"So, 23 plus 5 is 29?"
"What if we do good things but never believe in God? Does that mean we go to hell no matter what?"
"Big brother, if two girls love you, is it alright to choose both of them, or should I just choose one?"
In the Twilight Village, inside the chief's house, Sima Yi was sitting lazily on a chair with a book over his face. Around him were a bunch of kids and young men about the same age, asking question after question. Sometimes he replied half-heartedly, with a dull, clearly uninterested tone.
Sima Yi was a young man from Earth. He had been a college student with a boring life like everyone else, but for some unknown reason, he woke up in this world as the son of the village chief, with the same name and the same appearance. With this strange occurrence, Sima Yi started to think that he hadn't reincarnated; he had awakened memories from his past life.
But it didn't take long for him to accept it. Knowing the answer or not didn't change the situation; in the end, he couldn't do anything about it. He was, after all, just an ordinary young man.
Living in a fantasy world was quite refreshing, he thought. He assumed that without the internet, entertainment, or food like Coke and burgers, life would become boring, but it was different from what he expected. His life was peaceful, and he started to get used to this world.
Without constant phone notifications, without screen time, without media providing negative or fake information, and without school, his brain started to relax and recover, and he began to love his life.
The only thing he regretted was letting his knowledge slip out. With what he knew from his past life, he started improving things by teaching the village how to properly farm and take care of cattle. He also shared many bits of knowledge that everyone found strange, but over time, he became known as the Wise Man. People began asking him all sorts of questions when they were curious, mostly kids with never-ending curiosity.
In simple words, Sima Yi became a walking Google in the village.
With the annoying voices constantly entering his ears, Sima Yi started to grow annoyed. He quickly took the book off his face and shooed the kids away. "Alright, alright, enough for today! I'm going to sleep now!"
"But big brother, it's early in the morning," one of the kids said.
"So what if it's morning? Don't you know our brains need sleep to become smart? So if you want to become smart, you need to get enough sleep. I'm going back to sleep so I can become smart!" Sima Yi's voice echoed in the room, and the kids' eyes immediately brightened. They quickly ran outside and headed back to their homes to sleep.
Seeing this, he let out a sigh of relief, then turned to the one kid who still hadn't left.
"Don't you want to become smart, Andrew?" Sima Yi asked.
"I want to!" Andrew nodded. "But I have one last question, big brother. You said some people can fly on swords, destroy mountains, eat stars, or drink an entire ocean as a meal. You call them Immortals. Do you think I can become one?"
Sima Yi paused for a moment, then patted Andrew's head. He crouched down and looked him in the eyes. "If you eat enough vegetables and meat, exercise three times a day, sleep seven to eight hours, and read books, you can become an Immortal."
"I don't believe you." Andrew looked at him like he was a fool, then shook his head and walked away.
Sima Yi didn't really care whether the kid believed him or not. The story was just something he made up to entertain them. He never expected any of them to take it seriously, but considering what kind of world this was, it made sense that some of them believed it.
He closed the door and headed toward his bedroom. He hadn't lied about sleeping; he really was tired. No matter how many hours he slept at night, he still felt exhausted for some unknown reason.
As he was about to open his bedroom door, he saw the main door open and a middle-aged man walk in. The man's face was full of wrinkles, and his hair already had several white strands. His eyes were heavy as he stepped inside, but the moment he saw Sima Yi, a smile formed on his lips.
"I just saw a bunch of kids causing trouble for their parents again. What did you teach them this time?"
"Nothing, father." Sima Yi shook his head as he watched his father sit in a chair with a heavy sigh. "Is there a problem?"
"There is…" His father rubbed his temples, his expression grim. "Do you remember those bandits who raided our village?"
Sima Yi frowned as he recalled the incident. It had been an unexpected situation that no one thought would happen. The bandits stormed the village, destroyed houses, robbed people of their money, and kidnapped children and women. Fortunately, the hunting team led by his father returned in time, saving many villagers and killing several of the bandits, though a few managed to escape.
The hunting team of the village specialized in hunting terrifying beasts, so killing a few humans wasn't difficult for them. Because of their strength, the village was saved, and his father, the leader of the hunting team promoted to the village chief.
"I just found out that those bandits were working for Noxus." His father's tone was so heavy that Sima Yi could feel the pressure in his father's words.
"Noxus? Why would bandits work with them?!" Sima Yi was shocked.
"I don't know why they're working for such a powerful empire, but either way, the village might soon face a danger we can't handle."
"What should we do then? Should we escape right now? How did you find out about it, Father?"
Sima Yi couldn't believe that Noxus, one of the most powerful empires in the world, was working with bandits. If they wanted something, they could've just used their own army. So for them to rely on bandits instead… it probably meant Noxus wanted something they didn't want others to know about.
"It's too soon to assume Noxus is targeting us, Father. Maybe it was just a coincidence that the bandits attacked," he continued.
"Maybe. But do you know the Twilight Village hasn't been raided by bandits in a hundred years? And suddenly, for the first time, some no-name bandits attack us… what do you think they were searching for? They probably wanted something from our village, but I don't know what."
His father replied with frustration, and seeing the uncertainty on Sima Yi's face, he continued, "There are many villages around us, and they're weaker than we are. So why wouldn't the bandits attack them instead? If they wanted money or women, they could've just raided those weaker villages!"
Sima Yi couldn't deny his father's words, and just as he was about to reply, his father cut him off.
"However, we can buy ourselves some time. If Noxus is using bandits, we can still repel them. Son, I know you're a genius, but this village is holding you back. I think it's time to send you to Piltover. Use that brain of yours instead of wasting your life here."
"No, I want to stay and help you protect our home." Sima Yi quickly shook his head.
"No." His father stood up and gripped his shoulder tightly. "Go to Piltover. If you use that brain of yours, you might have a chance to save our village. Son, I know you like your life, you don't like working hard, and prefer staying in one spot, sleeping. I didn't berate you because, as a father, my only goal is to make your life comfortable. But right now, as your father, I'm telling you: leave this place. Use your intellect with purpose. Don't stay trapped in this cage forever."
"But—"
"There is no 'but'! I'm sending you along with the other kids. Pack up, you're leaving tonight." His father turned and left the house, not accepting any more words from him.
Sima Yi watched his father's back as he walked out. He let out a sigh, knowing he couldn't change his father's mind. In fact, his father's words made sense. Even if he stayed, he couldn't do anything to change the situation; he would only be a burden. The only way he could help the village was by going to Piltover.
He wanted to convince his father to come with them, but he knew it was pointless. His father and the others treated this village as their home. They were born here, and every corner of this place held their memories. They wouldn't just run away and watch outsiders destroy their home.
"I thought my life would be peaceful… it seems I'm still dreaming."
Sima Yi shook his head as he went to his bedroom to pack his things.
Time passed quickly. The moon began to hang high above as the world grew still. Cold winds whispered through the air. Outside the village, a caravan waited. Inside were a group of kids and teenagers, along with several adults who would care for them, and naturally, Sima Yi as well.
"Joseph, it's your job to make sure you take care of them. I already contacted someone I know in Piltover; they'll give you the job you need," Sima Yi's father said. He gazed softly at everyone in the caravan before turning to his own son.
"Son… take care."
Just a few words, but they carried a heavy meaning.
"Alright, Father. Don't worry, I'll return." Sima Yi clenched his fist and smiled.
"What's going on?"
"Where are we going, big brother?"
The kids obviously didn't know what was happening. They looked around in confusion as everyone waved from outside. Some even saw their mothers crying in their fathers' arms, which only made their confusion grow.
The caravan began to shake as the driver set it in motion. Everyone from the village, including his aunt, friends, adults, and elders, waved their hands and said goodbye. But this wouldn't be a goodbye forever. Someday, he would return.