The computer room smelled faintly of dust and old plastic.
Large CRT monitors sat in rows.
The school only opened the room after classes, and only a few students stayed.
Lucas sat at the corner desk.
The system clock on the screen read:
4:47 PM
This was the year 2000.
No smartphones.
No online trading apps.
If you wanted information—
You used a computer.
And patience.
Lucas logged in and quietly opened the finance site he had bookmarked earlier.
The page loaded slowly.
Line by line.
Numbers appeared.
He scrolled.
Then stopped.
His eyes fixed on a single entry.
[Stock Position – Closed]
Initial investment: $5,000
Current value: $50,000
He stared.
Just for a moment.
Not because he didn't expect it.
But because this was the first time in both lives—
Money had come to him without destroying his body first.
His breathing stayed steady.
But his fingers tightened slightly on the mouse.
It worked.
Exactly on the date the system had predicted.
The system reacted softly.
No flashy sound.
No celebration.
Just a clean line of text.
[Life Deviation Detected]
You have significantly altered your original life trajectory.
Reward: +15 SP
Lucas closed the window carefully.
He didn't smile.
He didn't lean back.
He simply logged out.
Outside – School Gate
The sun was already low when he walked out.
Students passed him.
Some waved.
Some whispered.
Some pretended not to stare.
The system filtered them automatically.
[Curiosity – Neutral]
[Admiration – Neutral]
[Jealousy – Mild Ill Will]
Lucas ignored them.
Asha was standing near the gate, holding her bicycle.
She noticed him immediately.
"Oh… Lucas."
He stopped.
"Yes?"
She hesitated.
"…Do you also use the computer room after school?"
"Yes."
"…For study?"
He paused.
Then answered honestly.
"For something important."
She didn't ask further.
Instead, she nodded.
"…Good luck."
The system reacted quietly.
[Intent: Goodwill – Genuine]
The Real Weight of Money
On the walk home, Lucas's mind finally turned inward.
Fifty thousand dollars.
Not fantasy.
Not future.
Now.
In his previous life—
He would have needed years of factory shifts and part-time jobs to even imagine that number.
And even then—
His mother would have still gone to work sick.
His brother would still have worn hand-me-down shoes.
His steps slowed slightly.
Half goes to Mom.
He had already decided that.
Not because of guilt.
Because that was what he wanted.
The other half…
Would be his foundation.
System – Quiet Reminder
As he reached the corner near his house, a small window appeared.
[Upcoming Event Reminder]
Company share payout window approaching.
Estimated settlement: within several days.
Lucas closed the panel.
He looked up at the fading sky.
This wasn't luck.
It was timing.
It was preparation.
And it was the first proof—
That his second life could truly be built differently.