘The God of Innovation' will take.

Unsure if my companions were already sent out, I prepared myself to get teleported once more.

I saw green surround me and swiftly closed my eyes.

“No courtesy or anything, huh?” A familiar deep voice sounded behind me. “Unless you enjoy watching that TV instead of talking to me then go ahead.”

Is this… The God of Innovation?

While lost in my thoughts, I soon felt a ton of weight overtake my back.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Popstral…” Surya said seriously.

Popstral?

I noticed that my surroundings remained the same before turning my head towards him and saw him quickly flinch. He stared at me in daze before releasing himself off my back.

Compared to the memory, when he looked young and free, his hair definitely grew longer along with his body turning more masculine.

How does entrapping yourself away from the real-world cause one to have a glow up? I’m a God too, could this possibly happen for me?

“You’re not Popstral.” Surya frowned. “How’d you pass the test?”

I grew smug. “I guess I’m just that amazing.”

“Tch.” Did he just scoff? “Reveal who you are. Those tests are nearly impossible without any prior context. Not to mention, you don’t seem like someone who cheats. I mean, you’re the first person to ever pass, so how could outsiders help you?”

I pondered to myself before realizing something. If a bit of my memories didn’t return, heck if I didn’t see Halette’s memories, I wouldn’t have figured out most of the test parts. So why is it made like this? A test only someone like me can figure out?

“Actually, now that you mention it, why did you make the test so difficult in the first place?”

“Tch.” This childish God just scoffed again! “As if I have to answer to a cheater.”

“You know…” My face grew smug. “This was your test for your believers to answer questions. Are you bending your own rules?”

I noticed Surya’s face grow furious. He slouched on the couch and suddenly grinned.

“You’re right.” He finally said back in his calm tone while turning his head towards me. “But I never said how many questions. Are you sure that’s the question you wish to be asking me?”

Huh? Does he mean just one question? Is he nuts?!

“You know I almost risked my life out there.” I said casually while sitting beside him. “For a God, you’re quite corrupt.”

“Heh.”

I clenched my first at his response while continuing to smile and keep my composure.

“Fine then.” I grabbed his shoulder.

“Hands off me, cheater!” Surya tried slapping my hand away, but I brought it right back to him.

“If it’s one question you want, then it’s one question you get” My face turned serious.

“Can I forgive you?”