Chapter 1
“Little Elena, wake up! If you don't get up now, you’ll be late for school.” The sky was still dim, but Isabella Swift was already busy in the kitchen. The clanking of utensils broke the morning stillness. After flipping a couple of eggs, Isabella Swift rushed into the dimly lit hallway without even washing her hands. The boy on the bed groggily turned over, and clothes were strewn all over the chair beside him. In the low light, Isabella could see her son was unresponsive, and she couldn’t help but shout, “Still sleeping? Hurry up and get dressed! What are you doing? Don’t you want to go to school?” This was a phrase she repeated often, and even a year after Elena Fairchild graduated from college, she still found herself saying it. “All you ever say,” Elena Fairchild mumbled, lazily dragging himself up, instinctively ready to argue. But as soon as he spoke, confusion hit him. “Where am I?” He remembered staying up for two nights to finish writing, and on the last evening, he received an advertisement email, which he closed before heading to bed. That was when the sudden pain hit his chest, and he found it hard to breathe before everything went black. If his mom was here now, it shouldn’t have been so sudden. Most shockingly, his mother looked much younger than he remembered. “School.” It hit him like a ton of bricks; he had graduated college a year ago. Why was his mother repeating herself? Could it be…? A chilling thought ran through Elena Fairchild’s mind. Did this mean that his collapse had actually resulted in death? Seeing that Elena hadn’t responded, Isabella tossed clothes at him. “What are you zoning out for? Put on your clothes now! Breakfast is ready. Don’t be late for the bus.” Without waiting for his reply, Isabella wiped her hands and began tidying the bed while continuing to remind him, “You can grab lunch outside the school today; your father and I have plans and won’t be home. I’ve left some cash on the table; don’t lose it.” “Why can’t you ever listen?” Isabella’s annoyance grew as she noticed Elena still didn’t move. She pushed him gently. Elena was lost in thought and jolted back to reality at his mother’s touch. “Mom, what’s the date today?” “August 26th, or is it the 25th? Why?” Isabella asked, finishing up the bedclothes and putting them away in the closet. She turned back, “If you don’t hurry and wash your face and get breakfast, I’m telling you, if you’re late again today, it’s on you.” “What month is it? What year?” Elena pressed, ignoring her comment. Isabella paused, examining her son before furrowing her brows and approaching him. She placed a hand on his forehead, “You don’t have a fever, Little Elena. Are you feeling okay?” “No, I’m fine.” Elena shrugged off her hand, frowning slightly. “I’m just having a weird dream and wanted to ask.” Despite her earlier sternness, Isabella’s maternal instincts kicked in. She didn’t show it, but her heart ached a little at the thought of her son having a nightmare. “It’s 2008. Relax, it’s just a dream,” she said, her tone softening. “Stop dawdling; wash up and eat. You said you have exams next week, right? The sooner you go, the better you can prepare.” 2008. Elena mentally repeated it as he made his way to the bathroom. After Isabella finished making the bed, she walked out just in time to see him dressed and ready with his school bag. “Little Elena, remember to go to school right after breakfast! There’s twenty bucks on the table for lunch. Don’t eat anything spicy; your stomach isn’t good with it.” Isabella was a middle school teacher and held the position of class advisor this year. She typically arrived earlier than the students to oversee morning reading sessions and stayed longer after class. Elena had long since gotten used to his mother’s schedule. He didn’t look back as he nodded absentmindedly, focusing on his breakfast of eggs while his thoughts drifted away. If it was 2008, then that meant he was a freshman in high school. He recalled that this was the last year his mother taught before he got engrossed in web novels, which led to a drastic drop in his grades.
Chapter 2
Sebastian Fairchild was determined to get into a top university, even if it meant taking a backseat and handling logistics for his mother. His ultimate goal was to ensure she could focus fully on her studies. Back when Sebastian was younger, he was too caught up in chasing his dreams to notice his mother’s sacrifices. He had no idea that she was making a name for herself at work, earning the admiration of the principal, and just six months of teaching away from being promoted to a senior instructor at the city level. Things took a turn when the school got a new administration. Isabella Swift, once a celebrated teacher, saw her status fall as she became just another staff member handling mundane tasks. Teachers around her, ones who had started after her, had their salaries multiplied by several times, while she was left with a meager paycheck, working silently in the background, often subjected to snide remarks. Through it all, his mother never complained. It wasn’t until a summer break during college when Sebastian visited her school and witnessed some of the staff exchanging cold remarks toward her that he realized how hard she had truly been struggling. After years of persevering in his own pursuits, unsuccessfully attempting to gain recognition for his online literature, he felt completely helpless to step up for her. With all these thoughts weighing heavily on his mind, guilt surged within him. Yet now, with the chance of a lifetime to start over, he was determined that his mother would never have to endure such hardships again. A rush of adrenaline coursed through him, warming his chest with a wave of heat that surged upward. Just then, strange symbols flickered before his eyes, and a mechanical voice echoed in his ears. 【System initializing...】 【Scanning host...】 【Host scan complete】 【Extracting host data...】 【Confirming host details...】 【Extracting host data】 Name: Sebastian Fairchild Age: 18 Blood Type: O Height: 5'11" Occupation: Student Level: 0 Writing Experience Points: 500 Completed Works: 0 Breakout Work: 0 “Greetings, host. Welcome to the ‘Rise to Fame’ program. I’m your guide, Little Quinn. Before we proceed with the beginner's guide, do you have any questions?” As the code ceased, a feminine voice rang in Sebastian's ears. “What... what is happening?” If he could somewhat accept the idea of being transported to another dimension, the current situation felt nothing short of paranormal—his eyes had become a screen, his mind the CPU, and his ears like speakers. God, am I even alive? “‘Rise to Fame’ is a program specially designed by M Company for aspiring yet struggling online writers. We’ve selected one hundred writers based on their struggles to assist them in achieving success,” Little Quinn explained respectfully. “For you, we’ve devised a 'Rebirth Plan' which will take you back to the dawn of online literature in 2008. Due to the time leap, we are unable to exist in the real world and must inhabit your body.” “If you’re bringing me back, then you must have a plan.” “Yes,” Little Quinn confirmed, pausing for effect, “However, due to company policy, we cannot disclose specific details of the plan at this time. What I recommend is entering the beginner's guide to get acquainted with our system.” “Alright, let’s get started,” Sebastian nodded. Under Little Quinn's guidance, Sebastian swiftly completed the registration steps, uploading his photo and verifying his identity. The final step was ‘Close Encounters with Masters’. “Alert: Host lacks sufficient experience points (less than 1000); you can select only one author and one work,” Little Quinn gently reminded him. Positioned at the top of the page, the names Thaddeus Langley, Potato the Silkworm, I Eat Tomatoes, and Blood Red caught Sebastian's eye, filling him with admiration for these pioneers of online literature who had entered the scene at its peak. Potato the Silkworm's “Battle Through the Heavens” had sparked a wave of stories centered on underdogs—a trend that endured for years. Receiving tips from him would be quite the perk. Though captivated by Potato the Silkworm, Sebastian set his sights instead on ‘Raven Darkwood,’ listed at the bottom of the homepage. Knowing little about Raven Darkwood, Sebastian had a special affinity for his work, “How Rogues are Forged,” which he had read several times over. Once skyrocketing to popularity, the concept of Victor Ashcroft, the protagonist of “How Rogues Are Forged,” remained ingrained in the cultural lexicon. Among his peers, simply mentioning the name elicited excitement. While it had been four years since Raven Darkwood's “How Rogues Are Forged” was released in 2008, it was still the first book he had ever read and resonated with him deeply. The thought of discussing literary influences with his idol was enough to bring a smile to his face. Without hesitation, Sebastian chose Raven Darkwood and his work “How Rogues Are Forged.” Upon clicking confirm, a sharp throb pulsed between his eyes, and it felt as if a weight had slammed into his skull, followed by the system giving a mechanical notification. 【Congratulations, you have successfully selected a book.】 【Downloading the book...】 【Download complete. Implanting into brain.】 【Implantation complete.】 “This action cost 800 experience points. You now have 500 points, leaving a deficit of 300. Please ensure to repay within three months,” the soothing voice of Little Quinn reassured him. “What... what just happened?” Sebastian rubbed his temples; the pain had been intense, but short-lived, fading as quickly as it came. He now felt totally unscathed. “We have implanted 'How Rogues Are Forged' into your brain. Rest assured that this will not affect your intelligence, and you can continue to live normally,” Little Quinn spoke softly. “As for the experience points, this currency allows authors to purchase books. However, if your points fall into delinquency, you must repay within three months or face dire consequences.” “How can I accumulate experience points?” Sebastian felt a chill run down his spine at the thought of dying twice. “Experience points are primarily earned based on the popularity and view counts of your creative works. I suggest you write, as completing works will also increase your experience,” Little Quinn said, her tone trailing off. After a pause, Little Quinn’s voice turned somber. “Insufficient experience points; the system is about to enter sleep mode... sleep status... status...” A flash of darkness enveloped him. The screen in front of Sebastian vanished entirely. “Damn it,” he muttered. After years of indulging in online literature, he had never encountered such misfortune—downloading a book and nearly losing his life in the process. What kind of twist is this? The fried egg on his plate had gone cold, and lacking the appetite, Sebastian put down his chopsticks, cleaned up, and headed off to school.
Chapter 3
On a cool August morning in northern Havenford, the sun had yet to rise, casting the surroundings in a muted grayish hue. The soft glow of dim streetlights pierced through the early fog, reminiscent of beacons in the mist, exuding a vague sense of oppression. This didn’t deter the throngs of students heading to school. As Elena Fairchild walked along the familiar path, the pristine white archway of Dawncrest Academy quickly came into view. Modeled after Qing Dynasty architecture, the arch was an expansive octagonal pavilion adorned with four golden characters—Dawncrest Academy. The name drew inspiration from a classic literary text, echoing sentiments similar to, “Even the light of the mulberry tree and the elm can’t shine far; but may the glow of the morning sun brighten the world.” Dawncrest Academy was the premier high school in Havenford, renowned for its exceptional faculty and superior academic standards. Many parents would go to great lengths to enroll their children here, so to outsiders, gaining admission was tantamount to being an elite. Yet, for Elena Fairchild, this institution was merely the high school she had left behind seven years ago. Since graduating, she had rarely returned, the one exception being when she witnessed her mother facing unjust treatment. After completing college, she had struck out on her own, barely revisiting Havenford—let alone her old school. A cool morning breeze swept over her, infused with the vitality of youth. Stopping briefly in front of the archway, she joined the many students entering this hallowed institution that whispered of excellence. Dawncrest Academy divided its students into high school and middle school sections, each with ten classes labeled from A to J. Typically, each section featured two honors classes and one advanced class. Elena was in Team A, the honors class, known for starting their morning readings ten minutes earlier than the others; a seemingly small difference that effectively marked the divide between the diligent and the less committed. As she entered the Hall of Knowledge, the spirited sounds of reading filled the air. Elena felt a rush of nostalgia as the familiar atmosphere enveloped her. Turning the corner by the stairway, she spotted a man in his early thirties, slightly plump, smoking at the door of Team A. It was none other than Old Man Tobias. Old Man Tobias, Elena’s homeroom teacher over her three years in high school, was the city's beloved language arts educator, celebrated for his unique teaching style. Team A had never scored below a perfect average of 100 points on their language exams while he was in charge. However, Elena held no fondness for him. He was too slick and self-serving, often forcing students to read his own works aloud in class to flaunt his literary prowess. Next to him stood several students, engrossed in their language books, dutifully reading against the wall. Old Man Tobias maintained a strict policy: any student who was late would have to read outside as punishment, a fate Elena was just beginning to recognize she had fallen into. “Elena, come here,” he called out to her. “Mr. Tobias,” she replied, approaching him and bowing slightly, “I’m sorry for being late.” Even though her feelings toward him were far from warm, deep-seated values instilled by Isabella Swift, her mother, about respecting teachers prevailed in her demeanor. “Grab a book,” he said tersely, though his tone softened a notch. Inside the classroom, the classroom monitor was reading English aloud with an unmistakably British accent. Elena opened her book, only to stifle a laugh the moment she laid eyes on it. What she held was hardly an English textbook; it resembled a scrap of paper more than anything. The margins were filled with bizarre doodles and the occasional English word looked like a wild jumble of letters, utterly incomprehensible at first glance. Old Man Tobias shot a cold glance at her, pretending not to notice, and walked away. While Team A was designated as the honors class, it functioned like a moving train, conducting quizzes every month. Students who fell behind in three consecutive quizzes would be kicked out, a risk Elena, mediocre in her performance, was well aware Old Man Tobias had little concern for.
Chapter 4
Elena Fairchild couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and bewilderment as Old Man Tobias mistook her expression for embarrassment. Little did he know, the reason she found it so ridiculous was because, with his high school grades, he had somehow managed to breeze through college, acing both the English Level 6 and 8 exams with ease. It was nothing short of a miracle. No wonder her dormmate, the third in their group, had looked at him with such admiration back then, even going so far as to ask him to be her mentor. At the time, she thought it was just because he had a solid high school foundation, enabling him to coast through his university years. But looking back now, it was clear that the high school “foundation” was more like a pile of straw. She had no idea what luck had allowed him to succeed back then, but now that she had a second chance, she needed to seize the moment to improve her English skills. She was determined to pass the IELTS and TOEFL before stepping foot in college. Even if her online writing didn't pan out, she could still make a decent living as a business translator. It was the middle of the first semester of high school, and they hadn't split the classes yet, so they were still learning all subjects. The morning reading session typically divided into Chinese, English, and comprehensive studies, with each subject getting 10 to 15 minutes. After the English class representative left, the rep for comprehensive studies took over. In the classroom, everyone pulled out their history textbooks. Outside, Elena clutched her English book, not memorizing vocabulary, but engrossed in a passage. Since childhood, Elena had recognized a quirk about herself: she struggled to memorize isolated facts, but if the information was presented within a context, she could recall it almost effortlessly after reading through it just once. Thus, she never bothered to memorize vocabulary; instead, she recited entire texts. “Hey, Elena, what’s up?” Old Man Tobias had barely left when a figure loomed in front of her, blocking all the sunlight. Before Elena could respond, the intruder snatched the book from her hands, grinning smugly. “Old Man Tobias is gone, so drop the act. So, how’s that book? I expect to borrow it once you’re done.” Blocking her light was none other than Lucian Wells, a hefty kid fondly nicknamed Gus the Stout due to his size. Lucian belonged to the kind of family that got him into school through the back door. Well-off and indifferent to his studies, his free time was usually eaten up by gaming or scrolling through online novels, which had become a constant worry for his parents. Elena remembered how back in 2008, Raven Darkwood’s “The Rogue” had taken Havenford by storm. It became a sensational hit overnight. But since online literature was still new and not very formalized, “The Rogue” was quickly banned from schools just days later. At that time, Elena hadn’t understood the appeal of web novels, falling prey to the opinions of others who dismissed them as junk. However, sitting next to someone glued to these stories made it hard for her to look away. The outcome was predictable; she was completely hooked. Unlike Lucian, who had wealthy parents who gave him a smartphone, her own mom and dad were teachers and wouldn’t dream of letting her have one. Thankfully, Lucian was generous, always lending her his books, keeping her cravings at bay. In a way, Lucian Wells was her gateway into the world of online literature. “What’s wrong, Elena? You didn’t forget the book, did you?” Noticing her silence, Lucian suddenly looked alarmed. “Don’t scare me like that! I’m counting on it for the morning!” He was being sincere. Lucian’s grades were slipping, already dragging down the class average. Old Man Tobias had approached the school leaders several times, trying to get him switched out of the advanced classes. But because the vice chancellor was an old buddy of his dad’s, this little matter was brushed aside. The school may have held back on that issue, but it didn’t mean Lucian was off the hook. To help him focus on his studies, his mother had confiscated his phone. Without the novels as a distraction, his morning would feel like hell. “How about this, Lucian? I’ll give you the rundown,” Elena said, an idea suddenly popping into her head. “Really? You’ll tell me?” Lucian blinked at her in confusion, an incredulous look on his face. “Sure! I’ve already read it, and ‘The Rogue’ is all up here,” she tapped her temple confidently. “Just tell me where you left off, and I’ll pick up right from there without repeating anything!” Elena Fairchild took a moment to grin, energizing herself with newfound determination.
Chapter 5
Elena Fairchild closed her eyes and thought about the book "Rogue Tale," which had settled deep in her mind. Each chapter, each punctuation mark was vivid and clear, making it easy to recount the story, almost as if she could write it down in minutes. After Elena shared her thoughts, Lucian Wells felt his anger boiling over. "Rogue Tale?! Are you out of your mind? I lent you 'The Seven Dragon Gems'—that’s a comic book! Just admit it, did you lose my book?" Wasn't it "Rogue Tale"? She clearly remembered that the only online literature she read in high school was Griffin Ironheart's "Rogue Tale," a title introduced to her by Lucian. Now, suddenly, it had transformed into a comic? "That's ridiculous!" Lucian shouted. "No, you’re mistaken! Gus the Stout, you borrowed Griffin Ironheart's 'How Rogues are Forged.' There is no Seven Dragon Gems! When did you start reading comics?" "Are you kidding me? There's no way I could forget this! You took 'The Seven Dragon Gems' from Akira Toriyama yesterday. Who even knows who the hell Griffin Ironheart is?" Lucian was getting furious. He was already annoyed about not having his favorite read and was not in the mood to deal with the potential loss of a lent book. It was surprisingly restrained of him not to kick anyone, given how he felt. "Wait, wait," Elena interrupted, waving her hands instinctively. "Are you saying you don’t recognize Griffin Ironheart? He was published under the pen name 'Inorganic' on Starting Point. Think about it!" "Dammit," Lucian cursed under his breath. Sweat appeared on Elena's brow as her heart raced. A fleeting thought crossed her mind, an unsettling idea that made her nerves jangle: could it be…? With little time to ponder further, she pushed past Lucian and rushed down the stairs. ... Dawncrest Academy's main building stood tall with five floors. The upper two floors were designated for high school classes, while the lower two served middle school. The third floor housed the multimedia rooms and the Library of Machines. Usually, computer labs here remained locked unless a class was in session. As one of the top schools in the city, Dawncrest Academy was unlike others that didn’t trust their students enough to let them clean their own tech labs with faculty supervision—here, the students took care of it themselves. Every class had a schedule, taking turns week by week during morning reading sessions. Elena darted downstairs and found the nearest computer room, pushing the door open. Inside the dimly lit lab, a few middle school boys were huddled over their computers, playing "World of Warcraft." Upon seeing her, one of them stood defiantly. "What are you doing here? We're cleaning, and you can't just walk in." Elena approached an available computer and pressed the power button. "Hey! I’m talking to you, are you deaf?" When Elena remained unresponsive, the boy strode over angrily. Cleaning the computer lab was a sweet gig, a perfect excuse to skimp on morning reading while catching some internet time. So, the kids who usually did this were the class troublemakers, relishing this rare privilege. Though they were just middle schoolers, they were in that fearless, hormone-fueled phase, but Elena couldn’t care less about their antics. She pulled out a chair and, lowering her voice, said, "If you don't want to get expelled, shut your mouth. Keep talking, and I’ll report this to the principal." Though cleaning the lab was a nice deal, the unspoken rule was that using the computers for personal activities was a big no-no. Playing online games was strictly prohibited. Dawncrest Academy had a reputation for being strict. If anyone broke the rules, expulsion was a very real consequence. The boys, despite being troublemakers, understood the importance of weighing their actions. They wouldn’t dare cross the school; if this got reported, they’d risk getting in serious trouble, even if they weren’t expelled. "Wait, you’re really not going to report us?" The ringleader had softened, desperation creeping into his tone. Elena didn’t bother responding. Her purpose here was to do research, not to stir up trouble. Why would she intentionally invite conflict? The middle schoolers, uneasy from her silence, exchanged anxious glances. After all, they were aware that she was a senior while they were still just figuring things out. Elena focused intently on the computer screen, fingers flying over the keyboard. [Input]: Thorne Family. [Web Results]: Thorne Family Wiki. [Input]: I Eat Tomatoes. [Web Results]: I Eat Tomatoes Wiki. [Input]: Griffin Ironheart. [Web Results]: Griffin Cycle Wiki. [Input]: Without Mechanism. [Web Results]: No results displayed. Did you mean 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicle'? [Input]: Rogue=Forged. [Web Results]: No results displayed. Did you mean 'How Steel is Forged'? One after another, the web pages opened, and Elena's expression grew increasingly tense. Griffin Ironheart... He was gone.
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