Once again standing upon the endless marble expanse, Jace faced the radiant form of the goddess as the light around them dimmed. Her gaze was warm, but seemed to carry a slight expectation. Jace sensed something was about to happen as the air seemed alive.
The goddess remarked, "You've agreed to the mission," her voice almost musical. "But before you are reincarnated, we must determine the circumstances of your new life. I shall not send you unprepared to face the Great Evil Beasts, after all."
With a graceful wave of her exposed hand, a massive circular platform covered in thousands of floating, glittering cards appeared before him. They spun slowly in the air above, catching the light in a dazzling array of rainbow colors. Jace could sense a faint magical hum from the cards in his bones, a weak, magical resonance.
"This is the Draw of fate," the goddess declared. "These cards will shape certain aspects of your new life. You will draw three cards: one for your luck, one for your race and background, and one for your talent." She turned to him and offered a gentle smile.
"The draw will not be entirely random. While chance will always play a role, your choices will ultimately determine your destiny."
Jace closed his eyes and pointed at the whirling mass of cards. "So this is my 'preparation,' then?" he asked and crossed his arms. "You'll allow a few bits of magical cards to determine what kind of start I get?"
The goddess let out a soft chuckle. "You always seemed to challenge everything. These cards will certainly help to define your fate. Still, the outcome is not clearly set forth. Your application of what you receive will define you. Luck, race, and talent—each can shape your path in ways you might not be able to see right now."
Jace's gaze remained fixated on the cards, their shimmering edges seemed to urge him to reach out and grab one. Jace knew that there wouldn't be any point in arguing—he had already agreed to this after all. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.
"Alright," he said. "Let's see what fate has in store for me."
«»«»«»
A bright green light glowed as the goddess waved toward the first set of cards.
"Your luck will decide the first draw," she said. "In a world of magic and monsters, luck can be irregular—but it can often make all the difference between one's life and death."
Jace felt a subtle tingle in his fingers as he touched the surface and reached for one of the cards. He grasped it and drew it free. The card pulsed with light, then flipped over in his palm.
[ 4-star Good Luck ]
Jace felt a little change in the surroundings; the air around him shimmered with a brilliantly golden glow. The card bore a glowing four-leaf clover, its leaves ethereal and softly radiant.
"There are five tiers of luck in both good and bad, with five stars representing the highest tier," the goddess explained. "Even if four stars in good luck won't guarantee that everything will go your way, it will give you a significant advantage. It will increase your chances of lucky events and guide you with unexpected path directions."
Jace allowed a small smile. "I'm going to take it. Still better than running the odds on bad luck."
The goddess nodded in affirmation. "Now comes the second draw: your race and background." She gestured to the next set of deep-blue, glistening cards. "This will define your social position as well as the race you will be reborn into."
Jace reached out once more, this time with a little more assurance. He chose one of the cards, and as it turned over, the platform lit up with a cool, brilliant blue.
[ Human, Noble birth, Goldheart family ]
The card had a logo—a golden heart stamped on a field of silver. Simple scrollwork under it spelt the Goldheart family's name. Looking at the card, Jace's eyes closed as though he was trying to decipher the symbol's deeper meaning.
"The Goldheart family is one of the prominent noble houses in the Blustery Kingdom," the goddess informed. "Their wealth and magical legacy are well known; their influence is felt across the entire land. As a member of this family, you will gain access to resources and education that most could only dream of. Still, noble life also comes with its own expectations… and challenges."
"So I'm born with a silver spoon in my mouth," Jace said, sounding rather amused at her explanation. "Sounds like quite the head start."
The goddess gave him a measured look and advised. "Don't judge too quickly. Although noble birth brings you opportunities, it also sets you among expectations. High societies can be as dangerous as any battlefield. And given your rebellious nature, you could find it challenging to adapt to the mold."
Jace rolled his eyes. "I'm not bothered about 'fitting in' anyone's mold," he declared. "I'll do things my way, as always."
The goddess smiled broadly. "Then we shall see how far that spirit takes you."
She then raised her hand. "Now, for the last draw—your talent."
As soon as she said that, the last set of cards floated before him, glowing in silver and gold light.
Jace reached out for one of the cards with great expectations written all over his face. This final draw would define his edge against the challenges ahead in his new life—his potential to meet them and possibly surpass them.
He pulled one card from the air.
As soon as he did, a brilliant light exploded as it flipped, revealing two symbols, each radiant in a different hue.
[ Skills Draw ]
[ Fusion ]
The first symbol depicted a hand sketching a brilliant rune from a swirling pool of light, and the second showed two orbs—one of fire and the other of ice—merging into a single, larger sphere.
"Woah, now that's an interesting pair," the goddess said, her eyes gleaming with approval. "Skill Draw will let you learn new abilities and skills using skill points, which you can earn through many sources—training, mission completion, or defeating strong enemies. It will give you a flexible road of development."
Curious about the second ability, even though he could already guess what it meant, Jace asked. "And Fusion?"
"Fusion is the ability that lets you combine physical objects, spells, and even skills. You can use it to combine two objects or fuse two basic spells and make a new, more powerful spell or to make a unique object. The possibilities are endless—but the process demands careful experimentation. Not every fusion will succeed."
A grin tugged at the corner of Jace's lips, despite his otherwise plain expression. "So I get to grow in power and ability. That sounds simply fantastic for someone like me."
The goddess nodded at Jace's words. "Indeed. It will provide you with the chance to shape your abilities as you see fit. However, you need to always remember that any power without control can be fatal. Make good use of your talents and do not abuse your abilities."
The goddess stepped closer, her eyes softening as she looked down to meet Jace's gaze. "Your fate has been set. Your new life welcomes you, Jace Elinham… or rather, Raiden Goldheart; the name you shall bear in this world."
Upon hearing his new name from the goddess's lips, Jace felt strange, as though a new identity was beginning to settle in place.
Trying the name himself, Jace opened his mouth, "Raiden Goldheart."
The name seemed alien yet familiar, like a piece of a puzzle he had not noticed was initially missing.
"Always remember, Raiden," the goddess said, her voice taking a solemn edge. "This second chance carries not just personal meaning, but great responsibilities. The Seven Great Evil Beasts will not remain idle forever. You have to be ready to face them when the time arrives. Or better yet—face them before they're ready to face you."
Raiden turned to meet her gaze, his eyes steady. "I'll be ready," he said, his voice calm but filled with resolution. "And I'll do things my way."
The goddess raised her hand, a proud smile forming on her lips.
"Then you shall proceed. May your journey be one of strength and growth."
«»«»«»
Wooooosh…
The world around Raiden tore apart in a flash of white light. He felt a powerful gravitational force tugging at him, as though he was being pulled through a narrow tunnel.
Different colors of light—golden, deep blue, and even silver—spun around him, dazzling his senses until, at last, the brightness faded into darkness once again.
The next thing he felt was pain—sharp, overwhelming and intense, as if the weight of the world was pressed against him. He could hear faint, muffled voices, distant and unclear.
His small body felt as though he was being twisted and shifted, his limbs moving about against his will, pushed and pulled by unseen force. And then he started to feel free.
The pain eased, and so did the pressure. The next instant, cold air brushed against his skin.
He tried to open his mouth to speak, but instead, a loud cry echoed across the chamber.