The nurses exchanged a brief glance, then nodded at him.“Please follow us,” one of them said calmly.

  They led him through the sterile, brightly lit corridor until they stopped in front of a door. With a soft hiss, it slid open, and they stepped inside.The room was small and bleak. A single bed stood in the center, surrounded by standard medical equipment. Everything looked clinically clean, but also cold—like it was made for someone who wasn’t expected to stay long.

  “We prepared this room especially for you,” one nurse explained, glancing at a tablet.Another frowned. “These rooms are usually reserved for newly awakened souls...” “But he’s different,” the first murmured thoughtfully.

  It seemed like they were about to say more, but instead, they fell silent.“For now, just rest,” added a third. “Your body needs time to stabilize.”

  They left a glass of water on the bedside table, then quietly stepped out.The door clicked shut behind them.He was alone. A stranger in a foreign body.

  He sank slowly onto the bed, which barely gave beneath him, and ran a hand over his face.His new body felt real—but his mind hadn't quite arrived yet.

  Then the memories returned.His old life. His slow, painful end. The burning pain, the last gasping breaths, the unstoppable darkness that swallowed him whole.A shiver ran down his spine.

  All the decisions that had brought him here—the restless nights, the constant reach for the next can, the pressure to keep going.And then?His body had given out. His life had ended.

  But now...

  He took a deep breath. It was over. He couldn’t change what had happened. But he was here. Somehow. He didn’t know why or how—but he’d been given another chance.

  “All right,” he whispered to himself. “No more looking back. Whatever this is—I’m going to make the most of it.”

  With a new sense of determination, he sat up and truly looked at his new body for the first time.His arms were stronger, the skin smooth and flawless. He stood and examined himself in the mirror on the wall.

  6'1".Brown hair.Blue eyes.The facial features were familiar—but not identical.It was as if someone had created an upgraded version of him.Almost like he was an idealized image of who he once was.Even his teeth were perfect—every detail of him seemed... designed.

  Except one thing.His gaze drifted downward, and he snorted.“Well, at least that’s not exaggerated.”

  He couldn’t help but smile faintly.He was alive. His body was healthy.And he wouldn’t let all of this go to waste.

  He scanned the room again. Everything was sterile, functional—but cold and empty. No personal items, no pictures, nothing to suggest anyone had ever really lived here.

  One thing still bothered him.He stood and looked for a window. His eyes searched the walls for some opening to the outside, some hint of where he truly was.But it was useless.The walls were smooth, metallic—as if the room was intentionally cut off from the world beyond.

  He sighed and sat back down.“They could’ve at least left a TV or a book…” he mumbled.

  His own words surprised him.A book. A television. Distractions—little comforts from Earth that now felt almost childish.Here he was, in a new body, in a place beyond anything imaginable—and what he missed was entertainment?

  He forced himself to calm down, breathing deeply.His eyes landed on the glass of water.He picked it up, turned it thoughtfully in his hands.

  “Let’s see what intergalactic water tastes like…” he muttered, taking a cautious sip.He held the liquid on his tongue, hoping for something unusual—a metallic hint, a strange mineral tang. But…It was just water.Pure. Tasteless. Just like back home.

  For a moment, he felt strangely disappointed. But then, he smiled.It wasn’t a bad thing.On the contrary—it was something familiar.In this alien world, in this foreign body, it was a small constant.

  He raised the glass and drained it.

  A soft hum accompanied his every step as he walked down the corridor.The automatic door to his room had opened without resistance, and no one was around to stop him.

  The hallway was bathed in a bluish light streaming from thin strips along the ceiling.The walls were made of smooth metal alloy, their sterile perfection a reminder that this wasn’t any ordinary hospital.

  Everything here was utilitarian.No windows. No decorations. Just doors with small digital displays—probably patient numbers or station codes.

  He wondered if the other three awakened souls were behind those doors.But he had no names, no data—just the raw reality that he was utterly alone in a place more foreign than anything he’d ever imagined.

  Suddenly, voices.

  He froze.

  A few steps ahead, a half-open door revealed a room where he could hear quiet murmuring.Nurses.He recognized the voices—women who had brought him to his room earlier.

  Cautiously, he moved closer, leaning against the wall beside the door to listen.

  “I’m just saying, he’s different…” one of them whispered.“Of course he is! Did you see his data?”Silence, then a sigh.“We’re not supposed to talk about it. You know what the doctor said.” “But it’s absurd! A body without a mark—that’s impossible! And his origin… A human from Earth? A planet with two wars? How could someone like that be selected for a transfer?”

  He felt his stomach tighten.A body without a mark? Two wars? Well, okay… thinking back, maybe it wasn’t that surprising.

  They were talking about him—he was sure of it. But they were dancing around something—as if there was a secret they didn’t dare say aloud.

  “Maybe we just have to accept it… He’s here. And as long as the soul synthesis remains stable, it doesn’t matter where he came from or what’s wrong with his body.”A pause, then a near-whisper: “Or who he is.”

  A chill ran down his spine.

  Before he could listen further, footsteps approached.Without hesitation, he slipped away, quietly returning to the corridor.

  He didn’t know what it all meant.But one thing was clear—he had to find out more about himself.

  Back in his room, he collapsed onto the bed, lost in thought.The way they had spoken about him—that cautious paranoia—lingered in his mind.

  This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

  “They’re worried about that? I was born almost 60 years after the war! There was nothing left to feel, nothing I had to do with it…” He shook his head.

  “What are they afraid of? I haven’t done anything… And still, they talk like my very existence is a problem.”

  His thoughts raced. “My body is perfect—why would that be bad? Where I’m from shouldn't matter... or should it? Who am I to them, really?”

  He took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

  “I’m the stranger here.”

  He could overwhelm them with questions, confront them, demand answers. But something told him that wouldn’t be wise.Hopefully, there would still be time to ask questions later.But the most important question wasn’t where he came from or what they thought of him.It was something entirely different. “Who… am I?”

  In my previous life, my name was Sirius Dorn. I was 24 years old and lived with my mother.My daily routine? A part-time job, just enough to fill my free time with anime and games. But one of my biggest weaknesses—or rather, my biggest stupidity—was energy drinks. I drank them constantly, without thinking about the consequences. In the end, they killed me...

  I try not to think about what my family is doing now without me. But those thoughts don’t help.The fact is: I’m no longer Sirius Dorn.I died on Earth. That life is gone—so who am I now?

  Lost in thought, I stared at the metallic ceiling when suddenly the door opened with a soft hiss. Dr. Kain entered, his gaze assessing as he approached my bed.“Good to see you’re awake. I wanted to check if everything’s alright.”

  Dr. Kain came closer to the bed and examined him with a piercing look.“Your body is… unique,” he began at last. “Normally, many of the Awakened retain issues from their previous existence—be it an old injury, a chronic illness, or other physical weaknesses. Death doesn’t erase everything. But in your case… ”He paused briefly, as if searching for the right words. “Your new body shows none of these remnants. It’s as if the system renewed you from the ground up.”Sirius furrowed his brow.“So, I’m… flawless?”But before Dr. Kain could answer, voices could be heard again through the door. The nurses from earlier were apparently right outside, talking about him.“Did you hear? His body is completely flawless…”“That’s unnatural. Everyone brings something. But him?”“A human like that, and so perfect? I don’t know what to make of it…”

  Dr. Kain sighed softly, then turned and closed the door with a firm hand, muting the nurses’ chatter.Then he turned back to him.“Don’t let that unsettle you. I’ll explain exactly what that means—and what comes next for you.”

  Dr. Kain crossed his arms and looked at him seriously.“In short: there’s never been anyone like you. Every Awakened brings some kind of baggage—except you. Why that is, we don’t know.”He let the words sink in before continuing.“But that’s secondary for now. What’s important is what happens next.”He picked up a tablet and tapped on it briefly.“Your body is fresh from soul synthesis and needs to stabilize. That means: medical examinations, some tests, and a bit of recovery time.”Then he looked directly at him.“After that, you’ll have to make a decision—what you want to do with this new life.”Before Sirius could respond, Dr. Kain asked an unexpected question:“What should I call you?”For a moment, silence. The name Sirius Dorn felt foreign—like a memory that no longer fit. But he didn’t want to let go completely.He didn’t hesitate long and finally said, “Jason Dorn.”The last name was important to him. It was the only thing he could carry over from his old life—a tether in this unfamiliar world.

  Dr. Kain raised his hands slightly and nodded apologetically.“Forgive me if I caught you off guard. I didn’t mean to rush you, but there’s a lot you need to know.”He took a short breath, then continued:“You’re on the Nexus Colony space station. This station belongs to the Intergalactic Kingdom of Rosnekk.”Jason frowned. A kingdom? So not just star empires but actual monarchies existed here? Dr. Kain noticed his thoughtful look and added,“There are many other powers out there—kingdoms, empires, republics—but that’s not relevant now.”He gave Jason a moment to process the information before continuing:“Once you’ve fully recovered from the transfer, you’ll be sent to one of Rosnekk’s planets: Rosina.”Jason listened attentively, but when Dr. Kain continued, he hesitated briefly.“Rosina is… well, let’s call it unique. Its population exceeds all imagination.”Jason raised his eyebrows. “How unrealistic are we talking here?”Dr. Kain just gave a slight smile. “You’ll see for yourself.”

  Realizing he was digressing, Dr. Kain kept it short.“In any case, you’ll stay with us here on the station for another week. After that, your case will be handed over to the immigration authority. Everything else follows from there.”With that, he pulled out a small device and quickly checked some of Jason’s health data. Satisfied, he nodded.“That’s all for now. Get some rest.” Without another word, Dr. Kain left the room, and the door closed quietly behind him. Jason was left alone. He let himself sink into the bed and stared at the metallic ceiling.“A week…” he murmured.He let the information sink in—Nexus Colony, the Kingdom of Rosnekk, the planet Rosina with an unimaginable population.And the fact that, no matter who he had been in his old life, here, he was just a stranger.He thought for a long time, but eventually his gaze grew heavy, his thoughts faded into nothingness…And finally, he fell asleep.

  The Week of Tests – Seven Days Until the Transfer

  Day 1 – A Medical Glimpse Into the Depths: Jason was led into a sterile room with metallic walls, barely more than a box of glass and steel. Machines hummed and blinked in various colors as cold mechanisms analyzed his new body.“His regeneration process is slower than expected,” one of the doctors noted, scrolling through holographic reports.Dr. Kain observed the values with a neutral expression. “Interesting… The adaptation to the soul synthesis appears to be progressing slowly.”The psychologist, who had stood silently in the corner the whole time with folded arms, finally sighed. “he is just slow” Jason ignored them. The tests interested him more than their cold words.

  Day 2 – The Room: Jason was led into a new room. No windows, no decoration—just machines whose purpose he didn’t know.“Please sit down.”The voice was mechanical, a recorded instruction. He did as told. An apparatus lowered itself over his head, wires and sensors connected.“Cognitive analysis beginning…”He felt a light tug in his head, as if his consciousness was being scanned. Images flashed before his eyes—memories of his old life, mixed with abstract patterns he didn’t understand.When he opened his eyes again, the psychologist stood over him, taking notes.“Interesting… The neural structure is intact, but… unstable. Probably an aftereffect of his mentality.”Dr. Kain looked over. “You mean his mind was already broken before he died?” “Depression, most likely. In his previous life. But now it’s even clearer. Ah, wonderful. A flawless body, inhabited by a damaged mind.”

  Day 3 – Weird Questions: A standard session with the psychologist. Questions, endless questions, the same patterns over and over.“Do you feel lost?” “Were you attached to your old life?” “Do you believe you have a future here?” Jason responded mechanically, disinterested. I could tell you what you want to hear, but what for? He didn’t know what they expected. Maybe a confirmation that he was unstable? Maybe they wanted to provoke a reaction? But he felt nothing—and that only reinforced their misconception. If you think I’m broken, that’s your problem.

  Day 4 – The Body Breaks: Physical tests. Running, lifting, sprinting. His body was strong, but not perfect. After a few minutes, he was out of breath, his muscles trembling.Dr. Kain watched him with visible disappointment.“I had hoped the regeneration would adapt faster.” “He’s not finished yet,” murmured one of the technicians. Dr. Kain snorted. “Too bad we have to hand him over soon.” Jason knew better. His body wasn’t weak—it was adapting. Their tests weren’t designed to truly measure him. All this tech, and they don’t even know how to use it. A smile hid deep inside him.

  Day 5 – A Mind Without Shadows: Another day of psychological tests. Again, memory analysis, cognitive patterns, emotional responses. Jason felt like a lab rat.The psychologist made notes as he observed him.“He doesn’t realize it.”Dr. Kain looked up. “What?” “That he’s depressed.”A brief silence. Then a tired smile.“Of course not. It’s his normal state.”Jason could’ve laughed. You really think you’ve got me figured out? He knew they were wrong. He knew the psychologist had made a critical error—but he said nothing. Let him keep filling his notes with nonsense.

  Day 6 – What Could Have Been: Dr. Kain sat in his office as the psychologist joined him.“So, what do you think?” Dr. Kain leaned back, fingers drumming on the armrest. “I would’ve liked to know how long his body really needed to reach its full potential.”The psychologist nodded slowly. “But now he’s going.”Dr. Kain sighed. “Yeah. Unfortunately.”Jason didn’t hear any of it, but he would’ve known: with such incompetence, they never would’ve noticed.

  Day 7 – Transfer to the Authority: The final day. The last scan. The final entry in his file.Dr. Kain looked at the screen and smirked.“Dorn… Well, whether you’re a lost dog or just incomplete.”Jason stood silently. Only one thought formed in his mind: You understood nothing.Then the official from the authority arrived.“Scan complete. The authority will take him now.”And with one last glance at the machines that had dissected and analyzed him over the past days, Jason left the station.

  Finally he could go, the endless testing and analyzing got boring.