Aiden stepped into the hotel elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor. As soon as the doors closed, he turned to the mirror on the wall. His brown hair was slightly messy, and his blue eyes shone brightly under the soft lighting. He ran his fingers through his hair, casually adjusting it as a satisfied smile formed on his lips.
"It doesn't seem like the night was so long," he murmured, admiring his own appearance.
Putting vanity aside for a moment, he mentally accessed the system. A holographic screen appeared in his vision, displaying the details that he was already beginning to understand better.
『Owner: Aiden Baskerville』
『Charm: 79
Strength: 71
Intelligence: 110
Dexterity: 73』
『Bank Account: 131 MILLION Credits』
Intrigued, he raised an eyebrow and asked in his mind, "System, how exactly are these numbers determined? Explain that to me."
A clear answer echoed in his mind, the system's voice emotionless but incredibly didactic.
『Charm: A symbolic number that evaluates several factors of the host, including physical appearance, posture, natural charisma, confidence, and even the impact of recent actions that can influence other people's perception. However, charm is subjective and has no universal calculation. As such, it is more of a symbolic average than an absolute value.』
Aiden smiled, finding it curious how his appearance and behavior could be quantified in this way. He continued to listen intently as the system explained the other attributes.
『Strength: Measures the host's physical capabilities, including stamina, musculature, and abilities related to brute force. While above average, there is still much room for improvement, especially in scenarios that require extreme strength.』
『Intelligence: A measurement based on the host's ability to process information, solve problems, learn quickly, and plan strategically. It also includes accumulated knowledge and the ability to adapt to complex situations. Your current score indicates exceptional intellect.』
『Dexterity: Represents the host's agility, reflexes, and coordination. It also includes the ability to execute precise movements, such as manipulating objects or body movements in intense scenarios. Your current dexterity is at a high average, enough to excel in many practical situations.』
Aiden crossed his arms, leaning against the elevator wall, and asked in a teasing tone, "What about charm? It seems like you avoided being more specific."
The system hesitated for a moment before continuing:
『The so-called "charm" is a complex business that varies depending on the perception of each person observing you. To some people, the host may seem extremely charismatic, while to others, the impact may be reduced by subjective factors. Even if the host were hypothetically given a 10% increase in charm, we would not be able to calculate the exact impact. To some people, you would be 10% more charming, but to others, you would appear exactly the same. Therefore, charm is represented as a symbolic estimate, not an absolute number.』
Aiden let out a low, almost inaudible laugh. "So charm is more confusing than it seems... Fascinating."
The elevator reached the ground floor, and the doors opened with a soft ding. Before stepping out, Aiden took one last look at his reflection in the mirror, adjusting his jacket with a casual gesture. "Well, symbolic or not, it seems to be working," he mused to himself.
Stepping out of the elevator with confident strides, Aiden walked to the hotel reception. The clerk, a young woman with tied-up hair and a kind smile, looked at him with a twinkle in her eye.
"I'd like to pay for the room," he said, taking his card out of his wallet and passing it to her.
"Of course, sir. It was a pleasure having you with us," she replied as she processed the payment.
Before leaving, Aiden bowed slightly, his intense gaze locking on the clerk, who seemed unable to look away. "Have a hearty breakfast brought to the room by 7:30, beautiful."
The clerk blushed immediately, bowing in a small curtsy. "Yes, sir. It will be done."
With a satisfied smile, Aiden walked out the front entrance of the hotel. As soon as he reached the sidewalk, the sound of a powerful engine caught his attention. His Lamborghini pulled up in front, gleaming in the morning light.
"Right on time, mate," he said to the valet, pulling a few bills out of his wallet and handing them to the young man, who thanked him excitedly.
Aiden got into the car, adjusting himself in the soft leather seat. He started the engine, and the engine roared with controlled force. Driving down the road, he relaxed as the radio played softly.
He began to hum absently, his fingers drumming the steering wheel in time to the melody. But his moment of peace was interrupted by a sharp, insistent sound: the phone ringing.
"Who is it?" he murmured, frowning as he adjusted the volume of the music. He picked up the phone from the cradle and answered it without much enthusiasm. "Hello?"
On the other end of the line, a familiar female voice sounded soft and caring. "Honey, where are you?"
Smiling involuntarily, Aiden relaxed a little more in the seat. "I'm on my way home, Mom."
"Um… Are you coming to the party this weekend? Your brother's birthday is on Sunday," she asked.
"Sure, I'll be there," he assured. "I'm going to take care of some pending issues at work on Saturday, so I'll have Sunday off."
"Honey... Why don't you come home? You only live at work. The last time I saw you, you were so skinny," his mother said with a tone of concern that only she could express.
"Mom, we've talked about this, right?" He smiled, even though he knew she couldn't see him.
On the other end, the silence was filled with a heavy sigh. He could imagine her expression of frustration, something that made him feel a slight pang of guilt.
"I'm driving. I'll call you later," he said when he noticed the light change.
"Okay, honey. See you Sunday," she replied before hanging up.
Aiden put the phone back in the console, focusing on the road again. The city streets were quiet at that time, and he took advantage of the moment to think. Despite the hectic life he led, his mother's concern always managed to touch a part of him that he preferred to ignore.
He accelerated slightly, the soft roar of the engine filling the silence in his thoughts. "Family… Always so predictable," he muttered, but a small smile remained on his lips as he drove toward his home.
The Lamborghini glided up the long, paved driveway that led to Aiden's mansion. Surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens and lit by modern streetlights, the estate was the epitome of luxury. As he approached, the automatic gates silently opened, revealing the underground garage.
Aiden drove calmly up the driveway, and the lights gradually came on, illuminating the vast, impressive space. Inside, a collection of luxury cars was strategically arranged, each one gleaming like new.
To the right, a blue Bugatti Chiron gleamed under the lights. Beside it, a black and silver Rolls-Royce Phantom exuded elegance. Further ahead, a yellow Porsche 911 Turbo S stood out with its bold, sporty design. An Aston Martin DBS Superleggera completed the lineup. line, exuding sophistication with its metallic gray paintwork.
Aiden parked his Lamborghini in a reserved space in the center of the garage. He turned off the engine, grabbed his phone and wallet, and got out of the car with precise movements. Before walking away, he cast a quick glance at his other cars, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
"Nice collection," he muttered to himself as he walked towards the entrance of the house.
The mansion's main door was imposing, made of dark wood with gold details. As he approached, a soft mechanical sound indicated that the door was unlocking automatically. As soon as he took the first step inside, the soft voice of the house's artificial intelligence greeted him.
"Welcome back, Mister Aiden. The ambiance has been adjusted for your arrival. Would you like anything?"
"Just silence for now," he replied casually, as the lighting adjusted automatically, creating a cozy and sophisticated atmosphere in the entrance hall.
The interior of the mansion was a modern masterpiece. White marble floors gleamed under recessed lights, while spiral staircases with glass banisters led to the second floor. Abstract paintings and elegant sculptures decorated the walls and corners, giving the space an art gallery feel.
Aiden casually hung his suit jacket on a nearby rack and adjusted his shirt sleeve, making himself at home. He glanced around, noting how perfect every detail of the room was, from the soft scent of lavender to the soft instrumental music playing in the background.
"Coffee at 8:30 a.m., right, Mister Aiden?" the AI asked politely.
"That's right," he replied as he walked towards the living room. He sat down on a plush leather couch, grabbed a glass of whiskey from a built-in bar next to it, and took a sip.
Watching the city through the large picture window.