Without thinking too much, I decided to follow the advice. Just like last time, I was flooded with memories, but unlike last time, it was only that: memories. I didn't feel the substance, the smells, or other senses that came with my recollections, and I think I understood why: they weren't my memories, but Fernanda's. In fact, it was a little different, since memories usually come as a vision from the person themselves, but the memories I saw of Fernanda I was seeing in third person.
"This happens because such memories do not belong to you. The multiple senses that accompany the retrieval of your own recollections manifest precisely because they are yours. Regarding other people's memories, you are only allowed to observe the moment in question. In my case, for example, I observe everything in third person."
Nodding at the explanation, I began to dive into the 'movie' that was Fernanda's life and from what I saw of the initial part, regarding the start of our relationship, I could draw two conclusions: she REALLY fell hard for me and… well, how can I explain it in a more… eh, 'family friendly' way? Well, she had a very strong 'fire'.
Don't get me wrong, I knew she had a libido much higher than mine, to the point that sometimes I had to try really hard and figure out very well how to put out that 'flame'. What I didn't know was that it had been like that even before our first time. I see an event here where she accidentally spilled juice on part of my shirt and I ended up taking a shower at her house. She offered to lend me a shirt from her brother and wash mine, and I ended up accepting. From the 'movie' I saw that it took a few days for her to wash the shirt because she was using it to 'pleasure herself'. Literally hentai style.
Feeling guilty for seeing my younger fiancée doing that, I decided to skip a few years. I jumped to when we started living together, we had separate computers since we used them both for work and leisure. I saw my fiancée playing an Action-RPG +18. Yes, she was the type who likes games with that theme. I used to play with her a few times, honestly, it's not that the theme displeased me, it's that many games that had it were really bad. Watching the scene of her and me happily playing made me feel a pain in my chest.
"I wish I could do this again …"
I jumped again, but this time, to some time after my death. I wouldn't have the courage to see the exact moment or my funeral. She was devastated, crying every day. From what I could understand, they had to pay a lot of money to bring my body back, luckily I had my savings and that was used for it. Friends and family visited her every day, but that sparkle in her eyes had disappeared.
It took months and months for her to start rebuilding herself. She started therapy, sports, and other things that could occupy her mind. Little by little she got used to her new normal. A few years after my death, she stopped in front of a photo of us from when we were teenagers, the only photo of me still present in her house and said.
"I love you, and I will always love you, but I need to continue. I know you wouldn't want me to stay like this, and so from now on I will continue my journey."
As if a switch had been turned on, I realized that in that moment she changed. She became that Fernanda I knew again: full of life and love. At some point, she met someone: Carlos was his name. He works in finance and they clicked. It was strange to see my fiancée's whole path — I mean, ex-fiancée — to fall in love with someone. He seemed like a decent guy to me. He resembled me, since we are both more reserved, but unlike me, he lived with her for a long time.
They got married, had children, argued, discussed, had happy moments, disappointments: All, a normal life. They grew old together, he passed away first and she some time later, surrounded by people who loved her. You could see from her peaceful face that she had a good life. Did she still think about me ? Honestly, I don't care anymore. Just seeing that she managed to live a life like that makes me say it was worth it.
I wonder at what moment I started crying, when I least noticed, tears of joy fell from my eyes. That was it, it's over. Now that I could see her life, I was sure of it. A great weight left my heart and I could finally breathe calmly. After some time reflecting, I finally decided to speak with 'Now'.
"Hey, 'Now' I want to reincarnate."
I also want a life like that, I want my own happy ending. I don't need to be remembered and I definitely don't want to be a protagonist. I just want a second chance. With a satisfied look, 'Now' began to speak to me.
"I'm pleased that you accepted to reincarnate, Carter. From this point, there is no turning back, my friend. As for your advantage, it's simple: remember when I mentioned the 'Beginning of the Layer' and showed you the 'Love for a Whole Life' ? Well, your advantage consists of this — I will reveal to you the 'Beginning of the Layer' and tell you another change made to the story besides your own existence. I know it may sound modest, but believe me, such knowledge will be of great help to you in your next life.
There is, however, an important detail: you will not be able to revisit the work. You will have to proceed only with this initial background. Fortunately, you already have some knowledge of this story, and this will make the process easier. Unfortunately, this advantage is not something I grant myself, but rather a gift from the 'Path'. Therefore, I cannot alter or expand it to help you even more."
I have to admit, it really wasn't much. I mean, my memories seem much more advantageous to me. But if I learned anything from the web novels I read, it's that knowing even the minimum of the future is already very advantageous.
"If this serves as consolation, I can offer you a small change. Normally, upon reincarnating, your new name would be different, distinct from the one you carried until now. But in this case, I will do it differently: your name will remain Carter. Consider this a gift, a gesture of respect for a guest as special and unique as you.
And think this way: you will have the certainty that, at least, the 'Beginning of the Layer' will occur. Depending on what you choose to do, this can be extremely advantageous… almost like carrying, silently, a piece of the future."
I nodded, not having to worry about the name Carter is already very good in my eyes.
"Well, then… what's the story ?"
Almost like magic, just like the 'Kindle' appeared before, a notebook appeared in front of me. On it, there was something I didn't expect. A game was open. I swear I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I tried to see if my vision was tired and I was seeing things wrong, but the screen was still on the same game. I got up, took a quick walk around the island, just to stretch my legs and clear my mind. About 5 minutes later I returned and looked at the notebook screen again.
"This… This can only be a joke …"
Looking at me with a mix of pity and sorrow, 'Now' spoke with his calm but heavy voice :
"Unfortunately, it's not a joke, my dear friend. This will be the world you will be reincarnated into."
Remember when I was looking at Fernanda's memories and saw her playing an Action RPG +18, well, this is the game. My Harem 1: The saint who saves the world with the help of her harem. It's impossible that something with such a cheesy and straightforward name would be the world I will live in. After a few minutes looking at the notebook screen, I couldn't take it: I started laughing.
"HAHAHAHAHAH… hahahahahaha… oh no, no… you're joking with me, right ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA !"
For a few seconds, the laughter seemed sincere, as if it was just the way I found to deal with the absurdity of the situation. But then, gradually, the sound changed. The laugh became shorter, dryer, until my expression changed completely.
"No… it can't be… you must be messing with me … THROWING ME INTO THIS PLACE ?!"
My voice was now almost a roar, full of rage and indignation.
"After everything, after ALL I lived… and you come to tell me this is my destiny ?!"
The silence that followed was heavy, as if even the space itself felt Carter's contained fury.
"Carter, don't get hung up on the age rating or the themes of the game. Just live, have fun, and find your own path. Despite the vulgar tone this work may have, you are not obliged to follow it to the letter — just as in your world there are moments much more vulgar than any scene in this game, and you didn't choose to live them.
Now, about the second part of your advantage, I need you to understand something: the protagonist's harem will be expanded. Not only will those who already existed in the original story be present, but also others, completely new, who would never be part of the normal plot.
And this change didn't come by chance, but from something rare and fascinating: an 'Interception between Realities'."
"Another concept to learn, right ?"
"Yes, Carter, there is another concept I must reveal, although I rarely do so. Normally, 'Knowledge' keeps its 'Realities' separate, but in exceptional cases, like yours, certain stories can touch each other.
An 'Interception between Realities' is this: when elements from one story — characters, events, mechanics, even small life details — cross from one 'Realities' to another 'Realities'. It's not temporary; it's definitive. It's as if threads of distinct destinies intertwined, creating unexpected patterns that none of the stories could generate alone. I think for you, the term crossover is used in this case.
Even so, the 'Start of the Version' keeps its authority: only those destined for the original work are guaranteed a beginning. Figures from other 'Realities' can approach, touch, or never cross the path of the protagonist and other characters. They are echoes of lives breathing behind the curtain, and only some become visible.
In your specific 'Version', three other Realities poured their contents over this story. Four distinct universes, coexisting, intertwined, each carrying its own designs and choices, yet coexisting as if they were one. Fascinating, terrifying, inevitable — this is 'All', and rarely does anyone have the opportunity to contemplate such confluence."
"And can I know what these 3 other stories are?"
"Unfortunately not, Carter. It is not part of your advantage to know the other three 'Realities' that intersect with yours. Let this serve, at least, as consolation: these works do not exist within your 'Version'. There may even be some stories that show similarities — perhaps very close — but each 'Realities' carries its own subtleties and developments, unique and unrepeatable.
From what I could discern in your memories, you do not have full knowledge of the characters or all the plot details of the 'Beginning of the Layer', or at least you do not remember every nuance. Still, you possess enough understanding of the mechanics and functioning of the game. It is not enough knowledge that will make you invincible, but it is more than enough to provide clarity and to point the way when others would be blind.
And allow me to add, not as an abstract concept, but as a concrete fact: the first game in the story has its 'Start of the Version' on the first day of the first year of the academy, but normally, this first day occurs in a certain way, dictated by the 'Beginning of the Layer' but with the addition of new rules and people, this start will occur differently, but not drastically so. In this case, some adjustments will be made regarding the number of students, the academy's capacities, and other matters. The 'End of the Version' normally concludes at the end of the first year, and each subsequent year unfolds in its own games. The 'Beginning of the Layer' that your 'Version' will follow is not limited to a single game or year — it encompasses all the games, sequentially, each building the narrative foundation for the next.
If I could offer you advice, Carter, consider the elements you do not recall or that are unknown to you as coming from other 'Realities'. This perspective can serve as a subtle guide, a clearer and safer way to anticipate the challenges and nuances you will encounter on your journey."
"I understand… right, there's nothing to do about it. Better to accept it at once."
Placing the cup on the table and standing up, 'Agora' came over and shook my hand.
"Very well, my dear friend, I am pleased that you have accepted everything, after all. It was indeed a pleasure to meet you, Carter, but I must proceed to my subsequent duties. I am considering changing this space, this island, into a beach. I believe it will be considerably easier for the next being to feel at ease than staying here.
That said, I hope we can meet again, so that we can continue our conversations."
Looking directly into 'Now''s eyes, I could see something I hadn't noticed before. 'Now''s eyes seemed infinite, like two marbles containing the entire universe inside. I suppose it makes sense at the end of the day, considering who he is.
"Well, I also thank you for everything you have done for me. So, how do I reincarnate?"
Taking his hand and placing it on my head, 'Now' smiled and said:
"Do not worry, Carter, this is my duty. Farewell and… have an excellent life, my friend. Remember, those around you are not mere characters; they are living beings, with their own wills, feelings, and decisions. Treat them with the consideration that any life deserves. Until we meet again."
And then, darkness covered me once more.
–– Point of View of 'Now' ––
As soon as I completed Carter's transition to his new existence, I resumed my duties as usual. However, it was not long before I noticed the approach of another being, for the second time in a short interval. Indeed, something curious was occurring: another individual was awakening in the 'Nothing'. The question was, naturally, how to handle this new situation.
And then, to my unexpected delight, I recognized the type of being approaching.
"Oh… another human… this time, female."
I allowed myself to slowly savor the tea while observing her approach, pondering how events would unfold. The surprise became even greater when I was presented with the particularities of this new existence: her advantages, the 'Beginning of the Layer' to which she was linked, as well as the specific 'Version' corresponding to her. A small smile formed on my face.
"Well, well, well… it seems that Carter will have company in this plot."