Part 3: Answer in a Bottle

37: How's it going? You’ve followed all the steps in order, right?
Believer II: Yes, I've numbered them and made notes.
37: Wonderful, that will be a most valuable resource!
37: Now on to the second question ...
The women in plain robes continued with the game, methodically going through its motions.
It was nothing more than a simple game for kids.
To the Corrector, it all seemed amusing—here they were brilliant minds meticulously recreating child's play on the beach, instead of tackling the great questions of their age.
Sophia: ... Do you really think this game holds any significance?
As soon as Sophia asked this, the woman recording the answers turned and gave her a smile.
Believer II: Feeling bored?
Sophia: ... No, not really.
Sophia: 37 believes that by completing this game, she'll understand some hidden meaning in the sequence formed by the answers ...
Sophia: But my father was pragmatic, and always focused on the present. Like me, he didn't have an eye for these sorts of abstract things.
Sophia: I doubt his notebook could contain any of the transcendental meanings 37 is seeking.
Believer II: Hmm ...  Honestly, at first glance, you can easily see the results.
Believer II: The answers to each question form a ten-digit number, 6333434533.
Believer II: I can't see its value, but 37 must be doing this for a reason.
Believer II: After all, she's always the first to grasp the "essence" beyond our understanding.
Sophia: Essence ...
She had never associated her father's notebook with the notion of some transcendental essence.
What "essence" could a set of children's exercises in an old book possibly hold?
Sophia: If this is just a waste of time it could erode everyone's trust ...
Sophia: Then I ...
The Corrector furrowed her brow with worry.
She felt as if she had to rectify this mistake.
37: Sophia, what's on your mind?
Her friend's sudden appearance caught her off guard, forcing her to take a step back.
Sophia: ... Oh—nothing.
She forced an adjustment of her demeanor, hiding any sign of her flustered thoughts.
Sophia: I was just thinking, 37. Are these game perhaps too simple for the others?
37: Are they?
37 tilted her head.
37: But there is nothing simple about any set of numbers, nor any set of answers!
37: Indeed the simplest numbers often hold the deepest meaning. Even a number as singular as"1", holds the origin of all mathematical thought.
37: I believe the problems in this notebook are no different!
Sophia: ... Of course, you're always right, 37.
Sophia: But perhaps instead of these simple games, we could—
37: Work on more important things?
37 finished her sentence, catching the red-headed Corrector off guard once again.
37's eyes followed her as she took a step forward and fired off a series of questions of her own.
37: Sophia, you keep repeating yourself.
37: —So then, what's most important to you?
Sophia: ... !
There could be many answers—their research on the "Emanation", the school’s public affairs, or perhaps even just the fate of this small island.
But—
Sophia: No, go away, 37!
Sophia: I know you're right, you're always right. But I don't want to know!
Sophia: I don't want to know my number anymore—
The glass bottle shattered the water's surface, the splash rang heavy and bitter.
Sophia: ...
Sophia: I’m sorry ...
They both knew the ancient instruction, "Know thyself."
But the most important answer had already been swept away by the waves, lost in the endless depths of the sea.
Sophia: ...
Sophia: ... Sorry, 37 ...  I don't know that I can answer you right now.
Sophia: It's such a profound question, and I don't have an easy answer ...
Sophia: I suppose I need some time to think about it properly.
Sophia: —I need to check our inventory. I hope your research goes well, 37—
She spoke the words quickly feigning calm.
But it wasn't so easy to turn and leave; 37 held Sophia's hand firmly.
37: Someone once taught me a problem-solving technique—when you're at a loss, try changing your mood.
37: It's a useful trick. One which I've tested many times.
37: If you don’t have anything more important to do now, why not play the game with us?
37: You still haven't participated in Hugh's game yet!
Sophia: ...
It was always so impossible to let go of that hand.
Sophia: Alright ...  But remember, you promised to finish before dinner.
37: Of course! Anyway, 6 is still walking around the island. We have time before he reaches four digits!
37: Come on, Sophia, let's tackle the next question—