Every night felt like a trial. With each passing hour, my body grew more exhausted, my mind more strained. I could feel the weight of the 72-hour deadline pressing down on me.
The task to act like a wealthy man was harder than I ever imagined. I spent hours poring over etiquette books, watching videos on luxury lifestyles, and practicing my posture in front of the mirror until my muscles burned.
But no matter how much I studied, I couldn't shake the feeling of being a fraud, of trying to fit into a world that wasn't mine. The hours dragged on, and sleep became a luxury I could no longer afford. It wasn't long before my eyes began to look like they belonged to a panda more than a college student.
Still, there was no choice but to push forward. I had to finish this. I had no idea what the system would do if I failed, but the consequences couldn't be good.
It wasn't all bad, though. Late one night, as I stumbled through another round of practicing how to hold a wine glass correctly, the system's voice suddenly chimed in.
[Congratulations, Cedric. You have worked hard, and your progress is commendable. As a reward, you may now draw from the system's Lucky Draw. The reward is yours for the taking.]
I blinked in surprise, barely able to process what it was offering me. The Lucky Draw was a concept I'd heard of before, but I hadn't expected it to come so soon. I could almost feel a weight lifting off my shoulders. Maybe, just maybe, I could get something that would make this process a bit easier, something that might actually help me blend in better.
I hesitated, but then curiosity took over. I was beyond exhausted, and this could be a turning point.
I made my decision. "Alright, let's do this," I muttered, feeling the familiar rush of anticipation. The system's voice guided me through the process, and before I knew it, a spinning wheel appeared before my eyes.
[Spinning... Please wait.]
The wheel spun slowly at first, then picked up speed. It blurred into an endless circle of bright lights and options. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched it. What if I got something useless? What if it wasn't anything that could help me in this insane task I'd been given?
The wheel began to slow, and then it clicked into place.
[Congratulations! You have won: Velviora Luxury Watch.]
I blinked at the message, certain I had misread it. "A watch?" I asked aloud, half-expecting the system to clarify, but it remained silent.
Velviora. That name hit me like a lightning bolt. Velviora was a top-tier brand, an exclusive luxury accessory company known for its high-end watches. I had seen advertisements for them in magazines and online, always out of my reach. To get one? It was unreal. Impossible. But the words were there, staring at me.
I stared at the screen in disbelief. "Is this for real?" I asked, my voice almost a whisper.
[Rest assured, Cedric, all rewards granted by the system are legitimate and legal. Velviora watches are a premium product, and you can claim your reward through the system's transfer method.]
I blinked again, trying to wrap my head around it. A luxury watch from Velviora? How could this be? How was I even supposed to accept it? I couldn't possibly afford something like this. But... if the system said it was legitimate, then maybe—just maybe—it would actually show up.
[The system will arrange the delivery shortly. Please remain patient. The transfer is seamless and quick.]
I leaned back, my head spinning. The exhaustion of studying for hours on end was still hanging over me, but now there was a strange thrill building in my chest. A real Velviora watch. My eyes wandered to the old, cheap wristwatch I'd been wearing since high school, a far cry from the luxurious piece I'd just won.
The excitement bubbled up, but there was still a nagging feeling at the back of my mind. How was the system able to transfer such an item? How could it be so... perfect?
[Once you claim your reward, the item will be legally transferred to your name. Do not worry, Cedric. All items granted are obtained by means that do not affect the real world's laws.]
The system's words echoed in my mind, easing some of the tension. It was real. The transfer, the watch, everything.
I had to laugh, the sound almost manic as I collapsed back on my bed. It felt absurd—like a dream. But the thought of having something so valuable, something that screamed wealth, was both thrilling and terrifying.
For the first time in days, I let myself relax for a moment, imagining the possibilities. Maybe this was my chance, a chance to pull off this ridiculous plan of "acting rich." But there was still so much left to do.
The system had promised me the reward was legitimate, and if I could keep up the façade, maybe I could eventually turn this into something real.
By the time the others returned to the dorm later that day, I had almost forgotten about the watch. I was still in a daze from the system's reward, my mind racing with the implications of owning something as luxurious as a Velviora. But as soon as I heard the familiar voices of Ethan and Luke at the door, reality snapped back into place.
The moment Luke walked in, his eyes immediately flickered to my wrist. I could see the recognition, the admiration in his gaze, and I knew he was wondering what kind of watch I had on.
"Whoa, Cedric," Luke said, his voice filled with surprise as he walked over to where I was sitting. "That's a nice watch you got there. Where'd you get it?" His eyes were narrowed slightly as if trying to make sense of the brand, but I knew the answer before he asked.
I didn't want to say anything just yet, so I shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Oh, you know, just something I got recently."
Luke's gaze lingered on the watch for a moment longer, a slow grin forming on his face. "Well, whatever it is, it's way cooler than anything I've got." He leaned in closer, almost as if he were inspecting it. "Man, this thing is sharp. Looks expensive."
"Yeah, it's just... one of those things," I muttered, hoping the awkwardness didn't show. I couldn't believe I was actually wearing a Velviora. The idea of Luke noticing it only made me feel more exposed, like I was walking around with a neon sign above my head saying look at me, I'm not what I seem.
Luke, still admiring the watch, suddenly brightened. "Hey, do you mind if I borrow it for a bit? I'm taking Lily out on a date tonight, and I think this would look perfect with my outfit."
Lily Evans. Of course. Luke had been dating her for a few months now, and they seemed like the perfect couple. Sophomore year, she was everything he liked—smart, kind, and beautiful. The perfect match for someone as well-off as Luke.
I froze for a moment, hesitant. The watch was mine, after all. I had just gotten it, and I barely even had time to process the fact that I owned it, let alone the idea of handing it over.
Luke, noticing my reluctance, grinned and nudged me. "Come on, don't be like that. It's just for a night, and I'll take care of it. Think of it as a favor to me for the times I've helped you out."
The teasing tone in his voice made me realize what was going on. Ethan, who had been lounging nearby, looked up from his phone and chuckled.
"Oh, here we go," Ethan said, a knowing smirk forming on his face. "Cedric, you've got to stop acting like you're some kind of heartbroken bachelor. Just let Luke borrow the damn thing."
"Yeah, man," Luke added, grinning wide. "We all know you've been sulking about your single status for a while now, but you're not gonna make any headway by clutching onto that watch like it's the last piece of treasure in the world."
I wanted to argue, to protest, but the truth was—I didn't want to give up the watch. I was reluctant to let it go, afraid of what would happen when it was out of my hands, even for just a night. It was more than just a watch to me now. It was a symbol of the new life I was trying to build, something that made me feel like I had finally earned a glimpse into the world of wealth and luxury.
But I didn't want to look pathetic either, so I sighed, pushing the feelings down. "Alright, alright," I muttered, feeling the weight of the decision press on me. "You can borrow it for the night. Just... be careful with it."
Luke laughed, clearly not noticing the hesitation in my voice. "Of course, don't worry. You know me."
As I handed him the watch, the others started laughing, and I could hear their teasing getting louder.
"Look at him," Ethan mocked, "Cedric's about to have a meltdown over losing a watch for one night. Is this what it's come to?"
Luke, meanwhile, was already putting it on his wrist, admiring it like he was the one who had won it. "Thanks, Cedric. You're the man."
The teasing continued as Luke and Ethan headed out, but my mind was elsewhere. I watched them leave, my gaze lingering on the empty space where the watch had been just moments ago. I wasn't sad about them having girlfriends—no, it was the watch. It was the watch I didn't want to give up.
And as I sat there, staring at my empty wrist, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing something that might've been my only real connection to a world I wasn't supposed to be a part of.