The days following my binding to the system were a blur of lessons and practice. Each day, I felt the weight of my new reality pressing down on me. The system had shown me how to walk, how to speak, how to breathe like someone of wealth. It was all foreign to me, but somehow, it started to feel... less impossible.
The system had pulled me into its space every night, drilling the finer points of etiquette into me, refining my movements, teaching me the subtle gestures and poise required of the elite.
Now, standing in front of the mirror again, I couldn't help but notice the changes already. I stood straighter, more confidently. My clothes, though still plain, somehow fit me better. I had started to see myself less as the broke college student I was and more like the person the system wanted me to become.
But despite the progress, there was still so much to learn. The system had been relentless, but I knew this was only the beginning. And that's when the voice returned.
["Cedric,"] the system's voice rang out, crisp and clear. ["The time for your first task is approaching. But before we begin, you must spend the next 72 hours perfecting your new skills. These are not mere lessons, Cedric; this is an immersion into a world you have not yet fully understood."]
I froze for a moment. "72 hours? That's... a lot of time. What exactly am I supposed to be doing for all that time?"
["For the next 72 hours, you will dedicate yourself entirely to mastering the etiquette of the wealthy. You will practice, observe, and internalize everything you've learned. You must not falter or rush through this process. Each hour will count."]
I took a slow breath, trying to calm the anxiety swirling in my chest. This wasn't going to be easy.
["At the end of the 72 hours,"] the system continued, ["you will undergo an assessment. If you pass, you will receive a reward: a draw, which will aid you in your journey toward wealth. If you fail, however, the debt you owe will double."]
Double. That word echoed in my mind. I couldn't afford to fail—not with the consequences so high.
"Alright," I said, swallowing hard. "What do I need to do?"
["Begin now,"] the voice commanded. ["Every second counts. You have 72 hours, and each one must be spent honing your ability to act as a man of wealth. The task will start immediately."]
The room around me shifted, and I was no longer standing in my dormitory. The walls vanished, replaced by an opulent space that felt like something out of a dream. The rich colors, the high ceilings, the gleaming surfaces—it was all too much, too perfect.
["You are in a virtual environment designed to simulate the life of the wealthy. Use this time wisely."]
I took a step forward, feeling like a stranger in this grand world. As the days passed, I would be submerged in lessons—learning how to walk with grace, how to sit with elegance, how to speak with refinement. Every moment would be a test, every choice a decision. There would be no room for mistakes.
But first, the system had to show me the ropes. It would pull me into its space every night, teaching me the intricacies of wealth and society.
Hours passed, and my body felt like it was made of stone. The relentless schedule the system had imposed on me left me with no room to breathe, no room for rest. I was drowning in a sea of lessons: the subtle art of posture, the perfect way to sip from a glass, the way to smile just enough but not too much. Every hour seemed to stretch endlessly.
Now, lying flat on my dormitory bed, I felt like I hadn't slept in days. My eyes were red, the bags beneath them making me look like a panda, though I couldn't quite find it in me to care. I had been following the system's guidance with a level of intensity I didn't know I was capable of. But the more I practiced, the more I realized how much more there was to learn.
I glanced around the room—my dorm was quiet, just the soft hum of the refrigerator in the corner. My three dorm mates were out, enjoying their weekends with their girlfriends. I'd been left alone, but in truth, I didn't mind. At least I didn't have to explain why I looked like death warmed over.
I had no energy to even reach for my phone or do anything else. I just... lay there, wondering how in the world I was going to survive this 72-hour immersion and still make it through the assessment.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a familiar voice called out.
"Cedric?"
I turned my head sluggishly to find James Turner, one of my dorm mates, standing in the doorway. James was tall, athletic, and always seemed to have a smile on his face, even if life was throwing curveballs his way. Today, though, there was no smile. His brow furrowed as he looked at me, his expression turning to concern as he took in my lifeless appearance.
"Mate, you look like hell. What happened to you?" James asked, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.
I didn't have the energy to sit up or even fake a smile. "I'm fine," I mumbled, my voice sounding more defeated than I meant. "Just... tired."
James raised an eyebrow. "Tired? Cedric, you look like you haven't slept in a week."
I managed a weak chuckle, though it didn't do much to hide the exhaustion. "Something like that."
He walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge with a concerned look. "What's going on? You've been cooped up here all day, and now you look like you're about to pass out. Did you get into a fight with the books or something?" he joked, trying to lighten the mood, but I could see the worry still etched on his face.
I sighed, rubbing my eyes. "It's... complicated, James. Just a lot of stuff going on right now."
James gave me a scrutinizing look, but he didn't push it. He leaned back slightly, glancing around the room. "I figured you'd be out with the guys. You know, maybe even hanging with your girlfriend... but you're here, looking like someone's sucked all the life out of you."
I managed to shake my head, though it felt like my neck would snap off from the effort. "They're all out, having fun. I'm just... dealing with some personal things."
"Personal things?" James repeated, his tone softening. "What's going on, Cedric? You're my best mate. You can talk to me about it."
I didn't know if I could explain it to him. How could I tell James about this strange system, this mysterious task that was slowly consuming my every waking moment? How could I even explain that I was trying to learn how to pretend to be rich in less than 72 hours?
I opened my mouth, but the words got stuck. "I... I don't know how to explain it."
James's face softened even more. He didn't press me further, though I could tell he wasn't about to leave me like this.
"Alright," he said quietly. "But whatever it is, just know you don't have to deal with it alone. We're friends, Cedric. And I'm here for you, man."
I managed a faint smile, grateful for the words, even if they didn't help much with the weight on my shoulders. "Thanks, James."
He patted me on the back, getting up to grab a chair and sit beside me. "You're going to get through this, whatever it is. I know you. Just don't push yourself too hard, yeah? You can't help anyone if you burn yourself out."
I nodded, even though I had no idea if I could actually pull this off. 72 hours. A task I had no idea how to complete.
As James settled into the chair beside me, he glanced over at the desk where my books and notes were scattered, a pile of instruction I'd been frantically trying to memorize.
"So," he said, breaking the silence after a while. "What's all this stuff? You've been buried in it all day. You look like you're studying for a major exam or something."
I hesitated, not sure how to answer that either. "It's... a project," I muttered. "A big one."
He gave me a confused look, but he didn't question it further. For now, it seemed like he was just glad I wasn't totally spiraling.
James stayed with me for a while longer, chatting casually, as I tried to regain my strength, though my mind was still consumed by what I had to do.
After a while, James stood up from the chair, stretching his arms and cracking his neck with a loud pop. "Alright, Cedric," he said, offering me a grin. "Enough of this mopey business. How about we grab something to eat? My treat. I know you're probably starving, and you're gonna need more than just rest to get back on your feet."
I blinked, surprised by the offer. I hadn't even thought about food all day, too caught up in the lessons the system had been hammering into my mind. To be honest, I hadn't felt hunger in what seemed like forever. The thought of leaving the dorm and actually eating something sounded... almost foreign.
"Come on," James urged, giving me a small nudge. "You're not doing yourself any good by just laying here. A little break won't kill you."
I opened my mouth to protest, but James cut me off before I could say anything. "I'm not taking no for an answer, Cedric. Let's get out of here, yeah? You've been in this room for too long."
There was no real way to refuse him. He was persistent, and I could see he wasn't going to let me off the hook without at least offering me a small escape from my exhaustion. Plus, I had to admit, getting some fresh air didn't sound half bad.
I finally sighed and sat up. "Alright, fine. I could use a change of scenery. Let's go."
James gave me a satisfied nod and grabbed his jacket from the chair. "That's the spirit! Come on, I know a place just down the street. You'll like it."
As we walked out of the dorm, the cold air hit my face, and I felt myself waking up just a little bit more. Maybe the system could teach me how to act like the wealthy, but I still needed the occasional reminder that I was human.
We headed out, the evening sky above us dimming with the onset of twilight. James started talking casually about his day, but I could tell he was keeping an eye on me, making sure I wasn't completely zoned out.
It didn't take long before we reached a small restaurant. It wasn't fancy—nothing like the luxurious places the system had been showing me. Still, it was a nice change, and the familiar warmth of the place made it feel like a bit of home. James led the way inside, already chatting with the hostess, who greeted him like an old friend.
"Let's grab a seat. You need this," he said, sliding into one of the booths.
I followed, feeling the tension in my body ease slightly as I sank into the plush seat. For the first time in what felt like forever, I took a deep breath and felt... normal again. But there was no denying the fact that the clock was ticking on the task ahead of me, and I still wasn't sure how I would survive the assessment.
James glanced over at me, his face serious for the first time since we'd left the dorm. "Alright, enough dodging. What's going on, Cedric? You've been acting all weird these past few days. You've been cooped up in that room, and I know you're stressing about something. Spill it."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. There was no easy way to explain what was happening, but I knew James wouldn't let up. He wasn't going to let me keep it to myself forever.
I leaned back, rubbing my eyes once more, feeling the weight of the upcoming days settle back on my shoulders.
"I've got a... project," I started slowly. "Something that's been taking up all my time. And I'm kind of... in over my head, to be honest."
James raised an eyebrow. "A project, huh? You sure you're not just running yourself ragged studying for finals or something?"
I shook my head. "No, it's not like that. It's just... well, it's complicated."
James leaned in a little, his curiosity piqued. "Complicated how? You can't just leave me hanging, man. I'm your best mate. Whatever it is, you know I've got your back."
I hesitated. What could I say to that? That I had to learn how to act like I was rich to somehow change my life? It sounded insane, even to me.
Finally, I just sighed. "I'm working on something that... could change everything for me. But it's not exactly normal. I've got a lot to learn in a very short time, and if I don't figure it out, well..."
I trailed off, not wanting to say more, but James wasn't the type to let me dodge the question. He leaned forward again, clearly invested now.
"You're freaking me out a little, Cedric," he admitted, his tone light but with a hint of concern. "What kind of project are we talking about? Is it like some business thing? Or are you just trying to figure out your future?"
I rubbed my temples, trying to find the words. "It's more like... figuring out who I need to be. Not just for me, but for something bigger. It's about the way people see me. The way I act. How I fit in." I looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "It's more than just passing exams, James. It's a whole new world for me."
James just stared at me for a long moment, as if he was processing what I'd said. Then he nodded slowly, as though understanding something I hadn't fully explained.
"Alright," he said, finally breaking the silence. "If you say so. But you know I'm here for you, right? Just... don't forget to take care of yourself, alright?"
I nodded, thankful for his support even though I wasn't sure what he really understood. The truth was, I wasn't sure how much I could really share with him.
The waiter arrived then, and we ordered our food, but as the conversation shifted to more casual topics, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was running out of time. The 72 hours the system had given me were ticking away, and I had no idea how I was going to pull it off.