1 Prologue
Prologue
Darkness.
An infinite void.
"Where am I?"
A genderless Voice within the expanse asks itself.
"Did I die?"
Memories are jumbled.
"How long have I been here?"
It feels like an eternity
Finally, a light opens within the expanse.
Relief.
The afterlife?
The light grows and becomes a room.
A human-looking child with dark blue skin and braided white hair and wrapped around their waist like a belt.
The child looks bored, yet resigned to their task..
"Alright."
The child finally speaks.
"You're next in the queue for reincarnation."
A pause.
The child looks into the Voice.
"You will be reincarnated into a world with a very high difficulty level with dangerous forces and an unending cycle of battle and war."
The child's monotonous candor juxtaposes the grim nature of their words.
"That is troubling."
The Voice tries to speak but is rendered silent.
"Your world has been introduced to most of the concepts necessary for survival."
The child continues on without noticing..
"What does that mean?"
The query of the Voice remains unheard.
"Keep in mind that whatever concepts you may have been introduced to in your previous life will only be similar to your new reality."
"What concepts?"
The Voice remains soundless.
"Now that I have explained what is happening-"
"You have not."
The Voice is not heeded.
"-you may choose your lifeform and customize your aetheric framework."
"Wait."
The child dissolves and is replaced by a brilliant display of light that looks like a video game character creation screen:
Choose your life form. (Options are based on karma from past lives.)
1. Faruvian Elf - B Class
Common Elf from Faruvia
Excels in Magecraft and Alchemy
Poor at Smithcraft, Masoncraft, and Engineering
2. Selian Darune - B Class
Common Darune
Incredible at Alchemy
Excels in Magecraft, Glasscraft, Threadcraft, and Engineering
Poor at Warriorcraft and Rangercraft
3. Aruk Sylph - B Class
Advanced Sylph
Dwells in the Forest of Aruk
Very territorial
High difficulty
Dryad evolutionary option
4. Rotarian Tree Sprite - B Class
Advanced Tree Sprite
Moderately territorial
Moderately high difficulty
Nymph evolutionary option
5. Zahelian Dragoon - A Class
Common Dragoon
Supreme in Warriorcraft, Metalcraft, Magecraft, and Engineering,
Bad at Rangercraft
7. Uruyon Felix - B Class
Advanced Felix
Incredible at Warriorcraft and Druidry
Good at Metalcraft, Rangercraft and Alchemy
Bad at Magecraft
8. Dagerian Human - C Class
Common Human
Good at Warriorcraft, Rangercraft, Metalcraft, Masoncraft and Magecraft
Bad at Engineering
9. Thorrellian Elf - B Class (Ultra Rare)
Lesser Advanced Elf
Incredible at Druidry
Excellent in Botany, Rangercraft, and Threadcraft
Bad at Metalcraft, Masoncraft, Engineering, Glasscraft, Magecraft, and Warriorcraft
"I feel there is a word for this."
Something about this feels familiar to the Voice.
Intangible memories spring up and are lost before they are grasped.
"This is a dream."
The Voice was quite certain.
"Why does this situation seem so familiar?"
The feeling of familiarity perplexes the Voice.
"Let's see what happens next."
The Voice ponders over the list.
"There is not much information to go on."
The voice notes.
"Zahelian Dragoon."
An interesting name.
"Compared to the rest, this one seems over-powered..."
A sudden pull of intangible memories.
"Where have I heard that word before?"
"Over-powered?"
It feels significant.
The Voice continues to scan the list.
"The first part of the name probably specifies sub-type."
More concepts that feel important but remain intangible.
"Humans are generalists and elves spec into Mage-types."
Where had it heard these words before?
Concepts stirred within the jumbled memories..
"Why do I know these words?"
The Voice tries and fails to remember itself.
"What a strange dream."
The Voice feels a moment of perplexion.
"Why do I know what dreams are?"
It feels somehow contradictory.
"My memories scatter if I try to focus on them."
A paradox.
"I'll go with the flow."
The Voice considers the list.
"Sylphs and tree sprites seem to be different from the rest."
A word feels just out of grasp.
"I wonder if the chance to evolve is worth the increased difficulty."
More words that feel somehow important.
The Voice ignores the nagging feeling of familiarity.
"Darune seems to be a hyper specialist."
More words and memories float just beyond reach.
"Felix is probably a cat person."
A concept not quite grasped.
"Looks like a warrior build."
Word that feel important,
"Humans are good at everything but engineering.."
Why did that feel strange?
"I can't make sense of any of this."
The Voice is unsure of how to continue
"I'll just select the Ultra Rare."
The Voice is unconcerned with potential consequences.
"Select: Thorrellian Elf."
The Voice calls at the screen,
A banner appears over the selection screen:
You have selected Thorellian Elf.
The selection screen moves on to the next page.
Another banner appears then dissipates:
Please choose your class.
Crafter Class - Blend your aetheria into physical objects to create enduring works of art. Crafter builds have high survival rates.
Warrior Class - Master your aetheric system with your physical body and put your life on the line to find greatness. Warrior builds have a low survival rate but enjoy fast growth rate. Warrior builds can easily find work.
Wisdom Class - Master the aether as a Druid or Mage and become one with the universe or destroy and create at your will. Wisdom builds have a slow growth rate and require more resources in order to grow compared to other builds. Highly sought after with high survival rate once proficiency is achieved.
"This is strange."
The Voice continues to look over the options.
"I feel as if I know what these words mean, but I cannot think of where I've heard them."
The Voice is filled with indecision.
"For some reason, I want to be a Mage."
The Voice attempts to return in order to switch to a more suitable lifeform for this Class.
"Return to Lifeform Selection."
Nothing happens.
"Go back."
Nothing happens.
"I may have made the wrong selection."
The Voice considers the available options more carefully.
"I still want to be a Mage."
The voice feels certain of this.
"Select: Wisdom Class."
Another banner appears:
You have chosen Wisdom Class
The screen dissipates and another screen appears with two selection boxes.
Please choose Subclass.
Druid: Study the deepest mysteries of the world and find your answers. Tap into the raw power of aetheria and master the language of the world. All truth is revealed before the eyes of the druid.
Mage: Go beyond the raw power of aetheria and bend reality to your will. The Mage taps into the fount of universal power and controls the very forces of nature. Cast spells and grow in knowledge, Mages are the masters of their world.
"Maybe I should be a Druid instead."
The Voice considers the available options."
"I only get to pick once."
The finality of the decision causes the Voice to hesitate.
"Druid sounds cooler but I get the feeling I've always wanted to be a mage."
The Voice makes a decision.
"Select: Mage"
A banner appears:
You have selected Mage.
The screen dissipates and a new screen appears.
The banner reads:
Please select your specialization.
Fire Mage: +25% Power to all fire spells
Wind Mage: +25% Power to all wind spells.
Lightning Mage: +25% Power to all lightning spells
Water Mage: +25% Power to all water spells.
Dark Mage: +25% Power to all Dark Spells
Alchemist: +25% Power to all Alchemy spells
Healer (Rare): +25% Power to all healing spells
General Mage (Super Rare): +10% power to all spells
"Dark Mage sound cool."
The Voice feels a strong pull towards the option.
"A General Mage gets bonuses on everything."
The Voice is also attracted to the superb rarity of this option.
"Select: General Mage."
A banner appears:
You have selected General Mage.
The selection screen dissipates and a new screen appears.
The banner reads:
Please select your growth path.
Novice (Unavailable): Expert rank teacher gained at birth. First Wand, First Staff, and First Magebook are free.
Adept: Master level teacher gained upon reaching Adept rank. Greater resources provided. The chance of reaching Master rank becomes 80%. (Difficulty: Moderately Hard)
Expert: Legend rank teacher gained upon reaching Expert rank. Greater resources provided. The chance of reaching Legend rank becomes 70%. (Difficulty: Hard)
Master: Mythic level teacher gained upon reaching Master rank. Greater resources provided. Unlocks Mythic stage. (Difficulty: Very Hard)
Legend: Deity level teacher gained upon reaching Legend rank. Greater resources provided. Unlocks Deity stage. (Difficulty: Death Mode)
"I wonder why the Novice option is unavailable."
The Voice feels this is the best option for growth.
"Unlocking Deity Stage feels like it would be worth the higher difficulty."
The Voice is attracted to the greater choice but is wary of the Death Mode tag.
"Select: Legend."
A selection box opens:
Are you sure?
Yes
No
"Nice of the system to ask this time."
The Voice feels this may indicate the choice is especially important.
"Yes."
A banner appears:
You have selected Legendary Growth Path.
The screen dissipates and a new screen appears.
The banner reads: Please select your gender.
Female:
-50% Strength
-30% Speed
-30% Stamina
-10% Dexterity
+10% Aetheric Force
+30% Aetheric Sense
+10% Intelligence
+20% Intuition
+5% Charisma
+10% Luck
Male:
+50% Strength
+30% Speed
+30% Stamina
+10% Dexterity
-10% Aetheric Force
-30% Aetheric Sense
-10% Intelligence
-20% Intuition
-5% Charisma
-10% Luck
"Female seems like the best option for a Mage."
The Voice notices a clear distinction in the abilities of the available options.
"Select: Female."
A banner appears:
You have selected Female Thorrellian Elf.
The screen dissipates and a new screen appears.
The banner reads:
Please select your stat modifications.
Life form: Mortal
Type: Avani
Race: Elf
Origin: Thorrellia
Base Stats:
Strength: 39
Speed: 57
Stamina: 37
Dexterity: 71
Aetheric Force: 93
Aetheric Sense: 117
Intelligence: 109
Intuition: 112
Charisma: 72
Luck: 73
Modification points: 10
"Are these good or bad?"
The Voice notices a clear slant toward the bottom half of the selection.
"I get the feeling Intuition will come in handy."
The Voice feels it will increase their chances of survival.
"Add ten points to intuition."
A notification screen appears:
Base stats cannot be raised above 120.
"Well now I know what the maximum is."
The Voice is somewhat surprised by the level of their Aetheric Sense.
"Add eight points to intuition."
A notification screen appears:
Intuition is now 120
"Mages grow by increasing their knowledge."
The Voice recalls the words of the previous sub-class selection.
"Add eight points to Intelligence."
A notification window appears:
Intelligence is now 111
Base Stats:
Strength: 39
Speed: 57
Stamina: 37
Dexterity: 71
Aetheric Force: 93
Aetheric Sense: 117
Intelligence: 111
Intuition: 120
Charisma: 72
Luck: 73
A notification screen appears:
Stat modification is complete.
The screen clears.
A banner appears:
Roll for karma.
Several moments pass.
The screen remains empty.
"Roll for Karma?"
Incomprehensible spinning letters appear on the screen.
The spinning continues for several moments before coming to an abrupt stop.
Forgotten Friend:
You will lose and gain many friends throughout your life.
A notification screen appears:
You have nine rolls left.
"This makes me sad for some reason."
The Voice is emboldened by the number of rolls.
"Roll again."
The letters spin incomprehensibly before stopping.
Lost love:
You will find true love once in your life that will bring you great joy only briefly before it is gone forever.
A notification screen appears:
You have eight rolls left.
"This one makes me even sadder."
The Voice feels something like pain ripple across the edge of their consciousness.
"Roll again."
The letters spin incomprehensibly before stopping.
Lonely Reader
You will struggle to find comrades, but the books you need will always be found.
A notification screen appears:
You have seven rolls left.
"This one also makes me sad but feels like it would be useful."
The Voice feels bittersweet memories playing at the edge of their awareness.
"Keep karma."
A notification screen appears:
You have chosen the karma:
Lonely Reader.
The screen dissipates and a new screen appears:
You have completed your reincarnation setup.
This world is very dangerous.
You have three gifts to help you survive.
You retain all your memories from your previous life.
You have customized your aetheric system to your current preferences.
You have chosen your karmic trial.
The screen goes blank the moment the Voice reads the page.
A new screen appears.
Get ready to start your new life.
Never speak about your previous life.
You will die if you break this rule.
Good Luck
