NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 61 Side Quest Part 3: A Life Anew
December 31st, 2023. Time 11:59 P.M.
"Michael, come out! It's starting!" Myra called with a loud voice, causing Michael to leave his bedroom and exited their house.
Outside, people were blowing their plastic trumpets, banging kitchen wares, and revving up their motorcycles, their open pipe exhausts adding to the cacophony of sounds heralding the New Year. The air was electric with anticipation, filled with the noise of celebration as the community came together to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one.
Michael joined his mother on the front porch, where she stood watching the festivities with a broad smile on her face. He couldn't help but smile too, caught up in the excitement and the sense of unity. Around them, neighbors greeted each other, sharing well-wishes and laughter, their voices mingling with the sounds of fireworks that began to light up the night sky.
The horizon was ablaze with colors, bursts of red, blue, and green illuminating the darkness, each explosion more spectacular than the last. Children ran around with sparklers, their faces alight with joy, tracing patterns in the air that glowed against the night.
Myra handed Michael a small horn and together, they blew into it as the countdown began.
"Ten, nine, eight," they joined in with the chorus of voices around them, the anticipation building with each descending number.
"Three, two, one... Happy New Year!" The neighborhood erupted into cheers and applause. The sky was now a canvas of dazzling fireworks, with sounds echoing like thunderous applause for the arrival of 2024. Michael turned to look at his mother. "Happy New Year mom!" "Happy New Year, Michael," Myra responded and then placed a kiss on his forehead. "We'll claim this year mom, we are going to make everyone who have shunned and left us regret their decisions. This year will be our year," Michael continued.
Myra nodded in agreement, her eyes reflecting the same determination. "Yes, we will. We've come so far, and we're only going to go further. Together."
As the fireworks show began to dwindle, the crowd's enthusiasm turned into warm embraces and conversations about hopes for the new year. Michael and Myra stayed outside a little longer, savoring the communal spirit and the fresh start that the turning of the year represented.
Eventually, they headed back inside and ate the food they prepared for the occasion.
***
January 3rd, 2024. As Michael was grinding mastery points by reading resources online, his email let out a chime, notifying him that there was a new email.
Michael paused his reading, clicking on the notification that had appeared on his screen. The email was indeed from his professor, Mr. Delgado
The subject line read, "Congratulations and Upcoming Meeting with the Board of Directors."
Curious and slightly apprehensive, Michael opened the email.
From: Professor Jonathan Delgado
To: Michael Reyes
Subject: Congratulations and Upcoming Meeting with the Board of Directors
Dear Michael,
I hope this message finds you well and thriving in your endeavors. It is with great pleasure that I write to you today, not just as your professor, but as an admirer of the innovative path you have chosen to embark upon.
Your recent invention in the realm of renewable energy has not only caught the attention of your peers and faculty but has also resonated deeply with the university's board of directors. The potential your work holds to transform our approach to energy consumption and its impact on the environment is truly remarkable. Your dedication, creativity, and commitment to making a difference are commendable and reflect the essence of what we strive to cultivate here at the university.
The board is eager to discuss your invention in greater detail and explore ways in which the university can support your project moving forward. They believe, as do I, that your work has the potential to significantly benefit our society and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
Therefore, the board has requested a meeting with you on Monday of next week. This will be a great opportunity for you as you may received recognition and possibly great rewards. Please let me know your availability for the proposed date so that I can coordinate with the board members and finalize the details of the meeting.
Once again, congratulations on your remarkable achievement. ]
"Hoh…so the Technological Institute of the Philippines' Board of Directors wants to see me too huh?" Michael mused. 21:08
Michael crafted a reply, writing that he will be available on the proposed date and expressing his gratitude for the recognition and the opportunity. After sending his response, Michael leaned back in his chair, satisfied with all the things that were happening to them. "Thank you Goddess…for giving me this system." As he was thanking the Goddess, the page he is following to receive news about cryptocurrency chimed. Michael switched to the tab, and then read the news.
[Headline: "Unprecedented Volatility Hits Crypto Markets Amidst Rising Concerns Over Security Vulnerabilities"
Content: In a startling development that has left investors and analysts grappling for answers, the cryptocurrency markets experienced a day of wild swings and unprecedented volatility. This Thursday saw major digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, drop sharply by up to 15% in value within hours, only to partially recover later in the day. The sudden market movements have sparked concerns over potential underlying vulnerabilities in digital asset platforms.
Sources point to a series of minor yet concerning security breaches reported across several decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. While the breaches have been contained with no significant losses reported, they underscore the growing risks associated with digital finance's rapid expansion. Industry experts are calling for enhanced security measures to protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The volatility has also reignited debates around the regulation of digital currencies. Regulators are under pressure to strike a balance between fostering innovation in the burgeoning sector and protecting investors from potential market manipulation and security risks.
Despite today's market turmoil, long-term cryptocurrency enthusiasts remain bullish, viewing the dip as a buying opportunity. However, the event has undoubtedly sown seeds of doubt among some investors, particularly those new to the digital finance space.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on how digital asset exchanges and DeFi platforms respond to these security challenges and whether regulatory bodies will introduce new measures aimed at stabilizing the crypto market.]
"Oh ... .it's starting huh?" Michael mused again. He bet against the crypto market, predicting them crashing in 2024, this is the first sign that it's going down.