37 Chapter 37

I stood back in my room, just in utter shock, simply unable to take in what I was seeing.

I was back? How? Why? I didn't even make a wish this time! Yet again, seemingly without rhyme or reason, I was once more taken into a different world. I sighed, burying my face in my hands. "Yep, this is my body alright." While I was decently fit, there was a noticeable difference between Aero's muscles and my own. His body looking similar to a professional boxer's and mine...not so much. My room looked a little different as well, all of my games were neatly organized and shelved. The carpet was nice and tidy and the dressers were thoroughly scrubbed giving off a faint shine. Even though I knew this was my room...it almost didn't feel like it.

"I guess this pretty much proves it. Aero really was in my body during this time." Though upset at the current situation, I couldn't help but feel a little relieved. After having possessed Aero, part of me worried he had simply stopped existing. It was an unpleasant feeling that had been gnawing at me since this whole fiasco had started. Making my way to the bathroom, I stared at the reflection, seeing my familiar face. Stroking my chin, pushing back my hair, and observing myself. I had gotten used to seeing Aero's reflection over the month. Having my own reflection looking a little unfamiliar to me felt unsettling to say the least.

"I wonder, did Cameron notice the difference between me and Aero? Does he even know I was gone? What did Aero do in my body the entire time he was in it?" There were too many questions I didn't know. Fortunately, there was one person I knew who could answer them.

I stepped out of the bathroom, entering the living room. Like clockwork, Cameron was there sitting at the table working on his laptop. I could hear the subtle clacking of keys as his fingers played across the board. To the right of his device was a cup of half-finished coffee. His eyes briefly flickered to me before returning back to the screen. "Hello Aero."

He knows? Well...that settles that then. I sat next to Cameron, giving him a smug grin as he went to drink his coffee.

"Sup nerd."

The sounds of clacking keys suddenly stopped, and Cameron's eyes widened. Slowly lifting his head, he looked at me shock apparent on his face. "What...did you just say?"

"I said, sup nerd. I WAS worried about the rent falling apart when I left, but now? I'm more concerned about you working yourself to death again." There was a thud as Cameron dropped his coffee cup, the porcelain cup spilling onto the carpet. However, he didn't seem to notice, his eyes locked onto me the entire time. "Miss me?"

"You asshole!"

"Augh?!"

I was suddenly caught off guard as Cameron tackled me out of my chair

.

.

Aero blinked in surprise, having woken up from that strange dream of seeing his real body. Pushing the covers off of himself, he sat up mulling it over. "I saw...myself. My REAL self..." he murmured scratching his head. "Ow." Aero winced as his hand used more force than expected, causing him a slight amount of pain. "What the?"

After he has been put into Nathaniel's body, it took time for him to be able to adjust. With Nathaniel possessing a weaker body than his own, a good deal more effort had to be put in to get his expected result of force. Yet now that had all changed. With the pain snapping him out of being half-awake, he finally realized something.

"My alarm didn't go off." And indeed it didn't, but that wasn't all. Looking around the room, this wasn't Nathaniel's room to which he had become accustomed to waking up. This wasn't even HIS original room from home. Aero's eyes soon landed on three other beds in the room, each with someone on them. It took all he had not to exclaim in surprise.

'What's going on?! No, I...this has happened before. The first time, I woke up in Nate's room, in another world. Assuming this happened again, then I'm back in my original body. But why are there three others in here too?!'

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself, trying to think logically.

'I switched bodies right before Beacon's exam. Nate must have gotten dragged along into this and forced to take it. From what I understand, Nate has little to no battle experience. So that means he must've gotten lucky, obtaining powerful teammates to pass the exam for him.'

Aero nodded, satisfied with that explanation, before his face became gloomy again causing him to groan. A black-haired man turned over in his sleep, giving Aero a smile, while putting a finger to his lips, motioning him to be silent. Not knowing what else to do, Aero merely nodded. Quietly getting dressed, he left the room.

"So...I'm back in my own world." He thought, a twinge of sadness striking him. Looking down at his body, he confirmed that this was the case. "I suppose I should be happy..." The man sighed, walking all alone in Beacon's halls. His quiet footsteps the only sound accompanying him. "I dragged Nathaniel into this mess and put his life at stake because I ran from my problems. The universe was kind enough to grant my wish for a month...I should be satisfied with that much."

Aero balled his hands into fists, resigning himself to his new life. "It's time to move on."

"That's quite a dour expression you are wearing young man." An older-looking man with gray hair appeared around the corner, walking the same hallway. "Seeing a student all by themselves with a gloomy look..." The man raised a brow at him. "It's often not a good sign. Is there something on your mind that's troubling you?"

Aero contemplated for a moment before shaking his head. "There's no need for that."

"Are you sure?"

"It's...fine. You wouldn't understand anyway."

Ozpin smirked at Aero, coming to a stop in front of him. "My boy, with the experiences I've had, there is seldom something I don't understand. That being said, if this is a matter you do not wish to share, I certainly won't force you."

"Thank you sir, but it's complicated." Aero shook his head murmuring to himself. "Even I can hardly believe it..."

The headmaster was hesitant at first, but otherwise nodded. "Very well then. You should get going, if I'm not mistaken your first class today with Glynda is it not?"

"Ah...yeah." Aero nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Where's that again?"

Ozpin quirked a brow, eyeing the unusual student. "You don't know where your own class is? You've been here for some time and should know by now, should you not?"

"I just...I'm groggy right now. Still in the middle of waking up." Aero lied.

"I see." Ozpin didn't press the matter any further, giving Aero directions to the class. Aero politely thanked him and left, passing a student in the hall. Ozpin watched the boy disappear around the corner before turning away with a thoughtful expression.

"There you are!" Glynda glowered at Aero just arriving. "I was starting to think you planned on skipping today's class."

Aero shrugged. "Sorry." he said simply. Aero didn't have a good explanation he could use. Not being able to tell her he didn't know she was his next class. Taking a seat next to Ren like nothing was wrong.

This however only seemed to irritate the teacher as her eyes narrowed. "Is that so?" She asked crossing her arms. "Well, that reminds me, up till this point you also seem to have avoided coming up for a combat demonstration. Why don't you rectify that now?"

'Nathaniel's been avoiding combat demonstrations?' He thought, quirking a brow. 'Guess I can understand why.' Aero only gave a nod, standing up, but Nora seemed far more enthusiastic. "Go get em Aero!" she cried giving him a rough slap on the back. Aero jerked at the sudden force on his back, nearly losing his balance and almost falling down the stairs. Steadying himself, he shot a glare backward at her. Nora shrank back with an apologetic smile. "Sorry..."

Though caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, Aero was somewhat grateful. Right now his mind was absolutely filled with questions, regrets, and all sorts of other thoughts. 'A good sweat is exactly what I need right now to take my mind off of things.' he thought, coming to the front and getting on stage.

"Alright then, now, who to pick..." Glynda looked down at her datapad, thumbing through it."

At the back of the class, Cardin nudged Russel, gesturing with his head towards Aero before dragging his finger across his neck. His teammate nodded with a conniving smile. "I'll do it." Russel called out, standing up.

"Russel Thrush? Very well, please come up."

"With pleasure..." Russel cracked his knuckles, smirking as he made his way up. "So, looks like I'm gonna be the one to deal with you huh? This must be my lucky day."