My college was just 20 minutes walk away from my house. Since I was too lazy to go to gym, but didn't want to get fat, I preferred to walk to and from college.
I didn't know if just 40 minutes of daily walking could keep me fit, but it was better than nothing.
As I neared college, my thoughts went to my friend, Duante, the bullies, my classmates and teachers.
Apart from my family, they were an important part of my current life on Earth.
'Well, the bullies won't be a part of my life for long.' I thought, a hint of excitement surging in my heart. With my increased perception, I could easily handle all of them. After I taught them a lesson a few times, they would leave me and Duante alone.
Then I thought about my teachers.
I didn't know whether this was the same three decades ago when the world was divided into countries, but in the current Federation controlled world, education was the most important.
After all, the wars three decades prior had resulted in a lot of destruction and the rebuilding was ongoing. In a rapidly developing world, educated people were needed the most to propel the development further.
Because of this, every family wanted their kids to enter the best schools and colleges where they could get the best education and learn things.
Children also knew the importance of it, and those who didn't know were still trying their best because of their families' pressure to study hard. Of course, it didn't mean every student was intelligent, some were below average too.
Anyways, in such a competitive environment, students had to grasp every advantage they could. And in schools and colleges, what could be more important than gaining your teachers' favor. Once you did gain their favor, they would pay more attention to you, guide you better and let you succeed.
For the same reason, just like every other student, I had also been trying my best to impress my teachers and earn their favor.
But now…
I felt no motivation to continue doing the same. After experiencing that supernatural world for just a day, my perspective had changed.
This meant my teachers weren't going to be an important part of my life either.
The next were my classmates. From this day onwards, I wasn't going to pay attention to those who I rarely talked to and those who didn't want to talk to me. Which left just a few. Of course, then there was Duante, my new friend and Harrison, who had been my best friend ever since we were young.
Sigh!
I sighed and looked up at the sky.
"This means except for these two and my family, I no longer feel any attachment to this world any longer. How… tragic." I muttered.
"What's tragic?"
Suddenly, a voice from behind startled me and I almost jumped.
Turning around, I saw who it was and relaxed.
"Stop sneaking up on me like that. I could have hit you on reflex." I said in annoyance to the curly haired, black dude my size. It was Duante.
"Haha, sorry about that. I saw you looking up and sighing like an old man tired of his life, so I thought of startling you." Duante laughed.
"Well, you succeeded." I shook my head, and asked, "So, how have you been?"
Immediately, I saw him look at me strangely.
I pursed my lips, mildly frustrated.
Because I felt a long time had passed even though I had gone for just a day, and on earth just a night, I asked it without thinking, but to him it must have sounded very odd. After all, we were together just yesterday and even played a game at night.
"I'm good. But are you okay?" He asked in concern.
"Yeah. I'm alright." I said, then while talking about some minor stuff, we entered the college.
"Hey, look, Miss Alexis." All of a sudden, Duante leaned over and whispered.
I followed his gaze and saw a beautiful girl, dressed in white shirt and blue checkered skirt—college's uniform for females—sitting on a bench in the garden, on leg over the other, reading a book.
She was a newcomer like us, but because of her beauty and hot figure, she was very popular, especially among the boys. Some had even ranked her in the 'college hottie' list.
I glanced around and saw many boys standing around in groups. They were pretending to talk to each other but their eyes were glued to her.
After a glance at her, I looked away and said, "Let's go. Class is about to start soon."
When I saw her, suddenly Luna's image flashed in my mind and all of a sudden, I felt that Alexis wasn't so pretty after all.
Duante gave me another strange look as he followed me after taking a few more glances at Alexis, "What's up with you today, man? How come you are behaving so oddly?"
"Nothing. I just don't feel too good for some reason." I said.
Soon, we were in our class and students began filing in one after another.
Since the teacher had yet to arrive, some students were studying like Duante who had taken out his books as soon as his butt touched the seat while others were casually talking to each other.
Since I wasn't in the mood to study, I began staring outside the window while trying to ignore the ruckus. However, my increased perception made it difficult.
It was then I suddenly picked up a conversation between two guys on the front rows.
"...Did you hear the Federation has tripled WSA's budget?"
"Yeah. They have apparently figured out a way to make a cheap but several times more effective rocket fuel, but they have yet to do some final testing and evaluations. The Federation wants them to complete their research and make it available for use as soon as possible."
"Yeah, everyone thinks it's because of that."
"...Oh? You have a different opinion?"
"Yes. Do you remember the news from half a month ago? About the WSA spotting an interstellar object near Neptune?"
"Hmm? You are saying it's because of that?"
"Yes. I saw an article on the internet two days ago that an independent astronomer published. He said that this interstellar object is rapidly moving toward the Earth and its orbit is completely unnatural. If it continues on its way, it will reach Earth in two days, meaning by tonight. He had urged that the Federation take some action to prevent possible collision."
"That must be fake, otherwise…"
Before the first second could complete, the first guy cut him off, "I doubt it. Not long after he posted this article, his account was taken down. You also know that only the Federation can take down the accounts on the Quindex. If it was fake, the Federation would have never paid it any attention, much less take it down without any explanation."
The second guy went silent for a moment, then he asked, his voice trembling a little, "Why hasn't the Federation announced this news yet?"
I glanced over and saw the first guy shrug, "Who knows. Maybe it was indeed fake news or maybe the Federation doesn't want us to panic."
"Damn it. Why did you tell me this? You should have kept it quiet like you did yesterday. Now you have made me uneasy."
…
My eyes narrowed.
Before, I wouldn't have paid it any attention, but now… I couldn't ignore it.
'Don't tell me I was sent to that world and given the system because of this incoming interstellar object?'
My heart began to race from both excitement and anxiousness.