3 Choices and Shopping (2)
Opening the binder full of introductions of universes, the first thing I saw was a table of contents. It was numbered as page one of 69 million, and that was just the table of contents.
These are just the realities I could theoretically afford to visit.
I can not imagine how high that number would have been for every universe. Right then the afterlife clerk gave me some help.
"You can use speech or touch to use the binder, if you don't want to leaf through it.
A filter can be used to limit the search. You can also search for a specific page with a universe, a group of specific universes like every Shrek universe, or a main category like cultivation as well."
So it works the same way an AI tablet does, so why does it resemble a binder then? anyway let's focus on our search.
First remove every universe that costs more than 30 percent of my karmic balance.
Wow, the table of contents halved. Okay, that probably removed nearly every cultivation universe, because I can imagine them being pretty expensive.
Next let's remove all realities that are mundane (normal) or nearly mundane. So those with no, or minimal fantasy elements in it. That left me with about 15 million pages.
Okay, zombies and the lot as a main theme can go as well. I don't want to live in a world filled with those disgusting creatures.7 million left, that was a great amount of zombie universes.
Nah, can't be. It was probably the addition of the lot that made such a difference.
What else can I add? There have to be humans in there. I am not ready to give up on my humanity just yet. 3 million left. Wow, I didn't think that it would make such a difference.
It has to be a universe where it is possible to significantly lengthen my lifespan or even achieve immortality. It should, theoretically, be possible for anyone in some way.
I like Marvel and DC, but I don't want anything to do with Thanos, the Beyonder, and any of the other overpowered people. I clearly won't have any karma to ask for wishes that can help me fight those cheats.
Let's have a look at the first few pages of the remaining table of contents. Hmm, there are a lot of Harry Potter verses here. I liked the Harry Potter books, movies, and fanfics a lot. Thus lets me focus on Harry Potter.
Ten pages left. I never liked evil Dumbledore, so let's remove those. I am fine even if Dumbledore is a neutral politician or an idiot who is just too old, he just shouldn't be an evil manipulator. Wow, looks 7 out of 10 were of the kind that I didn't like. I guess that is what happens when you give too much political power in the hands of a single man for far too long. Three pages left.
I would have most likely screamed at myself about how I should have done that from the very beginning, if I had to endure someone doing this in front of me.
But I don't and this is an important choice, so I have to consider everything. Sorting the universes by price, brings all universes strongly resembling "canon" be they the books or the movies to the top. I definitely don't want to fight Voldemort and his idiotic fanboys, I'll leave that job to Harry Potter. Okay, limiting the cost to at most 10 percent brings that list down to 1 page. Now, let's see. All of them are alternate universes.
That's okay, I can live with that. Time to compare them all. I think I have the one, that I am going to choose. I like the overview of this universe the most. The overview focuses only on the planet that I am going to be born in, and gives a short summary, but I still think this one is the best.
Potterverse 6942
The price of this potterverse is 9 percent. The planet is almost similar to our Earth in terms of size, gravity, and time, even names, geography, and History of most of the countries here are similar to our Earth as wizards don't interfere much with the non-magical communities. The natural life expectancy of standard humans here is around 125 years, quite higher than Earth's natural life expectancy. Though wizards are quite rare compared to normal humans, the presence of magic itself has enhanced the normal humans a little.
There are also a lot of pocket dimensions that are only accessible by beings of magical nature. It seems a lot of important places like Hogwarts and Diagon Alley are located in one of pocket dimensions.
That was all the information I could get from the overview.
"My choice is Potterverse 6942, around the same time as Harry Potter was born. Now that I have chosen the place I want to travel to, can I determine my future living conditions and looks?"
He looked relaxed despite the long time it took me to choose, answered me gently.
"Go ahead, but remember that depending on your choices the cost is going to increase.
The total cost is currently 18 percent. You still have 82 percent of your karmic balance left."
Eighty-two percent should be enough for all of my plans.
"I wish to be born to a relatively well off noble family. I want a loving family, and they have to be perfectly healthy and under no risk of getting hurt or killed for one reason or another.
I neither want nor need a tragic backstory."
"Hmm, I probably ought to mention that I want to be male."
I paused here and looked at him.
"0.5 percent for now."
That's less than expected, so let's specify.
"I want a problem-free birth. I prefer black hair and dark brown eyes. My future ideal height should be between 1.80m and 1.85 m. The body type should be a natural athlete body, that means lean and compressed muscles. My skin tone should be warm beige. That's what I am used to, so I would like to keep it that way.
I would like to be named Regius this time around as well. I don't care about the new surname, so it could be anything."
"2 percent."
Is what he said after I paused again.
I have chosen my destination and set my living conditions. My family and looks are the way I want them to be. Did I forget anything, I think not? I am left with 80 percent for things, abilities, and knowledge that will help me in the future. I need to make a priority list for things, I believe I will need and can afford. Then I have to see how many of those I can actually get.
I looked at the afterlife clerk that was observing me all this while and started speaking.
" I want a status screen that shows the basic parameters of myself and any material or person.
The status screen should use my full knowledge base to fill itself, if the needed information is available. If unavailable, it should tap into the world energies or wherever to fill in the blanks as long as it's not way above my 'pay grade'. The specifics and margins I leave to you, along with anything you think is necessary to complete the status screen that I have missed."
"Could you tell me the combined price and the individual prices?"
He smiled at me.
"The price is 10 percent of your karmic balance this leaves you with 70 percent of your karmic balance. You can list your other requests."
Let's get to the next point in my list.
"I want to, instantly, have basic general knowledge of anything related to magic"
I don't want to be clueless when it comes to magic and just the basic knowledge shouldn't cost that much.
"20 percent."
Damn that was costly, but I know it will be worth it. Next is a private space for myself.
"I want a private space that is only accessible to me and those I allow. Everything that enters my space is unable to harm me in any way from that point on.
I want the size of the space to be big enough for a small single family home with a medium-sized garden and a free space with up to a 5 meters radius around it, the size could be upgraded later as long as I provide it with enough energy.
The house should be simply furnished and must have a private self adjusting lab to perform any kind of magic. I would like to know the price so far please."
"40 percent."
That's a bit higher than expected, but that is probably because no one can force their way inside without my permission.
Talent is the next point on my list.
"Now I want to spend the remaining amount on an excellent talent and comprehension of all things magical."
"You used 100 percent of your karmic balance.
If you don't want to make any further changes, then we can begin with your reincarnation process."
Came the question from the afterlife clerk.
"I am ready, let's start."
Is what I said before I blacked out.
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Regius : *intense shopping* đ«
Afterlife clerk : Oye, don't call me a clerk đ.
Afterlife NOT clerk : đ ... Anyway see ya later Regius.
