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. The idea of people treating him with such respect felt surreal, even humorous. It wasn't long ago that no one would have thought twice about him, but now, the world seemed to have flipped 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. "So, that's how it works," he muttered.

Leveling up gave him a boost in all attributes and 10 free points to allocate as he saw fit. 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; +3 to Strength, +3 to Speed, +3 to Endurance, and... +1 to Charisma.

"I don't know how this will help me in the future, but there's no harm in adding it, right?" muttered Ethan, referring to 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.

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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.

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 finally back at home, the familiar comfort of their modest apartment wrapping around him like a warm embrace.

On his way back, he had stopped at Novan Fried Chicken, a place he hadn't visited since he was nine years old.

Now twenty, he realized just how long it had been since his family had indulged in such a meal.

'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.

"Novan 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. "I've never tried it!"

The two of them dug in with unrestrained enthusiasm, savoring every bite as though it were a feast fit for royalty. Their faces lit up with happiness, and their laughter filled the room as they shared moments of playful banter.

Ethan's parents were no different. His mother, Elise, smiled warmly as she took a bite. "This is delicious," she said, her tone carrying both nostalgia and gratitude. "It's been ages since we've had something like this."

Aaron, his father, nodded in agreement, his usual stern expression softened by the simple joy of a shared meal. "You really didn't have to, Ethan," he said, though the gratitude in his voice was unmistakable. "But thank you. It's good to see everyone smiling like this."

Ethan sat back, quietly enjoying the scene before him. His family was happy—truly happy—and it filled his chest with a warmth he hadn't felt in years.

The sound of laughter, the sight of their content faces, and the shared joy of something as simple as fried chicken reminded him of what mattered most.

'This is what it's all about,' he thought. 'But it's not enough.'

As he watched them, a new determination took root in his mind. Their joy was infectious, but it was fleeting—a small respite in the shadow of their daily struggles. If he wanted to keep seeing them this happy, 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 Novan 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 combing through listings online, he had narrowed it down to three potential homes. One of them—a spacious suburban property with excellent security and amenities—was listed under Cityscape Realty.

Dressed in one of the new outfits he had purchased the day before, Ethan adjusted his blazer nervously. The attire was an improvement, but he still felt awkward in the unfamiliar style. His youth and inexperience didn't exactly exude the aura of a wealthy individual.

Taking a deep breath, he walked through the automatic doors and stepped inside.

The interior was sleek and modern, with bright lighting and minimalist decor that gave the agency an air of professionalism. A few clients were seated at desks with agents while others milled about, browsing property listings displayed on interactive 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."

Another chimed in, chuckling softly. "You can always tell who's really rich and who's just here to ask questions they'll never follow up on."

Ethan's jaw tightened, but he kept his expression neutral. 'Ouch,' he thought inwardly, a wry smile tugging at 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 arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "Inquiring, huh?" she said, her tone laced with condescension. "Let me guess—just asking around so you can feel good about yourself? Asking 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 pondered his next words, another staff member—a man in his early thirties, dressed in a sharp suit—approached the counter. His demeanor seemed professional at first glance, but Ethan noticed a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"What's the issue here?" the man asked, glancing at Ethan briefly before turning his attention to 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 respond. Instead, he offered a faint smile, more for his own benefit than theirs. 'This is a good experience,' he reminded himself, 'not a bad one.'

He turned on his heel and walked toward the exit, the laughter of the two staff members fading into the background. He focused on the sound of his footsteps, each one a reminder to remain composed. The situation stung, sure, but it was nothing he couldn't handle.

As he approached the automatic doors, they slid open with a soft whoosh. Just before he stepped outside, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

"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 Novan 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.