The sun hung high over Fors High, casting a warm glow that felt almost welcoming. Eiden stepped out onto the pavement, mind racing. I need to get smart and start earning, he reminded himself as he adjusted the collar of his shirt. Being average wasn't enough—not against people like Ruel.
Passing students flowed around him like the tide. Their laughter echoed off the walls. But Eiden was no longer just a face in the crowd. He was sharper, focused, recalibrating.
"I'm going to set this game to my advantage," he mused, running a hand through his hair. "And it starts with cash."
The feeling of urgency was electric. Wealth could be his unspoken weapon. It could be his method of breaking barriers and opening doors that the system alone couldn't pry apart.
"Time to explore options." Eiden dove into thought as he wandered towards the café at the corner of the block, a bustling hub for students and rich elites alike. He knew from overhearing conversations that connections could be made—and opportunities could arise—if he played his cards right.
His eyes scanned the scene as he entered, taking note of the usual weekend crowd: laptop-wielding students typing away, gossiping girls wrapped in high-end fashion, and a few strong-looking guys flaunting their athleticism over cups of steaming coffee. Eiden spotted an open table near the back. Perfect.
But before he settled in, he headed to the counter, ordering a black coffee, simple yet sharp. As he stared out the window, observing the busy street, a familiar face caught his attention — a rich girl from school, Eva Sinclair. She was perched on a bench outside, casually flipping through what appeared to be a designer handbag while giggling at something on her phone. The girl had money flowing from every pore and a harem of admirers trailing behind her.
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," Eiden muttered, remembering a nugget of wisdom he once overheard.
Taking a sip of his coffee, he pondered the layers involved. Eva's allure extended beyond her looks; it was her confidence, her open disregard for the struggles underneath wealth that drew people in. If he could learn her currency of charm and couple that with his newfound intelligence, he might be able to navigate this social sphere with greater ease.
Suddenly an idea struck him.
"Network," he thought. "I need to mingle with people who have money."
As he sipped his coffee, Eiden scrolled through his phone, flipping through contacts. Then, he pulled up the local marketplace. Online gig apps floated past his mind's eye—places where he could offer tutoring or freelance project consulting. If he could leverage his growing intelligence into skills that brought in cash, he could begin his ascent.
Just as thoughts began to cement into plans, a faint ding vibrated in his head.
> "New Quest Unlocked: Monetize Your Skills"
Objective: Generate monthly income of X within three months.
Reward: 15 EXP + Random Skill Unlock
"Nice," Eiden murmured, a grin creeping onto his face. "This could be the stepping stone I need."
He pulled up the quest screen mentally.
Gather a monetizable skill. Increase intelligence to improve performance. Create a strategy that works harmoniously with the system's requirements.
All around him were the musings of opportunity—an organic ambiance where someone keen could flourish.
With the coffee warming him through the slight chill of the air conditioning, Eiden decided to turn this café into his battlefield.
---
#### ***Later That Evening***
Eiden had waded through the ideas and opportunities present, finally returning home. His head spun with fresh knowledge, new ambitions, and various strategies.
He collapsed onto his bed, a relaxed breath escaping him as he glanced once more at his status screen.
> **[STATUS SCREEN]**
>
> **Name:** Eiden
> **Gender:** Male
> **Level:** 1
> **EXP:** 10
> **Height:** 5.8 ft
>
> **Strength:** 15
> **Speed:** 17
> **Intelligence:** 25
> **Charm:** 7 (Assimilation: 3/3 – Finalizing…)
>
> **Status Points:** 0
> **Skills:** None
> **Harem Count:** 0
With just 15 points needed to unlock the next level of intelligence benefits, he smirked. It was a target within reach—a goal that could be achieved simply by throwing his effort into lucrative opportunities.
"Time for a plan," he whispered as fatigue rolled over him. He'd start searching for tutoring gigs in high school subjects tomorrow. He couldn't wait for school to start again; the hustle was about to be real, and so was his determination.
---
Night settled in, but Eiden lay awake, the shadows in his modest bedroom swirling with ambition.
Play it smart. Earn the capital. Charm will follow.
All thoughts of harem-thieving faded, replaced by a burning determination to rise in both stature and success. He dreamed not of harems for the sake of desire, but of hearts won through recognition and respect.
A newfound energy made him feel alive.
Tomorrow was day one of a new Eiden — the strategist, the tactician, a player not just of charm but of cunning and resourcefulness.
"Let's go make some money," he thought, drifting off into a sleep laden with dreams of potential and promises....
Morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, pulling Eiden from the clutches of sleep with the gentle insistence of a new day. He sat up, blinking in confusion at his still-unfamiliar surroundings, mind still tangled in the threads of ambition woven last night.
"Today," he reminded himself, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "is the day you start making moves."
After a quick shower, he dressed in comfortable clothes—nothing flashy, yet clean and well-fitted, contributing to the growing confidence he felt bubbling beneath the surface.
His phone buzzed on his desk, a new notification lighting up the screen. Eiden snatched it up eagerly, half-expecting it to be a reminder of his tutoring gig inquiries or a new status update from System-chan. Instead, it was a message from Sasha.
**Sasha:** *Hey! Don't forget, we're supposed to meet up later for that movie thing. Wanna catch brunch first?*
Eiden smiled, quickly typing back.
**Eiden:** *Sure! Where and when?*
**Sasha:** *How about the café around the corner? 11 am?*
He checked the time. It was already nearing 10 am—he'd spent too long lost in the haze of thoughts.
**Eiden:** *Sounds good. I'll see you there!*
---
Eiden hustled out the door, his heart racing with excitement and purpose. The café buzzed with energy as students and local residents began their day. The comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, wrapping around him like a warm blanket as he stepped inside.
Sasha was already seated at a corner table, frothy cappuccino in hand, a half-eaten muffin in front of her.
"There you are," she said with a mock pout. "What took you so long? I thought you were plotting world domination again."
Eiden chuckled, taking a seat across from her. "Just gathering my genius ideas."
Her eyebrows shot up, a teasing glimmer in her eyes. "Oh? Let me guess—upgrading from harem scheming to millionaire plans?"
"Close enough," he replied, leaning forward. "I'm considering some side hustles."
She took a sip of her cappuccino, intrigued. "Side hustles? Like…"
"I want to start tutoring kids at the high school," he explained, watching as her face morphed from surprise to approval. "Simultaneously, I'm looking into freelance projects online where I can use my skills."
"I love it!" she exclaimed. "Finally taking charge of your life. That's so–"
"Neat?" Eiden interrupted, a smirk on his face. "All the kids say it's totally rad these days."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "Whatever you say, Mr. Trendsetter."
They shared in a light laugh, the kind that easily blurred the lines of their friendship, much like their constant banter regarding romantic subtexts.
As they sat together discussing the logistics of his plan, Eiden felt a warm glow blooming in his chest. Their conversation spiraled into detailed plans of marketing techniques he might use—starting small with online ads and word of mouth, eventually hoping to build a brand around his newfound ambition.
---
A couple of hours passed, filled with plans and playful jabs, until they finally finished their brunch. As they exited the café, Eiden's phone buzzed again — a notification from System-chan.
> "New Quest: Build a Reputation
Objective: Secure your first tutoring gig within one week.
Reward: 20 EXP + Random Skill Unlock"
Eiden felt the thrill of excitement rush over him. This was it—the kind of quest that had him feeling purposeful rather than reactive.
"You alright?" Sasha asked, glancing sideways. She must've seen the shift in his demeanor.
"Better than alright! I've got a quest!" he declared, eyes shining as he explained the details of the new objective.
"That's awesome!" she said, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "I can help you spread the word. Maybe we can make a flyer or something?"
"Good idea," he conceded. "I'll need all the help I can get."
Just in that moment, an expensive-looking car rolled up alongside the curb in front of them, the sleek black exterior gleaming in the sun. Eiden felt a wave of surprise wash over him. He recognized it immediately—it was the very same luxury car that had coasted past him just a few days prior.
"Is that—?" Sasha began, squinting as the passenger door swung open.
"Yup," Eiden finished, watching as Eva Sinclair stepped out of the car, her presence commanding attention.
The moment she set foot on the pavement, an aura of elegance enveloped her. She wore a fitted dress that showcased her figure and a smile that lifted the spirits of those around her. Eiden turned to Sasha. "I wonder what she's doing here."
Then something unexpected happened—Eva's gaze flicked in their direction. What caught her attention was unclear, but she paused, holding Eiden's stare for a brief moment.
Sasha nudged him. "Well, someone's staring at you, Mr. Trendsetter."
Eiden shook his head slightly, a blush creeping to his cheeks. "You're kidding, right? She probably saw the café's sign."
But Eva stepped closer, a mischievous smile dancing on her lips. "Eiden! Isn't it?"
His heart raced as he nodded, unsure of how to respond.
"I've seen you around school," she continued, her voice melodic, teasingly inquisitive. "Are you one of those mystical seminar students from the 'Special Program'? I heard some students are starting to tutor?"
He blinked, processing her question. "Um, yeah. I'm planning to begin tutoring soon."
Sasha grinned from behind, clearly reveling in the moment. "You're working on your side hustle, it seems! I like it."
Eva tilted her head, clearly intrigued. "And what subjects? Just the usual?"
"Math, science—stuff like that." He shrugged, trying to maintain composure. "You know. The basics."
She nodded thoughtfully, her glamorous energy wrapping around Eiden. "If you ever need a reference or collaboration, I'd be happy to help. My dad has a few clients who might appreciate some… unique tutoring methods."
Eiden nearly choked at the unexpected offer. "Really? That'd be great."
"You know how we rich kids love to get ahead in the competitive game," she said, winking playfully before taking a step back, her attention shifting toward Sasha. "And you—I didn't catch your name?"
"Sasha," she replied, pitching her voice higher in enthusiasm. "I'm also a big supporter of Eiden's new endeavor. Definitely want to see him succeed."
The exchange was light and effortless. As Eva chatted, Eiden felt his confidence swell. This could lead to something; there was money to be made in that unpredicted connection—rich clients wanting to get ahead in their studies.
"Great! We'll keep in touch then," Eva announced as she started to walk back toward her awaiting car. "Don't be a stranger, Eiden. I expect great things!"
And with that, she disappeared into the sleek vehicle, leaving both Eiden and Sasha shell-shocked, mouths agape.
"Did that just happen?" Sasha finally broke the silence, turning wide eyes toward him.
"Seems like it," Eiden replied, grinning ear to ear.
"You're already getting connections. Look at you! Mr. Millionaire Tutor," she laughed.
Eiden chuckled, shaking his head as they walked into the vibrant chaos of the day. The newfound connection felt electrifying, a promising thread in his burgeoning quest for wealth and influence.
---
#### ***Later That Evening***
Back home, Eiden plopped onto his bed, his mind still buzzing from the day's events. He opened his phone and began searching for tutoring platforms online. As he scrolled through potential connections and job offers, he couldn't shake the thrill of possibility.
He pulled up his status screen, excited to check his progress.
> **[STATUS SCREEN]**
>
> **Name:** Eiden
> **Gender:** Male
> **Level:** 1
> **EXP:** 10
> **Height:** 5.8 ft
>
> **Strength:** 15
> **Speed:** 17
> **Intelligence:** 25
> **Charm:** 7 (Assimilation: Complete)
>
> **Status Points:** 0
> **Skills:** None
> **Harem Count:** 0
He noticed a shift; the "Assimilation" text now read "Complete." He felt that familiar rush of energy, reminders that the hard work was already paying off.
And just like that, possibilities lightened up on the horizon because with charm, intelligence, and folly on his side, he would weave his way into corners where only money could reach—and hearts would follow.
Tonight was merely an entry point, the prologue to manifesting the future he desired. Striking with a fully-charged mind and a sharp smile, Eiden was ready for tomorrow.
To be continued…