A glowing list hovered in front of Max like a menu in a video game he definitely wasn't prepared for.
Room Upgrade Options:
More Toilet Paper — 1 Magic Point Bigger Bed — 2 Magic Points More Pillows — 1 Magic Point Heavy Blanket — 3 Magic Points TV — 10 Magic Points Nice Desk — 1 Magic Point Magic Desk — 8 Magic Points Refrigerator — 4 Magic Points
Max blinked.
"So… my life literally depends on points. Good to know."
He rubbed his temples. First night in a magical academy, and the first luxury item available was of course… toilet paper.
Priorities. Still, he had other things to worry about. Like the mysterious book sitting on his bed.
If everyone here is ahead of me, I need to close the gap fast.
He tapped on an option.
Purchase Magic Desk?
The moment he confirmed, the air shimmered. Particles gathered in the corner of the room, swirling like mist before hardening into polished wood and glowing runes.
Max's jaw dropped.
"Okay… that's actually sick."
A note appeared on the surface.
Magic Desk: Boosts concentration and increases spell learning efficiency.
"Well hello productivity," Max muttered, placing the book on the desk.
Immediately, his wrist lit up.
Use 20 Magic Points to unlock?
"Twenty?! Do I..—"
He hesitated.
Then pressed confirm anyway.
The plain white-and-gray book pulsed like a heartbeat. Words rearranged themselves across the cover, shifting until a new title gleamed in elegant ink.
Reveal All Secrets
Max stared.
"…No pressure."
He scanned the catalog for a chair before reading—because learning world-altering magic while squatting on the floor sounded depressing.
His eyes caught an option: Comfy Chair — 3 Magic Points.
The screen flashed red.
ERROR.
Insufficient Magic Points.
Remaining: 2
Max froze.
"Already?! I just started!"
He tried not to panic, but the world suddenly felt very anti-chair.
Another option blinked.
Basic Wooden Chair — 1 Magic Point.
The universe delivered. A sad, stiff wooden chair appeared beside the desk. It looked offended to exist.
Max sighed. "It's fine. My spine didn't need happiness."
He sat immediately regretting every life choice that brought him here and opened the book.
If you're reading this, you possess a rare magical artifact.
This spell grows as you grow. Its power is knowledge dangerous, limitless, uncontrollable.
Your mind will awaken. Hidden pathways will open. Secrets will unfold.
You will gain sight where others are blind.
Use it wisely.
Or not. That's your problem now.
Max leaned back in the fragile excuse for a chair.
"Okay. Cool. No pressure. Just an ancient brain-hacking spell with a personality."
Hours passed as he read absorbing every strange warning, every fragmented lesson, every cryptic phrase.
Then his wrist flashed.
A voice echoed through his thoughts: Spell acquired.
Ability unlocked: SCAN.
Beginning neural upgrade. Host entering sleep protocol.
"Wait—WHAT sleep protoco—"
The world blurred.
Then Max slumped forward, face planting into his desk with all the grace of a tranquilized koala.
Darkness swallowed everything.