The room was filled with the strong smell of medicines, mostly Ayurveda herbs. The air felt heavy and unfamiliar. Ethan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, waiting to wake up from this strange and confusing dream. Everything around him looked normal the sunrise, the sunset, the sky filled with clouds. Even the white color of the clouds was the same as on Earth. That was what troubled him the most. Nothing felt unreal.
Inside his mind, thoughts kept racing. If I really transmigrated into the body of a boy… then where is the boy who lived in this body before me? Ethan wondered. Did we switch? Did he enter my body instead? His heart started racing. Oh God… what if he's living my life now? The thought made him restless. He clenched the bedsheet tightly. I can't stay on this bed forever. I have to find the truth. Why am I here? Why am I alive when I clearly remember dying?
His head throbbed, a sharp pain spreading slowly. Even the pain felt real. Too real to be a dream. If I can feel pain, then this can't be fake, he thought. Is this the afterlife? Or another world?
Just then, a voice broke his thoughts.
"What are you thinking?"
"Aghhh!" Ethan screamed in shock, sitting up suddenly. "What are you doing here, man?"
William stood near the window, calm as ever. Once again, he had entered through the window instead of the door.
Ethan stared at him, completely confused. Why does this guy always use the window? he wondered.
William raised his hand. There were neem leaves resting on his palm. "Just put these on your bed," he said casually. "You'll feel refreshed. It brings positive energy."
Ethan blinked. "What?" He scoffed. "Are you mad? Do you really believe in these things? Neem leaves giving positive energy?" He rubbed his forehead. "Oh God… honestly, I feel like you all are trying to make me crazy. I've decided—I need to get out of this place."
Before Ethan could move, William grabbed his wrist. "Hey." He lifted Ethan's hand gently. "Look at my eyes."
Ethan froze. "What are you—"
"Count with me," William said softly. "One… two… three."
Suddenly, golden glitter flashed between William's fingers. Light sparkled in the air, and in the next moment, a small rabbit appeared out of nowhere. It twitched its nose and blinked its tiny eyes.
Ethan's mouth fell open. "How… how did you do that?" His eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my God… it's so cute!"
William smirked. "What do you mean, how? It's magic, my love. Did you forget about magic too?" he teased.
"I didn't forget anything, you stupid people," Ethan snapped, though his voice lacked confidence. "I just don't know anything about this place." He looked at the rabbit again.
"So… magic really exists here? I've watched magic anime before, but this…" He laughed nervously. "This is actually happening to me now."
His heart beat faster not just from fear, but from curiosity. Whatever this world was, it was real. And Ethan knew one thing clearly now his answers wouldn't come if he stayed in bed forever.