The crisp morning air filled my lungs as I jogged along the quiet streets. The city was just beginning to wake, but this was my favorite time of the day—calm, peaceful, uninterrupted. My footsteps echoed against the pavement, steady and rhythmic.

"Today's gonna be a good day."

No intense training, no surprise exams—just a normal school day. For once, I could enjoy a rare sense of peace.

After finishing my run, I headed back home, feeling refreshed. A quick shower, a change into my uniform, and I was ready. As I stepped into the dining room, the smell of freshly made breakfast greeted me.

My mom, unusually cheerful, placed a warm plate in front of me.

"You seem happy today," I said, raising an eyebrow as I picked up my spoon.

She smiled. "I am. Make sure you come home right after school. You'll have a surprise this evening."

"A surprise?" I asked, but she just winked and turned away.

I shrugged it off and focused on my food. Whatever it was, I'd find out later. After finishing my meal, I grabbed my bag and stepped outside. A cool breeze brushed against my face, adding to the peaceful mood.

But that peace didn't last.

By the time I reached the school gates, I checked my watch—and my stomach dropped.

"Crap… I'm late!"

I sprinted down the empty hallways, my heart pounding. Just as I reached my classroom, I slid the door open, trying to look as casual as possible.

Every head turned to me.

Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Prakash, pushed his glasses up his nose. "You're ten minutes late."

I let out a breath, scratching the back of my head. "Uh… I lost track of time?"

"Take your seat."

I hurried to my desk, sinking into my chair, already preparing for a lecture after class. But before I could even open my bag—

"Happy Birthday, Big Guy."

I blinked.

Turning to my right, I saw Aarav, my best friend—the guy who was more like a brother than just a classmate. He grinned and patted me on the back.

…My birthday.

I completely forgot.

Before I could even react, the entire class caught on. One by one, students started clapping and cheering. Some whistled, others called out my name, and within seconds, the quiet classroom turned into a celebration.

"Wait—hold on," I stammered, looking around in shock. "I seriously forgot?"

"You always do," Aarav chuckled, shaking his head. "That's why I'm here."

Even Mr. Prakash sighed but couldn't suppress a small smile. "Alright, alright, settle down. You can celebrate during lunch."

The noise finally died down as everyone returned to their seats. I leaned back in my chair, still trying to process everything.

So much for a peaceful day.

And yet, as I glanced out the window, a strange feeling settled in my chest.

Something about today… felt different.

The classroom returned to normal as Mr. Prakash flipped open his textbook and started the lesson. But I couldn't shake off the strange unease creeping into my mind.

Then it happened.

A sudden shift in the air. A heavy pressure settled over my chest, making it harder to breathe. The world around me fell into an unnatural silence, as if someone had pressed pause on reality itself.

Everything felt… wrong.

Then—darkness.

No warning. No sound. No pain. Just an instant, absolute void.

And when the world returned—

I wasn't in the classroom anymore.

I stood in the middle of a vast, open field. The school, the walls, the desks—all gone. The sky stretched endlessly above me, bright and cloudless. The scent of grass filled my nose, mixed with something… earthy.

A low, deep moo rumbled behind me.

Slowly, I turned.

Cows.

Dozens of them, lazily grazing as if nothing unusual had happened. But surrounding me, scattered across the field, were my classmates—sixty-two students and one very confused teacher.

A stunned silence filled the air.

"…What the hell?" someone muttered.

And that's when we all realized—

We weren't in school anymore.

For a moment, nobody spoke. The only sounds were the occasional rustling of grass and the steady chewing of the cows.

Then the panic started.

"Where are we?!"

"What happened?!"

"Is this some kind of joke?!"

Chaos erupted as students stumbled over themselves, turning in circles, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Mr. Prakash looked just as shaken, his mouth opening and closing like he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

I clenched my fists. Panicking wouldn't help.