The old instructor's heart felt lighter as he heard Alex's voice. The fear that something terrible had happened to Alex and that he might be trapped under the collapsed building dissipated.
Alex looked at the wreckage and commented, "I'm lucky. If I hadn't gone out, I could have been buried under that building."
"Don't worry, Instructor. I'm perfectly fine. Maybe it's a sign that it's time for us to move on," Alex reassured him, contemplating the turn of events. They had no money and no place to go, but they couldn't linger here any longer.
The instructor nodded, his relief evident on his face. "Perhaps you're right. Let's go. There's nothing more we can do here."
Alex followed the old man, their path uncertain. Both were without money and had no immediate family to turn to. As they walked, a thought crossed Alex's mind. He had wished to be the richest person, but he had yet to discover where his wealth would come from.
"Alex, let's go to the ATM. I need to withdraw some cash. We can grab a bite to eat and then find a place to spend the night," the old instructor suggested, leading the way towards a nearby ATM, a couple of corners away.
At the ATM, the instructor withdrew fifty euros. As he stepped away from the machine, a dark shadow passed over his face. Alex understood that the instructor had withdrawn his last remaining money and now had nothing left. Yet, the gloom soon faded, replaced by a smile as the instructor said, "Let's go eat. I couldn't cook your favorite dish today, but we can order it from a restaurant."
Alex watched the old man before him, feeling a pang of guilt. This man had cared for him and raised him like a father, even though they weren't related by blood. He was the best father figure one could hope for.
"Okay, but I also want to check my account balance. My smartphone was destroyed along with the building, so the ATM is my only option," Alex replied, intending to assess his financial situation.
"Sure, go ahead," the old man said, finding a nearby bench to rest while Alex used the ATM.
As Alex inserted his bank card and checked his balance, he was stunned by the sight of a long string of zeros that he never thought possible. The enormity of the amount made him want to collapse, but his strength, both physical and mental, prevented him from reacting like an average person.
"So, my second wish was granted. I'm now the richest person in all dimensions. However, I doubt the money from Earth can be used elsewhere," Alex pondered, considering the implications.
But as he contemplated his newfound wealth, Alex "saw" a peculiar hole within his own body. Curiosity piqued, he wondered why he had a cavity in his chest and speculated whether it was something that cultivators possessed.
Alex's curiosity got the better of him, and he used his mind to explore the contents of the hole. What he discovered left him momentarily senseless, overwhelmed by what he saw.
In that instant, the reality of his newfound wealth hit him, and he reacted like any ordinary person would. His knees weakened, and he wanted to touch the ground to confirm whether he was truly in the real world or caught in a dream.
"Is all of this mine?" Alex asked himself in awe.
To comprehend his reaction, one must imagine stumbling upon the legendary city of El Dorado in South America, said to be made entirely of gold. Alex's black hole contained treasures far surpassing El Dorado, multiplied by a hundred or even a thousand times. Within it, there were various herbs, flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Unusual metals, some unfamiliar to Alex, were present in smaller quantities. Books and weapons, too, resided within the black hole. It held everything one could consider a fortune, including books, which were treasures in their own right.
Observing Alex's bewildered state, the old man became concerned and approached him. Just as he was about to ask what had happened, Alex embraced him tightly and exclaimed, "We're rich! We're rich!"
Startled by the sudden embrace and Alex's statement, the old man inquired, "What do you mean? Why would we suddenly become wealthy?"
Alex, his mind working at lightning speed, quickly came up with an excuse to explain the situation. He knew he couldn't reveal the true nature of his wishes being fulfilled. "A few months ago, I invested a small percentage of shares in a new company using the money I earned from the BBQ. I did it out of pity for the founder, but it turns out the company has been incredibly successful, and I received my share of the profits."
The old man regarded Alex suspiciously, finding it difficult to believe such a sudden turn of events. He couldn't determine if Alex was attempting to comfort him or if he was telling the truth.
"Instructor, I swear it's true! And you know what we should do first? Let's spend some time in the finest part of the city, and tomorrow we can start looking for a new place to call home!" Alex exclaimed, his excitement evident.
With suspicion still lingering in his eyes, the old instructor finally relented, allowing himself to be swayed by Alex's enthusiasm. "Alright, let's indulge ourselves for a while then. We'll find a way forward together."
And so, with newfound wealth and a world of possibilities before them, Alex and the old instructor embarked on a journey filled with excitement, uncertainty, and the promise of a brighter future.