"From Broke to Baller: Thanks, System?"

The weeks had been rolling by. Midterms were right around the corner, and the pressure of schoolwork, combined with his trading activities, was starting to weigh heavily on Jin. He couldn't complain, though. For the first time, everything felt purposeful. Every action, every decision, even every late-night study session, contributed to something bigger. College was just the beginning of his journey. He was determined to see it through, for himself, and for his family.

---

It was a Friday afternoon when the email notification popped up. Jin had just finished his last class of the week and was walking out of the lecture hall with Yssa, Mika, and Calix. They were chatting about random stuff when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at it, he noticed the subject line: Group Project Grade - Digital Financial Trends.

"Guess it's time," Jin muttered, tapping the message open.

> "A+ for Group 3: Yssa L., Mika R., Calix J., Jin C."

He felt a wave of relief wash over him. The project had been a lot of work, but it had paid off. The group had put in hours of effort, balancing their ideas, staying on task, and working through late-night sessions.

"Well, look at that," Calix said, leaning over Jin's shoulder. "A+. Not bad for a bunch of rookies."

Mika nodded, her lips curled in a rare, satisfied smile. "Not bad at all. We make a good team."

Yssa beamed at the notification, nudging Jin. "Told you we'd crush it, Jin."

Jin smiled, but his thoughts quickly shifted from the praise. As nice as the grade was, it wasn't his end goal. School, while important, was merely a stepping stone in his plans. The A+ was just another win in a long line of victories that had yet to come.

"Thanks, guys. Let's head out. I'll catch up later," Jin said, nodding at them as he turned toward the exit.

Once he was outside and alone, he opened his phone again to check his balance.

> Balance: ₱3,942.75

Jin's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't a huge amount, but it was enough. Enough to consider another investment. And there was one opportunity he couldn't get out of his head — a property near the campus. A quiet, older building that had potential but was still affordable. He could see its worth, its potential. It was his next target, but he wouldn't rush. Patience was key.

He'd learned that much from trading.

---

Back at his dorm, Jin found a moment of solitude in his room, which had become his safe space. With the group project behind him and midterms approaching, there was little time to relax. But that didn't stop him from opening his trading app once more.

> Beginner_101: "Jin! I followed your advice on scaling my trades. I made another ₱500 today. Thank you so much!"

Jin read the message with a slow smile. He didn't have to look at his own balance to know that small wins were just as satisfying as the larger ones. He hadn't expected this journey to include helping others, but as his community of fellow traders grew, so did his sense of responsibility. His heart swelled with pride.

> System Message: Trait Unlocked: Mentor

You've begun to influence others.

Jin leaned back in his chair, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. The system had just updated, confirming what he had felt for a while now. He wasn't just a student anymore. He wasn't just a trader. He was starting to become a guide, a mentor to others, and the weight of it made his chest tighten. But in a good way. It wasn't pressure—it was progress. Slowly, but surely, he was influencing others. One small step at a time.

---

The following day, as the sunlight broke through his dorm window, Jin woke early. There was something in the air, something that whispered of new beginnings. It was a Saturday morning, and he had planned to take a break from both his trading and his college work. But first, he had to check in with his father.

The last few weeks had been filled with small wins. He had been thinking a lot about his future and his family's future. His dad's welding work kept him busy, but Jin had been wondering how much longer his father could keep up with the physical toll of his job. That thought had weighed on Jin for a while, and now, he had something to say. He needed to talk to his dad. To let him in on what he was doing. To see if he had his support.

Jin grabbed his phone and dialed his father's number. It rang once, twice, then was answered.

"Pa?"

"Jin? Anong balita?"

"I'm okay, Pa. Just wanted to ask if you wanted to grab dinner tonight. Just the two of us. I've been thinking a lot lately."

There was a pause on the other end. His father must've been surprised. His tone softened. "Dinner? Sure, son. I can finish up by six."

"Great. I'll see you then, Pa."

After hanging up, Jin's mind shifted back to his goals. His father had always been there for him, working tirelessly to support their family. But Jin had bigger plans. Not for him, but for them. For all of them.

Jin's plans were starting to take shape, piece by piece. He couldn't let his father know everything yet, but tonight, he'd start. It was time for a talk.

---

By the time evening rolled around, Jin was ready. His father showed up at the diner, looking tired but still smiling. It was a rare occasion that the two of them went out, and it felt almost strange to be sitting here, just the two of them.

Jin and his father sat down at a quiet table, and the waitress took their order. Jin was quiet at first, simply sipping his water as they made small talk about everyday things—his dad's work, his mom's cooking, his siblings. But eventually, the conversation turned serious.

"Pa, I've been thinking about what I want to do after college," Jin said. "Not just the usual stuff… but something bigger. Something that will really help us out. Help you. Help Mom."

His father raised an eyebrow, then set down his glass. "What are you talking about?"

Jin hesitated, but this was important. "I've been looking at property. A building near my college. It's affordable. I want to invest in it. I think it'll help us in the long run."

His father studied him for a long moment, then broke into a small smile. "You've always been a thinker, Jin. I trust you."

Jin looked at his father, surprised by his response. "You do?"

His father nodded, his eyes warm. "You know, I've been working hard all these years because I wanted you to have a better life. You're going to make that happen."

Jin felt his throat tighten. "I'm just starting, Pa. But I won't forget how hard you've worked for us. Ever."

"I know you won't, son."

---

Later that night, Jin returned to his room with a quiet sense of accomplishment. The conversation had gone better than he expected, and while his father didn't fully understand all the details, he trusted Jin. And that was all Jin needed to hear.

His phone buzzed again, pulling him out of his thoughts.

> System Message: New Opportunity Detected. Property near your campus is now available for investment.

Jin opened the listing immediately.

It was exactly what he had been looking for. The building was old, but solid. Affordable, with potential. It was the next step.

He checked his balance again.

> Balance: ₱4,267.50.

He was close. So close.

But he wasn't ready to rush. He would take his time, make the right decision. For now, though, it was just another small win. Just one step closer to his goal.

End of Chapter 25