Chapter 4: Golem Siege
[Two days later – courtyard]
The Salvatore School courtyard was buzzing with students, but the energy was soon replaced by the terrified screams of a golem. The air was filled with the stench of dust and something foul, and a massive golem, a creature of pure earth and stone, lumbered into the courtyard. Adam felt a jolt of adrenaline. This was a new threat, one he had to be ready for. He had to be fast. He had a healing card, and he was going to use it. He held the card up, its surface glowing with a faint, ethereal light, and channeled the power. A wave of light erupted from his hands, a magical force that washed over him, healing his wounds, soothing his pain.
"Healing card, patch me up!" he yelled, his voice filled with a kind of wild exhilaration.
"100 MP for the battle, and 17 hours of sleep to get back up. Worth it."
Hope, who had been training with him, was already in action. She sent a torrent of powerful spells at the golem, blasts of pure magic that shimmered and wavered in the air. Stephanie, Alaric's daughter, a fiery, impulsive hybrid, was there too, a blur of motion, a force of pure, untamed strength. She just laughed, a bright, cheerful sound.
"Fighting golems for coins? Greedy much?" she said, her voice filled with a kind of playful exasperation.
He just shrugged, a small, knowing smirk on his face.
Hope, however, had a different reaction. She looked at him with a mix of awe and pride.
"You're tough, Adam," she said, her voice filled with a quiet admiration.
"Why wolf for Dad? Take $100,000."
A new notification appeared, a pleasant chime in his head.
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: GOLEM DEFEATED. REWARD: 75 COINS, 1 EMPTY CARD, STRENGTH SPELL CARD (PRE-FILLED, 3 USES).]
[LOAN SECURED: $100,000. 100 NEW COINS.]
The golem, battered and confused, was finally defeated, its stone form crumbling into dust. Adam felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him. He had done it. He had a new card, a new batch of coins, and a new achievement.
"Rocky McCrush," Adam said, a small, tired smile on his face.
[Same night – library]
The school library was buzzing with the energy of victory. The air smelled of old books and adrenaline, and the Super Squad was gathered, reliving the fight. Adam, a tired but triumphant smile on his face, was briefing them all on the aftermath. He had spent 1,200 MP, and he was now only 800 MP away from Level 3.
"1,200 MP, 800 to Level 3," he said, his voice filled with a quiet pride that was hard to contain.
"Sold strength to Rafael, one coin."
Penelope, ever the dry wit, chimed in, a mocking tone in her voice.
"Coin hoarder, huh? No cards for us?" she said, her voice filled with a kind of playful exasperation.
Hope, sitting beside him, her hand on his arm, looked at him with a mix of awe and pride.
"These creatures scare me, Adam," she said, her voice filled with a sense of unwavering loyalty.
"You're our anchor."
Adam just laughed. He was used to the teasing by now. It was their way of showing affection, of letting him know he was a part of the team.
"Look, the wolf Klaus thing was a prank," he explained, a genuine note in his voice. "Elijah's the classy Original. You have to respect that. And yeah, I'm coin-obsessed. It's how I get stronger. How I protect all of you."
He was a human with a card system, but he was a vital part of this family. He was a hero, a friend, an ally. He was a part of something bigger now. He was a part of their story.
[Next morning – office]
The school office was a sanctuary of old books, burnt paper, and the familiar scent of Caroline Forbes's perfume. Adam sat across from her, the air thick with tension. She had heard about the golem, and she was worried. But she was also annoyed. She hadn't forgotten the $300,000 he owed her.
"Creatures want you, Adam," she said, her voice filled with a mix of concern and exasperation.
"My $300,000?"
Adam just smiled, a confident glint in his eyes.
"Got it, vampire banker," he said, the nickname a familiar sign of affection.
"12 empty cards, 720 MP sleep. Wolf Klaus was my prank. $100,000 more?"
Caroline just stared at him, a look of pure disbelief on her face.
"Another loan? You're unbelievable," she said, but a small smile touched her lips.
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: MENTOR TRUST. REWARD: 25 COINS.]
[LOAN SECURED: $100,000. 100 NEW COINS.]
He was a human in a world of monsters, a boy with a system, and he was doing his best to survive and to protect the people he cared about.