The dormitory was quiet, the hum of the fluorescent lights above the only sound cutting through the stillness of the night.
My desk was cluttered with half-read textbooks, empty coffee cups, and the crumpled pages of assignments I had yet to start. I leaned back in my chair, running a hand through my messy hair, exhausted from hours of studying.
"Why is life so unfair?" I muttered to myself, staring at the glowing screen of my phone, which only offered endless debt reminders and the gnawing truth of my financial struggle.
Rent was due, textbooks needed to be bought, and I still hadn't figured out how I was going to pay for next semester.
Suddenly, a strange ping echoed in my mind, a sound that was both foreign and oddly familiar.
Ping!
I froze. What the hell was that? My eyes darted around the dim room, but nothing seemed out of place. I blinked, trying to shake off the weird feeling. Then, before I could process what was happening, a soft voice filled my head.
["Hello, Cedric Ravensleigh,"] the voice said, calm and matter-of-fact. ["I am the Wealth System. You have been chosen."]
I almost fell out of my chair, my heart pounding in my chest. "What? Who is this?" I whispered aloud, looking around, half-expecting someone to jump out of the shadows and reveal this was some weird prank.
["I am the Wealth System,"] the voice repeated. ["I will guide you to unimaginable riches, but first, you must accept my offer."]
I blinked in disbelief, sitting up straight. "R-Riches?" I stammered. "Are you... serious? What kind of offer?"
There was a brief pause, as if the system was assessing my response.
["You will have the means to become wealthy, Cedric,"] the voice explained, ["But to truly gain that wealth, you must first learn to think and act as a wealthy man does. Only when you understand this will the rewards begin to manifest."]
My mind spun. "Wait, so you're saying I have to act rich first? How am I supposed to do that with no money?"
["The first step is adopting the mindset,"] the voice instructed. ["To be wealthy is not just to have riches, but to understand how to use them. Your journey will begin with small actions. From there, wealth will follow."]
I shook my head, struggling to grasp what was happening. "So, no rewards yet? No money to spend?"
["Not yet,"] the voice confirmed. ["You must learn to walk before you can run. The wealth you seek will come, but only once you prove that you can handle it. First, begin with thinking like a man of wealth. The first lesson begins now."]
I stared at the empty space around me, trying to process this. No instant riches? No sudden windfalls? Just a promise of wealth if I could figure out how to think and act the part?
"How do I even start?" I asked, my voice laced with frustration.
["Start by changing your approach to life. Think of your goals as already within your reach. The way you approach problems, the way you speak, the way you carry yourself—all of it must reflect the mindset of a wealthy individual."]
I sank into my chair, feeling the weight of the system's words. It seemed ridiculous. I was just a broke college student in a cramped dorm, struggling to make it through the day. How was I supposed to act rich when I didn't even know what that felt like?
["The first step,"] the voice continued, ["is to change your daily habits. From now on, you will conduct yourself as if you are already living the life you desire. Let go of doubts, and embrace the confidence of someone who has already achieved their goals."]
I let out a sigh. This was insane. But... there was something strangely appealing about it. Maybe I didn't have any money now, but I had an opportunity. If acting like a rich man could actually bring wealth, then perhaps it was worth a try.
"Alright," I said slowly, leaning back in my chair, a hesitant smile creeping across my face. "I'll give it a shot."
["Good,"] the voice said, and I could almost feel its approval. ["Remember, Cedric, this is just the beginning. The road ahead is long, but if you learn to think and act the part, the wealth you seek will be yours."]
I sat there in the silence that followed, contemplating what had just happened. This was insane, but somehow, it felt like the first real opportunity I'd ever had. To become someone else. Someone wealthy. Someone free.
The question was.. 'Could I actually pull it off?'
The air in the room felt heavy as I sat there, still reeling from the strange conversation with the voice in my head. I couldn't deny the growing curiosity inside me—what if this was real? What if, somehow, this system could actually change my life?
But before I could entertain those thoughts further, the voice returned, its tone now more direct, almost solemn.
["Cedric,"] the voice said, ["Before we proceed, there is one final step required for our partnership."]
I frowned, sitting up straighter in my chair. "What step? I thought I just had to start acting like a rich man or something."
["That is correct,"] the voice acknowledged. ["However, in order for our bond to be permanent, you must accept the binding."]
"Binding?" I echoed, feeling a sudden chill run down my spine. "What do you mean by 'binding'? Sounds a little... ominous."
["It is a necessary part of the process,"] the voice explained. ["The binding will ensure that you are fully connected to the system and able to receive the rewards and guidance I provide. It will also allow you to access the full potential of the system's power. Without it, you will not be able to proceed further."]
I felt a knot form in my stomach. The idea of being bound to something, tied to a system that I didn't fully understand, was a little unsettling. But then again, what other choice did I have? I was stuck in this rut of financial struggle. If this system could offer me a way out—real wealth, real opportunity—I had to at least consider it.
"Is this... permanent?" I asked cautiously, as my mind raced through every possible consequence. "Will I be stuck with this forever?"
["The binding is permanent,"] the voice confirmed. ["Once you accept, there is no turning back. But I assure you, Cedric, the benefits will far outweigh any doubt you may have now."]
I hesitated. A part of me screamed to back out. To reject this, go to bed, and wake up to my usual life of struggling to make ends meet. But another part of me, the part that had always dreamed of more, of a life beyond these walls, was eager for the opportunity.
"Alright," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, but firm. "What do I need to do?"
There was a pause, as if the system was preparing itself.
["Close your eyes, Cedric,"] the voice instructed gently. ["Relax your mind. Let go of any fear or doubt. The binding process is not painful, but it requires your full focus and acceptance."]
I swallowed hard but followed the command. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm my racing thoughts. The room felt unnervingly quiet, my own heartbeat the only sound I could focus on. I couldn't help but wonder if I was making a huge mistake, but the promise of wealth and freedom was too tempting to ignore.
["Good,"] the voice said, and I could feel its presence growing stronger, more tangible. ["Now, focus on your heart. I will connect with you on a deeper level, linking our energies."]
I could feel a warmth, faint but undeniable, spreading through my chest, as if something was gently pulling at me, tugging at the very core of my being. It wasn't painful, but it was… strange. I could almost sense the system now, as if it were right there with me, surrounding me like an invisible force.
["Accept the binding, Cedric,"] the voice urged. ["With this, you will be connected to me, and we will walk this path together."]
I swallowed again, suddenly feeling the weight of the decision on my shoulders. I was sealing my fate, for better or worse. But even then, I couldn't stop myself. I wanted more.
"I accept," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
["Good,"] the voice echoed in my mind, a feeling of approval flowing through me. ["You are now bound to the Wealth System. From this moment forward, your destiny is intertwined with mine. I will guide you, and you must act with intention. The rewards will come, but remember—your wealth will grow only as you grow."]
There was a brief moment of stillness before the sensation of warmth disappeared, leaving a strange, comforting emptiness behind. I opened my eyes slowly, feeling… different. It was hard to describe. I felt no different physically, but mentally, I could sense something had shifted. Like a door had opened in my mind, and now, I was able to see possibilities I hadn't even considered before.
"Now what?" I asked, my voice steady, but filled with anticipation.
["Now, Cedric,"] the voice replied, ["I will begin your training immediately. You must learn the etiquette of the wealthy. It is not just about appearance or money—it is a mindset. Come, let me show you."]
Before I could even react, the world around me shifted. My surroundings blurred, and within seconds, I was no longer in my dorm room. Instead, I found myself standing in an elegant, lavishly decorated hall. High ceilings, expensive furniture, and crystal chandeliers adorned the space. The air was thick with an atmosphere of luxury, and a sense of awe settled over me.
["This is the system's space,"] the voice explained, its tone calm and guiding. ["Here, we will begin with the basics. To wield wealth effectively, you must first learn how to carry yourself—how to act as a wealthy man."]
I looked around, still in shock. "Wait, I... I don't even know where to begin. What do I do?"
["First,"] the voice said, ["learn how to stand, how to speak, how to move in these surroundings. Your posture is key. The wealthiest men are never in a rush. They never act without thought. They are deliberate in every action."]
I watched, somewhat mesmerized, as the space shifted again. Now, I was standing before a tall mirror, my reflection showing a version of me that, somehow, seemed more confident, more assured. My clothes were different too—no longer my faded jeans and hoodie. I wore an elegant suit, something rich but not overly extravagant, enough to give an impression of wealth without being gaudy.
["Stand tall, Cedric,"] the voice instructed. ["Straighten your back. Keep your shoulders relaxed, but confident. Your movements should be fluid, not stiff. Wealthy individuals do not fidget or fumble—they move with purpose."]
I did as the voice said, trying to emulate the graceful yet confident posture of the man in the reflection. I still felt awkward, like a fish out of water, but I could see the difference. The way I stood felt... deliberate, composed. There was power in stillness.
["Good,"] the voice praised. ["Now, let's practice speaking. The way you talk will dictate how others perceive you. Speak clearly and calmly, without rushing to fill every silence. Use silence to your advantage."]
I took a deep breath, focusing on the voice's instructions. My first attempt to speak was shaky, but the more I practiced, the more natural it felt. It wasn't just about the words—it was the confidence behind them, the control, the poise.
The system guided me through hours of lessons, all centered on small details: how to make eye contact without seeming overbearing, how to shake hands with a firm but not crushing grip, how to sit in a chair like you belonged there.
It was overwhelming at first, but I could feel myself changing. I was learning how to act like a wealthy man, and while I wasn't there yet, I could see the beginning of a transformation.
["This is only the start,"] the voice murmured. ["Now, you have the tools to begin your journey. When you return to your world, you will be ready."]
I nodded, still adjusting to this new version of myself. "Thanks, I think."
["Remember, Cedric,"] the voice said, ["The more you embrace these lessons, the more rewards you will earn. Wealth is not just about money—it's about how you carry yourself, how you live."]
And with that, I felt the world around me shift once more, and I was back in my dorm room. The luxury had vanished, replaced by the familiar, humble surroundings. But something inside me had changed. I was no longer the same person.
I had taken the first step.