Roulette

Julian entered his room, carefully closing the door to avoid making any noise. His eyes had a resolute glint.

"Activate [Roulette]" He ordered firmly.

At once, a golden roulette materialized before his eyes, floating in the air while emitting a supernatural glow. The segments of the prizes were painted in three vibrant tones: green, blue, and purple. Each color corresponded to a type of prize.

*Impressive! Is this real?* Julian wondered as he reached out to touch it, but his fingers passed through the roulette, revealing that it was nothing more than a holographic projection from the system.

╔═ ✧✦ ⟦ LUCKY ROULETTE ⟧ ✦✧ ═╗

➣ Welcome to the Lucky Roulette! This service offers random prizes in exchange for Luck Points (LP). The value of each prize varies based on its rarity.

➣ Available prize rarities:

⤷ Common ✦✧✧✧✧ (70%) – Green.

⤷ Rare ✦✦✧✧✧ (25%) – Blue.

⤷ Special ✦✦✦✧✧ (5%) – Purple.

➣ Cost: 5 LP per attempt

╚══════════════════════╝

Julian rubbed his chin as he thought: *I only have 8 LP, just enough for one spin. Should I take the risk?*

He didn't want to waste his points, but he was very curious about the prizes. Coming from the system, they must be quite special. After a few long minutes, he finally made up his mind.

"I'll try my luck. Besides, I don't have any other use for my LP."

⟦ Order confirmed. One spin purchased for 5 LP. ⟧

⟦ Luck Points (LP): 8 → 3 ⟧

⟦ As a commemoration for your first spin, the chances of obtaining a rare or special item are increased by 30%. ⟧

The roulette sprang to life, spinning faster and faster until it became a hypnotic whirl.

As it slowed down, Julian held his breath, his heart pounding as he watched the segments pass by, one after another, more slowly… and then…

Click!

The needle stopped on a blue segment, meaning the prize was of the "rare" category. A small bluish flash shot out from the roulette and fell into Julian's hand, transforming into a… a white pill?

Julian was very confused. No matter how hard he looked, he couldn't see anything special about this prize. Fortunately, an information window appeared to answer his questions.

╔════════⟦ ITEM ⟧ ════════╗

[ Silver Tongue Pill ](Rare Item) X 1

This pill grants its consumer remarkable eloquence for two hours. The consumer will know exactly what to say at each moment; the words will come to mind and flow from their tongue as if completely natural. It significantly increases the ability to persuade, inspire, seduce, or manipulate others.

⤷ Side effect: After the initial effects wear off, the consumer loses their voice for 6 hours, becoming completely mute.

⤷ Warning: Eloquence is less effective against individuals with high intelligence or willpower.

╚═══════════════════════╝

As soon as he read the description, Julian's eyes widened at the immense possibilities this seemingly ordinary medicinal pill offered. It could be a crucial piece in starting his revenge against his adoptive family...

Julian had never seen himself as a vengeful person, but after so many years of mistreatment, how could he not desire a bit of justice? The system hadn't just given him power; it had handed him a tool to tip the scales.

"I should plan what my first step will be."

With a glint in his eyes, Julian sat at his desk and took a pen, his mind racing with different ways to ruin this family. After a long while, he scribbled down some general ideas:

"Parents are the foundation of any family unit, so I should start by attacking these foundations."

Julian sketched out his thoughts. "My stepparents have a happy and solid marriage. They love each other. So, to break this family, I must first separate them… and with this pill, I might have a way."

Julian smiled as he reviewed his plan. The [Silver Tongue Pill] could be the key to undermining Cedric's marriage from within. He just needed to find an opportunity…

"My family is celebrating Cedric's promotion tonight. Everyone will be happy and there will be plenty of alcohol. That might be my chance… to seduce Beatrice Cross, my wicked stepmother."

The dark pleasure of anticipation washed over him. His revenge would be painful, deep… and memorable.

He carefully stood up, placing the [Silver Tongue Pill] into his pocket. He knew he would need it very soon.

⟦ ◍ AT NIGHT ◍ ⟧

All the members of the Cross family were gathered in the dining room, celebrating Cedric's promotion with an opulent dinner filled with delicacies and alcohol.

When Julian entered, no one bothered to greet him, not even when he crossed the room and took a seat at the far end of the table. He felt like a complete stranger in the festive atmosphere.

"Congratulations, Dad. I'm happy for your promotion" Julian said, swallowing his repulsion. The words burned in his throat, but he managed to sound polite and controlled.

Cedric, as usual, didn't even look up from his plate. He continued cutting his meat with almost mechanical precision.

"Thank you" He muttered without emotion, as if responding to a mere formality. Next to him, Beatrice Cross, his stepmother, let out a barely concealed huff.

Warmth and smiles were reserved only for the true family members. This strategy of exclusion was something they had all perfected over the years, a way to reject him and remind him that he didn't belong there.

But all of that had changed. This time, Julian wasn't going to fall for such mind games.

*I would have felt a pang of pain before* He thought, watching the warm smiles and gestures of affection that he couldn't have. *I would have tried to please them, or at least seek a glimmer of recognition. Not anymore.*

This small victory meant a lot to Julian, as it showed that his mindset was changing for the better.

The system was restoring the confidence he had lost many years ago.

Smiling to himself, Julian filled his plate without saying another word and ate in silence. And so, the family party continued.

"A toast to the man of the hour!" Beatrice exclaimed, raising her glass, which was already half-empty. "I never doubted you, darling."

Beatrice was a woman of strict and stern appearance with large, heavy breasts. She often complained about back pain due to their size. Her face was quite ordinary, with unattractive plastic glasses and a dowdy, older-lady bun, but her killer body gave her an undeniable feminine charm.

Cedric, pleased with the praise, responded with a satisfied smile: "Thank you, dear. This promotion was only a matter of time. I'm still aiming higher."