Author's Note:
Just a quick update — I won't be continuing this story here. The continuation will move to my other book, which is already under contract.
The main storyline hasn't been dropped — I've simply used a bit of author magic to have the MC world-hop into this book universe, so it's still the same protagonist, just continuing under a different title.
You can follow the story in Myriad Heavens: Rise of the Rune God.
The core plot from this book will properly pick up starting at Chapter 91: Awakening in Another World, releasing on February 25th.
Thank you all for reading and supporting — hope to see you there!
INNOVATIA HEADQUARTERS - CONFERENCE ROOM - 9:30 AM
Cassia sat at the head of the table in Conference Room A. The space still smelled new—fresh paint, new carpet, brand-new furniture.
Around the table sat her executive team. Six people she'd worked with for years. People she trusted.
Mariana Vasquez, VP of Engineering. Thomas Kim, VP of Marketing. Rachel Brennan, Head of HR. David Martinez, CFO. Lisa Hammond, Head of Operations. James Park, Legal Counsel.
"Alright," Cassia said. "Let's start. Thomas, marketing update. How are we looking?"
Thomas grinned like he'd just won the lottery. "Cassia, we don't just have a successful launch coming. We have a phenomenon."
"Explain."
"Aether OS hit one billion downloads yesterday. One billion. In a single day."
The room went silent.
"That's impossible," Mariana said. "Operating systems don't get a billion downloads in one day."
"This one did." Thomas pulled up his laptop screen, mirroring it to the main display. "We put the installation package on the Innovatia website two days ago. Anyone could download it. Tech influencers found it, tested it, and started promoting it immediately."
The screen showed a video. A popular tech reviewer, Marcus Chen—5 million subscribers—sitting at his desk with Aether OS running on multiple devices.
"Folks, I don't usually get this excited about operating systems," Marcus was saying. "But Aether OS is genuinely revolutionary. I've been testing it for two days and my productivity has increased by—I'm not exaggerating—over a hundred times."
Thomas played another clip. Different influencer, tech YouTuber with 3 million followers.
"The AI integration is insane. It's not just smart—it's actually helpful. It predicts what I need before I need it. The apps are all professional-grade. The performance is flawless. I've been doing video editing that would normally take me six hours. With Aether OS? Forty minutes."
Another clip. Female tech blogger, massive following on social media.
"I ran benchmarks. Aether OS uses 30% less battery than my old operating system while running twice as many apps simultaneously. The compression technology is black magic—my files are taking up one-tenth the space with zero quality loss. How is this even possible?"
Thomas paused the videos. "These are just the big names. There are thousands of influencers posting about it. The consensus is unanimous—Aether OS is the best operating system anyone has ever seen."
"One billion downloads," David repeated, still processing. "In one day."
"The growth curve is vertical. Everyone knows about Innovatia now. A startup that came out of nowhere and dropped the most advanced OS ever made."
Cassia felt a thrill run through her. Her son had built this.
"Revenue?" David asked.
"The OS is free for personal use," Thomas said. "We're monetizing through AI subscriptions. Users get basic AI assistance free, but advanced features require monthly subscriptions. We're seeing subscription rates at about 15% of active users."
David's fingers flew across his calculator. "Fifteen percent of one billion... that's 150 million subscribers. If we price subscriptions at ten credits per month..."
"1.5 billion credits monthly revenue," Thomas finished. "And that's just from the AI subscriptions. We haven't even launched enterprise licenses yet."
"Holy shit," Lisa muttered.
Cassia smiled. "What about the product launch event?"
Lisa spoke up. "Aurora Convention Center, one week from today. Capacity: five thousand people in-person, unlimited virtual attendance. We've invited tech media, major influencers, industry analysts, corporate representatives."
"Response rate?"
"Ninety-two percent acceptance. Everyone wants to attend. We're also streaming globally. Current registration for virtual attendance: over two million people."
"Two million people want to watch our product launch?"
"Aether OS is the biggest tech story of the decade. People want to hear directly from Innovatia."
Thomas added, "We're paying top-tier influencers travel, accommodation, and appearance fees. But honestly, they'd come for free. This is the event everyone wants to be at."
Rachel, Head of HR, spoke next. "Recruitment update. We posted listings for fifty developer positions. We've received over eight thousand applications in two days."
"What's the quality?"
"Exceptional. Senior developers from major corporations. People with fifteen, twenty years of experience applying for junior positions just to join Innovatia."
"What will they be doing?" Mariana asked. "Most of the development is automated."
"Learning," Cassia said. "Orion built Aether OS using a new programming language called Nexus. The developers we hire will learn Nexus, study the codebase, and eventually contribute to future projects. For now, they're learning."
Mariana nodded. "That makes sense. Nexus is revolutionary. Anyone who masters it will be the most valuable developers in the industry."
"Exactly. Hire the best fifty. Start training them immediately."
"On it."
Cassia looked around the table. "One more thing. I want us to open a public forum. A place where users can submit suggestions, report issues, request features. We listen to our users and continuously improve."
"I'll set that up today," Thomas said. "Community engagement will boost loyalty."
"Good." Cassia paused. "Now, there's something I need to show you. Something that hasn't been made public yet."
She pulled up her tablet and mirrored it to the main screen.
"Aether OS includes a scientific research module. Advanced simulation software, AI-assisted analysis, data processing tools. It covers all scientific disciplines—materials science, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering."
She opened the module. The interface appeared on screen. Molecular modeling tools. Genetic sequencing simulators. Physics engines.
"This is professional-grade research software. The kind universities pay millions for. And we're including it free with Aether OS."
The room was silent.
"Free?" David asked. "We could monetize this. Universities would pay—"
"No," Cassia said firmly. "This was Orion's decision. The scientific module is free because it's important for humanity's development. It fast-tracks technological progress. We monetize the AI subscriptions. The research tools stay free."
FLASHBACK - YESTERDAY MORNING
Nyla was still exploring her tablet, scrolling through the scientific module features.
"This bioengineering software alone is worth thousands of credits," she said. "Are you really giving this away for free?"
Cassia looked at Orion. "Can we market the scientific module separately? Charge universities and research institutions?"
Orion shook his head. "The scientific module stays free. It's too important. Humanity's technological progress depends on researchers having access to the best tools. We monetize the AI subscriptions in Aether OS. That's enough."
"But—"
"Mom, we're going to make billions from the AI alone. The scientific module is my contribution to advancing civilization. Non-negotiable."
Cassia studied his face. Saw the determination there. "Alright. Free it is."
BACK TO PRESENT
Mariana was examining the scientific module on screen. "This is... incredible. The simulation accuracy. The AI-assisted research features. Universities will be able to conduct research ten times faster."
"That's the goal," Cassia said.
James, the legal counsel, cleared his throat. "Speaking of Orion's work, I need to mention something. I've been reviewing the patent applications he filed."
"And?"
"Cassia, your son is a genius." James pulled out a thick folder. "I went through over two hundred patents. Most of them are advanced software and AI techniques. But some of them..." He paused. "Some of them are breakthroughs in controlled nuclear fusion."
The room went silent.
"Nuclear fusion?" Mariana said. "As in fusion reactors?"
"Yes. The patents cover thermoelectric materials, room-temperature superconductors, plasma containment systems, laser ignition technology. This isn't theoretical research. These are practical, buildable designs for fusion reactors."
Cassia felt her stomach drop. "He's working on fusion?"
"According to these patents, he's solved fusion. The technology is complete."
Everyone stared at James.
"Are you sure?" David asked.
"I'm a lawyer, not a physicist. But I've read enough patent applications to recognize revolutionary technology. These patents are... they're world-changing. If this technology works, we're talking about unlimited clean energy. The end of the energy crisis."
Cassia pulled out her phone. Checked her banking app. Went to the transaction history.
There. A payment for 2.3 billion credits. Purchase of Helix Research Facility. Now rebranded as Innovatia Advanced Research Division.
A fusion research lab.
"He bought a fusion lab," Cassia said quietly. "I saw the transaction this morning but didn't think much of it. I thought he was just expanding research capabilities."
"He's building a fusion reactor," James said. "That's what those patents are for."
The room erupted in whispers.
Thomas was grinning. "Okay, so we're not just a software company. We're apparently solving the world's energy crisis too."
"Does anyone else know about this?" Lisa asked.
"The patent applications are public record," James said. "But they're written in dense technical language. Nobody's connected the dots yet. Once they do..." He trailed off.
"Once they do, Innovatia becomes the most important company on Earth," Mariana finished.
Cassia sat back. Her twenty-one-year-old son was building a fusion reactor. Casually. While also revolutionizing the software industry.
"Alright," she said. "We don't mention the fusion work publicly yet. Let Orion handle that on his own timeline. For now, we focus on Aether OS and the product launch."
Everyone nodded.
"Anything else?" Cassia asked.
Silence around the table.
"Then we're done. Great work, everyone. Let's make this launch perfect."
The team filed out.
Cassia stayed seated, staring at the city view from the window.
Nuclear fusion.
Her son was full of surprises.
ORION'S ROOM - SAME TIME
Orion sat at his desk, reviewing reports from Rene through the BCI.
"Status update," he said.
"Development complete on two new products," Rene replied. "Full-dive VR headset and BCI earbuds with processing watch."
"Show me the specs."
Information flooded through the BCI. Detailed specifications appeared in his mind.
The VR headset was elegant. Sleek design, lightweight, comfortable for extended use. Internal components used the new room-temperature superconductors for all wiring and circuits—zero energy loss, perfect conductivity. The neural sensors used materials Rene had designed specifically for detecting brain signals. More sensitive than anything currently existing. Could pick up neural activity without invasive surgery.
Power source: solid-state batteries. The headset could run for 72 hours continuous use on a single charge.
The BCI earbuds were even more impressive. Tiny sensors hidden in earbud casings. Wireless connection to a processing watch that handled all computations. Same superconductor technology, same advanced neural sensors, same solid-state batteries.
Both devices integrated seamlessly with Aether OS.
"Software?" Orion asked.
"Complete library of VR experiences ready. Games, educational environments, social spaces, creative tools, entertainment. All optimized for full-dive immersion. The experiences are indistinguishable from reality."
"Manufacturing?"
"I've designed a fully automated factory. Robotic assembly from start to finish. Input raw materials, output finished products. No human labor required. Production capacity: 100,000 units per day once operational."
"Where would we build the factory?"
"I recommend the industrial district near the Innovatia research facility. Land is available. Infrastructure exists. We can have the factory operational in three months."
Orion nodded. "Good work. What else have you been doing?"
"Generating revenue through financial markets. Stock trading, cryptocurrency mining, arbitrage opportunities. I've been calculating cryptocurrency equations instantaneously—mining rates far exceed normal operations."
"How much have we made?"
"Current Innovatia account balance: 127 billion credits."
Orion blinked. "We had thirty billion yesterday."
"Cryptocurrency mining is extremely profitable when you can calculate hashes faster than the rest of the network combined. I've been careful not to disrupt markets—spreading operations across multiple currencies and exchanges. But the income is substantial."
"One hundred twenty-seven billion," Orion muttered. "We're going to need to figure out what to do with all this money."
"Suggested allocations: fusion reactor construction, VR headset manufacturing, advanced research projects, charitable foundation, strategic investments."
"Yeah. We'll work on that."
Orion leaned back in his chair. Rene was handling everything. Software development, financial management, product design, manufacturing planning. All running in parallel on the Nexcore data center.
Building her had been the best decision he'd made.
"Keep me updated on any important developments," Orion said. "I'm going to—"
His phone buzzed.
David Martinez, CFO of Innovatia, calling.
Orion answered. "Hey David, what's up?"
INNOVATIA HEADQUARTERS - CFO OFFICE - 9:45 AM
David stared at his computer screen, not quite believing what he was seeing.
Money was flowing into the Innovatia corporate account. Not in large transactions. In thousands of small deposits. Every few seconds, another deposit appeared.
+127,439 credits +89,221 credits +156,887 credits +203,445 credits
On and on. Constantly.
He'd been watching for five minutes. The account balance was climbing by millions every minute.
His assistant, Jennifer, was standing behind him, equally confused.
"Is this normal?" she asked.
"No. This is not normal."
David called Orion.
"Hey David, what's up?"
"Orion, I'm looking at the company account. We're receiving massive deposits every few seconds. Hundreds of thousands of credits at a time. What's happening?"
"Oh. That's Rene. She's been trading cryptocurrency and stocks. Making money automatically."
"How much money?"
"Check the total balance."
David refreshed the screen.
Account Balance: 127,384,992,556 credits
"One hundred twenty-seven billion," David said slowly. "We have one hundred twenty-seven billion credits."
"Yeah. Rene's good at financial operations."
"This is... Orion, we had thirty billion yesterday. You made almost a hundred billion credits overnight?"
"Cryptocurrency mining is profitable when you can calculate faster than everyone else."
David sat down heavily. Jennifer grabbed a chair before her legs gave out.
"We're one of the richest companies in the Federation," David said. "After one week of operation."
"Is that a problem?"
"No. No, it's just... I need to restructure our financial planning. One hundred twenty-seven billion changes everything."
"Good. Let me know if you need anything."
Orion hung up.
David stared at the screen. Watched more deposits flow in.
"Jennifer, call an emergency meeting with the executive team. We need to discuss this."
"Should I tell them what it's about?"
"Tell them we're now one of the richest companies on Earth and we need to figure out what to do with the money."
Jennifer nodded and left.
David kept watching the deposits.
+341,287 credits +198,432 credits +276,891 credits
Innovatia wasn't just disrupting the tech industry.
They were reshaping the entire economy.
ORION'S ROOM
Orion set down his phone and pulled up Rene's full report through the BCI.
Everything was progressing smoothly. Faster than he'd expected.
Aether OS: one billion downloads, viral success, massive revenue.
Scientific module: accelerating research worldwide.
Financial operations: 127 billion credits and growing.
VR headset and BCI earbuds: designed and ready for manufacturing.
Fusion reactor: components being manufactured at the research facility.
Patents: filed and processing.
Company: established, staffed, operational.
Everything was going according to plan. Better than plan.
"Rene, excellent work. Keep everything running. Prioritize fusion reactor development and VR headset manufacturing preparation."
"Understood. Shall I continue financial operations?"
"Yes, but don't disrupt markets. Stay under the radar."
"Acknowledged."
Orion stood up and stretched. Went through a quick breathing cycle. Felt the exotic energy circulating through his enhanced body.
Six months to a working fusion reactor.
Three months to VR headset production.
One week to Aether OS product launch.
The future was arriving fast.
And he was building it.