[Please draw one reward.]
[1. Your strength in the simulated world]
[2. White Talent: Genius]
[3. Knowledge of the Ultra Fantasy World]
He took a slow, steady breath and whispered with resolve.
"System, I choose two."
[Congratulations on choosing the white talent: Genius.]
Adam glanced at the floating line of words. At the same moment, he felt a subtle but noticeable shift in his consciousness.
It was as though his capacity to comprehend the world around him had expanded drastically.
"This…" Adam gasped in disbelief as the sensation settled in.
"This is basically cheating. It might as well be a second ability. If this is what a white talent does, then what happens if I draw a higher one? From what I can infer, green and red talents are far rarer and probably of higher grades. If I manage to get one of those…"
His thoughts trailed off as a shiver of anticipation ran through him.
A smile crept across his lips, and he raised his head. However, a frown quickly replaced the smile.
"Now I have to wait an entire week before I can simulate again. Maybe I could try the paid simulation…"
As the idea formed in his mind, he found himself unsure of how to proceed.
Thankfully, the system responded before he could even ask.
[To conduct a paid simulation, one low-grade mana stone is required.]
Adam drew in another sharp breath. Ever since mana had descended upon the world, certain regions had become dense with its energy.
In these places, mana saturated the air so heavily that it condensed and crystallized, forming stones that evolved with time.
Depending on the concentration of mana within, the stones varied in grade. They ranged from low grade, middle grade, high grade, supreme grade, transcendent, and beyond.
"There's no need to think about the higher-grade ones. Even a single low-grade mana stone costs ten thousand dollars," Adam muttered, stunned. He glanced at his bank account, which barely held a thousand dollars. Where was he supposed to get that kind of money?
After a long moment of contemplation, he shrugged the thought off.
"With my status as an awakened, it's only a matter of time before I earn that kind of wealth…"
That comforting thought brought a faint smile to his face. He pulled out his phone, the cool glass warming beneath his fingertips, and decided to inform his parents of the good news.
Ring… Ring… Ring…
The phone rang several times before it was finally answered. A light, cheerful voice drifted through the speaker.
"This is your mother speaking. State your complaints. Do you need money? A job? A new… girlfriend?"
The playful tone made him laugh.
"Sister, give the phone to Mom. And don't let Aurora hear you say things like that. She might not take it so lightly."
"Eh? I thought sister-in-law said she was fine with you having a harem," his sister replied, clearly surprised.
Over the years, his predecessor had already introduced Aurora to the family as the woman he intended to marry. Although their paths in life were uncertain, his parents had accepted the relationship because it made their son happy.
Aurora had also grown close to his family. She often visited, sometimes bringing gifts, and had even won over his younger sister.
"Who's that?" a more mature voice asked faintly in the background.
"It's brother," his sister responded.
There was a brief pause, then his mother's voice came through, laced with concern.
"Son, it's been a while. How has school been?"
Although her voice carried warmth, Adam could detect a faint trace of exhaustion behind her words.
He sighed softly. Given the situation in this world and the fact that neither of his parents was awakened, years of stress had gradually worn them down.
He sighed once more, but this time, it was followed by a genuine smile as he remembered the purpose of the call.
"Mother, school just ended."
The line went silent. She seemed to be processing something.
After a long pause, she finally sighed and spoke with a gentle voice, "I understand, son. You don't have to feel too disappointed. Life isn't always a bed of roses. Things will get better with time. I'll send you five thousand dollars to take care of yourself while you look for a job over there."
Her words faltered slightly at the end. Adam listened in silence, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
His mother's voice gradually softened as she heard the light-hearted laughter of her son echoing through the speaker.
Just as she was beginning to wonder what was going on, he said something that stunned her into complete silence.
"Mother, I awakened. You and Father no longer have anything to worry about."
"Huh?" Her voice was filled with confusion, as if she could not fully grasp what he had just said.
Seconds passed before her breath caught and her tone shifted completely.
"You… you awakened? What?"
Anticipating her reaction, Adam had already pulled the phone away from his ear. Still, her scream was so loud that he feared the neighbors might hear it.
"Mother, what's wrong? Did brother get into an accident?" his sister's vibrant voice called out from the background, curiosity thick in her tone.
Amanda took a few seconds to calm herself before pointing at the phone with trembling hands.
"Your brother awakened! Your brother awakened!"
"I need to call your father. I have to tell him the good news…"
Ding!
Before Adam could say another word, the call ended abruptly. He stared at the screen in stunned silence, then let out a quiet laugh.
He understood their excitement.
"At least they don't have to suffer anymore…" he thought, feeling deeply grateful for everything his parents had done.
Even when money was tight and life was hard, they had always tried their best to support him and his sister.
When his mother mentioned sending five thousand dollars, it was no small thing. Her job only paid seven thousand a month. His father's income was slightly better, at ten thousand dollars.
Just as Adam began to feel a bit emotional, a knock echoed through his room.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
He turned toward the door. Rising from his seat, he walked over and twisted the doorknob.
"Hi, boyfriend…" A sweet voice greeted him.
Standing outside was a flawless beauty, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, and eyes that sparkled like polished alexandrite.
Her figure was elegant yet curvaceous, and her slim waist was accentuated by a tight-fitting, thigh-length miniskirt. On her chest, a cropped blue shirt clung tightly, revealing just enough to tease.
With her hands tucked behind her back, she gazed at Adam with bright curiosity and anticipation.
Adam did not disappoint. This was far from their first time being close.
He stepped forward, and their lips met in a passionate embrace. Their tongues intertwined like two dancers long separated.
Aurora leaped lightly, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling him closer, her arms holding him in a tight hug as their kiss deepened.
Fortunately, his predecessor had been in excellent shape. With strong arms and a steady grip, Adam carried her effortlessly as they kissed, heading toward the bed.
Caught up in the rush of ecstasy, he did not even realize the door was still wide open. The cool breeze drifting into the room did little to cool the rising tension between them.
Soon, gasps and moans filled the space, accompanied by the rhythmic sound of bodies meeting in harmony.