Skeletal Bream asked Tide-Listening Clam another question. "I noticed the Eighth Domain Master headed to Ice Dolphin's trial island without much hesitation. Did you give him a hint?"
Tide-Listening Clam replied, "Don't go making things up, you damned bream! If you bring the Succession Envoy down on us, who's going to take the blame? You might not want to stay in this Ocean anymore, but I do!"
"Why get so worked up? I was only asking."
"Even a casual question can't be phrased like that!"
Skeletal Bream seemed to smile. "Fine, pretend I never said it. Anyway, did you really promise to help him put another thirty people through the trial? Have you done the math? Thirty trial rewards, on top of the third of your Tide-Listening Pearls you lost-that's no small loss."
Tide-Listening Clam's shell opened and closed, looking quite composed. "I've gained plenty in these waters. Now that I've met a candidate who might become a [Miracle Worker], I don't mind putting a little back in."
"What about you, Skeletal Bream? I agreed to help him with thirty more trials. What are you going to do? Back out, or join me?"
Skeletal Bream gave no immediate answer, turning instead to Land-Carrying Mirage.
Land-Carrying Mirage said, "I'm thinking the same thing as Tide-Listening Clam. A [Miracle Worker] is worth betting on. Besides, this Eighth Domain Master really is different from every candidate I've met before. Since Tide-Listening Clam has agreed, I'm willing to join in too."
"But... I still think we're losing too much. Being a [Miracle Worker] doesn't guarantee he'll make it all the way..."
Mechanical-Bone Ape said, "If you won't even invest in a [Miracle Worker], if you're going to pass up a chance at the grand prize outright, why did you become an examiner for the