Yeah, I did not like that smile; it speaks of mischief. I must have looked like that to my family when I used to prank them.
But, to be honest, I was not that interested in having a system bind to me, though I would take it if that were my only choice of getting stronger.
" No, you/I are not that keen on having a system bound to us. So I thought of something different since I can't make you overpowered because it might break the balance. And besides, it won't make you grow to your full potential."
"Break the balance of what?" I asked.
" Well, I am not the only mighty being out there. If I made you OP from the start, then your potential might get locked there, and even if that is not the case, those other beings won't be too keen on welcoming another mighty being in their rank."
That is understandable, I guess. Even in the human world, people in power usually never want more people on the same level as them. Not to mention, here we are talking about godly beings.
"Ok, so? If I am not getting a system, then what do I get?"
He gave a thoughtful look, like he was thinking about something deep, but I know he was just pretending because it was something I would do. In this short amount of time, I was starting to believe that he really was a part of me, or that he was someone who was really good at acting. Whichever is the case, as I am now, there is no way for me to know.
"Hmm, I am going to give you a chance to choose your race. Be aware, other than that, I can't give you more cheats since if you put your mind to it and choose a good race in a world like Danmachi, that alone will give you a good boost. So take your time and pick whichever you want."
Just as he/I(that so mouthful I will just refer to him/I as he or him) said that a long and I mean a very long list of names flashed in front of my eyes.
"You can just think of a race name or some characteristic related to them, and it will appear in front of you. You can just click on them to see the description."
After hearing that, I thought of an elf and a list of several types of elves appeared in front of me
Elf
Dark elf
Moon elf
Forest elf
Ice elf
High elf
Etc…
I click on the high elf option. And the description appears in front of me.
High elf:- High elf are usually a part of Royalty, but it is not an absolute. They can live for thousands upon thousands of years and have initiated talent for magic. They dislike being touched by strangers. The amount of dislike varies person to person and only let people they trust deeply to touch them etc. (the generic things).
Yup I thought as much but I have already decided the race that I am going to reincarnate as.
And that is
.
.
.
High Human. As I thought of that name, it appeared in front of me.
High human:- They are a race of the mighty and are very rare. They have high physical strength and also have high agility. And as capable in magic as high elves. They also have extreme adaptability and have a very fast growth rate. They also have an ageless body, and they won't die as long as they are not killed. It is estimated that in the whole multiverse, they number only a few billion.
Yup, feels like an overpowered race, and having a high growth rate and extreme adaptability is a deadly combo. I always wondered why there are not that many stories with MC being of this race.
"So you have decided huh?"
"You know what I will choose from the start, don't you?"
"Yeah, but I was still doubting after all, even if we are the same, there is a possibility that you might behave differently, but I guess I was just worried for no reason."
"Worried?" I frowned.
"Don't worry, it was not that important."
I knew that was a lie, but I kept quiet. After all, I was able to guess just by the look in his eye that he wouldn't answer that question even if I asked. Besides, I was just too excited to go to the Danmachi universe and meet the waifu queens.
"So are you ready now?" he asked.
"Yeah, but won't it create a problem– my race, I mean, from what I remember, there was no mention of this race in the anime?"
"Nah. The world will create a lore according to it, so you don't have to worry about that."
"Ok. But before you send me on my merry way. Can I ask you for a favour?" I asked. Since it was really important.
"You want to save them, No, you want to save her. Save Ryuu from that tragedy, don't you?" He asked, or rather said with intrigue.
Yeah, I wanted to save Ryuu from that tragedy where she lost her Family. I don't want her to go through that pain.
"That's fine. I was going to send you to that timeline anyway."
"Thank you," I said gratefully.
"Then get ready in 3…2…" he started the countdown as I started losing consciousness.
"Oh, I forgot to mention some things will be different, but don't worry, most events will be the same, and 1."
That was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness fully.
.
.
.
I regained my consciousness before I even took in the surroundings, I cussed at him.
"Shit. I hate myself(him). What does he mean by that?"
Sigh. Well, I will understand it with time, I guess. As I calmed down, I was finally able to look at myself and my surroundings. I was standing in an alley by the side of the road.
"This is really happening, huh.
I examined my hands, and they were largely the same except that my light brown skin held a subtle change, like it was much tougher than before. I examined my appearance on the puddle of water, and I must say that before I was decent looking, right now I look way more handsome.
I was wearing a white shirt and brown pants as well as brown combat boots.
As I walked out of the alley, I was able to see the buildings, the road made of cobblestone, people of different races like prums, elves, dwarves, demi-humans of different races, humans, and many more.
A lot of them were holding different kinds of weapons like swords, Spears, staff, daggers, War hammers, etc., who I guess were adventurers. They were wearing different types of clothes, some were wearing robes, and some armour, while some were wearing clothing so light that it only covered their main body parts, etc.
The shopkeepers are trying to get the attention of the passersby to sell their wares. But the thing that got my attention the most was the symbol of Orario City, the Tower of Babel. It was so huge that it seemed like it would literally pierce through the sky.
And the other thing I noticed was that there seemed to be a slight tension in the air. I guess it is not something that can be helped; after all, this is the time when Evelius' activities were at their peak.
"I was worrying a little, thinking he might just drop me on the other side of the world as a joke, but it looked like my worries were unnecessary.
But now I have to navigate the city. All I know is my destination, but not the path that will lead me to it. But my destination is popular enough for me to find it easily after asking around a little. And before long, I was able to see the mansion from a distance.
"The Twilight mansion, huh? It is a beautiful mansion, no doubt about that."
As I got near the mansion, I was met with stares from the 2 guards standing in front of the main gate. I can feel that they were ready to grab their weapons if the need arose. They did not unsheathe their weapons but were ready.
But my attention was not on them but in the courtyard where I was able to see a part of my moon *cough* I mean I was able to see a beautiful woman. Her emerald hair caught the sunlight like spun milk, and her pointed ears twitched slightly as she was training a group of young adventurers. Her staff, Royal spirit, rested against her shoulders as she called out corrections in that melodious voice I only imagined before. I stood there frozen in the novel. She is described as beautiful, noble, and wise, but reality far exceeds those terms. There was an aura around her that spoke of her almost a century of accumulated knowledge and strength. When she moved, it was with grace that seemed to bend the very air around her. Her beauty really could rival that of the gods. The anime really does not do justice to her. She must have felt my gaze as our eyes met.
"Stop! What business do you have with Loki Familia?" The guard's words brought my attention back to them.
"I am here to join," I replied. "I am a new adventurer, but I believe I can contribute to your familia's strength."
The guard exchanged glances. The second, a demi-human with wolf ears, one that I was actively trying to ignore, snorted. "Every fresh-faced kid seems to think they are a hero nowadays. What makes you special?"
Before I could answer, Riviera's voice carried across the courtyard. " What's the commotion, Hendrik?"
The scarred guard strengthened. "Another wanna be hero Reveria-sama. Should we send him to the guild to get some basic knowledge first?"
The high elf approached the gate, her green eye studying me with an intensity that made me feel like she was looking at my very soul. Up close, her beauty was even more striking–ageless features that held both kindness and authority. And those beautiful eyes that held wisdom accumulated over almost a century.
"You are not from Orario," she observed, her voice carrying the musical accent of her people. "But there's something else." She tilted her head so cute, those pointed ears twitching slightly. "Your mana signature is unusual. Almost like…"
"A High Human," I finished quietly.
The effect was immediate. Both guards stepped back, hands moving to their weapons, while Riveria's eyes widened in surprise. High Humans were legendary– being touched by the divine power. Ageless and Mighty. They were supposedly extinct. Or at least that is the knowledge I got in my head after arriving here. But that still does not explain their variness.
"Impossible." She whispered. "The High Human race should have left this world thousands of years ago."
"That's Right. I got involved in an accident and ended up in this world." I said, from the limited information I have in my head, he has already made a backstory for me here. Though I did not know that Riveria was able to study someone's mana signature.
Riveria studied him for a long moment. Her magical senses no doubt confirmed what her eyes suggested. Finally, she nodded to the guards.
"Open the gates. This one required an examination."
As the iron gate swung open. As I step foot inside the Twilight manor premises.
I noticed that the courtyard was much larger than I thought, with training areas, gardens, and what looked like workshops scattered throughout. The younger adventurer stopped their practice to look at the newcomer, that is me.
"Follow me," Riveria commanded and led me towards the main building. "Loki will want to meet you personally. It's not every day that a supposedly extinct race decides to grace us with their presence."
Extinct huh. I guess you can call it that if there is no one alive in this world of that species, then they can be called an extinct race.
Her tone held a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. That made me smile. This was the Riviera I remember from the novels–brilliant, cautious, and utterly devoted to protecting her familia.
"Before we continue," she said, pausing at the manor entrance, "we have not introduced ourselves, have we. I am Riveria Ljos Alf, one of the executives and vice-Captain of the Loki familia. It is a pleasure meeting you."
"Arin Kael," I said, as it is not a name that I had before, but what I have chosen to give myself in this new life. It is not a name that describes who I was, but who I wish to become.
.
.
.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, too." It truly was.