Let's recap a bit.
I am—or rather, I was—Michael Rogers. And now… now I'm Arjun Springs.
Yeah, I know. Weird name, right? Wait—where was I again?
Right.
I was Michael Rogers, a 25-year-old physics professor at one of Germany's most prestigious universities. I had a wonderful life. A beautiful, loving wife—she was of Indian origin. A historian who spoke several languages fluently. We were madly in love, the kind of couple people dream of being. No drama. Just us, our work, and a shared dream of building a future together.
The last time I saw her, she said she was going to India for a few weeks to visit her mother. I kissed her goodbye, told her to bring back sweets, and went home. That night, I cooked my meal, ate while watching a documentary, and went to bed.
The next thing I remember?
Waking up as a baby.
Let me be clear—I did NOT die.
No truck-kun, no fatal accident, no godly lightning strike.
I wasn't reading a novel or playing some fantasy game either. I didn't drink a weird potion. I didn't write a book that became real. I wasn't even some shut-in dreaming of another world.
At most… I once read a short story my wife wrote during her student days. That's it.
So why?
Why the hell did I get reborn?
My old life was perfect. I had a great job, earned young thanks to my sharp mind. I had respect. I had love. I had her. I had everything.
I didn't want another chance.
I didn't need a new life.
"Arjun? You're daydreaming again," a soft voice said from across the room.
I blinked and turned to look.
There she was—a little girl with a doll-like face, the kind that made people want to scoop her up in a hug. My twin sister. Lily Springs.
"No, I was just thinking," I said, trying to sound strict, though my round, chubby nine-year-old face probably made it look cute instead. "Hey, are you eating ice cream again?"
"NO!" she squeaked, clutching the ice cream cup to her chest like a treasure before bolting behind the couch.
I sighed and puffed out my cheeks. That little gremlin. Still, watching her made it hard not to smile.
It's been nine years since I arrived in this world.
Nine long years.
I look like any normal nine-year-old, I guess—cute, small, and harmless. I've got raven-black hair and blue eyes, a striking contrast. Lily's got black eyes and black hair like our father. Both of us inherited our pale skin from our mother.
Come to think of it—how do I have blue eyes?
Mom has black hair and blue eyes. Dad? Black hair, black eyes.
Guess I'm the odd one out.
But here's the fun part of this world: Magic. Swords. Monsters.
Yeah. Real fantasy world stuff.
And do I care?
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYY—NO.
I'm not some chosen hero. I'm not running off into the woods with a wooden sword screaming about adventure. I have no death wish.
Honestly?
I'm still depressed.
I miss her—my wife. The warmth of our bed. Her laugh.
Her scent lingering on the pillow. Her stories.
Still… I love my current family too.
I was an orphan in my past life. Having a mother who holds me when I cry and a father who teaches me how to stand tall—it changes you.
"Here you go," came a small voice.
I looked up.
Lily stood there, holding out her cup of ice cream to me. The same one she'd just hidden a moment ago.
I stared at it.
"…You don't usually share your ice cream with me. Why now?"
Her lips trembled slightly. She lowered her gaze.
"Because… because I might not be able to give it to you again…" she whispered.
Then she turned and ran, leaving me frozen.
Those words hit hard.
I knew what she meant.
Our parents were breaking up.
The fights had been growing worse. The cold silences louder.
And Lily… she wasn't dumb. She knew what it meant. Separation. Change. Loss.
Just like I lost everything once before.
Suddenly, the bell rang near the door.
"Arjun, it's time to leave," a deep voice called.
I turned to see him—my father. Parveen Springs. In his late twenties, tall and strong, with a well-kept beard and deep black eyes. A brown skin tone like warm earth, and a silent strength in how he stood.
He wasn't a hunter.
He was a hero.
"Okay, Dad," I said softly and followed him.
But deep down…
I still missed my old life.
The one I never asked to leave.
END