Morning light filtered through the curtains in soft streaks, quietly announcing the start of another busy day.
Terrence opened his eyes and slowly got out of bed, careful not to wake Effie.
As usual, he walked over to his office to check the latest news and crypto prices.
Skipping it felt wrong—like something fundamental was missing.
While looking at the news and crypto updates, he also looked for the latest anime episodes.
New episodes only dropped weekly, and though he'd binged most of the big titles, hidden gems kept him entertained in between.
Around 6:30 a.m., Effie walked into his room carrying a cup of hot coffee, a piece of toast, and a boiled egg.
Taking care of him was part of her daily routine too.
Their relationship looked perfectly healthy—a balance of give and take.
There was peace between them, but mostly because she never made any unreasonable demand.
'An email?'
He noticed the notification. It was from his family attorney, informing him that all the family's assets were officially transferred to his name.
With everything now under his name, he had capital—and full control.
To quickly liquidate everything, Terrence asked James to connect him with the right people.
He didn't mind taking a loss—it just had to be fast. The land was the only thing he intended to keep.
An email arrived quickly, confirming that the assets could be liquidated.
However, the attorney advised against it, pointing out that both the real estate and stock markets were booming
Terrence didn't care. It would all collapse within a year, and none of the stocks would rise enough in value to make the wait worth it.
After finishing a few tasks and loose ends, he began absorbing mana from the stones again, losing track of time until it was already 11:30 a.m.
'That's enough work for today,'
Opening his office door, he was greeted by the warm smell of home-cooked meal.
They shared another lunch together.
During the meal, he mentioned he would be going out for a while and told her not to wait for him for dinner.
She looked a little sad but nodded in understanding.
***
***
***
1:00 pm
Stepping out of the Uber car, he saw a row of short, square buildings with big signs and bright banners waving in the wind.
Most of the vehicles were parked outside—lined up in tight rows under the open sky, their windshields marked with prices and hand-written specs.
The asphalt was cracked in places, and the whole lot smelled faintly of oil and sunbaked rubber.
It wasn't polished like an official showroom, but it was exactly what he was looking for—quick, informal, and easy to deal with.
Almost immediately, a salesman zeroed in on him.
He wore a black jacket and jeans, his hair slicked back and a phone clipped to his belt like he was ready to start filming at any moment.
Thankfully, there weren't any annoying cameras around—if there had been, he would've walked right out.
"Looking for something comfortable or something fast? " the salesman asked with a wide grin, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of a potential sale.
"I'm looking for a supercar."
The salesman's grin widened. He could tell the difference between a looker and a buyer—and the young man in front of him smelled like money.
"You came to the right place,"
"What are you thinking—Toyota? BMW? Maybe something European?"
Terrence glanced around the lot first, before answering, "Lamborghini or Ferrari."
The salesman was a little surprised.
"Wow," he said, quickly smiling again. "Please, follow me—someone like you deserves only the best."
As they stepped inside, a wave of cool air hit them.
It wasn't too cold or too warm—just enough to keep the room at a comfortable temperature.
"These are the stars of the shop,"
"First up—Lamborghini. You know what they say: you buy a Ferrari if you want to be someone. You buy a Lamborghini if you are someone."
Terrence didn't react. He was pretty sure the salesman stole that line from a movie.
Still, he must admit—these cars made his heart race.
In the future, most vehicles looked like tanks—big, bulky, and without any real finesse.
This? This was something else entirely.
->Matte black Huracan, low and sharp like a knife.
->Bright orange Aventador, bold and aggressive.
->Deep blue Gallardo, slightly older but still powerful.
"And over here, for the Ferrari enthusiasts…"
The salesman walked a few steps to the side, showing off two red beasts:
->A shiny red 488 spyder convertible, with smooth curves and a powerful engine.
->And a more classic California T, stylish and refined.
"All low mileage, all in top condition," the salesman said, very proud. "Let me know what catches your eye."
Glossy paint and sharp lines made a strong first impression, but Terrence knew better than to judge a car by its looks alone.
He slipped into the driver's seat and wrapped his hands around the wheel.
The Lamborghinis had a premium feel, no doubt, but they were too cramped.
"So, what do you think? Did you like it?" the salesman asked, watching him closely.
"I'll check the 488," Terrence responded as he got out and stepped into the iconic supercar.
Right away, he noticed the generous legroom—and the interior didn't disappoint either.
"What's the SRP on this one?"
The salesman didn't miss a beat.
"This one's going for about $275,000. Low mileage, just last year's model—and the color combo? It'll definitely turn heads."
Tapping the wheel, Terrence let himself imagine driving it—and he liked the idea.
"I'll take it," Terrence said. "But I just turned eighteen, so I don't really have credit yet. I can pay in full—but if that's the case, I'll need you to come down on the price."
The salesman's smile faltered at the words "pay in full."
It meant a lower commission. He crossed his arms casually, trying to keep his tone polite.
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking—what exactly is your source of income?"
"Crypto millionaire," Terrence said flatly. "That's all you need to know."