The rhythmic hum of Aureon's makeshift workshop became a familiar sound in their small living unit. The demand for his specialized repair skills for older transport vehicles continued to grow steadily. Word had spread through the less affluent districts and the niche communities of Port Veritas – a reliable and affordable technician who could breathe life back into their beloved skimmers and grav-bikes. Aureon, now seventeen, moved with a confident efficiency, his hands deftly manipulating tools and components, his mind constantly referencing the schematics and diagnostic protocols provided by the "Absolute God Tycoon System."
Their tiny unit, while still cramped, had transformed. A proper workbench now occupied one corner, equipped with a growing array of specialized tools and testing equipment, much of it acquired through shrewd trades and reinvestment of profits. Elleaner, now fifteen, had become an indispensable partner. Her natural empathy and sharp memory made her excellent at managing customer interactions, scheduling appointments, and keeping track of their inventory of spare parts. She had even developed a knack for sourcing rare components through the spaceport's sprawling network of independent traders, her intuition often leading her to unexpected finds.
Aureon continued to diligently explore the Business Module of the system, his understanding of economics and management growing with each passing cycle. He learned about the importance of customer satisfaction, the principles of supply chain management, and the basics of marketing their services. The module even offered insights into dealing with potential competitors, cautioning against undercutting prices recklessly and emphasizing the value of building a strong reputation based on quality and trust.
The steady influx of credits allowed them to improve their living conditions further. They acquired more comfortable furnishings, upgraded their nutrient paste dispenser to one with a wider variety of options, and even treated themselves to occasional synth-fruit, a rare luxury in their early years on the streets. For the first time, they felt a sense of genuine stability, a feeling that their hard work and the guidance of the system were finally paying off.
However, Aureon's ambition stretched far beyond their small repair business. The Business Module hinted at opportunities for expansion, for leveraging his technical skills and Elleaner's interpersonal abilities to create something much larger. He began to study the module's sections on establishing a formal company, navigating regulations within the Kingdom of Veridia Prime, and even exploring potential markets beyond Port Veritas.
The Combat Module remained a consistent part of his daily routine. He practiced the forms and techniques diligently, his lean body growing stronger and more agile. While he hadn't yet encountered any serious threats that required the use of these skills, he felt a growing sense of preparedness, a quiet confidence that he would be able to protect Elleaner should the need arise.
Their clientele began to expand beyond individual owners of older vehicles. Small freight companies and independent traders operating on tight budgets sought out Aureon's affordable and reliable services to keep their aging transports running. This provided a more consistent stream of income and exposed Aureon to the broader workings of interstellar commerce, albeit on a smaller scale. He started to learn about the different types of cargo being transported, the various routes used by traders, and the economic dynamics of the outer districts of Port Veritas.
Elleaner, with her growing understanding of people and her intuitive grasp of their needs, began to suggest ways to expand their business. She proposed offering mobile repair services to clients who couldn't easily bring their vehicles to their small unit. She also suggested creating a basic informational network for owners of older transport vehicles, connecting them with sources for rare parts and offering troubleshooting tips. These ideas, initially sparked by her empathy for their customers, proved to be surprisingly effective in attracting new business and fostering customer loyalty.
As their horizons expanded, so too did their awareness of the wider galactic landscape. Aureon started spending time in the public data terminals, accessing news feeds and information about the various galactic empires and republics that comprised their known universe. He learned about the Alarian Republic's political structure, its technological strengths, and its ongoing trade relations with neighboring powers. The sheer scale of these interstellar entities and the vastness of the multiverse ignited a spark of ambition within him that dwarfed his initial goal of simply surviving on the streets.
He shared these discoveries with Elleaner, painting vivid pictures of sprawling space stations, technologically advanced cities on distant planets, and the intricate web of interstellar trade that connected them all. Elleaner listened with rapt attention, her imagination soaring beyond the confines of their small unit and the familiar streets of Port Veritas. She sensed Aureon's growing aspirations, his quiet determination to achieve something significant in this vast universe.
One particularly busy cycle, a gruff but surprisingly well-connected freighter captain brought his heavily modified atmospheric skimmer to Aureon for a complex engine repair. During their interactions, the captain, impressed by Aureon's skill and knowledge, mentioned a lucrative but potentially dangerous opportunity on a planet in the Outer Rim – a need for skilled technicians to maintain specialized mining equipment. The pay was high, but the conditions were reportedly rough, and the region was known for its instability.
Aureon listened intently, his mind already calculating the potential risks and rewards. The Outer Rim… it was a name whispered with a mixture of excitement and apprehension in the spaceport bars. It represented a frontier, a place where fortunes could be made and lost in the blink of an eye. The stability they had found in Port Veritas was comforting, but the allure of something greater, something that could propel them towards their grander ambitions, was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The seeds of ambition, once tentatively planted, were now sending out strong roots, reaching towards a horizon that stretched far beyond the familiar glow of Port Veritas' artificial suns.