Chapter 1: Because I Am the Strongest

Stellar Source Era 95, New Federation.

On an unnamed island, deep within a secluded mountain range, a fourteen-year-old Kalolin struggled up the steep slope, her voice cracking with urgency as she shouted toward the summit.

“Tian Dao! The final assessment organized by the Council is about to begin—get down here now!”

Atop the peak, Tian Dao Siming did not move. He stood motionless, gazing at the horizon where the sun was just beginning to rise. His silver-white hair fluttered in the morning breeze, and his peculiar, star-like eyes pulsed with a faint, otherworldly glow—like distant constellations flickering to life. It was as if he were waiting for something.

Then, a single streak of dawn broke through the sea’s edge—bright, sharp, and undeniable.

A slow, genuine smile spread across Tian Dao Siming’s face.

No one knew why he smiled. Just as no one knew the truth behind his identity: a man from another world, stranded in this one.

Two years had passed since his arrival.

And on the very first day, he activated the Popularity System—a mysterious mechanism that revealed the true nature of this world.

This was a world ruled by the Stellar Source, a cosmic energy source that served as the foundation of all supernatural phenomena. It was the origin of every extraordinary ability, the core of all superhuman materials.

At first, the world had been roughly equivalent to Earth’s early 20th century. But 95 years ago, a celestial event changed everything: a meteor shower of countless Stellar Fragments rained down across the globe.

Where these fragments landed, life transformed.

Humans exposed to them awakened incredible powers—earning the title of Stellar Envoy.

Animals and plants mutated into bizarre, powerful forms—known as Stellar Beasts and Stellar Plants.

Scientists declared the dawn of a new age, naming it the Stellar Era.

Tian Dao Siming had arrived in the 93rd year of this era—two years before the events of Prequel of the Stars: Embers.

Yes. He hadn’t just landed in a new world.

He’d fallen into an alternate-dimensional anime—a scripted universe where every character had a role, a plotline, and a fate.

And in this world, survival depended on one thing: popularity.

> “Life is theater. You, a mistaken soul, have stumbled into the spotlight. But beneath the glowing stage lights, the protagonist has already been chosen. As a mere supporting character, if you wish to remain on stage, you must earn enough popularity.”

>

> “Season-ending evaluation:

> - Top 10 popularity rank: Survival confirmed.

> - Rank 4–10: Re-cast for next season.

> - Rank 3: Guaranteed 10% screen time in next season.

> - Rank 2: Guaranteed 20% screen time + one 100,000-popularity promotional boost.

> - Rank 1: Guaranteed 35% screen time + one 1,000,000-popularity promotional boost + one exclusive character background rewrite.”

The Popularity System—a blessing and a curse.

The blessing? He could spend popularity points to enhance himself, unlock secrets, even know the plot before it happened.

The curse? If he failed to make the top ten by the season’s end, he’d be eliminated—permanently erased from the story. A forced plot death.

To survive, Tian Dao Siming had spent two years planning. He’d maxed out his popularity loan limit: 1,000,000 points.

Yes, he was now drowning in debt.

But he believed every point was worth it.

Because his role was clear: a natural-born powerhouse, like Gojo Satoru from Jujutsu Kaisen.

And to stand above all others, he had to dramatically widen the gap between himself and the rest.

So yes—spending all 1 million popularity points upfront? That was the necessary gamble.

After all, risk and reward always walk hand in hand.

And sometimes… going all in is the wisest move.

---

Name: Tian Dao Siming (Ashen Remnant Organization Probationer)

Age: 12

Stellar Source: None

Star Core: Star-Eclipse Eye (Compatibility: 100%)

Attributes: Strength S, Agility S, Mind S, Constitution S

Skills: Stellar Energy Control (Master), Flash Step (Master), Stellar Beast Knowledge Encyclopedia (Expert)…

Current Popularity Points: 0

Loaned Popularity Points: 1,000,000 (Maxed Out)

Four S-rank stats. Multiple Master-class skills.

This was the result of two years of planning, and a life-changing loan.

One crucial detail: the S-rank stats weren’t absolute numbers.

They were relative—indicating that his four core attributes had been pushed to the absolute limit of his current physical potential.

If his body grew faster than his stats could keep up, they’d drop to A, then B—quickly.

But Tian Dao Siming had no fear.

Because he was certain—his stats would never fall.

He would maintain absolute dominance over every other character of his generation.

After all, he now possessed everything a high-popularity character needed.

The first place in this season’s popularity race?

It was already his.

He stood, stretching lazily, as golden morning light sliced across the shimmering sea—like a natural spotlight illuminating his small frame.

Then, from his coat, he pulled out a sleek pair of sunglasses.

Slipping them on, he shoved his hands into his pockets and leapt from the cliff’s edge.

His body moved like a feather—light, effortless—skipping across rock ledges with unnatural grace.

In just a few breaths, the boy who’d been watching the sunrise atop the peak now stood beside Kalolin at the mountain’s midsection.

“Hey, Kalolin. Morning.”

Kalolin stared, jaw tight. “You’re just now showing up? Do you even know what day this is?”

Her voice rose, sharp with panic. “It’s the final assessment! You’re still standing there, staring at the sun like some kind of poet? Don’t you care about failing?”

She sounded like a frustrated mother scolding a lazy child.

And her volume?

Too loud.

Tian Dao Siming winced, instinctively covering one ear.

“Calm down, Kalolin. You’re gonna deafen me.”

His playful tone only made her angrier.

Still, concern won over irritation. She took a breath, forcing her voice into a firm, serious tone.

“Tian Dao. I’m not joking. You have to take this seriously. Do you understand?”

“Because if we fail…” Her voice trembled. “We’re done.”

Tian Dao Siming reached out, gently stroking the cat-like ears that had grown from her head after her star-core surgery.

“Relax. Kalolin. I’m here. We won’t fail.”

“Why?” she demanded.

He paused. Then smiled—calm, confident, utterly self-assured.

“Because… I’m the strongest.”

Kalolin froze.

She didn’t know how to respond.

If anyone else said that, she’d laugh.

But coming from him?

It felt… inevitable.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Why did he always have to say it so casually? So loudly?

So… obnoxiously?

She decided it was time to rein him in.

But before she could speak—

Tian Dao Siming’s expression shifted.

His face went pale.

His eyes widened.

Kalolin’s heart stopped.

“What’s wrong?!” she gasped. “What happened?”

“This is serious, Kalolin!” he cried. “This is the worst thing ever!”

“Wait—what?!” she snapped. “Just say what’s wrong!”

Her green cat ears shot straight up. Her stomach twisted.

And then, he looked at her—dead serious.

“Kalolin… today’s cafeteria has my favorite dessert… strawberry cake.”

He paused, then added, voice cracking with regret.

“I was too busy watching the sunrise… I forgot to ask Aunt Lenna to save me a slice.”

He looked at her, eyes wide with dread.

“Kalolin… do you think I can still make it in time?”

Silence.

Kalolin stared.

Then slowly, her face darkened.

…He’s kidding. He has to be.

But no.

He wasn’t.

He looked exactly like he was genuinely terrified of missing cake.

She wanted to scream.

She wanted to punch him.

She wanted to show him what a real priority looked like.

But she couldn’t.

Not when he was this fast.

And so, with a speed that defied logic, Tian Dao Siming vanished—a blur of motion, streaking down the mountain like a comet.

Kalolin blinked.

The trail of dust had already faded into the trees.

She stood there, stunned.

Then, softly, she whispered:

“The top-rated Star Core compatibility. Mid-term exam: perfect score across all subjects.”

“Tian Dao… why do you act so ridiculous… yet when you say ‘I’m the strongest,’ it feels true?”

She sighed.

Then—her stomach growled.

Oh right. I forgot to eat breakfast.

She turned and shouted down the mountain:

“TIAN DAO! When you get to the cafeteria—save me a breakfast! Do you hear me?!”

---

Meanwhile, a boy already halfway down the slope paused, rubbing his ear.

“Huh… did I just hear Kalolin yelling?”

He frowned.

“No way. She’d never shout like that. Must be a hallucination.”

He shrugged.

“Anyway—food first. Later, the assessment.”

After all…

Why stress over a test when you can win the season by eating the best cake?

Because for Tian Dao Siming—

The final exam?

Just a game.

But the popularity race?

That was real.

And he was going to win it—by any means necessary.

PS: New author, just starting out. Any support is deeply appreciated.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end