'Welcome user number 4956: Evan Rotewed. Do you wish to proceed to your first appraisal or manually input the values?'
Evan didn't know what that meant. First, he thought the watch is broken. Now, he's hearing a voice in his head, asking him questions after registering him for something. The only time he knew he had to be registered was his birth, which his mother had told him in the past, and the test that he was just in, not too long ago.
'What is first appraisal?' He thought to himself. That's the first time he has heard of that word.
'Order question confirmed. First appraisal definition, according to the previously inputted data: user experience and personality to be assessed for user's preference.'
'I can reply while thinking of the question?' Evan looked at the watch in wonder. "Can I reply out loud too?" He says. This time, out loud.
'Affirmative, User Number 4956.'
Evan sighs. This all feels like a dream. Maybe he had just fallen through the hill and knocked his head. Maybe that was it.
He looked at the distance, seeing where his home was. He sat against the tree. Did that man two years ago knew that the watch he gave Evan is magic? No wonder it had always looked like it was expensive. Evan knew he should really return this at one point.
"Uh watch thing... Why is it nighttime? Or did I turn blind?" He asked.
'User's field of view correspond to the simulation zone. Time is at a current standstill.'
Evan's eyes widened when he heard that. 'So the time did stop. Is there a way to return back the time usually? What is happening? Maybe I can try going to mom or dad and asking some questions-'
'Will you proceed to the first appraisal or manually input values?'
The train of thoughts stopped abruptly when Evan heard the voice in his head again. This time, however, he's not sure if it's his imagination or the automated voice doesn't sound too robotic anymore.
What was there to lose? The watch was just going to see what his preferences are, right? There is no need to think too much about it. Evan couldn't really think of anything worse that could happen after getting categorized at the very bottom of a barrel. He's still not sure what all of this is. Maybe he can ask more later when this is done.
The voice in his head answered his question earlier, he could just ask again later, right?
Evan nods his head. "Y-yes, sure. I'll take the appraisal."
'Affirmative.'
'First Appraisal initiating.'
Beep...
Beep...
'This might hurt a bit. Stir clear of dangerous areas in case of fainting.'
"What-"
There is a sudden ear-splitting, high-pitched screeching through Evan's ears that was so painful that he couldn't get a full sentence out. He couldn't cover his ears to dull the sound, as it seems to be coming from inside his own head and encompassing everywhere that he thought he could also hear it audibly outside through his ears too.
It felt like it took him ages, passing time so slowly while he is clutching the tree bark for dear life. Before it ended, he passed out, only lasting less than three minutes.
Beep...
Beep...
'First Appraisal Complete. Saving Changes.' Was the last thing he heard.
/////---||||||---\\\\\
"Evan? Evan!"
Groaning, Evan could only blink his eyes slowly as he finally woke up. The skies reflected the light of the sun about to disappear in the horizon. He shot up from lying down on the ground, looking up to see that it was his mom, Sylvia, who had woken him up.
"Evan, you've just been here all afternoon? We've been looking for you."
There it was again, the worry in her tone that couldn't be masked.
But Evan remembered what she had said earlier. His stare goes down on her feet, head bowing down as if to follow his line of sight. He felt guilty. He had promised that he would do his everything to get to Stardust Academy. He promised them that he'll pass the entrance exams and then graduate there so he can work, earn a living and give them lots of food that they don't have to spend winters hungry.
"I'm sorry."
Sylvia looked pained for a moment before she sighs, her face going to neutral as if the apology didn't affect her, but it did. "Evan, honey, what are you sorry for?" Her voice sounded a little shaky, as if she's about to cry but she was holding on strong.
He paused, not really knowing why he was apologizing. Is it because of the test? His disappearance earlier because he needed time to breathe?
There was so many things Evan wanted to say, but couldn't bring himself to say it. He wanted to say that the promise stands as is, that Evan will find a way. But before he could say any more, he felt arms wrapping around him in an embrace.
"You have nothing to apologize for. We don't have those ancestors like the others do. And that's okay. You don't have to push yourself to get to Stardust. We'll make do here. We'll be okay. Don't worry, my little star." A small kiss on top of his head, before Sylvia hugs him as if he will disappear if she lets go.
Evan hugged her back. He knew about the debts. He's young, but he's aware of them. They could barely survive here. They may live in an abundant field, but the farmland isn't exactly theirs. The harvest that they could've eaten has to be sold so they could make ends meet. They have a little garden of vegetables and that is why they can sustain themselves but if winter comes, they could only hope it passes swiftly.
Sometimes, Samuel's mom, Brenda, would invite them to eat at least once per day. That's not always the case. And even if it was, it would be shameless to accept the invitations every time.
Evan is aware of those. It was why he wanted to get to Stardust Academy. He just need to find a way to get there. He wanted to raise his parents up from this life of constant uncertainty, living day by day wondering how they will sustain themselves.
"Mom, I know... We'll find a way." Was all he could say.
Another kiss on his head before Sylvia lets go of him and help him dust his clothes. "Come now. Your father had found some beet while searching for you so I'm thinking of making beet soup for dinner."
Evan held Sylvia's hand as they made their way back to their home. They were a couple of steps forward before he remembers something.
He looks at his wrist and there is no watch there.
"Mom, did you see the watch anywhere?" Evan asked, eyes wide in slight panic. He brought it with him, he knows it. But he's not wearing it anymore.
Sylvia shook her head. "No, honey. I didn't see the watch. Did you bring it with you?" She sounded confused.
Evan lets go of her hand and ran back towards the tree, looking around it. He couldn't find it.
"It's not here." Evan says, making his way around the back of the tree.
Sylvia sighs a little. "Well, will you be okay here? I have to go back to cook our dinner so be sure to follow along this time okay?"
Evan peeks from behind the tree and nodded his head. "I'll catch up the moment I find it, mom!"
He waited for Sylvia to walk away before he began to frantically spin around the tree, as if it will sprout the watch after a few more spins as he searched for it.
"Watch... Thing?" He called out, feeling a little stupid. "Where are you? Did you get taken? Can you help me find you?"
Why is he calling out to a watch? Evan wanted to give himself a facepalm. He just had a dream of a voice in his head. There was no way his whole interaction with the watch was real right? It had sounded robotic in nature. Evan and his best friend Samuel usually plays games based off of robots so maybe he just had a dream of it after hitting the tree so hard?
That is the only explanation he could muster. Besides, there is no way the watch would reply to his question. He's not wearing it anymore after all. What was the use in trying to ask out loud where it-
'Hello, hello, don't be alarmed!'
Even if he wasn't warned, Evan still jumped at the sound of the voice within his own head. He stopped going around the tree in surprise. It sounded echo-y, and that made him realize he wasn't dreaming earlier.
"Where are you, watch? I have to return you to that man someday!" Evan says, hoping the voice will point him to a direction.
There is a small giggle in his head. 'The watch is safe within you. And now, I'm here to stay. I'm your handy helper, brother!'
...What?