18 Again

Chapter 3

Nathan sat in the classroom, his mind drifting as he stared at the window.

The familiar buzz of high school life felt distant to him now, like an echo from a time long past. Being Eighteen again was surreal, especially with his memories intact.

He remembered exactly where this lesson was headed, and the information the professor was explaining felt elementary. He’d learned this and much more in the years since he left school.

His thoughts were interrupted when Professor Miguel Sanchez’s voice boomed through the classroom.

“Nathan Garcia,” the professor called out, his eyes narrowing in on him. “Could you stand up and tell the class what today’s lecture is about?”

Nathan blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Of course, it made sense that the professor would notice his lack of focus. But instead of the nervousness he once would’ve felt, he was calm. He had already been through this life—he knew what was being taught.

Before he could answer, one of his classmates, Raul, who often made fun of him, grinned and added fuel to the fire. “Sir, Nathan hasn’t been listening for a while now. I bet he doesn’t even know what the lesson’s about.”

A few others snickered, expecting to see him struggle. But Nathan only smiled faintly, standing up with quiet confidence.

“The lecture is about the Industrial Revolution,” Nathan said, his voice steady.

“We’re discussing how it started in the late 18th century in Britain, transforming the agricultural and craft-based economy into one dominated by machinery and industrial production. The invention of the steam engine by James Watt played a significant role, making it possible to mechanize various industries, from textiles to transportation. The rise of factories also led to urbanization, as people moved from rural areas to cities for work.”

The classroom fell silent as Nathan continued, not missing a beat.

“We’ve also covered the social impacts, including the rise of the working class, and how this shift led to changes in labor conditions, child labor, and the need for new laws to protect workers. The Industrial Revolution wasn’t just a period of economic growth; it changed society, technology, and the way people lived.”

By the time Nathan finished, the entire room was staring at him in shock. Even Professor Sanchez raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed.

Raul and the other students who had been waiting to mock him were left speechless.

Nathan sat down, unfazed by their reactions. He had no time to deal with petty high school games—he had bigger things to focus on.

As soon as the class ended, Nathan couldn’t wait any longer. The Infinity System was waiting for him, and he was itching to test it out. On his way to his dorm, he stopped at a small convenience store in their school to grab a drink. It felt strange to be back in these places, knowing what the future held for them.

He picked up a bottle of iced tea, checking the price—two dollars. Without hesitation, Nathan walked to the counter, ready to test his newfound power.

"Two dollars," the cashier said, barely looking at him.

Nathan pressed his finger against the payment scanner, feeling a surge of anticipation. Almost immediately, a soft beep indicated the transaction was successful.

"It worked?" Nathan thought, his heart racing. The system had connected to his balance just as promised. This was real. His mind flooded with possibilities—this wasn’t just about buying a drink; this was about everything he had ever wanted but never had the means to achieve.

As he walked out of the store, drink in hand, a notification appeared before him, confirming the transaction and showing his first Point earned.

"I didn't even earn 1 point for just two dollars spent," Nathan muttered under his breath, his mind already spinning with plans. This was only the beginning.

Nearing his dorm, he suddenly thought of his mother and sister, wondering if they had already arrived home from work.

Since he hadn't seen them after his regression, Nathan missed them so much that he decided to visit their house to check on them.

Arriving in their house, Nathan opened the door to their small house, his heart pounding in his chest. The familiar scent of home hit him first, followed by the sound of laughter from the living room. His mother and sister were sitting together on the couch, watching TV, their faces lit up with genuine smiles. It was a sight he hadn’t seen in what felt like a lifetime.

A sudden surge of emotion overwhelmed him. He hadn’t expected to feel this much—hadn’t realized how deeply he had missed them, how much their presence had meant to him. His heart ached, not from sadness, but from the weight of the second chance he had been given.

He stood in the doorway for a moment, just watching them, soaking in the warmth of their laughter. His mother, with her tired but kind eyes, and his sister, young and carefree. In his previous life, they had sacrificed so much for him—working endlessly to support his education, despite his lack of effort. He had taken that for granted before, but not this time. He silently promised himself that he would give everything to make their lives better, to ensure they were happy, healthy, and comfortable.

As Nathan walked further inside, his mother noticed him and smiled. “Nathan, you’re home. how was school?”

“Good,” he replied, his voice softer than usual, trying to mask the storm of emotions building inside him. “Just the usual.”

He took a seat, still reeling from the fact that he was here, in this moment, with them. He couldn’t let them know what was going through his mind. They wouldn’t believe him if he told them about the Infinity System, and he didn’t want them to worry or think he had lost his mind.

“I’m going to make sure you both never have to struggle again,” he thought to himself, glancing between his mother and sister.

He had a plan—a way to use the system’s infinite resources to create a better future. But he knew he couldn’t just start spending massive amounts of money out of nowhere. He needed a cover story, a legitimate reason for the wealth he would accumulate.

“I’ll start a business,” he muttered under his breath, formulating his strategy.

He could use the money from the system to fund it, but the business would be the perfect front. He would build something big, something successful, and no one would question where the money was coming from.

And as for the disease that had claimed his life in his previous timeline, Nathan was certain he could beat it this time. The Infinity System could upgrade his Strength and Mind, and he was confident that boosting those stats would prevent the brain tumor from ever becoming an issue.