Aiden woke before dawn, a cold beam of pale light slicing across his thrift-store mattress. His body felt heavier than usual—almost sluggish—as if the system inside him had been working through the night. His mind replayed everything that had happened the previous day: the mysterious notification windows, the sudden deposit of money, the impossible arrival of a red Maserati, and Emma's quiet sniffle when she realized she didn't deserve a brother like him.
He sat up, brushing a hand across his face.
A Lie-Triggered Reality Shaping System…
He still didn't understand what it meant.
He didn't know where it came from.
He didn't know why Emma's lies were the key.
But he knew one thing:
It was real.
Quiet footsteps sounded from the hallway. Emma peeked around the doorframe, rubbing her eyes with a sleepy fist.
"Morning… Aiden," she mumbled.
Her small voice always hit him like a soft arrow to the chest. She was only ten, but she carried the kind of exhaustion a child should never carry.
"You're up early," Aiden said, forcing a smile. "Sleep okay?"
She nodded, though her eyes dropped for a second. "I… had a dream you left."
Aiden's heart clenched. He immediately knelt down in front of her.
"I'm not leaving you, Em. Ever. Not for anything. You're stuck with me."
Her shoulders loosened a little, and she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his torso. She didn't hug people often, so when she did—Aiden melted instantly.
"Are you sure we're allowed to use that car?" she whispered.
He chuckled softly. "Don't worry about the car. It's… handled."
That was the truth, and also not the truth. The system handled it. Somehow.
He took a slow breath.
Today was important.
Today, Emma had school.
And after yesterday's "my brother is rich" disaster, he needed to make sure she didn't accidentally reshape reality again without him knowing.
He couldn't stop the system—but he could guide the consequences.
At the School Gate
The Maserati drew every eyeball within a hundred-meter radius. Some parents nearly dropped their coffee cups. A few kids stopped mid-conversation, jaws hanging.
Aiden winced.
He wasn't used to attention.
Emma, on the other hand, looked like she wanted to shrink into her socks.
"Do—do we have to come in this car?" she whispered.
"Just for today," Aiden answered gently. "It's safer than the bus."
That wasn't true, but it was the answer that made her relax.
A small girl with star-shaped hair clips spotted Emma and gasped. "Emma! You were telling the truth yesterday! Your brother is rich!"
Emma blushed violently. "I—I didn't mean— it wasn't—"
Another boy whispered loudly, "My mom said only millionaires drive that kind of car."
Emma panicked and blurted:
"W-Well… my brother isn't just rich! He's also super strong! And super smart! And— and— he has… um… connections with important people!"
Aiden froze.
Three ding sounds exploded in his ears at once.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATIONS
[Lie Detected] — "My brother is super strong."
→ Awarding corresponding ability: Physical Strength Enhancement Lv.1
[Lie Detected] — "My brother is super smart."
→ Awarding corresponding ability: Cognitive Enhancement Lv.1
[Lie Detected] — "He has connections with important people."
→ Awarding corresponding ability: Influence Affinity Lv.1
Aiden swayed slightly.
His muscles tightened beneath his shirt like coiled ropes.
His mind sharpened, every sound amplified, every detail clearer.
And a strange warmth pulsed through his chest—a sense of charisma he'd never felt before.
Emma stared up at him, worried. "Aiden? Are you okay? You look weird."
He forced a laugh. "I'm… fine. Just need a second."
Inside, he wasn't fine at all.
He felt like someone had just installed a supercomputer behind his eyeballs.
A Direction He Didn't Expect
As Emma hurried toward her classroom, a tall man in a charcoal suit appeared beside Aiden. His hair was combed back neatly, and his expression was sharp and respectful—but not hostile.
"Mr. Cross, correct?" he asked.
Aiden stiffened. "Uh… yes?"
The man smiled. "My employer noticed your vehicle and asked me to deliver an invitation."
He handed Aiden a black envelope sealed with gold wax.
Aiden blinked, confused.
"My employer?" he echoed.
The man nodded politely. "Yes. The CEO of Silverline Corporation. He wishes to speak with you at your earliest convenience."
Aiden's breath caught.
Silverline Corporation.
One of the biggest companies in the city.
And now they wanted him?
Just because Emma lied that he had "connections with important people"?
The system was terrifying.
But also… life-changing.
The man adjusted his collar. "There is a private security detail available if you ever need escorting, sir. Just call the number in the envelope."
Aiden stared at him.
Private security?
Meetings with CEOs?
Enhanced strength and intelligence?
All from the tiny imagination of his little sister.
Life had taken a sharp turn.
And it wasn't slowing down.
A Promise to Protect
After school, Emma climbed into the car, clutching her backpack.
"Did anything weird happen today?" she asked cautiously.
Aiden looked at her.
Looked at how small she was.
How scared she always seemed of losing him.
"Nothing too bad," he lied gently. "But Em… can you try not to tell your classmates things about me anymore? It's okay if you do, but… it makes life complicated."
Emma bit her lip. "I'm sorry. I just… don't want them to think I'm weird."
Aiden touched her head. "You're not weird. You're brilliant."
She sniffed softly. "Will… will you ever leave me if you become… rich and strong and stuff?"
His chest tightened painfully.
"Never," he whispered. "Everything I become… is for you."
Emma's eyes softened.
Aiden started the car.
The world outside the window shifted—holding danger, opportunity, and secrets he had yet to understand.
But he had one mission:
Protect Emma.
No matter what this system turned him into.
And somehow…
he felt today was only the beginning.