Chapter 1 "Soul"

I felt water surrounding my body

'Cold... yet warm... hah, what the hell am I saying?'

I whispered as I opened my eyes.

I found myself floating in the water.... still I didn't bother to move even an inch.

「I'm... Where am I? 」 I asked as I stare at the infinite darkness lighted by those flying things

'Shiny... dust?'

As I wonder, a bright light suddenly flashed before me

…..?!

It emits an image of a person

'A woman?'

[You are here beyond life and death] said by the unfamiliar woman who appeared.

「Life and Death... That means I'm dead, yeah?」I pointed at myself.

'This is actually fine... I'm so tired of living trying to get along with those people who I trust but don't even trust me...'

[That's right you died. Still, you are not fully dead yet] She replied.

Confused, I was bound to ask.

「 What do you mean? 」

[Your soul--meaning, you right now is not yet dead]

…..?

「Huh? Are you making fun of me? I am nothing but a soul which means I'm good as dead, I have no body figure! That's common sense, right? 」

[That is true, but the fact that I am here beyond life and death, the Goddess who guides the remaining souls to their reincarnation means there is something wrong. ] She calmly said.

Slowly I came to realize what she was talking about.

「Oh... I'm not fully dead, right? Am I a lost soul? Am I not supposed to be here? Did you come here to take me back to my body? Um... can I just go die? I mean, I hate my life so dying might be best for me. Or, can I just have a restart, like go back in the past then I can go try to win some lotto prize, that could really help me in my college! 」 Even though I asked so many questions and suggest some things, the goddess just shrugged her head.

「Then may I ask why am I still here? Or maybe it's because of my sins that the gods are punishing me by preventing my soul to reincarnate and live a second life? 」

[The Gods can't be unreasonable by stopping you reincarnate just because you carried a sin. In fact, it is not the gods that are preventing you but something else] After saying that she just summoned a floating chair where she sat gracefully.

「It's not the gods? Then who or what is preventing me from reincarnating? is there a simple explanation of what is happening right now?」 I asked and finally this time she nodded her head.

'Ah-- so there is!'

I seated properly in the water as I faced her 「Please tell me more my beautiful goddess~! 」

[I'm flattered. If I'm beautiful then you're a born Cutie] she said as she chuckles

「Well am not going to deny, I have hundreds of pursuers when I'm still alive. Oh- Of course I'm not boasting, just stating the fact 」 I proudly said. She smiled back at me

[Well then, let's start by explaining what this place is] The goddess raised her hand.

The darkness that was covering the whole place is replaced by a white room. Still, because of the sudden change of things and light popping out of nowhere, my eyes were surprised.

I gently caress my eyes and opened it.

「Woah~ what is this? Some kind of device? Oh, I'm no longer soaked! 」 I asked as I stomped on the glass floor where I can see a view of a whole country

'Miniature?'

[The glass is fragile so If you stomp more it will break and thus you'd fall and die again] she said as she smile, as if it was nothing.

Shivering, I hugged myself.

「B-but am a soul right now」 I asked confusedly.

She laughs.

[I'm just joking] She smiled at me like an angel

'Well, she's technically a goddess, higher than angels right? oh did angels appear in god and goddesses mythology?' Confused by my own mind, I brushed it off.

「Still scary though...」 I said and looked carefully at the view below me. 「What is that place?」

[That Kingdom is the place where you are supposed to be reincarnated into and that house- ] she pointed to the house secluded in the forest where a man and a woman are holding a newly born child while grieving

「What's with the house? and what's the Issue?」

[That's supposed to be your new home but because I failed to pass your soul into the baby's body the baby is now dead ]

…..

'I felt a little bit sad about that...'

「Is that my fault?」 I nervously asked.

[No, dear. We never expect in the first place that you will be picked as summoned] the Goddess explained.

…..?

My eyebrow rises 「What picked? Summoned? Hah? 」I Cluelessly look at her, and she nodded.

[This place is the sacred room. A place between life and death, a spatial platform where only the summoned ones are allowed]

'Spatial platform... Summoned one...'

…..?!!

「Magic!」 I screamed full of enjoyment as I snap my finger.

She chuckles [That's right. This world is different from the world you came from. In this World, a Human is called Ingrid and all Ingrid are capable of having mana inside their body and controlling elemental magic, fairies, or spirits using that. Of course, mana will be based on what power you can control properly]

'Control...'

「Wait...You mean a human-- I mean an Ingrid can control magic or other things using mana... like as long as you have mana, you can have a massive amount of magic? 」I asked full of excitement.

[Yes, and any type. But only those chosen ones can manage to control multiple types of magic. I heard that the chosen ones which are the people that arrive earlier than you, can only handle 7-10 types of magic]

I was so shocked to hear that「se--Seven to Ten?!」

'That's too much!'

[That's right... Still, 10 is already the maximum for the chosen ones. If you tried to control more than that, I can't assure your safety. Some who tried to control more than 10, lose their sane, and their body starts to corrupt. Slowly cracks will appear on the body releasing a deadly smoke that can kill a whole nation, it's some kind of plague. So please be cautious about controlling things, I don't want to see your soul again after you've only been summoned for a week.] She warned me.

Her voice as she speaks those last words sounds like a joke but her eyes are deadly serious.

「Don't Jinx me!」

[I'm just telling based on personal experience] she said as she laughs.

「Then I'll keep it in mind. But don't worry! I'm not stupid like other people 」I smug as I looked at her.

She smiled at me as she hold out her hand.

…..!

「What are you doing?」 I asked as I watch her hands glow in Gray light. A black violetish crystal appeared in her palm.

[Consume this] she said as she gave me the crystal ball.

I hold it in my hand.

「What's this? Crystal ball? fortune telling?」

[Haha, no] she laughs slightly [That is a magic crystal. That contains a power that a person can control] she explained.

「Woah like a bonus Power? what is this called? Who is this from? 」

'He-he... A bonus Item. I feel like I'm playing a fantasy RPG game'

[It's the Soul Collector an overwhelming hunger... and it is mine]

..?

…?!

「yo-YOURS?! Wai-wait my dear beautiful goddess that governs the I don't know, kingdom of soul or whatever. This Item is too much for me! T-this is your godlike power! 」

[I know... and I want you to use it. It's not like I'm going to die just because I don't have that, I am after all, a true god. So, take that as a token of friendship. Oh! Also, the truth is... I'm not supposed to be here]

「Eh..?!」 I shockingly look at her

[Fufufu~ surprise! Again this is the sacred room and only the chosen ones and good Gods, demigods can enter here, and because I'm a Goddess who only delivers souls this area is not my expertise so I'm not allowed to be here but because of you! and the unknown thing that happened, I manage to enter here. So, take that as my thanks. I should go now before the instructor of yours come. Take care, 'Kay~ until we meet again! ] she explained and then disappears.

…..!

'S-she disappeared...What did she mean about Good gods? Aren't she a good One?'

I looked at the crystal ball I'm holding right now.

「Now... what am I going to do with this? She told me to consume this but how?! I mean, look at the size of this thing! this thing is huge that it looks like a fortune-telling piece of equipment those scammers use in the city! This would never fit in my mouth! Ah, wait-- What will happen if the instructor came in and saw this! The goddess will be held in interrogation and worst be a prisoner! wait do they even have prison room for gods?? Aaahhh! never mind that I'm going insane! what should I do?!」 I panicked as I heard the sound of footsteps coming toward the room.

'AHHHH--! Like hell, I care!'

I ate the crystal and forcefully swallowed it.

'It hurts like hell but I don't have a choice!'

I can feel my body slowly losing strength, and the only thing overwhelming me now is my desire to eat.

'I-Is this a si-side effect? I'm hungry... I'm hungry... I'm hungry, Ahhh so hungry... I'm starting to feel dizzy...'

I helped myself stand using the table.

「I-I can't pass out here. I can't let them know that I swallowed a crystal」

'They might call me an advance learner if that happens but still no'

I smirked as I slowly sat in a chair here. Seconds after, my inner self started to calm down.

「Ah… Thank god, I mean... Thank you all deity! 」

As I pray for the gods and goddess the door opened.

[Oh...Someone is already here] said by the voice so I looked at him.

「 Oh Hello there~」 I waved at them.

A god or I don't know what he is, entered the room accompanied by another person.

[Did you arrive earlier?] He asked, His voice sounded full of disbelief as his eyebrows frowns.

I smiled at him 「Sorry not sorry」 I smirked.

I heard him sigh as they walk near me and sat on the chair in front

[Good day Human being and Velan being, I am the demigod who follows the god of light and I'm the one who will send you to the world of Crystha to help the good vanish evil] he explained

「Help? 」 I asked.

[All of the summoned are the chosen warriors who need to serve the holy kingdom and protect the world and but remember this, once you died or consume too much magic. Your body will die and slowly cracks will appear. Once a crack appears, a black deadly smoke will be resealed and become a plague killing a whole nation]

「I see, so we just need to watch out for consuming too much」 the guy in front of me said.

'Serve huh.... feel like a pain in the ass'

I sigh as I felt both of them looking at me 「Ah... Hehehe」 I just slightly bowed at them.

「Ahem... So when do we start? 」 the other guy.

He had this handsome Face with a majestic aura all over him, his eyes are red-shaded with black, and her hair is as dark, as the darkness.

'I'm not going to lie. He got this sturdy physique body. I guess he can hold a battle and win the crown for the most handsome man on earth just by breathing! Ah, wait---Who might be this guy?'

「I am Venn-ova Alaris Novae. A regular man who will be your acquaintance-- if that's what they called it」

'Eh? He heard me?' I asked my mind and he just shrugged

「Ah--, I'm Erlik Niniane Pandora nice to meet you too-- soon to be comrade」 I cheerfully reached his hand and shakes it. He just nods at me.

[Now that the two of you know each other, let's go back to your question Mr. Novae] The demigod speaks, so we quietly listen.

[You two will start today. Your soul will travel down to the World of Crystha and will start to train yourselves to serve the holy kingdom and protect the world. But before that you will pick a certain magic here to control by the mana you have and that magic will be your first power]

「I see. May I ask a question? 」 I said while I raised my hands

[Go on.]

「Do we summoned with our own body or we will merge with a new one?」

[Good Question Ms. Pandora, the two of you will be summoned down with your own body. Your soul will make a duplicate of your body and you can start living there]

「Oh that's great.」

[Still, you need to take care. Once you are summoned down there everything is dangerous even if it's a person like you. There are rebels, monsters, demons, demon lords, and Evil kings who want to kill summoned and devour them, so take utmost caution] The demigod warned us so I just nodded my head to agree.

「Still, the holy kingdom must already have a lot of chosen warriors. Why do you need more? 」 Mr. Novae asked.

'That actually makes sense'

[1 week before the two of you were summoned. Five of the first summoned, the well-known Executives of the holy land were killed.]

As the demigod informs us about the news, the atmosphere of the sacred room starts to be filled with tension. Our faces start to firm up.

「Killed? Eh, by whom? 」 I asked

[The Sectors of the Demons] The demigod replied

…?!

「Sector huh... That means there are more」 Mr. Novae said and crossed his arms.

I felt a shiver down my spine and had goosebumps

[That's right. Just like the Holy Kingdom, the Devil Kingdom has the same lineup in sectors. First Comes the Demon kings, there are 8 Demon kings in different countries that hold absolute power. Next are the Demon Lords, the type of demons who follow the Demon Kings. Third is the Demon Generals, the ones who lead the Demon army, and lastly, the demons controlled by the generals, they're not that strong but if you lose focus you'll die. So again take the utmost caution] explained by the demigod

'Kind of long but at least it's informative'

「Who killed those Executives of the Holy Kingdom?」 Mr. Novae asked.

'I want to ask something, but I guess I'll leave it to him '

[The Demon Lords.] Answered by the demigod.

「Demon lords huh... I mean you said sectors, right? That means... All of the Demon lords of the eight demon kings joined forces just to kill those Five Executives? Sound like a total ambush for me」 Mr. Novae said as he smile.

'That smile is another plus point for his handsomeness'

[That's Right.]

「Sounds totally weird to me! I mean, they won't join forces if the Five Executives of the holy kingdom did not do something wrong to their Kings right?」I asked the demigod.

The demigod didn't reply and continued what he wanted to say.

[The Holy Kingdom is holding a war against the Demon kings, 10 days from now. A revenge plan to kill those guilty of killing the Five head executives. Chosen warriors of the god are expected to participate and obey orders for the protection of the world] he explained trying to brush off my curiosity

「Oh now I get it」 Mr. Novae said and stood up.

….?!!

He grabbed the demigod on its neck and full of power dragged him to the wall.

「You want us to die for you? Hah! 」 Mr. Novae said.

I feel too much bloodlust coming out of Mr. Novae; he is ready to kill anytime.

[D-do you know what kind of bullshit you're doing right now?] The demigod is slowly losing his patience.

He glanced at me [Hey you. Are you not going to help me?]

I grabbed a flower here on the table and smell it.

「Well at first I thought yeah, but---Fufufu~ This is the first time in my life that I heard a demigod who follows the god of light say 'Bullshit'」 I said while I smirks.

[Tsk] The demigod pushed Mr. Novae but he didn't even budge

[Let go] The demigod ordered Mr. Novae but he was not listening

As tension rise, I could only sigh 「Let him go for now」 I said and Novae look back to me.

「Who do you think you are?」 He glared

I just smiled at him 「Now now, the moment you enter this room, you and I-- 」 I pointed the flower to him. 「are already together in this」

….

he stayed quiet for a moment

「Fine」 Mr. Novae said as he let go of the demigod.

「Now Mr. Demigod Can you please continue? 」 I humbly asked. He just nodded at me.

[Just like what I told you, you are summoned by the holy saint to serve the holy kingdom, to kill the demon kings, and protect the world]

「Summoned huh... So the Being who summoned us is one of the Holy Saints from the Holy Kingdom? Is that Right? 」 I asked the demigod.

[From what I know, yes you are right. ] he replied.

「Hmm... Then... Can we learn about the name of the person who summoned us? 」

[I'm sorry but the only thing we knew is that you are summoned. We don't know who summoned you and what could be your role for the holy kingdom] he explained.

'Oh wow, so you all are just self-centered crazy old bunch, assuming all of this summoning shit is for the greater good huh--'

「I see... Well, we might know if we go down now. Please let us pick our magic so we can start.」I suggested

The demigod nodded

[Well then let's start]

The demigod holds out his hand and in the air, a lot of shiny dust appears. Light start to flash out of nowhere and weapons started to float in the thin air.

「Wow!」 I said as I clap my hands. Both of them just looked at me. 「Ah--Ahem, pardon 」

[This is the weapon for a starter summoned like you. Pick whatever you want] the demigod said.

「Can we still change weapons later?」 I asked as I hold two daggers and gently look at it.

'OH--ah! Stiletto. This came from the late 15th century in Italy. I didn't expect to see one here and it even comes in pairs'

「I'll have this」 I said as I put it in my pocket, I looked at Mr. Novae

「What's that? 」

「A cane sword. I want to use sword and magic at the same time」 he said as he gave it to me.

「Oh! You want this to act as a magic wand? Woshoo~ Washhaa~ 」

「A staff 」he said as he stare at me coldly.

「Oh... I'm sorry 」

The demigod clapped calling our attention

[Now... Let's go to the second part]

Again light started flashing out of nowhere, Red light, Blue light, Green light, White light, etcetera started to appear.

This time I didn't clap with sounds. But can still feel that they're looking at me.

[Pick your first magic to control. Once you're done you can consume it by swallowing it whole] the demigod said so I look everywhere.

'This really feels like a gacha game.'

…..?

'I don't know why I feel this but--All of the magic is floating away from me... Why?!'

「Is there something wrong?」 Mr. Novae asked as he came near me.

「Mr. Novae... 」

「Alaris. Call me Alaris」

「Alaris are you done picking? 」

「Yeah I already consumed it. Why? 」 he asked. I turned around to face him.

「The light... They are all avoiding me...」 I pouted. He looked all over the place.

….

「Pfft--Yep. They are all avoiding you 」He said as he stopped his laughter.

「Don't Laugh!」

「I'm sorry--Ahem What magic do you want to have?」 He asked as he pulled his sleeves up.

'Hmm...Well, earlier I had this Soul Collector the Goddess had given me. Now what power is better to be my second? Hmm...'

「Ms. Erlik?」 Alaris called me.

「 It's Niniane and I want that」I said as I point to the magic that is nearing me.

「Eh this?」 Alaris said

「Yes this」 I said as I hold out my hand.

The magic light landed in my hand and became a Violet crystal ball.

…?!

[Violet huh? That's unexpected] said the demigod.

「What do you mean?」 Alaris asked.

[You see... All of the summoned warrior's first controlled magic is Light colors. This is the first time I saw dark colors and not just once but twice.] The demigod said.

「Twice? Who's the other one? 」 I asked as the Demigod point his hand to Alaris.

「While you are busy picking, I got mine. It is Red shaded with Black」 Alaris explained

「Just like your eyes」

「What do you mean? 」

「I meant what I meant! You got those beautiful Red eyes and It matches you 」 I said as I smiled at him.

「Ahem. Eat that already」 he said as he looks away.

「Are you flustered?」

「Silence.」

「Hahaha~」

[Ehem. Now Eat that and control the power] the demigod said, I look at the crystal.

'The Goddess Crystal is much bigger than this. I guess this is fine right?'

I hold the crystal in my mouth and swallowed it. Again I felt the power entering me and slowly lost my strength. I hold to Alaris so I can stand.

「Fine?」

「Yeah, I can still manage」 I said as he hold me.

[Now that you have your Powers, I will send you down the Holy kingdom of the World of Crystha] the Demigod said, he snapped his fingers, and light appear.

'Another light and I might become blind now'

[I wish success and safety to your journey] The demigod bowed. The light swallowed us, and after a second we found ourselves in a destroyed chapel.

「Where are we?」 I asked him while I'm still in my weakened state. I hold my head as I Tripped on the rock and felt my body fall on the ground.

「As you can see we are in a---Hey!」 Alaris turns to me and shouts, his face is in shock and his voice sounds with concern...

'Why? Do you make that face? Is there something wrong?'

I asked in my mind as I slowly closed my eyes.

'....I'm Sleepy.....'