Lone Cultivator In Another World

Pain Tolerance helped with cultivation more than Michael could imagine. It lessened the pain from absorbing boiling water so much, he felt like he returned to those comfortable temperatures of the 5th-7th stars. The water was a manifestation of his imagination, it existed in his mind, and Pain Tolerance also affected the brain, not the nerves in the body.

Riding a high from this discovery, Michael cultivated right in his plane seat throughout the trip. Without assuming a relaxing pose, he charged ahead and inhaled large amounts of energy. Without the pain, the process sped up ten times. He estimated he'd reach 9-star in a week.

With both of his parents in tow, the colors seemed brighter and passers-by seemed to smile more. Vladimir Severniy was very impressed with the school and decided to learn English to be able to communicate with everyone here. Since his son was a star student, it was only right for him to use the opportunity and meet with writers, artists, philosophers and whoever else that settled and taught at EIS.

The trio first went home, to their apartment 803. Michael's past life's apartment 805 was still empty, reminding him of the small changes between the two worlds. They left their bags, all of which were full of Vladimir's things. The man turned back to simple tastes after spending everything he earned on cancer, and only needed some suitcases to carry what he owned.

Michael urged his parents to go meet his friends, but his father was tired after the trip, and mom stayed back to take care of him. The cultivator headed out to the school alone.

They had set up a meeting beforehand, so when he entered the room, everyone was already waiting there for him. Sofia turned fifteen while he was away which did not curb her demeanor in the least. Anna looked like she hadn't slept in ages, with bags under her eyes, her skin paler than usual. Dimitri was sulking like someone stole all his gadgets.

"Yo!" greeted Michael.

"Hi!"

"Glad you're back."

"Yo yourself," responded Dimitri, "why didn't I listen to you?"

"I told you we were going to make good money. I even promised you millions of people would play it."

"I thought you were bragging," the Greek youth w.h.i.n.ed.

"And what about you guys?" Michael squinted at the girls, "Are you also unhappy with the shares?"

"Wait. I'm not unhappy per se. I… My family is in debt, and this money is enough to repay a good chunk of it. I don't regret my decision. Just, now that you are all millionaires, I feel left out."

"And you?" Michael ignored Dimitri and addressed the girls again.

"I'm fine," Anna's response was short and on point.

"Eh… I mean, if you're giving out money, I would take a million. When I tell my dad I earned that much by the time I turned fifteen two weeks ago, he will flip! It's more impressive than a hundred."

"All right. Here's what I'm going to do."

Michael took out his copy of the contract and tore it apart before anyone realized what he was doing.

"Now it's all in the air. You're welcome to destroy your copies, and we can negotiate new shares that will satisfy everyone."

The cultivator took in his friends' startled appearances. It wasn't some spectacle for him. He was prepared to see if these three would choose money over their word. Of course, his advantage of having seen the future still held. The people in this room were all honorable, or at least their grown-up versions were. But that was pretty much the same thing, wasn't it?

If someone chose to renegotiate, he would pay them in full, but their relationship could never return to what it was. Except the confused trio couldn't glean that from Michael's sincere wide smile.

"No!" Dimitri was the first to prove himself. Despite all his doubts and complaints, he had a strong character. When Michael was in his twenties and forced to stay at home, Dimitri risked his life to provide what help he could. Some people wouldn't do that for their families. It seemed, the bond between brothers held true even in another world.

"Why not?"

"I don't need you to correct my mistakes. Instead, you wanted to make a sequel? I'm signing up right now. With better pay!" the boy grinned.

"Once again, I don't need much," Sofia continued after Dimitri, "I would appreciate a million, but let's not rewrite our contracts because of that. Ann?" she nudged the girl sitting next to her.

"My share was decided by Michael. He thinks it's fair, and I agree. It's almost three million already; I wouldn't know what to do with it, anyway."

"Here's what I suggest. I'll give Sofia what she needs to give her dad a small heart attack from my own money. Don't interrupt! I have kind of s.u.c.k.e.d up your and Dimitri's shares, so it's only fair. You're welcome to work on the sequel if you want, too."

"I don't mind," the Bulgarian girl beamed. "And thank you. I'm going to buy all the clothes at that place."

"Which place?"

"All the places," Sofia stuck out her tongue.

"Sure," Michael's lips twitched. "As for you, man, I have big plans. I'm using my part of the profits to start a company, North Gaming. And I want you to work for me. I'm offering you a fancy title, a signing bonus and a promise that there are things much more interesting than games in my sights."

"Like what?"

"You'll know when we have the funds for it."

"And what was that about a signing bonus?"

Michael smirked, "Five million for your employment. Not for Angry Birds, but to ensure you'll help me make a few more sensations like that."

The Greek youth's eyes widened. He rose from his seat and grabbed Michael in a bear hug.

"Deal!"

"Ha-ha, great! Tell me, how is our Android version doing? And what about project Stript…"

"Nothing there," Dimitri blushed, "but the game is ready. For now, here's what I came up with. The game connects to the Internet once per every block of levels and checks the buyer's unique code. So, for every purchased copy, exactly one person is allowed to access each block of levels."

"Impressive."

"Thanks, but that means we need a server. I've also added this feature to the iOS version. It won't make the game foolproof, but the hackers will have to break a sweat."

"As the future company owner, I'll buy you that server as soon as we take out the money," calmed him down Michael.

A million for Sofia, to thank her for her work. Anna was entitled to 2.7 million, and five more to rope Dimitri in. Michael wasn't sure how big his family's debt was, but judging from his reaction, that took care of it. Another two million or so he would set aside for his parents. That left Michael with a bit over 7 million, not even enough to pay Old Zhao what he promised.

Still, he considered these expenses necessary. His father taught him to take care of his people, and he did so by example, even refusing to follow his son to Europe to make sure his workers wouldn't be left behind. Michael didn't see it as buying his friends' loyalty, because it already belonged to him. Instead, he strengthened their bonds and showed them he would always have their back.

Amidst everyone's celebration, Anna looked gloomy, and Michael didn't know what to make of it. Was she worried he'd be angry if she didn't work out that cancer formula?

When the cultivator first appeared in this world, he saw it as an opportunity to right past wrongs and make everyone's lives better. An important part of that was Alice, his one and only love. She suffered as much as him in his past life, and for a while he imagined them to be like star-crossed lovers, only able to find happiness in another world. However, with the passing of time, he remembered that he was toying with people's feelings.

Maybe it was because he'd been deprived of human connection for ten years, but it all seemed like a game at first. De-aging, cultivation, gathering allies. But then, so many things happened that forced him out of his shell, broke the limits he subtly set for himself.

Where he was once afraid to open up, to care, now he trembled in anticipation of what this new life held for him. In this world, he was special and unique, and could protect those dear to him. He not only had something to fight for, but had a chance to win.

Michael had to admit he'd failed Anna. He groomed her into what only he could see, into the brilliant woman she became in her mid-twenties. Not Dimitri, not anyone else, only her. And she grew dependent on him in the process.

Michael never loved a woman other than Alice, and it took him a while to remember that Anna was at an impressionable age. Did she fall for him? If so, what could he do but break her heart? Because somewhere, Alice waited for him.

Except, as his parents' sweet embrace reminded him, she didn't know he existed.

.