Chapter 10 - I have to do what?

[Quest - Upgrade your singing to level 3 or above]

Time Limit - 15 days

Rewards - Mysterious Title, B-rank vitality elixir, 250 points.

Failure - The S.T.A.R System will be uninstalled and the user will live a sad life.

The system's words were a sledgehammer to Kai's heart. Level up his singing skill to level 3? He never thought about singing as a career before!! By no means was he a bad singer but he wasn't an amazing one either. To upgrade it in 15 days so next to impossible for him.

"Mr. Jones, are you okay? You seem surprised?" Before his father could ask any questions, Steven wanted to make sure that the boy was alright.

That seemed to shake him out of his trance. "Oh yes. I'm alright. Good morning Mr. August and Mr. August." the boy greeted respectfully. But to Steven, the boy seemed a little white and shaken due to something.

"What did I say yesterday boy, just call me Jeff." Jeffrey barked and motioned his son to help him sit down near Kai's bed. Steven obediently did so.

"Are you really alright Mr. Jones?" Steven inquired. "You seem to be a little shaken due to something. Did something happen? Feel free to let me know if anyone tried harassing you" "It's nothing like that Mr. Steven. I'm fine. Trust me" Kai assured. "Also please call me Kai from now. Mr. Jones was my grandfather"

Steven nodded although not entirely convinced. Before he could say anything else, the door opened again and Dr. Richard, the surgeon entered through. He seemed surprised to see the father and son duo in the room but took it into stride after a split second.

"Steve, good morning" he greeted his colleague. "And good morning Mr. August and Kai" "Good morning doctor" the three said in unison.

Walking over to the bed, the doctor started examining Kai and started asking questions regarding pain points and some other miscellaneous questions. Kai answered to the best of his abilities and once the questioning was over, both the doctors left the room to discuss further treatment and left the duo alone.

Kai, still shaken up by the system mission was looking at the old man while the later was enjoying his cup of coffee.

"Jeff, how did you get into music?" Kai suddenly inquired. To his credit, the old man didn't flinch and continued sipping his coffee. After approximately 20 seconds of silence, Jeff responded "I don't know kid. My earliest memories involve me singing and creating music. Everyone always told me that I was born to sing. That I was gifted. I used to think that way too. And the older I became, the more I believed it." His tone then took a melancholic edge. "But there is no such thing as that. I wasn't gifted. I was arrogant. And that arrogance eventually cost me....."

Silence took over the room as both the old man and the young man became lost in their thoughts.

"....can you teach me?" Kai asked in a very small voice. After hearing Jeff talk about music, he did not want to ask him that at all. But he didn't have a choice, it was either this or probably staying as a cripple for the rest of his life.

That took the blind man by surprise. "...Teach you? Music?" he asked strangely.

Sensing that if he did not saying anything smart in the next few minutes, he will fail, Kai quickly described his reasoning. "Sitting here like this is making me reminisce about the times as a child, how fascinated I was with the singing and acting. I eventually gave up all of it because of life and just made the compromise to just look for a steady paycheck, hearing you describe your life experiences, both good and bad, made me realize how much I miss feeling that way."

"I want to be part of the music industry Jeff. Will you please teach me how to sing?" Kai earnestly requested.

Jeffrey did not say anything . He just sat there for a while and Kai felt his hope slipping away. But suddenly "....promise me"

"Huh?" Kai leaned forward. He barely heard the old man. "Promise me something first" the old man repeated. "Promise you what?" "That you'll never get caught up in the vices of industry"

'That's it?' Kai wondered. Just as he was about to open his mouth to promise him, the old man cut him off. "It isn't that easy Kai. That industry is a den of vipers. A small opening and they'll eat you alive. Everyone looks out for themselves. No one is truly your friend. It is a very lonely place. To the outsiders, they only see the money and the glamour but I know on the inside, most of them are miserable. During those times, small vices can be very tempting. You don't know what happens. Promise me that you won't slip Kai. Promise me that you won't." The man finished. The tone making Kai have goosebumps all over his body.

Kai took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Whatever Jeff said was true but for him failure wasn't an option anymore. So steeling his nerves, he said "I promise Jeff."

Jeff just sat there for the next few minutes before sighing. "Alright. Once you're out of here, I'll try my best to teach you how to sing. But it won't be easy."

Kai smiled widely. "Thank you Jeff." 'I'll be mentoring under Zephyr! That's incredible!' he thought giddily.

Co-incidentally the door opened and Steven entered the room. Seeing the duo in the room giving him their attention, he sighed before speaking. "I've spoken to Dr. Richard and after consulting with a few specialists throughout the country. we've decided that we'd like to perform the spinal fusion surgery in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, you're good enough to leave the hospital. The doctor's are recommending to keep you here but I understand how suffocating it can be. So it's up to you now. If you want, you can stay here until the doctors arrive and prep for the surgery or I can have you shifted to dad's villa. We can hire the best of services to make sure you're alright as well" The doctor finished.

Kai's response was near instantaneous. "I'd like to leave please." Steven was surprised to hear such a quick response but nodded his head hearing it. He thought that the boy will choose the later. 

"Alright, I'll make the preparations and we will have you discharged by the evening." saying his part, Steven departed from the room.

The rest of the day was just Kai making small talk with Jeff and learning more about the music industry.

---

12th July LA Medical Centre - 5:15PM

Kai was being wheeled out by a nurse towards a Mercedes G-Wagon where Steven and Jeff were already seated. After making sure that the boy was properly fastened, the 3 set off. A 20 min drive took them from the streets of Downtown Los Angeles to the posh streets of Windsor Square. Seeing the mansions, made Kai's jaw drop as he had never seen this luxury in real life.

Soon they parked in a beautiful villa at the edge of Windsor square. It was a elegant villa with 3 floors and a garden area for children to enjoy. As they parked, a man dressed in a black tux greeted them with a smile.

"Good evening Sirs. As requested Madam and Master Zach have shifted to your other residence to help with the accommodation of our guest" Saying this, he glanced at Kai and smiled.

Kai was surprised and opened his mouth to apologize but Steven cut him off "Great. And help Kai get out of the car Albert. Call one of the other maids to escort dad to his room as well." " As you say Sir" Albert confirmed and helped Kai out of his seat and put him on the trolley and wheeled him inside the house.