Chapter 27: Familiarising with New Roles
The system-space was alive with color that morning, brighter than it had ever seemed before. The folded fields shimmered under a golden sky, the farm rippled with orderly rows of green crops swaying as if they were caught in a gentle breeze, and the great crystalline warehouse gleamed like a jewel in the distance. It was like stepping into the heart of a game world, only this time it wasn't just Ava and her closest friends experimenting with menus and features—it was families. Parents, siblings, all bustling about with fresh energy, laughter spilling into the air like the promise of a good future.
The moment Ava walked into the courtyard of the simulation hub, she was greeted by the cheerful chaos of people practicing their new responsibilities. Her friends were no longer burdened with figuring things out alone. Now their families stood beside them, wide-eyed but eager, adapting to the roles the system had gently nudged them into.
"Boss! Boss!"
Zephyr's voice carried across the courtyard as he sprinted toward her, waving one arm dramatically like a knight summoning his liege. His older brother Theodore followed at a slower pace, hands tucked behind his back, posture stiff and watchful, the very picture of quiet responsibility.
"Whatever you say, Boss," Zephyr said when he skidded to a stop in front of her, grinning ear to ear.
Ava tilted her head at him, and for a moment everyone in the courtyard stilled, waiting for her response. Then her lips spread into a gleeful grin as she planted her hands on her hips.
"Boss, huh? I like the sound of that!" she said brightly. "Guess I'll keep the title."
The families chuckled, some shaking their heads in amusement, but the warmth in the air grew even stronger. Ava's cheerful acceptance transformed the title from a burden into something fun, a banner under which they could all rally.
"Of course you do," Theodore muttered, though there was a small smile tugging at his lips. "Don't let it get to your head."
"It's already there!" Zephyr declared proudly, slapping his brother on the shoulder. "We've got the best Boss in the apocalypse. Fact."
"Not the apocalypse yet," Ava said with a wink. "And when it comes, we'll be ready."
The day unfolded like a tapestry of discovery.
Alyssa had commandeered one of the glass-walled pavilions near the farm, transforming it into her command post. Ava strolled inside to find Alyssa practically glowing with excitement as she flicked through panels of data.
"This system is a dream," Alyssa said without looking up, tapping furiously on her interface. "Look—warehouse inventory, categorized by type, quantity, and even weight. The carrots we harvested last week? Still perfectly crisp. Why? Because this warehouse is static. Nothing spoils. Nothing rots. Everything stays exactly as it was when it was stored."
She leaned back in her chair and spread her arms dramatically. "Do you know what that means, Boss?"
"That you're going to drive me crazy cataloguing every single thing we own?" Ava teased.
"That we never have to worry about food shortages again," Alyssa corrected, though her grin showed she'd heard the teasing. "No rats, no mold, no rot. Apocalypse logistics? Solved. Done. I could cry."
"You'll cry when I steal your chocolate stash," Zephyr's voice chimed in from the door. He was already half-leaning into the room, peering at the glowing shelves of data with hungry eyes.
Alyssa shot him a glare. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me."
Theodore appeared behind him again, arms crossed. "Zeph. Don't antagonize the quartermaster. You'll regret it."
Ava stifled a laugh. This was exactly what she'd hoped for—their roles weren't grim responsibilities weighing them down but exciting opportunities they were already owning. Alyssa, the efficient organizer, was in her element. And with her parents beside her, adding notes on household management, she practically sparkled.
In another wing, Ava found Lyra bouncing with excitement in what had become a medical hub. Rows of glowing cabinets filled with herbs, bandages, and clean tools surrounded her, and a sleek scanner floated in her hands like a toy.
"Look at this, Boss!" Lyra exclaimed, bounding over. "The system gave me a health scanner that shows hydration, nutrient balance, and even stress levels. Watch this."
Before Ava could stop her, Lyra pointed it at Zephyr, who had followed them in. The scanner beeped, and a glowing report popped up.
"Zeph: Restless energy levels high. Sugar intake above recommended limit. Stress levels inconsistent."
Lyra smirked. "Diagnosis: too much candy, not enough patience."
"Hey!" Zephyr protested. "That's classified information!"
Ava burst out laughing. Lyra's parents, Oliver and Ariana, were watching from a nearby console, shaking their heads fondly as their daughter demonstrated every gadget like a child on Christmas morning. Ariana leaned close to Ava and whispered, "She was born for this. She used to set up fake hospitals for her dolls."
"Now she gets real patients," Ava whispered back with a smile.
Meanwhile, Brian was out in the simulated courtyard with his parents, Mildred and Liam. Crates had been set up as practice supplies, and Brian directed them like a drill sergeant with all the confidence of someone who had been doing this for weeks.
"No, Dad, not that corner—too exposed. Mom, keep pace steady. Convoy discipline is everything!"
Liam laughed, shaking his head as he pushed a dolly. "Bossy, isn't he?"
Mildred grinned. "Bossy, but right. He's always had an eye for logistics."
Ava stood with Kael on a nearby balcony, watching the mock convoy unfold. Kael had his own console open, tracking their movements with calm precision.
"I've logged every mistake," Kael said smoothly, eyes never leaving the display. "Later, I'll generate a training report. Efficiency can be improved by seventeen percent with better pacing."
"You'd make a terrifying teacher," Ava said.
"Or an excellent one," Kael countered, one corner of his mouth twitching upward.
Down below, Zephyr tried to sneak between the crates, only to be boxed in instantly by Brian's carefully positioned "convoy guards."
"Caught you!" Brian crowed.
Zephyr threw his hands up dramatically. "You can't keep me locked down forever!"
"You're not supposed to be sneaking in at all," Brian said, exasperated but grinning.
Theodore sighed from the sidelines. "Every day with you, Zeph…"
"Every day's an adventure!" Zephyr replied proudly.
It was chaos, yes, but it was warm chaos—the kind that made Ava's chest feel light instead of heavy.
As the hours passed, each family carved their place in the system-space. Claire and Matteo Blackwood debated crop rotations with the passion of seasoned farmers. Oliver and Ariana Emberly tested the medical subsystem, sending playful "injury" alerts to Lyra just to watch her scramble and roll her eyes at them. Oriana Slade shook her head at Zephyr's wild "finance plans" while Davis muttered about responsibility, both secretly amused. Mia and George Stormbringer drilled alongside Kael, their movements sharp and focused, proud of their son's unshakable composure.
The system-space had never been so alive.
By the time they gathered again in the theater hub at the center of the space, the golden simulation sun was dipping toward the horizon, casting everything in a warm glow. Families filled the seats, chatting easily with one another. Ava stood at the front, the system's translucent screen glowing faintly behind her.
Zephyr raised a hand immediately. "So, Boss. First day with the full team. How'd we do?"
"You nearly got flattened by a convoy," Brian deadpanned.
"Occupational hazard," Zephyr shot back.
"Occupational stupidity," Theodore corrected.
Lyra waved her scanner like a conductor's baton. "According to this, Zephyr's stress levels spiked every time he tried to outsmart Brian."
"That's because Brian cheats!"
"I don't cheat."
"You do too!"
The bickering spiraled, but it wasn't tense—it was funny, and the laughter that filled the room was genuine, the kind that bound them together.
Ava raised her hands, smiling broadly. "Alright, alright. You all did amazing today. Really. We've come so far from just a small group fumbling through menus. Look at us now—families, friends, all working together. This isn't my system anymore. It's ours. Every role matters. Every contribution makes us stronger."
Nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the room. Pride shone on faces young and old alike.
Then Ava grinned wider, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"And," she said, drawing out the word, "I have a surprise for you."
The room erupted in curious chatter instantly—Zephyr leaning forward so far he nearly tipped out of his seat, Lyra bouncing in anticipation, Brian squinting suspiciously, Alyssa muttering that surprises usually meant more work.
Ava just laughed, basking in the warm, eager energy of them all.
Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together—and tonight, she had something special planned to show them just how much bigger their world was about to become.
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Hey guys Author here
Hope this chapter wasn't too fluffy, because for me it wasn't.
As I self diagnosed myself with depression, I want my book to be fluffy and positive, because I can't stand terrible things happening.
Bye for now.