The next day, I couldn't wait to see these cars for myself. There was no time to waste—I hailed a taxi, feeling a strange mix of excitement and disbelief. My hands fumbled in my pockets, counting the spare change I had left.
The remnants of my "scrap money," as I liked to call it, were barely enough for the ride, but I pushed that thought aside. Today was about something much bigger than that.
As the taxi pulled up to Golden Sun Plaza, I was immediately struck by its sheer size. The mall was a gleaming masterpiece of modern architecture, its exterior shimmering with metallic glass panels that reflected the sunlight like a thousand diamonds.
Huge, art-deco-inspired arches stood at the entrance, flanked by oversized sculptures that felt more like high-end art installations than mere decorations. The plaza was surrounded by towering skyscrapers, each building dressed in its own luxurious, minimalist design. It was like stepping into another world.
Golden Sun Plaza wasn't just a mall—it was a statement.
A place where the world's most prestigious brands showcased their products. It wasn't uncommon to see luxury sports cars parked out front, shining under the sun, their owners probably sipping expensive lattes at one of the plaza's boutique cafes.
To me, it was as if I had wandered into a high-budget movie set, where everyone around me was far too rich to even glance in my direction.
The taxi dropped me off near the entrance, and I walked in, my eyes wide as I took in the sights. The vast marble floors gleamed under the soft lighting, and the air smelled faintly of fresh flowers and expensive perfumes.
People milled about, mostly high-end shoppers and business people in sharp suits, most of them too caught up in their own world to even notice me. That was fine by me.
I was still adjusting to this "new" version of myself, and stepping into a place like this only reminded me that I still had a long way to go before I fully embraced the life the system had handed me.
[Proceed to the underground parking lot, Cedric.]
The system's voice was calm and matter-of-fact, as though I wasn't walking into the most expensive place I'd ever been in my life.
I nodded to myself and followed the directions, heading for the elevator at the far end of the plaza. As I descended, the weight of the situation started to sink in. Not only was I about to see two of the most expensive cars on the planet, but I was also the one who would own them.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a sleek, pristine underground parking garage. It was nothing like the dingy, oil-stained lots I had seen before.
This place was immaculate—polished floors, perfectly lined parking spaces, and rows upon rows of the most expensive cars imaginable. There were Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Bugattis, all neatly parked in their designated spots. But my focus wasn't on any of those.
I walked deeper into the lot, scanning the area for the Aristovault cars. My heart raced as I finally spotted them—two magnificent sports cars, sitting side by side in the most luxurious section of the garage, as if they were in their own private showroom.
The first car was the Virella R9, its sleek, streamlined body gleaming in the soft light. It looked like it was built for speed, with sharp lines and a futuristic design.
The second was the Avellion XG, a slightly more angular but equally stunning machine, with a design that was both aggressive and elegant at the same time.
I stood there for a moment, just staring. The cars looked unreal, like something from a dream. And they were mine. The weight of that still hadn't fully hit me yet, but as I walked closer, I could almost feel the power radiating off them.
[Go ahead, Cedric. The cars are ready for you.]
The system's voice was back, calm and cool as usual. But I could sense the slight undercurrent of amusement.
I stepped forward, not really knowing what to expect. Would I even be able to drive these? Did I need some special license or training? My mind was full of questions, but I figured the system would guide me through everything. After all, it seemed like it had everything planned out for me, whether I was ready for it or not.
[Enjoy your new toys, Cedric.]
The system's words felt a bit too playful, but I didn't have time to think about it. I was about to step into a world that I still couldn't fully comprehend.
I took a step back, feeling a sudden urge to take a leak. The excitement of the moment was starting to catch up with me, and, well... nature called.
"Hold on," I muttered to myself as I glanced around the pristine parking lot. I couldn't believe I was actually walking away from a pair of multi-million-dollar cars, but... well, there were some basic needs that had to come first.
[You wish to take a break from admiring your new vehicles?] the system asked in its usual calm tone, almost sounding a little too amused for my liking.
"Yeah, I'm gonna pee," I responded, glancing at the system's interface as if it could understand why I needed to leave my two multi-million-dollar cars for a moment.
[...Understood. Proceed with your... bodily function.]
I rolled my eyes, chuckling to myself. It was kind of weird to have a conversation with something that was technically an AI, but still... it was more entertaining than I'd expected.
Once I finished, I washed my hands, took a deep breath, and braced myself for whatever the world would throw at me next. After all, I was about to face an entirely new world. I stepped out of the bathroom, ready to face the cars again—only to be met with an unexpected sight.
My two beautiful Aristovault cars were now surrounded by a group of young people. There were about ten or so of them, mostly teenagers and young adults, all snapping pictures with their phones and murmuring to each other in awe. I blinked a few times, trying to process the sight.
[It seems your cars have caught some attention, Cedric.]
The system's voice was amused, and I could almost feel it silently laughing at me.
[Seems you have become quite the spectacle.]
"Seriously?" I muttered aloud. These cars were the ultimate symbols of luxury, but I wasn't prepared for them to be treated like a tourist attraction.
The group of young people hadn't noticed me yet. They were too busy taking photos, posing next to the cars, chatting excitedly about how rare and expensive they were. I overheard snippets of their conversation:
"Do you think this is the new Virella R9? I've heard it's one of the rarest Aristovault models!"
"I can't believe we're actually seeing one in person! This is insane, man."
"Look at the interior! It's like a spaceship. If I had one of these, I wouldn't even drive it. I'd just sit in it and stare."
I couldn't help but laugh nervously. The last thing I needed right now was for these people to start asking about how I, a barely out-of-dorm student, managed to snag two of the most expensive cars on the planet. What was I even supposed to say?
[It seems they're admiring your 'taste,' Cedric.] The system's voice was deadpan.
[Should I recommend you join them for a photo-op? It might help your public image.]
"Very funny," I muttered, feeling my cheeks heat up. This was too much. It was one thing to own these cars, but now I was just... a walking target for questions and stares.
I stood there, frozen for a moment. Should I step in and clear things up? Or should I just let them have their fun? I mean, they were young, probably rich second-generation kids who were just looking for an Instagram-worthy moment.
I didn't exactly fit the image of the kind of person who would drive these cars, and that was becoming more obvious by the second.
Before I could make a decision, one of the young men turned around and spotted me standing there, watching them.