"Let's do it," Ken said, his voice a mixture of determination and anticipation.
Both cosmic beings smiled, and Mr. End replied, "That's the spirit, dear Ken."
Ken asked them, "So, how are we going to do this? Will I be reincarnated as a baby or an adult?"
Mr. Beginning's soft but confident voice said, "It is quite simple, really. You will be reborn into a new body, young but not a newborn baby. You don't want to experience childbirth from the perspective of a child and poop in your pants, do you? We can arrange that if you want."
After hearing that, Ken shuddered at the thought of being reincarnated as a newborn.
"No, I'm good. A young body is fine," he replied hastily.
With some hesitation, Ken asked, "Will the original owner of the body die because of me?"
"No," Mr. Beginning reassured him. "You will be born as you are, but you will awaken your memories as a young person, not a newborn baby. So there is no need to feel guilty."
Ken turned to look at Mr. Beginning, his heart racing with impatient anticipation and his eyes glistening with curiosity. He questioned, "And what kind of abilities will I get in this new life?" with excitement in his voice.
Mr. End stared at Ken and stopped smiling for a time before breaking another bubble, saying, "I apologise for busting your bubble. When you reincarnate, you will not acquire any overpowered abilities."
His words were a sobering reminder that sometimes reality does not live up to our highest expectations or hopes and that we have to accept things as they are.
Ken's face fell slightly, his excitement dampened by this revelation. He had secretly hoped for some special powers.
"Overpowered abilities take the fun out of it," continued Mr. Beginning. "We find that stories with all-powerful characters are quite dull. All-powerful characters often lack the intricate beauty of watching a character evolve as they navigate challenges, conquer obstacles, and, ultimately, earn their hard-fought victories through perseverance and self-discovery."
"I understand," Ken said thoughtfully. "It's about the journey, not just the destination. The struggles and triumphs along the way are what shape us, what make us who we are."
Mr. End went on, "Yeah! For the main character to keep readers entertained, character development is necessary. It is uninteresting when the main character makes no effort to earn those things."
Ken listened as he absorbed the information divulged by the two enigmatic beings before saying, "Okay. That means there are no overpowered abilities."
Mr. Beginning grinned and remarked, "We didn't give the last two guys any abilities, and they reincarnated with default abilities. They didn't even get a single minor ability, but one got an introduction to each of us."
"Yeah! That guy is now called Suzuki Fujin in his new world; he really went above and beyond; even without any exceptional abilities, he trained himself to the extreme," Mr. End said with pride.
Mr. Beginning then said with a smile, "We did not meet him. We just dropped him in his new world. That DEVIL did not receive any HEX ability. Yet he is killing it. We are really enjoying his take on that story."
Ken wondered who this Suzuki Fujin guy might be, so as to put a smile on the faces of these two.
"This Suzuki Fujin," Ken mused aloud, "must be quite something to impress beings like you. What makes his story so special?"
Mr. End's form pulsed with excitement. "Ah, Fujin. He's a testament to human potential, Ken. Without any supernatural gifts, he's managed to reshape his world through sheer determination and ingenuity. It's quite inspiring, really."
Ken said, "So you have done this before."
Hearing this, Mr. End snapped his finger, and from a nearby bubble, a spark of light came out, and he caught it in his palm without touching it. He then passed it to Mr. Beginning, and with a simple gesture, the spark of light emitted another bubble.
Mr. End then said, "Did you see what we did there?"
Ken guessed what just happened. It was a soul that found a new world, just like that.
Ken said, "That was a soul, wasn't it?". He thought for a second and then asked, "But how come it was just a spark of light, and I have a body?"
Mr. Beginning replied, "That's because we are allowing your imagination to run wild. Your imagination is the filter through which you are viewing everything."
Mr. End went on, "It is similar to a thought translation. These bubbles, and us both as well. We do not exist in the form that you are envisioning for us; we do not have a form, shape, or face to begin with."
"So, what you're saying is," Ken began, trying to wrap his mind around the concept, "that everything I'm seeing, everything I'm experiencing right now, is just my mind's interpretation of something far beyond my comprehension."
Mr. Beginning nodded, or at least, Ken's perception of him nodded. "Precisely. Your mind is creating a framework it can understand to process experiences that are, in reality, beyond human comprehension."
Ken felt a sense of awe wash over him. The implications of what they were saying were staggering. If this was just his mind's interpretation of reality, what was the true nature of existence?
"I think I understand," Ken said slowly, his mind racing with possibilities. "But if what I'm seeing isn't real, how can I trust anything about this experience? How do I know that the new life you're offering me is real?"
Mr. Beginning chimed in, his voice gentle but firm. "The experiences you'll have, the choices you'll make, the impact you'll have on others—these things will be real, Ken. They'll shape you, challenge you, and change you. And in the end, isn't that what matters most?"
Ken nodded slowly, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. He might not fully understand the nature of his situation, but he knew that the journey ahead of him was important, regardless of its 'reality'.
He paused for a moment and enquired, "Is there anything I will receive from you or not?"
Mr. Beginning smiled and said, "Yes, you will get some abilities. We are going to give you a few minor talents, traits, or whatever you want to call them. You will still receive certain default abilities without our help, just like the last soul we reincarnated. Even the default abilities will have a lot of significance."
Ken said with a furrowed brow, "If my understanding is correct, you're giving me a chance to be extraordinary, but not to the point where it removes all challenge from my journey."
Mr. End nodded, his form shimmering with approval. "Precisely, Ken. We're not running a cheat code service here."
"It's a delicate balance," Mr. Beginning added, his voice taking on a thoughtful tone. "Too much power, and the story becomes dull. Too little, and the challenges might be insurmountable. We're aiming for that sweet spot where your abilities enhance your journey without overshadowing it."
Ken was starting to understand the complexities of this process. It was clear that Mr. Beginning and Mr. End had their own set of rules and regulations and that they were not always transparent about them.
"I get some minor abilities from you, and some abilities default to the world I am reborn in," Ken remarked, trying to make sense of it all.
Before he could enquire further, Mr. End stated, "And before you have any unusual notions, there's also no system. You're on your own when it comes to figuring out how to use your abilities."
Ken wondered, "So I'm on my own."
A mix of apprehension and determination washed over him. The prospect of navigating a new world with unfamiliar abilities without a guiding system was daunting. Yet, there was also a thrill to it—the challenge of self-discovery and growth.
"Being on your own doesn't mean you'll be helpless," Mr. Beginning reassured, sensing Ken's unease. "It means you'll have the freedom to forge your own path, to discover the true extent of your capabilities through experience and perseverance."
He then asked, "So. How many abilities may I select?"
Mr. Beginning stated, "You've got a total of 75 credits to choose from. You can have basic abilities up to 10 credits each and a special bonus—two slots for premium abilities, costing up to 15 credits each. Also, you get to inherit the abilities of your past life."
Ken's jaw dropped. He was taken aback by the amount of credits he had to work with and the fact that he had abilities in his past life.
Shaken, he asked, "This is not what I expected. So, I had some latent abilities in my past life."
Mr. End responded, "Yes, you did. How do you think you became such a great scientist?"
Mr. Beginning added, "Now, you have the opportunity to develop them even further. It's a rare gift, Ken. Don't waste it."
Ken felt a surge of emotions—surprise, curiosity, and a hint of pride. The revelation that his scientific prowess wasn't just the result of hard work but also innate abilities was both humbling and empowering.
Mr. Beginning pointed out behind Ken and said, "See that computer. You will find it useful."
Ken looked back as he saw an old computer system a few feet from him. He wondered, "Was it always there?"
Mr. Beginning replied, "No. I conjured it as it will be familiar to you and easy to operate, so the ability selection will be easy for you."
Mr. End then said, "Now sit and choose your abilities. Take your time and choose wisely, dear Ken. These abilities will shape your new life."
Ken approached the computer, a relic from his past life that now served as a bridge to his future. As he sat down, he felt a strange mix of nostalgia and anticipation. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, ready to type but hesitant to begin.
"Before I start," Ken said, turning back to Mr. Beginning and Mr. End, "is there any advice you can give me? Any pitfalls I should avoid when making these choices?"
Mr. Beginning's form seemed to soften, taking on an almost paternal air. "Remember, Ken, that true strength often lies in balance."
Mr. End nodded in agreement. "And don't be afraid to embrace abilities that might seem unconventional. Sometimes, the most unexpected talents can lead to the most profound discoveries and experiences."
Ken settled into the chair in front of the screen, ready to navigate the array of choices laid before him. He felt a mixture of excitement and reflection at the idea of choosing his skills to determine his own fate, which sparked a sense of accountability to make wise choices that would support his goals.
[I have referenced a character not my own. It is one of my favourite characters from fan fiction. The work of the original creator, DevilHex, is truly remarkable.]