“… Master?”

  The voice sounds in my mind, echoing around. I tilt my head.

  “Boro, did you just speak?” I ask with wide eyes.

  Boro nuzzles and licks his own arm while looking up at me. He pauses for a moment before speaking.

  “I am grateful to you, master! Even though it hasn’t been a long time.”

  I’m awestruck.

  He sounds so very human.

  “Y-yes,” I stutter, trying to regather my confidence. Tears begin to drip from my eyes, though I do not know why. “I am… I am your master! My name is Jace.” I strugle to lift my hand, holding it out to Boro, who tilts his head in confusion.

  “Shake?” I ask.

  Boro lifts a paw, and shakes my hand.

  “Master Jace, how am I alive?” he asks suddenly.

  I pause.

  It seems like I will have to explain many things to my new friend.

  ***

  A day passes, and I tell Boro many things. Mostly things about my life before all of this happened. I wasn’t sure at first how it would feel talking to my own skill, but I realized the best way to get along with Boro was understanding that he was not mine. I didn’t own him, like the government in my previous world owned slaves.

  He was my friend. Well, I call him my friend. I’m not sure what he thinks of me.

  “Why haven’t you left this place yet, Master Jace?” Boro asks.

  “I’m not sure how,” I admit. “There’s just grass everywhere! That river down there is the only thing that breaks free from the cycle. Oh, and the statue,” I say as well. I did tell Boro about the statue a few hours prior.

  “Master Jace, do you not know where you are?” Boro asks while licking his paw and grooming himself. He’s currently on my shoulder.

  I shake my head. “What, do you know?” I ask while leaning closer, interested now.

  Unfortunately, Boro pushes my face away. But he retracts his claws while doing so, which is a nice bonus.

  “Of course I know, Master Jace. We’re in your mind. In limbo.”

  What?!

  This is the first time I’m hearing of this.

  “What do you mean?” I ask carefully. “Limbo? In my mind? This isn’t the real world?”

  Boro stares at me as if I’m beyond saving, which isn’t a good look for me. I’m supposed to be his trusted companion. Or is that just my imagination?

  “No, master… you really don’t know much about this place, do you?”

  “And you do?” I ask, crossing my arms.

  Boro nods, raising his paw.

  Blip.

  A ripple of energy shatters the space in front of him as runes begin to float into the air from the crack.

  “Huh…” I’m not really surprised. Rather, I’m intrigued.

  [You have unlocked the title ]

  [Your shell of a mind opens, allowing you to gaze between realities.]

  [??? allows you to reincarnate]

  [Which world will you choose?]

  * * *

  Chapter 3

  Which world will I chose?!

  Vaguely, I think I understand what Boro means. That I am in my mind right now, that I am currently dead. But I never thought I’d be given the option to reincarnate—in fact, I might say I had thought that I had already reincarnated.

  Looks like that was not the case.

  The portal begins to expand as I step backward, not daring to get too close to the thing. I bring Boro with me, shielding him from the sparks, even though I know he created them himself.

  In that moment, I manifest my runes and glance at the title.

  Name: Jace Kessler (Rank 1)

  Titles:

  ● [ - You are a kind person. Your aura has been amplified.]

  ● [ - You have seen something others cannot. Mystery adores you.]

  Well, that makes a lot of sense!

  It doesn’t. That’s sarcasm.

  Suddenly, the portal stops expanding. It seems to quick, but it starts whirring, splitting into several pieces. It tears into the grass, sending clumps of the meadows flying straight at me. Raising my hand, I innately channel that mysterious energy, blocking the clumps.

  It seems to have grown stronger with the title!

  I grin as the portal finally settles. It has split into three pieces, or dare I say three seperate portalss?

  Well, that’s exactly what they are.

  “Is it safe to walk up to them?” I ask Boro while pondering about the things the runes just showed be. Who is ???, and how did they allow me to reincarnate?

  I am determined to figure out the answer to this mystery.

  Boro nods. I take that as a yes.

  As soon as I walk up to the portals, more runes appear.

  This time, there is a bit more information for me to work with, which I much appreciate. Thank you, whoever you are! Creator of this astounding magic. You are also probably someone who had a hand in my situation.

  [Aeana - An ocean world, without a hint of land. Home to the great krakens and people of the deep.] (Choose?)

  [Rya - A world of both oceans and seas, vast and full to the brim with magic and mystery] (Choose?)

  [Hellaris - A terrifying world of demons, monsters, and blood. Filled with those who want to ascend to the top.] (Choose?)

  Well, what the hell do you think I’m going to choose? There is only one right answer here.

  First of all, who in their right mind would choose Hellaris? Only a masochist or a psycho would choose to go there. Honestly, the idea of fighting demons and monsters intrigues me, but I don’t want to have to wager on another reincarnation deal again if I die.

  Aeana is also an interesting choice, but it’s just not something I could get used to quickly. Maybe I’d reiterate on it later? I scratch my chin.

  [Which world will you choose?]

  The runes get brighter.

  “Boro?” I ask, turning to my cat companion.

  “Yes, Master Jace?” he replies.

  “If I reincarnate into a world, will I be able to summon you? Or is that only in this place?” As I say this, another question comes to mind. “Will I even be able to come back to this place?” I ask.

  Boro nods with his usual nonchalant face.

  “You will be able to summon me with practice. But to come back… you have to unlock it as a skill,” he says. “It’s a part of your Class, if you explained everything to me correctly.” He raises an eyebrow. “You did explain it all well, right. Master Jace?”

  I think about it for a moment.

  “I see… do you know anything else about the reincarnation? For example, whether there are any differences regarding these runes,” I gesture to the ones floating above me. “Or anything else with magic.”

  Boro shakes his head no. “I was just born, Master Jace!” he chides. “I don’t know much.”

  I sigh, patting Boro on the head. “You’re right, Boro. Well, until next time?”

  Boro smiles, raising both his paws and touching my cheeks.

  “Until next time, Master Jace.”

  Closing my eyes, I smile. And then, I open my mouth.

  “I choose Rya!”

  The central portal hums loud, opening wide like the jaw of a huge animal. And as I widen my arms, it swallows me whole, enveloping me in darkness.

  Phew. That was quite a journey, wasn’t it?

  ***

  When I come to, I’m already crying.

  For god’s sake, really?

  A gut-wrenching wail tears through the… where even am I? I cannot control my cries, so I start by looking around. But when I try to, I find that my vision is still hazy. It seems that it will take a while for it to clear up.

  But I must be in a room, no?

  [Master Jace!]

  A voice sounds in my mind, and I immediately recognize it amidst my tears. Boro! I rapidly think to myself—Boro, are you there? You can still hear me, right? Are you able to see anything?

  [I can only see through your eyes, Master Jace.]

  Hmm… then it seems that Boro cannot get me out of this predicament.

  Okay! For now, I’m going to try to figure out what’s going on, alright! I’ll call you if I need you.

  [Alright, Master Jace]

  With this, Boro dissapears. But just as he does, another message pops up.

  [You have unlocked the title !]

  Name: Jace Kessler (Rank 1)

  Titles:

  ● [ - You are a kind person. Your aura has been amplified.]

  ● [ - You have seen something others cannot. Mystery adores you.]

  ● [ - You are not from this world. Within it, you will be detatched.]

  That isn’t good. My crying ceases abruptly, maybe because of the shock. is not a great title to have, it seems. Because otherwise, how am I supposed to create emotional bonds with the people of this world?

  I don’t want to act like a spectator. Will my skills be the only creatures I can speak with? Of course, I like Boro a lot. But still…

  “One of them has stopped crying.” A voice rings out through the room.

  What? Are they talking about me?

  Still, I don’t cry again. Instead, I sit up and raise my head, looking around the room. Since my vision is steady now, I can see many things. One of those things, is that I am not alone.

  There are hundreds of cribs in this giant room, which is lined with torches on all four walls. The torches flicker with purple flames.

  In each of the cribs, is a child. I didn’t notice it before, but the chorus of their cries makes up most of the experience here.

  “Isn’t that kid kind of weird?’ Another voice asks.

  “Do you dare say that about the Patriarch’s children?!” The first voice snaps back.

  “I’m sorry, sir!”

  Patriarch? My situation really is knotted up with something crazy. Have I been born into some kind of noble house? I strain my neck, looking around, although I cannot exactly see the men who are speaking. Instead, I survey my crib.

  It is made of sturdy material, although not comfortable stuff, exactly. It is steel.

  Only a masochist would like to sleep in a metal crib, eh? My crib didn’t even have sheets or a pillow. So what did that make me?

  What did that…

  ***

  Being a baby is hard. I did so much working out in the land of grass, but none of the gains transferred here.

  Also, I fall asleep too often.

  This place is strange, though. The two strange men, who I am now calling Hatboy and Piggy (Hatboy is the underling who wears a hat, and Piggy is the superior who always seems to be eating something), periodically come to check on all the other babies here. Apart from me and a few other children, many of them still cry often.

  Those babies are removed quickly. I’m scared for what happens to them.

  I roll onto my back and begin to do situps. In my right hand is a bottle of baby formula, provided by Piggy.

  Why situps? It helps me think. I have been doing it for the last two weeks.

  [ Lvl 6 ➜ Lvl 7]

  Oh, good job, Boro! You leveled up! Only three more levels to go until you reach level ten.

  [Thank you, Master Jace. I already feel stronger.]

  Well, that’s enough exercise. Lets head back to sleep.

  ***

  I wake up to the sound of a loud gong.

  “Listen up, fools! The Day of Judgement has arrived!” Hatboy shouts loudly. My ears open wide. This piques my interest.

  “Shut up, dumbass!” Piggy retaliates. He always seems to have a swear on hand. “Ahem.” He raises a hand to his mouth and clears his throat. There are no more wails in the room, because all those babies have been removed.

  “I, Sir Loren Gracefield, declare the first phase of the thirty-fourth generation over. Out of seven hundred and fifty-four children birthed by the Gracefield House this year, I am pleased to congratulate all of you!” Piggy Loren throws his hands forward. “You are the fourty-three that have passed all the tests, and remain!”

  What tests, I wonder. These people haven’t been doing much.

  “It is my honor then, to guide you all to the bloodline bestowal ceremony!”

  Ah. Fuck!

  * * *

  Chapter 4

  I am now facing a crowd of crazy people, while in the middle of a group of crazy babies. That does sound insane, and it might feel like I have gone crazy too, but let me explain.

  The place I was born into, House Gracefield (from what I could make out) is a place that judges children by merit. Now, that isn’t a terrible thing by itself. It isn’t like they are killing children. All they are doing if a child is not up to their standards, is sending them to other Houses and removing all chances of that child ever manifesting the Gracefield Bloodline, which I hear is highly coveted.

  Truly, this bloodline thing only really applies to babies who are purebloods, like me. The babies who have mixed blood have a lesser chance of awakening the bloodline, and a much higher chance of recieving a completely different bloodline.

  At least, this is what I heard from Piggy, before he and Hatboy tossed me into this tiny ring of sand along with all the other babies.

  Yes, a ring of sand! I’m not sure exactly where this is—they blindfolded me and the other children when bringing them through the hallways. But it seems to be a small gathering chamber. The room is large, but not too large. It could probably only fit thirty people at most.

  In the center of this room is the ring of sand where I am. Gathered around the ring are several figures all wearing suits and sipping glasses of wine. It’s all very strange.

  And horrible, but I’ll have to deal with it for now.

  [Master Jace, will you be alright?]

  I have you, Boro. I reply in my thoughts. I can use some of your power, right?

  [Of course, Master Jace.]

  Then that is fine.

  The room suddenly became silent. Hatboy and Piggy are nowhere to be seen.

  A figure breaks free from the crowd. He wears a plain black mask on his face, which covers his entire head. The rest of his body is adorned with several pieces of jewerly including rings for all his rough, pale white fingers, and several chains for his neck.

  “… Only this many remain?” The figure asks. “It’s several less than last year.”

  “My apologies, Great Patriarch.” Piggy appears out of nowhere. He kneels on the ground and bows his head down, closing his eyes in the face of the figure, who I now know to be the Patriarch.

  My “father”. It honestly irks me.

  “What is the reason for this?” My father asks once again, impatient.

  “Reason?” Piggy blinks. “There isn’t a reason—”

  Smack!

  My father raises his cane and slams it into Piggy’s jaw, sending him tumbling backward. On his face is a cold, indifferent look that should have sent chills down my spine. But I have , so it doesn’t faze me.

  My father is a cruel, cruel man.

  “No reason?” He spits on the ground. “Are you telling me the Gracefield blood has weakened, Loren?”

  “N-no sir!” Piggy begins to prostrate. “Most of it must have been concentrated into one or two geniuses this year! That must be the reason why!”

  “Is that so…” My father seems to consider this before lifting Piggy’s chin up with his cane. “We shall see. If it is as you say, you may live for another year.”

  “Yes, Great Patriarch!” Piggy cries for everyone to hear.

  [Master Jace…]

  Yes, I know, Boro. This is horrible. As soon as I have the power to, I’ll look into bringing this entire House down. But don’t lose faith for the rest of the world, Boro! There are still many things to explore! That’s why I chose this place, after all.

  [Alright. I really do hope so, Master Jace. I’m growing worried here.]

  There’s no need to be, I think.

  “Alright, all of you! Please lower your drinks and face this way, and excuse my actions.” My father dragged his cane across the sand, wiping it clean. Blood seeped into the area in front of me. “I shall begin.”

  My father walks to one of the children at the very left. He raises his hand, and the mysterious energy blasts outward from his fingertips—although it is not white! Instead it is a crackling, electrical red. This red electricity plunges into the child’s body.

  For a moment, nothing happens. Three seconds pass. Four. Five. Six—

  “WAAAHHH!!!” The child cries out in pain as dark marks begin to appear on his body. I watch, horrified, as my father stops abruptly, checking the antique watch on his wrist.

  “Six seconds,” he whispers under his breath. “A failure. Throw this one out.”

  … So that’s how you want to play it, huh? I watch with a steady glare in my eyes as my father moves to the next child, raising his hand.

  This guy really needs to die.

  ***

  My father is almost done.

  “Four minutes! And she didn’t even cry! This girl shall grow into a powerful young woman indeed.” My father laughs, removing his hand from the baby next to me—it is a girl, although this girl seems the same as every other child. Apart from the fact that she withstood my father’s lightning for four minutes straight…

  What a monster. Could she be a ?

  [She isn’t, Master Jace! And be ready, you’re the last one.]

  I know that, Boro.

  My father steps in front of me. As he does, the silky textures on his mask dissappear slightly, allowing me to catch a blurred glimpse of what is behind. This is most likely due to , right? My eyes widen as I realize why he wears the mask.

  His face is littered with scars and burns.

  “So you’re the last one… you better be a good one, for Loren’s sake.”

  Is my father a psychopath?

  He raises his hand over my face, summons the lightning energy, and shoots it into my skin.

  Fuck! I grit my teeth, trying to withstand the pressure of the energy. It is not only intimidating, but enormous. The man never seems to run out, and the pain only worsens by the second. Each tick on my father’s watch seems to take an eternity.