I had always been a fan of fantasy novels, especially the ones where the protagonist is suddenly transported to a new world full of magic and adventure. So when something eerily similar happened to me, I couldn't help but think that this was my chance to become powerful, acquire powerful artifacts, and take revenge for whatever reason or embark on an epic journey to find my loved ones.
I couldn't understand why I was here in this new world, if not to be chosen by a god or a powerful being to save it. I couldn't care less about which side I was on, but I thought there would be at least some general guidelines to help me navigate this new existence as a reincarnated or transmigrated person. But it seems that's not the case. I didn't have that chance at all, because I may have died during my first hours in this new world.
Let me tell you how it all began.
As I struggled to make sense of my hazy past, I couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious force that had apparently wiped my memory, almost, clean. Had it been a powerful spell, or perhaps a technological malfunction? The questions swirled in my mind, leaving me feeling disoriented and confused. I remembered snippets of my life - the dull monotony of everyday life, the absence of magic - but the details were frustratingly out of reach. I couldn't recall my childhood, my loved ones, or even where I had lived. The faces that floated in my memory were nothing more than vague, indistinct shapes. I couldn't be sure if they were people I had once known, or simply strangers I had caught a glimpse of on the street. All I knew for certain was that I had been given a second chance in this new world, and I was determined to make the most of it, even if it meant piecing together my past one memory at a time.
So let's back up a little.
I fumble in the darkness, trying to piece together my identity. My name... Charlie. That feels like the right one. But beyond that, my mind is a blank slate.
'Hugh, where is the light switch? What!? I can't feel my body! There's not a sound either, my voice isn't coming out!''
'HEY! WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE? IS ANYONE OUT THERE? CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?''
'OK, let's try to think this through. The last thing I can remember is...nothing? Urgh, even though I can't feel my body, I can still feel a headache? That's ridiculous!''
'It seems like something is blocking my memories, making it difficult for me to recall the past. Every time I try to think about it, the pain in my head intensifies.'
'Wait, what if I'm in a coma? Am I dying? Or even worse, am I dead? Did I suffer an accident? Hit my head? Oh no!'
'This can't be it. Even though I can't remember anything about my past life, I can't shake off the feeling that I don't want to die. I want to live, to experience new things, to achieve something. This can't be the end.'
I was in a world full of darkness, where no sound could reach, no light was present, time was still flowing. I tried shouting, talking, thinking, every single word that came to mind, trying to find a way out of this desolated place.
'How much time has passed I wonder. A day? A month? Why nothing is happening? What if this is what afterlife is? Like some sort of limbo? Maybe this is purgatory. Am I being punished?'
"Hmm"
'Hey, I made a sound! I can feel my body now, finally!'
I finally opened my eyes and found myself on a bed. The place seems unfamiliar, but at the same time, had just the right feeling of home. I knew that I lived there, I was in my own bed, but at the same time, in another place.
Right when I was about to try to get up, a strange feeling flowed into my head and a strange mechanical voice said:
[HOST OPTIMAL CONDITIONS MET - SYSTEM ACTIVATION SUCCESSFUL]
"Hell yeah!" I shouted, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as my body came back to life.
"Charlie!?" a voice said, sounding surprised and relieved.
'Ops, did I say that out loud?' I thought to myself.
"Charlie! Thank god you are ok. I was so worried...sniff...sniff...I thought that you would never wake up again." a familiar voice said, as I felt someone kneel down beside me.
As I opened my eyes, I saw a familiar woman, crying at my side. Instinctively, I knew that she was my mother, Anah. But everything else was different, her clothes, my bed, room, roof. I didn't want to disturb her, as I felt that she needed to cry, to let out all the emotions she was feeling right now.
After a few moments...
"Mom," I said gently. "I'm ok. I'm feeling fine, at least. But I can't remember what happened. Can you tell me? And where are we? What is this place?"
"What are you talking about son? We are home, this is your room, as it always has been." My mother replied, confused.
"You don't remember what happened? We're not sure about it either, but it seems like you were trying to trespass into the Magic Center and fell from the second floor. You were unconscious for at least three days, and no one could tell what was wrong with you."
'What? Magic Center? So, I was really reincarnated? No, transmigrated is the right term, as it seems that I'm still in my body from what I can tell. But I have so many questions.'
'First, magic? That's awesome! I can't wait to learn some, as an MC transmigrated, and with a system, things just can't get better. The second thing is Anah, how the hell did she arrive here with me? And she seems to treat this world way too normal, like she's always lived here?'
'First things first. What I need is information! Or else I'll end up dead or in the middle of bothersome cliche situations that seem to always happen in every single transmigration novel.'
"Oh, really? Sorry to worry you, mom. My head is a little blurry regarding what happened, so I really can't tell you much right now. I think I need some fresh air."
"Are you really feeling OK now? I'm not sure if it will be good for you to stress yourself, but again, you were in bed for almost three full days, so maybe your body needs some movements. But please take care of yourself. I'll be home if you need anything."
"Ah, and another thing, while you were unconscious, Warren visited you a couple of times to check on you. Make sure to thank him if you see him. And don't be late, it will be dinner time soon."
"Thanks, mom. I'll be right back."
While not recognizing the room or the house, it still feels like I knew where to locate things, or where each door leads and was able to exit the house without much effort.