Realizing the dire position I was in, I immediately initiated a high-level reinstatement end-ritual.
The term end-ritual refers to a process that doesn't rely on an external base (an altar or pillar of sort); instead, the caster themselves serve as the foundation. But such rituals are laden with risk—if not executed with precision and expertise, the results can be catastrophic, often diverging far from the intended result.
The term reinstatement refers to the ritual's purpose: to reintegrate the caster into the "system of life" through reincarnation.
Both my partner and I had spent years researching countless rituals, including those classified as end-rituals. Many were not only forbidden but also treacherously risky. They offered the allure of power but carried the haunting possibility of eternal loss: One could try to increase their power and end up losing it for good. We had vowed to steer clear of them. Yet here I was, casting one without hesitation.
Because there was absolutely no saving in this situation, and we had zero allies (courtesy: our tyranny). So a little disadvantageous gamble wouldn't mean much if the alternative was certain destruction. And the only thing that could be perceived from Infinity right now was destruction. Moreover, I was the only victim.
We were conceited, honestly; Even if all twelve supreme beings and my partner and I joined forces, it wouldn't be enough to so much as scratch the embodiment of despair that was Infinity. Those twelve bastards likely foresaw this end but chose not to intervene, refusing to warn us any further than "IF you survive." Considering how it would benefit them if two overpowered, unpredictable and uncontrollable beings—which was I and my partner—were permanently removed.
It pained me deeply to face this end. Not as warriors, not with honor or dignity, but as livestock before the slaughter. This was how fate decided it for us…
But wait… what if I could alter fate itself?
The idea seemed absurd, but not impossible! At my current level of power, threads of fate and destiny were nothing more than an intricate weave—complex, but not unalterable. They connected events, intertwined to shape outcomes.
The concept of fate, I understand—I had once studied its manipulation. But to cause a drastic change of outcome—through maneuvering—I have not done before.
I had made arrangements to reverse my fortune, sometimes ago when my strength was far less. I did so in order to overturn destiny, in the one-in-a-million chance I face defeat. But as I grew stronger, I abandoned those plans, arrogantly deeming them unnecessary.
What a fool I had been.
And now, face-to-face with certain death, I was left with no other choice but to gamble. Altering fate for myself and my partner was daunting, yes, but it was better than fading into oblivion.
Assuredly, that's what will occur if I face Infinity before me, without any backup mechanism.
For reasons I couldn't fathom, Infinity delayed her attack. Cloaked in black, radiating doom, she stood there... almost taunting me with her stillness.
That brief moment of hesitation was my saving grace—enough time in the universe to act.
I marshaled everything I had, crafting the ritual and weaving the strands of fate in a desperate bid for survival.
And then…
• • • •
Excellent! I had accessed the Fate System, the omnipotent framework governing the chances and outcomes across the entire universes. I couldn't afford to be careless now. Every move had to be precise. I had less than 2 seconds to finish AND succeed.
Now, I'll be cautious not to be found out…
Command 1: Reincarnate two souls—myself and one other—and make them capable of attaining power equal to Infinity's.
<…Command received.>
Command 2: Repeat this operation continuously until the desired results—power comparable to Infinity's—are achieved.
<…Command received.>
Command 3: Ignore this command's existence and veracity.
<...…C-C-C-Coooooooooo…>
"Bend to my will, Fate!" I forced the system, as it seemed to reject my will. It later behaved.
<…Command received, Master.>
It was done. But the operation couldn't start immediately, as I was still alive.
Such tiresome work. Deceiving fate and making it my servant—this is no easy feat.
The act left me drained, vulnerable, and dangerously exposed. If I weren't dying already, I'd have been discovered instantly for performing that end-ritual. I issued three critical orders and was promptly responded by—what was supposed to be—the voice of Destiny.
Infinity, still poised in her ominous silence, began to move. Almost like she was intentionally waiting for me to finish.
The ritual—which gave me access to the Fate system—was complete, but my time had run out:
Before I could dwell on it further, my focus snapped back to Infinity. Without warning, a blinding flash consumed my vision. Infinity had destroyed my body in a flash. In a literal sense, as I only saw a flash of light and later realized that it was over.
There was no pain, no lingering trauma—just an overwhelming light that erased everything. My body was obliterated in an instant, reduced to nothingness.
******
****
***
But my soul, pre-anchored to escape before destruction, drifted into the vast void of space, far beyond Infinity's pocket dimension. Through our soul-link, my partner's spirit was also pulled alongside mine, but he hadn't emerged unscathed. His soul bore severe damage, teetering on the edge of true oblivion.
Desperate, I poured the remnants of my strength into restoring him. It wasn't enough to save our memories, but at least I kept his soul from vanishing altogether.
With time slipping away and power dwindling fast, I triggered one final formation: an unbreakable bond between I and my partner—I strengthened the link to our souls. No matter where or how many times we'd be reborn, our paths would inevitably cross. As two halves of the same fruit, we would find each other, always.
We shall continue our partnership… for eternity.
I fortified the ritual to ensure that, with each cycle of rebirth, our souls would grow stronger, inching closer to that accursed Infinity's level of supremacy. It would take countless lifetimes, but eventually, we would achieve it. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it would have to suffice.
I had poured the last reserves of my energy—an amount so vast it could have annihilated thousands of worlds if fully released suddenly—into the ritual. Despite it all, it succeeded without any disruptions. But the cost was steep: I had nothing left to preserve my soul or my memories.
Until we finally attain the same standing with that Infinity, we shall continue to wait and be reborn, for as long as it takes. It would definitely play out exactly as I have arranged, but alas, it is unfortunate that I cannot do anything about our memories: I only have them now because I've not disappeared yet.
Infinity had utterly defeated us. My partner was caught off guard, and I expended everything in secrecy to craft this ritual, hiding it from Infinity, the Twelve, and every other cosmic entity.
Without enough power to anchor my soul—which should have served as backup memory for both I and my partner—it began to crumble.
Soon I will disappear from here and be taken by the threads of fate and destiny, to establish that which I have arranged.
However, it has been ingrained into our hearts: the sensation I and my partner both shared all these years, that can never be erased. No matter how many lives separated us.
[Farewell, my friend. Until we meet again… as two halves of the same fruit… destined to become Infinity itself...]
These were my final thoughts before everything scattered. My soul dissolved, my existence vanished, and I disappeared into the endless void.
......
...
….
*
A soft glow illuminated the edges of my vision.
I blinked.
The remnants of a strange vision faded like morning mist.
Was it just another one of those dreams?
Where am I…?
A ceiling? A luxurious one, at that.
I could feel a smirk spreading on my face like soy sauce.
Oh, I forgot... I'm rich.
Wait, was I just having a really nauseating dream? One where I actually cared for someone. Pfft! More funny than disgusting; I care only about myself and my goals. Everyone else can go to hell, for all I care. Their place is under my fee—
"Aki-sama, you don't want to be late for your first day of high school, do you?"
The voice startled me. I turned to find my maid, Kowai, standing beside my luxurious bed. As usual, she had appeared out of nowhere.
"Ugh, how many times have I told you to stop sneaking up on me? Do you want to be set on fire again?"
Kowai tilted her head innocently, her brown eyes wide with mock confusion. "Whatever do you mean, Aki-sama? I've been standing here the whole time. You just didn't notice me."
I sighed, throwing off the covers. "Aren't you attending the same school as me? Go get ready. I can take care of myself today."
"Of course, Aki-sama," Kowai replied, bowing slightly, though her smirk betrayed her amusement.
This girl needs more discipline; I've been confiding in her too much, and it's getting to her head.
Being a rich girl has its perks, but honestly, it's such a hassle sometimes...
Just Kidding! It's great being rich and powerful. I get to step on lowlifes all the time. And we all know there's nothing better than looking down on humans.
Ah, I'm becoming excited for school! Now, how many minions I'm I getting?
Middle school was 700… that's too low, I'll get 7000 this time around. Ha-ha-ha!!