30 days

After looking around I realized that I was laying on the ground . Shortly after standing up I started feeling some pain through my whole body and specially on my cheeks . After seeing the bruises on my arms I quickly understood what had happened.

'I had totally forgotten about it but it's true that I was bullied in the past. By the way when was even the last time that I felt physical pain ?'

Thinking about it I laughed to the point that I almost choked myself .

'Of course, changing the future would mean that I would have to go through all those trials again. Pain is a cheap price to pay for that .'

Incidentally, I realized that I was in the utility storage of my university . It was dark inside but thank God I had my bag with me and inside it there was my phone. I unlocked it and it showed me the date and time of today which was the : 05 November of 2019, 2:40 PM .

'I see, so I came back one month before my summoning to Asplitia . Damn this mean that I have to wait one whole month . Anyway I should calm down because right now is not the good moment to think about it .'

After finishing organizing my though I used my phone as a torch to find my way to the door and I opened it . I checked my schedule on my phone and it seems I had a class right now that ended at 3:00 PM . There's was no point for me to go there with only 20 min left . Going home was definitely the best option at the moment . I struggled to find the way out of the building, but even after this I had to find my way home . I remembered this map app that was really popular back then and luckily it was on my phone . With this, I solved the issue of going home . Thankfully my university was only at 20 min of walk from my house so it didn't take long . I spent those 20 of walking, looking around at the buildings, cars and people .

'It feels so strange for me to see the modern world again, back then I had resigned myself to the fact that I would never come back home .'

Finally, I arrived in from of a 3 stories building with a big gate . On the gate was a plate with the name Flame , my family name . I then took a better look at the gate and I could confirm that it used finger ID . At this moment I thought that it was pretty convenient for me because if they had asked for the password I would have been screwed . After scanning my fingerprint, the gate slowly opened . I got inside and I opened the house's door with the key that was in my bag . The interior of the house was exactly the same as in my memories . I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower and then laid on my bed . Now was the time make my plan for the future .

'So what should I do during this period ? Train ? No, it would be useless because Asplitia works in a completely different way than here so even if I buffed up during this small amount of time it would still be useless there . My aim is to put a stop to a war caused by a lack of resources so maybe reading books on a similar subject may help me find a solution . Hmm I hate reading boring books but since it's for a great cause I will have to commit myself to the duty .'

While I was deep in though a voice came in :

''Noah, we are back. Are you here ?''

It was my parents, they just came back from work. I went downstairs and saw they were getting ready for dinner. We have a 2 maids who clean the house and cook food for us everyday . This way we don't have to worry about the house chores.

''Come here son, tell me how was your day ?''

To this question I answered :

''Nothing special dad, it was like usual .''

As if he wasn't waiting for my answer, he asked me a second question :

''So this semester, do you think you'll be able to take the first place by finally beating this girl Elois ?''

'Yes... There was this .'

Ever since I was a kid my parents always pushed me to be the best, to be excellent . They themselves were elites and after working for years in big companies they finally founded a startup together . The beginning was rough but their experience didn't betray them because after years of persistence this small startup became a rising star in the technological sector . They made me the heir of this company . I always took pride in it which I why I always tried to be the best in everything I do . I managed to stay at the top my whole life but this was until college . That's when l met this girl, Elois Strauss . I always believed I was a genius but after meeting her I realized that I was just above average while she was the real deal . No matter how much I studied, struggled, I never managed to get even close to her results . Frustration, this was the only thing I felt . My only comfort was that she came from humble upbringings while I came from a wealthy one . Thinking about it now I was really pitiful . When my frustration reached it's peaked I even started using my status to bully her . I felt joy from that, I didn't even feel any remorse .Back then I didn't realize it but now I do : I've always been a scumbag . As if there was justice in this world, this backfired against me . People in my class started turning their back against and instead started protecting her . In the end, I was the one being bullied . I could have simply told my parents about it to fix this but I had too much pride . I also didn't want them to learn about how I used their status as a way to torment other people . My parent may have always been strict with me but they were honest and good people so how disgusted would they have been if they found out . 2 years had passed since then and now I was in my 3rd years of university . I endured this hell that I had created this whole time but back then I remember that I always felt like I was going to break anytime soon . My salvation was my summoning to Asplistia .

After looking at each others for a moment I answered :

''Yes dad, this time I'm really confident that I'll beat her. Mom you can even already make a cake to celebrate that, that's how much confident I am .''

I could see some trace of shock in my father eyes, I'm sure he wasn't expecting this answer . To be honest my final exams will start the 10 December, by then I would have already been summoned to Asplitia . My parents always did everything they could for me so even if it's because of a lie, I want them to be happy, they deserve at least this much .

But Alfred, Noah's father was shocked because of a different reason .

'Noah... When was the last time I saw your eyes burning with passion and confidence . This past 2 years, your mother and I had realized something had changed in you . We wanted to talk to you but we wanted you to open up, to trust us . But it looks like you already found the answer to the thing that was clouding your emotions .'

Elen, Noah's mother also had similar thoughts. With a warm smile, one which Noah hadn't see for a long time, Alfred answered :

''Is that so ? Then I'm going to wait for those results .''

''Enough of that, Alfred, Noah, now is the time to enjoy this wonderful dinner !''

While eating, Noah couldn't stop admiring this whole scene, he and his parents happily eating around the table .

'Such happiness, I feel like this is a dream, maybe it is . This is why I should make sure to enjoy it .'

After the dinner, I went to sleep . The next day I woke up and went to my university very early . After opening the door leading to the amphitheatre where the class was supposed to take place I noticed Elois that was sitting on one of the front seats . She was focused on reading a book, because of that she hadn't noticed my presence . I was hesitating to enter the room but after breathing in and out a few times I finally entered . I tried closing the door as lightly as possible but the noise coming from it still managed to attract her attention . At this moment, ours eyes met. I could see the profound blue in her eyes, it was as deep as the ocean . 10 s passed like that and she took the initiative to greet me .

''Hi Noah .''

''Hi Elois, I hope you're fine ?''

''Yes I am .''

That's was the end of our conversation . In order to make the situation less awkward as this was I directly went and took a seat in the back . The class was supposed to start in 30 min so in the meantime I decided to listen to some music . It has been a long time since I listened to Earth's music so I was particularly excited about it . Time quickly went by and the class had eventually begun . Long story short, this day was a pretty normal one, well that's if you consider getting beaten during break as normal . Those relatively peaceful days kept going and just like that time went by . We were closing in to my birthday which is the 4 December and today was the 18 . Isn't it ironic, my birthday was just a day before I was summoned . Anyways, as usual I came to class early and took a seat in the back . Elois was also there like always but this time instead of reading her book she was just listening to music just like me . Then she suddenly started talking to me .

''What kind of music are you listening to ?''

I was quite taken aback but I quickly answered .

''I'm listening to some piano covers made by a you-tuber .''

''Oww, so you're that kind of person .''

''Aha that kind of person, what do you mean ?''

''No nothing, I guess it's nice. I personally prefer listening to some hip pop .''

''I see, that's nice too . But I prefer piano covers because I feel like it can transmit feelings better than a human voice .''

''Hum I see, but do you mind if I ask you question ?''

''No I don't .''

What kind of question did you want to ask me ?

''Why don't you drop this act ?''

''What are you talking about !?''

''Stop pretending you don't know what I'm talking about . Lately you started suddenly playing the nice guy, everyone know you are faking it so you can already stop .''

'Is that how everyone in the class see me right now ?'

''You are free to think whatever you want .''

My answer was followed by a long moment of silence . But then she answered :

''I see, but what I really would like to know is why don't you fight back ?''

''Oh you think I should fight back ? Isn't it convenient for you if I don't fight back after all they are protecting you from me .''

''Hmff, I'm sure you know that all of this is a farce .''

She was indeed right . Those same people protecting her from me hate her almost as much as me, why ? It's easy, it's because she is way better than all of them . Those feelings of jealousy I used to harbor against her is shared between all the student of this department . They just didn't have the courage to show it or said better a chance to show it . The past me was so naive that he couldn't even see it . The moment I started acting badly, I gave them an 'excuse' to show their true faces and feelings to me . She knew it all along, that's why she didn't give them any opportunity by being perfect all the time . Such was the relationship between us and the rest of our dear classmates .

''I see you're not as naive as you want others to believe .''

''And I see you're not as stupid as you want others to believe .''

I couldn't say anything back to this .

''Don't look at me like this, I was just joking .''

''Well, your jokes sucks .''

All of a sudden she started laughing . I didn't really mean to be funny but it's not too bad to bad to see her smile once in a while .

Since this day, everything changed . We started talking and hanging out together more and more often . Seeing this, the classmates bullying me lost a pretext to do it . Lately I started wondering how much different my life would have been if I had done this way before . I know there is no point in thinking about it, but it gave me hope that things would maybe also go this way in Asplistia . Today like those past few days, I walked Elois to the Bus station . I though about this for a long time and I had lastly decided to invite her to my birthday party . Elois noticed that I was staring at her and asked :

''What is it ? Is something wrong ?''

''No, it's nothing. I was just thinking about something .''

''What is that thing ?''

''Tomorrow is my birthday and I would like to invite you to my birthday party .''

Shortly after hearing Noah words, Elois blushed slightly . Like that a moment of silence went by before she finally spoke .

''Will your parents be there ?''

''Yes, but if it's making you feel uncomfortable...''

''No ! It's okay, it doesn't make me feel uncomfortable at all . I just wanted to know . By the way, at what time will it be ?''

''It'll be at 8PM and don't worry I accompany you back to your house .''

''I see, I'm interested . I will come to your birthday party .''

The sound of an engine could be heard at this moment . Her bus had come . She stepped inside and we bid farewell to each other . While walking to my place, various thoughts traversed my mind . I was going to be summoned the 5 December at 7:00, meaning that tomorrow would officially be my last day here . This night I had trouble sleeping because of all those thoughts . The following day, I went to the university as early as usual . Without noticing it, those 30 minutes I spent with Elois alone before class started, became an important thing to me . But this time, she didn't come early, in fact she didn't come at all . She was the kind of person that never missed even an hour of class unless something happened . I tried calling her but it said that the person I was trying to call wasn't available . I was in a state of panic the whole day and as soon as we had finished all our classes I stormed to our department head to ask if anything had happened to her .

The department head was a nonchalant man in his 50s and as soon as I asked about her situation he just answered :

''What's the fuss ? A student missing a day or 2 isn't uncommon here .''

He really didn't seem to care even a little bit, so in order to finish up quickly with this I just asked for her parents phone numbers . After leaving the department head office, I immediately called one of the numbers . It rung for a moment before I heard a voice, a woman who seemed to be sobbing .

''Who is it ? Please if it's nothing important I'm going to hung up now . ''

''Please don't, I'm Elois's friend I was just worried because she didn't come to school today . There is no problem right ?''

From the phone I could hear a small weep which was followed by an answer :

''She... She had an accident yesterday night . She said that she had to buy something for a friend so she decided to shop for this gift . But on her way back...''

She took a pause, I could hear her crying . She didn't need to keep talking... I could already guess where this was going . But she mustered all her strength to finish her sentence .

''... She was hit by a car driven by a drunk person...''

All of the sudden I felt like the world around me slowed down . My knees became weak, the only sound I could hear right now was the accelerated beating of my heart .

'How... Just the day before we were talking together, laughing together . How...'

'This wasn't supposed to happen, in the previous reality this accident never happened . Her mother said that she went to buy a gift for me so... I'm indirectly the cause of this .'

The frustration and anger in my heart welled up and submerged by those sentiments I punched the wall repeatedly until my hand started bleeding .

'F*ck, f*ck . She didn't deserve this . Why did it have to have happen ? Why, why ?'

The answer was easing, it was this cruel fate placed upon me that made it happen . This fate that made everyone and everything near me suffer .

'This fate, I will crush it . I swear that I will not let it take more people I care about .'

After calming down, I responded :

''Thank you Mrs Strauss, it must have been hard for you . Could you please tell me in which hospital she is staying ? I would like to visit her tomorrow to tell her that every in the class wish her a quick recovery .''

I used a quick but efficient lie .

''Of course, the address is at 9 *** Street, room 24 .''

After thanking her again, I hung up . I went to my place and told my parents that she had something stopping her from coming . They were a bit disappointed, they really wanted to meet her . The party was wonderful, we laughed, talked about stories of when I was younger . I tried my best to not show them that something was troubling my mind . The party soon came to an end, I then went to my room and laid on my bed . I tried my best to sleep because tomorrow at 6:00 AM I would go see her . I had checked online after my call and I saw that the visits open at 6:00 AM . Maybe I shouldn't have lied to my parents and Mrs Strauss ? But if I had said the truth we wouldn't have been able to enjoy this party and there was a possibility Mrs Strauss wouldn't have let me visit Elois . In those 25 years I spent in Asplistia, I lived in a very egoistical way and when I will go back there I may have to live like that again . It's because Asplistia is just this kind of world . That's why I tried my best to be different during these 30 days here but just this time I want to be egoist . I wanted to enjoy my last time with my parents and I also want to spend my last moments here on Earth near Elois .

'So just this time, please forgive me for being like that...'