LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 21: Chapter 21
The weeks that followed seemed to blur together for Alex. Between work, spending time with friends, and sneaking in his meditation sessions, his life had settled into a comfortable rhythm. He'd become more adept at using his abilities, dipping in and out of smart mode with increasing ease. Though each time he pushed himself to the limit, he was careful not to overdo it, knowing that his mental strength would grow at its own pace.
Despite the quiet power simmering within him, Alex kept things low-key. There was no reason to show off, no need to flaunt his abilities. His friends had their own lives, their own challenges. They didn't need to know about his secret world.
One Friday night, Alex and his friends gathered for one of their usual get-togethers at Sam's apartment. The apartment was small but cozy, filled with mismatched furniture and a clutter of board games and snacks scattered across the table. Mia, ever the thoughtful one, had brought a homemade cake, and the group quickly settled into the familiar comfort of laughter and banter.
"You guys have to try this game," Sam said, holding up a new multiplayer game he had bought. "It's gonna blow your mind."
Alex chuckled, knowing full well that he could likely master the game in minutes if he wanted to, but he held back. This was about fun, not showing off his system-enhanced skills. They spent hours playing, with Mia strategizing like always and Sam trash-talking every time he won a round. It was the kind of easy, carefree fun that Alex had come to treasure.
As the night went on, they found themselves talking about life and work.
"By the way," Mia said, "I've got some news."
Alex raised an eyebrow, curious. "What's up?"
"I got a promotion," she said with a small, proud smile. "It's a big step up in the company, but… there's a catch."
"Wait, that's amazing!" Alex said, genuinely happy for her. "What's the catch?"
Mia's smile faltered for a moment. "I have to move. To another city. They want me in the regional office, so I'll be heading out next month."
The room fell silent for a beat, and Alex felt a pang of sadness. Mia had been a constant in his life—smart, supportive, and always up for a conversation about anything from work to the mysteries of the universe. He realized that things were about to change in ways he hadn't anticipated.
"Well, damn," Sam said, breaking the silence. "That's awesome for you, but it sucks for us."
They all laughed, trying to keep the mood light, but the weight of the moment lingered. After a few more rounds of the game, the group gradually began to leave, saying their goodbyes for the night.
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As Alex walked home through the quiet streets, he found himself reflecting on everything—Mia's promotion, the changes that were bound to come, and his own place in the world. He lived in a modest apartment on the outskirts of the city, a typical working-class neighborhood where everyone seemed to know each other. His place was small but comfortable, with just enough space for his essentials and his books.
His economic situation was stable, if unremarkable. He worked for a small bookkeeping company, which paid the bills but didn't offer much in the way of excitement. But Alex didn't mind. His real passion was the quiet mastery of his mental strength, the slow but steady progress he was making behind the scenes.
As he passed by the local diner, its neon sign flickering in the night, Alex couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. He had grown up in this city, gone to school here, made his friends here. And now, slowly but surely, things were changing. Mia leaving was just the beginning.
The next day, Alex spent some time scrolling through his online forum, where Star Gazer had become a regular contributor. He had shared his thoughts on visualization, and to his surprise, several people had responded with interest. It seemed like there were others out there who were curious about the same things—how focusing on grand, cosmic ideas could enhance meditation.
"Maybe I'm not the only one growing stronger," Alex thought, though he knew that his situation was unique. The Cognichip, his natal ability, was something entirely different from what these online strangers could comprehend. But still, it was nice to connect with people in some small way, even if they would never truly understand his reality.
Later that week, Alex and Mia met up one last time before her move. They went to a local coffee shop, one of those cozy places with soft lighting and a faint scent of roasting beans in the air. Mia talked about her excitement and her nerves about starting over in a new city. Alex listened, offering words of encouragement while silently grappling with the realization that his circle was growing smaller.
"I'll miss you guys," Mia said, her voice soft but sincere. "But this is a good opportunity. I couldn't turn it down."
"You're gonna do great," Alex said. "We'll miss you too, but hey, we'll still keep in touch."
Mia smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Yeah, I'll definitely come back to visit."
As they parted ways, Alex felt a strange sense of finality. Life was moving forward, and he couldn't help but wonder what would come next. As always, he would stay low-key, continue his quiet mastery of his abilities, and see where life would take him.
But one thing was certain: change was coming, both in his external world and within himself.