"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

The first day of college was always something students either eagerly anticipated or dreaded. For Jin, it felt like an inevitable step, the start of something that had been building for years. As the early morning light filtered through his window, he sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his college materials. His textbooks and notebooks were neatly arranged on his desk, and his uniform was freshly pressed. It was official — the start of his new life.

Jin had always been a quiet, observant person. He had friends, yes, but he'd never been one to seek attention. He preferred working in the background, keeping his personal achievements to himself. College would be no different.

---

At breakfast, his father offered a few words of advice, as he always did before major life events. "Remember, son, work hard, stay humble, and always keep your family in your heart." Jin nodded, smiling as he tucked into his meal.

His siblings were excited about the first day, chatting about their school year and the new friends they'd make. His mother, ever the supportive figure, wished him luck and reminded him to eat lunch.

Jin took a deep breath as he grabbed his backpack and headed out the door. He had been preparing for this moment — the balance between family, school, and his investments. Though his friends didn't know it, he was juggling far more than they could imagine.

---

The college campus was alive with energy as students hurried to their respective classrooms, some excited and others anxiously searching for their classes. Jin stood at the entrance, taking it all in. His heart raced slightly, but it was mostly curiosity. What would college bring him? More importantly, how would he balance this new chapter with his growing ambitions?

As he entered his first class, he spotted a few familiar faces from high school, but he didn't make any immediate connections. His focus was on getting through the day, learning what was needed, and keeping to his own rhythm.

---

By the end of the day, Jin felt exhausted. It had been a lot to take in, but he had handled it well. His professors had given their introductions, and the campus had been easy to navigate. He had even managed to find a quiet spot in the library to catch up on some extra reading.

His friends — Yssa, Mika, and Calix — had sent messages throughout the day, checking in with him. It was their way of being supportive, and Jin appreciated it, though he kept the details of his investments hidden. He didn't need anyone to know. Not yet, at least.

---

Later that evening, as Jin sat down in his small room with his phone in hand, he saw a notification from the system:

"New mission unlocked: Balancing College Life and Investments. Progress: 0%."

The system's message was simple, but the challenge was clear. College life would be demanding, but Jin was determined to find a way to succeed both academically and financially.

---

Over the next few weeks, Jin started to build his schedule. He had his college classes, which he took seriously, but he made time for his secret investments. His small beachfront property was slowly transforming. Renovations were progressing, though they were taking longer than he'd anticipated.

The rewards from his system tasks continued to add up, helping him with small purchases for the property. He made sure to keep everything under the radar, not just from his family but also from his friends. They were all supportive, but Jin didn't want to appear as though he was relying on them. This was his journey, and he was determined to go it alone.

---

One Saturday morning, Jin found himself standing in front of the property, hands on his hips, surveying his work. The garden was coming along, and the house's exterior had been freshly painted. The windows, which had been broken, were replaced, and inside, the rooms were slowly becoming livable again. Jin could already see the potential for the property — he had made the right choice.

The system chimed in, as it always did, with another reminder of the task at hand:

"Mission Update: Your renovation work is progressing. Reward: +10 System Points."

Jin smiled quietly to himself. Though his friends and family had no idea what he was up to, he could feel the growth.

---

As the weeks went by, Jin began to see the fruits of his efforts. College was busy, but he was managing his time well. He'd wake up early to work on his renovations, then head to classes, and in the evening, he'd take a few hours to research trading and look for new opportunities. It was a careful balancing act, but one he felt confident in.

Jin had learned a lot about himself during these first few weeks. He was capable of much more than he had imagined. Whether it was fixing up the house or diving deep into market trends, Jin was becoming someone who took quiet but deliberate action. And with every step, he was getting closer to his goals — goals that, for now, remained his secret.

---

As he sat down one evening to review his progress, a notification from the system popped up once more:

"Mission Update: First Milestone Achieved. Renovation Progress: 60%. Reward: +100 System Points, Unlock New Skill: Time Management."

Jin felt a surge of satisfaction. The system had a way of turning every task, no matter how small, into something meaningful. And with the new skill, he was sure that managing his time between school, investments, and family would become even easier.

The property was almost ready. It wouldn't be long before the first tenants arrived, and with that, his next phase of growth would begin. But for now, Jin took a deep breath and looked around his room.

College had just begun, and so had his journey — a quiet one, full of hidden progress and slow, steady growth.