The walk back from the bank didn't change Lucas's routine.
Money hadn't altered the rhythm of his day.
After reaching home, he changed into his old training clothes and stepped outside again. The sun was higher now, the heat sharper than yesterday but his body felt
Ready.
The system appeared.
[DING]
[Daily Physical Conditioning Routine Active]
Lucas went through the movements steadily.
Push-ups in controlled sets.
Sit-ups with measured breathing.
Squats that no longer made his legs tremble as badly.
The run felt smoother this time.
Not faster but more stable.
When he returned home, sweat clung to his skin, but his breathing settled quickly.
Routine Logged.
Growth Applied:
+0.6 Strength
+0.5 Stamina
+0.3 Agility
Lucas wiped his face and nodded once.
"Good enough."
The house was quiet.
His mother had already left for work. A note sat on the kitchen table.
I'll be back late. Eat properly.
Daniel's shoes were gone.
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Probably at his friend's place."
He headed to his room and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling fan as it turned slowly.
The number lingered in his mind.
$30,000.
Enough to breathe.
Not enough to waste.
"…What do I do with you?" he murmured.
Saving it all felt safe but pointless.
Spending it felt foolish.
He needed direction.
As if responding to the thought
[DING]
[Financial Guidance Module Activated]
Lucas sat up.
Analyzing future market data…
Cross-referencing historical growth patterns…
A new window appeared.
Recommended Equity Opportunity Identified.
Company Name: NOVATECH SYSTEMS
Industry: Consumer Technology / Software Infrastructure
Company Age: 2 Years
Current Status: Undervalued
Growth Phase: Pre-expansion
Suggested Action:
→ Purchase shares worth $5,000
→ Holding Period: 3 Years
→ Estimated Return: High
Lucas frowned slightly.
"Novatech Systems…"
He searched his memory.
A small tech company that barely made headlines at first. In his previous life, he'd only heard the name years later when it was already too late to get in.
"…So this is one of the early ones."
The system wasn't done
Secondary Recommendation:
Stock Market Short-Term Opportunity Detected.
Capital Allocation:
→ $5,000
Action Plan:
→ Buy during upcoming dip (within 7 days)
→ Hold duration: 1 months
→ Exit before market correction
System Note:
Timing is critical.
Follow system alerts precisely.
Lucas let out a slow breath.
So that's how it would help him.
He lay back down, eyes focused, mind calm.
"That still leaves twenty thousand,"
he thought.
Emergency funds.
Living costs.
Medical safety.
No reckless moves.
No fantasies.
[DING]
Reminder:
Preserve stability.
Growth compounds over time.
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Yeah. I know."
He closed his eyes.
Outside, the house remained quiet. The world moved on as usual unaware that a seventeen-year-old boy was quietly placing the first stones of something much larger.