Chapter 13: Left alone
The next day, Michael woke up refreshed and happy. He glanced at the acceptance documents over on the windowsill and jumped off the bed in one motion. He got in! He was an EIS student, which stood for Experimental International School for gifted children. It was one of the most well-funded and promising schools in the world!
The previous evening, Michael had received two phone calls. First, principal Graves wanted to personally apologize to Michael's mother and congratulate her on raising such a clever and resourceful son.
The other phone call had been from Mark Jones. He explained why Michael couldn't be there when Graves confronted Kamyshov and promised to tell him the whole story over tea. Seeing as there was still a week left before the start of the school year, Michael received an invitation to come see Jones on Monday.
It was Saturday morning. Michael prepared breakfast for his mother as usual, something she got used to quickly. With a full stomach, Michael sat behind a computer and once again considered his options. One way for him to sell the lyrics was through a talent agency or a recording company. Otherwise, he would have to contact the performers and offer them the songs "written specifically for them".
Of course, Michael had already copyrighted all three songs via the Internet beforehand. He wasn't familiar with the entertainment industry's behind-the-scenes operations, but he knew how easy it was to steal intellectual property.
First, he wanted to contact a recording company that had an office nearby. Even though he would have to go there by bus, he decided to make the trip in person. While he was thinking of a way to ask his mother for money, she entered the room.
"Misha, dear, now that you've been accepted to the school, we need to move our things here from Russia. We can't keep living like nomads, with a single set of utensils and a few sets of clothes. If we continue washing our clothes at this rate, they will turn to rags in three months. What do you say?"
"I agree, mom. I need some of my things too. Do you think dad might move with us?" Michael asked, already knowing her answer.
"Probably not right now. You know how your father is, set in his ways. Also, his health is a concern. Even though our family isn't rich anymore, he has friends in Russia who are always glad to help. But here, what do we do if he gets worse? We can't rely on the school for everything".
"You're right, mom" Michael sighed, "I think you should go and leave me here".
"What? No, Misha, how can you live by yourself! Look at you, you don't know how to…" she stopped, realizing Michael had been taking care of her lately, not the other way around. She didn't even know when her little boy became so responsible and skilled in housework. Was it because he was growing up?
"Just leave me some money, mom. I have enough clothes to wear and I only have to buy food for a week. Then, I can scrounge for food in the school cafeteria any time. Plus, I want to familiarize myself with the school grounds and hopefully meet some of my classmates who will arrive early".
His mother hesitated for a while before giving up. She allowed Michael to stay alone because if anything happened, the school wouldn't stay idle. The kind-hearted woman always saw the best in people and believed her son wouldn't be neglected. She even agreed not to contact the school's caretakers and just leave Michael to his own devices.
It was supposed to be a short trip to Russia and back, seeing as all their basic needs had been met. The free apartment had all the basic furniture, a phone, a TV and a computer. Mother and son only needed their personal items: clothes, books, supplies and various trinkets. They could buy whatever else they needed.
In the evening, Michael saw his mother off. She didn't want him to accompany her to the airport. She didn't have much baggage and was uncomfortable with her 13-year-old son traveling all the way back by himself.
On the one hand, Michael was content with his mother's absence. That meant he had more freedom in his actions. He planned out his visit to the recording company the next day and took a few notes on how to present the songs. Then, he became bored, because there was also a downside to being alone in the apartment, and it wasn't loneliness. There was no way for him to earn glory points!
"Hey, Glory. We haven't spoken in a while".
Michael sat in silence for a minute.
"Aren't you going to answer me?!"
"Host did not ask a question. Glory cannot provide an answer".
"All right then, I'll ask a question. Hmm…" However, Michael had already asked Glory everything he could before. After thinking about recent events, he finally came up with a question.
"Glory, you told me I would get stronger with an increase in cultivation. I also noticed it recently when I had to use force to pull Jerry in the hallway. But why does my physical strength improve if the first stage of cultivation focuses on the mind?"
"With increase in nerves' function, response from host's muscles also becomes stronger. Host does not increase his physical strength but taps into the potential of his body average humans cannot use".
"Ah, is that the legendary strength mothers call on to lift a tree that fell on their child?"
"That is an example of using the body's potential, yes".
"But the boost can't be that large, right?" doubted Michael.
"Compared to host's original physical capabilities, fully engaged and enhanced nervous system may bring about an amplification of several times".
"Glory, can you speak easier, more like a human?" whined Michael after spending a few seconds to decipher the program's answer. It was even more difficult because he could only hear it. Glory didn't provide visual cues during normal dialogue.
"Splendid Glory is a program designed specifically for cultivation. Glory is not a human, therefore unable to speak like a human".
Irritated, Michael stopped talking. He spent the rest of the day in cultivation, now able to absorb more imaginary water after reaching 1-stage, 3-star. However, he had just reached this level, and would have to spend time to advance again.
On Sunday, Michael woke up early, cooked and ate a healthy meal, took a shower and put on his best clothes. With the songs in hand, he left the apartment building and walked to the nearby bus stop.
Experimental International School, or EIS, was located on the outskirts of the city. That way, it appeared as a community in itself, but also had access to the city-level organizations, goods and facilities. For example, an airport, an ice rink or a recording company.
EIS was well-guarded with security personnel numbering over fifty people. It was necessary to ensure the safety of geniuses and influential people's children. However, leaving the grounds was easy, it only meant the school wouldn't shoulder the responsibility in case something happened.
While on the bus, Michael felt so bored that he checked Glory's notification logs. He was pleasantly surprised with earning 2 glory points that morning for "taking care of himself". Wondering if he would earn the points if he wasn't 13, he almost missed his stop.
"StarFire Records" was an averagely popular recording company, mainly working with fresh young talents. However, in the entertainment business, it was impossible to advance without a wide network of connections. Michael expected "StarFire Records" to have a line of communication with famous stars and producers too.
After entering the office, the boy went straight to the receptionist and inquired if it was possible to talk to someone responsible for purchasing lyrics. The receptionist directed him to the 3rd floor, Music and Lyrics Acquisition department. Content with how smooth the process had been so far, Michael headed for the 3rd floor.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
BlackInk
BlackInk In case of a cutoff: "Content with how smooth the process had been so far, Michael headed for the 3rd floor."
Ah, plagiarizing from another world's future! Michael is really a superstar!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone