Somewhere in Tokyo
"I'm certain of my decision, Akira-san. The novel will be finished in as little as a month."
The words came from a tall, handsome teenager.
"Are you sure about this, Arya? A novel as beautiful as this—ending like that?"
The middle-aged man's voice held a mix of shock and reluctance.
"I've been writing this story since I was ten… It's time to bring it to a close."
Though his tone was firm, a hint of melancholy softened the teenager's features.
"I see… I'll inform the higher-ups. They'll be heartbroken, and might even knock some sense into you for ending such a wonderful tale that way."
A faint chuckle escaped the man, lightening the mood.
"…A beautiful story… doesn't always end with laughter and happiness."
"…You know, sometimes I wonder if you're really still in high school. Why do you always sound like an old man like me?"
"…"
"…Just joking."
"…Okay."
"…This is getting really awkward."
"…Alright, Akira-san—I want to write a side chapter to flesh out the ending a bit."
The teenager ended the call without waiting for a response.
"Huh? Is he angry?"
Confused, Akira brushed it off and immediately dialed his superior to share the news.
Despite the brusque gesture, he was used to the teenager's cold, distant demeanor—they'd known each other for years, after all.
"five years… It's been five years since that kid first brought in his unfinished novel… I still remember how tiny and reserved he was back then… What a precious time that was."
With a tired yet proud sigh, Akira's gaze fell on a photo on his desk.
In it were two people: a young child—cute, despite the empty look in their eyes—and Akira himself, still sharp-looking even in his old age.
He could still picture that ambitious young face as clearly as if it were yesterday.
_
Flashback
Five years ago
"Wait—you wrote this incredible story?"
Akira stared at the child before him, a mix of disbelief and admiration in his eyes.
And for good reason: this was no ordinary tale. A post-apocalyptic world, beings with unimaginable power, dark themes, and a power system unlike anything ever created—all from the mind of a small child!
The kid was ten years old, standing at an impressive 167cm tall for his age. His eyes were a, his short black hair neat and tidy. His skin was pale, his frame so thin he looked on the verge of fainting.
"…Is there a problem?"
Though he looked adorable, his gaze was cold and distant—those deep greys eyes held an unsettling weight.
"Hm… Well, no, not exactly… But are you sure you wrote this?"
Akira took a sip of coffee to calm his nerves, still unable to believe it.
"…Should I write the next chapter right in front of your weary, lecherous eyes—tired from working for a meager salary—just to prove it to you?"
"Pfft!"
The child's sharp retort made Akira choke, sending coffee splattering across the room.
What kind of kid talks to an adult like that? Did his parents never teach him manners?
He stared, stunned, at the child who was now smiling faintly.
Do kids these days really have such sharp tongues? Or is it just him?
"What's wrong? Can't handle the truth? I'm right, aren't I?"
The child's smile was innocent, as if he'd said nothing out of line.
"…"
"Why so quiet? Is your tiny salary not enough to buy food? Or do you spend it on… other things?"
"!"
"Oh? From that exhausted look on your face, I'd say I'm correct. Let me guess: you're not married, you don't seem to have a girlfriend—judging by all the tissues on—"
Before he could finish, Akira quickly covered the child's mouth, trying to ignore his colleague's laughter in the background.
"Okay, stop! I believe you."
Akira was exhausted. He'd rather take the kid's word for it than risk hearing more of those "gentle" yet painfully true remarks.
The child said nothing, just stared calmly at Akira, his eyes flickering to the hand covering his mouth.
"…Sorry."
Akira pulled his hand away and sat back down, looking at the child with a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
Unfazed by the glare, the child climbed onto a chair and met his gaze head-on.
"So? What do you think?"
The child's eyes were determined, filled with ambition—and Akira found himself even more intrigued.
He cleared his throat softly and began reading the novel again, this time more carefully.
The child didn't seem to mind, sitting quietly and yawning, though his eyes never left Akira's face.
After ten minutes, Akira looked up at the "good" child before him, his expression a complex blend of emotions—most of all, awe.
The prose was polished, the plot simple yet tight, and the power system was completely original.
It was a far cry from the typical Japanese novels of the time, which relied heavily on magic, isekai, and harem tropes.
This one was different.
A world brought to ruin by cosmic beings called "Constellations," who came to test humanity—treating them as entertainment, and granting gifts only if they were impressed.
The novel was still unfinished, but every chapter was brilliant.
Akira knew then: this child had real talent. He had to sign him, no matter what.
"By the way—who are you? Where are your parents? Do they really let a kid this young wander around the city alone?"
Akira felt he needed to speak with the child's parents. Did this family have something wrong with them? he wondered.
The kid was so rude (even if he was cute), and yet his parents let him roam the city without supervision.
"…My name is Arya Surya Askara. I'm ten years old. I live on the outskirts of Tokyo… and… my parents have been dead for a long time."
"…I—I'm so sorry!"
Akira felt a wave of guilt wash over him for asking such a foolish question.
"…It's okay… It's not like you did it on purpose."
The child's calm response eased Akira's mind a little, though the guilt lingered.
"Speaking of which—what's the novel's title?"
Akira tried to change the subject.
"…It's called Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint."
Flashback End
"What a… awkward first meeting that was… The kid's talented, but weird… But hey—all talented people are a little weird, right?"
Akira chuckled as he recalled the past.
Weird or not, the child's writing talent was undeniable.
"Genius" felt like an understatement. Monster—that was the right word for it.
After all, what kind of child could write a best-selling novel for five years straight, with other hit books to boot?
"That kid… He must be over the moon with all the money he's making from the novel."
Akira sighed softly. He'd found success too, as Arya's manager and editor—but Arya's success was on a whole other level.
It wouldn't be an overstatement to call him the most successful author of the next twenty years.
But contrary to Akira's assumptions, Arya was not celebrating.
He was terrified—so much so that his beautiful gray eyes widened in shock, his lips trembled, and his legs gave out beneath him.
"What the hell is this?!"
He screamed, his voice laced with pure fear.
And for good reason: a dark blue screen had appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations! You have met all the requirements to activate your system!]
[Initiating host performance evaluation…]
_
For information:
His name form sansakerta, ancient language in South Asian
Arya means glorious, Noble and honorable knight
Surya means light, sun and life-giving power
Askara means burning light, spark of fire and divine rayfor five years straight, with other hit books to boot?
"That kid… He must be over the moon with all the money he's making from the novel."
Akira sighed softly. He'd found success too, as Arya's manager and editor—but Arya's success was on a whole other level.
It wouldn't be an overstatement to call him the most successful author of the next twenty years.
_
But contrary to Akira's assumptions, Arya was not celebrating.
He was terrified—so much so that his beautiful gray eyes widened in shock, his lips trembled, and his legs gave out beneath him.
"What the hell is this?!"
He screamed, his voice laced with pure shock.
And for good reason: a dark blue screen had appeared before his eyes.
[Congratulations! You have met all the requirements to activate your system!]
[Initiating host performance evaluation…]
_
For information: Arya means glorious, Noble and honorable knight
Surya means light, sun and life-giving power
Askara means burning light, spark and...