The graduation ceremony for the sixth-year students was still in full swing at the Academy, the air thick with cheers and flying caps. My sisters and I weren't the ones graduating—we still had time left in our studies—but the power we held surpassed any diploma.
I sat in a quiet corner of the auditorium, the glow of my Banio laptop reflecting in my eyes. I had moves to make before we left.
"UIA, execute the reorganization," I whispered.
UIA: Confirmed, Master. Executing transfers using the current rate of 1 Star Cash = 102 Creds.
First, I moved 10,000,000,000 Creds from the Anomaly account to the Siglav Corp treasury. The corporation needed to be a giant in its own right for the upcoming launch. Then, I turned to my Personal Account—the one holding the military's payment—and sent 300,000,000 Creds each to my mother and Uncle Calsius.
"There," I muttered. "A clean start for them."
The Journey Home
"This vacation is ours," I told Doah and Tersa as we walked out of the Academy gates.
We didn't leave without a final stop in the city. I took them to a high-end jewelry shop and a famous winery. I bought pieces that weren't just for show, but were crafted with rare metals that could help in their future research. We picked up the finest wine for Uncle Calsius, a reward for years of drinking the cheap, bitter local brew.
The Siglav Bank CEO was fuming when he found us. He had a fleet of armored cars ready, his face red with worry. "Chairman! It is reckless to travel like this! You are a national asset!"
"Relax," I said with a wave. "If I travel like a king, people will look for a crown. Today, we're just kids going home."
We boarded a public bus. It was dusty, crowded, and loud, but as we crossed the border into the Monsters' Den, the air grew wild and fresh. The massive land mass was isolated, but it was where our story began.
By noon, we arrived. I didn't wait for the bus to fully stop before jumping off.
"Mom! Uncle Calsius!" I shouted.
I ran and threw my arms around them. Mom smelled like home, and Uncle Calsius's grip was as firm as ever. But as I pulled back, Mom's eyes landed on the two girls standing behind me.
"Oh, Sadd..." she whispered, her eyes wide. "Are these... are these my daughter-in-laws?"
Tersa's face turned bright red, and Doah looked like she wanted to hide behind her laptop bag.
"No, Mom," I laughed. "These are my sisters. We've mutually accepted each other. They've been my pillars in the city."
Mom didn't listen. She walked over and took their hands, looking at their jewelry and their sharp, intelligent faces. "Sisters? Well, for now. But you two must promise me—when you grow up, you have to marry my Sadd. He needs good girls like you."
To my absolute shock, Doah and Tersa looked at each other and then nodded naively. "Okay, Mom," they said together.
"Hey!" I barked. "Stop agreeing to everything she says!"
We dropped our bags and sat for lunch. Uncle Calsius served roasted fish and yams, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Sadd," he said, his voice serious. "We need to talk. The surgery money was one thing, but this morning... 300 million Creds landed in each of our accounts. People in this village don't see that much money in ten lifetimes. Who is sending this?"
Mom looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of pride and fear. "Is it legal, Sadd? Are you safe?"
I took her hand. "Don't worry, Mom. Your son has made it big. I'm a partner in a global bank now. My sisters and I are building something here that will make this village the most important place in the country."
I looked out the window at the distant, rising cranes of the Home Project.
"You won't have to suffer anymore. No more hunger, no more looking down at the dirt. The Venan family is back."
As we finished, a black car pulled up to the gate. It was the Local Governor, a man who had ignored our family for years. He stepped out, tapping his cane on the ground as he looked at our modest house and the massive construction nearby.
"Sadd Venan," he called out. "I heard the orphan returned with a full pocket. We need to discuss 'development taxes' for those unauthorized buildings of yours."
I looked at my sisters, who were already pulling up data on their tablets. I looked at the Governor, then back at my mother's peaceful face.
"Uncle," I said quietly. "Go back inside and finish your wine. I'll handle the trash."
I watched the Governor standing by the black car, his eyes greedy as he looked at our home. I didn't say a word to him. Instead, I signaled for my sisters to stay with Mom and walked toward the City Hall. I knew I wouldn't find justice on the streets—I had a meeting with the only man who truly mattered in this region.
I walked into the grand office of the Head of the Region. Sitting behind the desk was a man with sharp eyes and a calm presence.
"Uncle Gao Martin," I said, bowing slightly. "You called for me."
"Yes, my child," he replied, his voice warm but firm. "I heard a certain Governor was at your gate. Is that arrogant brat giving you a hard time after your arrival?"
"No," I said, keeping my voice steady. "But he mentioned that I had evaded taxes and said some rather insulting things."
Uncle Gao sighed, a dangerous spark in his eyes. "Oh my, I think I need to step up before this gets out of hand. The property taxes were handled directly by SIGLAV Bank, and there was no problem in the acquisition. The only ones causing trouble are your father's relatives—the Batan family."
He stood up and walked to the large window, looking out over the vast landscape.
"I called you here to praise you, Sadd. Building businesses here to develop the country... this was a long, cherished dream of your grandfather. After he fought for this land, he named it Joonam, but now, almost no one remembers that name."
He turned back to me, his expression full of gratitude. "So, I thank you for dreaming of developing this country. I also need to step up and clean out all the corrupt officials. We need a smooth path for development with no hindrance."
Uncle Gao reached into his desk and pulled out a thick document, sliding it across the polished wood toward me.
"I want to inform you that from this day forward, any land you want in this country is free of charge. Here is the contract. However," he added, his finger tapping the paper, "you are mandated to provide jobs for our people and improve the quality of living here."
I picked up the pen. With my 2 billion Star Cash and the support of the regional leader, Joonam was no longer just a village. It was becoming my kingdom.
"I accept, Uncle," I said. "By the time I'm finished, the world won't just remember the name Joonam—they will be fighting for a chance to live here."
National Decree: The Joonam Development
Land Status: Free Acquisition for SIGLAV CORP.
Requirement: Job Creation & Quality of Life Improvements.
Political Status: Uncle Gao Martin's full support.