Saturday morning came with no alarm.
Victor blinked awake around 6:30 a.m., surprised his body had adjusted so quickly. The soreness was still there, but it had morphed from pain to power — a kind of quiet pride in his muscles.
He stretched, yawned, and sat up.
"Day 5," the System said. "Theme: Reflection."
Victor rubbed his eyes. "Finally. A break?"
"No. Reflection with action."
"Of course," he muttered.
Still, he couldn't lie — something felt different this morning. Maybe it was the high from last night's open mic. Maybe it was the way Benny had looked at him after his set. Or maybe it was the realization that, for the first time in a long time, he was doing more than surviving.
He was becoming.
---
He brewed a cup of tea — Lipton, the one from the African store he'd found two days ago. It reminded him of home. Of morning prayers and roadside noise. Of his father sipping tea in silence before work. Of his mother humming gospel as she flipped akara by the window.
He tapped his phone. No messages yet. Nigeria was six hours ahead, so it was already afternoon back home.
He typed quickly.
> Morning Mama. Just checking in.
Seconds later, three ticks. Then the typing bubble.
> Good morning my son. Are you okay?
> I'm fine. I performed at an event last night. It went well.
> I thank God. Please don't forget why you are there.
Victor paused, fingers hovering over the keyboard.
> I haven't forgotten, Mama.
But part of him wondered if she'd ever understand what the System was trying to make of him. Not just a lawyer. Not just a provider. But himself.
---
After a light breakfast and a 10-minute workout (System approved), Victor made his way to the campus laundromat. His basket was overflowing with dirty clothes — a sign of how busy his first week had been.
As he loaded clothes into the machine, his phone buzzed again. But this time, it wasn't his mom.
It was his younger sister, Ijeoma.
> Ijeoma: Brooo they brought light today! First time in two days 😂
Victor smiled and replied:
> Enjoy it while it lasts 😂
> Ijeoma: When are you sending that money for school books? They said we need it next week 😬
His smile faded.
> I'm working on it.
> Ijeoma: Mama said not to stress, but… you know her.
Victor exhaled deeply, the weight settling in his chest. He stared at the spinning washing machine, hypnotized by the rotation.
The System spoke.
"Financial pressure acknowledged. Solutions will be explored."
"You gonna wire money now?" Victor said bitterly.
"No. But options exist. Opportunities must be identified."
Victor leaned back against the wall. "I thought coming here would make things easier."
"Growth begins in discomfort. You are capable of more than you believe."
---
That afternoon, Victor headed to the campus library, not for classwork, but to start researching side gigs. Something he could do remotely. Something flexible.
He jotted down a list.
Freelance writing
Transcribing audio
Campus tutoring
Selling beats online
Starting a YouTube channel?
The System cut in.
"Tutoring offers immediate income with low time investment. Leverage strengths: English. Social Studies. Essay structure."
Victor blinked. "You're saying I should become a teacher?"
"Temporarily. To fund long-term goals."
He sighed, then started editing his résumé.
---
Later that evening, as the sun dipped low, Benny called.
Not texted — called.
Victor picked up, surprised. "Hello?"
"You alive?" she teased. "Haven't heard from the open mic star all day."
He chuckled. "I was gonna text you. Just had stuff on my mind."
"Everything okay?"
Victor hesitated. "Yeah. Just family stuff. Money. School books for my kid sister. You know, real life."
There was a pause.
"I get it," Benny said softly. "I help my grandma with bills. That's why I work weekends at the student clinic."
Victor blinked. "Wait. You're working and doing pre-med?"
"I don't really have a choice," she said. "But neither do you, right?"
He smiled. "Right."
"Well, listen," she added, "I was thinking — I might need a rapper for this collab song I'm writing for a student showcase. Would you be down?"
Victor sat up. "You serious?"
"Dead serious. I've got the melody and chorus. I just need someone to bring the fire."
"I got fire in surplus."
"Good. Let's link tomorrow, yeah?"
"Absolutely."
She hung up.
Victor stared at the ceiling, heart steady now.
The System spoke, more gently than usual.
"New opportunity unlocked: Artistic collaboration. Potential outcome: Network growth. Emotional bond strengthening."
Victor chuckled. "You're turning into a relationship coach."
"Incorrect. Merely data analysis."
"Yeah, yeah."
---
That night, Victor reviewed his weekly dashboard.
Yes — the System had a dashboard.
Projected in his mind, faint but clear: a glowing interface only he could see.
VOP WEEK 1 SUMMARY
Physical Conditioning: 5% Progress
Academic Engagement: 12% Progress
Emotional Intelligence: 9% Progress
Financial Planning: Activated
Social Mastery: Initialized
Creative Output: 16% Spike
Purpose Alignment: 7% Progress
"Assessment?" he asked.
"You have taken first steps. Foundation laid. You are still 2% of your potential."
"Only 2%?" he laughed.
"Do not be discouraged. Most never activate their system."
Victor stood up, walked to the mirror, and looked himself in the eye.
"Ijeoma needs books," he whispered. "Mama needs peace of mind. I need… to win."
"Then we continue."
Victor nodded.
He wasn't just here to study law. Or rap. Or get fit.
He was here to change everything.
---