The first rays of dawn cut through the city skyline like a blade, illuminating the streets in golden hues. Mark Palmer was already at work, coffee in one hand, laptop humming on the sleek desk he had just cleared in his apartment. The city had been peaceful last night—or at least as peaceful as it could be after a publicized plane crash that no one knew he had saved.
"Nova, status report. Any signs of… ongoing threats?" Mark muttered, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Nothing immediate," Nova replied, her voice calm yet firm. "However, post-launch analytics indicate sudden spikes in unusual activity. Rival surveillance units have likely begun Phase Five operations. They are monitoring Shattered Realms' downloads, energy signatures from your suit, and student patterns for clues to your identity."
Mark smirked, stretching his arms dramatically and almost knocking over a half-empty coffee cup. "Classic. They never sleep, do they? Don't worry, Nova. I've got style, brains, and a touch of chaos on my side. Let's keep them guessing."
He glanced at the notifications on his phone. Shattered Realms was blowing up—literally. Players from all over the world were streaming, reviewing, and engaging with the AI companions he and Nova had meticulously coded. Comments ranged from "This AI actually feels alive!" to "How is this even mobile? It's insane!"
Mark chuckled, tossing the phone onto the couch. "Yeah, yeah, let them be amazed. But that's just Version 1. Wait until we scale to console and full VR pods. This city won't know what hit it."
---
School Life: Harem Tension Rising
Later that morning, Mark returned to school, trying to look like a normal student. He wore a casual hoodie and jeans, but the faint glow of his enhanced reflexes made him feel… invincible. Lena Torres noticed immediately.
"Mark, you're… different," she said softly as they walked to class. Her brown eyes sparkled with curiosity and concern. "You're smiling, but… there's something in your aura. I can't put my finger on it."
Mark smirked. "Ah, that's just my natural charm. Don't worry about it." He leaned slightly closer as they passed a corridor, letting the faint scent of coffee linger near her.
Aya Chen, ever playful, appeared suddenly from the side, leaning against a locker. "Natural charm, huh? Or is it superhero vibes finally leaking through?" She grinned mischievously, elbowing him lightly.
Mark chuckled, tossing a playful glance. "If I told you, I'd have to recruit you as my sidekick."
Aya pretended to gasp, hand over her mouth. "Oh, I see how it is. You're hiding secrets again. I like it. Makes you mysterious."
Rina Maxwell, sitting nearby, scribbled in her notebook. Her gaze lingered on Mark longer than usual, calculating, observing. "Mysterious, huh… or brilliant? Maybe both."
Mark's chest tightened slightly, noticing her subtle intrigue. He flexed mentally, thinking, Balance is everything… keep them close, keep them intrigued, but don't give away too much.
---
Establishing the Company
After school, Mark returned home and opened a secured video link with a few online contacts he had discreetly arranged over the past months. Using the profits from Shattered Realms, he was about to form his own company—a tech and gaming hub capable of scaling his projects, from AI companions to VR gaming pods.
"Nova, check our fund allocation," he said, tapping keys furiously. "I want servers, R&D for AI, secure cloud storage, and full legal coverage. Oh, and design labs for suit upgrades—just in case someone tries Phase Six."
"Funds secured," Nova replied. "Your earnings from Shattered Realms and novel royalties are sufficient. Company registration is ready. I suggest the name: Eryndor Dynamics. It aligns with your brand on Webnovel and creates a subtle, professional presence."
Mark nodded thoughtfully. "Eryndor Dynamics it is. Let's keep it low-key publicly, but high-tech privately. Nobody needs to know the genius behind the scenes."
---
Hero Work and Training
That night, Mark suited up. The city lights reflected off his upgraded armor, which now featured adaptive energy dispersal, enhanced boosters, and stealth modules perfected over weeks of testing.
"Nova… ready for a test run?" he asked, flexing slightly.
"Always," she replied. "Sensors indicate low threat, ideal for stress-testing new capabilities."
Mark soared through the city, practicing maneuvers with fluid precision. Mid-flight, he spotted a mugging in an alley. Without hesitation, he swooped down, disarming the attacker with a pulse blast that left the weapon harmlessly jammed.
The mugger's eyes widened. "Who… who are you?"
Mark flexed dramatically, landing lightly on a nearby dumpster. "Just someone who likes to keep the city safe. Remember, style counts."
Nova's soft laugh echoed in his earpiece. "Confidence, flair… and a little chaos. Perfect combination."
---
Harem Dynamics Intensify
Back at school the next day, Lena, Aya, and Rina each found moments to interact with Mark.
Lena lingered, brushing his arm "accidentally" while discussing an assignment.
Aya teased him relentlessly about staying up all night, clearly noticing the subtle fatigue and excitement in his eyes.
Rina's calculated gaze suggested she was piecing together pieces of the puzzle, intrigued by his aura of mystery.
Mark grinned inwardly, Balance, timing, subtlety… He responded playfully, mentally flexing—not for strength, but for charm.
Clara Hayes, ever observant, scribbled notes quietly. Something is going on… and it's not just the game.
---
Suspense: A New Threat Emerges
While Mark celebrated the company formation and Shattered Realms' success, Nova alerted him to unusual activity.
"Mark… a team of advanced operatives has just breached the city perimeter. Energy signatures indicate multiple adaptive suits, similar to yours. They are observing the city—and your game's impact."
Mark's grin sharpened. "Looks like Phase Five just got upgraded. Let's see if they're ready for me."
He activated the suit's stealth mode, soaring above the streets silently, watching the new threat. The night air crackled with tension.
From a rooftop across the city, a figure whispered into a comm device:
"Mark Palmer… he has launched Shattered Realms and built his empire. Time for direct interference. Phase Five escalation begins… now."
Mark had no idea… the next battle would test his hero skills, tech empire, and relationships simultaneously.