Dawn came slowly to the basement. I woke up early, the vision of my frozen future still sharp in my mind.
I glanced at the brown envelope under my mattress — my tuition, untouched. Carl had tried to force me to spend it on rent because he knew I had no cash. My part-time pay was only scheduled to arrive that morning.
I washed up quickly, put on my only clean jacket, and headed to the gas station to collect my wages.
My boss handed me the cash grudgingly. It was exactly enough for the rent.
That was the life of the poor: enough to survive, enough to pay rent, never enough to escape.
I walked back to the apartment and knocked on Carl's door. He opened it, looking smug, already expecting me to beg.
"Ready to hand over the tuition?" he sneered.
I held out the money. "Rent. In full. As I promised."
Carl's eyes widened in shock. His plan had failed completely. He snatched the cash and counted it roughly.
"Lucky," he muttered. "Don't be late again."
The door slammed.
[System Notification]
Original Tragedy Probability: 98.3%
Current Tragedy Probability: 98.3%
You have kept your promise and protected your future.
I then headed to community college.
Today, I had a class with Dr. David Channing.
The man who would steal my research.
To everyone else, he was a kind, brilliant professor who helped poor students. To me, he was a snake in a suit.
As I entered the building, a warm voice called my name.
"Leon! Wait a moment."
I turned. Dr. Channing walked toward me, smiling gently, glasses glinting in the light.
"How is your energy storage project coming along?" he asked warmly. "I'm very interested in your work."
He was already fishing for information.
I kept my face calm. "Still in the early stages. Nothing solid yet."
Channing patted my shoulder. "Don't overwork yourself. The lab is open to you. I'll support you any way I can."
Support me? So he could steal my work more easily?
After a few more polite questions, he left.
Just then, the system activated again.
[Ding — Fate Anomaly Detected]
Malice target has acted early. Danger level increased.
Instant Truth Scan activated.
— Instant Truth: Dr. David Channing —
Secretly works with Glow Energy.
Has stolen student research for eight years.
He will enter the lab in 20 minutes to copy your unprotected notes.
If he succeeds, your core ideas will be leaked early.
My blood ran cold.
He couldn't even wait three months.
He was going to steal from me today.
I stared at the lab hallway.
I would not let him win.
This was my first real battle against the academic darkness.
I tightened my backpack and walked quickly toward the lab.
Channing wanted my research.
He wanted my future.
He wanted me broken.
But he had no idea.
I had seen the darkness ahead.
And I was ready to fight back.