Prologue 1: Transmigrated? I Really Shouldn't Have Been Using My Phone While Driving

In Hui City, Seres Republic, on the planet of Odlan, a small gray car was cruising along the provincial highway.

For He Chao, who had just finished a day's work, the thirty-minute drive home along the expressway was both a long trek and a rare moment of solitude.

As long as he set his phone to silent and played some music, he could temporarily shut out notifications from his boss, greetings from colleagues, messages from classmates, and questions from his students.

Though he had to focus on driving, this moment belonged entirely to him.

Any missed calls or unread texts could be addressed an hour later with a simple, "Sorry, I was driving and didn't hear it."

"Listeners, coming up next, you will hear..." the radio broadcasted the day's news.

"Today, another conflict erupted between the Southern Command of the Ersun Republic and the border patrol of the Vishnu Empire's Northern State. Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on both sides to cease violent confrontation and maintain dialogue; Seres is willing to provide the necessary channels for communication between the two nations.

"Today, several cities in the central and southern regions of our country experienced rare lightning storms. The meteorological department urges residents in affected areas to minimize outdoor activities as much as possible..."

"Nothing but the usual news today," He Chao muttered, turning down the radio volume before answering his phone. "Hey, Huihui? Are you home yet?"

"Right, I just left the school. The department head asked me to coach for the competition today; you know how it is at our vocational school—competitions are crucial for our performance reviews," He Chao said, talking to his fiancée while driving. "Did you try on the wedding dress? The bridal shop said it arrived yesterday."

"You're asking about the invitations? They've already been sent out. Don't even think about chatting with your girlfriends at the wedding; we'll be too busy that day. You won't have a second to spare."

"As for my parents' guests, just hand the invitations to them and let them handle it. You couldn't possibly know everyone they're inviting anyway."

"I've got to go. I still need to call Old Qian. He's been busy lately and might not make it to the wedding, so I need to grab a meal with him beforehand."

He Chao finally hung up and dialed his childhood friend.

"Old Qian, what's the meaning of this? You're not coming to my wedding? That's not how brothers do things. And what about the red envelope? You've got to show some sincerity! What do you mean, 'what do I mean'? I'm coming to find you so we can have a drink early. Tell me, today or tomorrow?"

Just as He Chao was excitedly chatting away, almost dancing in his seat while discussing his wedding plans, a cement mixer appeared in his peripheral vision. Before he could dodge, his car was knocked off the road.

In his final moment before closing his eyes, He Chao thought, I really shouldn't have been looking at my phone. Playing on your phone while driving—it just brings tears to your loved ones.

He Chao felt as though he had arrived at the high-speed railway station—the very one he had used to return home after finishing his master's degree.

He remembered how, after graduating from university, he had worked at several companies—drafting designs at an institute, inspecting construction sites, and monitoring boiler room pipelines.

After three years of drifting aimlessly, he had returned to school for his master's, and by the time he graduated, he was already over thirty.

After graduation, he returned to his hometown to teach at a vocational school, and it was there that he met his Huihui.

The past flashed before his eyes like a slide show. Now, he was back at the station in the Imperial Capital. Should I head home from here? Or stay in the capital and chase possibilities that seem broader?

The wide platform was empty save for He Chao, and on the tracks beside it sat a single train. He walked to the ticket window, where the clerk was busy playing on a phone. He Chao really wanted to say, "Playing on your phone is bad for your health," but he held his tongue.

"Welcome to Alivia. With its beautiful scenery, abundant magic, plentiful resources, and sparse population, it is the premier choice for your reincarnation," a bizarre advertisement played on the large screen beside the ticket window.

Do they really hang cemetery ads at train stations these days? Don't they find that off-putting? He Chao thought, though he said aloud, "Excuse me, sir? Are there any tickets to Hui City?"

"None. Once you come here, there are no tickets back."

"What? No tickets?" He Chao said aloud, while thinking, If I don't go back, how can I become a teacher? How could I ever meet Huihui?

Wait, if I haven't returned home yet, how do I know Huihui? Where am I? A contradiction formed in his mind. Had he returned to the past? Was this a dream? If he didn't board the train home, where was he supposed to go?

"The train is departing! Get on board quickly; there won't be another one after this!" a voice shouted from the train on the tracks.

Without a second thought, He Chao's legs carried him toward the train. As soon as he stepped into the carriage, the doors closed and the train began to move. Watching the station recede, He Chao let out a sigh of relief.

"The train to Alivia has departed. There is one passenger on board. All stations along the route, please prepare for scheduling," a female voice repeated over the platform's intercom.

At the ticket window, the clerk picked up the phone on the desk. "Hello? You can't keep doing this. You can't just demand people from us whenever you're short-staffed...

"Need new possibilities? That doesn't mean you can keep picking on us!

"How about this? We have the Ghost Festival in a couple of days. When the gates of the underworld open, you can send a special train. There will be plenty of possibilities then..."