14th March 2023 - Windsor Square - 1:30PM
A breathtaking melody filled the quiet room, each note cascading like ripples over still water. The rich, resonant chords of the grand piano merged seamlessly with the soft rustle of turning sheet music.
Fingers danced across the ivory keys, weaving a delicate symphony. Across from him, Jeff listened, eyes closed, his foot tapping softly in time with the music.
Kai played the instrument with a serene smile on his face. He looked extremely content and almost seemed to be at peace with himself.
Seeing his mentee playing such a beautiful melody with ease made Jeff extremely proud.
It felt like just yesterday when Jeff had wandered into that convenience store for nothing more than ice cream for Zach. Instead, he found something far greater—an uncertain but determined young man, one who, in time, had become more than just a student. He had become family.
It seemed like yesterday and now it had almost been a year. Experiencing the growth of a shy kind boy to a confident kind man made Jeff love the feeling of being a mentor all the more
Soon the melody came to an end and silence descended into the room. But it wasn't long lasting as the old man spoke "Excellent. You've really come a long way from the nervous kid asking me to mentor you in singing." he chuckled as his companion gave him a dry look before smiling and chuckling himself.
At twenty years old, Kai Jones was nearly unrecognizable from the person he had been just months ago. The past year had reshaped him in ways both physical and mental, molding him into someone far stronger—someone who stood taller, both in stature and in spirit.
Gone was the thin-framed teen with tired eyes but an earnest, sunlit smile. In his place stood a man of athletic grace, his once-soft features sharpened by high cheekbones and a chiseled jawline. His obsidian-black hair framed his face with effortless charm, while his deep amethyst eyes, reflective and unreadable, held a quiet intensity that hadn't been there before. His swimmer's physique—a result of relentless training—was both lean and powerful, a testament to his unwavering discipline. Where once he had blended into the background, now he was the kind of man who turned heads without trying—women drawn to his quiet magnetism, men sizing him up with envious glares.
But his transformation went far deeper than appearances.
These past nine months had not only reshaped his body but his mind as well. Under the watchful guidance of Jeff, Steven, and the other mentors in his life, Kai had pushed himself beyond limits he once thought impossible. His growth extended beyond music and artistry—he had sharpened his intellect, honed his business acumen, and learned to navigate the world with newfound clarity.
The wide-eyed dreamer who had once believed the road to greatness was paved with sunshine and roses was gone. In his place was a man who understood the harsh realities of the industry—its beauty, yes, but also its corruption, its ruthless underbelly. With Jeff's guidance, Kai had opened his eyes to the games played behind the scenes, the power struggles, the hidden costs of fame.
And yet, despite everything, his determination had never wavered.
After a few hours of practice and lunch with the family aside from Steven (who was in the hospital), Kai retreated to his room to rest.
As he entered the room and relaxed, he idly summoned the system to check out his latest stats
[User Stats]
Name - Kai Jones
Talent Grade - A
System Level - 2 (850/1000)
Titles - Voice of Empathy, Limit break
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Strength - 19
Agility - 21
Intelligence - 20
Stamina - 23
Charisma - 20
Luck - ??
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Skills -
Observe
Singing - Level 5
Piano - Level 6
Guitar - Level 5
Swimming - Level 4
Yoga - Level 4
Korean Mastery - Level 4
Cooking - Level 4
Calisthenics - Level 3
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Inventory -
Random skill upgrade card
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Seeing his stats boost so much brought a smile to Kai's face. His stats had grown to a very respectable degree these past 2-3 months.
Almost all his stats had reached 20 and those that hadn't were very close to. All the hard work, sweat and dedication he showed to his craft were acknowledged by not only the system but also people in his life.
Not just his overall stats but also almost all of his skills went up by a level or two except for his singing. Kai realized that the higher you went, the harder it was to level up his skills which made a lot of sense.
If his stats or skills grew infinitely, it would genuinely be unfair and seeing the realistic growth while putting in the effort felt far more rewarding then just getting everything handed to him.
A sudden knock on the door pulled Kai from his thoughts. Frowning, he glanced toward the entrance—he hadn't been expecting anyone.
"Come in," he called out.
The door creaked open, and to his surprise, Jeff stepped inside.
Kai immediately rose to his feet, concern flickering in his eyes as he hurried over to help his mentor onto the couch. "What's up, Jeff?" he asked, sensing something off.
But Jeff didn't answer right away. Instead, he sat in uncharacteristic silence, his gaze distant.
A quiet tension settled between them.
Kai's curiosity deepened. Jeff was rarely one to hesitate with words. Was something wrong?
Finally, after a long pause, the older man spoke.
"Kai," Jeff said, his voice measured. "What's your plan now?"
"Plan?" Kai repeated, his brows furrowing in confusion.
Jeff leaned back slightly, his expression unreadable, but his tone carried its usual weight. "You've trained under me for months, and while I don't like to brag, you've come pretty damn far. In my eyes, you're not far from becoming a mainstream singer. And your mastery over the piano? I don't need to see to know how effortlessly your fingers dance across those keys. People take years to reach where you are, and you did it in just six or seven months."
Kai opened his mouth to protest, but Jeff cut him off with a knowing chuckle. "You told me you wanted to be in the entertainment industry. Well, I think you're ready to start your journey, kid."
"I am?" Kai asked hesitantly. He knew his singing was only at [Level 5], and while his piano skills were slightly better at [Level 6], he was keenly aware that there were people leagues ahead of him. Before he could voice his doubts, Jeff continued.
"Now, don't get me wrong. You're good—really good—but you're not great yet. If I had to place you in the industry right now…" He tapped his fingers against his knee, deep in thought. "I'd say you're about on par with an artist who debuted a year ago—someone talented, someone people are just starting to notice. I can hear it in your voice, in the way you carry a song. You've got the potential, but you're not mainstream yet. You're definitely close but not there yet."
"Hmmm. You're right of course" Kai agreed with the comparison. He knew that the average singing level was around 1 or rarely 2. Compared to them he was better and as there was a sizeable difference between level 2 and level 5. At this stage he might get a fans but his voice wasn't at the level to attract any major fanfare.
"That's why I have a proposal" Jeff's words brought Kai out of his thoughts.
"Proposal? What is it?" Kai inquired
"You already know that I'm not just a lazy old man right?" Jeff barked before laughing in his seat already knowing about the dead stare he received from his protégé.
"Get to the point, old man" Kai deadpanned.
"Kids these days, no respect" the old man muttered while shaking his head. "Anyway, as I was saying, I do have a business venture that can help you introduce yourself in the industry and gradually they can ease you into finding a solid footing"
"A business venture?" something suddenly clicked. "Wait, are you really the co founder of Clean World Records (CWR)???" kai had read articles a long time ago about Zephyr being one of the co-founder of Clean World Records but he dismissed them as mere rumors. But if that was true...
"Yepppp" The old man stretched the 'P' cheekily. "I founded it with a buddy of mine and while I don't look after the day to day, it's still my company." Jeff mentioned proudly. "So if you want, I can get you a deal with them and you can start working with some executives with the company and start learning how the business works from the inside"
"Wow" Kai couldn't believe it. A record deal with one of the big 3 of the musical world? And this early, without actually putting out any song in the world. That sounded like a dream come true. But as soon as he heard his thoughts, something else clicked in.
Is this really okay? The realization gnawed at Kai. He wasn't getting this deal because of his talent—it was because of Jeff. He thought back to his past struggles: the hours spent practicing alone, the countless times he was overlooked for opportunities because he lacked connections. Now, when something big was finally within reach, it wasn't because of his own merit. It felt… undeserved, like skipping steps in a climb he was supposed to make on his own.
"So what do you say?" Jeff asked with a smile on his face.