The student finds himself before a rather pretty man...he thinks, enough so to immediately be put off, "hold on, this definitely isn't my idea of heaven".
The man in front of him, who is surrounded by mirrors, bursts out laughing at the sudden remark, "hahahaha, that's certainly a first. No need to worry, heaven doesn't exist. At least the one where the dead go to live in paradise for the rest of time...to a certain extent anyway".
The man looks like a super model with blond hair and green eyes, wearing a sort of white toga. Student, he seems tall with long arms and legs, not that I can tell his height with him sitting that chair...throne? Looks more like a low-key throne that seems to be made of gold, "and you are?".
Pretty man, "I'm Adam. I'm what you would call a God". The student replies, undeterred by the situation, "Ren, Tsubasa Ren. But you probably know that, or I wouldn't be floating in space otherwise", as he looks around at the emptiness. The only tangible objects are in his immediate vicinity...even if they are floating.
Adam, "pretty, isn't it?". Ren, "my fist thoughts are...scary". Adam, "hm...might be better to go with scenery people are more familiar with", as he snaps his fingers. They are now suddenly in a grassy plains, "better?". Ren, "em...sure", that's also scary.
Adam, "great, take a seat", as he gestures to the side of Ren. A chair suddenly appeared there...or did it, was this always here? It wasn't, but it feels like it was just always there. Ren goes to sit on the chair...but suddenly falls through it, causing Adam to start laughing hysterically.
Ren gets a bit annoyed as he stares up into the blue sky while on his back, I don't like these types of guys. Adam, "feel more relaxed now? It's always best to make a joke to ease the nerves".
Ren gets up and puts his hand on the chair, it's solid now, and sits down, "jokes are fine, but physical jokes in this situation are out of the question, no matter how you think about it".
Adam, "hmm...I'll keep that in mind. Anyway, I'm sure you want to know what's going on". Ren, "Well, I'm dead and suddenly appear in front of a God who says heaven doesn't exist. If heaven doesn't, then hell probably doesn't either, so that's all of my guesses out the window".
Adam, "they do exist, quite a lot of them actually. Just not how your world envisioned them...or they did, but not for your world...well, whatever. It's a pain to explain".
Ren, ignoring Adam's annoying personality, "my world? So there's others?", he said he's "a God", not just "God", so there's probably others too.
Adam, "indeed. There are hundreds, thousands, millions. There are too many to count. One of these worlds is the reason why I want to ask for your help".
Ren, "my help? What, is this like one of those typical isekai plots that I read about in light novels?".
Adam, "actually, It's exactly one of those. Great to save time explaining that point. You see, there are certain...requirements in order to obtain a 'true hero'. These are that they have to be from one of the "Recycle Worlds", and that they have to have sacrificed themselves in order to save someone else".
Ren, "Recycle World?". Adam, "I could go into the structure of the multiverse for years on end, but we don't have that sort of time. Basically, mana exists. This is essential for...everything to run. Every world has a quota of mana it needs to utilise and every soul has a capacity for the total amount of mana it can store before it needs to be...recycled. Hence the name. This is actually just letting the soul rest as it dispels all the mana from itself. There is only one world for each God that does this among the worlds they preside over. For me, that was yours".
Ren, a blank look on his face, "you lost me". Adam, "every world has to use mana in some shape or form. Every world also has to have a turnover rate of souls. It is extremely common for these two to intertwine. However, the soul eventually becomes saturated with mana as it travels from world to world, so needs to be drained of this mana eventually. The soul fills up by some capacity every time it's reborn and it has less capacity each time it's reborn. That's why souls straight out of the recycle world have the highest potential, since their soul's capacity is completely empty".
Ren, "you're throwing a lot of stuff out there, but a lot of it's going over my head. Like why do mana and peoples souls intertwine? Why not just set up the world to use mana if you need to use it?".
Adam, "this is why I said it could take years to explain. I have hundreds of worlds I need to manage. Do you think it's feasible to micromanage each one? To give a really, really simplified explanation, by letting the souls use mana, they will take care of it by themselves of their own free will".
Ren, "oh, ok, that makes sense…probably. I'll ask one more question then. What's mana? I've been thinking it's like the concept of magic from my world, but I could be completely wrong".
Adam stands and starts posing into one of the mirrors, confusing Ren. Adam starts talking as he poses, "mana is like the fuel for all...supernatural phenomenon? That's probably the easiest way to explain it to you. Taking the magic you said for example, magic can only be used, like a firebolt, because mana is there. All words call it something like magic, MP, runes, dimension juice, or even use the term 'mana' itself. But we're getting way off track. Basically, one of the worlds I'm in charge of is being oppressed by the Demon King, and the Vampire Lord to a certain extent. I want you to go and kill the Demon King to save the world. The humans losing enough men within the next few years could spell extinction for their race. That's likely to happen at this rate. However, humans are needed in every world most of the time. There act as a great baseline for the vast majority of the time. In exchange for doing this, I'll grant you one wish of anything within my power once my request has been completed. Any questions?", Adam clearly wanting to get on with it, too absorbed in his posing.
Ren, "I think I got a vague understanding of the situation. Basically, you need me to go save humanity, like a typical isekai plot. Your reasons for asking me go past my understanding, but the world I come from gives me an advantage".
Adam, "yes, exactly. You don't need to know the specifics, so let's get more into the details or your reincarnation. This world has two continents, however, only one is inhabited by the kin of man, Ryzenguard. The continent is divided between five countries. The Human Country, the Elf country, the Dark Elf country, the Demon Country, and the Vampire Country. The Human Country, where I'll be placing you, is at the northwest of the continent with the vampires to the southeast, and the other three in-between. Any questions?", still wanting to get on with it as he poses.
Ren, contemplating for a second, "em...you want me to 'kill' the Demon King, but I've only ever killed a bug. How am I meant to...you know", his words timid due to the weight of killing someone weighing on his mind.
Adam, still posing, "you'd be surprised at what humans are capable of, but if you want, you can just beat him and let someone else kill him. There are plenty who would be willing to do that. As for how you beat him, I'll be granting you any one power you wish for...within the long limits of the world. This world has magic, just imagine the epic fight scenes in the anime you've watched, but in actual reality".
Ren, troubled by the sudden requirement to choose, "what type of power?". Adam, "anything goes, apart from instant kill powers, like looking at someone and they die. Those types of powers always have some sort of technique to them, so insta death powers technically don't actually exist, per say".
Ren, "well...fair point. I'd rather avoid those anyway", I don't think i could use an insta-kill on someone.
Adam turns towards Ren and waves his hand; some strange symbols within two circles appearing within the air in response. Five in particular are contained within one of two circles. The five in the middle get pushed towards Ren, "these are the five basic elements, water, earth, fire, air, and lightning. Anyone can learn these, some more difficult than others. You can try and learn these if you want, but the power I will be bestowing upon you is something different. Unique individuals exist in the world in sending you to. They possess abilities completely different from the magical elements, hence the names 'Unique'. These can include being able to make illusions or making your legs act like a spring to jump really high".
Ren, "hmm...is that every power? Magic and these 'Unique's'? I'd rather not be surprised by a sudden power that you didn't show me". Adam, "that's everything. Just as I showed you...wait, there is one more possibility. Each world is localised in terms of the powers they use. Some worlds may copy or overlap, but they are still localised. The mess there'd be if they weren't localised. However, there exists a type of power that is multiversal, which everyone possesses from birth. These are the 'Gifts'. They can range from bending spoons to breathing fire, sprinting real fast, or even making a paper aeroplane that can fly a hundred meters".
Ren, realising the oddity, "wait, that last one seemed really out of place". Adam continues undeterred as he goes back to posing, "the 'Gifts' can be anything, even something adverse, but they are multiversal and were established by someone higher up than me. Hence, I can't even determine if someone has a gift unless they themselves think they might have some sort of power. The odds that this will pose a problem to you is very slim though. For a shot in the dark, is there any power you think you have?".
Ren, "hmm...if I had to say something I'd be...my instincts? They seem to have been set to the high setting all my life".
Adam looks at him, his eyes flashing a little, "let's see...OH, you do have that Gift. Let's see, 'The user's instincts guide them in all aspects of life towards the user's desired outcome'. Hm...Ultra Instinct...what the? How did you die with this overpowered cheat power?".
Ren makes a difficult expression, "...that day, by a few minutes ago I mean, I thought to myself, 'wouldn't it be great to live a life full of excitement', and took a detour on the way to school because it felt...right".
Adam, intrigued, "hm...so it took you towards your death. Can't say it was the wrong choice, since you are being asked by a God to save the world by defeating the Demon King. And you'll reincarnate into a world with magic and an abundance of women. I'd say that's pretty exciting".
Ren attention peaks at one of his statements, "an abundance of women?". Adam smirks as he closes in on Ren, putting his arm around Ren's neck, "that's right. There are far more women then men. Remember I said that them loosing men will make them extinct? That means there's an abundance of women".
Ren gulps, "you did indeed say that humanity was at risk of losing too many men". Adam, "haha, I see. You're the type that prefers women over power".
Ren adverts his eyes, "I can't say for certain, it's just that I died young...so nothing happened on that front", my instincts made me feel that I shouldn't do anything on that front, so I never did.
Adam, "ah, good point. The cliché 'I don't want to die a virgin'. Well, good luck on that front, try not to die a virgin on your second chance, but I doubt that will happen in this world".
Ren hangs his head, "that's even more pressure". Adam leans in closer and whispers, "I'll fill you in on something big". Ren leans in closer from curiosity. Adam, "polygamy is legal".
Ren looks at Adam with a serious expression, "you serious?". Adam, "why would I lie? You'll see for yourself. Women are desperate for men. And...they are all pretty according to your world's standards due to certain reasons I won't get into. But enough about that, it's time for your power. What unique do you want?", as he separates himself from Ren and goes back to posing.
Ren ponders for a few minutes while Adam admires himself in the mirror. Ren looks at the elemental symbols that were left floating in the air from earlier, he's right, this is more important.
Seeing one of them makes him decide, "I've decided. Complete control over lightning". Adam is surprised, stopping mid-pose, "ha...haha...HAHAHA...HAHAHAHA. Amusing, truly amusing. Care to tell me how you came to that conclusion? You can learn lightning by yourself, as I told you earlier", putting what I wanted him to choose right in front of him doesn't count as interfering with the contract.
Ren, "I don't get what's so amusing. You know how in anime and what not, the bad guys with lighting attacks are usually really strong? But it's not like they excel in lighting specifically, they're just really strong attacks in general. It's the same for the protagonists. I think it's because lightning is so strong just by itself that they don't do more with it. If someone appears who can actually utilise lightning to its fullest extent, other than just shooting it at someone, it would be extremely powerful. Like, extremely so".
Adam smirks, "I see. Valid point. If you're properly able to utilise lightning, combined with your ultra instinct, you may become one of the fiercest fighters to ever exist. It all depends on your efforts", all according to plan. Ren, "well...I'll give it my best".
Adam, "Great. I think that's everything. Anything you want to ask before I send you on? Nothing too complicated please". Ren ponders, "hmm...nothing is coming to mind...oh, am I able to reserve my wish now?".
Adam is a bit dumbfounded at his request and the bursts into laughter, "HAHAHA, you're very amusing, truly so. This is the first time this has happened, but yes, it's possible. You can't change it later though, are you sure?".
Ren, "that's fine. I'd like a bit of a safety net for when I die, can't guarantee this situation will happen again. Can you make it so I retain my memories every time I'm reborn?".
Adam's face scrunches, "endless reincarnation...is difficult". Ren, "even for a God?". Adam, "we're not all powerful, remember what I said about localisation? If you reincarnated into my cluster of worlds every time, then I'd be possible, but something of that scale is beyond me. I can make it so it would happen a few times, but once you need to deplete the mana in your soul, then it's out of my hands. Everything gets reset then. Even my powers".
Ren, despondent, "so it's not possible?". Adam closes his eyes and starts to think, "give me a few minutes". This leads to both Ren and Adam thinking to themselves for a while.
Ren, reincarnation...can't believe it's actually happening. It might be worth it to have my memories for a few reincarnations, better than nothing.
After a while, Adam opens his eyes, "okay, it's possible...maybe". Ren, dubious, "really?", he sure made it seem like it wasn't.
Adam, "yes, but it's a bit different than usual, as nothing like this has happened before. Typically in the 'regaining past memories' setting, it's because of the faux soul". Ren, "faux soul?".
Adam, "yeah, when a soul is born into a world, it's covered in a protective faux soul. This is why souls can be reborn in different worlds instead of going to the recycle world every time. Just think of it as having two souls at the same time. Both of them are you, but one protects the other. When you die, the faux soul either disintegrates or is retained by that world's God for some reason. You know how there are stories of people who remember the memories of their ancestors? Some past hero or something awakens within someone? That's the faux soul being bestowed upon that individual". Ren, "oh, guess that makes sense...probably".
Adam, "sometimes, people remember stuff from their past life due to their base soul. They were the same soul after all, and this is how culture can traverse worlds. However, completely retaining memories from different worlds is generally impossible, unless the worlds in question were designed that way". Ren, "sounds like my request is impossible".
Adam suddenly shouts as he slams his hand against the table, "HOWEVER, I, being the great first male God Adam, have thought of a way. Save your applause please". Ren, this guy's an egotist. Adam resumes his poses in front of a mirror. Ren, yep, 100%.
Adam, "behold my new method. You see, you just came from the recycle world, so you are currently just your base soul, no faux soul. I can make a faux soul for you now, so every time you're reborn, you will have three souls. Your outer most faux soul will transfer your memories into your middle faux soul, which in turn leaks into your main soul, creating permanent memories for the base soul. I can make it so your base soul slowly leaks your memories over time through this middle faux soul into your newest faux soul. The middle faux soul will basically act as a two way filter, allowing you to remember your past and simultaneously accumulating the memories of your current life. To do this-".
Ren cuts him off, "em, I have no idea what you're doing, but as long as I get my wish fulfilled, that's all that matters". Adam, "not one for academia? Well, it would take days to explain to you the basics of the soul so you can understand them, so I guess my attempts to simplify it weren't good enough. I guess my genius can only go so far", as he strikes more poses.
Ren, "I don't really get it, but sounds good". Adam, "of course it is, yours truly came up with it. The only thing you need to know is that your memories and personality will leak into your faux soul over time, so you won't remember everything immediately. I can't tell you how long it will take for you to fully remember every time you reincarnate. It will be different every time, but definitely mid-twenties at the latest. You will know when the past and current you full merge. A sort of 'awakening' you can say".
Ren, that...might actually be for the best. I'd hate to not feel anything for my new parents. Imagine giving birth to a baby and they don't love you because they don't recognise you as their real parent. It would be the worst.
Adam, not sensing any resistance to his idea, "now, it's finally time to get this reincarnation started", as he raises his hand and begins the motion to snap his fingers, but stops just before doing so, "I forgot to mention. The inhabitants anatomy of this world is slightly different from yours, so I'll slightly alter yours to match. Oh, I'll also throw in speaking the language. Have fun".
Ren paled at his ominous words and began to say something in desperation, but suddenly vanished as Adam snaps his fingers. Adam, "lightning, ay...perfect. Things are going to get interesting. Seems like it was the right call to call in a true hero. The regular hero's weren't cutting it...especially that guy. That guy was an awful mistake, even if he was needed. Anyway, let's hope things go according to plan".