Death is a constant to every life form that has walked this planet. There was not much to remember about a individual like me, but if I could pinpoint the most remarkale moment of my life, it would be the moment of my own death

I faintly recalled the sound of vehicle honking to my side. The noise a blaring trigger to my own safety. When I turned my head, twin headlights flooded my vision. Everything went black after, as if a sudden impact had interrupted my consciousness when it was recording the last moments of my fickle life

It was a short affair that all happened in the span of a second. Too quick for me to react in time, yet just slow enough for me what exactly it was that caused my demise. The truck. The erratic movement of the vehicle. The clear violation of traffic law...

By a combined mistake of neglience and alcohol overconsumption on the driver's part, I have been killed by a speeding vehicle when going home after work

...

What the fuck? Isn't this death too cliche? Please don't tell me what came next is going to be a cliche too

 

---

A hypothetical question once presented itself with the advent of multiversal theory. If we consider the existence of alternate selves a validity, and assume they exist as two separate consciousness with a clear line of distinction between two parallel plane, what happens when these two consciousness interact with another?

Does their memories merge together and form a single sentience with its own combined properties? Does one reject another as a foreign threat, seizing control of the host consciousness as they effectively hijack the other's cognitive function?

It is a question of identity. Yet at the same time, this sparks out fierce arguments in the community. Everyone has their own interpretation of the ever-changing human nature, and they are not willing to back off from other viewpoints, which lead to a mass crisis in the educated class such that it has been considered a classic by the people of that time

The self vs self debate has persisted among the experts of our society for years since. "Who am I?". Philosophers argues amidst nihilistic debates. Scientists scratch their heads in collective puzzledness. Artists and poets muse in silent bouts of contemplation that led to numerous works to revolve around this singular topic

In the end, if your body were to be taken by another, would you even notice it? The combination of separation and unity bring about a contrast that truly question the existensialism of the soul, or in this case, the existence of an individual's....individualism

Two souls. One from another place far away. One from the heart of the story. One mind. A united conscious. What happens when they cross path?

Cerulean blue eyes opened groggily. The pulsating pain in my head caused me to grit my teeth. Holding my temple, I pushed myself up from the cold, damp ground of autumn soil

The first thing I did was to check my condition.The fall didn't hurt much. I hit my head on a patch of mud so the impact was somewhat cushioned. It was a miracle that I can still get up after this. The fall from the stairs should have at least broken a bone or so

"Ha, I am lucky to have hand in my resignation notice" I breathed a deep sigh of relief. My hand wiped away the lone sweat rolling down my forehead as I picked up my suitcase. My muscle is a bit sore, but it was probably because of the impact from the fall

What's important is that I catch the carriage to the capital before they leave. Thinking so, I hurriedly picked up my suitcase and ran along the road to the town's gate. My fatigued breath came out in a cloudy mist amidst the cool temperature of the season as the scenery of the town passed by in a blur

Up ahead, the clacking of horse's hooves is getting farther

Thankfully, I arrive just in time. The horse cart was just about to depart when I caught up to it. Looking around, I soon spotted the fareman at the helm and called out to him. Thankfully, my voice was heard and the carriage slowly came to a halt

The smell is damp, but not entirely musky. The wooden floorboard creakd under my feet as I took the first step inside the carriage after paying the fee

After getting my case on the ground, I sat against one of the seats in exhaustion

"Going to the Capital?" The one in the front asked me. I glanced at him. He was wearing a gray trench coat, with a gray mustache adorning his chin. His age and attire suggest he's the coachman of this carriage

"Yes" I gave my affirmation. The coachman nodded, turned around and whipped his horse.

There was the start of motion, and the carriage continued on in silence. Sometime there was the slight buckling as they hit something on the road, creating clattering sound that echoed in the chamber. Strangely, I did not hear anything else

Taking the time to look around, I soon realized the reason for the quiet atmosphere

It seems I was the only one on this ride

"Pardon me for asking, but aren't there supposed to be more passengers to Elysia nowadays?" I asked from the back with narrowed eyes. Confusion welled up within me at their absence

Elysia is the name of the Capital, and also the name of my destination. Being the center of one of the seven small kingdoms governing this part of the continent, the Capital is a place where everything from the country gathered for a chance to make it big

From small time cooks to college dropouts, it is known as a place of commerce. A bustling city that is known to provide opportunities for everybody with talent. Sufficiently speaking, it is where only the best of the best can truly bear their shine, as it is one of the few places with enough resources to cultivate their talent and put them to good use

That is also my goal travelling there. I am hoping to meet more like-minded colleagues. Getting to teach students who are truly passionate about their studies is a big nice bonus too. It is a win win situation, as either way I would get a chance to finally use my degree to their fullest

"You don't know? Folks from this region of the country seldomly go out of their comfort zone. They're all content with their current lifestyle as it is" 

"Is that so?"

The revelation brought a grimace to my face. I shook my head.

Human tends to dislike change when it does not directly benefit them. It seems regardless of where I go, the disappointing habit of the people in their reluctance to change remain a constant 

For the uneducated, the capital is a luxurious destination for rich folks to enjoy spending their money on. Like a poison, this warped perception cooled off their desire to travel outside and bring about potential change to their life

Those individuals would amount ot nothing much in life. I imagine they would not care either

"Well, what about ya, mister? Why you'd come to Elysia?"

"I want to make a name for myself in the capital. My position as a teacher here feels like its being wasted with teaching all those unambitious kids" I frowned "Besides, the subject I taught them isn't a necessity either. I never got "

"Ah, a sense of isolation from yourr peers. Worry not, where we're going, you'll meet like-minded people like yourself"

"I sure hope so. My name's Johann Brown, by the way"

"The name's Leslie. Your average freelance driver, at your service!" He tipped his hat, and i chuckled

A part of me couldn't help but feel excited. I wonder what kind of people I will meet at the capital. From the guides I've read, there seems to be a diverse range of interesting characters there

Old travelling sages with their accumulated wisdom. Wizards with their impressive repetoir of magic knowledge. Academicians and their groundbreaking thesis research. Swordmasters who have spent their lives honing their weapon arts to their limit

In this world of magic and swords, the possibilities regarding knowledge are truly endless

 

An hour later, I watched as night fall. The torch lit up our surrounding, reflecting off the desolate road we're travelling on.

Through the carriage window, I gaze at the star above. Since it was dark all around us, there were no light obstructing our view, showing off the celestial brilliance of the stars above to my naked eye

They sure shine bright these days. 

A sense of exhaustion descended on me. My eyelid felt heavy. Amimdst all this relaxing atmosphere, I couldn't help but feel like taking a nap

It couldn't be helped, I guess. The carriage is going to take an entire day to arrive at the capital. It would help to ctch some sleep before then. 

Thinking so, my eyes slowly shut themselves closed

 

---

When one consciousness meets another, instead of seeing them as opposition, they are deceived into thinking themselves to be one and the same. The data may be overwritten, but one single host may be born from it. This way, the assimilation of data from one soul to another effectively stays the same-- Or that is how the theory is supposed to go

It was a small possibility, but if such was the case, it's not possible for two souls to merge together and create a single entity with their combined memories. 

Inside a carriage, a man in his twenties opened his eyes

E-eh?

Well, this is a surprise. It appears I'm not dead yet. And what is this? My body is no more. In its place was an entirely different host, with different frames and muscle layout

I raised my hand. It was the hand of a young man who has not had any experience in heavy labor. The slight rough texture here and there indicate he has an office job, likely one that requires a lot of writing

The jolting of the carriage fully wake me up from my daze. Looking around, I took in my surrounding with a calm gaze

As if a dam has been opened, memories flooded into my mind the next moment. Memories of birth, of life, and of work. I gradually absorbed the accumulated experience without flinching. Slowly, I opened my eyes

Johann Brown. College dropouts working as a full-time teacher in a backwater region. Above average intellect. Somehow rock bottom luck. Stay jobless for two years before landing himself in a shitty job with minimum wage and has just recently decided to resign from being a school teacher

By the looks of it, he is going to the Capital to get another chance at life. 

That's a good mindset, Johann. 

But there is another thing that catch my attention. He had mentioned his destination as the Cappital, which is called Elysia. Furthermore, there is also the implication of wizards, sages, and kingdoms in there

No matter how I think about it, the situation is bizarre. I woke up in this alien body with alien knowledge seemingly ingrained in me. After that, then there are the various factors gathered in the information exchange that left me confused, seeing as the term used is out of place

Could it be...that I'm in another world?

Silence

That is not entirely implausible. However, that opens up another can of worms for me. The term "Elysia" and "Capital" carries a significant meaning in my past life. Terms like "wizards" and "swordmasters" only serves to solidify it

In a certain game I have played, there is that exact setting. If I am not wrong, I could very well be in that game right now

"Ha..."

I bring a hand to my head. 

No. No no no. I can't make a solid conclusion yet. In the first place, the transmigration is still a little sudden to me. I may just be dazed from the process and ended up jumping to unreasonable results without proper evidence

Thinking so, I closed my eyes. I resolved to wait for tomorrow when we arrive at the capital to make my own conclusions