To understand the premise of a utopia, one must understand its antithesis. So... what is a dystopia?
Some might brush it off as just a 'bad world' where something illogical is happening. Others would also describe it to be a place where lies and untruths dominate over the reality readers see in their own.
But one thing to note about dystopias is that they are always formed by a democratic union of people with similar beliefs. Even if what they believe is merely what the 'Ruling Class' want them to think or idealise, it doesn't change that everyone is on board with the reality as they see it. Therefore, it is normally impossible for it to crumble from within.
Authors tend to write dystopias alternate futures that are wholly possible given the rationality we are imparted with by society. Only an aspect of fiction is taken to such an extreme that it instils fear...
Let's say that propaganda is known to affect the perception of large-scale crowds and those of your reality are fully aware of this. What happens when it's taken to such an extreme that only what the government tells you is real, and all else isn't?
How about a world where social class is dictated by the gifted and those ordinary are oppressed?
Even though small doses of a certain perspective can help widen your view of the world, too much of it can instead be toxic to one's mindset. At least that's what the internet has taught Earthlings.
The more you know, the harder it is to properly be decisive when the moment counts for action, and the less you know, the easier it is to be moved by the mentality of a sheep... Only following the paths of those around you because you want company.
That's why dystopias are a mess if you don't follow their version of 'common sense'. If Earthlings were to be transported into one, the world around them would become the biggest threat to them.
They can't be who they are... or express themselves the same way as they could in Earth's modern society. You could say that a dystopia is really harmful to a normal person's mind and body.
However, that wasn't the same for utopias.
Sure, things were similar in that everyone was united in one mindset. However, no one would heartlessly snitch on you for thinking things that your totally-not-dictators do not approve of.
And now that brings me to Gaia, the Ideal Utopia of the Mr Author who created me. It wasn't that thinking any other way than what they agree on is frowned upon, it was just that no one found it necessary to question the laws governing society.
The Imperial Ruler and the respected 'God' who managed the gears of time would call this the concept of 'societal stagnation'. The cultures and society of Gaia stayed in its natural state for as long as the people of this world remembered.
The biggest contributor to this was the lack of history books or even the desire to learn about the past in general. Earthlings tend to look at history as a medium to see how they could improve in the future, while not repeating the errors of the past...
...but Gaia Humans had no history. They were just arbitrarily created by the world they inhabited and given roles from birth. No one questioned whether they liked their roles or not. After all, having some sense of purpose was better than none at all.
The ever crippling existential questions on whether their existences were worth anything never arose in their minds since reality told them: 'Yes! Now have a cookie and stop thinking about depressing stuff.'
They were laid back and less serious on life since no one were following rules that were hard to follow, nor was there any restrictions placed on them their freedom. They did what they desired.
No one ever wanted a change in their Class. Their innate interests in really fit into their roles too well.
There was a higher social class, sure, but no one was telling them to go die in borders infested with hungry Beasts when all they want is a mundane and peaceful life, and those who DID go fight on the frontlines are 'Warriors' who loved violence.
To die in battle was nice and honourable to them...
No soldiers existed in the Human Empire because everyone roughly did what they desired so long as it didn't stray from common decency. One of the ONLY people doing the opposite lay before Samuel as he was supremely pissed as Alex Stuman.
"I'm glad you keep a healing shuttle at your house for emergencies. You're really giving Vhalen a sense of purpose by taking advantage of his skills of the Healer Class." The spearman sarcastically quipped to the youth laying down in his bed.
He had gotten the Second Prince to heal the scholarly freak and keep his mouth shut about the matter. When he was done, he utilised the Spell Slot that was forced upon him 'ret-gone' himself.
"I'm only doing what my heart tells me to." The freak coughed before avoiding eye-contact.
"Does your heart tell you to go die sometimes?"
"It's not that toxic..."
"Oh, you're right. How shortsighted of me."
"..." Samuel's sudden agreeable attitude threw him off he couldn't understand what he was thinking.
It was after a brief hesitation did the blondie ask:
"Suffering makes you stronger, doesn't it?" His casual words cut deep into Alex's exposed heart.
He wouldn't be moved by a other people, but the words of his future self had more meaning in them.
This was still 'him' in a sense, after all.
"I don't understand what you're trying to say..."
"I mean objectively speaking..." The spearman patiently explained while cutting an apple-like fruit for Alex to eat and putting it on a plate; "...Life is suffering for the sake of self-improvement. The more you suffer, the more you understand it."
"You don't have to suffer to grow stronger."
"Training is a form of suffering."
"But I like training."
"You call it a hobby, but you don't enjoy the feeling of tiredness and hitting your limits. You'd awaken into an 'M' if you thought that way... Anyway, you don't like suffering those moments yourself."
"You don't know that...!"
"I'm you, so I can safely say that I DO know your feelings even better than you do yourself."
"I'm different from you.,."
"You might have awakened your true memories earlier than I did, but your no different from how i was back in the day. Do you think I wasn't happy and optimistic like you about how to live life?"
"What made you change...?" Alex couldn't help but ask as Samuel's existence still unnerved him.
He had prided himself in being immovable and inflexible about his core beliefs, but Samuel's whole attitude and personality went against all he stood for. It made him want to avert his gaze away.
"Regret... and a lot of it." The one who defied the concept of time handed the scholarly youth some sliced apples before continuing: "I had always hated myself for acting like a soldier on Gaia..."
"I don't act like that."
"Really? Then why not laze here for the rest of your life and forget about the outside world. Stay here."
"I..." Alex was stunned after hearing this proposal since he didn't know why Samuel offered this.
"Also, don't interfere even if you see injustice."
"I can't do that!" He spoke these words decisively.
"Why not?" The spearman wasn't moved by his outburst and sticked with his 'chill' attitude.
"I'm a Martial Artist, so how can I just stand by as someone is being kidnapped? I had to help...!"
"Those are naive words for someone who would have died if it wasn't for me coming to save you."
"...I would have found a way to escape."
"Really?" This was ironic considering both Samuel and you readers knew the reality was otherwise.
He had to bend reality to save him from death...
"Also, sitting at home and doing nothing sounds like a lazy lifestyle. Wasn't it you who said I had to take responsibility for messing up this world? Don't I still have a lot of things to get done?"
"Objectively, 'Yes'. If you were a character in a Epic Fantasy, this would be where you go through a lot of dangerous adventures for the purpose of accomplishing great feats and fixing your mistake."
"So shouldn't-"
"Let me finish my words. When I told you to fix your mistakes, I didn't say to do that by punching them. You COULD have kept an eye on that woman and tried to save that stranger-you-don't-even-know after planning as well as gathering your allies.
Instead, you chose to recklessly throw yourself into danger as if the fact that you've reincarnated once makes you invincible. Let me remind you: There is no continuation after death this time, only the afterlife you dodged the first time. Is throwing your life away for a trivial nobody how you want to go out? Feeling suicidal? Go die in a ditch!" Samuel's words cut deep, but Alex didn't buy into his words.
"I won't be reckless again. I've learnt my lesson."
"No you bloody haven't...!" His eyes turned red as felt extremely annoyed by the way Alex answered.
"Nobody can do things perfectly. I'll-"
"Don't bother explaining to me. I already know what you're going to say, and that's exactly it: You are still making yourself suffer for the sake of some vague 'self-improvement' you don't understand."
"I do have a goal."
"Then what is it?"
"...To fix my mistake."
"You only got that goal when I told you about your past life. What was the reason you lived before I bulldozed into your life?" Samuel didn't let him weasel his way out of giving a clear answer.
"I didn't have a goal... I lived my life aimlessly. At times I wanted to act like a hero while at other times I just did what I could to survive. I just want to better myself by living without wasting my. life."
"So you were doing as you pleased?"
"...Yes." Alex scratched the back of his head. He truly did live without restraints at the beginning.
"And why are you embarrassed to admit that?"
"..." The scholarly freak made a confused expression. Living the way he did wasn't something to be proud about. He was just enjoying himself while ignorant of what he had done in the past.
Now that he knew, how could he NOT promptly fix it? There was no way he could ignore his faults.
"This is why I'm telling you to sit at home and contribute without getting your hands dirty."
"But what about my responsibilities?"
"I'll take on the bulk of them instead of forcing you to do everything. Just rely on me and live happily."
"...I can do that?" Alex asked in surprise.
The spearman nodded his head as he wasn't about to go back on his words. He wouldn't lie about this.
"Rather than pretending to be a hero in a fantasy story... Why not live in reality? Spend your time on your hobbies other than training martial arts and live a peaceful life... Grow old like a normal person without ruining your life impulsively if you want to repay me for picking up your slack." These words caused the scholarly freak to feel moved, but he wouldn't have been in danger if he could easily stop himself from risking his life to save others.
"How can I pretend to be ignorant? Reincarnating like this goes against the natural laws of the world anyway... I admit that I'd acted a bit recklessly this time, but it isn't like I'm doing anything wrong."
"You ARE doing something wrong."
"Which is...?"
"You're acting like a Wannabe Hero. Do you think you're the main character of hero story and that someone will come to save you whenever you're in a tough situation? Grow up and act like an adult...!
You need to think more about yourself before you put yourself in danger for trivial people you don't properly know. If you had died today, would you be content with the fact that Arthur would have followed you not many days after? Do you think it was right to almost die when you're the only lifeline of your childhood friend? The only person who could save him?" This inquiry shattered his rose-tinted view on the world. Alex was affected by Samuel's cynical outlook what had happened.
This was META on so many levels and I have zero clue what to say about Samuel convincing this regular plot-armoured main character that he WASN'T plot-armoured or a main character...
I mean, Alex had less likelihood of dying if he accepted this, so in the end, isn't it this better?
Pretending the 4th Wall didn't exist brought less despair to characters than knowing the truth.
"Alex Stuman, tell me: What do YOU want?" This last question finally caused to feel convinced.
The scholarly freak didn't say anything, but his silence was already an answer to the spearman who knew himself better than he ever could. There was a smile forming on the blondie's face as he seemed satisfied that Alex was thinking this over.
He didn't want a repeat of the pre-retconned timeline where everyone was saved... However, the main character of the ongoing narrative himself was unsatisfied with life, but most of all: He didn't want another Alex Stuman who discarded his name for the monicker of 'End' to be born... Rather than living as a romanticised stereotype, he wanted him to live as he pleased. That way he wouldn't regret.
Even a righteous heart can become toxic if not taken care of properly, and he knew this well...
Alex wasn't fragile in his convictions nor about his moral decency, but even the strongest boulder can be chipped away at until nothing is left. At times, a good person shouldn't have to adhere to unrealistic expectations their society burden them with.
A moral individual should be allowed to be selfish once in a while. What's so wrong in doing just that?
At least, that's what Samuel believed...