"The future is now... and this time, I'll fight for it."
The morning light poured in through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow over the familiar chaos of Beatriz's childhood bedroom. The pastel pink walls were still covered in old K-pop posters and faded sticky notes. Her desk, small and slightly chipped, was stacked with notebooks, awards, and a few colorful pens she used to treasure. The scent of warm tinola drifted from the kitchen, grounding her in this unreal yet vividly real moment.
Her breath hitched as she looked around. It wasn't a dream.
She was back.
She slowly walked to the mirror, barefoot, her small feet brushing against the cool tiled floor. The face that stared back at her was twelve again. Young, round cheeks, clear skin, wide brown eyes, a face full of life. Beatriz Andrea Reyes had died in her first life a burned-out, forgotten thirty-year-old. But this time, the universe had tossed her a lifeline. A new start.
With a system.
The golden screen appeared before her eyes, just as it had the night before:
[Dream Fulfillment Check-in System]
Welcome, Host: Beatriz Andrea Reyes
Status: Reborn (Age 12, July 14, 2013)
System Level: 1
Dream Progress: 0%
Daily Check-In Available
Would you like to begin your first check-in?
[YES] [NO]
Beatriz didn't hesitate. Her fingers moved on instinct.
She tapped [YES.]
The system shimmered and dinged like an arcade game.
[Daily Check-In Successful!]
Reward: Beginner Productivity Boost (Passive Skill)
Effect: +20% focus and energy during study, chores, and creative activities.
Duration: Permanent.
New System Feature Unlocked: Dream List Initialization
Please list your top dreams. The System will create milestone tasks and personalized check-in rewards based on your goals.
"Dream list? Oh, you bet I have dreams." Beatrizreached for a pen and notebook from her drawer and the same notebook where she'd once scribbled silly goals as a kid. But this time, her heart beat faster. This time, it mattered.
She wrote in big, confident letters:
BEATRIZ'S DREAM LIST (Version 2.0):
1. Become an outstanding student with high honors.
2. Become a worldwide superstar who can sing, dance, write songs, produce music, and act.
3. Become a Multi-Quintillionaire before graduating college—with a Summa Cum Laude honor under my belt.
4. Build my family's dream mansion.
5. Build Mama her dream café.
6. Build Papa his dream printing machine shop.
7. Fall in love with someone who can love me back, truly and completely.
She stared at the list, her hand trembling. It was bold. It was crazy. But it was hers.
[Confirm Dream List?] the system asked.
She clicked [YES.]
[Dream List Confirmed.
Analyzing Goals...
Generating Milestones...]
One by one, progress bars and tasks appeared beside each dream:
[DREAM 1: Outstanding Student]
[Milestone 1: Ace the next school quiz (Subject: Math – 3 days)
Reward: Speed Reading Skill (Level 1)]
[DREAM 2: Worldwide Superstar]
[Milestone 1: Daily vocal and dance practice (30 mins/day for 7 days)
Reward: Enhanced Vocal Range (Level 1)]
[DREAM 3: Multi-Quintillionaire]
[Milestone 1: Create your first business plan for a kid-friendly side hustle
Reward: Beginner Entrepreneurship Skill]
[DREAM 4: Family Mansion]
[Milestone 1: Start a dream design journal (log 3 features of the mansion)
Reward: Unlock Family Dream Folder (System Archive)]
[DREAM 5: Mama's Café]
[Milestone 1: Interview Mama about her dream café design and theme
Reward: Business Blueprint Template]
[DREAM 6: Papa's Printing Shop]
[Milestone 1: Research 3 types of basic printing machines
Reward: Industry Insights - Beginner Knowledge Pack]
[DREAM 7: True Love]
[Milestone 1: Start self-discovery journal (write 3 things you love about yourself)
Reward: Passive Charisma Boost (Level 1)]
Beatriz blinked, absorbing the massive roadmap in front of her.
"This… this isn't a second chance. This is a cheat code."
A knock on her door pulled her back to reality.
"Anak? Gising ka na ba?" her mother called.
She scrambled up. "Opo, Ma! Bababa na ako!"
Downstairs, breakfast was waiting. Tinolang manok, steaming rice, and her mother's gentle smile. She looked younger. Healthier. Not yet worn down by endless double shifts and broken dreams.
Beatriz hugged her tightly from behind.
"Ay, bakit ang sweet mo ngayon?" her mom laughed.
"Wala lang po. Miss lang po kita," Andreasaid, swallowing the lump in her throat.
After breakfast, Beatriz retreated to her room again, energized and determined. She opened her math books and sat at her desk.
The system screen popped up immediately.
[Task Triggered: Focused Study Session - Math]
[Time Goal: 1 Hour
Bonus Objective: Solve 10 sample questions without error
Progress Rewards: +1% toward Dream 1 milestone]
The new passive skill kicked in. Her thoughts sharpened. Her focus didn't waver. One hour passed like ten minutes, and for the first time ever, she solved every question perfectly.
[Study Session Complete!]
[10/10 Correct | +15% Progress
Bonus: Memory Boost - Math Concepts (Passive)]
"Grabe… parang may tutor sa utak ko!" Beatriz muttered, grinning.
She then switched gears and pulled out her old mp3 player. Time to hit Milestone 2.
For the next thirty minutes, she sang along to Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, matching pitch, breath, and emotion. Then, she danced in front of the mirror, copying moves she remembered from old Star Magic workshops on TV.
She was drenched in sweat by the end, but smiling.
[Vocal + Dance Practice Completed: Day 1/7]
+5% Progress toward Dream 2 Milestone
That night, she opened a fresh notebook and labeled it "My Future Businesses."
She listed three simple ideas she could pull off even as a student:
[1. Sell K-pop stickers and keychains in school.
2. Offer basic tutoring for younger kids.
3.Start a YouTube channel for song covers.]
[Task Complete: Business Brainstorming - Draft 1]
[+10% Progress toward Dream 3 Milestone]
The day wasn't even over, and already she had made progress on four of her dreams.
Before bed, the system pinged once more.
[Daily Summary Report]
[Check-ins Completed: 4/7 Dreams Progressed
Bonus: Journal Feature Unlocked]
She opened her diary and wrote:
JOURNAL ENTRY - July 14, 2013
Today, I started my new life.
I studied. I sang. I danced. I dreamed.
This time, I won't break.
This time, I'll soar.
One day, the world will know the name Beatriz Andrea Reyes.
And when that happens… I'll make sure the people I love will never suffer again.
She closed her notebook, pulled the blanket over her shoulder, and smiled.
End of Chapter 1