It had been three days since Kai moved into Jeffrey's villa, and he wanted to laugh at the sheer duality of life. Ever since he was young, he had scrapped for the bare minimum, and now, seeing this side of the world—where everything was in abundance—made him deeply uncomfortable. The marble floors, gilded furniture, and sprawling gardens felt as alien as a different planet.
Yet, what truly irritated him wasn't the luxury but the reliance. Having to depend on someone else for even the smallest tasks gnawed at his independence. Until a week ago, he had done everything for himself. Now, confined to a wheelchair and awaiting surgery, his newfound immobility felt like an unrelenting punishment.
The house staff was exceptionally accommodating, though. Albert, the head butler, was particularly attentive, ensuring Kai's every need was met with quiet efficiency. Despite Albert's genuine care, the feeling of reliance coupled with the pressure of the system's mission left Kai restless.
"Why hasn't Jeff spoken to me about music since we arrived?" Kai wondered as Albert wheeled him toward the garden. The fresh air was a welcome escape from the stifling perfection of his bedroom. "Is he going to back out from teaching me?"
For the past two days, Kai had refrained from bringing up the subject of music. He understood that reopening old wounds was no easy feat, especially for someone like Jeffrey. But the ticking clock of the system's mission loomed over him like a storm cloud. He had only twelve days left to upgrade his singing skill to Level 3, and he hadn't even unlocked Level 1. He had tried everything—watching singing tutorials, practicing on his own, even mimicking famous performances—but nothing worked. Frustration bubbled under the surface, threatening to boil over.
As they approached the garden, Kai spotted Jeffrey sitting on a bench near the entrance. The older man, dressed in a casual linen shirt and slacks, seemed lost in thought, his hands resting on the polished wood of his cane. Kai motioned for Albert to wheel him closer.
"Good evening, kid," Jeffrey greeted, turning his head slightly as they approached. His gravelly voice carried a surprising warmth. "Come to get some fresh air?"
"Yeah," Kai replied. "I was feeling a little suffocated inside."
"Happens to the best of us," Jeffrey said, gesturing for Albert to leave them. "Come here."
Once they were alone, a comfortable silence settled between them. The gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the city filled the air. Kai took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak, but Jeffrey beat him to it.
"What is music, Kai?"
Kai blinked, caught off guard. "Music?" he parroted.
Jeffrey leaned back, his unseeing eyes fixed on a distant point. "What's music to you? You asked me to teach you how to sing. So, I want to know—what does music mean to you?"
The question felt like a test, and for a brief moment, Kai considered giving a polished, impressive-sounding answer. But he quickly dismissed the idea. This wasn't a random person he needed to impress. This was Zephyr, a living legend who could undoubtedly see through any pretense. Taking a deep breath, Kai decided to speak from the heart.
"Music to me... is freedom, I guess," he began slowly, choosing his words with care. "Not just music, but the entertainment industry as a whole. When you listen to a song or watch a movie, you don't think about your problems. You don't worry about what's wrong in your life, the debts you have, or the mistakes you've made. You just lose yourself in it. Music has the power to amplify our emotions and bring out our true selves like nothing else can. It's... beautiful."
As he spoke, memories of his past surfaced—times when music had been his refuge during life's darkest moments. He closed his eyes, letting the emotions wash over him. In his mind, he saw instances of himself not being able to sleep. His Nana singing could drive away all his nightmares. After her death, he saw himself, headphones on, drowning out the chaos of the world with the melody of his favorite songs. He didn't notice Jeffrey watching him with a faint, approving smile.
A soft DING echoed in Kai's mind, pulling him out of his reverie.
[New Skill - Singing: Level 1]
His eyes snapped open in disbelief. The singing skill was finally unlocked. How? He had tried so many things over the past few days with no success. But now, after a simple conversation with Jeffrey, it had appeared. Hurriedly, he opened his stats to confirm.
[User Stats]
Name - Kai Jones
Talent Grade - E (B)
System Level - 1 (0/1000)
Titles - None
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Strength - 4(9)
Agility - 0 (12)
Intelligence - 11
Stamina - 8
Charisma - 4 (12)
Luck - ??
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Skills -Singing - Level 1
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It was there, clear as day. But how? Before he could fully process the revelation, Jeffrey broke the silence.
"That's a good answer," the older man said, his tone measured. "If you'd said something shallow or disingenuous, I would've told you to give up on singing right then and there."
Jeffrey adjusted his posture, leaning slightly forward. "Kai, a good singer isn't just someone with a great voice. A good singer is someone who can convey their feelings, their motivations, their thoughts. Someone who can make their audience laugh with them, cry with them, and feel like they're part of something bigger. That's the key to being a true musician. Without that understanding, no amount of talent or practice will make you great."
The weight of Jeffrey's words settled heavily on Kai. It was only now that he realized the significance of his earlier epiphany. By opening his heart and letting go of his insecurities about being a musician, he had finally unlocked the first level of the singing skill.
Jeffrey stood, his cane tapping lightly against the stone path as he turned toward the villa. "I'll inform Albert to bring you to the music room tomorrow after breakfast. We'll start your training then. Be mentally prepared, kid. I don't know what your current level is, but I won't be pulling any punches. If you're bad, I'll break you down and rebuild you into something worth my time."
With that, he walked away, his gait steady despite his reliance on the cane. He didn't wait for help from the butlers or a wheelchair, moving with a quiet dignity that spoke volumes about his character.
Kai watched him go, a grin spreading across his face. For the first time in days, he felt a spark of hope. He was finally going to learn how to sing—not just from anyone, but from Zephyr himself. And with one skill level unlocked, he was one step closer to completing the system's daunting mission.