1 Life After Death

The leaves rustle, the sun shines annoyingly bright in my unfocused eyes. The scenery before me slowly becomes more and more familiar after every moment.

"What the hell."

I'm not sure how I got here. One second I'm screaming bloody murder as I plummet to the ground from atop a skyscraper, the next I'm a brat standing outside a decently sized mansion.

I wasn't one to claim to know the secrets of the universe, hell I'm the main skeptic in regards to religion, but, that underlying hope that after death I'd not be subjected to an endless abyss still remained.

So to any deity that may or may not be responsible for this… Thanks, man, I appreciate it.

As the original's memories started to settle in that appreciation slowly started to lessen by the second.

'This world is seriously messed up.'

My thoughts become muddled soon after as the greatest headache I had ever received hit me harder than a fucking train.

It took everything out of me not to scream my head off as I fell the ground clutching my head.

After each second more memories flooded me and as a byproduct, the headache increased in intensity.

I'm really not sure how long that pain lasted but when it was over I collapsed on the ground and the world went dark.

…

It was a miracle no one had found me collapsed, though with these new memories it wasn't entirely without reason.

According to these memories, my identity in this world is that of Noir Stardia the third son of a Baron, a noble in the Kingdom of Holfort.

Though nobles we were perhaps the worst off as my father continuously transferred money to his ex-wife.

In this Kingdom, women ruled. It's a given considering the origins of this world.

Now, in my past life, I had never been shy of spending some of my not-so-precious time indulging in the Japanese media. Fairly recently I remembered reading a manga with a similar premise to that of what I knew of this world.

'What was it? Something about getting trapped in an otome game?'

The exact name escaped me but as I focused on it the story began to grow more clear in my head. A bit surprising when you consider my tendency to be rather forgetful in my past life.

So essentially, I'm in a Nation where women are the top of the social hierarchy and most men are whipped by those same woman. Oh, and magic was real.

That last part was evident when you consider where I was. The territory of my father, Felix Stardia, included two floating islands, both of which were not the biggest but more than a commoner could ever hope for…normally.

Holding back my excitement, I began walking back into the mansion. My thoughts were still a bit muddled and I was still a bit tired.

"Good afternoon Noir."

Along the way of my ascension to my room, I was greeted by who I guess was now my younger sister.

Alice was around 10 from what my memories tell me. She had black hair and black eyes and a rather tall stature, even approaching me who was still around 2 years older than her.

"Yeah, hey Alice." I'm sure I failed to hide my lack of energy but I really couldn't bother to care at the moment.

"Hmm? You ok there Noir?"

Alice unlike most girls in this world was a lot less of a bitch. In the beginning, she had picked up some tendencies from those in her class but those all died later on. Even through those tendencies though she always seemed to be rather fond of me.

"I'm alright, just didn't sleep much." I tried to wave her off but her concern didn't die.

"Well, you at least feel fine." She approached and lay a hand on my forehead giving me her unprofessional diagnosis.

She always did have the habit of trying to act like the older one of us. Though she was admittedly a lot more mature than her age suggested.

"I promise it's nothing I just need sleep." I tried to sound reassuring and ultimately it seemed to have worked as she reluctantly backed away and nodded.

"Okay, but call me if you need anything. Mother and Father should be back soon and I'm sure we'll eat dinner soon after." She waved as she descended the stairs off to do whatever she did.

As for me, before anyone or anything else could hinder me I opened the door to my room and entered.

My clothes were practically ripped from my body as I stripped down to my underwear and jumped into my bed.

My consciousness was cut before I even was able to put the cover on.

…

I had a dream.

In it, I talked to a man, a man who lived for a very long time and knew a lot of things. He stroked his huge beard as he recounted his life.

He told me of the time he spent traveling the world learning all he could. He told me of horrors and delights. He told me of his grandfather who was known throughout the land as the Great Sage. He told me how his greatest wish was to reach the heights of knowledge his grandfather did. He told me how he ultimately failed unable to sacrifice what was needed to reach such a level. He told me everything about himself. And the final thing he told me, was to call upon him if his immense but limited knowledge was ever needed.

…

Alice woke me up. When I looked out the window I could tell it had been a few hours. The sky was dark and the moon shining.

"Mother and father are back. They're calling us for dinner."

I was still a bit tired but a lot less than before.

Alice weirdly stood by and watched as I put on some clothes to go downstairs. I ignored that though, instead focusing on the dream I had. It felt a bit real, at least a lot more so than the few dreams I'd had before.

What were the words he told me to say? 'Answer my question sage.'

'Ask away.'

'?!'

Truthfully, I didn't expect anything to come of that thought. I especially didn't expect a response from the same voice that spoke to me in my dream.

"Noir?" Alice asked from across the room, noticing me stop midway putting on a shirt.

"Sorry, let's go." This could wait until later, for now, I'm sure my mother is already pissed off enough, no need to agitate her further.

…

As I expected I was right. My mother, Chloe Stardia, was indeed pissed. This always seemed to happen anytime she made contact with my father's ex-wife.

That woman was unbearable on the best of days and unfortunately, with as docile as my father was he made it easy for her to boss him around.

"How were you two's day." Mother asked with a false smile. She always did try to keep a calm and loving atmosphere around us though right now it was ruined by the screeching coming from beside her.

She was currently carrying out her strongest attack by far on my father. Her pinch. I can say firsthand that it really is not a joke. Her grip strength must be on the level of an Olympic gold medalist. If you're caught in her claws, there's no chance of escape.

"G-good, I studied a bit," Alice responded first trying to keep a calm smile.

"Yeah- mine was good too." I also responded though I didn't even attempt a smile.

Jesus woman I know he is useless but don't kill the man. I internally prayed for my father.

My prayers seemed to be answered soon after as my mother finally let go of the man and let him drop to the floor from his seat.

"I'm glad…unfortunately, thanks to your beyond useless father, that vile woman will be coming tomorrow." She followed up her words with a kick.

Alice and I couldn't help the groan that came in response to her words.

"Please forgive me." The poor useless man on the floor moved into a dogeza as tears came from his eyes. "She's so scary when she pushes me."

"OH, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU SCARY!" That seemed to piss my mother off more and it wasn't until 5 minutes later that her wrath settled and she left my father shaking on the floor tears falling from his face.

It really was a pitiable sight, though I had grown used to it. My father was an embarrassment, undoubtedly so. Though, I still cared for the man. As truly upsetting as his personality was he always came through when he was needed.

"Is she bringing them?" Alice asked annoyedly, her words obviously referencing the brats the old lady had with some other noble.

"Of course, any chance for her to show off the wealth she got from remarrying." My mother scoffed as she rolled her eyes.

"Just be on your best behavior, she'll be annoyed and leave faster if you don't give her anything extra to be dissatisfied about." My mother concluded before she sat back down and we began eating.

The whole time my father sat in that same position not moving a muscle.