Chapter 111: Graduation Ceremony (I)

Aiden was dressed in a well-tailored, khaki chino, a navy-blue button-down long-sleeve shirt, a sterling-grey tie and vintage-brown Chelsea boots.

The growing length of his coal-black hair had also been trimmed down to the nape of his neck again as he’d refreshed his curtain-styled wolf cut.

Yet, as he stood in the middle of the room with an effortlessly cool demeanor that gave the impression that he was prepped to walk down a runway in the next minute, the youth was actually reading an e-mail on his phone, his fingers slowly scrolling down.

It was from SlurpPAK, one that carried the quote of the entire production run of all 25,000 bottles.

Though it should’ve originally been $15,000+, after SlurpPAK had applied all their discounts, it had all come down to $13,000+.

’Far less than I’d expected, to be honest,’ Aiden’s thoughts carried a clear hint of surprise as he’d been expecting around $14,000+ to $14,500+.

’I guess they really do want to have me as a returning client...’ a light smile traced the youth’s lips.

Given he’d sent the samples of all three flavors to the co-packer, alongside an NDA agreement that prevented them from leaking out the recipe to the general public, Aiden hadn’t been surprised when Nathan had contacted him later and asked what voodoo magic he’d used to get such a fantastic recipe.

Naturally, the youth kept his card close to his chest and simply replied with the words;

Lots and lots of experimentation.

Nonetheless, the CEO could now understand just why Aiden was cocksure about selling at a staggering loss on his first go at things then scaling it up as he pleased much later.

That was just how great the recipe was.

In any case, it was until they’d run their own tests and the likes and had figured out a formulation to mass-produce that the product that they’d finally sent the quote that Aiden was currently reading through.

Nodding in satisfaction, the youth pocketed his smartphone. He’d circle back to them after today’s event was over.

Just before he left the room, he pulled up his panel.

-

[Aiden North] – Life Points – [5.065]

⸢Stats

› Mind — S

› Strength — B+

› Stamina — B+

› Agility — B+

› Charm — B+

⸢Skills

› {Type Designing - A}, {Digital Illustration - A}, {Drawing - A}, {Cooking - A}, {Brewing - A}, {Singing - I}, {Dancing - I}, {Writing - I}, {Lettering - I}, {Driving - N}, {Programming - I}, {Riding - N}, {Video Editing - I}.

⸢Special Skills

› {Insight}, {Midas Touch}.

⸢Titles

› {Expand}

⸢Achievements

› {Expand}

⸢Shop

› Browse Catalogue.

⸢Daily Quests

› {Expand}

⸢Exclusive Quests

› {None}

⸢Time-limited Quests

› {None}

-

⸢FAQ⸥

-

Considering a week had passed since the day his buddies and his girlfriend came to visit, Aiden had garnered 1.6LPs, which in addition to the previous 3.465LPs, resulted in the current number.

That said, with today’s ceremony in mind, Aiden only had one attribute he wanted to improve.

-

[Aiden North] – Life Points – [4.065]

⸢Stats

› Mind — S

› Strength — B+

› Stamina — B+

› Agility — B+

› Charm — B+ » A-

-

As for the rest of his Life Points, Aiden intended to use them to upgrade one of his current skills and purchase an entirely new one.

Unfortunately, he didn’t quite have enough right now to do so, hence why he simply chose to accumulate a couple more.

Then there was the fact that he wanted to fully heal his Pops, which was definitely bound to cost him 10LPs last he checked.

Checking himself out in the mirror though, a hand thoughtfully placed under his chin, Aiden couldn’t help but shake his head, a deep hint of fascination on his features.

Bumps from a previous grade to the next grade were always notable, and this time was no different.

If Aiden had been quite the looker before, now he was a head turner for sure.

What was most fascinating to him though, was that it was still the very same face he’d always known... only it looked that much more refined.

There was a now subtle symmetry to his face that hadn’t been quite as pronounced before and even his eyes seemed to carry a little more definition to them, giving his already attractive features an extra bit of presence.

Yet again, nothing about him had changed drastically.

It was simply as though the Charm attribute had taken everything that was already there and polished it to a higher standard.

’Well, people just chalk it up to a gradual glow-up.’ Aiden shrugged his shoulders and made his way out the door...

...only for him to walk back in afterwards, pick up something from his table and head right back out.

Arriving downstairs where his Pops had been seated on the armrest of the main couch whilst waiting for him, even he couldn’t help but remark, clearly stunned.

"My goodness, champ," Richard folded his arms across his chest in clear fascination

"This glow-up of yours has to be studied..." he added, his tone one of genuine pride and amazement.

"Well, mum did always say I was the handsomest being she’d ever seen." Aiden arched a playful brow as he arrived at the foot of the staircase, purposely pulling on his Pop’s legs.

"Agree to disagree," Richard shrugged it off as he made his way out the door and his son trailed behind him.

"That title’s reserved for me ’cause she complemented me the most before you were born." he proudly added, his expression smug as pointed at himself with a thumb.

"Sure, sure." Aiden sarcastically replied, rolling his eyes at they made their way out the door.

The drive to Silverlake High only took a few minutes, the youth and his father engaging in a mundane discussion all the way over.

Today was a Saturday, clearly, but it didn’t stop the front lawns from buzzing as several of Aiden’s peers and their parents intermingled as they took pictures and engaged in conversations here and there.

It also didn’t take long before Aiden spotted all of his buddies, each of them corporately dressed and with their individual parents who seemed genuinely interested in getting to know one another.

Given the feats their kids had achieved, it was only natural that they all shared a certain goodwill and comradeship born from the bonds their respective kids had built with one another.

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, Casper’s father hadn’t bothered to show up, and neither had any of the few family members he knew... though most of them weren’t even based in NYC anyway.

Even then, the blonde-haired youth genuinely looked unbothered as he engaged with each parent alongside his buddies.

Aiden and his Pops would’ve joined in had the youth not spotted Clarissa and her parents whom were currently having a discussion with their daughter, their little one bobbing his head around in childlike fascination at all the colorfully dressed students.

"Sergeant Hale," Aiden respectfully greeted and the man’s eyes narrowed slightly, the mildest hint of a disdain on his features... only for it to dissolve completely when he spotted the youth’s father.

"Richard North. I’m Aiden’s father." his Pops extended a hand to the man who respectfully and cordially replied;

"Bruce Hale,"

From thereon, the introductions continued, Selena equally introducing herself and their son whilst exchanging pleasantries with one another.

Aiden and Clarissa equally exchanged a warm hug, much to the hawk-like stare of Bruce whom was watching them from the corner of his eye.

"That’s a beautiful dress, and you look gorgeous," Aiden complimented with a lovely smile, the lady flexing her soft blush-pink floor-length floral ball gown with a theatrical flair as she replied;

"Thank you, babe,"

"It took me forever to decide if I was going to wear it, you know? Choice paralysis and what-not." she honestly added with a resigned roll of her eyes.

"Well, it’s perfect." Aiden simply said, his tone honest as he slowly twirled her around, a gesture that had her heart fluttering warmly in her chest.

"Now, pray tell, my fair knight in shining armor," Clarissa slowly stepped forward a moment after though, her hands resting on his chest as she stared deeply into his eyes and asked with a whisper;

"What sorcery makes you look hotter day in day out?"

Bruce suddenly cleared his throat for no reason and his daughter shot him an annoyed glare, one that did a good job of earning a chuckle from Selene, Richard and Aiden himself.

The babbling child on the other hand, seemed to have recognized Aiden as he clapped a few times whilst trying to reach for him.

Gently, Aiden eased the child off his mother’s arm and cooed at him.

That earned a truly hearty laughter from Milo mixed with a babble and the terrifying grip strength of him clutching at a few strands of his coal-black hair.

Not that Aiden minded... yet. The innocent boy wasn’t pulling... for now.

As Clarissa watched him play with her little brother who could turn on him at any minute, some part of her literally wanted to tackle Aiden on the spot, the cuteness aggression overwhelming her.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long before the announcement rolled through the grounds and everyone promptly made their way to the hall for the commencement of the ceremony.

As for Aiden and the rest of his buddies, they all found each other’s gazes and bobbed their heads once.

Given this was their last high school event, they’d hatched one last prank... one that they roped all of their peers in their graduating set into this time around.