"Oh, Michael…you are home late," Myra said, as she prepared the dinner on the table.
"Told you, Mom, I'm going to be late due to the assessment exam and the tutoring session with Catherine," Michael said as he sat down on the couch and rested there for a bit.
"Oh…it was that huh?" Myra giggled. "Sorry…for being a forgetful mother. So how did the exam go? It's for the competition, right? Did you pass?"
"I did Mom," Michael answered and Myra immediately approached him, her face lighting up with pride. "That's wonderful, Michael! I'm so proud of you," she exclaimed."
"Thanks, Mom. It was tough, but I managed," Michael replied, a tired but satisfied smile on his face.
"Perfect timing, because I cooked your favorite. Chicken curry. Now, get over here and eat up," Myra said warmly, motioning towards the dinner table.
Michael's eyes lit up at the mention of his favorite dish. He rose from the couch, feeling the exhaustion of the day starting to ease. "Chicken curry sounds amazing right now," he said, making his way to the table where the aroma of the curry wafted through the air.
As they sat down to eat, Myra served the curry, her movements filled with the care of a mother who loved to provide for her son. "You need to eat well, especially with all the things you're juggling right now," she said, filling his plate.
Michael nodded in agreement, spooning a generous portion of the curry onto his rice. "I know, Mom. And I really appreciate this. It means a lot."
While eating, Michael asked a question. "So, Mom, are there any bills that are unpaid? I will pay for it."
"You don't have to worry about bills because I already took care of it, just focus on your studies," Myra said, brushing off his concern with a smile. However, Michael noticed a fleeting look of worry crossing her face before she masked it with a cheerful expression.
"Are you sure, Mom?" Michael prodded gently. "If there's anything, you know I can help out."
Myra hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "Really, Michael, it's fine. I've managed. You've got enough on your plate with school and your tutoring. I don't want you to be burdened with more."
Michael sensed there was something she wasn't telling him, but he decided not to probe further. He knew his mother didn't like to burden him with financial worries. "Okay, Mom, if you say so. But please, let me know if you need anything. I can handle it."
Myra nodded, offering him a grateful smile. "I will, dear. Thank you."
Thirty minutes later, Michael sat up. "I'm going to bed mom."
"Okay, I'll make you breakfast before I leave," Myra said as she watched her son walk toward his room.
Inside, Michael opened his system and navigated to the Virtual World Tab. The plan of gambling for fundraising is hereby rescinded. Catherine had this aura earlier that made him change his ways.
Now, it's time to prove that he is not all talk. He entered the Virtual World and then his room instantly changed into a laboratory filled with high-tech machinery. In that laboratory, is a computer. He doesn't have one in real life so he figured he should create his business plan in the virtual world.
He opened it and began drafting his business plan. According to Google, a business plan must consist of an executive summary, company description, market analysis, organization and management structure, details of the product or service, marketing and sales strategies, funding requests, and financial projections.
Just like prior to getting a technological system, it's like mathematics, he doesn't understand any of it. However, an idea popped into my mind. A Neuroenhancer drug that he received for completing the mission. He wondered what would be its effect if he consumed it.
With that, Michael opened his system and navigated to his inventory tab. He picked the neuroenhancer drug. In appearance, it's a transparent round capsule with a glowing blue liquid inside. The system provided a brief description:
[Increases cognitive abilities, enhances memory retention and accelerates learning capacity for a limited duration. 1 day.]
Michael was hesitant at first, aware of the potential risks of consuming unknown substances, even those provided by the system. But considering the immense task ahead of him and the limited time he had, he decided it was worth the risk.
With a deep breath, he consumed the Neuroenhancer drug. Almost immediately, he felt a tingling sensation in his brain, as if his neurons were firing at an accelerated pace. His mind became sharper and clearer, and ideas started flowing with an ease he had never experienced before.
Reinvigorated, Michael returned to the computer and began working on his business plan. Concepts and strategies that previously seemed complex and elusive now made perfect sense to him. He worked through the night, his mind operating at peak performance, synthesizing information, and formulating plans with remarkable clarity.
By the time he completed the executive summary and company description, he had a clear vision of his business's potential impact and its operational structure. In the market analysis section, he identified key trends in the renewable energy sector and positioned his solar panel technology as a game-changer.
For the organization and management structure, Michael outlined a lean but scalable team, listing key positions and their roles in driving the company forward. He detailed his product, emphasizing its unique features and benefits, and how it surpassed current offerings in efficiency and sustainability.
In the marketing and sales strategy section, he devised innovative approaches to penetrate the market, including digital marketing campaigns, strategic partnerships, and educational outreach to raise awareness about solar energy.
The funding request was carefully calculated, accounting for initial setup costs, production, marketing, and contingencies. Michael also included detailed financial projections, showing a realistic path to profitability and growth.
After that, he saved the file and printed it. Now it's time for the prototype. Catherine said she wanted to see a prototype, preferably a portable type. Good thing, the machines he needed to make one are just around him. So he began creating one with a size of an A4 sheet of paper.
Michael worked diligently, utilizing the high-tech machinery in the virtual laboratory. He carefully followed the blueprint specifications he had studied earlier. The Quantum Dot Synthesizer was used to create the optimal semiconductor particles for the panel's multi-junction layers. The Nano-Photonic Imprinting Machine precisely etched the waveguide patterns necessary for maximizing light absorption.
With the components fabricated, Michael assembled the solar panel, integrating the thermoelectric layers and applying the adaptive spectrum coating. He meticulously embedded the electron reclamation interface and connected the micro-inverter.
Fifteen minutes later, Michael completed the assembly of the portable solar panel. He tested it in various simulated environmental conditions in the Virtual World, confirming its efficiency and durability. The panel performed exceptionally well, maintaining a high energy output even under less-than-ideal conditions.
Satisfied with the result, Michael exited the Virtual World along with the prototype and the business plan. One thing he noticed in the Virtual World, is that there is a world that exists beyond their reality because if only his soul was transported to the Virtual World, he wouldn't be able to get it out of that world.
Michael brought up his cell phone and messaged Catherine.
"Are you available tomorrow? I have the business plan and the prototype in hand."
After that, Michael closed his smartphone and jumped onto his bed. He wouldn't expect a reply from Catherine, especially at this hour as she is already sleeping. He can't wait to present it to her.