After Hong Xiaofu and Shen Xiaoling had returned home, they put their belongings down. Hong Xiaofu lay on the bed as he took a deep breath. He had had a little too much alcohol at dinner. Although he was not drunk, he was a bit dizzy. 
Shen Xiaoling sat at the table as she started eating the packaged food they had brought home. She laughed out loud, "Brother, look at all these delicacies. These will last us several days, right?" She said as she crawled up next to Hong Xiaofu. She looked at him expectantly and asked, "This is my first time eating crab. It is so delicious. Can I…. eat another one later?"
There were a total of ten crabs. At dinner, each of them had only eaten one, so there were five left. Sheng Xiaoling was a little impatient. No wonder people always said "if you are rich, eat crabs"—they really were delicious!
"Do your homework first. You can have another one after you have finished your homework!" Hong Xiaofu sat up and said with a smile, "I am worried that if you are too happy you will not want to do your homework!" 
"Okay." Shen Xiaoling agreed sweetly, and she immediately obliged. As she did her homework, she frequently looked up to stare at the box of crab before furiously going back to writing. As she stared at the crab, she gulped before continuing with her writing.
While Shen Xiaoling completed her homework, Hong Xiaofu cleared his mind before solemnly opening his Awakeners' Training Manual. At first glance, those booklets looked mass-produced. When Han Feng had handed one to each of them, he had not asked them to keep it a secret. Hong Xiaofu believed that soon the manual would be made available to the masses—just like Chinese and Mathematics books. Since the manual would circulate widely, the training would be the standard way to raise one's gene sequencing level. The training would definitely be useful, but the degree of improvement would be determined by one's Awakening talents. 
Hong Xiaofu flipped to the first page of the manual. There were long paragraphs written in the foreword, which had been drafted by the current leader of the Hua Dynasty. One could definitely see the importance the leader had given to it. The main idea of the foreword was that he hoped everyone would work hard to cultivate and sharpen their talents so that they will be useful to society. 
After all, that was normal. Which leader would not want his country to thrive? No leader would want a citizen to create chaos and disrupt the social order. 
On the second page, there was a table of contents. The first line stated the rights and obligations of the Awakener. Hong Xiaofu read carefully: as he had Awakened, he had to know his rights and obligations, despite his ability. The section stated that the Awakeners in the country were divided into two categories. 
The first group was closely tied to the military—no matter the country, soldiers existed to protect the sovereignty of the state and to keep social order. Therefore, the power of Awakened soldiers had far exceeded the abilities of ordinary people. In that group, Awakened soldiers received a monthly supply of a drug that was invented to help them raise their gene sequencing levels. They would also gain access to various medical and training instruments that were designed to help them increase those levels. 
The obligation of Awakened soldiers was to ensure safety and strengthen the unity of the people in order to maintain peace. It was relatively easy to understand; in any country, the power of the military was significantly higher than that of ordinary civilians. In the era of genetic rejuvenation, ruling parties needed to suppress civilian Awakeners to prevent social unrest. To put it simply, no matter how strong a civilian Awakener was, he could not be stronger than an Awakened soldier. With the military gaining priority access to all resources in the country, how strong could a civilian Awakener be? With a strong military, in the case of social unrest within the country, the military would be able to quickly and efficiently suppress the uprising. 
After introducing the rights and obligations of the soldiers, the manual further explained the rights of civilian Awakeners. The section was further divided into two parts: social groups and student groups. 
Hong Xiaofu skimmed through the information in the social group subsection. There was nothing special about it. After he had filed with the Awakeners Ability Centre, he could enjoy priority introduction to suitable jobs and receive additional social subsidies. At the same time, his application to join the army would be prioritized. 
The information in the student group subsection was similar. Emphasis was placed on the priority admissions student Awakeners had for each university. If a student wanted to join the military, they could enjoy additional benefits for individual military recruits. Most importantly, there would be a monthly student grant of 3000 yuan, and the amount would increase with each gene sequencing level. For recruits at gene sequencing LV2, the grant was 6000 yuan; for LV3 it was 12,000 yuan; then, it would be 24,000 yuan, 28,000 yuan, 96,000 yuan or 109,200 yuan. 
What an astronomical sum of money!
As for the obligations, it included working hard to unify society and maintain social order. 
Hong Xiaofu was deeply impressed by the contents of the manual. After all, that was the only way to maintain good social order. If the civilian force overpowered the military force, who knew what would happen?
"Well, that is really similar to what I had thought," Hong Xiaofu smiled after reading the manual. "Let's work hard for the grant!" 
He immediately flipped to the back of the book. At the back, the manual specified the steps in the Awakening talent training process. Truthfully speaking, the training steps were the shortest chapter in the entire manual. There were only a few explanatory diagrams and paragraphs. In summary, the manual emphasized the importance of maintaining a good posture, having a clear mind, and being in touch with nature.
"That is way too abstract, isn't it?" Hong Xiaofu was speechless. He took out his mobile phone to message Su Ying.
<Su Ying, are you practising?>
She replied, <I'm trying to understand the manual. It is too abstract. I can keep the pose they drew, but I do not understand how to clear my mind and be in touch with nature…>
<Me neither. I have no clue…>
Su Ying continued, <I can't seem to clear my mind. The moment I close my eyes, my mind is filled with matters related to school, or the videos and information I have stored on my phone. I can't seem to stop thinking about other things.>
<Is it so bad?> Hong Xiaofu asked.
<Yes, it is dire. Well, there are too many things to be done. Even if my aura has resurged… what is the point of being part of the Elemental System if I cannot raise my Awakening talent…>
Just as the two of them were analyzing the manual, a message popped up on Hong Xiaofu's phone: <Zhang Yang, Su Ying and Hong Xiaofu have joined the chat.>
<Are you guys training? I don't have a single clue. How do I calm my heart?> Zhang Yang asked.
Su Ying replied, <I am the same.>
Hong Xiaofu reassured him, <Don't be too anxious. I also do not have a single clue. Why don't we all try it a few times, and if anyone can make any progress, update us in this chat?>
<That's a good suggestion!>
<Alright, deal.>
The training then began. 
Hong Xiaofu looked at the training manual as he tried to mimic the pose shown in the diagram. He closed his eyes and muttered, "Empty my mind and communicate with the Heavens and the Earth…"
Within seconds, he fell into slumber. 
Shen Xiaoling turned her head and stared at Hong Xiaofu, who was sleeping. She stuck out her tongue at him before she quietly covered him with a blanket and giggled, "You fell asleep so quickly! Time for me to eat crab!"


As the supernatural influence recovered, Hong Xiaofu awakened to the aura of luck! It was the beginning of a fantastic journey! Let’s take a look at his abilities: Pay Respects to the God of Luck, Unforseen Setback, Bolt from the Blue, Divine Justice, Defeat upon Landing...
This novel tells the story of a nobody and his journey in becoming a master of luck worshipped by the world…

' Hah.. How can I revive the restaurant? ' I thought inwardly. I keep on thinking as the janitor and the waitresses keep cleaning the restaurant. After thinking, I made a slogan and write down ' DIVINE RESTAURANT CHALLENGE : DON'T BE SATISFIED. IF YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH OUR FOOD, THE FOOD YOU EAT WILL BE FREE OF CHARGE. ' I also added ' SACRED FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT AS A RESULT OF SENDING THUGS TO RUIN THE RESTAURANT.' I hang the slogan outside and in the afternoon, there are many people starting to form a line of queue to challenge. They ordered lots of dishes, and I cooked the dishes they order. When the food is served, they are caught by surprise, since the foods are different from how it was usually. Be it the look, or smell, it is completely on different level than the one served before. When they take a bite, they started to moan in satisfaction. Even the mouth of the janitor who is a 'cook' , started to water and swallowing saliva as he smells the dish's aroma. I cooked an omurice for him, and he happily accepted it and vow that he will learn how to cook and decorate foods at this level, and then become a chef. I then teach him how to make the omurice and he failed splendidly. I encourage him that this is one of the hardest dishes to cook. He nodded as he trained how to cook like me.

It is already evening, but the customers keep coming. I keep cooking and realizes that it is closing time, so I ordered the waitress to place the close sign on the door and tell them that tonight, the chef will be having a banquet, so anyone is welcome. The waitresses then gives the invitation letter to the customers and they left happily even though they haven't have a taste of my food yet.

When the last customer is served, the waitresses and janitor clean the restaurant, while I am in the kitchen trying to cook something. I visualize that I inject soul energy  into the food I cook when I put the lid on, and when the kid is of, the food is glowing and the smell is enough to make someone's soul realm tremble in excitement.

I made 9 portions of this Soul Force injected food. I asked the 6 waitresses and 3 janitors to test this food. When they smell it, they started to moan in ecstasy, and when they eat it, I can feel their cultivation rise to a considerable level. 
" Wow! What food is this Young Master? It really is amazing! " one of the waitress said.
" Yes. I think I made a break through to Silver Rank when I take a bite of this dish! I have been struggling to break through this bottleneck for years, but only taking a bite of this dish is enough to make me do a break through!" said the other waitress in amazement.
"Stop talking and start chewing, or else I won't cook for you guys again!" I said as veins popped on my head.

Hearing this, they stopped talking and finishes their dishes.

"So how do you all feel ?" I asked.
"How do we feel? We have never felt this great. Thank you Young Master Chen!" they say as they cupped their hands.
"Okay. Now start washing the rice. Tonight, there will be a banquet and I want you all to be fast in preparing the ingredients because of the lack of time !" I said as I started to take a huge wok. 

I made a lot of rice, chicken, beef, pork, lamb, soup, vegetable, and desserts.

After 3 hours, I finished cooking and I used the Scarlet SunBurst Inscription to keep the food warm except the dessert. ' Damn. Nie Li is right. It is really suitable to cook water. ' I thought and then I ordered the waitresses and janitors to clean themselves to prepare to welcome the guests. 

1 hours later, people start to come and the first floor is full of people, so I instructed the waitress to lead the other people to the second floor. I then tell the people gathered here to wait before feasting, because the City Lord has yet to come. After half an hour, the City Lord and every influential people in Glory City arrived, except the Sacred Family. I then welcome the City Lord and lead these VIPS to the third floor. And then I announce the banquet start, and the first floor and the second floor started to tremble as people become crazy as they reached for the food. Seeing these scene, I scolded them and then I tell them not to worry, since I have cooked a lot of portion, which will be used to refill the food container that is empty. After that, the crowd become docile and queue properly to take the food. After making sure everything is alright, I go to the third floor and meet with Ye Zong, Elders of Snow Wind Family, my father, Elders of Divine Family, President Gu Yan of the Alchemist Association, Vice Principal Ye Sheng , and the patriarch of the HuYan Family HuYan Xiong.

"Greetings honored guests, My name is Chen LinJian, and I hosts this banquet to celebrate my returning to Glory City."
"Hah. Do you really need to be showy? To actually made Ye Shuo clean up your mess just as you returned" Ye Zong sighed.
" Haha. Well it is the guards' fault for slacking, and also this morning, you probably heard some mysterious man froze thugs of Sacred Family right?" I asked " These guys are truly daring! To actually act like bigshot and used all the restaurant's available table and refuses to leave when asked, and threaten the waitresses and janitors here. Luckily I got here and noticed this. If not, maybe Divine Restaurant will run out of business right? Now then, father how are you going to explain this?" I said as I give Chen ZhengLong a smile, which also not a smile.
" *cough. Jian'er, father is very busy these past 3 years. You know too right! Your shadow monitors me everytime and it is really disturbing! I can't even focus on doing my jobs! And the waitresses there didn't even report to me! " the patriarch answered while being panic.
" *sigh. Well, let bygones be bygones. Besides, the real purpose of this banquet is to show the result of my journey, so here it is." I said as I tossed an interspatial ring on the table, and I show everyone what is inside of the bag.

"First is an Alchemist expert's journals. The language is of ancient language, but I only decipher a little. If I have time, I would help deciphering it. I will gift it to the Alchemist Association." I said as I gifted the journals to President Gu Yan. 
" Thank you Young master Chen. " Gu Yan said as he received the journals.
"Next is a manual for weapon forging. This manual teaches you how to make a sturdy weapon. When I stroll in town this morning, I realize the swords are of low quality while the inscription is that of a high level. The result is before the weapon can use the inscription effect, it will break because of the burden. So, I believe the manual will be useful to HuYan Family, so please receive my gift Lord HuYan." I said as I passed the manual to HuYan Xiong.
"En. Thank you." HuYan Xiong said as he nodded.
" And the last is I found an ancient writing books. From the picture, I believe that it have defense capabilities, but I cannot decipher it yet, so City Lord. I believe one day, this book will be useful to you, in order to increase this city defenses." I said as I give the books to Ye Zong.
" Hmm. It really is a shame that the books you brought home is in ancient language, but good job out there !" Ye Zong said as he heaved a sigh.
" And for the closing event, I have prepared several dishes I cooked in a special way. Have a taste!" I said as I presented a ball shaped meats, making a course.
"What is this? It doesn't look like the ordinary food down there ?" Chen ZhengLong said
Everyone started to fuss as I watches them, I then ask them to smell the foods before eating them according with the order of food..
"What a smell! It made my soul realm trembling! I can feel rich Soul Energy emanating from this ball." said Ye Zong.
Everyone looks at each other before eating them and started to groan and moan in ecstasy as they finishes the courses.
" What is this thing? It is delicious, and powerful. I am going to break through!"
I looked at them and grinned. I cupped my hands and said " Congratulations everyone on making a breaking through in their cultivation."
"Hmm. what kind of herbs did you use to make this dish? It really is superb!" said Gu Yan with astonishment.
"Well, it is not because of herbs, but a technique unique to me only, so this food is a secret and also hard to get dish." I said as I forced a smile.
"Hmm. Maybe young master Chen learnt how to make it when travelling?" asked Vice Principal Ye Sheng.
" Haha. No way! I learnt it by myself here just now in the morning, so it is kinda hard to explain to others. " I said to vice principal.
" Ah I see! It really is a shame, but thanks to young master's cooking, I manage to break through to Black Gold Rank !" said Ye Sheng.
"Ah. Before everyone leaves, I wanted all of us here keep this as secret. And we shouldn't carelessly reveal our cultivation, so it is better to stay secluded." I said with a serious tone and everyone nodded at me.

The banquet is over, and everyone went home already. Only me, my father, Ye Zong and Snow Wind Family Elders are still here.

" Milord. I have an important request for you in order to corner cancers inside your city." I said as I looked at him and Ye Shuo.
Ye Zong takes a glance at the elders and the elders left, leaving only me, Ye Shuo, and Ye Zong.
"Speak Up!" Ye Zong said.
"Yes! I will hold an expedition to an ancient ruin in following days, so I hope Lord Ye Shuo can follow me and monitor a certain child." I said as I look at Ye Shuo. He is there standing while smiling. Looks like he is happy that he finally have a chance to do a serious spying.
Ye Song looks at Ye Shuo and Ye Shuo said. "Don't worry City Lord! I will definitely do my best and succeed this mission!" he said as he kneeled in front of city lord
" Lord Ye Shuo. I just want you to stand by and spy on a child and don't be noticed or else this mission will be a failure!" I said .
"You can count on this Lord here." Ye Shuo said proudly.
" Ah yes. Tomorrow is the Orchid Institute's starting of new semester right? May I deliver ZiYun to school City Lord?" I said as I looked at him and notices him glaring at me. 'Seriously this doting father!' I thought.
"Did you just thought of me as a doting father ?" he asked.
"No! How would I dare Milord!" I said as I started to sweat like a pig.
"Well then, tomorrow I will tell my guard to let you pass if you want to enter, just identify yourself to the guard. It is late now, so go I am leaving now." said Ye Zong.
"Yes! See you tomorrow Milord!" I said as I bowed and see Ye Zong out.
I also see my father out and bid farewell. After that, I clean the restaurant with the waitresses and the janitors. After the restaurant is clean, the waitresses and janitors go back to their home, while I stays at the restaurant because I have a bad premonition that something will happen to this restaurant tonight!

Yuuji is an ordinary Japanese college student who likes reading novels, be it light novels, wuxia novels, xianxia novels, sci-fi and more. But, on one fateful day, he was bumped and fell on the road resulting him being squished and grinded to death by motorcycles. When he is on a dark dimension, he noticed that he is being shaken and there is someone calling him..

So this is the first time I've written something so please mind the mistakes in my writing please and thank you

 Hi my name is Lizzie and I've just started                going to college and I'm moving in my dorm and I will be going to get my stuff from home and go back to my dorm and see who my roommate is.

THIRTY MINUTES LATER...

So I'm back at the dorm and I've just found out that I have to share a room with a BBBBBOYYYY!!!!!!!!

Um hi what's ur name my name is Lizzie what's ur name?
  
Um hi my name is carter and I've just loved here and I've just found out that I will be sharing a room with a giiirl and it's uncomfortable to ask but do u want to be my friend.?

Sure?!!. But we don't even know anything about each other though.

Yeah that's what I've been asking about we don't know each-other so can u tell me a little about yourself and I can tell u a little about myself?.

Well ok? My name is Lizzie and I've just moved here from California and My parents work as doctors and I work a part-time at target or something It's not as good as my parents jobs but it's a steady job.

Ok now my turn I'm carter and I'm 17 years old and I moved here from Kansas and my parents work as chefs and I work at JC Penny  
my jobs not good either but it's steady and I have friends there.

Oh yeah I forgot I'm 17years old to lol well it's about time to get to our classes so... see u when I come back to the dorm. See ya carter replied.



I WILL POST ANOTHER PAGE OF THIS ON .... THURSDAYS 
                    Bye!!

" OOOOFF JUST FUCK MY LIFE !!! " I shouted in my room.
I have dark circles around my eyes, because of that jerk, last night I couldn't sleep I was only busy thinking about that damn bastard, how can I escape from him!?
but at least, I could make a plan thanks to Lexi's diary!
but the thing that got me unluckier are:
I'm in the same class with him(ᗒᗩᗕ)
sitting next to him (ಥ_ಥ)
and I got zero friends ( ༎ຶ‿༎ຶ )

" SORRY ! BUT MY LIFE IS ALREADY FUCKED UP, BY MORONS !!! " and here finally I have gone crazy, that I'm starting to talk to myself more than talking to damn humans...

I went to school, fortunately in Lexi's diary was mentioned which gate is most used by the bully guys, so I must use the main gate, at least the teachers are using that one.
but what about my CLASS or SEAT?
KELVIN AND HIS FUCKING BULLY FRIENDS ARE EVERY WHERE !

" Stella! "

waah!
God when someone who called my name so suddenly, it freaked me out, but who's calling me.... Andrew?

" wait for me! .... I need to tell you something! "
he said.

" Uuuhm... about yesterday ! "

" Huh! what about yesterday ? " I said.

" I'm sorry! " 

why is he apologizing!?

" Huh!? "

" today you shouldn't leave my side, be with me in class, cafeteria and I'll even walk you home, if you're with me no one can get near you! " he said.

" .... R U BEING SERIOUS !? "
dude I'm kinda surprised! but he suddenly looked me in the eyes and confidently said...

" YES ! "

" But how can I trust you !? You didn't even help me or defend me, when he tried to hit me !" I said.

" I know! WHEN TRUST IS BROKEN SORRY MEANS NOTHING! But I can protect you from being bullied, only if you don't leave my side! plz!? "

" ... " 
I can't decide or let's say I have trust problem

" okay! " I said.

" really ! " he looked surprised and happy.

" first, you shouldn't act like you're scared, I mean don't mind it that you're sitting next to him, and in the breaks stay with me and eat your lunch with me, also I'll walk you home " he said.

" Are you being serious!? "

" just trust me he can't touch you if you're with me ! "

" why!? "

he sighed and said

"  we used to be close friends, until..... nevermind just trust me, if you don't want to then it's up to you "

BRRIIIIIIINNGGG!!!!

" the bell rang, so let's go to the class ! "

we went to the class but Kelvin wasn't there, is he late? or couldn't come because I hit him kinda hard !? anyway I feel kinda weird and guilty, did I over react!? whatever it's not my business, I only wanna live for now so I can revenge.

{ in the middle of teacher's explanation for the subject }

CREAK !!!

the class door opened and it was him, KELVIN!
Andrew turned his head my way, and whispered 
" don't panic ! " because my seat wasn't that far from his, so I could understand.

" I'm sorry for being, late! " Kelvin said that, and smirked at me!

" Hey! if you don't wanna come to school, so don't but if you want to then act like a proper student !!! " the teacher got angry.

" I apologized, so can I go and sit !? " Kelvin said that, while scratching his head, showing such an obvious sign that he has got damn annoyed by his nagging !

" come to my office, after the class! " 
the teacher said loudly 

" yes, sir! " 
I guess he was annoyed of the teacher.
he came, and mumbling to himself 

" that old damn geezer, is fucked up ! "

he sat and now he's staring at me, I shouldn't get panicked or scared, JUST ACT NORMAL

SWIIIISHH!

why did he take my notebook!? is he crazy I grabbed, to get it back but he didn't let it go, though he's strong and he was staring at me again !

" can't you see I'm writing, what the teacher is writing ! so give it back !? " I whispered.
He smirked and whispered...
" why !? " 

WHY !? IS HE TIRED OF LIVING!?

" I need it, bro " 

he glared and said...

" take it, but I'm not your damn bro ! "

" CAN THE LOVE BIRDS STOP WHISPERING SO EARLY IN THE MORNING ! " 
the teacher yelled

Hahahahahaha....

everyone in the class started laughing, but Andrew was kinda looked like he was pissed off !!! but WHY !?

But Kelvin glared and made each of  them shut their damn mouth !
LOL ! I guess he's like the school's boss or mafia!
he layed his head on the desk and slept, but why does he always look so damn tired,  is he still doing part time job secretly, I know that because Lexi once mentioned that he's having many part time jobs, though the school has forbidden students doing part time jobs, but the question is, he's from a rich family but he's doing many jobs in different shops, gosh sometimes I pity him ! 

" Stella! "

" STELLA! "

" WHAA....WHAT! "

" I called you many times but you were day dreaming !!! "

" Huh! ... Oh! I'm sorry Andrew, I was thinking about something, anyway why did you call me !!? "

" it's the break time, let's go outside ! "

he said it, and he started closing my books and notebooks, he suddenly came closer to my face and said...

" let's go out ! "

" oh! okay! " I quickly replied.

GRAB !!!

wait why did Kelvin grab my hand !?
he raised his head and said...

" Today, tomorrow or till the day I say I'm tired of her, she's gonna stay with me. "

is he finally gone crazy, seriously he wasn't even normal from the beginning !
he stood up and...

SWOOOSH !!!

WAAAAAHHH !!!!
He pulled my hand that strongly, that it really freaked me out !

" WTF ! ARE YOU TRYING TO DO !? " I yelled...

His lips came closer to my ears, and whispered...

" playing with my new TOY ! "

MUAH!

DID HE JUST, KISSED MY CHEEK !!!!!

" HEY ! " 

Andrew yelled, and grabbed Kelvin's collar and angrily said...

" YOU ARE FUCKED UP, MOTHER FUCKER ! "

OMG !!! my very first time seeing him swearing, though it's my second day here but caused hundreds of troubles that can't even  be done in a year ....

" LET HER GO !!! " He said it angrily but also calmly...

but seriously it's time to let me go, fuck this drama and come back to reality stupid Stella YOU ARE NOT SHAKESPEARE !

" fuck you all, I'm so pissed off " I said

" Huh ! "  Kelvin said.

" what did you say Stella ? " Andrew said.

Do those jerks didn't hear me clearly ? So they didn't hear !

" Hahahahahah... " 
I don't know why but I find it so funny...

I stopped and smirked then looked them both in the eyes and...

" FUCK YOU ALL, I'M SO PISSED OFF !!! " 
I SHOUTED, GOD I'M SO ANGRY

BAAAMM !!!

I kicked Kelvin'l and glared at Andrew then I quickly went out from the class...

" though it hurts but, THAT'S MY GIRL ! MY TYPE " Kelvin smiled and said

" YOUR GIRL !? " Andrew asked like he was moking Kelvin...

" FUCKER LET GO OF MY FUCKING COLLAR ! "
 Kelvin said.

it's not time for all these bullshits and drama, but time for revenge
WAIT AND SEE CLASS -B-, I'LL MAKE YOU ALL WISH FOR DEATH, ONE BY ONE ! BECAUSE...

I'M THE DIARY THAT KNOWS EVERYTHING EXCEPT ONE THING, THE KILLER !!!

Was she forced to suicide? or Was she killed?

Everyone in the class is lying, and each one of them is keeping a secret. I'm sure someone has a hand in her death.
I'm the diary that knows everything except one thing THE KILLER !!!

NOTE: 
the cover of the book is not my drawing or whatever.

Mark was fearing if he would change his mind. Now, after battling with his confused heart, he had done it at last. It was just as he dreamed. He proposed the one he loved and she accepted. But he could still see in her eyes that she was not in love with him. There was no spark of love in her eyes. But he can change it. He can make her fall in love with him. He still felt Lilly like a shadow around him and he wondered why.. though he wanted himself to be only thinking of his future with Bella. He was never made for Lilly and she knew from the beginning how madly he is in love with Bella, he blurred his vague thoughts that was popping out of his head now and then.
Bella has returned home just then. He wondered how this girl can work so hard, she worked at libraries, in shops, as car cleaner… and countless other part-time jobs and return home cheerfully, helping Susan. He has told her a hundred times to stop working so hard but she ignored his pleads with smiles. He knew he can never change her mind. Every month he saw her sending money from the post office to some address. He never asked her to whom she was sending the money, since he believed she will spend her hard earned money wisely.
He brought two cups of steaming hot coffee and sat near Bella who was looking outside in the balcony.
"Bell!!" Mark gave her a cup... The little tulip plant that was grown in the balcony now bared a flower. Strangely though, it constantly reminded Mark of Lilly. 
Bella was in deep thoughts and was shaken by Mark… She gazed at him…
"In all relations of your past, your aunt, uncle, cousin, Peter, us, have you ever let the other side try?"
Bella looked confused and waiting for Mark to continue.
"What I mean is, you held onto every relations, suppressing and moulding yourself for them. But now I want you to stop it. I want you to be you. Without any more fear and with full freedom."
Still Bella looked like she was struggling to catch his words.
"I want you to continue writing. And this time under your name."
Bella stared blankly looking away from Mark. 
"I can't…" Bella could not explain why…
"Is there any reason you can tell me? "Mark was determined.
"I have started writing under Dona's name and if I continue writing under my name, what if the readers find out. It can damage Dona's image completely." Bella knew that it was not the only reason. She never rethought about writing after she met Peter. And it was months ago. She even doubted whether she is still good at it anymore. And the main fear that still ate her was… she was unlucky… She can't start anything under her name. 
"That's what I am saying. I don't want you to start over The Pebbles again. I want you to create a new series… A new outbreak, and I am confident that you can do it. Actually it's a favor I want to ask you. It's that I can't go to Peter's company. So I wish to start a new publishing firm. I want you to help me in editing since you are really good at it and also if yours is the first novel to be published by our new company, then I am sure we can become really successful… Won't you do it for me?"
Mark looked serious and was not joking, Bella could feel he meant what he was saying. But how can she let it happen? She was overjoyed when Mark said he wants to start a firm of his own and she trusted his abilities and was confident on his success. But how can she allow her novel to be published as his start? What if it turns out to be disastrous???
How can she make him understand?
"Mark, please…. I can write for you but only under Dona's name. But I can do editing works and anything else you say."
Mark couldn't understand what was it that Bella was fearing. But he was happy, atleast she will write.. do something that she liked. He can change her slowly and even ask Dona to speak with her.
"Okay then. If that is the case, I will have to talk with your past editor if he is willing to part your works with me or join me. You are going to be really busy from now on, Bell.."
"And Mark… Please don't tell to anyone that I am writing, Anyone…"
"I wish you change your mind soon … And I know you will Bell…"
........
Susan was serving breakfast and everyone were seated on the dining table smelling the delicious food. Susan's talent at cooking was beyond appreciation and Bella could find herself gaining weight in her past few days. She had a delicious bite of her stuffed bread when Susan walked towards the door. 
So, someone might have rang the doorbell, wondered Bella. 
Bella turned and was surprised to see her past editor standing alongside Susan with an apologetic look.
"Sorry! I disturbed you people while eating. I am the editor and publisher of The Pebbles, the novel series written by Dona… umm.. I mean Bella. Actually, I came here as soon as I received the mail from Mr Mark. I was searching for Bella for days in vain and the moment I knew she is here, I rushed to find you. I can wait till you finish eating."
But David was inside Susan's home and nobody can leave the house without eating.  So she forced David to take a seat and dine with the family. Though David was reluctant at first, eventually, he sat in to endeavor a big fat breakfast.
"Hi Mr David. Pleased to meet you!" Mark gave a formal welcome as soon as they finished the breakfast and started on business.
Bella looked confusedly at David… " How did he know that it was me who wrote the novel series?"
"You are saying you knew that it was Bella who wrote those novels?" Mark spoke out what was bothering Bella for a while.
"Yes… Dona told me." He became silent immediately.
"Dona?  … You know where she is? Aunt Annie is dead scared since her absence. Please tell me where she is, David." Bella pleaded and Mark translated it for her.
"I can't… She is safe and is chasing her dreams. Lately… she seems to be really happy. And I believe she will return to her home soon. So don't worry… It was she who told me to ask you to continue the novel works and she even said you can put your name if you want as long as she is safe."
David turned into a serious note and continued, " Bella, will you resume your work?"

Isabella Lawrence, a deaf and mute girl born with misfortunes right from her birth.. A bad omen.. that's what everyone called her..lost her parents on the day of her birth and ended up living with her aunt who hates her..
Her life takes a U turn when a rich and rude young man enters her life making her life more miserable.. But sending in her a shiver of love...
And how does Bella solve her father's mystery..!!
Let's walk into Bella's world...a mixture of adventure .. hatred and a silent love..❤

*****

STILL A YEAR AGO BEFORE APOCALYPSE

Eden is still writing urgently and frantic on her journal inside her apartment.

Sometimes she looked around from her door to the windows as if expecting something to break in and attack her.

When there's nothing that she seemed to have heard or sense, she went back to writing, her dominant hand moving fast as if she's in a hurry to get this over with.

Also, it's almost as if she's writing a fictional story in her journal but in a grim truth, the story-like entry she's writing in is not fictional at all.

And sometimes Eden hoped that it was and it was just some horrifying nightmare she had dreamed in her sleep.

But she couldn't deny the reality when she had seen it and witnessed it firsthand, even though somehow she managed to make it through and escape alive.

She kept on writing vigorously with gaze focused but her mind drifted as if immersed in the dark memories she had experienced and had gone through before in those sudden horrifying days.

*****

JOURNAL ENTRY: 7TH DAY, 1ST MONTH JANUARY, YEAR 2XXX

It was so surreal.

I had hoped at first that it was just coincidence or something.

But I couldn't even deny the obvious signs even if they were right in front of me in large prints.

I'm sure you're wondering what it is that got me so panicked and frantic about like some madwoman who had just gone nuclear-like crazy frenzy.

I'm going to just write it all down here in my journal personally so that anyone who might find and read this will understand.

It's also in case I might not make it out alive if ever that might be the case for me when that happens.

Anyway, I'm rambling on.

This is how it happened, when and where it started, and how I've been there and seen it all through until I managed to come back and return home into my apartment.

It was just my first day at work, during the day as a part-time office assistant in a small firm situated in a very high-rise building in the city.

It was fortunate for me that I'm a quick learner and I managed to do a good job working at the first day, milling around in the office and following my orders given to me by my supervisor and superior, almost feeling like a robot designed to serve its master to the fullest.

This would be offensive to some people at first but you have to admit it's funny because for me I've always been some kind of docile type and knew better to listen and respect my superiors even if they're mean to me and just follow and do what they say.

I didn't mind this at all because all I want is just be at the sidelines quietly and give no complaint whatsoever over any nonsense even if it's for yourself.

This job pays well and of course, I need the money despite that I do have money saved for myself.

You never know that in the future your money would run out so quickly and your normal life will instantly become a difficult one.

Anyway, moving on, this is when I noticed during lunch break the first signs that something's wrong.

I didn't bring a packed lunch with me and the canteen food is worse when I saw it so I didn't buy them.  I was standing by in a room where they served coffee and took one, and as I drank half-way from my cup, I saw it.

One office employee was coughing hard in his work station and he seemed to be looking worse.  His face was looking dark red and seemed to swell and he also looked to have trouble breathing.

I remember that when I just entered the building, I had met that same employee and he was normal and healthy-looking before and didn't have the slightest symptom that he was going to be sick.

Well, right now he is, and it's strange and weird to me that the guy was sick so fast that I thought he had contracted the hidden plague or something.

I didn't know that my outrageous thoughts were true in the future.

And then the sick employee suddenly lurched forward as if he's going to vomit but instead he just collapsed in a heap on the floor, startling his other workmates and the others reacted to check on him.

I didn't go to see if he's alright because a large crowd was instantly forming around him and it wasn't long before someone finally called for help and then two medics swiftly came into the building at the workspace and taking the fallen sick employee away.

I was a little surprised at seeing the medics already there even when I noticed that one of the people in the crowd was about to call for an ambulance through his cell phone but there was already medical personnel assigned in the building and they seemed to be prepared for this.

It strangely got to me and also had a bad feeling that something is up.

But I didn't think much of it when my lunch break was over and I went back to work.

I finished for the day at my part-time job and almost had forgotten what I've seen before at the office when I was rushing to my next part-time job for the night shift which is as a cashier at a small grocery store.

I quickly catch a bus heading to the next job location I'm going and when I reached my destination, I went straight to the back of the grocery store and dressed up in my other work clothes from office shirt, skirts and heels to cashier employee shirt, pants and shoes.

I wasn't late nor was I early but I came right on time to meet my night-job superior at my night part-time job and learn what I need to do and start working for the night.

Even though I knew I would come home late and would get a few hours of sleep and work the same as always with these two part-time jobs from now on and beyond, I didn't mind at all as long as I can do it and keep on living normally.

It was also fortunate for me that I have weekends as the off days of my part-time jobs.

However, I didn't know that everything was going to change when the time passed by and days go by until the 7th day that I finally realized that everything is falling into chaos and the whole world is already falling into the depths of Hell itself in a literal sort of way.

Within those 7 days, as I worked and went home back and forth as usual and normal, I noticed signs, symptoms, and also sightings that I wish I could shake it off as mere coincidence or just imaginations that were made-up in my head from being almost overworked.

During the day time, more office employees had gotten sick suddenly and the workspace I was assigned on was about to become so empty it's like it's the holidays or there's a job strike going on.

I was getting unnerved about this but I kept on working as normal and usual as always.

Then there were more that started to happen during the nights.

I had noticed unusual symptoms from the buyers in the grocery store I'm working at during night-shifts.  Some seemed to be idling about between aisles absently as if they're drugged or in a depressed haze.  While some seemed to be staring intently at the frozen meat in the freezers or some staring at other people that were near them or walked by them with hungry expressions in their faces as if they haven't eaten at all.

I was glad that those people who were staring at others didn't happen with me because when I saw and noticed them approaching the cashier counter, I manage to quickly switch with another night-shift employee I had made friends with to take over as cashier and move away from their sights.

I knew it was a silly excuse to do that with one of the first friends I had made here in the city.  But I was getting a little freaked out with everything that's been happening that I started feeling paranoid and selfish for myself and my life.

The only time I felt safe is when I come straight home back to my apartment.

When the weekends finally came, I was relieved but then it still went wrong and I've seen and experienced it, increasing my paranoia and fear of something unknown about to come which I didn't know that it already has.

On the 6th day, I was sitting outside next to a coffee shop, drinking a cold creamy latte frappuccino to refresh myself and relax when a car accident occurred suddenly right in the street near the place where I'm at.

Two cars, one Hyundai and an SUV crashed against each other head-side on, either one of them had run through a red traffic light or not.

People reacted at the chaos and some had gone to the scene to try to check on and help with the injured drivers in the two vehicles.

Someone had called for an ambulance and as a crowd almost formed so many around the two crashed vehicles, it arrived an hour later fast as it was called and three paramedics came rushing to the scene to help and rescue the victims of the accident.

I stayed put to where I am by the coffee shop and I almost strained my eyesight to watch from far away to see what it's happening.

That's when I noticed something very strange and so creepy that I thought the hot sun up high is getting to me and I'm having heat hallucinations.

When two of the paramedics had placed one of the two driver victims into a stretcher and one of them declared soundlessly that this one's dead, I thought I saw its corpse twitching in the stretcher as if it's on a seizure. I also noticed that the two paramedics had strapped the seemingly twitching body tight and secure so that people and witnesses close by would have thought that the body would fall off inside the ambulance and nothing else.

But I somehow knew better when I saw the twitching and I also had thought that I saw the other victim who looked to be dead as well in the other crashed vehicle, its bashed head moved and seemed to lurch sideways as if trying to lunge at the paramedic that was going to remove him from the driver's seat.

I frowned at this and then felt like leaving already as if I didn't want to see what will happen next.

I abandoned my half-finished frappuccino and left the place as fast as I can in another direction.  I was having such deep bad feelings that were churning inside my gut that I felt like wanting to go back home in my apartment and stay there up to the next day.

I didn't think of writing this down the day before today because when I went home and then felt like sleeping it off which I did, it went out of my mind as if it's a normal occurrence that is usual in the city and I had shrugged it off as my imagined paranoia or fear.

But then I was wrong when on that exact 7th day, in the late time of night.  I had my sights on the first thing that got me crashing into a horrifying reality that everything had already gone to pieces in a very worst way.

It was on the 7th day that I stayed at home during daytime feeling out of sorts and trying to calm myself and think clearly on what had just happened the day before when around five in the afternoon I had a call from my cell phone.

I answered it and heard that it's one of my friends who worked with me at the night-shifts in the grocery store.

I heard her begging me to take over her night-shift at the store because one of her family members was at the hospital and she was worried and wanted to go there but couldn't because she needs the job too.

I wanted to refuse at first because of what I've seen before and the wild chaotic thoughts still running in my head but I felt pity for my friend and accepted and then I went and prepared myself to take over my friend's shift and work at night again, even if it's supposed to be my first weekend off.

But I didn't mind and I felt like owing my friend a favor for helping me switch when I had first encountered the strange people who were staring at others before.

I went to the grocery store at a fast pace like I wanted to get this over with and return home as soon as possible and my friend who called me had thanked me so much that she gave me almost so many tight hugs before she left in a hurry to go to the hospital and check on her family.

I sighed as I watched her leave then entered through the back and readied myself to work my night-shift as cashier as usual and I greeted the other employee working for the night, a young man in his late teens and almost an adult that is mopping and cleaning the floors between aisles.

I saw that there weren't many customers and only about two that looked to be searching around for their groceries and I sighed as I went behind the counter and waited for the customers to come and pay their purchases.

It was a few hours later that something unexpected suddenly happened.

I heard a loud slamming noise and bumping thuds and I turned my head almost in an instant turn that I could've broken it and I saw what looked to be a homeless man banging his head against the entrance doors of the store.

I was startled and stunned at this and I just stood there behind the counter confused and silent and the young employee who was mopping the floors stopped and went to look and check on the head-banger to see if he's okay.

But just as he had opened the door, the head-banging homeless man lunged at him and attacked him so suddenly that the two customers that were still inside the store and I just watched stunned shock and horror, we didn't have time to react on what we're just seeing right before our very eyes.

The homeless man opened his mouth wide as he could and chomp his dirty teeth into the young man's throat and started tearing it apart and EATING him.

The two customers that were still there reacted first with screams and yells, and one of them which is a burly man went to help the dying employee and try to pry the cannibal man off.

But it soon became a grave mistake when more of the carnivorous cannibals like the homeless man came bursting inside through the entrance, which is two more of them and one of them instantly lunged and chomped on the burly man at his arm while the other one goes for the second customer which is a feeble elderly woman who had tried to run and flee.

It took a split-second for me to finally react and between fight-and-flight, I choose flight.

I ran as swift as a startled fawn and went to the back of the store where the employees' room is and I hurriedly shut the door behind me and locked it, ignoring the screams and yells from outside and the munching hungry sounds from the monsters.

Then I felt myself collapse down in the ground, my back against the locked door, my bottom sitting on the floor, my legs curled up with knees near my face, and my hands over my mouth to cover and silence the cries and sobs that are emerging from my lips.

I kept on ignoring the terrible and sickening sounds I'm hearing from outside the door and soundlessly prayed myself to God for forgiveness and salvation.

*****

Eden stopped writing and looked like she finally wanted to vomit upon remembering that horrible and terrifying sights she had seen and the incident she went through before, which she did in a sudden dash to her bathroom and you can hear her retching and puking into the toilet, throwing whatever's in her stomach out.

Then there was a sound of the toilet flushing and Eden came out, looked to be staggering weakly and tired as she slowly went back to her desk to keep on writing on her journal.

She had to let everything out and try to erase it from her mind and have it etched and written onto her journal so that she might be able to sleep peacefully.

So she kept on writing what she had experienced and seen, all the signs, symptoms, and sights of the beginning and rise of the zombie apocalypse.

*****

*****

I am alone.
In a Zombie Apocalypse.
I'm on a self-journey to find more survivors or trying to find a safe place.
Or I'm just living through it and surviving all by myself.
Listen to my story.
Listen or read about my survival.
It is all here in my SURVIVOR'S JOURNAL

*****

A lone survivor.
Since the beginning of the Apocalypse.
She survives through a hellish fallen world.
With nothing but her wits and a few skills that she has from her former normal life and learned throughout the apocalypse.
Listen to her tale.
Listen to what she has gone through in her survival through everything and how she managed to stay alive.
Listen or Read her SURVIVOR'S JOURNAL.

*****

"How long have you been alone?"

"Since the very beginning."

"How did you survive by yourself?"

"Nothing.  Nothing but with just my wits and a few skills and smarts that I have learned throughout everything."

"I'm surprised you're even sane and alive for so long and being alone."

"Oh, I'm not alone.  I have my journal."

*****
(Author's Note: This is a fictional story.  It is not based in real life at all.)

"So none of you are willing to go back with me?"
.
3 days had gone by just like that..... and today, Santa was finally leaving Baymard.
But since he would be coming again once Penelope signed the treaty.... everyone chose to go later on, and not right now.
And since they were allowed to work, they immediately started thinking of going job hunting and so on.
Sure, they were royals..... but ever since they had stepped in here, they had seen other royals worke as well.
Mother Kim was a teacher, and even king Landon worked at the hospital and every other place one could imagine.
.
Yesterday when they looked at the newspaper, they saw several job ads in them.
One should know that at the end of every semester, students graduated and started looking for jobs.
Hence there were always people trying to get into the job market.
.
Even those who were on holidays still needed summer jobs... hence the newspapers were always filled with several jobs offered daily.
Of course, some jobs like junior electricians..... or any job that was deeply rooted with Baymard's secrets, were completely unavailable to Non-Baymardians.
On the newspapers, it would say things like: 'Must be a citizen of Baymard'... And so on.
.
Yesterday, they had spent their entire time preparing for some job interviews.
They had read articles on the newspaper about prepping for jobs... as well as what they should bring to these interviews.
The whole thing seemed so fascinating.... especially to the women.
One had to know that all they did all day.....  was sit at home, make sure that the maids had prepared their husband and children's meals, run the household, and so on.
They actually never touched anything, so this was a whole new experience for them.
.
As for the men, they couldn't leave as well.... as 4 days from now, they would begin a test trial on how Baymard was going to train their knights.
They would train until Santa came back.
And apart from that, they were also allowed to take up part time jobs if they wanted to.
Staying in Baymard for months, would definitely run their money dry.... whether they were nobles or not.
Hence getting a job was definitely for the best.
.
In respect to the children, they were all starting school in 2 days time.... so of course they would stay as well.
Yes.... Duchess Mina and Duke Samula had decided to allow their children stay in Baymard and study for both semesters.
And in summer, they would come back to Carona as well.
One had to look at the bigger picture here.
If they could get educated, then when they graduated.... they could help in making changes within Carona.
After all, like Landon had said: the future were the youths.
.
And so as to keep their sons sword fighting skills intact..... they had decided to leave 4 of their most trusted guards with them while they stayed.
One had to know that knight pages trained almost everyday..... hence they needed the guards to keep their sons on their toes.
At least once a day, ther sons should practice fiercely for an entire hour.... or more.
.
As for their daughters, they were more than pleased to elevate them... as they felt like the courses offered here, were way better than what was offered at Carona.
So far, their daughters had taken etiquette classes, Poetry, reading and writing classes.... as well as simple math classes (addition & subtraction)
But when they saw Linda and all the other children here.... they were completely stunned by how intellectually smart they all were.
.
Anyway... Today was August 10th, and school had already resumed on the 3rd of the month.
But even still, Landon had assured them that it wasn't too late for the children to join in the semester.
Presently, they had all signed up for:
•Math 1: Addition & subtraction 
•Math 2 : Division & Multiplication
•Pyron 1: Nouns, adjectives, Reading, writing...etc
.
Of course those were just their main courses.... as they had other courses like Arts & Craft, History, Poetry, Gym, and so on.
So one could say that these children would have their hands full for the rest of the semester.
Bottom line, Santa was leaving with half of the royal guards..... and neveryone else was staying here until the treaty was brought back.
.
Looking at the goods that he had stocked up on his ship, Santa couldn't help but smile a bit.
For this first round, he had only chosen things that were a necessity for his people.
Things like Mattresses, beddings, books, pens, winter jackets, .... and so on, were his first line of action.
.
Before leaving, he had spoken to Landon about the price.
Landon wanted these items to be accessible to even peasants, so there was no way that he would allow anyone to sell them at a ridiculously price.
Hence he came up with a price range for various areas..... based on the exportation tax fees and so on.
For example, if 12 pencils cost 3 Copper coins.... then Carona could sell it between 3-8 Copper coins per pack.
.
Landon had added shipping rate, exportation tax, middleman fees and so on... to the that initial price.
But since Santa would usually buy in bulk/wholesale... the price should automatically become cheaper, when compared to shipping individually.
At the end, he had cost down on a lot of fees.
Time passed by swiftly.... and once everything was finally packed, Santa came back to say goodbye to everyone.
.
"Woo... Bro, they're so mean.
Can't they at least pretend to miss me a little?" Santa said while hugging Landon and pouting like a little kid.
Landon shook his head and smiled awkwardly.
This guy was truly shameless!
Everyone felt a headache coming along, as they looked at the giant sized child before them.
The children smacked their hands at their foreheads, as they too felt like this guy way too childish..... even for them.
And they should know, they were the ones who were kids.
.
"Ermmm...Uncle, you know we'll miss you right?
So stop crying." Replied one of the children.
"Yeah uncle.... we'll miss you for sure."
"Uncle, haven't I told you that you're the best in the whole wide Hertfilia?"
The children tried to coax this baby-like uncle of theirs until they saw signs of his 'mood' cheering up.
.
Santa raised his head and looked at them sadly, with a poppy dog look on his face.
"Really?..... You'll miss me?" Santa asked pitifully.
"For sure uncle." They replied.
"Okay... since you'll all miss me too much, then come back with me."
"__"
"Uncle.... please get on the ship!"
"Farewell uncle!"
"Goodbye!!"


Chu Yi dies in a car crash and becomes Landon Barn, the illegitimate son of king Barn, ruler of Arcadina. Because his mother was a maid and the king’s greatest disgrace, his father had always despised him. The same could be said for his half-siblings. 

When he turned 15, his father had announced that the city of Baymard would be given to him, and would no longer be under the empire's control. It was a well known fact that Baymard’s lands were barren, and poverty stricken.... For god’s sake, this was banishment.

His deadbeat father had indirectly banished him from the empire.

Chu Yi woke up in a carriage, on his way to Baymard with a system

"So what if my father hates me? So what if I’m banished?.... I will turn my territory into a modern society"

  
.
.
Author here, thank you all for tuning in..... english is my second language... so I promise to try my best.

P.S, please dont compare my Novel to others... not all world development novels have to have the same format.

This is a continuation of the first Prelude chapter (Chapter 0) at the very beginning. If you somehow managed to miss it, please find it in the table of contents.
Or you can just skip this chapter and come back to it later when you feel like it.
*   *   *   *   *
After five long years, I could say with confidence that I was now fluent in the spoken common language of this world. Unfortunately, I couldn't say the same about the writing system. I don't know who even designed this, but it was like a mix of classical Chinese and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. However, what surprised me the most was the population's literacy rate. They didn't fund public education here so hardly anyone could do mental arithmetic, yet somehow three quarters of the population could read and write without problems…
I tried to teach people basic mathematics and science during the time I've been here, but nobody took me seriously since I lacked fame and titles. The few who listened to my mini-lectures to the end were skeptical, saying the correctness of what I said was just some strange coincidence. I also tried introducing and teaching a new, simpler writing system to the people here, but that was coldly rejected as well. They said it looked too similar to random scribbles made by a toddler, and as a result treated it like a joke.
I also found out that learning magic was physically impossible, too. It's hard to explain in words, but apparently learning how to control and use mana was like learning a new language: it was easier to do so at a young age while one's brain was still in a "critical period". There was also some unexplainable phenomenon that happened only in the body of a child, which would start degrading over time upon entering puberty if not utilized properly by then. While one could technically still learn magic after puberty, doing so would take significantly longer, and such degradation within the body would have already happened for so long that one's potential for magic would be too low. I was already almost 40 years old so my potential, if I had any to begin with, would only be enough to lift a strand of hair up just slightly if I completely exhausted all my mana, according to the sage.
Alchemy was also out of the question. Making potions and scrolls was like making medicine: it required precise amounts of materials and ingredients. Unfortunately, specially converted mana was one of those crafting materials for most products. The only items that didn't require mana were poisons, but processing the materials that went into such products required using magic to prevent the people making that from poisoning themselves.
I had no idea why the sage let me stay at his home for the past 5 years when I was of no help to his research on magic. I felt bad about being a freeloader, so I worked various odd jobs to cover my own expenses, and helped with various household chores. Out of all the jobs I took, operating a food stall at the city's marketplace was the highest paying. All I did was introduce some fast-food items from home, but apparently such savory and unhealthy things were wildly popular with the locals who had never seen such "exotic" dishes before. It really puzzled me: these people sold bread and various types of meats at the marketplace, yet nobody had ever invented sandwiches or hamburgers before…
Servants of the regional Earl's household invited me to become one of his personal cooks at some point two years ago, but I declined. The only things I knew could make well were fast-food and instant noodles, and I was worried that feeding the Earl this kind of food every day would eventually put him into cardiac arrest, and consequently put me into trouble, so I just gave them some recipes instead. The next thing I knew, a large sack of silver coins was delivered to me, along with a letter of thanks from the Earl. There was even a note saying he shared my recipes with other noble families across the kingdom, and the "simple but exotic pizza dish" would even be served at royal banquets.
In any case, I failed to advance this world's knowledge on scientific matters, so it really seemed like I would never have any chance of returning home.
Maybe it was fate that my life would turn out to be this mediocre…
*   *   *   *   *
"Badoth, come to my room now!"
My evening routine consisted of heating up ready-made meals from the marketplace for dinner, cleaning up the house, and bringing the sage some herbal tea at around 8 o'clock. It was currently a few minutes past 7, so I found it strange that he called me this early.
"Yes? Erm… You seem different."
This old man who usually showed no emotion was now suddenly cheerfully smiling.
"Thanks to you helping with housework, I've finally completed my lifelong research!"
So that's why he let me stay here. He needed someone to reliably do his housework so he could focus on his research…
"Well congratulations, sir! Um… could I ask about what the research is about?"
"Magic that extends one's lifespan. Shall I test it on you?"
"Sure, I guess."
Maybe this was going to be the day my fate changed. If his research really was successful, then I would now have more time to try to spread my scientific knowledge to this world. If it failed, well, it's not like I have any regrets. I already thought about giving up on life several times when I realized it was essentially impossible to go home.
After drawing a large magic circle on the floor, the sage began mumbling an impossibly long chant. The magic circle glowed brighter and brighter, eventually reaching a point when the light completely whited out my vision.
"My body feels… weird."
There was an uncomfortable sensation running through my body that was hard to describe. As soon as I finished my sentence, the sage's mumbling stopped and quickly turned into laughter.
"Hohoho… so my magic is working! Ahahaha! This is splendid indeed!"
Now I couldn't tell what was more disturbing: the strange feeling in my body, or the creepy laughter.
"Let me tell you one thing: the reason why I kept you here! This spell transfers the remaining lifespan of one person to another! You, who came from another world, shall not be missed! Hohohoho!"
"Ugh…"
Of course. Nobody knew me that well in this world, so nobody would ever inquire if I suddenly disappeared one day.
I wanted to run away, but couldn't move my body. It felt as though the magic circle was binding me to one spot. I even tried screaming for help, but even my vocal tract wasn't cooperating, either.
There was nothing I could do but listen to the sage's cruel laughter as I grew dizzier and dizzier.
*   *   *   *   *
When the laughter and light finally faded away, my clothes and the world around me felt bigger. On the ground in front of me was the motionless body of the sage, who looked as though he had just aged 30 or so years before passing away.
I looked in a mirror to find that I now had the appearance of an 8 year old child. Even my Adam's apple was gone, so it seemed like my physical body got reverted to that age, too. Looks like the sage's magic worked miraculously, although in the opposite direction of what he intended.
I felt shocked and horrified at the events that unfolded just now, yet I was somewhat happy at the same time: I'm now at a youthful age that made learning magic possible!

Some say that being an adventurer doing quests for a living was a wonderful job because of the freedom and exploration that comes with the job.

Unfortunately, that kind of life wasn't suited for everyone. A mage who found the life of an adventurer too difficult decides to retire and operate an alchemy store instead.

He gains a bit of fame from running one of very few alchemy stores in the world, but things don't go too smoothly for him, as he is once again forced to go on adventures...

* August 7, 2018: Novel now also published on Royal Road. Same title and author name.

* September 12, 2018: A problem occurred with Chapter 13, so I have to re-upload it and all the chapters that follow...

During the day, the snow slowly melted at an invisible speed; at night, the melted snow condensed into ice. Such a cycle would last throughout the winter.
In northern China, there was a custom called "cat winter", and Zhang Zian felt like he was spending the winter just like a cat, while today, the real cat, Fina, was sleeping particularly longer than usual, for she instructed the four Abyssinian cats to dance ballet until midnight and she had exhausted herself. 
Even the Abyssinian cats, known for their agile movements and graceful gaits, had a hard time learning the choreography arranged by Zhang Zian and Fina, which was more difficult than the previous figure eight.
During the teaching period, Zhang Zian and Fina had several disputes about the choreography. Of course, the disagreements eventually ended with the victory of Fina. This by no means indicated Zhang Zian's weakness, but he was unable to find grounds upon which to reason with Fina: when Fina said the cats could do such actions, the cats actually succeeded, and when she opposed the ideas, the cats failed to perform the movements…
The four Abyssinian cats were also miserable. They had just gone through a long, bumpy journey and they now had to learn the difficult dancing steps. They were all tired and were sleeping with the other three Abyssinian cats on the second floor today.
Zhang Zian was lying in the recliner, holding up and carefully studying the studbook left by Cathy. Richard was standing on his shoulder. If he encountered words he did not understand, Zhang Zian would ask Richard to explain to him. Despite being ridiculed by Richard, Zhang Zian had to resort to it, for it was way more useful than the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, and it always explained the meanings of words in the form of dirty jokes…
The studbook left by Cathy was more like a breeding manual. Not only were there detailed descriptions of previous breeding situations, but Cathy had also recorded the posture and fur color of each kitten when they were born, as well as Cathy’s outlook for the future. Cathy had written down every thought on Abyssinian cats in this diary. 
Since Cathy had started the diary over a decade ago, the front parts of the manual had become somewhat yellowed, and the writing was clear and beautiful. But when Zhang Zian flipped to the latter parts, the writing was a bit scrawled, with confused and contradictory thoughts, as if Cathy had the premonition that her days were numbered, so she was eager to convert all her ideas into words. 
Despite this, there was no doubt about the value of this handbook, presumably the most precious source for breeding chocolate-colored Abyssinian cats. Zhang Zian cherished the manual very much, so he made a copy out of the original, kept the original version safe, and started to write down his doubts on the duplicate. 
Knowledge was always insufficient when in need. Cathy must have some knowledge of genetics, of which Zhang Zian was ignorant. He had already forgotten all the biology he learned in middle school. When he encountered some expressions that he was not sure about, he had no choice but to text Sun Xiaomeng, the only expert he knew. Although Professor Wei Kang was also erudite, his emphasis was on theoretical aspects.
The more Zhang Zian asked, the more doubts Sun Xiaomeng had, because a pet shop owner didn’t need this sort of knowledge, and for some questions, she even needed to look up information before she could provide exact answers.
In this regard, Zhang Zian just explained that he intended to systematically learn about cat breeding, since he was not very busy these days. No wonder Sun Xiaomeng suspected him, for she had never thought of him as a "studious" person.
Zhang Zian once considered putting these cats into Sun Yinian’s Pets’ Home Breeding Base, but then he decided to give up on this idea. Sun Yinian had no enterprising spirits.  He would protect the cats well, but he would not be dedicated to breeding more Abyssinian cats. And in that case, Cathy's efforts would be wasted, and sooner or later, other breeders would catch up in this area. In addition, though Sun Yinian was a man of integrity, his employees might not be. Under the temptation of money, they might even steal and sell the Abyssinian cats.
So, even if Zhang Zian did not understand this breeding manual, he could only bite the bullet and read the book many times, hoping that he could figure out all the implications someday.
He had always thought that male cats that had been chosen for breeding purposes should be those that won in the cat show, but as it turned out, breeder cats were not equal to show cats. Only after reading this manual did he understand that many purebred male cats did not participate in competitions, and that he only needed to take into account of the male cats’ health statuses and bloodlines when it came to selecting breed cats. In fact, the kittens of show cats were often not as good as those of breed cats. 
"Mr. Store Manager, I have already finished painting. Do you want to have a look?"
While he was reading the manual, Lu Yiyun sent him a message.
There was a soundproof automatic sensor door between the cashier desk Zhang Zian, and she did not want to talk aloud, so she often sent messages to Zhang Zian.
Zhang Zian put down the breeding manual and stretched. He felt tired after reading for such a long time. He went to the cashier desk, and Lu Yiyun turned the computer screen towards him, uneasily waiting for his evaluation.
On the screen, there were seven vividly-painted Abyssinian cats in diverse postures. Although they were all chocolate in color, she had accurately grasped the characteristics of each one.
"Fantastic!" exclaimed Zhang Zian.
Abyssinian cats were very cute, and Lu Yiyun was also best at painting cute girls in manga. It was not because she loved drawing them, but that drawing cute girls were the most common requests she received in her illustration work. She seemed to have applied the techniques of drawing manga in portraying the seven cats, by slightly exaggerating their eyes, adjusting their head and body proportions, and adding anthropomorphic and cute movements to the cats, making them look cuter as long as their images were not distorted. 
Zhang Zian increasingly felt that he was lucky to have hired Lu Yiyun. For this painting alone, if he had asked a professional artist to draw it, it might have cost him over 1,000 Yuan. 
In addition, he noticed that she had also added an exquisite watermark signature, indicating the name of the Amazing Fate Pet Shop and her pseudonym, Xinyun, to the bottom of the painting to prevent theft from unscrupulous people.
Lu Yiyun was relieved upon seeing that her boss was satisfied with her work. Fortunately, she had painted her cat Jasmine before, so she had experience in drawing cats, otherwise it was unlikely for her to finish drawing so soon.
"Mr. Store Manager, should I put this painting on our shop’s WeChat public account? What should we call it?" she whispered.
Zhang Zian had always suffered from headaches when he needed to name something. It took him a long time before he came up with a name for Galaxy. 
"What do you think?" he shirked the responsibility to Lu Yiyun.
Lu Yiyun thought for a moment and proposed, "How about... ‘Abyssinian cats—the mysterious ancient elves’?"
"Yes," he decided, "That's it."
Lu Yiyun nodded and began editing the article for the public account, introducing the characteristics of Abyssinian cats, emphasizing that they were the latest members in the CFA family, and finally promoting that this shop had introduced this rare cat breed, and customers were welcome to buy them.
"Do not write 'buy,'" Zhang Zian pointed out. "These cats are not for sale for the time being. Change the word to 'visit'."
Lu Yiyun modified as he instructed, and let him review the whole thing. Determining that there was no omission or wording issue, she then published the first article in the pet shop’s WeChat public account.  
Zhang Zian's mind had been drifting away. Looking at the shops across the road, he was thinking about the issue of a delivery room for breeding the cats.


1. Download a suspicious game
2. Catch a few magical pets as partners
3. Go through interesting daily routines and lead the pet shop to a whole new level

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