On his first day transferring to the new school, Lock felt the difference between a small town and vast New York City.
That same day, Lock used the potential points he had accumulated to raise his math and English levels. Had he not, getting a high score and earning the quest reward with his current knowledge would have been nothing short of a miracle.
But...
Investing in oneself is the best investment.
Fortunately, Lock wasn't one of those frogs content to stay at the bottom of a well. He felt there would be plenty of surprise exams at Midtown High School, and each one would be an opportunity for him to earn more points.
Just two exams would recoup his spent potential points; after that, every subsequent exam would put him in the clear.
Three o'clock in the afternoon.
Lock exited the faculty office, where his transfer application to the school had been processed.
In the US, college admissions required preparation from middle school right up until enrollment, but Lock hadn't yet decided which college to attend.
— Lock.
— Gwen?
Lock took his backpack from his locker and was about to leave when he heard a voice and turned around. Gwen stood behind him, holding a book.
Essentially, he was supposed to be heading to a university preparatory program, also known as AP courses.
These courses allowed students to earn qualified exam credits in advance, which would later aid them in gaining admission to any university in the country. However, attending these courses wasn't strictly mandatory.
Lock hadn't yet decided where he would enroll, as he had just arrived and hadn't thought everything through. So, instead of attending the courses, he was heading to his new home.
Gwen looked at Lock, who had retrieved his backpack, and smiled. — Want to join a club?
— I don't know, I just got here. I need to get used to life here first," Lock replied with a shrug.
— If you're interested, you could join our chemistry club," Gwen said with a smile, nodding.
Lock chuckled. — I need to look around first, new environment, all that. I just arrived from Texas today; I haven't even seen my house yet.
Gwen flinched slightly. — You don't have anyo—
Lock cut her off before she could continue. — I'm an orphan.
— Oh, Lock, I'm sorry, I didn't realize...— Gwen's expression shifted slightly.
— It's alright. Sometimes it's even nice to be on your own," Lock smiled.
If you're an orphan, it means you have to constantly work.
Especially in the US.
Being an orphan without a family is, in essence, a constant state. Besides, you certainly don't have to worry about running into a bad family — though growing up without parents can turn out poorly, that wasn't a concern for a reincarnator.
— Do you need any help?
— Huh?
Gwen smiled, opened her locker, took out her backpack, and looked at Lock. — I've lived in New York my whole life, and besides, helping a classmate is exactly what a class president does.
Wow, what enthusiasm.
Lock blinked, watching Gwen, who tossed her ponytail and put on an expression filled with pity.
Hey, what's with the pity?
"I might be an orphan, but I'm far from poor!"
But...
Lock looked at Gwen, who stood before him with a sweet smile on her face, and opened his mouth, but then he remembered something.
"By the way, where's the spider-guy?"
Lock snapped out of it, swung his backpack onto his back, and pondered this dilemma with some curiosity.
"Did I remember something wrong? I refuse to believe he's in a different version of this universe."
— By the way, what's your budget?
— Budget?
— Well, your budget for rent.
Gwen, who had left school with Lock, eager to help her classmate, said, — The school offers some assistance with housing for students who need to rent an apartment in the Midtown area. They provide a decent discount.
— Uh, I chose an apartment before I even came to New York," Lock said plainly, a little taken aback.
He had picked out an apartment even before his transfer to the New York school was finalized and had intended to arrive earlier, but some events delayed him, and he only reached the city this morning.
And since it was his first day at school, he couldn't just skip classes.
Something like that...
— Oh?
Gwen asked with some curiosity. — Where is it, in Oak Apartments?
Lock shook his head and hailed a taxi. — What was it called again... oh, the Star Building.
— What?" Gwen asked, blinking and looking a little bewildered at Lock, who was helping her open the back seat door.
"Star Building?"
"The one on Fifth Avenue?"
Fifteen minutes later.
Fifth Avenue.
Lock exited the car, pulled out his mobile phone, made a call, and dialed the number of the agent he had contacted.
Gwen, sitting beside him, gazed at the building before her — New York's legendary Star Building. She blinked, then couldn't help but look at Lock, who had just hung up the phone.
"Isn't he an orphan?"
Gwen was utterly perplexed.
Soon, an agent in an expensive suit with slicked-back hair appeared a short distance away. He spotted Lock at a glance and approached him, forcing a smile. — Mr. Broughton.
Lock looked at the agent and shook his hand. — Hello, Mr. Oren.
A smile appeared on the agent, Oren's, face. — No problem at all, then let's head up, Mr. Broughton.
Though Lock was young.
But...
Oren had checked the account and confirmed that Lock was no ordinary high school student. He possessed the financial means, and his mere desire was enough to purchase an apartment in the Star Building.
If he did sell this apartment, his commission would be astronomical.
Lock looked at Gwen, who stood beside him. — Let's go.
Gwen looked around and nodded.
"It seemed her perception of the word 'orphan' had been somewhat distorted."
Twenty-eighth floor!
— The interior space is two hundred square meters. A full two floors. Furthermore, the previous owner installed a complete Stark Smart Home system six months ago; all the furniture and appliances are connected to it. Provided the contract is signed today, you can move in today. It fully meets the requirements Mr. Broughton mentioned over the phone.
Lock set his book bag on the luxurious sofa, opened the living room windows wide, and stepped onto the terrace, where a private pool was located.
Central Park was across the street.
Gwen, meanwhile, stood in the living room, surveying the furnishings and appliances of the home. Then, feeling utterly bewildered once again, she looked at Lock, who stood with his back to her on the terrace, gazing at Central Park with his hands clasped behind him.
"Are all orphans this rich these days?"
Lock looked at the triangular-shaped building in the distance and cast a grim glance at it.
Initially, he still had some doubts, but for some reason, after entering the Star Building, that hesitation vanished.
Lock turned, looked at Oren, took a bank card from his pocket, and handed it to him. — I'll buy it.
Oren's eyes lit up.
Gwen, in turn, gawked.
"He was really paying for this apartment..."
A beep sounded.
Suddenly, a receipt emerged from the terminal. Gwen was utterly dumbfounded.
Oren, on the other hand, respectfully returned the bank card to Lock. — Alright, Mr. Broughton, I'll go back and prepare the documents as soon as possible, and I'll send them to you in three days.
Lock nodded.
This transaction completely wiped out the savings he had accumulated during his years of struggle in Texas.