"Finally I am a BILLIONAIRE!!"
"I've been waiting years for this!"
The Master had a confused look on his face.
"What could you possibly do with the money I gave you though?"
█████ smirked.
"A destiny fulfilled results in a fate chosen by my own will!"
"That was pretty cringe." The Master said with a funny look on his face.
"I really gave you the option to get the money as a joke. You should've just chosen to die."
The Master tenses up and says yet again.
"I repeat, out of the goodness of my heart, I'll let you choose again. An equivalent amount of money in this world to become a billionaire, or death?"
But █████ does not budge.
"Looks like I'll become.. a billionaire with TWO billions."
Statement stated, choices made. A massive burst of light from █████'s position envelops the battlefield, blinding all those who see it.
''I've fulfilled yet another destiny.'', █████ thought.
He takes a deep breath, and murmurs.
"They're never gonna believe this."
Though our protagonist forgot he's in the middle of a battlefield.
A slender figure in a black suit grabs him by the neck and says.
"Finally you've let your guard down."
The figure throws █████ into the air with incredible force at an angle of about 58 degrees, and points at him with a finger gun.
"Bye Slave."
From the tip of the finger, a power of unknown origin recreates itself as an instantaneous beam, piercing █████.
"You're not gonna believe this either."
Silence, that is what's inside █████'s body, as not even the heart can echo when it's not there in the first place, destroyed by the unknown, only magic keeping him from losing consciousness within seconds.
Yet he continued to speak.
"Under the sky and above the ground, I ask but one thing of you, will you die?"
The creature in a suit is utterly dumbfounded, laughing its ass off.
"No!"
█████ responds immediately.
"I see, therefore, under fulfilled destiny, I command a skill."
.
..
…
"█████: █████████"
The cavity instantly closes. █████ returns to his original position. The creature disappears.
All is back to normal, as it never even happened.
"That was a close one! Let me go back to Astra, I'm hungry." █████ happily proclaims.
Astra, a village on the outskirts of Astrea. Their names are similar, but Astra has existed for much longer than the kingdom. This village was the first human settlement █████ encountered at the beginning of his journey.
Like a hunter looking at his prey, he stares into the local bakery.
"I need that croissant."
Hes drooling.
"I neeed that croissant."
It only takes a minute before he gets some weird stares from inside the bakery.
A passerby notices █████, along with a questionable look on his face.
"What the hell are you doing?"
█████ quickly gets out of his frenzy.
"Ah my bad, I was just desiring those crois-
A desire like any other.. I have a desire too, and that is to know when this all started! I can't narrate a story I don't understand! It's so annoying!
Let me open the first page of a book yet unfinished.
It was a sunny day of May, with summer about to come. But there he laid on his bed, a man named █████. He had not yet woken up for his classes, completely ignoring a 6:00 alarm…
But then it happened. He woke up, at precisely 8:37:54.
Immediately, █████ reached with his hand under the pillow, grabbed his phone, and turned it on.
[ 8:38, MO 25th of May ]
Class starts at 8:45. █████ has a total of 7 minutes.
Under such a predicament, our protagonist thinks but one thing.
He will give up.. IS WHAT YOU THINK HE'LL DO!
[ 8:38:27 ] █████ throws himself off the bed, and takes off his pajama like shorts. (Made out of cotton, by the way.)
[ 8:38:36 ] Naked, but powerful, █████ reaches for a fresh pair of boxers and socks that just so happen to have Wednesday written on them. (It's Monday.)
[ 8:38:44 ] With his newfound underwear, he decides to put it on himself.
[ 8:39:12 ] He sure took his time with the socks.
[ 8:39:27 ] He took a black shirt from his wardrobe and put it on. It has "Mentally, I'm on vacation." Written on it.
[ 8:39:46 ] His beige pants, located on a chair, were taken by him and put onto his legs.
[ 8:40:22 ] Water bottle filled up? Yes. Yesterday's water though. Laptop in bag? Of course, our guy isn't gonna do this "writing" thing is he? Keys & Phone in pocket? Absolutely. Deodorant or brushed teeth? No, actually.
[ 8:40:40 ] He went into the bathroom to put on deodorant, but he didn't care enough to brush his teeth though.
[ 8:41:08 ] Door to apartment locked, █████ luckily sees the elevator on his floor.
[ 8:41:58 ] He probably just should've sprinted the 6 floors down.
[ 8:43:49 ] Do not underestimate █████'s cardiovascular capabilities, as he ran to the tram station in record time, now to just wait for tram number 12.
[ 8:44:23 ] …
[ 8:45:47 ] …
[ 8:47:58 ] …
[ 8:48:12 ] Regardless of the absolutely futile morning effort, we forgot to mention the school is 30~ minutes away (walking + tram combined). Well, at least the tram is here now.
[ 8:48:36 ] Fortunately finding an empty seat, all █████ is to do now is just wait for 6 stops to pass.
[ 8:50:41 ] ..
[ 8:52:47 ] …
[ 8:54:54 ] ….
[ 8:56:01 ] …
[ 8:58:07 ] ..
[ 9:00:12 ] … "Zone 101. Please check if your ticket counts for zones 99, 100, 101, or all of them."
[ 9:02:18 ] … "Stop: Reddish" a stop one stop before the end of the trams line, and where █████ steps out to go to college.
[ 9:03:37 ] Run he did our dear protagonist, regardless of how late he already was.
[ 9:04:45 ] █████'s arrival to the college building.
[ 9:05:23 ] Arrival in the classroom.
And there it ends. █████ got quite a few stares, though nobody really spoke out. The teacher didn't even care much.
As █████ sits down, he brings out his laptop though doesn't even open it. Meanwhile, his friend next to him starts whispering. "Hey bro, where was your ass?"
█████ stays silent, respecting the teacher speaking about some "Taylor series", whatever that is. Though quickly, the class gets pretty boring. Under such boredom there is only one thing our protagonist will do. He places his right arm in a particular position on the desk, the biceps being sideways, and the angle of the crease of the elbow being at about 50°.
With this particular arm position, █████ has one goal. To lay his forehead on the forearm, and the right side of his upper cheek on the arm, near where the bicep sits.
Once done with this particular action, █████ closes his eyes, and starts to daydream.
Imagine walking in a land, carpeted by golden dandelions, with the spring wind lightly kissing your sunlit skin.
However, the sun is a donut. The moon? It's like, inside the donut.
Suddenly, a laser beam is shot splitting the moon and scattering parts of it all around the donut shaped sun, creating parts of the sun that are blocked.
Now, while walking, each step you take doubles your size by 2x.
We take 34 steps. It seems to be just about the right size for.. a good size mouth.
Control your arm and grab the sun with your slightly bigger than usual fingers.
You can pick up some of the moon's pieces, and sprinkle them on your donut-like sun, a little seasoning never hurt anyone.
Bite into the sun. Eat it.
Delicious bursts of flavors, is all I can say. A literal sunlike dough with sugary taste, combined with the moon's white chocolate cheesecake flavor. Inside the stellar dough is a jelly that's dense but has an orange to strawberry like flavor that makes one's mouth salinate.
Some might say.. It was like consuming peace itself, but not in a violent way. It was more like you became the peace itself, the light. You became the sun. You became the one who embraced the reachable universe with your sunlig-
''█████, answer the question on the board, the final question of today's class.''
The reverie ends here.
''I don't know.''
With such an answer, the teacher decides to explain the correct answer.. completely ignoring it, █████ checks his phone.
[ 9:27, MO 25th of May ]
''First class ends in 3 minutes.'' He thought.
As the last minutes trickled down, █████ thought about what to do in the upcoming 5 minute break. There's only two things he does on breaks though. First, he thinks about his most common decision: doomscrolling on his phone. This is a very common act █████ does, and is very efficient for passing time.
The second option is very interesting. Usually, he'd only do this on a larger break, specifically the lunch break.
But since it's pretty outside, he might as well enjoy it for the small break too.
''YOUR BREAK HAS STARTED!''
Upon hearing the teacher say that, he opens and unlocks his phone to check the temperature outside. It's morning, so it's only 19 celsius outside.
Going outside the building, he just walks towards a bench under a few trees providing shade, which is appreciated since █████ does like it a bit colder.
Luckily enough, the bench is empty. Since the area is labelled as a smoking area, students usually vape there, though he does not smoke. Sitting down on the bench, there's not actually much to do but relax.
Though this place is relaxing quite subjectively, considering the fact right in front of him are parked cars, and behind him is a roaring highway. The trees above him could still be considered beautiful and relaxing though, especially with their bright green leaves.
[ 9:33, MO 25th May ]
Checking his phone again, he realizes he has to go, it actually takes two minutes to walk to the bench, meaning he has been sitting for a single minute, (really the reason why he only goes on larger breaks.)
''Ufffffffff I guess I'll go now I mean I got enough fresh air I'll get more later during lunch.''
Walking back, █████ thinks about a letter he received yesterday. Written in a peculiar style, it read like this:
''Heelloo █████!! You've been invited into the chaaaallenge! We're just a small group holding tooootally fantastic events! In fact, if you participate and win, you will even win a MIILLION dollars converted into your currency! Signing up is simple, just dial whaatever on your phone and say "I wish to sign up!", haaappy playing!"
I mean in all honesty, to him it sounded like some prank. Look at it, who even uses words like that in a letter?
Regardless, █████ did think of the fact that a million would severely help his family.
Though the weirdest part was actually the letter itself. It appeared on his table next to his desktop computer, but when showing it to his sister and parents, they couldn't see anything. Apparently he was "holding nothing" and just being "schizo", with them chuckling seeing █████ trying to convince them it's real!
Due to such a reaction, he did become quite curious though, resulting in thinking about it during his 2 minute walk back to class.
He thought about trying to burn it, just to see what would happen.
This isn't a very long walk though, so for now, it's just later-in-the-day plans.
So the day went on. The second class was also math, then there was a 20 minute break, followed by 2 classes of physics. The 20 minute break was this time spent doomscrolling, with his friend in on the same action. Like minds instinctively connected, they sent videos to each other at the exact same time, resulting in a doomscrolling flow state.
However in the end, █████ managed to send 27 videos, while Robert only 26, resulting in a victory of █████'s, though Robert said "I'm unsure if I'd actually call that a victory bro, im pretty sure its just you being a bum."
But after the funny break and after physics came lunchtime, which is 50 minutes of pure freedom.
"Rob, I'm not gonna go to the cafeteria today, I'm too lazy, I do not care if they're serving schnitzel or the most delicious spaghetti, I'm just not feeling like it."
"I mean ay bro if you ain't feeling like it I'm sure next time is gonna be a better time"
So Rob walks in the opposite direction, while █████ goes to the bench again.
"I'm still confused about the letter. It's just too unbelievable but life has been boring so maybe I will call the number once I try out the whole burning thing."
Inside his head, he thinks about the number
"I mean a is the first letter so we've got wh11tever, then a b c d e e is the fifth so wh11t5v5r, h is like a b c d e f g h one two.. 8th letter so w811t5v5r.. actually let me just search the rest up… w is 23, t is 20, v is 22 and r is 18, so 2381120522518. Wow, that number makes zero sense, I'll just write it down in my notes app for later."
"23 8 1 1 20 5 22 5 18…, or 2381120522518."
He thought if that's truly what they want him to call, or if it's just bullshit. Deciding to not worry about it for now, he closed his eyes, sitting on a bench.
"You know, with the cars back there I can't really imagine anything, it's like the sound just blocks off any really creative images. It technically creates new ones, but they're so chaotic. I don't like it."
By closing his eyes, his aim was yet again to just daydream. But imagine it, the cars on a highway. It's sharp, and hard to make an image.
However, █████ still gets through it.
A fast roaring car rolling down a highway that looks like it's going through the flattest driest highway of America. Not a single car in sight but yours.
The car is brightly red, with an open top. It looks elegant and luxurious, but it's also very free.
The engine is like a lion, and the sun is slowly setting in the horizon.
The setting is actually beautiful, or well most consider it beautiful. █████'s thoughts are also to be considered here though.
In his head, imagining the place, there's one key feature he likes in these places.
"I can do anything."
"I can imagine a huge cactus right there, anywhere. Not unnaturally huge, just like an out of place 3 meter tall cactus."
"Or I can imagine an empty bar on the side of the road, not stopping by it though, with the speed of the car you pass it quickly. But in such an empty environment, it's very noticeable."
"Or what if the sun was rising instead of setting? What if I made the road bumpy and rocky so there's a sense of touch to the experience too?"
"It just.. brings joy. These aren't unnatural, you could recreate this scenario on our lovely planet, but I just love being able to create anything, in my head, inside my brain."
"That's why I like to keep a smile on my face."
"Because really, I can do anything."
Within these trains of thoughts, the time quickly passes, and it'll be time to go back into class, and it starts with opening the eyes.
[ 12:51, MO 25th May ]
"I guess I'll go early. I kinda like chemistry."
Arriving like 2 minutes before class starts, you can't say it's truly early but for him it's good enough.
"Yo █████ for this class I lowkey do not know what we're gonna talk about bro I was not here last time u got any notes?
"Rob, are we being for real? The teacher literally sends a file of what we talked about every class. But honestly, my notes are better, so you can look too."
Opening his laptop, and opening his drawing app, he very very quickly goes over the last lesson.
"Why do you use a drawing app for note-taking lol." Rob says while laughing a bit.
"I mean I just like when I have infinite paper and I've got the you know electric whatever pen and the special tablet so it's pretty convenient."
"Ah right adds up."
"Low-key phye idea actually maybe I'll get that setup one day too!"
"Go for it I mean I've been loving it since I got it on my birthday, still, lock in on the class starting now."
The time slowly but surely passes, with a 5 minute break like regular in-between. During it █████ goes to the toilet as he forgot to piss during the lunch break.
While washing his hands, he starts talking to himself.
"Lalalalalalalufuffphhhhhhh."
Done with washing his hands, he drinks a bit of water from the tap, and also doesn't dry his hands.
"They'll dry by themselves."
Going outside, he does make the bathroom door handle wet but at least he swishes his hands around after.
Back in class, back to time passing. As the end of the school day comes to a close, the letter appears more and more frequently in █████'s mind.
It's like his heartbeat slowly but surely increases to just a bit above the average. It's like that excited feeling you get that you know when you get home, or when you're about to do something, something good might or will happen.
''What if it's true? What if I could get all that money?''
''Or what if it'll just be fun? A new experience?''
Along with a small laugh, he just thinks of the funny possibilities.
Soon enough, the class ends, therefore the school day.
''Thank you all for listening to today's lecture, don't forget, next week there's gonna be an exam on the topic!''
With the teachers announcement, █████ packs his stuff up and goes.
''Ay arrive on time tomorrow alright? You didn't miss much but usually you're a lot more early than this.''
''Of course Rob, I just had to be up at night for something. Bye.''
So █████ walks back to Reddish. Just on the opposite side of it now, since the tram has to go the other way now.
Going the same stops, he thinks if this'll be the last time he sees them.
''I won't worry about it for now.''
Earlier in the day when he was running to the station, he did not have time to focus on his surroundings like he always does. However this time, he gets to walk properly.
The sun is still brightly shining, in fact, significantly more than in the morning. But covered under the shade of the park's various nature, this is no worry.
█████ goes through this park every time he walks to college, or goes back from college, and regardless of season, he still finds it beautiful. The trees slowly wither, bloom, wither, bloom, in a continuous cycle throughout the years.
Though with his heightened heartbeat, he can't help but just keep walking home.
''I dont get it I dont get it I dont get it I still cant get over the fact the letter was just invisible for everyone else.''
''Oh well.''
''Laa la la la la la laaa la la laa, laaa la la la la la..''
It never hurts to sing a tune when stressed. For █████ it has always been a form of destressing, singing various tunes from games he's played or music he's heard
But I think it's time we get to the main point of his stress.
''Katching!'' is the sound the lock on the door to the apartment complex makes when you unlock it.
Going up a single flight of stairs, then walking a bit, then another flight of stairs towards the elevator. It's on the 4th floor, so probably no one came into █████'s apartment yet.
Upon pressing the button he just waits for the elevator.
Stepping into the elevator after all the waiting, his thoughts actually turn a bit of a different way.
''Its a fucking greenhouse in here why is it so hot inside this elevator when its hot outside light doesnt even come into it is it really just the glass behind the elevator causing this like bro.''
Due to the rant he forgot to press the 5 button inside the elevator to go onto his apartment floor.
''I'm a dumbass.''
With the elevator going up to the 5th floor, █████ takes another flight of stairs to the 6th floor, because in reality that's where the apartment is.
The door is locked, so another ''Katching!'' is to be heard. After doing all the necessary stuff like throwing his bag into a certain corner basically right in front of the door, and taking off his shoes, and putting on black sweatpants for comfort, he sits in front of his table, where the letter is located.
Conveniently, looking into his sister's table drawer, he sees and grabs a lighter. So he conducts the experiment.
''I don't know what I even want to expect from this, do I want it to burn and be made of actual paper? or do I want it to be indestructible? Both seem like.. concerning options.''
He takes the letter and holds it in the left hand, while lighting the lighter up in his right.
Touching them together, exactly what he expected deep in his mind happened.
Is what he hoped to happen..
''Why is my hand.. wet?''
Upon the letter being ''burned'' with the flame, it started dripping water.
''What.. ?''
The lighter's flame was extinguished.
''I'm way too fucking tired for this.''
█████ lays on his bed, letter in hand. A deep sigh comes out of his mouth.
''You know what, I don't even care anymore!''
Reaching into his pocket, he takes out his pho-
''I forgot it inside my pants, let me go get it.''
Taking the phone out, while walking back to his bed he unlocks it and opens the call app.
''What was the number again?''
<23 8 1 1 20 5 22 5 18…, or 2381120522518> is what was written in the notes app, making █████ chuckle again because the number is really stupid.
Laying down again, he starts typing out the numbers into the app.
''two tree eight one one… two zero five two two… five one eight, now to just call the number.''
brrrrrrrr… brrrrrrrrrr… brrrrrrrrr…
the sounds have stopped.
''Anyone there?..''
it's silent.
''I see..''
and with a heavy sigh..
''I wish to sign up.''