The First Deal

Grant watched the young man at his desk, the flicker of frustration evident on his face. His pen hovered over the exam paper, moving erratically as if caught between desperation and hopelessness. The young man had been struggling for hours, unable to make sense of the questions, the pressure mounting with every passing minute.

Grant didn't know how long it had been since he had written the contract. Time seemed to lose all meaning in this strange state of existence. But now, the moment had arrived. The young man needed help, and Grant was going to give it—on his own terms.

The air around him crackled as he focused. Slowly, he willed his form into being. At first, there was only a faint outline—a shadow, a presence. Then, as the man's frustration reached its peak, Grant fully manifested, standing in front of him.

The young man gasped, recoiling slightly as he stared, wide-eyed. His mouth opened, but no words came out for a few seconds.

"Who are you?" he stammered, eyes darting between Grant and the exam paper.

Grant stood still, taking a moment to ensure the man could truly see him. His presence wasn't just a figment of imagination anymore; the contract had been sealed, and the bond between them was real. Grant was here, and his help would come in a different form than the young man expected.

"I'm here to teach you," Grant said calmly, his voice echoing in the silence of the room. "You've been struggling with this exam. I can guide you through it."

The young man blinked rapidly, clearly in shock. "What… You can help me? How?"

Grant took a few steps closer, noting the paper filled with half-written answers. "I can't give you the answers directly. That's not how this works. But I can show you how to approach these problems. I can help you understand the concepts that are tripping you up."

The young man's gaze shifted from Grant to the test, then back again. The flicker of hope was palpable. "But… I'm so behind. How are you going to teach me now?"

Grant smiled, though it was more of a gentle reassurance than anything else. "We have time. I'll guide you through each problem. Follow my instructions, and we'll work through it together."

And so, over the next several minutes, Grant helped the young man. He didn't provide direct answers or magic solutions. Instead, he asked guiding questions, pointed out connections the young man had overlooked, and offered step-by-step advice on how to approach the questions. Grant could see the hesitation in the man's movements, but with every piece of advice he followed, a small spark of understanding began to light up his eyes.

"You see?" Grant said after the young man had correctly solved another problem. "It's not about knowing everything immediately. It's about breaking it down, one step at a time."

The young man nodded, his confidence growing with each correct answer. The once overwhelming task was starting to feel like a series of manageable problems. He glanced up at Grant, the initial shock still there, but now tinged with something else—gratitude.

"I can do this," he murmured to himself, as if the realization had just settled in. "I can actually do this."

Grant watched quietly, pleased with the progress. This was what he could offer—guidance, teaching, a steady hand through the chaos. It wasn't the kind of instant solution he'd imagined when he'd first entered this new world, but it felt right. It felt real.

"Thank you," the young man finally said, his voice full of sincerity. "I don't know what I would've done without you."

Grant nodded, his form flickering for a moment. The contract had been fulfilled. But this was just the beginning.

The young man's test wasn't over yet. But with Grant's help, it no longer seemed like an impossible mountain to climb. The first step had been taken. And in time, more steps would follow.