บท 3: Where the hell am I?

Helavor High School, situated on the eastern side of Kiland, had earned a well-deserved reputation as a prestigious institution, coveted by many ambitious students in the city.

Among the fortunate few who secured admission to this esteemed school was Ethan Blake, who had earned a scholarship based on his academic prowess.

However, despite his supposed status as an honor student, Ethan found himself increasingly ostracized and overlooked by his peers and teachers alike.

The circumstances that led to this unfortunate situation remained unknown, but it was clear that Ethan was struggling to find his place in the highly competitive and often unforgiving environment.

As a result of his unfavorable circumstances, Ethan harbored a deep-seated resentment towards school and all that it entailed.

Nevertheless, he trudged through his daily routine of attending classes and participating in sports, all the while counting down the minutes until he could escape to the one place where he found solace.

After the final bell rang, Ethan would make a beeline for his favorite store, a haven brimming with his beloved light novels and anime.

Having previously worked for the owner, Ethan had earned the privilege of perusing the store's extensive collection of books, on the condition that he returned them promptly after reading.

As he delved into the fantastical worlds of the stories he devoured, Ethan could temporarily forget about the harsh realities of his daily life.

In these pages, he found a refuge from the pressures of his academic and social struggles, losing himself in the characters and adventures that he so adored.

After savoring a few blissful hours at the store, Ethan reluctantly returned the book to its rightful place on the shelf. Despite his reluctance to leave, a faint smile remained etched on his face, evidence of the captivating story he had just read.

As he stepped out onto the bustling streets of Kiland, Ethan's mood began to darken when he realized that he was being followed. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a group of four male students shadowing his every move, almost as if they were stalking him.

Ethan's heart quickened as he realized that he recognized these boys. They were from his school, and their faces were twisted into sneering expressions of contempt.

A sense of dread washed over him as he tried to quicken his pace, but the boys continued to tail him relentlessly, keeping just enough distance to avoid being detected. Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they meant him harm.

Ethan's pace came to an abrupt halt, causing the four male students following him to freeze in their tracks as well.

'I knew it, they were following,' He muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around to assess the situation.

The bustling street fell eerily silent as Ethan suddenly bolted forward, deftly vaulting over trash cans and metal cages in a frenzied bid to escape his pursuers. The four students wasted no time in chasing after him, their footsteps pounding the pavement in unison.

As they ran, one of the boys shouted, "Where do you think you're going, Blake? You can't run forever!".

Ethan ignored the taunt and focused on putting as much distance between himself and his pursuers as possible.

Despite his fear and exhaustion, Ethan felt a surge of determination coursing through him. He refused to be a victim and was determined to outsmart his tormentors, no matter what it took.

With his heart pounding in his chest, Ethan darted across the street and ducked into the narrow alleyway, hoping to put some distance between himself and his pursuers. He sprinted towards an iron ladder that led to the rooftop, his mind racing as he climbed up with a burst of adrenaline-fueled energy.

Once he reached the top, Ethan started running as fast as he could, his feet pounding on the hard surface of the roof. The students were still hot on his heels, their voices echoing in the air as they called out taunts and insults.

As Ethan approached the edge of the roof, he prepared to make a daring leap to the next building. But just as he was about to jump, he felt a sharp pain shoot through his body, causing him to stumble and lose his balance.

Ethan's foot caught on a loose tile after he lost his balance, causing him to trip and tumble towards the edge of the building. He reached out desperately, trying to grab hold of something, anything, to stop his fall. But it was too late. Ethan's body plummeted towards the ground, his mind racing with fear and confusion.

As he fell, Ethan's thoughts turned inward. "Am I… going to die?" He thought to himself, his heart pounding in his chest. For a moment, it felt like time had slowed down, and nothing else mattered except the terrifying freefall towards the earth.

Ethan closed his eyes, bracing himself for impact. But then, something strange happened. A glowing magic circle appeared in mid-air, hovering just above the ground.

As Ethan's body fell towards it, he felt a strange sensation wash over him, and suddenly, he was gone, disappearing into thin air as if he had never existed at all.

The students all stopped after they got to the edge, looking down at the alley to see only trucks and dustbin but no sign of Ethan.

….

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he sprang up from the ground, gasping for breath.

He looked down at his trembling hands, relief washing over him as he muttered to himself, "I'm not dead," his voice surprisingly calm given the circumstances.

But as Ethan glanced up, his confusion only grew. The world around him was no longer the familiar streets and buildings of his city.

Instead, he found himself standing in the midst of a vast, sprawling field, the soft blades of grass brushing against his ankles. The bright sun beat down on his face, and birds soared through the blue sky overhead, their sweet songs filling the air.

Ethan's mind was spinning as he slowly pushed himself up to his feet, his gaze darting around the unfamiliar landscape. He couldn't make sense of what he was seeing.

"What the hell is going on?" Ethan muttered, confusion etched on his face. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was in a dream, but the vividness of his surroundings felt far too real to be a figment of his imagination.

He took a few tentative steps forward, looking around as if expecting to see something that would give him a clue as to how he ended up in this strange place. But there was nothing - just the endless fields and the soft rustle of the wind in the grass.