"Good work today! We still have to finish the project by the end of this month. If we can't, the boss will really give us an earful."

Said the middle-aged man. He began cleaning his desk filled with documents. The man carefully stack them up, and glanced at the young man who has back arched.

The young man looked as if he aged more than 40 years.

"I know... Dammit. If I knew how this company treats their employees, I would've not joined in the first place."

"Well, if you finished college, you might have a chance to be hired at a company that treat their employees a bit better. I know this place sucks, but they pay pretty good if you are able to show results, Hiro."

The young man, Hiro, currently works at a company that would be described as a "Black Company", which was recommended to him by his uncle. Of course, just like any other black company, they give employees projects and tasks that are often times way beyond their capabilities. Unpaid overtime, unreasonable tasks given to them by their management or boss, short deadlines, the unending scolding by the boss if their employees cannot make it to the deadline or give results that are not by the management's standards - that's what a black company is.

Although the company Hiro works for can be regarded as a black company, they still pay their employees generously when their projects can bring the company profits, but only if the projects can rake in a large margin of profits.

One can say that they are on the milder side of being a black company.

Regardless, Hiro found himself working over time for the past week due to the mistake he did in his part of the project. Considering the nature of their boss, it was unlikely that he would get off lightly if he made a mistake, which is why he is working overtime to fix it despite not getting paid by it.

"I know..." Hiro groaned. "It's not like I don't want to finish college."

The middle-aged man looked took a glance at Hiro, feeling a sense of pity.

"I know. If only your parents were a bit responsible with their finances. I never thought that they would go as far as to leave their child to pay for their own debt."

"Yeah..." Hiro replied weakly. "I wish I could give each of them a punch in the face."

***

7 years ago, when Hiro was still 20 years old, his parents were the type to spend a lot of money on materials things. He somehow managed to graduate high school. When it was time for him to go to college, the family barely had enough money to support Hiro's college. Despite that, he still managed get to 3rd year of college using what little money he had from his parents, combined with the money he earned from doing at least three part-time jobs.

However, a few months in the 2nd semester of his 3rd year in college, Hiro found out that his parents was riddled with debt worth at least $500,000. His parents could no longer support him and they disappeared without a trace. 

Because of that, the attention of the loan sharks shifted to the young college student and has to pay what his parents owe to them.

Drowning in his predicament, his uncle, the middle-aged man, offered the young college student work at a certain company. Seeing as their was no choice for Hiro, he accepted it immediately, and was subjected to years of grueling working conditions.

He still managed to pay about $120,000 from his several years of hard work, which made him a little bit better. Hiro was fortunate that the loan shark his parents borrowed were at least a bit considerate and agreed that he pay them a minimum amount every month with a high interest rate.

Although he is still far away from fully paying the debt, Hiro felt like progress was being made and was hopeful of his future.

***

"Are you sure you don't want to stay over?" asked uncle with a worried tone. " You are still having trouble financially due to the debt you have to pay." 

"It's okay, uncle. I'm still managing it." Hiro replied with a smile. "I'll contact you if I need help."

Although Hiro continues to work for the company up to this day, he was still having trouble going through the day as 60% of his monthly salary goes to his parents debt. 

Hiro's uncle made him move to his apartment so that he could take care of him. However, two years since working at the company, Hiro moved out his uncle's apartment and rent himself a room in an apartment building which was a few district away from his uncle's. Of course, being a good-natured man that cares deeply about his nephew, the uncle insisted that Hiro should stay in his apartment, but the young man insisted that he go out to live on his own.

"... Still stubborn as always." said uncle as he sighed. "Make sure to contact me if you need help with food or other things."

"Will do!" said Hiro. "Oh, and tell auntie to cook some lasagna the next time. Auntie's lasagna have always been delicious."

"Haha, will do."

The both of them shook hands before separating.

***

"I'm home..." said Hiro with a tired voice as he opened the door of his apartment.

Although not as big as his uncle's apartment which is for a family, his apartment room is big enough to accommodate a small kitchen area and a bath/comfort room.

Hiro took off his shoes and looked at the clock hanging just on top of the room's main door.

"12 midnight, huh..." He muttered. "Guess I should sleep for now and wake up early tomorrow."

He couldn't help but massage his temples as his head aches. He still has a number of tasks to do tomorrow. Despite working years for that company, he could never get used to going to work early and going back home extremely late. Despite the good pay they offer, the company's upper management still gives tasks with unreasonable deadline, which caused Hiro to work for eight hours past working hours with no meals in between. 

He thought about quitting the company if he manages to pay off $200,000 of the $500,000 debt. Although there is no guarantee that he'll find a job with a better pay than the company he currently works for, he figured he needs to take that risk and deal with it when the time comes.

'Yeah, that would be better.' He thought. 'Still, is it just me or has the headache gone worse?'

Drip.

Hiro felt something wet dripping out of his nose. He looked at the mirror which was placed just near him and saw blood gushing out from both of his nose. 

"What the...?"

His vision became blurry and his legs became weaker. 

Before he could call emergency services through his phone, an intense headache came unexpectedly which caused him to let go of the phone he was holding. 

"Argh! Fuck..!" He wailed. 

He couldn't tolerate the pain. Coupled with a blurry vision and blood continuously gushing out from both his nostrils, he lost his composure and slipped due to the large amount of fresh blood that was on the floor.

He fell on his back and had his base of the skull hit hard at the corner of the drawer, ultimately ending his life.

***

"Are you awake?"

A gentle voice filled the young man's ears which made him slowly open his eyes. 

In front of young man was a humanoid figure. Although the humanoid's face cannot be identified, the young man thought that the humanoid might be a female judging by the voice and body proportions.

The young man looked around and saw that there was nothing but white space around him. 

He slowly got up and looked once again at the woman (?) in front of him.

"Uhh.. Where am I?" 

He asked timidly.

Seeing his reaction, the woman (?) chuckled lightly.

"Hello, Hiro. This space that we are standing on and surrounding us is known as the space between worlds." Replied the woman (?). "In simpler terms, it would be akin to as the 'void' that surrounds your world and the many other worlds like yours."

"I see..." Said Hiro as he look at the space once more. "Me being here in this 'void' means that I've died, right?"

"Oh?" said the woman (?) with an amused tone. "And what makes you think that you've died?"

"Well... I'm here in this white space. Talking to a humanoid figure with a golden outline, with a woman's voice. And that humanoid figure before me said that I've died, and even though we're 'standing' on this white space, I feel like we are floating." Said Hiro with a sigh. "And I remember that I've gone home pretty late and was extremely tired. Then blood was gushing out of my nose, and an intense headache coupled with a blurry vision and weak legs which made me slip and hit the base of my skull, causing me to die."

Hiro could still feel the experience he had before he died, which made him unconsciously touch the back of his head. Although he 'touched' the back of his head, he couldn't feel it. There was no sense of touch, yet he knew that his right hand was at the back of his head. 

"Looks like God was right." said the woman (?) as she (?) smiled. "Earth really does have people like you who are quick to realize the situation."

Though, Hiro is one of those types that often read reincarnation novels. Many main characters in those novels often gets to talk to "God" in white and empty spaces before they reincarnate. 

That was the conclusion Hiro had made.

Despite the fact that he died, leaving his uncle and his family, he was also glad at the fact that he no longer has to bear the burden of paying the debt his parents had left. Although Hiro and his uncle are relatives, they are distant relatives which makes it unlikely for the loan sharks to target his uncle. His uncle was the only family he had.

Not to mention, Hiro himself is currently talking to a being that knew his name and obviously felt the beings existence as higher than his. 

Expectation quickly rose from Hiro's head, yet he still remained cautious and calm. 

While he is in the same settings as the characters in those reincarnation novels, some of them did not have a happy start. There is also no guarantee that he might be reincarnated, or if he does reincarnated, it is unsure whether he might reincarnate in a peaceful world with a peaceful start or reincarnate in a world where he will have to fight for his life.

Regardless, for Hiro, the situation he's in might be another opportunity in life.

"Does you being here means that I get a chance to reincarnate?" asked Hiro.

"Yes, that is right." Replied the woman. "You will be reincarnated in a world that is different from yours."

The woman weaved her hands through the empty space and a 3d model of what looks like a planet that is similar to earth, appeared.

"This world is called 'Herta'." Said the woman. "This world is similar to yours in terms of the composition of the planet."

"I see." Said Hiro with a glint in his eyes. "Does this world have magic, demi-humans, and magic?"

"Yes, that is right." Smiled the woman. "This world have is filled monsters and demihumans, with humans being the most populous in 'Herta'."

"Oh!" exclaimed Hiro.

Seeing his reaction, the woman smiled warmly. 

"For your reincarnation, God decided to give you abilities that will enable you to wield all types of magic." The woman continued. "Though, you will start at the beginning, you will no doubt be able to achieve the highest form of magic as long as you work hard. God may have given you the ability to wield all elements of magic that exist in this world, you will still start at the beginning."

"Of course. I understand." Replied Hiro. "I got a feeling that it's going to be like that."

The ability to wield every element of magic is not something to be taken likely. And for Hiro, it is more fun to be able to wield magic through his own efforts.

He felt like having overpowered abilities from the start might not be fun. Though, the ability to wield any element of magic is already overpowered itself.

"There are 7 elements that exist is 'Herta'." Said the woman as she weaved her arms through the air, causing the 3D model of the planet to disappear and 7 symbols to pop up. "The 7 elements are Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, Darkness, and Holy Magic. People in this world that can wield magic can commonly only wield one, and a few can only wield about two to three elements. And beyond the ability to wield up to three elements, it becomes extremely rare or it is unlikely for a person to wield four and beyond."

"I see...." I replied. "That means I might be the only who is able to wield all seven?" 

"This world is extremely vast. Much bigger than earth. Although gods are capable of creating a world filled with life, there are countless upon countless of worlds that the gods manage. It is a shame to say that we do not know everything that is happening on this world or most of the other worlds, in fact."

Said the woman apologetically.

If God or gods do manage countless worlds, it is unlikely for them to know everything that happens in every world. Despite earth's many religions stating that God or gods are omniscient and omnipotent beings, the being before Hiro claims that gods simply does not know everything.

"I see. Well, it does not matter to me." said Hiro. "So, is there a catch to me being reincarnated or something?"

To Hiro, he simply does not just want to bite the offer without knowing the other party's intentions. 

It's not like he will refuse the offer if the other party wants him to be the one to slay evil beings like the demon lord (if there is any), Hiro simply wants to know.

"Oh, no." replied the woman with a smile. "We do not ask you for anything in return. In fact, we are giving you a chance to reincarnate because you were chosen."

"Chosen?" Hiro said as he cocked an eyebrow. "Chosen for what?"

The woman just smiled, giving Hiro more suspicion that there is a hidden motive behind the other party.

Sensing this, the woman opened her mouth.

"I am sorry but I cannot disclose that information. All I can tell you is that you have been chosen to reincarnate. Although all souls reincarnate after their souls have been cleansed, their memories of their past life are completely wiped out to fully wipe the soul of any stains and corruption, and are reborn anew. For reincarnation like yours, you get to keep the memories of your past life. However, there may be a chance that your memory of your past life will slowly fade away."

"I see..."

"Yes." Said the woman. 

She then weaved her arms once again through the empty space. A door magically appeared in front of Hiro.

The woman walks towards the door and opens it. 

She then turned around and give Hiro a smile.

"I hope you have a good life ahead of you, Hiro Takanashi. Live out your life the way you want it to be." She said as she moves to the of the door.

Hiro smiled and began walking towards the door. Before he walked through, he took one last glance at the woman.

"Will we meet again?" He asked.

"It depends on fate." Replied the woman with a gentle smile. "We may or may not meet again. However, if fate does make our path cross each other in the future, then we will be able to meet each other again."

"I see..." 

Hiro broke eye contact with the woman and looked at the door in front of him.

He took a deep breath before finally deciding to step.

A bright light covered his vision entirely, causing him to close his eyes. 

The white light swallowed Hiro whole and the door disappeared.

***

"Haaah..."

A sigh escaped the woman's mouth.

"Are you sure you do not want me to tell Hiro?" said the woman, her eyes filled with worry.

Obviously asking for an answer, there was no one but her in the empty white space.

Yet, her face and her actions indicate that she was talking to someone and got an answer.

"Very well." Said the woman with her eyes filled with determination. "May God be with you, Hiro."