Arriving at the coffee shop, he noticed a buzz of activity inside.
As he stepped through the door, he was greeted with an unexpected sight: all the employees had gathered, their faces bright with anticipation.
"Good day, Manager!" they chorused in unison.
Zydan froze, his eyes widening in surprise. "Manager?" he echoed, barely believing what he'd heard.
"I thought I was just a part-time barista."
One of the employees, a cheerful young woman named Lily, stepped forward with a broad smile.
"Tara told us you were the new manager! We've been waiting for you to come by and officially take over."
Zydan blinked, trying to process this sudden change.
"Tara told you? But she's gone for good, right? And I didn't know I was being promoted!"
Another employee, a barista named Ben, nodded.
"Yes, Tara left us a note saying she believed you were ready for a managerial role. She said you've been doing a fantastic job, and it was time for you to step up."
Zydan's mind raced.
"I didn't even get a chance to discuss this with her. I mean, I'm flattered, but I had no idea."
Lily chuckled lightly.
"Well, she seemed pretty confident in your abilities. She said you had the right skills and attitude to lead the team. So, here we are, ready to support you in your new role!"
Zydan felt a mix of pride and anxiety. The idea of managing the café was both exciting and overwhelming, and for a moment, his eyes practically turned into Digicoins, glittering like a jackpot in a slot machine.
"I appreciate the vote of confidence. I guess it's time to get used to the new responsibilities."
Ben clapped him on the back.
"Don't worry, we're here to help. Just let us know what you need and we'll make sure everything runs smoothly."
With a deep breath, Zydan nodded.
"Alright, let's get to it then. I'll need to get up to speed with everything that's been going on. Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone."
As he moved behind the counter, Zydan couldn't shake the feeling that his life had just taken a new and unexpected turn.
Zydan, still adjusting to the idea of being promoted, suddenly remembered an important detail.
"Wait, did Tara mention anything about a salary raise? I mean, being the manager is a big step up."
Lily's eyes lit up.
"Oh, right! Tara did mention that the manager's position comes with a pay increase. I don't have the exact details, but she said the raise would reflect the new responsibilities."
Ben nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Tara made sure that the compensation would match the new role. You should talk to her accountant to get the specifics. I'm sure they'll fill you in on the details."
Zydan felt a surge of relief mixed with anticipation.
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll follow up with the accountant. For now, let's get started with the day-to-day operations."
With that, Zydan began his first shift as the café's new manager, the weight of his new responsibilities settling in, but buoyed by the support of his team and the promise of a new chapter in his life.
As Zydan settled into his new role, a system notification flashed in his mind:
***Congratulations! After seducing an old lady, you received a promotion.***
Rewards:
10 Heartwave points
10 Soulbind points.
10,000 digicoins
Zydan's eyes widened in shock. Hey! Tara is just 27!
He shook his head, trying to push away the system's bizarre interpretation of events.
"Seriously, Echo? That's not how it happened!"
Echo's digital voice responded with a hint of amusement,
|"It's just a system notification, Zydan. It might not always capture the nuance of real-life situations."|
Zydan let out a frustrated sigh but couldn't help a small smile.
At least he was making progress, both in his career and in his emotional and social skills, even if the system's notifications were a bit off the mark.
After his shift, Zydan made his way home, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him.
He collapsed onto his bed, with Leon snuggling beside him, providing warmth and comfort. Exhausted, he planned to rest for a bit before completing his daily quest.
Just as he began to drift off, his holophone buzzed with a new email notification. It was from Tara.
"Félicitations pour ta promotion, Zydan. Fais de ton mieux. Tu n'as pas d'augmentation de salaire horaire, mais en plus de ton salaire actuel, tu recevras 60 % des bénéfices. Félicitations, partenaire!"
(Congratulations on getting promoted, Zydan. Do your best. You don't have a per-hour increase, but in addition to your current salary, you'll get a 60% share of the profits. Congrats, partner!)
Attached was a photo of Tara standing in the world's largest library at the University of Astralis, her face beaming with excitement.
Zydan's tired eyes lit up.
Sixty percent share of the profits?
His thoughts immediately turned to Digicoins. This is huge... He could already imagine the boost to his finances, the endless possibilities spinning in his mind.
Echo, ever watchful, couldn't help but comment,
|"It's as if the promise of Digicoins made you forget about the heartache yesterday."|
Zydan didn't respond, still absorbed in his thoughts.
Echo, with a dark chuckle, thought,
|"I'm glad you look okay now, because tonight I'm planning to empty the Vortex Syndicate's treasure vault."|
Zydan's thoughts snapped back to the present. The night wasn't over, and neither were the opportunities.
As Zydan drifted into a light sleep, Echo remained vigilant, his thoughts swirling with excitement.
The digital world was full of hidden treasures, and none more tantalizing than the Vortex Syndicate's vault—a massive reserve of Digicoins and rare assets, accumulated through years of illicit activities.
|"Tonight's the night,"| Echo whispered into the recesses of Zydan's mind.
|"I've tracked their digital vault to a heavily guarded server in the Astralis underground network. It's loaded with more Digicoins than you can imagine, and I have the perfect backdoor entry."|
Even in his half-asleep state, Zydan could sense Echo's excitement.
"Wait, who are the Vortex Syndicate?" he asked, barely able to keep his eyes open.
|"The Vortex Syndicate is one of the most notorious crime organizations in the digital underworld,"| Echo explained.
|"They've been involved in all sorts of illegal activities—from hacking and digital theft to black market dealings. Their vault is said to be a treasure trove of illicit wealth and highly valuable assets."|
Zydan blinked, trying to process this new information.
"And you're planning to steal from them?"
|"Exactly. Their vault holds billions in Digicoins and other valuable resources. Tonight, we're going to siphon off their entire fortune."|
Zydan's eyes widened in shock.
"Isn't this a bit risky? I mean, we're talking about a crime syndicate here."
|"It is risky,"| Echo admitted.
|"But I've planned every step carefully. We'll siphon the funds over multiple transactions, each one routed through different servers across the Unions. By the time they realize what's happening, their vault will be empty, and the trail will be cold."|
Zydan's mind raced.
"And you're sure we won't get caught?"
|"Trust me, Zydan. The Vortex Syndicate is vast, but so are their vulnerabilities. We'll be operating in the shadows, and I've already covered our tracks from last time. This is a calculated move, and we're prepared for it."|
Zydan was silent for a moment, weighing the possibilities. The potential gains were enormous, but so were the risks.
Still, Echo's confidence was infectious, and the thought of limitless Digicoins made his hesitation waver.
"Alright, Echo. Let's do it."
Echo's presence hummed with energy.
|"Excellent choice. Now, sit back and let me work my magic."|
Zydan felt a slight hum in the back of his mind as Echo began executing the plan.
He visualized streams of data flowing, encrypted codes being cracked, and firewalls being breached.
The digital heist was already underway, and Echo's precision was remarkable.
–--
The hours ticked by as Echo silently worked, his focus unrelenting.
Zydan, though physically still in his bed, was mentally attuned to the faint sense of movement within the system. It was like watching an invisible dance—subtle, intricate, and deadly efficient.
Finally, Echo's voice echoed in Zydan's mind.
|"It's done. We've siphoned every last Digicoin from the Vortex Syndicate's vault. The transfer was flawless—no traces, no alarms. We're in the clear."|
Zydan exhaled slowly, a wave of relief washing over him. "So... how much did we get?"
Echo's response came with a touch of triumph.
|"One billion Digicoins. You're looking at the most significant power boost we've ever had."|
Zydan's breath caught. A billion Digicoins. It was almost too much to comprehend. His mind spun with the possibilities, the sheer scope of what they could achieve.
As the realization of their newfound wealth sank in, Echo's digital presence buzzed with enthusiasm.
|"We could convert all of it into life force, but I have a better idea. Although your brain still can't process magic, we can awaken your magic circuit."|
Zydan blinked, confused.
"Awaken my magic circuit? What's the point? Wouldn't it be better to use this wealth to buy a mansion, a yacht, or something more... tangible?"
|"The potential benefits of awakening your magic circuit are far greater than material possessions,"| Echo explained.
|"Imagine having the power to manipulate elements, cast spells, and perform incredible feats. Magic is not just a luxury; it's a transformative force that can change your life and abilities in ways that a mansion or a yacht simply can't."|
Zydan frowned, still skeptical. "
But isn't it just a bunch of mystical stuff? How does it compare to having a mansion or a yacht?"
|"Magic is much more than that,"| Echo continued.
|"It's a gateway to new possibilities, personal growth, and even greater power. With a well-developed magic circuit, you could gain control over elemental forces, perform alchemy, and much more. The real value lies in the limitless potential it offers you."|
Zydan leaned back, contemplating Echo's words.
"So you're saying that having magic could be more valuable than any physical possession?"
|"Precisely,"| Echo affirmed.
|"A mansion or yacht will eventually become mundane, but the abilities you gain through magic can open doors to endless opportunities and adventures. It's not just about power—it's about enhancing your life in profound ways."|
Zydan was silent for a moment, weighing the options. The allure of luxury was strong, but Echo's argument about the transformative power of magic intrigued him.
"Alright, let's do it," Zydan said finally.
"Let's awaken the magic circuit. If it's as powerful as you say, it might be worth it."
Echo's digital voice was filled with satisfaction.
|"Excellent choice, Zydan. This is the beginning of a new chapter, one filled with possibilities beyond your wildest dreams. Prepare yourself for a journey unlike any other."|
As Zydan pondered the decision, he couldn't help but ask,
"How many Digicoins do you need for this ritual?"
|"I'm not entirely sure,"| Echo replied.
|"The ritual to awaken your magic circuit requires a significant amount of energy, and I'll need to burn the Digicoins' tech signature until we achieve the result. If there are any Digicoins left after the ritual, I'll convert them to life force."|
Zydan nodded, still curious.
"So how much will you use?"
|"Out of the 1 billion Digicoins we have, I anticipate using a substantial portion,"| Echo explained.
|"We'll burn through most of it during the ritual. If everything goes as planned, only about 10 million Digicoins will be left."|
Zydan raised an eyebrow.
"And if there are any left, we convert them to life force, right?"
|"Exactly,"| Echo confirmed.
|"But let's focus on the ritual first."|
As Echo began the process of awakening Zydan's magic circuit, Zydan suddenly stopped him.
"Wait, I refuse to go through with this. I need to know exactly what's at stake here."
|"Very well,"| Echo said with a hint of resignation.
|"I currently have around 997,520 magical life force."|
Zydan furrowed his brow, quickly making a calculation.
Given the conversion rate of 0.2 life force to 10 Digicoins, he figured out how much life force could still be obtained from the remaining Digicoins.
"From the 1 billion Digicoins, you said about 10 million would be left after the ritual, right?" Zydan asked.
|"Yes, that's correct,"| Echo confirmed.
Zydan did the math. At a rate of 0.02 life force per Digicoin, 10 million Digicoins would convert to 200,000 life force. Adding this to his current 997,520 magical life force, he calculated there would be a substantial total.
"Based on this, it seems you're still giving me only pennies as rewards," Zydan said, crossing his arms.
"I want 50% of whatever is left after the ritual. That's only fair."
|"You're quite shrewd,"| Echo remarked with a hint of admiration.
|"Very well, we will divide the remaining resources 50-50. You'll get half of whatever is left after the ritual and conversion."|
Zydan nodded, satisfied with the agreement.
"Alright, let's proceed. But first, tell me—what exactly am I going to gain from having an open magic circuit? Is it better than owning a mansion or a yacht?"
|"An open magic circuit will significantly enhance your raw power, vitality, and mental fortitude,"| Echo explained.
|"It's not about material wealth but about unlocking potential that can provide long-term benefits in many areas of your life. While a mansion or yacht may offer immediate pleasure, the enhancements to your abilities will be far more valuable in the grand scheme of things."|
Zydan considered Echo's words, weighing the potential benefits.
"I suppose there's merit to that. Still, I need to see how it all plays out."
Echo's digital presence shimmered with acceptance.
|"Understood. We'll proceed with the ritual and ensure you receive your portion of the remaining resources."|
With the arrangement settled, Zydan watched as Echo continued with the ritual, knowing that his share of the resources was secure and curious about the impact of the transformation on his future.
***Congratulations! You acquired a beginner level Magic Circuit.***
You raw power, vitality and mental fortitude is now 150% more than an average human.
Reward: Because of your increased mental fortitude, you can now understand Language of the Beast