After settling into the familiar glow of the simulation, Joe leaned back, allowing the digital environment to envelop him in quiet serenity. His connection with Lumi remained flawlessly stable, a sign that the AI had adapted further to his presence. As the simulation stabilized, Agatha appeared before him, her expression thoughtful but with traces of curiosity.
"So, how was the first day of preparation?" Agatha asked, crossing her arms as she studied Joe.
Joe exhaled lightly. "It was good—different. I finalized my plan for the University of Heritage entrance test. I've structured my approach into four areas: academic knowledge, physical training, social interaction, and leadership development." He hesitated before adding, "My grandparents had their own ideas, though. My grandfather wanted me to visit Trodeau Industries' headquarters on Luthen, and my grandmother wanted me to go shopping with her."
Agatha smirked slightly. "Shopping? That would've been interesting. You'd look great in one of those ridiculous formal outfits."
Joe rolled his eyes, "Not happening. But the visit to Trodeau Industries... that was tempting. Still, I had to stay focused. I don't want distractions pulling me away from my goal."
Lumi's voice entered the discussion smoothly, cutting through the ambient data streams. "Distractions are not inherently counterproductive. Exposure to industrial advancements would provide valuable insight into the engineering and economic structure of interstellar travel. Avoiding extraneous indulgence is commendable, but dismissing important observational opportunities outright may reduce adaptive growth."
Joe furrowed his brow, considering Lumi's words. "You mean I should've gone?"
"Not necessarily," Lumi corrected. "Prioritization is subjective to immediate needs, but continued exposure to relevant industries must remain integrated in your long-term trajectory."
Agatha tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Lumi has a point. You need to understand how the universe operates beyond books and training. If you get the chance later, you should visit places like Trodeau Industries' headquarters. They literally manufacture ships equipped with the only functioning wormhole generators in human space—seeing that firsthand might shift your understanding of strategic development."
Joe nodded. "I'll keep that in mind for later. For now, I have one month before the entrance test. My focus has to be unwavering."
Lumi's interface pulsed, approving his statement. "Your structured preparation is optimized for efficiency. However, adaptability in learning styles must be accounted for. Engage in interactive simulations to complement theoretical study. Use diverse cognitive input methods to retain information beyond standard processing models."
Joe absorbed Lumi's advice, already adjusting his mental approach to studying. "I was already planning to simulate real-world applications for certain subjects. I'll integrate additional learning techniques where possible."
Agatha, however, seemed less concerned about his study habits and more intrigued by the social aspect of his upcoming experience. "You know what I really want from you, Joe?"
Joe raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess—stories?"
Agatha grinned. "Exactly. You need to live the experience, not just study it. For once, you'll be surrounded by kids who aren't heirs, soldiers, or war strategists. Regular people with no idea who you really are. You have to make friends and just... be a normal kid."
Joe hesitated, glancing toward Lumi for support. The AI, however, remained neutral.
"Social integration is beneficial," Lumi stated. "Human interpersonal connections facilitate cognitive development and emotional resilience. Experience in peer-based environments will provide new adaptive skill sets otherwise unattainable through conventional study."
Joe sighed. "Fine, fine. I'll try. But no guarantees—I've never really done the 'normal school' thing before."
Agatha's smirk softened into something genuine. "That's the point, Joe. You're always focused on the bigger picture. Just try to enjoy the moment."
Joe leaned back, letting that thought settle.
Maybe Agatha was right.
This next phase of his life wasn't just about preparation—it was about living.
And for the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to feel excited about the unknown waiting ahead.
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the towering spires of Indraprastha, its light filtered through the intelligent atmospheric regulators that maintained the planet's perfect climate. Inside the grand mansion, Joe sat at the breakfast table, his mind already occupied with the entrance exam preparations for the University of Heritage. His focus was unwavering—until his grandmother, Silviya Trodeau, calmly placed her cup down and turned her piercing gaze toward him.
"Joe, today you will accompany me on a shopping trip," she announced with quiet finality.
Joe barely held back a sigh. "Grandmother, I don't need new clothes," he protested, finishing his meal with deliberate patience.
Silviya gave him a knowing smile, elegant yet firm. "You are a Maya by blood, and a Trudeau by legacy. You may dismiss the importance of appearance, but the world will not. You must dress the part, or else they will attempt to define you in ways you do not control."
Samuel Black, Joe's lifelong shadow and sworn protector, stood silently nearby, his presence as steady as ever. He, too, understood the unspoken rules of power and perception, though he gave no opinion on the matter.
Despite Joe's reluctance, resistance was futile. Within the hour, he found himself seated inside a high-speed grav transport (refers to a cutting-edge transportation system that utilizes gravitonic propulsion to enable ultra-fast, smooth, and efficient travel across planetary cities, orbital stations, and interstellar hubs. Unlike traditional vehicles that rely on combustion engines or electromagnetic propulsion, grav transports manipulate gravitational fields to allow seamless motion with minimal energy expenditure), flanked by his grandmother, Samuel, and the elite security convoy assigned to the Trudeau family. Their destination: Opal Heights, the most extravagant shopping district of Indraprastha.
As the transport moved swiftly through the metropolis, Joe gazed out through the reinforced transparisteel (advanced material used in high-tech architectural designs, spacecraft, and security applications. It combines the structural strength of steel with the clarity of glass, making it ideal for environments that require both durability and visibility) windows at the breath-taking fusion of art, technology, and civilization that made Indraprastha unlike any other planet.
Hovering Trade Towers dominated the skyline—each one acting as a floating corporate hub where deals spanning multiple star systems were negotiated. Aerial Gardens suspended over urban plazas, their biomechanical flora self-sustaining and genetically engineered to purify the air. Gravity-Controlled Highways where vehicles moved seamlessly through layers of traffic, directed by the city's AI traffic regulators. Transparent Sky Bridges linked various shopping districts, their surfaces shimmering with real-time holographic advertisements personalized for each passerby. Cybernetic Merchandising Hubs where neural-linked interfaces allowed shoppers to adjust clothing designs simply by thinking.
Despite his indifference to luxury, Joe couldn't deny the engineering brilliance behind the city's construction. Indraprastha wasn't just a place—it was a testament to human progress, designed to maximize efficiency while maintaining stunning aesthetics.