The bus driver did exactly as he had promised. He drove so fast that I wouldn't even remember which directions or lanes he took while driving the bus. Sure, I wasn't the only passenger on the bus, but most of the people looked like they were heading to the same destination as me—the train station.
I didn't have the time, nor did I want to bother anyone by asking for the time, but if I had to guess, I'd say the bus ride didn't even take twenty minutes before we arrived.
The bus stopped without anyone even noticing.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at your destination. Please exit the bus peacefully, and thank you for taking Falcon Transport," the bus driver announced over the speakers.
Everyone exited just as the driver had asked. Since I was sitting at the back of the bus, I was the last one to leave. And even before I did—
"Good luck, kid, and just know we are proud of you," the bus driver said, his tone genuinely happy.
"Thank you. It really means a lot," I nodded.
I stepped outside, and the first thing I saw was a massive crowd heading to the same place as me, straight down toward the subway station. Before continuing, I took a deep breath, allowing myself to enjoy the fresh air.
Because, believe it or not, in my old life, nothing was this beautiful.
I used the same transportation back then—minus the train part. Every single day, I'd get on a bus full of violations, a bus that shouldn't have been allowed on the road, yet no one seemed to care.
Our bus driver, Jimmy, was an old man way past retirement age. He drove like a lunatic, and most times he even dozed off while driving. We almost got into accidents more times than I could count.
Now that I think about it… that must be how I died.
It's the only explanation.
This city was far too beautiful to be just any city I knew. There were spring trees everywhere—those that bloomed with leaves of orange, pink, and even white. And don't get me started on the high-tech structures. This place was far more advanced than humanity itself.
Now that I think about it…
I must be in Japan.
Yeah, that had to be it. There was no other explanation for being in such an incredible place.
But wait—I didn't look Japanese.
So if I wasn't in Japan, where the hell was I?
I was so distracted that I didn't even notice myself being shoved left and right by people passing me. Somehow, along the way, I got carried with the crowd and pushed down the subway entrance.
Everyone was in a rush. Everyone looked like they were heading to the same city, though they were dressed in different work uniforms. I spotted doctors, firefighters, police officers, construction workers, and many others. There were also a few students—probably heading to Sky Academy like me.
The train station was far more beautiful than I expected. The railways weren't anything like the ones I was used to. They were transparent, and instead of steel or iron, electricity coursed through them.
And the walls—
They were white, granite-like, but smooth enough that you wouldn't need a screen if you wanted to project a movie.
Luckily, the train hadn't arrived yet, which meant I still had a few minutes to buy my ticket.
Even though I had just transmigrated into this world, since I was Klein, I also had his memories. That meant I understood how things worked here. And one thing I knew for sure was this—if I went to buy my ticket, the train wouldn't arrive early.
Everything in this world ran on time.
Either it arrived three to five minutes early, or exactly on time—not a second later.
I rushed to the ticket stand. Thankfully, there wasn't much of a line. I was third from the front.
The people ahead of me bought their tickets and walked away to wait for the train. Soon, it was my turn—but before stepping forward, I waited to be called.
"The next one in line, please proceed," an announcement echoed over the speakers.
I walked up to one of the windows.
"Hi, may I please get a two-way ticket to Sky City?" I asked the lady behind the counter.
"Hello, cutie," she smiled. "And what option will you be using to pay for your ticket?"
"Isn't there an option where I can do a thumb-reading scan?" I asked.
"Uhm… no, cutie," she replied. "Here, you only have two options. Option one: pay with credits—550 credits. Option two: use your work or academy smart card."
Damn it.
I had none of those.
"Sorry, cutie, but if you don't mind me asking, why are you heading to Sky City?" she asked, as if she could read my mind.
"Oh, uh… I'm going to Sky Academy. Today's orientation day, and I need to pick up my stuff before school starts in a week," I explained.
"Is that so?" she asked, her tone oddly suspicious.
"Yes, I'm a first-year student," I assured her.
"Tell you what—I'll buy the ticket for you," she offered.
"Thanks, but I won't be able to pay you back for a while, at least until I reload my student card," I said.
"Wait, you didn't let me finish," she smiled. "I'll buy the ticket for you, and when you're ready, you can make it up to me by buying me lunch.
Deal?"
"Okay," I said, completely charmed.
She typed something into her computer, and moments later, the ticket printed out.
"Here," she handed it to me.
"Thanks," I reached for it.
"Uh-uh," she said, grabbing my hand. "First, give me your arm."
"But why?" I tried to resist.
"So I can give you my number," she smiled.
"And before you try to erase it, that won't work. I'm using a pen that only washes off after you've used the number for what it's meant for."
She wrote her number down, then handed me the ticket.
I glanced at my arm and noticed the numbers glowing faintly.
"And what should I call you?" I asked, realizing she hadn't written her name.
"Oh, my name is Luna," she said.
Luna…
Why did that name sound so familiar? And why did I suddenly feel uneasy?
I understood immediately what she could do.
"Luna? That's a beautiful name," I smiled.
"Looks like you just got yourself a date."
"I'll hold you to that," she winked.
Before the conversation went any further—and before I missed my train—I stepped back. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded staying longer, but if I missed orientation day, my mom would kill me.
"Hey, Luna, how about we continue this on our date? I really have to run. If I miss the train, the ticket you bought me will be wasted," I said, backing away.
"Bye! And don't forget to call me!" she waved.
I ran.
I arrived just in time—the last passenger to board. As the final person stepped in, I rushed toward the man checking tickets.
"Wait! Wait up!" I shouted.
Luckily, he heard me just as he was about to signal the train.
"Oh, hello there, young man. You're lucky. A few seconds later, and you would've missed it," he said.
"Yeah… you have no idea how lucky I am today," I said, trying to catch my breath.
"Ticket, please."
"Sorry—yes, of course." I handed it to him.
He examined it carefully.
"Ah, a student at the prestigious Sky Academy. My niece studies there. Perhaps you know her?" he asked, handing the ticket back.
"Maybe. I'm just a first-year student," I replied.
"Well then, please head to coach number six," he said, pointing.
"Thank you, sir," I said, rushing off.
When I reached coach number six, the doors slid open—smooth and silent, like something straight out of a secret research facility.