Darkness. That's the last thing I remember before everything ended. Maybe it was a fitting end after everything I had done.
My name is Arlan Von Echeveria, a feared general across the world. I conquered kingdoms, destroyed enemies, and in the end, I died—betrayed and stabbed by those I once called allies. A bitter smile crossed my lips as the knife pierced my body. Even with my heart empty, I laughed.
"Fool... If I get another chance at life, I won't waste it on war."
And it seems the gods heard my words, because everything suddenly changed.
My eyes opened.
But this wasn't a battlefield. This wasn't my large, scarred body. This... was smaller. Weaker.
I looked around—a simple room, plain white walls, ordinary furniture. No smell of blood, no echoes of war, just the silence of a normal life.
"What... What is this?" My voice sounded younger than I expected. I looked at my hands—thin, without scars, not as strong as I once had. I pressed my hand to my forehead, trying to understand the situation.
"Who am I?" I muttered.
The name that came to my mind was Haruto Kisaragi. At least, that's the name of the memories now filling my head. It seems I've been reincarnated, in a completely different world.
I tried to rise, but my body felt weak. I tried to remember everything that happened. I used to be a general, a ruler who led armies and shaped history. Then, I died.
Now, I'm just... a high school student?
"Who am I really?"
My previous life as Arlan Von Echeveria felt distant, like a fading dream beneath the morning light. I looked around again—this time noticing the anime posters on the wall, the study desk, and the lit desk lamp.
Before I could process further, the door suddenly opened.
A girl walked in, wearing a school uniform. Her short black hair was slightly messy, and her expression was a mix of frustration and concern.
"Haruto! Why are you still in bed? If you're late again, I'm not waiting!" she huffed.
I stared at her, confused, trying to recognize the memories in my head.
"A-Aoi?" I hesitated.
Aoi Takahashi. My childhood friend. Or at least, that's how Haruto Kisaragi remembered her.
She approached, her eyes full of concern. "What's wrong with you, Haruto? You look like you've seen a ghost." She extended her hand, pressing her palm to my forehead. "Are you sick? As far as I remember, you've never been sick..."
I struggled to provide an answer. My thoughts were a mess. I had been reborn in Haruto Kisaragi's body, an ordinary student—without power, without war, without a throne.
The memories of Arlan Von Echeveria faded, leaving only scattered fragments.
I took a deep breath and nodded. "I... I'm just a bit confused, Aoi. I think... I've been reincarnated?"
Aoi looked at me, bewildered. "Huh? What are you talking about? Just woke up, and you're saying stuff like that?" She crossed her arms. "If you don't hurry up, we'll be late! Come on, wash your face!"
Before I could reply, she grabbed my hand and dragged me out. I could only follow, though my mind was still full of questions.
Is this just a dream?
I wasn't sure if this was reality or just an illusion.
We walked to school together. Aoi occasionally glanced at me, still suspicious of my odd behavior, but she didn't press me to talk about it.
As we passed through the busy streets, I observed the world around me—the peaceful atmosphere, people smiling and chatting as they walked to school or work. The air was calm, untouched by the smell of blood or war.
But something inside me felt strange.
"This world... Was I really meant to live a normal life?"
I wasn't sure.
Suddenly, Aoi turned, cutting through my thoughts. "You're acting really weird today. Normally, you'd be going on about anime and random stuff. Why are you so quiet?"
I hesitated for a moment, trying to sound casual. "Maybe I just need some time to adapt, Aoi."
But deep in my heart, I knew it wasn't just about adapting.
I had just been reincarnated.
Everything I once knew felt distant, like an echo of a life that had passed.
When we reached school, I began to feel something different.
People were paying attention to me.
Especially the girls.
Some of them looked at me with admiration, while others with curiosity. Aoi noticed this too, her expression turning into a frown.
"Haruto... Why is everyone staring at you like that? What's going on?" she asked.
I was confused. I, Haruto Kisaragi, an ordinary student, had suddenly become the center of attention.
Why?
Was it because of me? Or was there something bigger I hadn't yet realized about this world?
One thing was for sure—living a normal life might not be as easy as I thought.