I waited in the endless, blinding white of the Soul Boundary Realm, my mind adrift in a sea of possibilities. The immaculate light stretched infinitely in every direction, and I couldn’t help but wonder about the world that lay beyond this strange purgatory. Would it be filled with magic? New animals—or even terrifying monsters? God, what else could there be? The thoughts tumbled over one another in my mind as I sat alone, the silence of this realm punctuated only by the soft hum of my own heartbeat.

  Lost in these musings, I hardly noticed the sound of soft footsteps behind me until a sudden, familiar voice broke the silence. I jerked around, nearly jumping out of my skin. Standing just a few paces behind me was Aria—again. Her sheer purple cloth draped loosely over her head fluttered like a banner of divine panic, and her eyes shone with a mixture of mischief and concern.

  “That’s about it—you pretty much guessed it,” she said, her tone light yet edged with urgency.

  I couldn’t help but let out a shaky laugh. “Oh, I did? Guess the anticipation is gone now,” I replied, half-amused and half-relieved that at least some things were as I’d imagined.

  Aria’s smile deepened at my response. “Come, let’s sit down,” she said as she raised her hand. With a graceful gesture, the pristine light shifted, and before me appeared a table and a set of chairs, slowly materializing as if summoned by magic itself. We both settled into our seats, the surreal furniture a quiet promise that the next part of our conversation would be just as otherworldly.

  Taking a deep breath, Aria began in a measured tone, “Since this is all my fault—and believe me, I am terribly sorry—I’ll let you essentially customize yourself. You can choose your race, your abilities, your talents, and even your family lineage if you’re interested.”

  The words hung in the air, and for a moment, I was silent. This was the chance I’d been given to finally start over somewhere nice and relaxing—a place where the crushing pressure of endless bad luck might finally be left behind. “That sounds amazing,” I managed, my voice laced with hope. “So…I can really choose what I want?”

  “Absolutely,” Aria replied, her eyes twinkling as she gestured toward an ethereal scroll that appeared before us. “Here, you can have a look at the abilities.

  ╠═══════════════════╣║ ABILITIES ║ ╠═══════════════════╣

  ║ [Magic Affinity] ║ ║ [Fire Magic] ║ ║ [Water Magic] ║ ║ [Earth Magic] ║ ║ [Wind Control] ║ ║ [Protective Barrier] ║ ║ [Healing Touch] ║ ║ [Physical Endurance] ║ ║ [Quick Reflexes] ║ ║ [Strong Constitution]║ ║ [Silent Movement] ║ ║ [Scythe Mastery] ║ ║ [Animal Bond] ║ ║ [Herbal Knowledge] ║ ║ [Electric Shock] ║ ║ [Shadow Veil] ║ ║ [Light Manipulation] ║ ║ [Cold Resistance] ║ ║ [Spatial Awareness] ║ ║ [Intuitive Insight] ║ ║ [Wound Recovery] ║ ║ [Appraisal]║ ║ [Perception Boost] ║ ║ [Illusory Tricks] ║ ║ [Inventory] ║

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  I studied the list with awe, the options seeming to promise power and new beginnings. Yet even as I marvelled at the possibilities, I hesitated. “Could I…make my body first?” I asked slowly. “Is it possible to be another race? And if so, what other races are there?”

  Aria’s smile turned gentle as she replied, "Well, there are humans, elves, dwarves, dragons—and all that sort of stuff. The usual, really. Some of them live in harmony, while others prefer to keep to their own kind. Of course, there are half-breeds too, like half-human, half-dragon, though they are incredibly rare. In fact, none of those exist anymore—not in recorded history, at least. They were either lost to time or never truly flourished as a species. The bloodlines diluted, and eventually, they faded from existence. Some say they were too powerful, while others believe they simply couldn’t adapt to a world that feared them. But who knows?

  Her answer sparked a new line of thought within me. If I were to be reborn, I’d want a strong, resilient body—one that could carry me through the challenges of this new existence. Yet the idea of becoming half-dragon, with all the trappings like tails and claws, sounded a bit too risky. I wasn’t prepared to gamble with that kind of transformation.

  Instead, curiosity led me further down the mystical path. “Are spirits a real thing?” I asked, my tone mixing wonder and scepticism.

  “Of course,” Aria said, nodding as if the answer were the most natural thing in the world. “There are little spirits, and then there are the Spirit Kings—beings stronger than dragons. They are, in essence, the chains that keep this world from ending. You can think of spirits as the shield of the world, protecting it, while dragons act as the sword. Tell me, Lan—do you want to be reincarnated as a Spirit King?”

  I nearly laughed out loud at the sheer audacity of the idea. “GOD NO! That sounds like a whole lot of work,” I blurted, my voice tinged with sarcastic humor. “Is it possible, then, to be a half-breed? A half-Spirit King, half-human?”

  Aria’s eyes widened at the notion, clearly taken aback by my flurry of questions. “You’d be the first of your species, Lan. Spirit Kings have never had children or even concerned themselves with mingling with other species. But—if you choose it—it would be good for you. Spirits are born with an abnormally high amount of luck, so at least you wouldn’t be hounded by misfortune all over again.”

  Her words resonated with me, stirring a spark of hope. After a long pause, I ventured further, “Then, can I alter my appearance too? I mean—could I change things like my hair, my eyes, even my body shape? I’d really like a strong body, but I don’t think a black-haired, half breed spirit king is what I need. Perhaps something a bit more… refined.”

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  Aria chuckled softly, her voice warm and reassuring. “Of course, you can. As a Spirit King—or, more precisely, a half-Spirit King—the ability to harness elemental magic comes naturally. But you also have the option to decide what form you want to take. The only thing you have to choose is which Spirit King you want to be born into.”

  I frowned in mild confusion, tilting my head slightly as I tried to piece together my thoughts. "I’m assuming there are the usual four—fire, water, earth, and air. But is that really all? I mean, spirits are supposed to be mystical beings, right? Surely there are other kinds—ones that govern things like emotions, thought, or even time itself? Maybe something like mind readers or dreamweavers? It feels strange that such a vast world would only have four main categories."

  Her expression softened into one of regretful amusement. “Sadly, no. There are only four main Spirit Kings. What you’re thinking of falls under the dragon species.”

  That answer brought a bittersweet smile to my face. I had already made up my mind. “Then, is it alright if I become an Earth Spirit King?” I asked, my voice imbued with quiet determination.

  Aria’s eyes lit up with approval. “Yes, absolutely. As an Half-Breed Earth Spirit King, you’ll have brown, sharp eyes—so that’s one less thing to worry about.” Her tone conveyed both certainty and a promise of renewal.

  My heart lifted at the thought of being reborn into a form that resonated with the strength and stability of the earth. Yet there was one more decision to be made. Aria leaned forward slightly, her voice taking on a gentler note. “Is there any particular family you’d like to be born into? As a spirit, that might be tricky, but you can certainly have a human family.”

  I didn’t hesitate. "If it’s not too much trouble, could I be born into an affluent family? Nothing too grand—a prince or a duke’s son would be too much—but I’d like to live a relatively easygoing life this time around. Maybe a family with enough wealth and status to provide comfort but not so much that I’d be burdened with endless expectations or political struggles. I want to live with some degree of freedom, to pursue my own path without the weight of a title pressing down on me. A family that holds power but isn’t entangled in royal affairs—one that allows me to enjoy life rather than constantly fight to keep it like I had to in my previous life, that would be great.''

  Aria’s eyes softened in understanding. “Ah, I see. Easygoing, then. I suppose I can place you into a Count’s family. They’re known as the Baraneve Family—they hold vast lands backed by a large mountain range and are quite close to the capital. They also have a monopoly over coal and forestry, so they’re very wealthy, though still low enough in the hierarchy to avoid dangerous intrigues.”

  A broad smile spread across my face at the thought. “And, if it’s alright… could I be born as the fourth son? I’d rather not be caught up in any succession wars.”

  Aria laughed warmly at my request, her laughter echoing softly in the luminous space. “Don’t worry, Lan. Your new family is very peaceful—they don’t fight over succession. I’ve done my research on the entire world, you know.”

  After a brief pause, she shifted the conversation once more. “Now, have you chosen any extra abilities? Naturally, you’ll have elemental magic—earth, fire, water, and air. That’s already quite rare; most people might be born with two elements, but you’ll have all four. Is there anything else?” She gestured as if to pull up another list, though I knew the details were for my later selection.

  Taking a steadying breath, I replied, “I’ve decided on a few extras: appraisal, inventory, and scythe mastery.”

  “Ooh,” Aria exclaimed, her voice bright with approval, “what a good selection! No matter where you go, you’ll hold power. That’s really a fine choice, Lan.”

  Her praise made me feel both smug and shy—as if I were a little boy receiving his first commendation. My heart swelled with a mix of anticipation and a sense of destiny that I’d never felt before.

  Then, with a more serious tone, Aria leaned forward. “Okay, Lan, are you ready? I’m going to configure your body now. It might hurt a bit, since your soul is merging into a brand new form.”

  My pulse quickened, but I nodded firmly. “I’m ready, Goddess Aria. Let’s do it.”

  At her command, the very air around us seemed to thrum with energy. Aria extended her hands, and the immaculate white of the Soul Boundary Realm pulsed with an otherworldly glow. Suddenly, an excruciating pain shot through me—as if my very soul were being torn apart and reassembled piece by piece. I cried out, the agony so intense it felt as though I might be disintegrated entirely.

  Time stretched painfully as the transformation took hold. I could feel every nerve, every cell, being rewritten in a process that was both horrifying and miraculous. And then, as if a divine hand had finally soothed the torment, the pain subsided.

  I looked down, half-expecting to see a stranger’s body in place of my own. Instead, I recognized myself—but I was changed. I was sleeker, leaner, and more muscular than ever before. My hair had transformed into a striking platinum blonde, shimmering like spun starlight. My eyes, still brown, now glowed with a focused intensity. I felt power coursing through every fiber of my being, a vibrant energy that promised a future free of the misfortunes that had once defined me.

  I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. A fresh, earthy scent—like a blend of pine and mint—filled my nostrils, and for a long moment, I simply stood there, overwhelmed by the flood of emotion. Tears welled up in my eyes as I savored the miracle of this transformation. Every nerve in my new body sang with a sense of renewal, and I felt a deep, profound gratitude.

  “Thank you, Aria,” I managed, my voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, thank you so much.” I repeated my thanks over and over, as if the words could somehow hold back the tide of my joy.

  Aria’s expression softened as she regarded me, her earlier panic replaced by a warm, tender satisfaction. “I’m glad you’re happy, Lan. This is my small way of making up for everything.” Her voice was gentle, a sincere whisper amidst the infinite white.

  We sat together once more at the table, now quiet and still except for the faint hum of the realm. My new face, my new body, every detail was a testament to a fresh start—a holy miracle reborn from the ashes of my past misfortune. Aria then leaned forward again, her eyes gleaming with determination.

  “Now that I’ve spent quite some time here in the Soul Boundary Realm, are you ready to be reincarnated?” she asked softly.

  Without hesitation, I nodded. “Yes,” I replied immediately, my heart pounding with a mix of hope and trepidation.

  Before I could dwell on the gravity of the moment further, Aria suddenly raised her voice—almost to a scream. “I FORGOT TO SAY—YOU’RE GOING TO BE REBORN AS A BABY!”

  The words hit me like a shockwave. A surge of fear and disbelief washed over me, and my eyes widened in terror. In an instant, the brilliant white of the Soul Boundary began to intensify, enveloping everything in its overwhelming glow. My vision blurred and then melted away into pure, blinding white. Moments later, darkness swallowed me, and all I could hear were disembodied voices echoing in the void.