A Calculated Gamble
Days bled into a week.
Patience was a virtue Cole had cultivated over years of managing unrealistic expectations. He knew that in the corporate world, an unsolicited proposal could sit in an inbox for weeks before being seen, let alone acted upon. Still, a sliver of anxiety began to worm its way through his calm facade. His plan, so neat and logical on paper, depended entirely on this first, unproven step.
He maintained his routine. He woke up, did the grueling physical conditioning his new body desperately needed, and forced his pathetic mana reserves through their paces. He went to school, absorbing information about this world's history and geography with an intensity that made his teachers mistake it for newfound academic passion. He ate dinner with his family, playing the part of the quiet, studious son and brother.
Every night, before bed, he would check the secure email account for Aetheric Solutions.
For six days, it was empty.
On the seventh day, a notification blinked to life on his terminal.
His pulse quickened, but he forced it down, his project manager's discipline taking over. He opened the message. It was from a man named Marcus Thorne, the operations manager for Gale-Force Deliveries. The tone was blunt and skeptical, just as he'd expected from the manager of a gritty courier guild.
Re: A Proposal to Enhance Your Operational Efficiency
…Your proposal is bold. Frankly, it sounds like a scam. Our in-house tech says our system is fine…
…However, your proof-of-concept script did something clever with the dispatch routing that my tech can't quite figure out. And your money-back guarantee is the only reason I haven't deleted this and blacklisted your address.
…I've authorized the purchase of your 'optimization package.' 500 silver credits. If this doesn't deliver a measurable improvement of at least 10% within the next 48 hours, I'm initiating a fraud claim and getting my money back. Don't waste my time.
Marcus Thorne, Operations Manager, Gale-Force Deliveries.
Cole felt a slow, triumphant smile spread across his face. It was the smile of a planner watching the first domino fall exactly as intended. The man's skepticism was his shield. The money-back guarantee had been the perfect bait, lowering the barrier of entry to zero.
A few minutes later, a second notification came through from the third-party payment system. "Purchase confirmed. 500 credits have been placed in escrow."
He had them. The script he'd sold them wasn't just a simple fix; it was a masterclass in efficiency, built on principles of data management that this world hadn't even conceived of yet. It would work.
Two days later, the funds were released from escrow into his anonymous account. There was no follow-up email from Marcus Thorne. No news was good news. It meant the script was working so well that the manager was likely too busy marveling at his newfound efficiency to complain.
Cole now had his seed money. The first hurdle was cleared.
Now for the second, more delicate one: his family.
He brought it up at dinner that night. Laura had made her signature savory stew, and Leo was recounting a sparring match with a school rival in painstaking detail.
"I have some good news," Cole said, setting his spoon down. He made sure to inject a measure of nervous excitement into his voice—the kind the original Cole would have had.
Three pairs of eyes turned to him.
"I got accepted into a field workshop," he began, the lie feeling much more plausible and structured. "It's run by Northwood University's student geology club, for high schoolers with good grades who might be interested in applying there."
Mia's eyebrows shot up, impressed. "The Northwood outreach program? I saw a posting about that. The application requirements were pretty high."
Cole internally blessed Mia's diligence. He had, of course, seen the same posting and used it as the basis for his lie. "Yeah, I didn't think I'd get in, but my theory grades must have pushed me over the edge. It's a week-long expedition to the Cinderfall Ranges to get some hands-on experience cataloging ambient mana signatures. It's supervised by one of their professors."
"The Cinderfall Ranges?" Laura's brow furrowed. The warmth in her expression was replaced by the sharp-edged caution of a retired Hunter. "That's remote territory, Cole. It's not a school park."
"I know," he said, pulling a data slate from his bag. He had his documents ready. Not just a simple email, but a fabricated "official acceptance packet" for the "Northwood High Potential Field Workshop," complete with a professional-looking logo, a detailed itinerary, and a list of faculty supervisors. "The university is sponsoring the whole thing—it's basically a recruitment event. They cover all the expenses, and the study area is restricted to a well-documented, low-risk zone. Zone Green. No reported monster activity above E-Rank for the last decade."
He handed the slate to his mother. She scanned the forged documents, her experienced eyes checking for inconsistencies. Cole had made them look boringly official.
"You're going to a university workshop?" Leo said, a little stunned. "To go look at rocks?"
"It's a huge boost for academy applications, Leo," Mia interjected, her eyes shining with genuine pride for her brother. "Getting selected for a competitive program like this shows initiative. It's a really smart move, Cole. Congratulations."
"I'm proud of you, honey," Laura said, handing the slate back. The caution in her eyes remained, but it was overshadowed by pride. It was a perfect, practical step for her studious son. "But you will take proper precautions. We'll get you a full set of traveler's gear. And you will check in with me on your terminal every twelve hours. No exceptions."
"Of course, Mom," Cole agreed instantly. "I promise."
The lie had landed perfectly. He had his funding, and now he had his freedom.
The next day, he went shopping. Laura insisted on coming with him, a decision he welcomed. Her expertise was invaluable. While he might have been tempted by a sleek, modern-looking short sword, she guided him to a simple, unadorned but incredibly durable Hunter's knife and a carbon-fiber staff.
"Flashy weapons are for duelists," she said, her voice a low, practical lecture as they walked through the equipment store. "You're a researcher. Your first weapon is for utility, your second is for keeping things at a distance. Your best weapon is not getting into a fight in the first place."
He didn't buy high-tech combat gear. He bought the best waterproof backpack, thermal clothing, a top-of-the-line water purification rune, and nutrient-dense, preserved rations. Every choice was practical, geared towards survival and efficiency. He was preparing for a mission, not an adventure.
Two days later, he stood at the city's central mag-lev station. His new pack felt heavy but balanced on his shoulders. His family was there to see him off.
Laura gave him a tight, crushing hug. "Be smart. Be safe," she whispered.
Leo punched his shoulder awkwardly. "Don't get eaten by a rock monster," he grinned.
Mia just gave him a knowing smile. "Have fun at your workshop, Cole. Learn a lot."
He nodded, a genuine warmth spreading through his chest. These were the people he was doing this for. His anchor in a world that was not his own.
He stepped onto the sleek, silver train. The doors hissed shut, sealing him inside. Through the polarized glass, he watched his family shrink into the distance.
He was finally on his own.
The train began to accelerate, a low hum vibrating through the floor. It slid out of the station, the towering magi-crete buildings of the city giving way to the sprawling suburbs, and then, finally, to the open green of the wilds beyond.
The first step of his two-year plan was complete. Now, the real gamble was about to begin.