Chapter 9: The First Step
Sadd walked through the busy streets until he found a small, cluttered building with a sign that said "Tech & Repairs." He took a deep breath, straightened his worn clothes, and stepped inside. The air smelled like burnt metal and old wires.
Two older men were hunched over a table, working on a glowing machine. Sadd waited for a moment before speaking up.
"Greetings, seniors," he said, bowing his head slightly. "I am here to ask if there is any work available for me. I am willing to do anything—cleaning, lifting, or even fixing. Please, I just need a chance to prove I can be useful."
One of the workers looked up, wiping grease from his forehead with a rag. He looked at Sadd's small frame and sighed.
"Hmm," the worker said, shaking his head. "It is true we lack workers, but this place is a mess. It would be too much for a kid like you to handle. You'd probably just get in the way."
Sadd didn't move. He kept his head bowed, his voice steady but desperate. "Please, senior. I am begging you. I am a fast learner and I won't stop until the job is done perfectly. I can do it."
The worker looked at his companion and then shouted toward the back of the shop. "Boss! What should we do with this one?"
A tall man with graying hair and sharp eyes walked out from the back office. He looked Sadd up and down for a long time. The shop went quiet.
"How about this," the Boss said finally. "You will be an errand boy for our shop. You'll carry parts, clean the benches, and deliver items. I'll pay you 100 creds a day. How about it?"
Sadd's heart leaped. 100 creds was enough to buy a good meal for himself and the girls. "I agree! Thank you, Boss!"
The first worker leaned in and whispered to the Boss, "Boss, can he really do it? Our shop isn't big, but the work is heavy. This isn't something a minor should be doing."
The Boss watched Sadd, who had already picked up a broom and started sweeping a corner without being told.
"No, he can do it," the Boss replied quietly. "Look at his eyes. That is the look of someone who is in desperate need of a job to survive. He has a fire in him that most people don't. Take good care of him."
The worker nodded, looking at Sadd with a bit more respect. "Mm. Yes, Boss."
Sadd smiled to himself as he worked. It was hard labor, but it was his first real step toward a better life. He could already imagine the look on Doah and Tersa's faces when he brought home food tonight.
Sadd worked harder than anyone expected. He moved heavy crates, organized the messy shelves, and kept the workbench spotless. Every time the workers looked up, Sadd was already finishing a task and asking for the next one. By the end of the shift, his clothes were dusty and his muscles were sore, but he felt a great sense of pride.
The Boss walked over and handed him a small stack of coins. "Here is your 100 creds, kid. You did well today. See you tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, Boss! Thank you!" Sadd said with a bright smile.
He didn't head home immediately. Instead, he took some of the money to a nearby stall and bought three warm, meat-filled buns—one for himself and two for the girls. With the food safely in his bag, he hurried toward the city's central district, where a massive building made of white stone stood.
The Great Library of Awiebo
As he stepped inside the library, the silence was a huge relief compared to the noisy tech shop. Thousands of books lined the walls, stretching up toward the ceiling. To anyone else, it was an overwhelming amount of information, but to Sadd, it looked like a feast.
He sat down at a small table in the back and pulled a stack of books toward him. Some were about basic computer coding, others were about the history of the "Unawakened," and one was a thick medical journal.
UIA: Master, the environment is perfect. Shall we begin the data transfer?
"Let's do it, UIA," Sadd whispered.
As he flipped the pages, his Path of Academic Genius went to work. He wasn't just reading the words; he was seeing the patterns. He understood how software was built to make money online, and he began to memorize the chemical structures of rare herbs that could help his mother.
Hours passed like minutes. His brain absorbed every bit of data, and UIA stored it all in his infinite memory.
I am learning, Sadd thought, his eyes scanning a page on advanced technology. In the morning I am a worker, but at night, I am becoming a master.
When he finally left the library, the stars were out. He hurried back to the abandoned house, his heart thumping. He couldn't wait to see his friends and tell them that for the first time in their lives, they wouldn't have to worry about their next meal.