[Loading complete, skill acquired: {Photographic Memory Lvl. MAX}]
A lotto wheel appeared and started spinning, landing on three exclamation marks.
[This skill will raise your recollection ability. You will now be able to bring information about topics without much issue as well as be able to memorize content at a glance.]
As Kaz finished reading the message, he felt a calm and chilling sensation spread from the back of his head to the top then down to his eye sockets. Kaz could think more clearly than he thought possible, he was able to relive every detail within his life in the span of a few seconds, he felt as though he could think of a certain topic, then relevant information would appear, allowing him to search through if quite efficiently.
Since Kaz felt he could recall any of the information over the last month, he decided to look into the two other core subjects, science and history instead of practicing formulas. Within an afternoon, Kaz was able to go through the world encyclopedias which contained the history of the world, he learned of all recorded history from the earliest recordings of 3000 BCE Ancient Sumer, through the multiple conquests of different empires and even the World Wars and how every country involved was participating and their parts.
Kaz was almost dumbfounded how effortlessly he was able to flip through the pages and recall every detail. He was able to learn about some of the content he already knew with mathematics and literature as some of the discoveries were recorded. He then spent the rest of the day with science. Though he had a newfound and amazing memory, he still had to comprehend these topics on his own accord, even though he could recollect the words effortlessly, he couldn't say the same with understanding them.
He worked through biology and chemistry until a high school graduate level and physics a little further. He almost felt like he had more questions the more he learned. His circumstance couldn't be explained with what man knew, with such a world defying system, he was curious as to whether there was a higher power or not. Kaz put those thoughts aside for now, he had a goal, he needed a background.
*****
Kaz ran into a few issues getting his GED when he realized he didn't have an ID, but the system was able to help him and produce an ID in a similar manner to how it did so with a debit card. Of course Kaz passed with ease, he could recall more information than a graduate student could let alone a high school graduate could.
Dorothy Was seemingly more excited for Kaz than he was, this compassion was somewhat foreign to him, but it made him happy. Though Kaz was in his mid twenties, he never got to experience what children normally do. Dorothy wanted to push Kaz to go further, and he did. As time progressed, Kaz somewhat neglected the system, he had a major ability that was more than enough, and he ignored the constant notifications. He entered college in which he majored in economics with a focus in political science and a minor in education.
It didn't take long for him to graduate as well. With his ability to recall anything, he would rough course content within an afternoon, then he would test out of the classes for credits. He managed to graduate within a few months. Luckily for him, he didn't rack up debt and instead was given 2 free years of community college because of where he lived, allowing him to do so well academically that he was able to make the dean's list and apply for many grants and scholarships with ease. Now, even though he finished his degree in the span of a semester, since he went through 120 credits, they were treated as 8, and he was awarded grants for 8 semesters worth instead of 1.
Kaz opened his system, deciding to check his balance.
[Balance: $126,940.22]
A pop sound arose as Kaz walked to his private area that Dorothy was able to assign to him, and confetti fluttered down and brought him out of his system interface.
"You thought I wouldn't be able to know about your graduation huh? I know you kept it a secret but the school website lists graduates, and since you listed me as your guarantor when you first enrolled I got a notification of your graduation when you signed up last month!"
Kaz wryly smiled at Dorothy before responding, "I wanted to keep it a surprise, besides, it's not that big of a deal compared to what I plan to do."
Dorothy smiled, but her eyes held pity in them. "I know you are eager to transform your life, but don't push yourself too hard."
Kaz looked at this woman who had taken care of him and felt a bittersweet feeling, as much as he cared for her, he knew he couldn't rely on her forever and knew she would be against what he was about to do.
"Then you probably won't like what I am about to do." Kaz reached into his pocket causing the system to give him a notification.
[-$5,000 from balance]
Kaz pulled out a band of 50 $100 bills and extended his arm out to Dorothy. "This is for your kindness to me over the last few months." He looked at her with a bit of sadness in his eyes which then were filled with shock as a hand met the side of his face.
"Do you think I don't know what you plan to do? That I don't know you plan to pay me off like some debt then leave? That's not how this works, I didn't help you with intentions of getting something other than your success out of it, don't you dare give me any money!"
Dorothy was very upset and Kaz knew why, he planned to leave, just like how her son did before him. Dorothy didn't just see him like a son at this point, but more like her son. During their conversations Kaz often just listened as she kind of talked and advised like a mother, he didn't mind it actually, and he enjoyed the communication. One day she told him how her son wrote a note and left it for her saying he wanted to go and see the world, do big things and live a life worth living. But within a week, she was IDing a body, she never went into much detail on his death but it obviously affected her.
Kaz grimaced in preparation of what he was about to say, "Dorothy, I'm not your son, I do appreciate your help, but I do need to go, I have already found a place, and I am going to be working quite a bit outside of this library from now on. I have already prepared my proposal for a business loan and am moving forward with my goals. This isn't goodbye, obviously I'm going to come back, but my life has been delayed for the longest time now, I want to start it."
Kaz put the money on the table in the room, and went and grabbed some of his belongings, that he came back for, from behind the desk.
"And if you don't need this money, use it for the library. Even if I stayed, I wanted to help out in some way, let me do this."
Kaz left without turning back, but he could hear a slightly muffled cry from behind him after the door closed.
*****
Kaz left the library, every step heavy with mixed emotions—gratitude for Dorothy's kindness, determination for his future, and a hint of sadness from leaving behind a chapter of his life.
The city's cacophony enveloped him as he stepped outside—car horns, distant chatter, the hum of urban life. As he walked, he occasionally glanced at his system, still not entirely used to the flood of notifications and info. The distractions of the system, combined with his whirlwind of emotions, left him a tad unfocused.
He decided to take a moment, standing by the side of the road. He observed people rushing about, going on with their lives, and a profound realization hit him—this world was vast, and he was just one small part of it. The weight of his aspirations, combined with the uncertainty of what lay ahead, made him feel simultaneously insignificant yet brimming with potential.
His system buzzed again with a notification, but he ignored it, lost in thought. When he believed the coast was clear, he started to cross the road, his mind occupied with grand dreams.
A blaring horn echoed too close for comfort. Kaz's head snapped to the left, meeting the horrified eyes of a driver unable to stop in time. The world slowed, the notification in his system flashing urgently.
[Imminent danger detected]
But it was too late. Darkness claimed him, the weight of his dreams, aspirations, and the system's warnings culminating in two final words:
[Game Over]