Chapter 11: Among the 1%
Adyr stood in front of the bathroom mirror, and the first thing he noticed was the absence of the scar on his lip. A fresh bruise from the punch had completely healed in just three hours.
His pale skin looked different, too. It now had a healthy sheen, smooth and clear, like someone who followed a strict skincare routine every day.
Curious, he flexed in front of the mirror, lit only by a single candle. His body had always looked fit, but in a lean, wiry sort of way. Now, his muscles appeared noticeably fuller. His abs and obliques, in particular, had taken on a sharper, more defined shape — as if sculpted from marble.
He had achieved more physical improvement in just three hours than most people could hope to gain in a lifetime. It was the kind of transformation only the rich and well-connected could normally afford.
For a moment, he considered using the second game helmet — the one Selina had sent — and diving back in for another three hours. But he knew the system's limitations: only one active connection per player and no way to create a second avatar.
With nothing else to do but wait for the power to return, he headed downstairs.
"Son, how was your day?" Marielle greeted him from the couch as he came down the stairs. Too tired to stand, she simply waved her hand lazily in his direction. Her black hair and sharp blue eyes were proof enough — no DNA test was needed to confirm she was Niva's biological mother.
"Exceptionally fruitful," Adyr replied with a slight smile as he found his way to the dining table, cluttered with textbooks and dimly lit by candlelight. He sat down beside Niva.
"Is that so? I heard you received an expensive gift today. Was it from Viktor?" Marielle's voice echoed again, weary, but laced with playful sarcasm.
She knew about her son's close friendship with Victor. And, of course, she knew exactly who Victor Bates was.
Adyr glanced at Niva, who gave a subtle shrug without looking up. He chuckled. "Yeah. A game helmet for the new release. Want to try it? I've got a spare."