Chapter 8: The Hidden Genius
Sadd sat alone in the quiet, dusty hideout. He looked around the small, broken room that Doah and Tersa called home. There was almost nothing here. No pantry full of snacks, no fridge—just empty space.
"Who are these powerful beings?" he whispered to himself. "Why do they favor me?"
He didn't have an answer, but he looked up at the ceiling and gave a small, sincere nod. "Whoever you are... I do thank you."
He started to worry about the girls. They had gone to school with empty stomachs, and looking around the hideout, he realized there was nothing for them to eat when they came home. He felt a pang of sadness. He wanted to provide for them, but he didn't even know where to start in this massive city.
To calm his mind, Sadd walked over to a corner where the girls kept a few tattered, old schoolbooks. He picked one up, hoping to learn more about the world or perhaps find something useful.
As he began to flip through the pages, a familiar, clear chime rang in his head.
UIA: Master, you are engaging in deep study. A new path is responding to your intent.
A new prompt appeared in his vision, glowing softly:
(The Path of Academic Genius has opened)
(You have gained Basic Proficiency in any field of study)
"Academic Genius?" Sadd blinked. "What does that mean, UIA?"
UIA: It means your brain is now like a dry sponge in an ocean of water. Any book you read, any lesson you hear, you will absorb instantly. You can now understand the most difficult subjects as if they were simple children's stories.
Sadd looked back down at the book in his hands. It was a difficult textbook about the history and science of Awiebo—something that would usually take months to study.
Suddenly, the words didn't look like boring ink on paper anymore. The information felt alive. He turned the pages faster and faster. Everything he read became easier to understand and devise. He could see how the city was built, how the energy worked, and even how the local economy functioned.
Complex ideas that used to make his head ache now felt as simple as breathing. He wasn't just reading; he was mastering the knowledge.
"With this," Sadd realized, his eyes brightening, "I can find a way to make money. I can find a way to feed Doah and Tersa. I won't just be a dishwasher—I can be someone important."
"I have to go out and find something to do to earn a feeding fee," Sadd told himself. "And at the same time, I need to find a library to sharpen my mind."
Back in his hometown, he had attended school, but he wasn't a regular student. Between the financial difficulties and taking care of his mom, he just couldn't be there. But here in Awiebo, it wouldn't be the same. He had a path now.
"I will go to a tech shop nearby to do part-time work," he decided. "And in the evening, I'll go to the library to study. I also need a computer. If I can get one, I can make a little money online and buy things for me and my sisters."
He stood up, feeling a mix of hope and worry.
"The plan is ready," he whispered. "But will they accept a minor like me? I have to do anything I can to make them accept me."
He tightened his grip on his bag and stepped toward the door. "Let's go."