LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 5: Chapter 5
The following week rolled in with the typical hum of life—a blend of work at the bookkeeping firm, casual conversations with his family, and the comforting predictability of his interactions with friends. Alex reveled in the routine, finding solace in the mundane as he navigated his days with a steady hand and an observant eye.
As he settled into his desk at the office, the soft clattering of keyboards and the faint rustle of papers filled the air. His coworkers, a mix of young professionals and seasoned bookkeepers, buzzed around him, engrossed in their tasks. The small office was brightly lit, decorated with colorful motivational posters and potted plants that thrived under the artificial light.
"Morning, Alex!" called out Jessica, a bubbly brunette with an infectious laugh. She had joined the company a few months after Alex and quickly became known for her friendly demeanor and willingness to help anyone who needed it. "Ready for another thrilling day of numbers?"
"Absolutely," Alex replied, grinning. "Can't wait to dive into those spreadsheets."
"Don't sound too excited," she teased, flicking her pen at him playfully. "Seriously, though, have you thought about joining us for happy hour after work? Kyle's coming, and I think he might actually dance this time."
"Yeah, I'll think about it," Alex said noncommittally. Happy hour was tempting, but he found himself drifting into deeper thoughts lately, wondering about the potential of his system and what it could do if he pushed the limits.
Jessica noticed the shift in his demeanor. "You good? You've been a bit quieter than usual. It's not the spreadsheets, is it?"
"Just…thinking," he replied, forcing a lightheartedness into his voice. "You know how it gets sometimes."
She studied him for a moment, her smile fading slightly. "Well, if you ever need to talk, I'm here. Don't let it eat at you, okay?"
"Thanks, Jess," Alex said, appreciating her concern. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the workday unfolded, Alex found himself using his abilities to streamline tasks and finish his work faster. He tapped into his memory processing function to absorb information quickly, allowing him to catch mistakes and enhance efficiency. Yet, he kept his usage low-key, ensuring that no one noticed anything unusual about his performance. He was just Alex—the dependable coworker who had a knack for numbers.
Later that afternoon, Alex sat in the break room, scrolling through his phone as he waited for the coffee to brew. Ben had texted about a new gaming update, and he couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy as he read about all the excitement his friends were having in the gaming community. They were immersed in a world he felt strangely distant from, partly due to his self-imposed limitations.
"You look deep in thought," a familiar voice broke through his reverie. It was Kyle, holding a steaming cup of coffee. "Everything okay?"
"Just catching up on some game updates," Alex said, trying to sound casual. "Looks like Ben and Sam are having a blast."
Kyle raised an eyebrow. "You should join them, you know. You've got the skills to keep up with them. Plus, they'd love to have you in their squad."
"Yeah, I know," Alex sighed. "But I just don't want to deal with the pressure of showing off or getting too competitive. I'm fine just watching from the sidelines."
"Watching can be just as fun, but don't let that hold you back," Kyle said, leaning against the counter. "You've got a talent for this stuff. If you ever want to go back to gaming, just remember that it's about having fun."
"I appreciate that," Alex replied. "Maybe I'll jump in for a session or two. But right now, I'm still figuring out how to balance everything. It's kind of nice being a hidden legend, you know?"
"Hidden legend?" Kyle laughed, shaking his head. "More like the quiet genius no one knows about. You really should flaunt your skills a little more."
Before Alex could respond, the coffee pot let out a gurgling sound, and Kyle poured himself a cup. "I've got to get back to work," he said, taking a sip. "But seriously, don't hesitate to reach out. You might surprise yourself with what you can do."
As the workday wrapped up, Alex made his way home, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of the day. He had grown fond of his routine but knew deep down that something was brewing within him. The system granted him the potential for greatness, but he felt an invisible barrier holding him back. Was it fear? Laziness? Or perhaps a protective instinct, keeping him from drawing too much attention?
When he arrived home, his sister, Amilia, was sprawled on the living room floor, surrounded by art supplies. She was in the midst of working on a project for school, and her focus was absolute. Amilia had always been the creative one in the family—her passion for drawing and painting had earned her a reputation among her friends, and her imaginative spirit often inspired Alex to explore his creative side.
"Hey, can you help me with this?" she called out without looking up, holding up a piece of paper covered in sketches. "I need ideas for my final project, and I'm kind of stuck."
"Sure," Alex replied, settling onto the floor beside her. "What's the theme?"
"Nature and the universe," she said, her eyes lighting up. "I was thinking of doing a mural with planets and animals."
"That sounds awesome," he said, genuinely intrigued. "Maybe you could blend them together—like a forest with galaxies in the sky."
"Yeah! That's perfect!" Amilia exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious. "You should help me paint it!"
"I'm not sure if my painting skills are up to par," Alex chuckled, feeling the familiar urge to retreat into his mind. "But I can definitely give you ideas."
As they brainstormed, Alex found himself enjoying the moment. It was easy to forget the weight of his thoughts when he was with his sister. They chatted about colors, designs, and her aspirations as an artist, and in those moments, he felt the pressure of his own life slip away.
That evening, after dinner, Alex retreated to his room, feeling more relaxed than he had in days. He sat at his desk, staring at the screen as the familiar interface of his system appeared before him. It was still surreal, seeing the floating window and knowing what it represented—a blend of knowledge, memory, and processing power, all tethered to him.
He could easily use his abilities to elevate his gaming, improve his skills, or even explore the depths of his potential. But for now, he was content to simply explore the world around him—his family, friends, and the life he had built. There would be time for everything else later.