Chapter 3 – A New Beginning
Adrian woke to the faint glow of sunlight slipping through the thin curtains of his dorm room. For a moment, he simply lay still, staring at the cracked ceiling, the events of yesterday replaying in his mind like a broken record. Elena's cold words, Marcus's smug laughter, the metallic taste of blood as everything went dark
And then the voice. The system.
He sat up slowly, pressing his palms against his temples. It hadn't been a dream. A faintly translucent panel appeared before his eyes the moment he thought about it:
[Infinite Fortune System]
• Balance: $10,000,000,000,000,000
• Fortune Points: 0
• Body: Weak (15)
• Mind: Normal (28)
• Skills: Locked
• Rule: All purchases must be paid at full price. Bargaining forbidden.
⸻
The absurd number glared back at him. Adrian let out a breath that trembled between disbelief and determination.
Ten quadrillion dollars. Enough to buy the world a hundred times over. But it's not about throwing money away—it's about using it right. Spending to become someone stronger, greater… untouchable.
The sound of the dorm door creaking open pulled him out of his thoughts. His roommates stumbled inside, still laughing, their hair messy from a night without sleep.
"Damn, Adrian, you're awake already?" One of them dropped onto his bunk with a groan. "We just pulled an all-nighter at the café. You wouldn't believe how many rounds we won."
Another tossed his backpack aside and smirked. "Or maybe you didn't sleep at all. Fainting over a girl really hit you hard, huh?"
The dorm went quiet for half a second, then laughter erupted.
Adrian managed a small smile. "Guess I made a fool of myself."
The first roommate waved a hand dismissively. "Come on, man. It happens. First heartbreak always feels like the world's ending."
"Yeah," another added. "But there are millions of women out there. Elena? She's just one girl. Don't let her be the cage that locks your future. We've got our whole lives ahead."
Their words, casual yet genuine, struck something in him. Adrian's chest loosened slightly. he felt a quiet gratitude for their attempt to cheer him up.
After they settled in to nap, Adrian stood and stretched. His body still felt heavy, sticky from yesterday's chaos. He grabbed a clean towel, headed into the dorm's shared bathroom, and let the shower run. Warm water cascaded over him, washing away the sweat and fatigue. By the time he stepped out, dressed in a simple shirt and jeans, he felt lighter, refreshed.
His stomach let out a low growl, reminding him he hadn't eaten properly since yesterday morning.
"Food first," he muttered, grabbing his wallet and slipping out of the dorm.
⸻
The streets near silvercreat university were already buzzing despite the early hour. Students streamed toward morning lectures, vendors opened their stalls, and the smell of fried dough wafted through the air.
Adrian followed the familiar road and stopped at a small diner tucked between a bookstore and a laundromat. The sign above the door flickered, and the aroma of scrambled eggs and brewed coffee leaked out each time the door swung open.
He stepped inside. The place was crowded but cozy—wooden tables scarred with years of use, walls decorated with faded posters of rock bands, and the low hum of chatter filling the air.
"Morning! What can I get you?" the middle-aged owner called from behind the counter, her apron stained with oil but her smile warm.
Adrian scanned the menu pinned to the wall: simple breakfasts, nothing extravagant. He ordered eggs, toast, and coffee.
As he ate, the sizzling sound of pans and the chatter of students around him created a strangely comforting background. At the next table, two girls whispered excitedly.
"Did you see Elena yesterday? She was with Marcus in his Porsche."
Adrian's hand froze on his cup.
"I swear, she was clinging to him like they were already engaged," the other girl giggled.
The words stung, but instead of anger, a steely calm settled in him. Fine. If that's the path she chose, then I'll walk mine. And when our roads cross again, she'll regret what she gave up.
He finished his meal, tapped his card on the reader, and left without another word.
⸻
Outside, the city roared awake. Adrian flagged down a cab, slid into the back seat, and gave the driver a simple instruction.
"Crestmont Mall."
The car pulled into motion, weaving through busy intersections, past rows of cafés, bookstores, and billboards flashing with the latest ads. Adrian leaned his head against the window, letting the ride carry him forward.
By the time he stepped out, the sun was high. The building rose like a giant palace of glass and steel, reflecting the sky on its shimmering panels. Inside, polished marble floors stretched endlessly, and escalators hummed as crowds moved between glittering levels.
This was where the city's wealthy shopped. Prices here weren't impossibly outrageous, but they were steep enough to make most families hesitate. To ordinary students, the mall was a place for window-shopping, not buying.
Adrian stepped into the stream of people. Around him, life unfolded in its small dramas:
A little boy tugged at his mother's sleeve, begging for sneakers displayed in a brightly lit shop.
A middle-aged man argued with his wife near the electronics store.
"Honey, the new console's worth it—look at the graphics!"
"You're not wasting another five thousand on your toys!"
Groups of teens took selfies in front of luxury boutiques, posing with bags they hadn't bought.
Adrian walked steadily, blending into the flow. Yet his posture, calm and upright, carried a quiet confidence he hadn't felt before.
⸻
He entered a designer boutique. The store was minimalist—white walls, glass shelves, and spotlights that illuminated each piece of clothing like art in a museum. A polite salesperson approached, bowing slightly.
"Good morning, sir. Would you like to browse our new arrivals?"
Adrian nodded. "Yes. I'll need something versatile. Not just casual, not too formal either. Something that fits everywhere."
"Of course. Allow me."
He was guided to a section where mannequins displayed sharp blazers, tailored shirts, and sleek shoes. Adrian tried several outfits under the salesperson's attentive guidance:
Casual Luxury – A designer hoodie with crisp sneakers. Comfortable, but too youthful.
Formal Elegance – A navy suit and tie. Handsome, but stiff for daily wear.
Street Style – Bold patterns and distressed jeans. Not his taste.
Refined Versatility – A charcoal blazer, fitted white shirt, dark trousers, and polished leather shoes.
When he looked in the mirror wearing the fourth outfit, Adrian almost didn't recognize himself. The clothes hugged his frame perfectly, enhancing his height and shoulders. He looked sharper, more mature.
This, I will send you the location to deliver the clothes. If I don't then I'll come and pick them up myself."
The salesperson smiled faintly. "Excellent choice, sir. It suits you very well. The total is one hundred thousand dollars."
Adrian didn't blink. He handed over his card, and the machine beeped in approval. The salesperson's professional mask never slipped.
"Thank you for your purchase. Please visit us again."
Adrian stepped back into the mall, and a new confidence in his stride.
He didn't wander long before something else caught his eye. Across the polished hallway, behind a wall of spotless glass, sat a boutique glittering with displays of watches. Rolex. Patek Philippe. Audemars Piguet.
Each timepiece gleamed under the lights like a captured star.
Adrian paused. The system's voice echoed faintly in his mind:
[Luxury accessories increase the Host's aura. Strong aura brings opportunities.]
His lips curved into a small smile. Then let's see what kind of opportunity a watch can bring.
he strode toward the boutique. The doors slid open, releasing a faint fragrance of polished leather and wood.
And with that step, Adrian began the next stage of his transformation.