The officer stepped forward and helped Arthur up. “Are you okay? Were you the one who called?” Arthur, who had regained some strength while waiting, nodded. “I’m fine. I called. He tried to rob me!” Other officers had subdued the thug, who had gotten up and was trying to escape. When they saw his face, the officers immediately understood. He was a repeat offender—recently released from prison and already back to his old ways. The officer assisting Arthur couldn't suppress a twinge of sympathy. This poor kid. Yesterday, it was his birthday, and he got bullied. Today, he’s getting robbed. Arthur and the thug were both taken to the police station. After getting his wound dressed and filing a report, Arthur was free to leave. The thug, however, wasn’t so lucky. Given his extensive criminal history and intentional harm, he faced a minimum of ten years in prison this time. The exact sentence would be determined later. "Where are you heading?" the lead officer asked, glancing at Arthur's bandages. "I can give you a ride.” Having worked as a police officer for years, he’d seen many victims. Most boys Arthur’s age would have crumbled under so much stress and injustice, but Arthur remained composed and clear-headed. It was a rare trait, and the officer couldn’t help but respect him. Arthur nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” Given the $1,400 he’d just won, which many people had seen, Arthur knew his skinny, malnourished appearance made him look like an attainable target. Having an officer with him was definitely a relief. Arthur said, "I'm heading to the bank." “Got it.” The officer opened the car door and gestured for Arthur to get in. Without hesitation, Arthur stepped in and buckled his seatbelt. As the officer started the car, he remarked, “Kid, you’ve got some luck. We just saw you yesterday, and today you’ve won $1,400.” It wasn’t every day someone hit a lottery win like that. Arthur’s life was turning out to be more dramatic than a TV show. Arthur smiled sheepishly. “Just lucky, I guess.” The officer nodded. “Well, remember, buying lottery tickets isn’t a reliable way to make a living. At your age, you should be focusing on your studies.” Arthur understood the implication. Gambling, even in the form of lotteries, wasn’t a path to success. “I get it, sir. Don’t worry,” Arthur replied. The officer was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Arthur understood. His impression of the boy improved even more. “I’m Marcus Harris. Just call me Marcus,” he said. “Marcus,” Arthur repeated softly, his mind racing. Marcus? That name… I know it. In his previous life, Marcus had risen quickly through the ranks, becoming the chief of police for South City within a few short years. Known for his integrity and exceptional skill, Marcus was respected in elite circles and beyond. Arthur had never met him before in his previous life, but he felt a newfound respect for the man standing before him. “You’re just a bit older than me, so I’ll call you Mark,” Arthur said, a friendly smile on his face. Arthur knew that building a good relationship with someone like Marcus could be invaluable, especially if he planned to grow stronger and engage with the government in the future. Marcus laughed heartily. “Sure thing, kid.” Though they’d only known each other for less than two days, Marcus genuinely admired Arthur’s composure and resilience. This boy was no ordinary teenager. This kid is going places, Marcus thought. The two chatted along the way, and Marcus found himself liking Arthur more with every passing moment. They shared similar views on many things, which only strengthened Marcus’s impression of him. When they reached the bank, Marcus got out and opened the door for Arthur. “The school’s not far from here. I’ll drop you off here—I need to get back to the station,” Marcus said.Arthur stepped out of the car and thanked Marcus profusely. Marcus waved him off. “No need to thank me. It’s no trouble at all.” After seeing Marcus off, Arthur entered the bank. With his ID ready, opening a bank account was quick and smooth. Arthur deposited the entire $1,400. Better to carry a card than that much cash. Leaving the bank, Arthur headed straight for Digital City. He didn’t waste any time, using his memories from his previous life to quickly buy a computer model he was familiar with. With the purchase complete, he made his way back to the dorm.