Tomorrow's Event

The dining table was alive with soft clinks of cutlery and the warm hum of conversation, the air filled with the comforting smells of a well-cooked meal.

Ethan sat between his siblings, his plate half-finished, though he hardly noticed. Moments like this—shared breakfast in the quiet sanctuary of home—had become increasingly rare, and he found himself cherishing the ordinariness of it all.

It was Aaron who broke the moment. "So, Ethan," he began, leaning forward slightly, a teasing smile tugging at his lips, "how's it going with your new company?"

The question hung briefly in the air before Jacob's fork froze mid-air. He blinked at Ethan, incredulous. "Wait. What? You have a company now?"

Lily, perched on her chair across the table, gasped as though someone had just announced the world's greatest plot twist. "You? A company?" Her spoon clattered onto her plate. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Ethan leaned back, unable to suppress a chuckle as he watched their astonished faces. "Well," he said with an amused shrug, "I suppose it didn't come up."

Elise, seated next to Aaron, shook her head with a small, proud smile, her eyes soft as she looked at her eldest. Beside her, Aaron grinned, a look of satisfaction that was both amused and deeply proud. It wasn't a smile of surprise—no, he and Elise had seen this coming.

The night before, during their pillow talk, the two of them had agreed on something unspoken but firm: they wouldn't question too much about Ethan's newfound success.

"It's a blessing," Elise had said softly. "And maybe it's not for us to know everything just yet."

Aaron had nodded. "We need to trust him. Whatever he's doing—it's working. And it's helping all of us."

Their lives had, after all, changed. Not in a dramatic or jarring way, but subtly, as though the weight of life's pressures had been lifted off their shoulders.

There were no more conversations about stretching paychecks or skipping the occasional indulgence. Their family, as if by a silent miracle, now lived with a newfound ease.

The only oddity—the one small catch in their new life—was the matter of the bodyguards. At Ethan's insistence, they had been shadowed by security since last week.

Aaron had resisted at first, a trace of pride flaring up, but Ethan had insisted it was necessary. "Trust me," he had said, and that had been the end of the discussion.

What Aaron didn't know was that the arrangement had been thanks to Charles, who had, with his usual efficiency, organized a discreet but elite security team. It was not just protection—it was reassurance.

"You heard me," Aaron said, turning back to Lily and Jacob with mock seriousness. "Your brother owns a company now. NovaTech. And it's no small thing, either."

Lily, clearly still recovering from the shock, dropped her chin into her hands with an exaggerated pout. "That's not fair. Ethan's too smart. How are we supposed to compete with that?"

Ethan laughed at her expression, the sound coming easily, without pretense. "You don't have to compete with me," he said, grinning.

Aaron, however, seized the moment. "Well, maybe you should. If you two studied a little harder, you could follow in Ethan's footsteps someday."

"Ugh," Lily groaned, shooting her brother a look of betrayal. "But he's not normal smart—he's, like… crazy smart."

Jacob nodded solemnly in agreement as though he'd uncovered the great mystery of the universe. "Yeah. It's like he's a secret genius or something."

Ethan shook his head, still smiling, though there was a hint of something more behind his expression—something thoughtful. They weren't wrong, after all.

The changes in him, the quiet transformations brought about by the system, were far beyond what they could guess. But the simplicity of their belief—that he was just "crazy smart"—somehow made it all feel more manageable.

Aaron leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest as he looked at Ethan. "Whatever it is, it's a good thing. And you two," he added, casting a glance at Lily and Jacob, "could stand to take a page out of his book."

"Fine," Lily said, throwing up her hands in mock surrender. "I'll study. But if I'm not a genius by next year, I'm holding Ethan personally responsible."

The table erupted in laughter, a bright, unburdened sound that filled the room like sunlight spilling through open windows. Ethan looked at each of them—Aaron, Elise, Jacob, Lily—and felt something settle in his chest.

This was why he did it. Not for the applause or the recognition but for this. The quiet moments of joy. The knowledge that his family didn't have to carry the weight they once had.

"NovaTech," Lily muttered under her breath as though testing the name. "What kind of company is it anyway?"

Ethan met her curious gaze and smiled. "The kind that's going to change everything."

Ethan leaned back, his smile lingering as the laughter quieted, leaving only the warm hum of togetherness. For a moment, the table seemed to settle into contented silence. Then, with the air of someone testing the waters, he spoke again.

"Actually," he began, swirling the last bit of his coffee absently, "David and I have something planned for tomorrow night. A sort of… event."

At this, Jacob and Lily perked up like hounds catching a scent. Jacob's eyes narrowed with suspicion while Lily nearly bounced in her seat, the excitement unmistakable.

"What kind of event?" Jacob demanded, leaning forward.

"And can we come?" Lily added eagerly, her fork forgotten as she fixed Ethan with wide, pleading eyes.

Ethan chuckled, already anticipating this reaction. "No, you two are staying here."

The protests came like clockwork.

"What?" Jacob cried indignantly.

"That's not fair!" Lily whined, her lower lip jutting out dramatically. "Why can't we come? You just said you're not better than us!"

Aaron and Elise exchanged a glance, stifling their amusement at how quickly the two younger ones had united against Ethan. Elise offered a quiet, diplomatic interjection. "Ethan, we understand. It is because of our—"

"It's not about that," Ethan said gently, lifting his hands to calm the storm before it could pick up. "It's not because I think you don't belong. Don't even think that."

His gaze softened as he looked between Jacob and Lily. "But this event… It's going to be filled with important figures—business leaders, politicians, and the whole lot. It's not exactly the kind of place you'd want to be."

Lily's pout deepened, her chin dropping into her hands again. "But we do want to be there."

Jacob, less dramatic but equally persistent, crossed his arms. "You're still not explaining why we can't come. It's just a bunch of rich people, isn't it?"

Ethan sighed and sat forward, his tone turning serious but still kind. "It's not about you being out of place—it's about me worrying for you." He paused, searching for the right words. "It's a public event, and there's going to be a lot of attention. Too much attention. The kind that makes it harder to keep people safe."

The words hung in the air for a beat longer than Ethan intended, their weight settling across the table. Aaron's brows furrowed slightly as though he'd just connected dots he hadn't thought to connect before.

Elise reached out and placed a hand gently on Lily's arm.

"Bodyguards?" Jacob muttered finally, his tone more curious than accusing. "Even with bodyguards around?"

Ethan nodded, his smile faint. "Yeah. Let's just say I'd rather not take any chances."

There was a quiet understanding in the room now, a realization that this wasn't just Ethan being difficult or protective—it was Ethan being careful and thoughtful in a way they hadn't seen before.

It was strange to see someone they had always known as a brother and son suddenly carry the weight of decisions like this, but in some way, it made them prouder still.

Lily, though still sulking, looked up and asked quietly, "Will it be fun?"

Ethan smiled, the kind of smile that revealed little but reassured much. "It's not the fun kind of event, trust me."

Aaron cleared his throat, and then his voice broke through the quiet. "Listen to your brother, both of you. He's looking out for you, and that's final."

Lily sighed dramatically, slumping back in her chair. "Fine," she grumbled. "But you owe me dessert for this."

"I'll think about it," Ethan replied, his grin returning. "You guys can come any other day, anytime you want."

Jacob nodded while muttering something about "rich people's problems," but even he had settled, seemingly satisfied with Ethan's explanation.

Ethan looked around the table, his gaze lingering on each of them. Despite the teasing, the protests, and the dramatics, there was no denying the trust and love that held this family together.

And that was why he was doing all of this—not just for himself but for them. To ensure their lives were safe, comfortable, and filled with joy.

Aaron leaned back, his arms folded, and spoke with the quiet pride of someone who had watched the journey unfold. "Well, whatever this event is, you make sure to show them what you're made of. Make them see NovaTech for what it really is."

Ethan met his father's eyes and nodded firmly. "I will."

After breakfast, Ethan retreated to his room, closing the door quietly behind him. It was still early, the day stretching ahead like a blank canvas, but the lingering sounds of his family's chatter echoed faintly through the walls. He let out a soft sigh, not out of exhaustion but contentment.

Dropping onto his bed, he leaned against the headboard, pulling out his phone absentmindedly. The screen lit up with a barrage of missed notifications, which, until now, he hadn't noticed.

His brows furrowed slightly as he swiped through them. When did all this come in?

His mind flickered back to what Charles had told him the other day—something about David wanting to explain the "hierarchy" of the city soon. The weight behind those words had lingered in his mind, like a pebble in his shoe, though he hadn't had time to think much about it since.

With that thought lingering, he opened the messages from David. It was voice messages.

===

David: Morning! Just an update—everything's moving as planned. I've invited the key people of Novan City for tomorrow night: influential families, business tycoons, politicians, and a few public figures. It's shaping up to be an event no one will want to miss.

Also, finalized the hiring process. The new hires will spend the morning at the office tomorrow to get familiar with the workspace before heading straight to the event that evening. All smooth on my end.

===

Ethan smiled faintly as he read the message, the weight of tomorrow settling a little more firmly on his shoulders. The key people of Novan City. He let the words linger in his thoughts, turning them over like polished stones.

There would be expectations—eyes watching him, studying him—but that didn't worry him. If anything, it excited him.

It's all coming together.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder about what Charles and David hadn't told him yet. The "hierarchy" Charles hinted at had seemed significant—maybe even dangerous—but David's update, though thorough, gave no mention of it. It was strictly business. For now, at least.

His phone buzzed again, snapping him from his thoughts. It was a message from Jessica. Same, voice messages.

===

Jessica: Morning, Ethan! I just wanted to confirm that the security arrangements are complete. We've locked in a five-year contract with the best agency in the city.

It's all thanks to Mr. Weston—he introduced me to the firm, handled most of the details, and made sure we got a perfect deal. The team is excellent: elite personnel and state-of-the-art tech. You won't need to worry about anything.

===

Ethan couldn't help but shake his head with a smile. Charles, he thought, was always a step ahead. He had quickly learned that Charles Weston, with his quiet efficiency and impeccable connections, was not a man who ever did things halfway.

If Charles said something would be "taken care of," it would not only be done—it would be done perfectly.

Ethan exhaled slowly as he read Jessica's last message. A small, satisfied smile tugged at his lips. Everything was progressing perfectly: security was locked in, and the final pieces were falling into place. Tomorrow would mark the turning point he'd been waiting for.

He placed his phone down on the bed beside him, allowing himself to bask in the calm, his mind drifting. That was when the soft, familiar chime sounded—clear and distinct, echoing deep in his mind.

The System.

Ethan froze as a notification appeared before his eyes.

=====

=====

[Mission Complete: Hire a Team]

Objective: Hire at least 20 people for NovaTech Innovations.

Reward:

1. 2,000 EXP

2. 10 Ascension Points

=====

Congratulations! You have leveled up!

Current Level: 3 → 4

EXP: 3500 / 4000 → 5500 / 7000

Ascension Points: 0 → 10

Free Attribute Points: 0 → 10

Attributes Increased:

Strength: +1

Speed: +1

Endurance: +1

Intelligence: +1

Charisma: +1

=====

As soon as it happened, Ethan felt a familiar surge of energy course through him, vibrating his bones.

He had leveled up once more, but the sensation was different this time—more intense. It felt as though the system was gearing him up for something big.

"It's bearable," Ethan muttered.

As he got used to these new sensations, another notification appeared.

=====

[Mission Complete: Build a Grand Office]

Objective: Find and furnish an office space that reflects the grandeur of your new company.

Reward: Rewards will be unique and based on the grandeur achieved.

=====

Then, another notification appeared.

=====

Congratulations! You have exceeded expectations with the grandeur of your office!

Attributes increased:

Strength: +15

Speed: +15

Endurance: +15

Intelligence: +15

Charisma: +15

Total Ascension Points awarded: 50

=====

Ethan barely had time to register the notification before it hit him. A sudden, sharp pain exploded through his body, so intense it felt as though his very bones were breaking apart.

"Argh—!"

The cry threatened to escape, but instinct took over. He grabbed the edge of the comforter and shoved it into his mouth, biting down hard to stifle the sound.

His entire body trembled violently, drenched in sweat as the pain intensified. It wasn't like before—this was something else.

Every muscle felt like it was tearing and rebuilding, as though something inside him was shattering—splintering into countless pieces. The agony was unbearable. His mind screamed, but he held on, clutching the fabric as though it anchored him to the world.

And then, just as suddenly as the pain had begun, it shifted. A soothing warmth, gentle and flowing, coursed through his veins like a balm, spreading to every corner of his body. It moved with the rhythm of his blood, calming, healing.

Ethan loosened his grip on the comforter, his teeth releasing it as his breathing slowed. The sweat still clung to his skin, his chest rising and falling heavily, but the pain was gone—replaced by an indescribable calm.

Minutes passed before he could move, his body still trembling faintly as he sat up. His breaths came slower now, steadier. Everything felt different.

Ethan ran a hand through his damp hair, his heart still pounding in his chest. Whatever had just happened, it had torn him apart, rebuilt him, and left him feeling… new.

Ethan sat on the edge of the bed, still breathing heavily, his hand pressed to his chest as if trying to steady the rhythm of his heart. He wiped the sweat off his brow with a shaky hand, muttering under his breath, "What the hell was that?"

His gaze flickered back to the notification still lingering before him, and the realization dawned like a slap to the face.

"A sudden massive increase in attributes…" he grumbled, his voice hoarse, "that's got to be the reason for the pain. Fifteen points across everything, and then the system is trying to kill me?"

He was relieved that he hadn't purchased a tower for NovaTech. If he had, the rewards might have been greater, and he couldn't fathom how difficult it would be to endure the burden of receiving them.

Still, he felt a twinge of regret for not having gone out more.

But it wasn't just those things that unsettled him. That shattering sensation—like something inside his body had broken apart—lingered in his thoughts, nagging at him. What had really happened in those agonizing moments?

Still, now that the pain had faded, Ethan couldn't deny the odd sense of renewal. His body felt lighter, stronger… sharper. His breathing had steadied, and as he shifted on the bed, he noticed something else—his clothes felt tighter, snug in places they hadn't been before.

He frowned, looking down at his sleeves, which hugged his arms more closely, and then tugged at his shirt, which now stretched just slightly across his shoulders and chest.

"Wait a minute…"

Slowly, he stood up, still feeling the lingering hum of energy in his limbs. His movements were fluid and graceful even as he walked toward the full-length mirror near the corner of his room.

Ethan paused in front of the mirror and blinked, momentarily stunned. He turned his head slightly to the left, then to the right, narrowing his eyes as he examined himself.

It wasn't that he was feeling narcissistic—no, it was far from that. But something was different.

Really different.

His reflection looked leaner, more defined. His jawline seemed sharper, his cheekbones subtly more pronounced. His physique, while not bulky, had an unmistakable tone—his shirt clung to the contours of his chest and shoulders as though it had been tailored that way.

"Did I… get taller?" Ethan muttered incredulously, running a hand along his torso as though double-checking.

And—he tilted his head, studying his own face carefully—there was no mistaking it. He looked… well, better.

"More lean… and… more handsome?" Ethan said aloud, unable to suppress a small, bewildered chuckle.

The words felt ridiculous coming from his own mouth, but the evidence was right in front of him.

The system hadn't just made him stronger—it had refined him and sharpened every aspect of his appearance. It was subtle enough to still feel natural, but there was no denying it.

"Well, I guess I'll take it," he muttered, shaking his head as he turned away from the mirror. "But next time, System… a little warning would be nice."

Edited: 18 December 2024

Author's Note:

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