6:01 AM.
An alarm rang sharply through the quiet room.
"Wake up, Cael! You have to get up or you'll be late for college!" his mother called out.
"Mom, let me sleep for 10 more minutes," Cael groaned, rolling over.
Isara Rowen, Cael's mother, was a 43-year-old woman with long black hair and gentle wrinkles around her eyes. She called again, but her voice was soon replaced by someone else's.
Meira Rowen, Cael's 21-year-old older sister—a beautiful young woman with long, chestnut-brown hair that framed her face in soft waves—carried herself with the effortless confidence, currently studying at an arts university—stormed into his room.
"You little brat! Get up and get ready for school! And come downstairs—lunch is ready!"
Cael reluctantly sat up. His sister's shouting was louder than any alarm.
"Come on, Cael. Color your hair—you're starting to look ancient."
"Why does everyone have a problem with my hair?" he muttered. His gray hair was rare for someone his age, and it often drew attention he didn't want.
He thought to himself, If only the French government would declare permanent holidays for kids my age… I could sleep and wake up whenever I want.
Downstairs at the dining table, the family gathered to eat.
Orlan Rowen, Cael's father, was a 47-year-old man with thick black hair just beginning to gray at the temples, a sign of both age and quiet resilience. His hands, rough and calloused from years of working as a technician, looked over at him.
"You're studying well, right, Cael?"
"Yes, Father."
Isara turned to her husband. "Why don't we fix the marriage date for Meira and Tibbo? How long will they stay engaged?"
Meira froze. She stood up quietly, avoiding the conversation. "Let's go, Cael," she said, already walking toward the door.
---
On the way to college, Cael glanced at his sister.
"You don't like that guy, do you?"
Meira sighed. "He's a pervert. I've seen him at clubs with different girls. I don't trust him."
Cael nodded thoughtfully, but his mind drifted.
"There's a new novel being published at 9:00 AM today," he said. "It's the final, 50th novel from the Unknown Author. I wonder what the title will be…"
The Unknown Author was a legend. Every novel they released was a masterpiece—gripping, emotional, and brilliantly written. No one knew their true identity—not even governments could track them down. They truly lived up to their name: 'Unknown.'
"What's your favorite novel by them, sister?" Cael asked.
Meira opened her mouth to respond, but before she could answer—
CRACK.
A deafening sound split the air. The sky itself fractured like glass across the world. Governments in France and beyond watched in alarm as golden light shimmered from the breaks.
"Look at that!" Cael shouted, pointing. "There's golden light inside the cracks!"
"We need to get back home," Meira said urgently.
"Wait!" Cael argued. "Nothing's coming out yet!"
In the back of his mind, the fantasy novels he loved came rushing to the surface. What if a monster appears? What if I can defeat it? Level up? Gain power?
Governments around the world gathered in emergency sessions. News spread like wildfire. People flooded social media, snapping photos of the glowing phenomenon in the sky.
Thirty minutes later, the golden light began to pour from the cracks, growing even brighter.
---
Back at home, Isara stood frozen, a conflicted expression on her face.
"Oh dear… I have a bad feeling about this. Should we have told them?"
"It's fine," Orlan replied, adjusting his watch. "I'm already late for work."
"Wait—what time is it?"
"9:00 AM—"
At that very moment, the golden light exploded in brilliance.
A glowing white screen appeared before every person on Earth.
> Unknown Author
[The 50th Novel Story Has Begun]
[Novel Title: Trails of Lineage]