Ethan walked out of the Jerai Royale Hotel, the sleek automatic doors sliding shut behind him with a soft whoosh. His steps were light, and his lips curved into a beaming smile that he couldn't contain.
On his mind was the deal he had just struck—the birth of his very own company, Celestia Tech. The name had come to him in a moment of clarity while feasting on the hotel's exquisite dishes as David handled the registration online.
They had been fortunate; in the modern era, even the foundation of a company could be streamlined with a few keystrokes.
Ethan adjusted his blazer and exhaled deeply, letting the significance of the moment sink in. This was no longer just an idea; it was real, and it was his.
As Ethan strolled down the street, he muttered softly to himself, "Celestia Tech… our first step into something big."
He had already passed the half-million dollars to David, paying little mind to the amount. After all, he had plenty—or rather, it wasn't an exaggeration to say he had no limit to his wealth. The money was handed over because David needed it to handle the process of registering the company and opening its account.
Before doing so, Ethan had spoken in a teasing yet firm tone. "I trust you, David, or I wouldn't be doing this. But just so we're clear—if you ever get funny ideas or run off with this, that's all you'll ever get. Stick with me, and you'll get much more than this."
David had chuckled at Ethan's words, his demeanor calm yet sincere. "No need to worry about that. I have more than this at hand already. Besides, I believe this journey with you will bring in more than I've ever imagined. And honestly, it's good to see you being cautious—but I still can't wrap my head around how casually you let go of such a huge amount."
Ethan had simply smiled, his grin wide but silent, letting the statement hang in the air as he left David to his work.
Before leaving the hotel, Ethan had texted Charles, asking him to assist David with the process. Charles, ever eager to remain in Ethan's good graces, had replied immediately.
Charles: [Understood, Mr. Vale. I'll clear my schedule tomorrow and ensure David Turner receives the same level of service I would offer you.]
Reading Charles's reply had left Ethan amused. People treating him with respect felt strange and even funny. Not long ago, no one paid attention to him. Now, it seemed like the world had turned in his favor.
As Ethan walked, a sudden thought crossed his mind—the system notification he had received earlier. Curious, he pulled out his phone and navigated to the notification panel.
=====
[System Notification]
Congratulations! You have leveled up!
Current Level: 2
EXP: 0 / 1000 → 2500 / 3000
Ascension Points: 0 → 10
Attributes Increased:
Strength: +1
Speed: +1
Endurance: +1
Intelligence: +1
Charisma: +1
Free Attribute Points Earned: 10
=====
Ethan grinned as he read the update. "I see... So, that's how it works," he said quietly.
Seeing this, Ethan could conclude that each level-up will improve all of his attributes by a point. Besides, he would be given ten free attribute points. He could use these points as he wanted. He couldn't help but think it was incredibly cool.
Before making a decision on how to spend the points, Ethan navigated to the Status Panel to review his current stats.
=====
[Status Panel]
Name: Ethan Vale
Level: 2
EXP: 2500 / 3000
Ascension Points: 10
Wealth: Unlimited
Attributes:
Strength: 5
Speed: 6
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 16
Charisma: 6
Free Attribute Points: 10
Skills: [None Unlocked]
=====
Looking at his stats, Ethan gave the matter some thought. With 10 points at his disposal and his current attributes in mind, he reasoned it was best to focus on Strength, Speed, and Endurance for now.
He wanted to enhance his physical abilities to complement his intelligence. As for Charisma, he never paid much attention to it, but he considered the possibility of allocating some extra points to it.
"Perhaps I could assign one point to Charisma," he murmured.
He made his choices. He was going to add three points to all other attributes except Charisma, which was going to have a point allocated to it in order to get the most near-balanced attributes possible.
"I'm still not sure how these attributes were going to help me. But there's no point in keeping it, right?" Ethan said, thinking about Charisma.
=====
Attributes:
Strength: 8
Speed: 9
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 16
Charisma: 7
=====
As Ethan walked, he suddenly felt a strange sensation coursing through his body. It wasn't painful, but it was… different. His muscles seemed to tighten slightly, his stride felt a bit lighter, and his breaths came easier, as though his body had adjusted itself in subtle but significant ways.
He stopped in his tracks, his hand instinctively brushing against his arm. "What is happening?" he wondered, a flicker of nervousness passing through him.
The realization dawned on him—it had to be the effect of the attributes he had just added. His Strength, Speed, Endurance, and Charisma had increased, and now his body was adapting to reflect those changes.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Thankfully, the adjustments were minor, given the small number of points he had distributed. The changes weren't drastic enough to draw attention, but Ethan couldn't shake the nervous energy bubbling inside him.
'Imagine if I had dumped all ten points into Strength,' he mused, shaking his head at the thought. 'That might've been impossible to hide.'
As he continued walking, the tension ebbed, replaced by curiosity. 'What if I trained—went to the gym or started running? Would my attributes increase naturally?'
The idea intrigued him, the prospect of enhancing his physical stats without relying entirely on the system. But the thought faded as quickly as it came.
'Why bother?' he scoffed internally, shaking his head with a wry smile.
The Supreme System is literally designed for this. Completing missions and leveling up is way more efficient than wasting time sweating it out in a gym.
A small chuckle escaped him as the idea settled. Besides, he has all this wealth now. Why not focus on enjoying it instead of grinding for results like he was in some game?
Ethan was back home in his small apartment, feeling the comfort of the familiar space around him.
On his way, he stopped at Ray's Fried Chicken, a place he hadn’t visited since he was nine.
Now, at twenty, he realized how long it had been since his family enjoyed a meal like that.
'It's been over a decade, 'he thought, carrying the large bags of fried chicken, sides, and drinks into the apartment. 'Time to treat them today.'
His younger siblings, Jacob and Lily, had immediately perked up at the sight of the food. Their eyes lit up with joy, and their excitement was infectious.
"Ray's Fried Chicken?" Jacob exclaimed, practically leaping off the couch. "We haven't had this in forever!"
"Not forever," Lily chimed in, her voice brimming with delight. "You know that I've never had the chance to try this. Thank you, Ethan!"
Ethan and his family enjoyed their meal happily. Each bite felt different today. They hadn't eaten this in a long time. Their faces lit up with happiness, and they filled the room with laughter as they joked with each other.
Ethan's mother, Elise, smiled as she tasted the food. "This is so good," she said. She was delighted. "It's been a long time. Really."
Ethan's father, Aaron, agreed. His usually serious face softened with joy. "You really didn’t have to do this, Ethan," he said, showing his gratitude. "But thank you. It's great to see everyone happy like this."
Ethan relaxed, feeling warm inside as he watched his family enjoy. They were truly happy, and it gave him a feeling he hadn’t experienced in years.
The laughter, the smiles, and the simple pleasure of fried chicken reminded him what was truly important.
'This is what matters,' he thought. 'But I knew well that... it’s not enough.'
As he observed them, a new determination grew in him. Their joy was contagious, but it would not last. If he wanted to keep seeing them this happy, he knew he needed to do more.
'We need to move,' Ethan decided, his thoughts steady and resolute. 'A better place, a safer place. That way, I can complete the first mission and ensure their happiness and safety.'
His mind began working through the logistics, envisioning a home where his family could live without worry. This place reflected the life he now had the power to provide for them.
The thought filled him with purpose.
As his family continued to enjoy their meal, Ethan leaned back, a small smile on his face. 'Soon,' he promised himself, 'this would just be the beginning.'
***
The next morning, Ethan found himself standing in front of Cityscape Realty, one of the most popular property agencies in Arland City.
The name was simple yet professional, and the agency's reputation for handling high-value properties had drawn his attention during his search the night before.
After searching online, Ethan found three homes he liked. One was a large suburban house listed by Cityscape Realty. It had strong security and good amenities.
Ethan wore a new outfit he had bought the day before. He adjusted his blazer nervously. Although it looked better, he still felt uncomfortable in the new style. His age and lack of experience didn't help him seem wealthy.
Taking a deep breath, he walked through the automatic doors and stepped inside.
The office had a modern look with bright lights and simple decor, which made it feel professional. Some clients sat at desks with agents, while others browsed property listings on screens.
Despite the relatively light foot traffic, Ethan noticed something strange. None of the agents acknowledged him. Several were seated at their desks, unoccupied, yet no one approached or offered assistance.
From the corner of his eye, he caught a group of agents chatting near the far wall. Their voices were low, but not so much that Ethan couldn't make out snippets of their conversation.
"Look at that kid," one of them said, smirking as they subtly gestured toward him. "Probably here to play pretend."
One person laughed softly and said, "You can always tell who is really rich and who is just here to ask questions they won't follow up on."
Ethan's jaw tightened, but he kept a neutral expression. 'Ouch,' he thought to himself, a wry smile forming on his lips. 'That stings.'
Still, he refused to let their comments deter him. Determined, he walked up to the nearest counter, where a staff member sat scrolling through her phone. She glanced up briefly as he approached, her expression unreadable.
"Excuse me," Ethan said politely. "I'd like to inquire about a property listed here."
The staff member raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly. "You’re inquiring, huh?" she said, sounding a bit condescending. "Let me guess—you’re just asking to feel better about yourself? Asking just for the sake of asking, right?"
Her words were sharp, and the hint of a sneer on her face only made it worse.
Ethan's chest tightened, but he maintained his composure. "No," he replied calmly, his voice steady. "I'm genuinely interested in purchasing."
The staff member's smirk deepened, but she didn't respond immediately, as if debating whether to humor him.
Ethan stood quietly, his thoughts swirling. He had read countless novels where such moments turned into scenes of exaggerated confrontation, but that wasn't what he wanted.
There was no need for drama or a grand display of power. He was here for one reason—to buy a house he genuinely liked. Everything else was secondary.
As he thought about what to say next, another staff member walked up. He was a man in his early thirties, wearing a sharp suit. He looked professional, but Ethan noticed a slight smirk on his face.
"What's the problem here?" the man asked. He glanced at Ethan briefly before focusing on the woman behind the counter.
Ethan opened his mouth to explain, "I'd like to buy a—"
Before he could finish, the man interrupted, his tone laced with subtle amusement. "You do realize the properties we handle here aren't exactly cheap, right? Do you even know how much houses in this area go for?"
The question hung in the air, sharp and probing. It wasn't spoken with genuine curiosity but rather a thinly veiled attempt to mock. The woman at the counter chuckled softly, her earlier smirk deepening.
Ethan felt a slight sting from the comment but maintained a neutral expression. "I suppose I should just leave," he said.
He really wanted the house, but enduring all of this and paying for the house only to let these people receive the commission? He was no saint.
Ethan's words seemed to amuse the two staff members even further. They exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter, their mocking tones now unrestrained.
"Well, at least you know your place," the man in the suit said, barely concealing his smirk. "Good decision, kid. Save yourself the embarrassment."
The woman at the counter added with a chuckle, "Yeah, no point wasting your time—or ours."
Ethan didn't answer. He smiled faintly, trying to make himself feel better. He reminded himself, "This is a good experience, not a bad one."
He turned to leave, and the laughter of the two staff members faded away. He focused on the sound of his footsteps, each one reminding him to stay calm. The situation hurt, but he could handle it.
As he got closer to the automatic doors, they opened with a soft sound. Just before he stepped outside, a familiar voice called out to him.
"Mr. Vale!"
He turned to see Suzanne, the bank teller from the previous day, rushing toward him. Her face was a mix of nervousness and contrition as she bowed repeatedly, her voice hurried. "Mr. Vale, I deeply apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was unprofessional and disrespectful. Please forgive me."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback. Suzanne's sudden appearance was unexpected, and her overt display of remorse caught the attention of everyone in the agency. The chatter died down as heads turned, the room now filled with puzzled expressions.
Among those watching were the two staff members who had mocked Ethan earlier. Their smirks faded as they exchanged confused glances. Mr. Vale? one of them mouthed silently, disbelief etched on their face.
Everyone recognized Suzanne—she was well-known in their circles as the go-to person for handling loan processes efficiently. Rumors swirled about her connections with the bank's Loan Processor or Manager.
Still, her reputation for getting things done meant no one questioned her methods. Seeing her bowing and apologizing profusely to someone they had just dismissed as insignificant left them stunned.
Ethan remained calm, offering Suzanne a polite nod. "It's fine," he said, his tone neutral but firm. "I hope we can move past it."
Suzanne straightened, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Thank you, Mr. Vale," she said, bowing once more before stepping aside.
Ethan gave her a small nod and continued on his way, leaving the agency in silence. The automatic doors slid shut behind him, cutting him off from the murmurs and whispers that erupted in his wake.
Back inside, the two staff members who had ridiculed Ethan were the first to break the stunned silence. "Who… Who was that?" the man asked, his earlier smugness now replaced with unease.
Another agent, who had been closer to Suzanne, approached her hesitantly. "Suzanne, what just happened? Who is that guy?"
Suzanne's face turned a shade lighter, her professionalism slipping for the first time in years. "He's Ethan Vale," she said, her voice quiet but clear. "Yesterday, I made the mistake of underestimating him at the bank. Guess what? He has… an account balance that puts him in the top 0.01% of Arland City."
The room fell into stunned silence, the weight of her words sinking in. Everyone stared at the door Ethan had just walked through, their earlier impressions of him crumbling like a house of cards.
The man in the suit swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. "Top 0.01%..." he muttered, barely audible.
Without lifting her gaze, Suzanne added, "If you were smart, I hope you did not make the same mistake as I did."
And with that, the room was left to stew in an awkward, palpable silence, the weight of their earlier actions now hanging over them like a cloud.
Ethan had done nothing to confront them directly. Still, his presence—and Suzanne's words—were more than enough to deliver a lesson they wouldn't soon forget.
Hello, readers!
As you may have noticed, I’ve made a couple of changes to the names in this rewritten version of the story. Ethan’s family name has been changed from Cole to Vale, and the system is now referred to as the Supreme System. These changes aren’t just cosmetic; they’ve been made with the overarching plot and character development in mind.
These adjustments are part of my effort to refine the story and bring you the best version possible. Thank you for your patience and support as I continue shaping this world with Ethan at its center. I hope you enjoy these changes as much as I enjoyed weaving them into the narrative.
As always, your thoughts and feedback mean the world to me. Let’s keep building this adventure together!
Happy reading,
Noah Caelum
