One more try because I really can't help myself.
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This was never a 'real world' question.
So what is the ground for insisting that the process described has a step at 12:00am? How do we get from the steps which are specified in the OP all before 12:00am to this hypothetical last step that would occur at 12:00am?
I say that according to your specifications there is no step at 12:00am.
So the number of balls left in the vase is not defined at 12:00am.
So it's not that we don't know how many balls or that all answers are possible. No, it's just that the question is absurd, like asking how many pinguins are in the vase even though we have no idea how they would have gotten into it.
Ok, that being said, it's an interesting paradox. However, you don't seem to be prepared to argue your position. I don't want to push you but I'd like to know what your argument is.
EB