The first rays of the New Year's sun streamed through the windows of Steven Blake's family restaurant. Downstairs, the ground floor was already bustling with activity. Pots of soup simmered on stoves, ovens filled with cakes hummed with purpose, and chefs worked rhythmically, chopping and sautéing under the clinking of pans and utensils. The air was rich with the aroma of spices and freshly baked bread, a familiar comfort in the thriving restaurant.
Upstairs, Steven lay sprawled across his bed, the exhaustion of the late-night celebrations still weighing on him. He stirred awake slowly, stretching his limbs and letting out a groggy yawn.
The cold splash of water from his morning shower jolted Steven fully awake. He dressed in his usual school attire, the fabric crisp against his skin. He felt refreshed but contemplative. The previous year had been transformative, and the months ahead promised even greater challenges and opportunities.
Looking at his watch, Steven decided to jog to school instead of taking the bus. The chilly morning breeze nipped at his face as he moved along the footpath, each step energizing him further. His mind, however, was far from the road ahead.
"The restaurant is stable," he thought. "It's thriving, and I probably won't need to make significant changes for a few years. But what's next for me? I've developed games and sold them for quick profits, but that feels short-sighted."
He recalled the research he had done on gaming markets. While selling his games for $200,000 to $300,000 had been lucrative, he realized their potential was far greater if he published them himself. The average price of a game ranged from $50 to $1,000, and popular titles often sold millions of copies within months of release.
"If I release my own games," he mused, "I could make millions. Maybe even tens of millions if one goes viral. But building a gaming company isn't as simple as creating games. I'd need a team for logistics, marketing, sales, and more. I don't have the resources for that."
The system's familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
[Being an entrepreneur is never easy, Host. It requires grit, vision, and the ability to rally others to your cause.]
Steven smirked. "Alright, System, what's your advice?"
[Scout for talented individuals who share your vision. Form alliances. Seek investments from influential people who believe in your potential.]
Steven's brow furrowed, deep in thought. The system's words were logical, but how would he find such people?
As Steven turned a corner, lost in his thoughts, he collided with someone running in the opposite direction. The impact sent the person stumbling backward.
"Ahh, sorry!" Steven said, quickly extending a hand to help them up. "Are you okay?"
The girl brushed herself off and looked up, her expression a mix of embarrassment and haste. She was wearing his school's uniform, her disheveled hair framing a flushed face.
"No problem. It was my fault," she said quickly, before darting away again.
Steven watched her retreating figure in confusion, then glanced at his watch. "No wonder she's rushing," he muttered. "I'm late too!"
School passed in its usual monotony. Steven went through the motions, paying enough attention to not stand out but mostly preoccupied with his own thoughts.
During the lunch break, he decided to retreat to the library. Sunny Heights High School's library was a treasure trove of knowledge, its shelves lined with books on every conceivable subject. The serene environment was a welcome escape from the classroom chatter.
Steven gravitated toward the business management section, picking up books that caught his eye. As he read about the successes and failures of tech giants, hospitality moguls, and fashion brands, the system chimed in his mind.
[Skill Unlocked: Business Management. Intermediate (15/100).]
"Good," Steven thought, flipping through the pages. "But there's more to learn."
He delved into books on negotiation tactics, the psychology of leadership, and financial planning.
[Skill Unlocked: Sales and Negotiation. Basic (9/10).]
[Skill Unlocked: Human Psychology. Basic (7/10).]
[Skill Unlocked: Jurisprudence. Basic (9/10).]
[Skill Unlocked: Personal Finance. Basic (8/10).]
Each new skill added pieces to the puzzle, but Steven still felt his ultimate solution eluded him. "I've learned so much," he muttered, "but how do I apply it effectively?"
One idea stuck out: a food delivery service that could aggregate local restaurants, including his own, and deliver meals to customers. The concept felt promising but would require significant resources and expertise to execute.
Later in the day, during physical education, Steven joined his classmates for a football match. The system-enhanced reflexes and coordination he'd honed in Virtual Reality shone on the field. His movements were sharp and calculated, his passes precise, and his goals effortless.
"Man, Steven's a beast!" one of his teammates shouted after Steven scored again.
On the sidelines, Veronica watched intently. She had noticed Steven's transformation over the past weeks—his intelligence, confidence, and now his athleticism. To her, Steven was becoming an enigma, someone impossible to define but deeply intriguing.
After school, Steven jogged back home. The cool evening air cleared his mind as he reviewed the day's discoveries.
Once home, he settled into his room and opened his laptop. While casually browsing, he decided to check the restaurant's email inbox. Over the months, they had received numerous inquiries—from job applications to collaboration offers.
One email stood out. It was from Arthur Grant, a young entrepreneur seeking investment. Arthur's profile showed that he had graduated from a prestigious business school with top honors but had suffered a major setback. A failed joint venture with a deceitful partner had left him penniless and struggling to rebuild his reputation.
Steven read the proposal carefully. Arthur's idea was to establish a food delivery service that could aggregate restaurants and streamline meal delivery.
"This is exactly what I was thinking," Steven muttered, his excitement growing.
Steven arranged a meeting with Arthur at a small café. Arthur arrived early, his appearance professional yet tinged with exhaustion.
"I've been through a lot," Arthur admitted, sipping his coffee. "But I believe in this idea. A food delivery service could revolutionize local businesses, especially in areas underserved by big players."
Steven listened intently. Arthur's passion and expertise were evident, and his proposal was well-thought-out.
"I'm in," Steven said, sealing the deal with a handshake. "But let's think bigger. What if we expand into quick commerce after the delivery service takes off?"
Arthur's eyes lit up. "That would be incredible. But we'll need a strong start."
Steven invested $1 million, taking charge of the digital infrastructure while Arthur handled logistics and marketing.
Within a week, Eat Express was operational in Baltimore and Ellicott City. Steven's system-enhanced skills allowed him to design a sleek, user-friendly app and website with features like real-time tracking, intuitive navigation, and enticing promotions.
[Skill Unlocked: Web Development. Basic(8/10).]
[Skill Upgraded: Web Development. Intermediate (36/100).]
[Skill Unlocked: App Development. Basic (6/10).]
[Skill Upgraded: App Development. Intermediate (38/100).]
The response was overwhelming. Local businesses in Baltimore quickly signed up, recognizing the potential to reach more customers. In Ellicott City, Steven's family restaurant became the service's flagship partner, with sales quadrupling in just weeks.
Eat Express quickly captured headlines, praised for its efficiency and impact on local economies. Within a month, the service expanded across Maryland and began branching into neighboring states.
Profits soared, averaging tens of millions of dollars monthly.
One evening, as Steven reviewed performance metrics, the system chimed:
[Quest Complete: Establish a Successful Business. Rewards: +5 Intelligence, +3 Charisma, +2 Creativity.]
Steven leaned back in his chair, satisfaction evident on his face. The year had begun with incredible promise, and he knew it was only the start.
"This is just the beginning," he thought. "Let's see how far I can go."