It was a cloudy afternoon when Mariana walked out of her economics lecture, the weight of her system's latest task still fresh in her thoughts. She had spent the past few days quietly gathering peculiar plants and subtle mineral traces around Silvercity—materials only visible to her. She was learning how to listen. How to feel the rhythm of energy hidden within everything.
But she wasn't expecting to feel his presence.
Outside the university gates, a black car pulled up. James Green stepped out, older, thinner, more rigid than she remembered. His eyes scanned the campus for someone—possibly an alumni contact or a meeting with a university trustee.
Their gazes met for a second.
It was like watching a ghost pass through another. Neither spoke. Neither smiled.
James nodded politely, unknowingly, and moved on. Mariana remained still. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, a flicker of restrained emotion swirling in her chest.
She didn't hate him. Not anymore.
But she didn't forgive him either.
She had simply moved beyond him.
Later that evening, in her shared apartment, Mariana placed the glowing herbs she had harvested into a small glass jar. The moment they touched, the jar lit with soft, warm light. The system congratulated her: "Energy successfully stored. Progress: 7%."
A soft breeze danced across her windowsill. She closed her eyes and opened her inner garden. Flowers bloomed as she focused, and the scent of healing wrapped around her. The more she grew, the more she could heal—not just people, but broken things, damaged places, aching hearts.
She smiled to herself.
"One day, George… you'll see what I've built for you."
Outside, the sky rumbled gently. Change was coming.