After eating their breakfast, Aston leaned back in his chair, letting out a sigh as he placed his utensils down. The warmth of the meal still lingered in his stomach - fluffy bread, thick stew, tender meat, things he hadn’t tasted in years. He ate slowly, savoring every bite.

  He glanced on the other side of the table. He saw Gray just finishing his meal. “It was delicious, wasn’t it?”

  Gray let out a satisfied meow.

  His gaze drifted toward the window, where people bustled through the streets, going about their lives as if nothing had changed. But to him, everything had.

  Yesterday had been a rollercoaster, as well as a turning point. His clear awakening, the box, Gray’s contract, his fortune - it was too much to take in at once. He had no idea where to even begin.

  Taking a deep breath, Aston focused his thoughts and whispered.

  “Computer, what exactly are you?”

  Silence.

  For a moment, he wondered if he had imagined it all. But then…

  [Query received.]

  [The computer implanted in the host is called Neural Operations and Virtual Assistant. It is an integrated support interface designed to assist the user in spirit beast identification, management, personal development, and knowledge acquisition and dispersion. For the host’s convenience, the host may call this interface Nova.]

  Aston blinked. Spirit beast management? Development? Dispersion?

  He then continued, “By acquisition and dispersion, meaning answering my queries? Can anything be asked?”

  [Correct. Knowledge is being updated via the internet to bank current affairs. Any question may be asked, provided the host’s clearance is sufficient.]

  “Clearance? What is my level of clearance, and how can I upgrade it?”

  [Clearance access level 1: Access to basic queries regarding spirit beast identification, potion crafting, knowledge storage, internet access. Unlock level 2 by upgrading professional rank to Adept.]

  Currently, he is not a registered spirit professional, but technically, since he had contracted a 1-star spirit beast, he qualifies to be considered to be a Novice-rank professional. If he raises Gray’s rank to 3-star, he can qualify for an Elite-rank certificate. Then, 5-star to Adept. This means he needs to raise Gray’s rank to 5-star to unlock the next clearance access.

  A thought struck his mind. He hesitated for a moment before exhaling slowly. His grip tightened around the edge of the table.

  “...Then, who are my parents?”

  [Access denied. Clearance level insufficient. This information requires a clearance level of 8 or higher.]

  Figures.

  Aston exhaled sharply through his nose. He glanced down at Gray, who had finished his own meal and was now curled beside him. The world had opened up for him - but its mysteries continued to be enshrouded still.

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  “...Alright, we’ll just have to get stronger.” He picked up Gray from the floor and stroked its fur.

  Another thought passed through his mind, one that sent a shiver down his spine.

  His potential was clear. Or at least that is what the others in the city know. That is what his records show. Now, his potential is hidden as red.

  How was he supposed to explain that?

  Everyone in the city knew the result of his awakening. A failure. The lowest of the low. But if he suddenly showed red potential, people would question it. Rumors would spread and suspicion would follow.

  His grip on Gray tightened. The kitten let out a soft meow, tilting its head up at him. He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to think rationally.

  There has to be a way around this.

  “Nova, is there any known case where an individual’s recorded potential changed after awakening?”

  [Searching records…]

  [Official documented cases exist. For clear to red potential, one could use a Crimson Genesis Elixir]

  [Crimson Genesis Elixir: A highly sought elixir that stimulates latent energy within the souls, allowing individuals with clear potential to awaken a red talent. While it awakens latent potential, it decreases the lifespan of the user by half.]

  Aston widened his eyes after reading the bit. So it was possible, but the side effects… But if it was me, I would have…

  His thought was cut off when he asked, “Is that elixir available within Shale City?”

  [Searching information via internet]

  [Information found. A bottle of Crimson Genesis Elixir to be auctioned two days after today by Azure Veil Auction House. The auction will start at 1PM.]

  Aston heaved a sigh of relief. If he bought the elixir, no one would question his sudden rise to red potential. He wouldn’t even need to drink it. Just the record of his purchase would be enough to justify the change.

  “What is the cost of the elixir?” he continued to ask Nova.

  [Taking account records within the last year, minimum cost of the Crimson Genesis Elixir is recorded to be 8 dragon golds while the maximum recorded cost is 15 dragon golds.]

  Aston leaned back in his seat, exhaling as he absorbed the information. The cost was within his reach - easily. He had 2,000, no, 2,600 dragon gold in his card. 2,600!

  Gray climbed back onto the table and nudged at his arm. Aston reached out to scratch its ear.

  He rose from his seat and paid the counter. He tapped his card and saw the balance decrease by a few silvers. Gray hopped on his shoulders as he stepped outside the restaurant. For the first time in years, he didn’t need to scrape every last copper in his wages just to get by.

  He followed the path back home in the midday sun. As he approached, the sight of the run-down house - if it could be still called a house, filled his vision, pulling him back to reality.

  The wooden panels were warped from neglect, the paint peeled in strips. The roof, now ragged and rusty, sagged against one side. The small front yard, once maintained by his aunt, is now overrun with weeds. Some of the windows are now broken, and the door creaks whenever it is opened.

  He stepped inside the house and dust swirled as he walked. The faint smell of old wood and lingering memories entered his brain. Aunt Teresa’s laughter. The aroma of freshly baked bread on good days. The quiet hum in her voice as she sewed by the lamplight.

  His chest tightened. This house was all he had left of her.

  But in its current state, it was barely livable. He had let it fall apart piece by piece, forced to sell furniture, skip repairs, and ignore the decay because he couldn’t afford otherwise. Now…

  Aston clenched his fists. He had money. Enough money to restore this place and turn it into home again. No more leaking roof, no more creaking floorboards, no more nights spent worrying about the cold seeping through the cracks.

  Gray meowed softly, breaking his thoughts. Aston exhaled and nodded to himself.

  He would repair this house. Not just for himself, but for the memory of the woman who had raised him.