Chapter 99: Flex On ’Em!
Noticed how the instant people become extremely rich, they start spending less? That is when they realize that money has value and that every little bit spent seems like their life force has been ripped out. The truly rich ones become misers, and only willingly give money if it would benefit them in the long run.
This is perfectly normal. No judging here. They worked hard for it, and they earned it. How they spend it or waste it is solely up to them. But, honestly, that style is old and boring, or at least that’s what Silas thought. He was different from them, but not so much because, in the long run, he’d suffered for years just to get his rightful inheritance, which included several bank accounts, investments, shares in companies, estates, etc.
***
Silas had woken up the next morning feeling super excited and energetic enough to wrestle a mosquito and win, unlike a certain bald dude who could kill people with a punch, but couldn’t land even a hit on a mosquito. Okay, maybe that’s a bit exaggerated, but what do you know? It might be possible.
The reason was simple. He had just realized how rich he was. He had requested a full account of his assets, specifically the money part, and it had just arrived in the morning. Now to the best part...
The amount of money in total was enough to make him retire completely at his age, spend it, and still make money with investments and shares. That made him wonder just who his parents were, because from his memories of them, they weren’t outright rich, but they were okay. At least they could fend for him and also for themselves. But with what he was seeing here, he couldn’t understand, despite how happy he was feeling. He felt as if he’d never known his parents.
[Don’t think too much about it. They had their reasons. I’m sure.]
’You know what?’
[What?]
’You are right.’
[...]
With that, Silas got off the sofa and literally flew into the bathroom, which was occupied by a sweaty Gromda. She had started doing yoga and working out after seeing it on TV. Silas got out thirty minutes later, looking more refreshed.
The grin on his face told a lot of things. Things even the system was scared to voice out. Silas then took out his phone, opened the music app, and scrolled to one song he never thought he would willingly listen to. One of his father’s favorites.
"Flex on ’Em!"
The corner of his lips curled upward. "Dad, I finally understand."
He tapped play, and a lively beat filled the apartment. Anna looked up from the dining table where she was organizing some documents. Chloe emerged from the kitchen with a mug of coffee. Gromda paused midway through drying her hair with a towel. All three looked toward Silas. He was dancing... enough to embarrass himself, and make them feel second-hand embarrassment.
"..."
Anna covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laugh.
"Is he okay?"
Chloe took a sip of coffee. "I don’t know."
"Mate appears possessed." Gromda nodded seriously.
Silas ignored them completely. He marched toward the center of the living room, pointing dramatically at invisible people.
"I’m rich!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Anna sighed.
"I take it back. He’s not possessed. He’s simply stupid."
Silas clutched his chest.
"I heard that."
"I wanted you to."
He cleared his throat dramatically.
"Ladies."
The three instinctively looked over. Silas spun his phone around.
"I have received my inheritance details."
"Congratulations?" Anna said cautiously.
"I am officially..." He looked at the ceiling. "Ridiculously wealthy."
Anna covered her face with her hands.
"We know."
Silas froze. "You know?"
"You literally own three estates in New Liberty."
"..."
Anna stared.
"...You didn’t know?"
"I’m yet to choose them, so technically, I don’t own them yet..."
"..."
The room became strangely quiet. The system finally spoke.
[Perhaps checking the documents would’ve helped.]
’Shut up.’
Anna pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Silas... Please tell me you at least know how many bank accounts you own."
"...A lot?"
"They literally sent you messages."
"I didn’t read all. Too much."
"You need deliverance."
Chloe quietly set her mug down.
"How much?"
Silas turned the phone around. "I had my lawyer send me a summarized financial statement."
Anna glanced over, her eyes widening
"...You’re joking."
"Nope."
She slowly lowered the phone.
"Silas."
"Hm?"
"You are... frighteningly rich."
"I know!"
Anna looked genuinely confused now.
"Why are you so excited?"
"Because..." Silas threw both hands into the air. "I CAN FINALLY STOP LOOKING AT PRICE TAGS!"
The apartment fell silent again. Gromda tilted her head in confusion, even though she understood price tags somewhat.
"You looked at price tags?"
"I compared three brands of instant noodles once."
"..."
"I bought the cheapest."
Anna suddenly felt pity. "You’ve suffered."
"I HAVE!"
Anna couldn’t help laughing.
"So... What exactly are you planning to do?"
Silas’s grin became... dangerous.
"I’m going shopping."
Anna immediately became suspicious.
"For?"
"Us."
Chloe looked up.
"Us?"
Silas nodded enthusiastically.
"New furniture, new appliances, a proper TV, a better dining table, and a bigger bed."
Anna nearly choked. "A bigger bed?"
Silas answered without missing a beat.
"We have four people living here."
She looked at Chloe, and she calmly nodded.
"He’s right."
Anna looked at Gromda.
The orc woman nodded as well.
"Current bed too small."
Anna opened and closed her mouth.
"That’s... Actually reasonable."
Silas pointed triumphantly.
"See? I’m thinking ahead."
He continued listing things on his fingers.
"Maybe renovate the apartment."
"You’re renovating?" Anna asked to be sure.
"I own it. Besides, I can just sell it when I move out. I’m sure I will make a profit from them."
"Fair," Anna replied, already feeling sorry for the academy.
".Silas."
"Hm?"
"You know, they say money changes people."
He nodded.
"I know."
"I hope it doesn’t change you."
"It already did."
Anna’s expression fell slightly, but he continued.
"Before, I would’ve worried whether we could afford to go out for dinner, despite you being rich yourself and the academy’s stock. But now, I’ll worry about whether everyone enjoyed the dinner."
The apartment became quiet. After a few seconds, Chloe quietly walked over and wrapped an arm around his waist.
"I like this version."
Gromda followed immediately, hugging him from the other side.
"My mate generous."
Anna shook her head with a smile before joining the hug.
"You’re hopeless."
"I prefer ’financially irresponsible with good intentions.’"
Anna laughed.
"No. You’re just Silas."