There were three things I had regretted in my death.
The loss of my music, loss of my pets, and the not taking the chance to make my hobby a career.
Ever since I was a young child, carving and sculpting have been a passion of mine. However, in a world built on metal and machines, this passion was quickly put down in place of learning how to manipulate machinery and electricity.
Yes, yes. Oh woe is me. 'Why not just go to a lower city?' My friends and relatives would ask me over and over. It was not like I had not thought of doing so time and time again. Yet, I could only stay in the familiar city. It was like something within those concrete and metal borders were begging me to stay.
Though, I suppose it was all for naught.
Now my cat, dog and lizard will be going off to new homes. The collection of music I had collected over my long life will now be buried among the countless data of my old world. My art? Maybe someone will buy them for a cheap price.
Now, I lie in my bad breathing my last, faint breaths. I'm not uncomfortable, by any means. By my side, I have my loving wife, my children, their children and theirs as well.
Tears and smiles filled my eyes, but their voices were so far away now.
Would they carry my legacy? I honestly did not care all that much. For all I could ask in this moment is for them to be safe and happy without me.
Ah, the warm yet cold darkness is slowly coming. I pray that my next life allows me to be a little less demanding. Perhaps this time I'll follow my hobby? I'll miss my music, but most of all, I will miss my cute pets.
Bringing my hand up, my wife gently clutched it in hers to press my palm to her cheek.
"Be well, my light." I wish with the last of my strength.
The last thing I saw was her tear filled smile. As beautiful as the day I had caught her watching me carve up a stray log in the park. Ever since she saw me on that fateful day, I never sculpted or carved without her loving eyes on me.
"Be free, my little artist." She whimpered with her best smile.
Her comforting words finally allowed me to relax into the darkness.
I was sad to leave her, but life with her was fulfilling enough. Now it was time to fade into memory along with my legacy.
Oh passionate Human. One who lived such a tangled life, yet found such fulfillment. Would you willingly take on another path?
A voice? Who could be calling me in such a darkness? Ah, this is probably my last throws at life.
Another path, huh? I do not see why not. As long as I have music and can craft, I suppose I can try.
Is this all you ask? Do you not wish for fame? Fortune?
If I had wanted those, I would have followed the wishes of others and followed my passions no matter the pain. No, a quiet and fulfilling life is what I wish. One where I am free to do what I want.
Maybe I'll make my own shop where a few critters can run around. Pets are always nice art companions.
Would you truly live such a quiet life? What if power were to find your hands, allowing you to rule all?
Power. Yes, that is tempting. I am only Human after all. What mortal would not want power for one reason or another?
How would you use such a power?
What a funny question I am asking myself. Power, huh? Truth be told, I would probably seclude myself and improve my craft. I have seen what power does to a country, and how it affects normal people. Seclusion sounds much better.
I see. Then please, live your life as you please. With my blessing, I shall send you to a place where your wishes can come true.
Hmm? I thought these were my final thoughts. Who are you?
Fear not, Human. I am a namless God of reincarnation. I have seen your life, heard your heart and found it pleasing.
A God? And here I thought all the Gods had given up on us Humans. It is a pleasure, nameless God. However, I cannot accept such a gift without payment. This goes against my beliefs.
Then, might I ask for a favor?
As long as it is something I can do, I will certainly try. I doubt a God that has seen how I have lived would ask an impossible favor.
Is that so? Very well.
For a moment, I thought I heard a feminine chuckle in the distance. It made me feel strangely embarrassed, yet I had no idea why.
There is a race of children dying out in a certain world. They are favored in many worlds and are seen as a symbol of nobility among many Gods, even the ones of your world. For the Humans of this world, you know them as Dragons.
...
Dragons?
That is correct.
...
The big scaly ones I read about? The wipe out an entire city because someone pissed them off kind?
Pfft. How strange that this gets the biggest reaction. Fear not, dear Human. The ones of this world are not all like that. Some Dragons, Kaigen in the other world, are like that. However, they are simply Emperors protecting their kind.
And I would be raising them? But I am only Human!
You will have my Blessing. Convincing the other Gods to give you similar Blessings should not be difficult, so there is little to fear.
Well, I suppose I will have to take your word for it. If I may, there is a question I have to ask.
Go ahead, child.
Are Humans, well, the only race in this world?
Though there are more of them, they are not. There, they are called Anmen. They coexist with other races. Such as the Windels, or Elves, the Harlins, Dwarves, Beijir, Beastmen-
May I be a Beastman? Sorry, Beijir?
Oh? Aren't you cheeky, child, interrupting a God.
Sorry. It's just...you know...fluff.
It's alright. I find your reactions to such things quite amusing. Alright, I'll let you be a Beijir. Is there a certain appearance you wish for?
That...huh. That's kind of hard to answer. Hmm. I'm sorry, but can I ask that you pick for me? I have never been good at these kinds of things...
That is fine, child. I'll pick an appearance that you'll like. Is that all?
Oh, I'll need something to help me learn about the new world and its inhabitants. Maybe a good spot to raise the Kaigens. Preferably away from society. Given they are a dying race, I have a feeling I know why.
This can be done. With that, child, our time has come to an end.
I'm sorry you've had to put up with me like this. And thank you, for listening to my wishes.
It is alright, child. May you live in this new life.
I will do my best to live up to your expectations. And again, thank you, nameless God. I wish you well.
Call me Hefnia, Shepherd of Souls.
Then be well, Hefnia.
Live well Mystia, Mother of the Kaigen.
I'm sorry?
With that, a faint light filled my body to carry me away from Hefnia.
I felt like I was traveling the universe. Clouds filled with stars and faint worlds passed by in the blink of an eye like the bullet trains I was familiar with. After a while, the light began to fade to allow the familiar darkness to engulf my body.
Then, the familiar sensations of life filled my body.
My heart beat loud and strong in my chest. The warm blood filled my veins, waking my body up with pins and needles against my flesh. That wasn't all. I could feel something covering my flesh.
[This feeling.] I thought as I blinked awake.
I found myself in what seemed to be a natural alcove of stone. Just outside was a larger cave with rays of light bouncing off the ground of the entrance a distance away.
Sitting with a habitual groan, I raised my hands to examine my new body. And well, sure enough, I was both a new species and gender.
The faint muscles and little partner I had in my past life had all but been replaced by new parts and a skinnier body. Not only that, but I was downed in a sort of silver fur. Fitting for a Goddess who lives in the twilight of the afterlife I suppose.
Noticing my new chest, my male instincts took over to give them a firm grip. I then quickly realized that this was reality due to the surprising, sultry moan that forced itself from my maw.
Yes, my maw. Looking around, I found what looked to be a full length mirror and quickly got up from the stone bed to check myself out. With weak legs, I managed the few paces to the mirror and placed my clawed hand on the surface.
There, I saw how gracious the Goddess truly was. I figured I was roughly a little under 8 feet tall without my new ears. Just my figure alone would have turned some heads in my old world with just a simple walk. With the right clothes, I could pass as a model easily.
I was never as good as my wife with breast sizes, but they seemed to be a little smaller than hers.
Well, if she was my current height, they would definitely be bigger. I found the pink nipples poking over the small fur kind of adorable as well. And the lips between my legs...
[Let's forget about that.] I made a mental note to myself with a shake of my head.
Feeling a breeze kick up behind me, I looked down to see a silver tail dipped with ink at the end swaying quickly behind my legs. Given the shape, I looked back up to my face and found the features to be strikingly similar to a fox.
"I guess I am a silver fox? Quite the interesting tastes you have, Hefnia." I chuckled softly as I looked down at my ink-dipped arms and legs. Even the tips of my triangle shaped ears were black.
Noticing a desk and chair pressed against the wall of the cave, I left the mirror and made my way over. It was a little difficult to walk with these new claw tipped fox feet, but not unmanageable. After a few careful steps, I finally reached the chair and pulled it back to sit down.
On the desk was a lit candle, a leather-bound book and folded bundle of cloth. Ignoring the cloth, I decided to first see what was written in the book.
To Mystia, the chosen Mother of Kaigen.
Though the first page was written with strange symbols, it seems reading them was not a problem.
I am sure you were rather surprised about your new body. As you gave me the choice, I decided on a form I favor quite a bit in this new world. I trust you have had fun experimenting?
I felt my cheeks heat up as that question filled my vision. It seems Hefnia fully expected what I would do with my new body, which felt embarrassing. After a shake of my head, I read on.
Inside, I have listed everything you need to know. The robe next to the book is enchanted with my Blessing. If you wish to see its effects, just look at it and say 'Scan'.
I cocked my brow as I looked at the cloth. The black dye matched the ink of my fur, another taste of the Hefnias seems. With a sigh, I grabbed the bundle and held it up.
"Scan."
『Robes of the Mother.
Grade: Mythic
Defense: 5
Enchantments:
Auto repair
Mana Regeneration
Health Regeneration
Camouflage
Scratch Resistance
Bite Resistance
Magic Resistance
A robe woven by a nameless God for the Mother of Kaigen. It's threads have been enchanted separately so it may easily fix itself no matter if it is cut, torn, incinerated or melted.』
It was a major shock to see the words appear in my mind. I half expected a screen to pop up, but this was easier to manage. Though if I can scan the robe like this...
"Scan." I muttered after setting it down to look at my hand.
『Mystia.
Race: Beijir Felki
Titles: Mother of Kaigen, Child of the nameless God, The Blessed Caretaker.
Status:
Healty
Mana: 50
Stamina: 10
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 15
Charm: 23
Luck: 13
Magic Skills:
Life: 1
Fire: 1
Earth: 1
Wind: 1
Water: 1
Dark: 1
Light: 1
Physical Skills:
Claw Strike: 1
Bite: 1
Physical Boost: 1
Unique Skills:
Kaigen Imprint
Eternal Youth』
"Felki must be my sub race. That must mean something along the lines of a fox given my appearance." My muttering continued as I flexed my hand before looking back at the book.
By now, you must have scanned yourself. Yes, Magic exists in this world that is similar to the supernatural abilities of those in your old world. The use of Mana is the same as how you used Spirit then. I have taken the liberty of giving you the ability to use all basic magics in order to teach the young Kaigen how to manage their powers.
The place you are now is a large mountain range towards the center of the continent. It is far from civilization, but beware of Adventurers that may come. All relevant information will be in the library I have provided, filled with all the knowledge I was allowed to give based on the rules.
I wish you well, my dear child.
Hefnia.
"That warning about Adventurers sounds ominous. Though I suppose there is not to much I can do about that for now. To think this world holds those with similar abilities as well. I just hope it isn't mixed with technology." I sighed as I closed the book and leaned back in my chair.
Don't get me wrong, I was excited to be in this world. Being able to use Magic without a government bearing down on me was also a huge plus as well. However, there was plenty of things to worry about.
Between Adventurers, raising the Kaigen, getting used to this body and going over Magic, my mind began to get muddled with thoughts on how things could go wrong.
"Right, no time for this. This is a chance for me to really start over. First, let's see where the Kaigen are." I hyped myself up and suddenly stood up, kicking the chair back against the floor.
After picking the chair back up, I pushed it in and went to explore the cave. Better to know my surroundings first before thinking of a plan.