Claire had offered to send him home, but Ethan said to drop him off here after their meeting. Ethan was grateful for her professionalism throughout the process.
He couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement when Claire mentioned he might get the keys to the house in just a day or two. 'A day or two,' he thought, a smile playing on his lips. 'I can't wait to show my family our new home.'
As he stirred his coffee absentmindedly, his mind drifted to the tasks ahead. The house was nearly sorted, meaning one of his missions was well on its way to completion. That left the other—the development of the app.
Ethan's thoughts were interrupted by the vibration of his phone. It was David calling with an update. He answered immediately.
"Hey, David," Ethan said. "How's it going?"
"Good news," David replied, his tone brisk and professional. "Everything on my end is complete. The company is officially registered, and the process of opening the account has been completed.
He paused before adding, "And we're ready to move to the next steps."
"That's great!" Ethan said, feeling a surge of excitement. "So, what's next on the plan?"
David paused the sound of rustling papers audible in the background. "I've drafted a plan. The top priorities are finding office space and assembling a team of developers to kickstart the app project. We need a functional prototype as soon as possible."
Ethan nodded to himself, wondering if the system would prompt him with new missions for these steps. To his surprise, it remained silent. 'Guess I'll have to handle this one on my own,' he thought.
"That sounds good," Ethan replied. "Let's get started on those right away."
"I'll take care of drafting the hiring ads for the developers," David continued. "But I'll leave the office hunt and the broader vision for the project to you."
"Got it," Ethan said. "Thanks for handling the ads. I'll figure out the rest and update you soon."
After ending the call, Ethan sat quietly, mulling over his next moves. The app development team was crucial, but he also needed to think about the overall structure of the company.
Ethan searched online for the basic structure and organization he needed for his company. "Whoa, I really need to learn more about business," he thought.
As he pondered, Ethan realized he needed someone to help lighten his workload—perhaps a manager. It would be helpful to delegate the smaller tasks so he wouldn't have to handle everything on his own.
"Man, I already sound like a very busy person," Ethan chuckled at the thought.
Other departments—marketing, operations, and finance—would need strong leadership as well. 'This is starting to feel like a lot,' Ethan thought, running a hand through his hair.
What he really needed was someone he could trust—a reliable point of contact who could act as his intermediary, coordinate with department heads, and compile reports. 'Someone sharp, organized, and good with people,' he thought.
His mind quickly turned to Jordan. His best friend, who he had met just a few days ago, lived right here in Novan City. While Jordan didn't have formal qualifications, his natural charm, adaptability, and knack for managing situations made him a strong candidate for the role.
'He might be perfect for this,' Ethan thought. 'Though I'll have to make it clear that David will be monitoring him to ensure everything stays professional.'
Ethan pulled out his phone and scrolled through his contacts, quickly finding Jordan's number. He tapped the call icon and waited, the thought of helping his old friend bringing a small smile to his face.
The phone rang a few times before Jordan picked up, his voice slightly breathless. "Yo, Ethan. What's up?"
Ethan chuckled at the sound of his friend's strained tone. "What are you doing? Are you in some kind of marathon?"
Jordan huffed a mix of amusement and exhaustion in his reply. "Close enough. I've been hitting the gym since early this morning."
"Oh, really?" Ethan teased. "Trying to impress someone, or are you suddenly planning to become a fitness guru?"
"Hey, I've got to keep in shape," Jordan shot back, though his voice carried a grin. "So, what's up? You don't usually call this early."
"Which gym are you at?" Ethan asked, his tone casual.
"Uhh… Super Core Fitness, near the Green Avenue block," Jordan replied. "Why?"
Ethan's face lit up—it was nearby, just a short distance from where he was. "Perfect. Come meet me at the coffee shop on Green Avenue. I'm here now."
There was a brief pause before Jordan spoke again, his tone tinged with curiosity. "Why? What's going on?"
"You'll find out soon enough," Ethan said, keeping his voice light. "Just hurry up. I never call you for nothing."
Jordan let out a resigned sigh. However, Ethan could still hear his playful tone. "Don't be mad, buddy. Give me about twenty minutes. I'll be there shortly."
"Great," Ethan said with a grin. "See you soon."
Ethan ended the call and leaned back in his chair, feeling excited. He believed nobody would be more perfect than Jordan for this role that he had in his mind.
It took Jordan less than ten minutes to arrive at the coffee shop. Without a doubt, he looked fit and better in his gym clothes. He carried a gym bag over his shoulder. When he saw Ethan, he waved and smiled sheepishly.
Ethan raised an eyebrow when Jordan sat down across from him.
“Dude, what’s this dead animal smell?” Ethan asked, wrinkling his nose playfully.
Jordan laughed and held up his hands. “Sorry, man! You wanted me to hurry up. I forgot to shower.”
Without wasting a second, Jordan quickly took a small bottle from his bag. It was cologne, and he started to spray it on himself. His sudden action made the strong scent of cologne filled the air.
Ethan could not help but cough and wave his hands in front of his face. Jordan was doing the same. He sprayed too much, actually.
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
“You're lucky that we’re sitting outside,” Ethan said with a chuckle. The outdoor seating area was calm and empty.
“Alright, what’s the hurry?” Jordan asked, leaning back in his chair. “You never call me out like this since high school.”
"Chill," Ethan replied with a chuckle, motioning toward the menu on the table. "Order anything you want. If you're hungry, get something to eat too—my treat today."
Jordan's eyes lit up as he scanned the menu. "Are you serious? Then I'm going with that one," he said, his hand already pointing to the most popular— or rather, the most expensive— option on the menu.
Ethan chuckled. He knew Jordan well, and he had expected that outcome. "Go for it. It's on me."
There was no need for a second invitation for Jordan. “Well, it was you who offered,” he said with a playful smile.
Without wasting even a second, he quickly called a waiter. Well, Jordan did not only order the steak sandwich. He flashed a grin at Ethan and ordered a few other dishes as well.
Ethan chuckled before nodding quickly. He even made a gesture as if saying, "You can order everything on the menu." He did not mind because he had no limit on spending, whether for himself or anyone.
Jordan leaned in as they waited for the food. He looked at Ethan before asking, “Okay, now I want you to tell me what’s going on. You never take me out like this unless something important is happening.”
Ethan took a sip of his coffee, his expression calm but amused. "I started a company," he said simply.
Jordan blinked. "A company?"
"With David Turner," Ethan added, gauging his friend's reaction.
Jordan's eyes grew wide, and he almost choked on his water. "Wait a minute… You mean David Turner?" he asked, quickly pulling out his phone and typing quickly.
A moment later, he showed Ethan a picture of the famous entrepreneur and philanthropist on his screen.
Ethan laughed. "Yeah, that David Turner."
Listening to Ethan's reply, it was impossible for Jordan to not be stunned. Not only that, he was struggling to ask the right question. "What? How? Why?" he said, clearly overwhelmed. "You can't just say something like that without explaining!"
"I'll explain," Ethan said, still laughing. "Just calm down."
Jordan leaned back in his chair. He did not let go of his eyes on Ethan. He shook his head a few times, still in disbelief. "Dude, I never imagine such a thing coming from you. This is on another level."
Ethan shrugged modestly, then began explaining his vision for Celestia Tech. Jordan listened intently, nodding along as Ethan laid out his plans for the company and the app development project.
Finally, Ethan paused, meeting Jordan's gaze. "I need someone. That someone must be a person that I can trust to help me run things," he said.
Ethan looked at Jordan and said, "For Celestia Tech, I want you to be the manager."
Jordan's eyes grew wide, and he fell silent for a moment. Then he leaned in, surprised. "Wait… You want me to be the manager? Are you serious?"
"Yes, I'm serious," Ethan replied. "You have the skills and personality, and I trust you. David Turner will oversee things to keep everything professional, but I believe you're the right person for this."
Jordan leaned back and rubbed his neck as he thought about the offer. "Wow... I don’t even know what to say," he said quietly. "This is big, Ethan."
"Take your time and think it over," Ethan said warmly.
Jordan leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes dramatically. "Give me a moment to think," he said, his tone overly serious.
Ethan smirked, watching as his friend furrowed his brow in mock contemplation. A second later, Jordan opened his eyes and grinned. "I'm in."
Ethan burst out laughing. "You didn't even think about it!"
"Chill, dude," Jordan said. He could not help but chuckle. "I can't say no to this, Ethan. Besides, this is the change that I need right now."
Jordan leaned forward, his grin softening into a thoughtful smile. "You know, I've been working with my dad ever since high school. The local moving company—it's fine and all, but I've been feeling stuck. Every now and then, I'd just up and leave to travel, trying to find something that felt… meaningful."
He sighed, his expression wistful. "I want to find a purpose in life, man. Something bigger than just moving boxes or wandering aimlessly."
Ethan smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude for his friend's honesty. "I get it," he said softly.
But as he sat there, watching Jordan's excitement, Ethan couldn't help but inwardly ask himself the same question. 'What's my purpose in life?'
Now, with the Supreme System in his corner, the possibilities seemed endless. He had never considered the idea of this. Not only did he open up a broader opportunity for himself.
He could even make an impact on others now.
'Well, things are not going to be focusing on me anymore,' he thought. Without him noticing, his lips started to form a small smile. 'Maybe I can do something that matters for more than just my own goals.'
***
Later that evening, Ethan was taking his sweet time, lying on his soon-to-be-missed bed. He was staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind was buzzing with thoughts about the tasks he had tackled and the ones still ahead of him.
He had updated David about hiring Jordan and asked him to draft a proper offer letter and contract. On top of that, he had assigned Jordan to scout for the best office space for their startup.
Now, with those tasks delegated, Ethan's focus shifted back to the app development project. It was vital to create a prototype soon. But before diving into that, curiosity tugged at him—what could he buy with his Ascension Points?
Ethan sat up and opened the Shop Panel on his phone.
=====
[Shop Panel]
Available Items:
-
Lower Grade Strength Potion (1 Ascension Point)
-
Lower Grade Speed Potion (1 Ascension Point)
-
Lower Grade Endurance Potion (1 Ascension Point)
-
Lower Grade Charisma Potion (1 Ascension Point)
-
Lower Grade Intelligence Potion (1 Ascension Point)
[Locked Items – Level Up Required]
=====
He scanned the descriptions and found that each Lower Grade Potion could increase the corresponding attribute by four points. However, the system limited the purchase to five potions of each type. He began considering which attributes to enhance first.
'Becoming smarter should be my top priority,' he thought. 'It'll help me develop the app more efficiently.' Charisma also seemed like a good option—it might aid him in convincing people and navigating social interactions more effectively, even if he wasn't entirely sure how it worked.
Ethan moved to his desk, grabbed a notebook, and jotted down his current attributes for reference.
=====
Attributes:
Strength: 8
Speed: 9
Endurance: 8
Intelligence: 16
Charisma: 7
=====
He aimed for balanced stats, initially hoping to bring everything up to 20 points. But after calculating the limitations, he devised a more practical plan.
=====
-
Lower Grade Strength Potion (1 Ascension Point) x3
-
Lower Grade Speed Potion (1 Ascension Point) x2
-
Lower Grade Endurance Potion (1 Ascension Point) x2
-
Lower Grade Charisma Potion (1 Ascension Point) x1
-
Lower Grade Intelligence Potion (1 Ascension Point) x2
=====
Satisfied with his strategy, he made the purchases through the system, expecting the potions to apply immediately. However, to his surprise, they appeared in his inventory. Curious, he selected one, and a small vial materialized on his desk.
The potions were sleek, 5 mL vials, each containing liquids of different colors; red, green, gray, yellow, and blue.
Ethan stared at the vials, muttering, "Why does it look like medicine? I hate them… but if this is the price of improvement, so be it."
Initially planning to drink them one at a time, his impatience got the better of him. In one impulsive move, he uncorked each vial and gulped them down in quick succession.
The effect was immediate—and overwhelming.
A sharp, almost searing pain erupted in his muscles, quickly intensifying into excruciating waves. Ethan bit down on his blanket to stifle his groans as his body convulsed slightly, the transformation taking hold. He could feel his muscles twitching and tightening, his body reshaping itself from the inside out.
Heat surged through his face, leaving him burning with discomfort. His clothes were already drenched in sweat. Another major thing that he noticed was the physical changes. His shirt tightened.
In reality, all of that happened in a matter of a few minutes. The pain slowly dissipated. Ethan collapsed back onto his chair, breathing heavily as his body adjusted to the changes.
Slowly, he stood up and walked to the mirror. The reflection staring back at him was unfamiliar yet undeniably his own.
His body had become leaner, with subtle but noticeable muscle definition. His posture and face seemed naturally more confident.
Ethan leaned closer, stunned. His features appeared sharper and more defined, with an undeniable charm that hadn't been there before. His messy hair framed a face that could now easily turn heads.
"Damn it... Not to brag," he muttered, a wry grin spreading across his lips, "but I look… good."
Still, the transformation was more than just skin-deep. Ethan flexed his fingers, testing his strength and agility. His entire body felt like a finely tuned machine—powerful, responsive, and ready for action.
As he stepped back, he couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and excitement. The potions had done their job, and now he was ready to face whatever came next.