Chapter 8: A Black Card from a Wealthy Woman? This Might Not Be So Great
Hearing Sophia's voice, Liam instinctively paused, silently groaning to himself.
All he wanted was to rush home, play some games, and then start packing to escape.
After all, since he had transmigrated here, he had almost nothing aside from basic living necessities. He had already spent the last of his money on food over the past few days and was now broke.
He didn't even know who owned the house he was living in since he hadn't met the landlord.
Now that he had secured a guaranteed admission slot, his only concern was how to dodge the rent, which he had no idea how much would be.
Turning around, he looked at Sophia, who had approached him, and said with a wry smile, "Is something the matter? I'm in a hurry to get home."
Sophia found his reaction both amusing and frustrating.
Usually, people were too intimidated to approach her, but if they had the chance, they couldn't wait to strike up a conversation.
Yet here was this man, looking like he couldn't wait to get away from her.
But... this was just like him.
"What's the rush? I just wanted to talk to you about something important. Why are you in such a hurry to get home?" Sophia asked.
"I want to go home and play games," Liam replied honestly. She wasn't his teacher from school days, so he didn't feel the need to hide anything.
Sophia: ...
Hearing his response, she was genuinely at a loss for words. How could he say something so strange with such confidence?
Even though she had gotten to know Liam's personality online, she still felt a bit of a headache now.
But this feeling quickly dissipated when she suddenly remembered... Liam always played games with her online!
So he's hurrying home to play with me?
He cares about me!
With this self-satisfying thought, Sophia couldn't help but feel a bit happy.
She reined in her emotions and softly said, "I won't take up much of your time. Are you in a hurry because of your family?"
Liam shrugged. "It's no big deal. I don't have any family or friends."
"What?" Sophia was startled. "Are you an orphan?"
Liam: ?
Why did that sound like an insult?
I don't usually play Yasuo.
Sophia quickly realized her mistake, covering her mouth in embarrassment.
"Sorry..."
"It's fine," Liam said, thinking for a moment. His situation was too complicated to explain, so he simply added vaguely, "No need to apologize. In this world, I guess I am an orphan."
"But it's probably not what you're thinking."
Sophia gazed at Liam with a slightly pitying look for so long that he almost got goosebumps.
Finally, she cleared her throat and moved past the topic.
"An ice-attribute variant of the Energy Chains... I've never seen anything like it, but then again, the history of superpower users in this world isn't very long. It's normal that I haven't seen it before. I won't ask you for details."
"When you train in the future, try to control the temperature of your abilities as much as possible, and spend time in cold environments to increase your affinity with them."
Talking about training, Sophia became much more serious.
Her advice to Liam was essentially a summary of her own experiences.
"Also, I've already reported your previous E-level rating, and it can't be changed for now."
"I'm sorry if this causes people to underestimate you, but your strength is undeniable. I'll make sure to apply for a special evaluation for you as soon as possible."
"Besides, you should take the upcoming trial for all the guaranteed students very seriously."
Liam wasn't sure why she was emphasizing all this to him, but he knew she meant well, so he didn't show any impatience.
Instead, he asked with some confusion, "Why should I take it seriously? Does it come with money?"
"What?" Sophia was stunned.
As a superpower user, especially a high-ranking one, money was never something they worried about.
"Why would you think that? The trial is much more important than money. Are you seriously short on money?"
Hearing this, Liam immediately felt indignant.
What do you mean, 'Are you short on money?' This is basically the fantasy world equivalent of 'Let them eat cake!'
Unable to hold back, Liam started venting his frustration.
"Hey, lady, you should really understand the hardships of ordinary people."
"Of course I'm short on money. Where would I get money? Yesterday, I was already searching between the couch cushions. I feel like the rats are eating better than I am."
"Tomorrow, I'll probably have to go hungry for the day... Oh, by the way, when we land, will meals be provided?"
"And also..."
Sophia listened to his slightly exaggerated description, her eyes widening.
What is he saying?
Is this really how someone lives? A talent like him living like this?
Fury welled up within her, and she coldly demanded, "Which school did you attend before this? Which community were you part of?! How could they neglect your basic needs like this?"
"How would I know?" Liam shrugged. He really didn't have an answer to that.
Sophia stared at Liam's calm face, deep in thought.
So, this is his real living situation...
In just a few minutes, she had mentally pieced together an image of Liam as a poor, lonely orphan who had been ostracized and lived a tough life.
Her gaze toward him softened, overflowing with motherly concern.
Without hesitation, she pulled out her phone, retrieved a black card from her storage necklace, and placed it against her phone, quickly transferring funds before handing the card to Liam.
"There's 300,000 in this card. The password is six zeros. Take it."
"From now on, you don't need to worry about money. As long as you focus on training and improving your strength, superpower users never lack money."
Liam: ?!
In this world, the purchasing power of money was very similar to the currency in his original world.
300,000? She just handed that over like it was nothing?!
Looking at the black card in front of him, he was genuinely stunned.
Was this some kind of unexpected bonus? Is she a rich woman?
He had never imagined that something like this would ever happen to him!
"This... this is for me?" Liam pointed at the black card, and suddenly, Sophia's image in his mind transformed from a strange woman into an angel.
Sophia nodded. "Yes, and when you get back, eat whatever you want."
"Oh, wow, this... this is too much!" Liam's expression shifted from dull to bright, quickly taking the card from Sophia's hand and stuffing it into his pocket.
Who cares why she's giving me money? Better to take it now. Can't be too proud to accept cash, right?
"Well, consider this a loan for now. I'm really strapped for cash, but I promise to pay you back with interest!" Liam said, patting his pocket and assuring Sophia.
Sophia couldn't help but smile and replied, "No rush. But remember what I told you."
"And don't call me 'lady' anymore. I'm nineteen, just like you."
"Yeah, yeah, sure." Liam nodded repeatedly, agreeing to whatever Sophia said.
After all, the sponsor is always right, and he was already thinking about how to spend the money.
As the sun set, the two parted ways.
Sophia watched Liam's departing figure, and with no one else around, she allowed herself to smile brightly.
She had been wondering how best to help Liam, but it turned out it wasn't complicated at all. All she needed to do was give him money.
That was too easy...
As the sky darkened, Sophia lay on the sofa in her presidential suite, receiving a message from Liam.
[Traveler: I'm leaving tomorrow. The examiner really is a good person—kind and beautiful. She even lent me a large sum when she found out I was broke.]
Seeing this message, Sophia couldn't help but laugh out loud, covering her mouth to muffle the sound.
After all, compliments given face-to-face don't mean as much, but praise behind your back is genuine. Knowing Liam was praising her behind her back filled her with satisfaction.
[Traveler: Are women really sensitive about their age? She even made a point to tell me she's only nineteen.]
[Traveler: But who would believe that, hahaha! She's already in a leadership role; there's no way she's that young.]
Sophia: ...
Bang!
The TV remote shattered in her grip.
"Liam!!!"