The days that followed felt like stepping into a dream she hadn't asked for—but was finally ready to live in. For the first time in her life, Amara didn't wake up worrying about money, school fees, food, or survival. She woke up to comfort a soft sheets ,warm room, sunlight filtering through real curtains, not the faded ones she grew up with, and a wardrobe that didn't sigh in embarrassment when opened.But the real transformation didn't happen in her room, but it happened in her.
On a quiet morning, Amara stood in front of her mirror—not the cracked one she once used, but a tall, elegant one that reflected her fully, she studied her reflection and her skin glowed now not because of expensive creams but because she finally slept without stress squeezing her heart.
Her hair looked fuller, shinier, her eyes looked alive, not tired, her posture was straighter. Life was no longer choking her, But something else was changing, too, her confidence and she moved differently spoke differently thought differently.
The system's gifts had changed her circumstances but her growth was changing her identity.
She sat on her bed and whispered, "System… are you awake?"
A soft chime echoed.
SYSTEM: ACTIVE. GOOD MORNING, AMARA.
She smiled softly. "Can you explain how you work?"
The system hummed.
SYSTEM RULE:
You receive whatever people brag about within your range.
ADDITIONAL NOTE:
The stronger your self-worth becomes, the stronger I become.
Amara frowned "Self-worth?"
Confidence increases system synchronization and fear reduces it.
She blinked "So… if I believe in myself, I get more?"
"Yes".
She sat back, stunned, all her life, people made her feel small, insignificant, unworthy.
Was the system… teaching her to grow past that? Her heart fluttered with something bright which is hope.
Later that afternoon, Amara walked to a nearby shopping plaza. She kept her hood up, trying to blend in, not because she was poor anymore ,but because she wasn't ready for attention. She passed by a group of stylish women taking selfies.
"Girl, I bought this designer bag for ₦900,000! My hubby said I deserve luxury!"
DING.
Reward Received: Luxury Designer Bag
She held her breath and in her hand appeared a beautiful handbag, the exact one the woman bragged about.
"Oh my God," Amara whispered.
Another pair of girls strutted past.
"Have you seen my new wig? ₦350k, raw human hair! I no dey do cheap things."
DING.
Reward Received: ₦350,000 Wig
A soft weight appeared in her shopping bag, she covered her mouth to keep from laughing. The system was… incredible, but she needed to understand it better.
"System," she whispered, "what else can you do?"
You may learn to channel bragging intentionally. Seek environments rich with pride.
Amara blinked.
"So… if I walk into somewhere people brag a lot… I get a lot?"
Correct.
Oh.
Oh wow.
There was only one place in the world where bragging never ended which is her class group chat reunion.She giggled softly.
"Maybe soon."
When she returned home, Mama stared at her like she was looking at a celebrity.
"Amara… you are even fine like this? Where you see all these?" her mother asked, waving her hand up and down, making Amara blushed.
"Mama, it's just… life improving."
"Life improving ke? You're now looking like Lagos big girl! Even your walking has changed!"Amara laughed.
"Mama stop."
But her mother wasn't joking, she looked at Amara tenderly, wiping her eyes.
"My daughter is shining. God, thank you."
Amara hugged her tightlyand for once, she didn't feel inferior, she didn't feel like a burden, she felt… enough.
Her phone buzzed.
Leo:Are you free tomorrow evening?I want to take you somewhere beautiful.
Her heart fluttered wildly while she typed: Yes, I'd love to.
Then she stared at the message for a long moment afterward, Leo was getting closer, and she felt it in her chest. But with every new step toward him, the system grew louder—almost as if watching… studying… waiting and he didn't know whether it was a guardian…or a trap.
But for tonight, she let herself smileand enjoy the new life she was stepping into.