By the end of the day, bookstores across the country were overwhelmed.
Every location that carried Universal Training Method was packed wall to wall with people desperate to get their hands on a copy. Lines stretched out the doors, crowds spilled into the streets, and within hours—
They sold out.
Completely.
Printing presses were pushed into overdrive, but it didn't matter. Supply couldn't keep up with demand.
And when demand couldn't be met—
People found another way.
By evening, pirated versions had already begun circulating.
At first, it was simple—someone bought a copy, photographed every page, and shared it online. Then others started reselling those digital versions at half the price.
Or less.
Within hours, the book had spread far beyond its original release. Across the country. Then overseas.
The original copies were still valuable—
But no longer essential.
Information, once released, couldn't be contained.
Back at the reception, Vice President Rodriguez approached Noah with a thoughtful expression.
"Mr. Vale," he said, "it's safe to assume piracy will become a major issue. If you'd like, we can coordinate with federal agencies to crack down on it."
Noah smiled faintly.
"Piracy is a problem," he admitted. "But I'm more interested in whether they'll care about what comes next."
Rodriguez blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"My next book," Noah said casually. "An upgraded version."
That got attention.
Nearby conversations quieted almost instantly.
"This version improves on everything," Noah continued. "Longevity. Strength. Efficiency. At least double the effectiveness."
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the group.
"Double?" Rodriguez repeated. "That's… a significant jump."
"No," Noah corrected lightly. "More than that. Potentially extending human lifespan to around three hundred years."
Silence.
Then—
Excitement.
Real, tangible excitement.
If the first book had already changed the world—
Then this?
This could redefine what it meant to be human.
Noah didn't elaborate further.
He didn't need to.
The idea alone was enough.
And judging by the expressions around him, people were already recalculating everything.
If this is coming… then what we have now is just the beginning.
Rodriguez leaned in slightly.
"When can we expect it?" he asked. "For the sake of… well, everyone, I hope you're taking care of yourself."
"Two to four weeks," Noah said. "Something like that."
Then he paused.
"Before that, though… there's something I'd like to discuss."
Rodriguez straightened slightly.
"Go ahead."
Noah didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he approached it from another angle.
"In the near future, everyone will be using this method," he said. "Would you agree?"
Rodriguez nodded. "It's inevitable. We're already considering integrating it into education systems."
"And if everyone uses it…" Noah continued, "then logically, everyone should own the book."
Rodriguez hesitated.
"In theory, yes. But piracy—"
"Is unstoppable," Noah finished.
A brief pause.
Then—
"Which is why there's a simpler solution."
Rodriguez frowned slightly. "I'm listening."
Noah's expression didn't change.
"Instead of trying to stop piracy," he said, "why not just collect payment directly?"
Rodriguez blinked.
"…Directly?"
"From everyone," Noah said calmly. "A flat fee. Fifteen dollars per person."
The words hung in the air.
Rodriguez stared at him.
"You mean—"
"Yes," Noah said. "If the entire world is going to benefit from this, then the entire world should pay for it."
Rodriguez let out a slow breath.
"That's… not exactly a small request."
"It's a fair one," Noah replied. "I'm already selling the book at a minimal price. If people bypass that through piracy, then the system needs to adapt."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Fifteen dollars per person. That's nothing compared to what they're gaining."
Rodriguez rubbed his temple.
"This would require international cooperation," he said. "We can't enforce something like that globally."
"Then coordinate," Noah said simply. "Each country handles its own population."
Rodriguez didn't answer right away.
Because he understood exactly what this meant.
Billions of people.
Fifteen dollars each.
The scale was… absurd.
And yet—
If Noah withheld future versions?
If the improved method never released?
That was a risk no government could afford.
"What about people who've already purchased it?" Rodriguez asked, trying to salvage something.
"Refunds," Noah said immediately. "Verified purchases can be reimbursed."
The answer came too quickly.
Too cleanly.
Like he'd already thought through every angle.
Rodriguez exhaled slowly.
From a distance, Noah still looked calm. Approachable, even.
But in this moment—
He felt something else entirely.
Calculated.
Relentless.
"…I'll bring it to Congress," Rodriguez said at last.
It wasn't agreement.
But it wasn't refusal either.
For now—
That was enough.
Noah smiled.
Satisfied.
Because to him, this wasn't just about money.
It was about control.
If the system he created became universal—
Then so would his influence.
From the moment someone was born—
They would already be part of it.
Already connected.
Already owing.
People often said there were only two certainties in life.
Death.
And taxes.
Noah had no intention of accepting the first.
So he focused on the second.