Soon after, Lalatina notified Sara that Sonia had reserved her for a month.
Sara was surprised but quickly woke up, having fallen asleep with her makeup still intact. She tidied up her appearance and, in less than ten minutes, rushed to her assigned room, number 9999.
Upon entering the villa, she saw Sonia in her flowing white dress, radiating an almost ethereal glow.
"Sonia-senpai, you could have given me a heads-up before coming!" Sara exclaimed, clearly pleased to see her.
"I just felt inspired to visit you today," Sonia replied with a smile. "If you were working, it wouldn't have been appropriate for me to disturb you, so I decided to come over directly. If you were busy, I would have postponed my visit."
"Why go through all this trouble just to chat?" Sara asked, still surprised.
"We could have just talked over the communicator," she added, feeling a bit guilty about the expense.
"I wanted to discuss something that can't be settled with a quick message," Sonia explained. "I have just over an hour, so please bring us some drinks, and let's sit down to chat."
"Only an hour? You booked me for a month; aren't you planning to stay longer?" Sara asked, her surprise evident.
"Let's discuss the details once you bring the drinks," Sonia said, urging her to hurry.
Sara nodded thoughtfully and went downstairs to fetch some beverages.
As Sonia looked around the villa, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. In the beginning, Sara had struggled with the rules and her ability to perform tasks.
She often visited the villa to assess Sara's service and etiquette.
Now, returning after several years, she came as a guest.
Though she had joined the Void, her current responsibilities weren't any easier than her former role as a villa manager.
She had to juggle even more tasks, yet she relished the challenge.
Her only regret was that her position prevented her from participating in many activities on the island.
A few minutes later, Sara returned with drinks in hand.
"Sonia-senpai, what did you want to talk about?"
Setting the drinks down, she inquired, sensing the importance of this meeting.
"Honestly, I'm here to find a trustworthy person who is both beautiful and capable to help me with some work," Sonia stated directly.
"I'm flattered that you thought of me, but what kind of work are we talking about?" Sara asked, intrigued.
"Is it illegal?" she teased, biting her lip with a smile.
"You can rest assured, this job isn't illegal," Sonia replied. "The tasks aren't particularly challenging; I just need help keeping track of who enters and exits the island and recording where they go when they leave."
"As for the compensation, I can offer you 1.2 million a year. If you gain Kassadin's approval later, it could easily rise to a million a month."
Sara was taken aback by the generous offer. "A hundred twenty thousand a year without recognition, and two million once I'm approved? That seems disproportionate for this type of job…"
While tempted by the high salary, she also felt apprehensive.
"This job may not be difficult, but you must ensure the accuracy of your records; no false reports allowed. You'll also need to build good relationships with the other members and know their whereabouts when they travel."
"Let's discuss more once you accompany me to the Void Island."
"If after a year you haven't earned Kassadin's approval, I'll still pay you that 1.2 million to leave."
"What does it take to earn Kassadin's approval?" Sara asked, curiosity piqued, though still slightly anxious.
"I wish I could tell you, but revealing too much might hinder your chances with him," Sonia explained. "So, you can think about it—whether to join me on the Void Island. If you decide against it, that thirty thousand I pay won't be refunded, but consider it a month off."
Hearing the generous offer made Sara's heart race. That salary was equivalent to what she would earn in three years working at the elite hotel, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that Sonia's words seemed too good to be true.
Sonia's visit was likely motivated by their past connection and her acknowledgment of Sara's capabilities.
This opportunity was indeed precious, but Sara felt she needed more information to evaluate whether Sonia's words were genuine.
If the job was just about taking notes and filling out reports, it would be an easy task with fantastic pay.
However, if the job entailed more complex responsibilities, she might find herself in over her head.
"Sonia-senpai, are you giving me a chance?" Sara pondered aloud, deciding it was best to learn more before committing.
"Absolutely. Kassadin asked me to recommend someone, and you came to mind," Sonia affirmed. "But even if I recommend you, it doesn't guarantee you'll pass his assessment."
"No one can truly understand Kassadin's thoughts, so while you may ask me what it takes to gain his approval, I can't provide you with an answer."
Sonia nodded, being upfront with her intentions.
By getting Sara to the Void Island, she could begin her duties and gradually understand the intentions behind the other members' visits.
In the beginning, Sara might not see any successful candidates, which could lead to doubts.
Thus, Sonia decided to give Sara a year to grasp the dynamics of the Void Church.
If after a year, Sara still hadn't won Kassadin's favor, she would seek another trustworthy individual.