Just as he was about to exit the parking lot, Lucien suddenly felt an arm wrap around his neck, startling him. He turned, scolding playfully, "Can't you make a noise or say something? Why do you have to scare me like that?"
Afterward, he quickly composed himself, adopting a serious expression. It wasn't the first time Miguel had pulled this move, and while it annoyed him, Lucien had learned to expect it. Miguel seemed to revel in the surprise, laughing off Lucien's protests as if they were just part of their routine.
"Relax, man! Just thought I'd greet you in style," Miguel grinned, clearly enjoying himself. Lucien rolled his eyes but couldn't help the slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"You know he'll keep doing it anyway, so don't take it to heart," Bella said with a teasing smile.
Lucien chuckled. "Hey, Bella! How's it going?"
"Pretty good! Just trying to survive Miguel's pestering," she shot back, glancing at her brother, who was trying to make a silly face.
"Survive? I thought you enjoyed my charm!" Miguel exclaimed, feigning shock.
"Charm? More like a constant headache," Bella laughed, shaking her head.
Lucien smirked. "You're lucky she puts up with you, Miguel."
"Of course! I'm irresistible," he declared, puffing out his chest.
"More like a walking disaster," Bella retorted, rolling her eyes.
Miguel and Isabella were university friends of Lucien's; they were twins, and they all took some courses together, which helped them get acquainted and become friends. At first, Lucien was only friends with Miguel, but as they often hung out together, Lucien and Bella quickly realized that they shared similar hobbies, and so they became friends too.
They frequently tried to get him to join them for various gatherings, but with his many part-time jobs, Lucien rarely could. He only managed to study or go out to eat with them occasionally. Still, that didn't mean they weren't close.
"How come you didn't come by bus like usual? Have you finally gotten a car?" Miguel asked, smirking. "I always told you to get one, but you never listened to me."
"I don't think so. How could Lucien suddenly afford a car? He has a bunch of part-time jobs but barely makes enough to get by," Bella replied, raising an eyebrow. She was genuinely puzzled about why Lucien was in the parking lot, as she couldn't imagine him owning even the cheapest scooter.
Lucien felt a bit hurt by her comment, but he couldn't deny the truth in it. Just a month ago, he wouldn't have been able to buy anything on his own. Normally, he wouldn't even take the bus; he'd gotten a ticket from the school to cover his route to university. If it weren't for that, he would have had to walk, as he could hardly afford the fare.
This reminded him of just how much had changed over the past month and how much he had grown. He felt a sense of anticipation for all the new experiences and changes that awaited him in the future.
As they walked toward the university entrance, Miguel nudged Lucien with a playful grin. "So, how come you didn't take the bus today? You finally got tired of it?"
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I'm also still confused, why are you in the parking lot?"
Lucien chuckled, eager to change the topic. "A lot has happened recently, but I'll tell you about it another time. Right now, I just want to focus on classes."
Miguel feigned disappointment. "Aw, come on! You can't drop a hint like that and leave us in suspense!"
Bella chimed in, teasingly, "Especially if you're hiding some wild secret! Just promise us you're not becoming some kind of rich recluse."
"Rich? Not quite," Lucien replied with a grin. "But I'll catch you up over lunch. Deal?"
"Deal," Miguel said, looking satisfied. Bella nodded, already plotting their lunch conversation.
As they entered the spacious lecture hall, Lucien scanned the room, noting the buzz of chatter as students settled in. He and the twins found a spot in the middle, the perfect vantage point for the lecture.
He was really close with them and had talked with them several times throughout the semester vacation. They always tried to invite him to different activities, but Lucien had to decline because of his business, while before he would decline due to his part-time jobs.
They all took out their notes, ready to dive into their studies. Despite their playful and mischievous nature, both Miguel and Bella consistently excelled academically, with Bella often outperforming Miguel. As soon as the topic shifted to business, it was as if they flipped a switch, transforming into focused and serious students. He admired this adaptability; it demonstrated their commitment to their studies and their ability to change their demeanor based on the situation. This quality made their discussions not only engaging but also productive, as they seamlessly balanced fun and seriousness when the moment called for it.
And if you were wondering, yes, they came from a wealthy family. They had offered to lend him money several times, insisting it was no trouble. When things got really critical, he had borrowed from them once, but he paid them back quickly. After that, he never asked again and instead worked even harder. He didn't want to rely on anyone but himself, and he was determined not to owe anyone anything.
The professor walked in, and all the chatter in the room came to a halt as everyone focused on him. He quickly began his presentation, covering various topics with clear explanations.
The lecture was long, but Lucien found it interesting, knowing it would benefit his future businesses. Now that he had his own venture, he felt he understood the material better and could apply the professor's explanations more effectively. He grasped the concepts on a whole new level.
Once the lecture was over, he went with Bella and Miguel to a café on campus. It was still early, and since there was a follow-up lecture with the professor later, they decided to grab some breakfast at the café.
Lucien sipped his coffee and ate a sandwich while listening to Bella and Miguel chat. They had just ordered something to drink since they had already eaten. Lucien would have done the same, but he had forgotten to buy groceries, leaving him with nothing to eat that morning.
They engaged in a lively discussion about the lecture, sharing their insights and debating the best ways to apply what they had learned. Lucien occasionally chimed in with his thoughts, but he found himself reflecting deeply on the concepts presented. The professor was a well-known entrepreneur, invited as a guest lecturer to share his expertise, which explained the high attendance; the lecture hall was filled to the brim.
He admired the professor's real-world examples and could see how they would be invaluable in his own business endeavors.
That was one of the reasons why, after finishing their meal, they quickly headed back to the lecture hall, even though the next lecture wouldn't start for a little while. They wanted to secure good seats, knowing how quickly the room filled up for popular classes like this one.
Luckily, they arrived at a good time and managed to secure relatively good seats. Once they settled in, the professor arrived, but the lecture hadn't yet started; he was simply there early to prepare. He took his time setting up, allowing the students to settle in comfortably.
Since there was still some time before the official start, he engaged the class by asking if anyone had questions. He assured them he would do his best to answer, creating an inviting atmosphere that encouraged participation. Lucien appreciated this approach; it not only made the professor seem approachable but also set the tone for an interactive lecture. As students raised their hands, Lucien found himself also raising his hand. He had some things that he was curious about, and this was the best opportunity to resolve them.
The professor pointed at Lucien to ask his question.
"Professor," Lucien began, "how do you balance innovation with risk management in your ventures, and what strategies have you found most effective in fostering a culture of innovation?"
The professor paused, slightly surprised by the depth of the question. A smile broke across his face as he responded, "That's an excellent question, student. Balancing innovation with risk is one of the toughest challenges entrepreneurs face. I believe it starts with creating a safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas, even if those ideas might not work out.
"In my experience, it's essential to conduct thorough market research before implementing new innovations, which helps in assessing potential risks. Additionally, I advocate for a method called 'controlled experimentation.' This allows us to test new ideas on a smaller scale before committing significant resources.
"Your question shows you have a strong understanding of the complexities involved in business, and it's encouraging to see students like you thinking critically about these issues."
Lucien felt a rush of satisfaction, knowing his question had resonated with the professor. As the professor elaborated, Lucien leaned forward, eager to absorb every detail.
The professor continued, "Innovation is not just about having new ideas; it's also about execution. Successful entrepreneurs learn to iterate quickly based on feedback, adapting their approach to meet market demands. It's a dance between creativity and caution."
Several students nodded, clearly engaged. Lucien thought about his own business and how he could apply these insights. He raised his hand again, wanting to delve deeper. The professor who saw this motioned for him to speak.
"What advice would you give to someone just starting out to ensure they cultivate that culture of innovation within their team?" Lucien asked.
The professor's eyes lit up at the question. "That's a critical point. To foster a culture of innovation, it's vital to encourage open communication. Make it clear that every team member's input is valued. Also, celebrate both successes and failures. When a project doesn't go as planned, analyze what went wrong together, and learn from it. This not only builds trust but also encourages continuous improvement."
Lucien felt inspired, jotting down notes while contemplating how to implement these strategies in his own venture. The conversation around him flowed, with other students joining in, but he couldn't shake the sense of clarity and motivation the professor's words had instilled in him.
As the professor wrapped up his thoughts, Bella leaned over to Lucien, her eyes wide with excitement. "Wow, it seemed like you really impressed him with that question! I didn't expect such a deep dive this early."
Miguel chimed in, a grin on his face. "Yeah, seriously! You're like the star of the class now. I could see the wheels turning in the professor's head."
Lucien smiled, feeling a mix of pride and encouragement from his friends. "Thanks! I just wanted to get a better understanding. I think it's really inspiring to hear from someone with real-world experience."
But Lucien was also happy for another reason. While asking the questions, he had seen the system pop up for the first time in a while—he had actually completed a hidden mission. The mission had triggered as soon as he raised his hand, and once he finished asking both of his questions, it was marked as completed.
Hidden Mission: Stand Out Among Peers
Trigger: Ask an insightful question during the guest lecture with a famous entrepreneur.
Grade: Gold
Objective: Impress the professor and demonstrate a deep understanding of business concepts.
Rewards:
Experience Points: +250
New Skill Unlocked: Engaging Communicator
Networking Opportunity: Access to a private Q&A session with the professor after the lecture.
Time Limit: By the end of this lecture
Mission Discovered: Stand Out Among Peers!
Accept Mission? [Yes] [No]
He had naturally accepted the mission before asking the questions to the professor, and now that it was completed, it seemed clear that he had succeeded in impressing the professor.
He collected the rewards, and with this, he had finally reached level 3. He was tempted to explore the system further, but just as he considered it, the professor began his lecture. Lucien, not wanting to miss any valuable insights, decided to postpone checking his stats and returned his focus to the lecture for now.
The second lecture was just as interesting to him. Although it took some time to push the thought of all the rewards out of his mind, once he refocused, he became captivated by the professor's many examples. The professor spoke of situations Lucien had never considered, yet emphasized their importance in the business world. Lucien diligently jotted everything down in his notes.
After the lecture ended, the professor asked Lucien to come forward. Lucien had an idea of what this meant, so he wasn't particularly nervous. However, the remaining students who witnessed the exchange were surprised, their curiosity piqued. Whispers spread among them as they wondered why Lucien had been singled out by the esteemed guest professor.
The professor asked Lucien if he had some time after the lecture, to which Lucien replied with a simple "yes." The professor seemed pleased and, with a smile, told Lucien to meet him later. He mentioned that he was impressed by Lucien's insight, especially given his young age, and was curious to learn more about him.
Lucien was a little surprised by the professor's compliments and straightforwardness, but he quickly composed himself, maintaining his usual calm demeanor.
He returned to his seat where Bella and Miguel were waiting, curiosity written all over their faces. Ignoring their expressions, Lucien casually packed his things into his bag and said, "Let's go eat lunch. Where will we go?" before heading out of the lecture hall, leaving them to follow behind.
Miguel, never one to hesitate, quickly took the initiative. "There's a new place that just opened up near campus. I've been wanting to try it out," he said, catching up to Lucien and giving Bella a quick glance to see if she agreed. Bella nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes as she followed along.
"Perfect," Lucien responded, adjusting the strap of his bag. "Lead the way then."
With that, the three of them made their way out of the building, the conversation shifting back to more casual topics as they headed toward their lunch spot.
They soon arrived, as the restaurant wasn't too far from the lecture hall. It had a modern aesthetic but still retained a cozy, homely feeling. Miguel approached the hostess and asked if they had any more private seating available. She led them to a VIP area that offered some more privacy, than the normal tables.
As they settled in, Lucien glanced at the menu, his appetite piqued by the photos of the various soups, noodles, and rice dishes that looked absolutely delicious. The vibrant colors and mouthwatering presentations made it hard to choose just one dish. "Everything looks amazing!" he exclaimed, already feeling excited about the meal.
"Seems like you're as much of a foodie as ever," Bella said with a smile, clearly amused by Lucien's expression.
Lucien chuckled, a bit sheepishly. "What can I say? Good food just makes everything better!" He continued flipping through the menu, eagerly pointing out a few dishes he wanted to try, while Miguel chimed in with his own recommendations. The atmosphere was light and cheerful.