I thought my eyes were making things up or my mind was just hallucinating.
I tried pinching my left cheek only to find that it wasn't the same rough skin. Not to mention, my once calloused palms were back to the time when they hadn't even wielded a sword.
Patting the soft mattress I lay on, I couldn't help but feel a mix of comfort and uneasiness.
After all, I'd fought so long in the war, and anything offering peace sounded too good to be true.
A wave of familiarity washed over me as I began to realize where this place was—the same room I had stayed in during my time at the academy.
There was also that poster of those Divine Crown students, leaving a bitter taste. But with all these things in the picture—
It could only mean one thing.
This shouldn't be possible—no, it isn't.
My mind is probably playing tricks on me right now.
Yes, that's it!
My weary and exhausted senile mind is probably on its deathbed, reminiscing about my regrettable choices.
So I simply slacked back on the bed, tugging the warm blanket over myself and closing my eyes, waiting for my life to end.
"..."
Just give it a few more minutes.
"..."
Just a little bit more.
"...Just a bit more."
"What the hell is up with this!? I'm already dying, so do I really have to wait in a queue?! Even here!?"
I let out a roar of frustration at my current situation, hoping that death would already come and give me its cold embrace.
But nay!
I wasn't even able to get the joy of a painless and quick death!
Jumping out of the bed and stomping on the floor while pointing at the ceiling with visible rage, I began to call for death itself.
"Come on and get me already!"
But even that call went unanswered. Instead, I seemed to have caught the attention of other things.
A loud banging erupted on the nearby door, with rage leaking through the cracks—something I wouldn't even want to find out for myself.
"CLOVIS! GET YOUR ARSE OUT HERE THIS INSTANT SO I CAN BEAT THE LIVING HELL OUT OF YOU, YOU NOSY LITTLE BASTARD!"
That voice?
I was trying to remember whose voice that was, but it sounded very familiar. I couldn't recall it completely, but it didn't seem like I would even have time to.
The door gave out and broke open, revealing a pair of fierce violet eyes belonging to a tall man.
He was about to hurl a punch toward me, but I managed to evade instinctively—still looking dumbfounded.
The tall man had the same bewildered look, making us tilt our heads almost in sync.
"...Pardon me?"
But the man hadn't relented—his anger toward me returned.
"You escaped and now you think you're good!?"
He tried to catch me with those powerful hands of his, but with my experience as a veteran warrior—it was easy to evade.
However, my question still remained unanswered.
Who on earth is this man?
"YOU SLIPPERY BASTARD!"
He roared, launching a faster attempt at catching me.
I could've evaded—but unfortunately—
THUD
"A-ack!"
Tumbling down on the ground, I felt an immediate intense grip over my neck at the verge of choking me to death.
"CLOVIS! I HAVEN'T SLEPT FOR DAYS ON END TRYING TO PERFECT MY CRAFT AND THE LAST THING I WANT IS A NOISY LITTLE BASTARD RUINING MY FOCUS!"
Those fierce eyes never once faltered, unfiltered rage that just confused me even more.
I'm starting to think this isn't even a flash of memory before death when I can still feel the air leaving my body—which felt more like a near death experience.
"THIS MY LAST WARNING, IF I HEAR MORE OF YOUR ANNOYING ANTICS IT'LL BE YOUR LAST!"
Soon his grip left my neck as I gasped for air before coughing, watching the tall man leave the room.
Composing myself, I shouldn't really do anything stupid right now that would catch the attention of a beast like that.
Immediately after, I went to stand up to go and check the calendar on the table beside my bed.
The current day is the second day of my stay in Rouxarths Academy.
Thus confirming one thing.
I went back in time.
40 years.
That's a huge gap if you ask me.
Not even a moment to properly process my current situation nor prepare for the future events.
It felt as if the world began spiraling on me playing a weird joke—but what would be the catalyst of this?
I glanced over the window seeing that the sun is just about to rise up.
I couldn't rely on my memory since it's already been blurry aside from the most memorable stuff. I could barely remember who that guy was from earlier, choking me to my demise.
Still, this is no time to be confused yet. This day was something he can clearly remember from last time and how terribly it went.
...
Wearing the same uniform I once did as a naive teenager—it felt... tight. Not physically, but mentally. Like trying to stuff my battle-scarred soul into a child's costume.
I'd have to go for now and save the planning for later, especially integrating myself into this new—I mean, old lifestyle that I'm unsure how to deal with.
Even in a younger body, my mind was still that of a tired old man. Dealing with teenagers wasn't going to be ideal.
Taking a deep breath, I went out of the room into the hallways and descended downstairs.
Each door I passed was more lavish than the last—golden trims, arcane etchings, wood polished like royalty lived here. Rouxarths hadn't changed at all. Pity I did.
Keeping my head down in order to avoid other early birds like me since I feel extremely uncomfortable interacting with these kids, even if I somehow went back in time.
I do not possess the mentality to speak with these people without accidentally slipping out my old habits without any practice.
But something caught the attention of my nose putting my march to a halt—The smell of food nearly made me drool—an instinct I hadn't felt in years. War rations taught me to eat when I could. But now? I had no idea if cafeteria etiquette had changed, or if I even wanted to risk being seen.
I shook my head trying to remain focused on my path, for now I have to get to the academy where there aren't many people at this time to think for myself but also to prepare myself for the inevitable humiliation on this day.
Even though I thought navigating it would be easy since I have memories of my past here—I was extremely wrong.
The moment I stepped out of that dormitory, all I saw was a maze. Rather, multiple hallways and paths leading to different areas and I couldn't even discern where the path I usually take.
I cursed myself at this very moment.
Squeezing the temples of my forehead, I looked around for any signs of staff.
None.
"Calm down, Clovis. Calm Down."
I mumbled to myself trying to not stress over even the simplest of things like this.
I couldn't tell if it was the influence of my immature brain but I normally wouldn't be this frustrated.
"Hey."
But then again was it because I'm worrying about things too much?
"...Hey."
Was it because of—
Before I could finish that thought.
I felt a light tap over my shoulder prompting me to look at who did it.
"Are you okay?"
I was surprised that someone managed to sneak up on me like that, nearly causing me to retaliate. An instinct soldered into my muscle but luckily I stopped myself.
A moment where I thought a dagger would have pierced my ribs already but none came.
A soft monotone voice from a girl no older than me. Her silver eyes stared into mine without malice, just curiosity, long straight dark hair with violet highlights wearing the same uniform albeit for the opposite gender.
I couldn't believe that I was about to harm a civilian—a woman at that.
Gulping as I find the correct words to answer.
Unexpectedly, she took both of my hands and placed them on her cheeks, her eyes looking straight to me without any hint of malice that I'd usually see from enemies.
"Your hands... they're trembling. So you're not okay." She said,
Astonished by that act, she looked down on the ground while I tried to understand this situation.
"... Pardon me, Miss but can I take my hands back?" I responded awkwardly before she blinked a few more times as if trying to comprehend what I just said.
But not long after, she lets go of it gently.
"Cold?" She followed up after.
I immediately replied almost automatically, "...Warm?"
Internally I began to scream.
The lass tilted her head to the side wondering what kind of response was that, seemingly expecting a different one instead.
Just who on earth is this woman?