Chapter Text
It was a nice day in Algebralia, and most Algebraliens were having a nice day, today was a free day for a lot Algebraliens, since they work regularly. On this specific day, a few Algebraliens were playing cards on their day off, others were staying in and doing their favorite hobbies, and a lonely few either worked overtime or did things by themselves.(Algebraliens normally find one other, and stick to them, and some get left with nobody.)
There was also an ongoing math class nearby, it happens biweekly on Sundays and Wednesdays, it's run by Four, and X has recently joined to help him and be their assistant. This class is mostly for variables to learn how to do math, but numbers who aren't proficient in math can join too. However, since math was being taught, business was bustling for the close by bars.
You see, the Algebraliens weren't just created for no reason; they were created by Infinity for the purpose of solving and creating problems, nobody knows why, but everyone eventually learned not to question it.
Sadly, Algebraliens had one unaccounted for flaw, they couldn't use all the symbols and tools Infinity made for their creations, so, for a few thousands years Infinity had the Algebraliens do all math with their nearby resources.
Until, a curious little number, Sixteen, found out how to make alcohol and went over to the division symbol with a drunk Four since the algebraliens have told a form of 'ghost stories' about the unused math symbols, but little did they know that it needed power, and just guess what substance provided that needed burst of power? Alcohol. So once they went to the division symbol, Sixteen ended up splitting into four parts of themself, and this proved that the symbols really worked.
So, just imagine the joy Infinity felt when they saw that scene after years of frustration about the flaw in their very own design they couldn't fix.
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After Infinity discovered this, they started mass producing alcohol and providing it to Algebraliens. eventually Infinity reluctantly agreed on letting some start bars and others serve it in restaurants instead of doing math. They tried paying the Algebraliens to do math instead of this new option they now had, and most numbers agreed since they were exceptional at math and it came extremely easy to them, but some refused because they didn't like it or just wanted to do something new on the side, the variables who didn't do it choose a normal job since it would be easier than doing math all their lives.
So that means, most variables were employed, and only some numbers were. But, Four being the math obsessed freak he is, came up with an idea. That idea was when he decided to start a class for Algebraliens to learn math. This benefited Four in two ways, since Infinity paid Algebraliens to create and solve math problems, Four had to do both for classes (to teach them), so they ended up getting filthy rich.
Most that got jobs either started up restaurants, shops, and likewise business; like bars. Some Algebraliens started up bars with Infinity’s permission and a few other bar owners smuggled alcohol (Infinity quickly shut those down.) It became fundamental to them; why wouldn't it? Alcohol helped them complete their purpose.
Which means, there were bound to be a few that were cursed with alcoholism. When the first Algebralien fell victim to this, the others realized that stuff was nothing to mess with. They set up rules against drinking for other purposes than Infinity told them to use it for, like for fun, or for the simple reason of just wanting to drink.
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Everyone continued to do their own things as the afternoon came and went, and as night started to creep in. Soon enough most Algebraliens were heading to bed and clocking out of work.
Except, a little number, named One.