Chapter 1: A New Beginning (1965–1972)
The Awakening
I woke up gasping for air, my body trembling from an unfamiliar cold. The ceiling above me was painted in soft cream, the texture uneven, like an old house that had seen years pass by. It wasn't just the ceiling that felt different—everything around me was off. The bed was too large, my limbs too small. My heart pounded as I looked down at my tiny hands, my fingers barely the length of an adult's pinky.
Panic surged through me. Where was I? This wasn't my body. My mind was alive with memories—memories of a different time, of stock market crashes, tech revolutions, and empires built on entertainment. I had lived a full life before. I remembered modern technology, billion-dollar companies, and future events that had yet to happen.
And yet, as I forced myself to calm down, a terrifying realization set in.
I had been reborn.
The calendar on the wooden desk confirmed it—July 1965. My pulse steadied, excitement creeping in. I knew what was coming: the rise of the digital age, blockbuster movies, gaming industries, and financial booms. I had knowledge no one else in this era possessed. If I played this right, I could change everything.
Family & Foundation
My new family was wealthy—extremely wealthy. My father, Richard Carter, was a financial magnate with a diverse portfolio, investing in oil, real estate, and manufacturing. My mother, Eleanor, was the kind of woman who could silence a room with a single glance, elegant and intelligent, with a deep love for literature.
With more than $100 million in assets, my family had influence. That meant opportunities—access to capital, connections, and industries that would soon explode. But even with wealth, I knew the real power lay in knowledge.
For years, I played the role of an ordinary child, absorbing every conversation my father had about investments, the stock market, and politics. At night, I'd write down everything I remembered from the future—every breakthrough, every financial crisis, every innovation.
The world was heading toward an oil crisis in the early '70s. That would be my first move. But before that, I needed a foundation.
First Investments & Preparing for the Oil Crisis (1971–1972)
By the time I turned six, I started subtly discussing investments with my father. At first, he laughed at my curiosity, but over time, he humored me, explaining market trends over dinner.
Then, in early 1972, I made my move.
"Dad, oil is going to spike soon. The Middle East is becoming unstable, and supply issues are bound to hit," I said one evening, trying to sound as casual as possible.
He chuckled, sipping his whiskey. "And where did you hear that?"
"I read about OPEC and their control over oil production. If something happens, crude oil prices could skyrocket."
He leaned back, intrigued. "You're saying we should invest more in oil?"
I nodded. "At least $10 million. When prices surge, we can cash out for massive gains."
He didn't dismiss me. Instead, he studied me for a long moment before saying, "You might just have a sharp mind for business, son."
That was how it began.
Over the next few months, our family discreetly invested $10 million in oil futures. By mid-1973, the crisis would explode, and those investments would multiply.
But that wasn't enough. I needed my own empire.
Laying the Groundwork for My Own Business (1972)
By August 1972, I was ready to take my first independent step. Books had always been a passion, and I knew which novels would become bestsellers in the coming decades. Instead of waiting, I decided to write my own.
With my father's help, I acquired a small publishing house, giving me full control over the production and distribution of my work. It was a strategic move—owning the means of publishing would maximize profits and provide a channel for acquiring valuable copyrights.
At just seven years old, I released my first novel. It was a blend of adventure and science fiction, themes that would dominate in the coming years. The sales were modest, but they weren't the main goal—this was about creating a brand.
Meanwhile, I had my sights on another growing market—arcade machines.
By the end of 1972, I had formed a small team of engineers, using my father's connections to source parts. Video games were still in their infancy, but I knew the industry was going to explode in the late '70s and '80s. If I moved now, I could dominate before companies like Atari took over.
By October 1972, the first prototypes of my arcade machines were ready for testing.
My empire was beginning to take shape.
Summary of the First Chapters
1965: The protagonist is reborn with knowledge of the future.
1966–1971: He studies investments, builds connections, and prepares for future industries.
Early 1972: Predicts the oil crisis and convinces his father to invest $10 million in oil futures.
Mid-1972: Acquires a publishing house and releases his first novel.
Late 1972: Begins developing arcade machines, knowing the gaming boom is coming.
Financial Update (End of 1972):
Total Income (1972): $500,000 (Publishing + Arcade Prototypes)
Projected Oil Investment Returns (1973): $30 million
Total Assets Controlled: ~$100 million (Family Wealth)
Next Steps (1973)
Cash in on the Oil Crisis and reinvest in plastics (crude oil byproducts).
Expand arcade business and push for early market dominance.
Start acquiring novel copyrights of future bestsellers.
Begin developing superhero comics, laying the groundwork for a Marvel-like empire.
This version of Chapter 1 provides detailed descriptions, strategic thinking, and financial updates woven into the narrative.