"A single decision can alter your trajectory. Let's see how you perform."
The system's voice faded, and silence returned. Aidan sat still, his heart pounding—not from fear, but sheer disbelief. The soft glow of the interface hovered in front of him like a silent witness to something unreal.
The flickering options had disappeared. Now only one thing was displayed:
[Awaiting Input]
He leaned forward. "Input for what?" he muttered. Nothing changed.
This had to be real. He wasn't hallucinating. The events of the last day swirled in his head: the sound of screeching tires, the sudden impact, and then waking up here—in someone else's room, someone else's life. Yet his 29 years of memories remained intact.
Downstairs, he heard the clatter of plates and voices calling. It reminded him that this wasn't just about a system or mystery. He was living someone else's life now—a 17-year-old boy in a new country, in a middle-class family of four. A quiet father, a warm but tired mother, and a curious little sister who was far too sharp for her age.
As he stepped toward the door, the system activated again.
[Minor Simulation Available]
Would you like to simulate your next response at the dinner table?
[Yes] / [No]
He paused. This one seemed simple enough. Just conversation?
"Yes," he said quietly.
His vision dimmed and a simulation began. It was as if he were watching different versions of himself act in different ways.
Option A: Stay silent and eat quietly.
→ Minimal interaction.
→ Dad asks about school. Aidan stumbles.
→ Sister gives him a strange look.
→ Slightly negative.
Option B: Joke about needing help with history.
→ Mom laughs.
→ Sister teases him back.
→ Dad nods silently.
→ Positive.
Option C: Talk about local layoffs.
→ Awkward silence.
→ Dad frowns.
→ Mom changes the topic.
→ Negative.
The simulation ended as fast as it had started.
He went downstairs and chose Option B.
"History class is killing me," he said casually. "Anyone want to trade brains?"
His mother laughed. "Don't tempt me."
His sister rolled her eyes and smirked.
His father remained quiet but nodded.
No strange looks. No suspicion. Just a normal dinner.
Later that night, Aidan lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"If the system can simulate dinner… can it simulate everything?"
The system lit up again.
[New Decision Input Available]
Do you want to attend school tomorrow or fake illness?
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked, "Simulate both."
Option A: Attend school
→ Random class seat.
→ Talk with girl who shares her notes.
→ A boy casually mentions "feeling stronger" after solving a math puzzle.
→ Potential lead unlocked.
Option B: Stay home
→ Uneventful.
→ Sister comes home, says something weird happened at school.
→ Missed clue.
→ Neutral.
He didn't need more time to decide. He was going. That comment in Option A—it hinted at something. Something beyond coincidence.
He wasn't the only one acting strange.
As he drifted toward sleep, the system lit up once more.
[System Update: Learning Phase 1 Complete]
New Feature Unlocked: Passive Data Absorption from Environment
He stared at it. "You're evolving too?"
There was no reply. But he smiled anyway.
Tomorrow, everything would begin to change.