.
.
.
Rosanna's P. O. V:
The few hours I spent today flipped my world. I could neither make head or tail of what happened.
I leaned against my 'familiar' chair as I kept thinking. Thinking, thinking, thinking. Been thinking for a while now.
Recalling Aniysa's words. When I questioned the lady on answers that could explain where I am. This couldn't be earth anymore.
Flashback:
Aniysa looked incredulously at me yet yielded to my request after little hesitation.
"Okay... first thing first, the society is ruled by a monarchical order. Royalties and nobilities are those with the most influence. The Democratic society fell into dust after a new type of 'power' appeared. The first Royal family and Aristocrats were created after the first alien siege. And such titles were conferred by strength or by merit during the war."
I responded with a nod. Noting down; firstly, it was not a democratic society. And this was nm iron fist ruling type. Literally iron fist. You rule with your fist. A strong one at that.
"Three hundred years ago, a specie called 'nightwalkers' descended into Earth causing a whole new chain reaction of supernatural awakenings. The nightwalkers were the first order of demons. Widely more dangerous than the beast level demons and other low levelled ones. They wrecked havoc for decades before the Awakeners, Elementalists, and various other professions were developed in humanity to resist against the fast populating dark siege. Though great damage had already been done to humans.
Fortunately, we resisted and pushed back the demons into certain zones. Most of which ran back into hell; their world. Still, the threat lies. Periodically small stage attacks are launched from hell to Earth."
"The origin of the nightwalkers is somewhat hidden away from the public. Left for ignorant people to theorize. Anyways, long story short, humans adapted and here we are."
...
Fair enough.
Seeing my somewhat blank look, Aniysa stated. "Look, girl. I'm not a fan of this history stuff nor do I have the needed energy to tell the details. Basically, this knowledge is general and you'd best do research on google or through the public libraries. Better knowledge there. I'll send you details later, hm?"
"Sure." I agreed. Ignoring the very coincidental words of Aniysa which reminded me of the book; 'Hibiscus Wisps'.
What are the chances this would be the world setting of Author Miroko? I had read isekai stories but I did not want to believe a reality such as that in my life.
Maybe I could ignore Aniysa's words as a coincidence but not the history notes I found on google.
Nightwalkers? Demons? First Human General Alexander Von Halson? The current Queen being Natalie Athanasius? So even the researchers were confused and made a wide mistake? And to make matters more eerie, the book and Author Miroko disappeared into thin air.
Well, my life certainly got more interesting.
.
.
What was real? What wasn't? Am I Rosanna? I even doubted my identity. The things I once found as familiar became unfamiliar but deep down, accepted. It's like meeting a stranger for the first time and sinking into constant déjà vu.
My brain was in havoc, simply put.
And I needed sleep. But not until I found a short term solution. Lest I close my eyes and some red eyed beast rips my heart off with it's claws.
Nervous? Scared? Sad? Thrilled? I couldn't even properly identify my feelings for f*ck's sake!
I hate threatening deviations. I found solace in control more than I did in anything. I felt fear. And it was sickening.
The one thing I found familiar was the nervous pit in my body. The cold sensations and the thumping of my heart in response to my soon to be fried brain.
I felt fear. A different kind. It wasn't one of disappointment, or failure. It is knowing that none of those mattered and my fragile neck could snap in a moment and I wouldn't even know why.
Sometimes you're scared of how to live but it hits different when you're scared of not being alive. And not knowing why. Dying silently in a twisted way.
Why me? Why this world? Just, why? The scene from earlier kept replaying in my mind. Now that I could properly think and get engulfed in the negative thoughts.
And I had every reason to.
I need a direction. A good purpose, to keep going. But I needed a map to even find one-
"F*ck." I whispered.
.
My walk back home was anything but calm. I kept looking out for any signs of danger and identifying the nearest shelter I could hide in.
This survival mode my brain put me on was a new terrifying experience. Like the aftereffects of broken trust. That underlying threat and lack of security that you just couldn't fix or didn't know how to.
But somehow, I made it 'home' in one piece. Albeit my sanity kept dropping off every now and then.
'Home' was anything but comfort. I could assume the whole thing started here. And I dashed right out and sat on the bench outside.
Paranoia. That much I could recognize.
But I stilled my nerves, walked back in and comforted myself that if the strange forces behind this change wanted my death, it should be easy. Unless, of course, in the situation where it's sadistic and feeds off the fear of it's targets.
Highly likely. Pessimistic brain cell 2 whispered.
No, you've read the stories, Jael. Maybe... you're a protagonist! Dying optimist brain cell 3 responded.
Who would want to be a protagonist in such a setting?! Realist brain cell 5 stated.
Worrying won't help. Get your stupid a*s up and find your bloody way out of this mystery. And lastly, brain cell 99 concluded.
That must be my smart ones kicking in.
And I paid heed to that plan.
Worry? can't stop it. But do the needful? Definitely.
So I searched for clues in my house, my phone, my laptop. Everywhere my eyes could lay sight on.
Everything was normal. Except everything 'normal' was erased. Celebrities were the same yet different. Houses same yet different. Everything same yet different.
Rosanna Jael Graymond is the same yet missing. As I earlier concluded, anything pertaining to my past has disappeared. Like I just popped out of nowhere. But I always existed.
One thing showed significant attachment to 'Rosanna' in this world. My admission letter into Ultra University, given January 29th. Months before my 'arrival'.
P. O. Box 2011 ULTRA UNIVERSITY, GARDENIA 13107 PHONE: ***.***-**** *.***.***.****
January 29, 2023
GoldPass ID: s0988357
Rosanna Graymond
St. Francisco Sp 8
Astral, Gardenia 110052,
Naza Empire
Dear Rosanna,
Congratulations on. your acceptance into Ultra University! I am pleased to notify you that you have been accepted into Ultra University, Class of 2027 for your resumption in the Magus Department. This is as a result of your hard work, talents and individuality. Proving to have immense potential to bring society into the world we both strive for.
For three centuries, Ultra University has been a stronghold for offense and defense against the dark foes who seek to invade our homeland. Nurturing world-class powerhouses who ensure the peace of our land.
Should you decide to become a family of this great insinuation, instructions are placed below. We await the finalizing of your decision by March 15th.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Katherine Gaida
Director Of Admissions
.
I know where this points. It's obvious. That's my possible solace. The institution. Everything changed-even my admission letter. I remember pretty well I was supposed to study courses in Political Science, International Studies and Economics. But this future diplomat about to cast spells and shout 'Waazow!'.
So Plan A: Move in to the institution. And gather information concerning your 'studies'. And how to survive in this society.
Simple, right? Nay. I'm high on nerves, stressed and still comprehending my newfound reality. Anything can be made simple or difficult, it just depends on the bloody brain. And mine has been in default hell mode since the staring contest with the demon.
The ringing of my phone brought memories. I was startled and almost mistook the innocent ring to the alarm of the attack.
And I just stared in confusion at my phone that was placed on the desk.
It's ringing?
No Jael, it's singing.
Some sarcastic brain cell responded.
Hesitantly staring at my phone like a clown, I looked at the caller ID.
Unknown. A series of numbers I couldn't track in my memory. And a very suspicious one. What's a string number of Zero's? +0?
Who is this?
Lost in my thoughts, foolishly. The ringing came to a halt and I almost cursed my stupidity.
I... I'm so f*cking lost right now.
It rang once more and I picked without hesitation.
I listened first to the unknown voice. Wondering where this would take me.
"Rosanna Jael Graymond?" A soft feminine voice asked.
To answer or not to? Well... I picked the call and I need an answer. To everything. Or something at the least.
"Y-yeah?" I replied.
"First year student of Ultra University, World Hopper and newbie?"
"..." A distinctive pause was what ensued after.
"Rest assured, all will be clear in three days. I am Yuna Umi; Staff member of Project Hibiscus. For the time being, I recommend you stay in the school dormitory. Or are you living off campus?"
"Off..." I could talk at this point? What did I even understand??
"Oh. We'll make arrangements. In an hour, a room will be available for you. Please check your email, thank you."
And the call went off.
...
...That's it?
The urge to cuss in German.
Still... I feel more... safe, oddly. Safe, basking in the little knowledge I found in my frightening ignorance.
World hopper, huh? Some intergalactic staff member? Just great.
I chuckled with dry humor at my thoughts. Before I crashed on my bed, blackness enveloping my vision.
A needed blackout. Partially due to physical tiredness, and the 90% mentally. Completely forgetting the email or whatever research my brain had to think of. More like, forced shut down