The Harukian Chronicler - Chapter 3

As the world was brought up on the laptop, one of the first things I noticed about Karen’s entire setup was brought to light; this was indeed a Lenovo laptop. From the labeling on it, it was a Thinkpad 365 model which was released back in 1996; I would normally kill for one of these as I am a technophile. Though, looking at how Karen’s face was giving a death glare at the poor piece of tech, it must be the low end for this office. It felt like hours until the computer was able to load up the software she was working on; Agenai pulling up on the screen with some menus on the right side.

When everything was fully pulled up, Karen then turned the laptop towards me so I had access to change information at my leisure. The world was pulled up to the left side, spinning on its axis in real time. On the right was everything I could update, looking oddly like character creation for some roleplaying games I have played. Down on the bottom under the world, there was basic information about Agenai. All I could do was blink at everything that was put in front of my face; cracking my knuckles as a grin spreads over my face, this was going to be fun.

“Mr. Jacobson, what you see is the basic new life creation screen; with it you will set up your race, stats, and a few other things that are described on the screen. Take as much time as you need to set everything up to your specifications; you’ll also notice the amount of points you have for everything in the upper right corner… and what you have done to get them.” Karen rubs the back of her neck as if she was nervous about something; “Please don’t go overboard with them, the higher ups aren’t too forgiving of people who try to make things too easy.”

That kind of has me a bit worried now that she says it, but I wonder what she means by making things too easy; not like I specifically want an all too easy life. Well, can’t pay too much attention to that as I don’t know what my point can be used for anyway; speaking of, looking at the amount I kind of go blank in the mind: 666 Points Remaining. Blinking a couple of times, I slowly move my eyes to look at Karen directly; “Karen, I would like to ask you a quick question regarding these points. What is the normal standard for them, and if it’s what I’m thinking; why?”

Now Karen actually looked slightly worried before swiveling her chair to look me in the eyes, now I could see what a striking green her eyes are. “Mr. Jacobson, here at the Next Life Incorporated, we are used to seeing many things that most people would consider out of the norm; but your numbers are a bit more abnormal than we’re used to. First timers would have about… ten to fifteen points depending on their inborn luck; those with poor luck would be more like five. However, you’re coming through here for the thirteenth time now; the numbers should be more around the two to three hundred mark, I have seen the top soul having around four hundred eighty seven.” Karen takes a deep breath before continuing, “So, either you have a very lucky soul, or one of the inborn traits of your soul you chose during your first go around is affecting them. Considering we cannot look into the inborn traits, we won’t know for sure until your next pa.s.s through here.”

Thinking inwardly, I was hoping it would be a long while before my next time through this agency… though you never knew unless something were to happen right out the gate. Shaking my head at the information, I slowly go over the information on the screen so as to not miss anything that could be important.

World:

Agenai (Mother’s Embrace)

Population:

(4,392,175,372 living beings; 45,234,121 undead beings; 1,621 other.)

Races Present:

(Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings, Demo-kin, Ange-kin, Beast-kin, Orcs, Various Undead, Draconics, Goblinoids, Various Half-Breeds, Numerous others)

World Features:

(12 continents; 82 countries; 345 provinces; 4 metropolis centers; 5,781 cities; 1,675 towns; 3,213 villages; 9,872 thorps; 692,732 acres of forest; Planet is made up of 82% water, 43% salt water; etc.)

Simple statistical data, it looked to be in the basic information; though it was surprising that only a tiny bit more than half the water was considered salt water. This was indeed a fantasy world though, with those races being listed as they are, wonder what the numerous others are. Then there’s the other listed in population… if you’re not living or undead, what in the h.e.l.l are you?

Moving away from the basic information, I look over at the options on the side to see what it was I had to choose from; and how aggravating this was going to be for me. If I had to think of one issue I had back in life while playing roleplaying games, it was how many choices I had to go through; and then three hours later be able to play the game. Well, looking over the options, this will hopefully not be too horrible;

1)Race

2)Birth

3)Traits

4)Statistics

5)Gift

6)Curse

7)Patron(s)

8)Destiny

Taking in a deep breath while thinking to myself that this couldn’t get any worse than it already was, I guess it was time to get started working on my next life. Looks like you have to work your way down from first to last, which was going to be tough with this old tech that Karen had in her office; the nipple mouse being the main sticking factor to my hatred for this. Though I did hope for a certain option when I looked through the races tab, but we would see when I get to it. Clicking the tab, the screen flashes for a second until a long list is in front of me; oh goody, I get to read so many things now. Luckily, they don’t include all of the races the planet has to offer;

Humans:

The most numerous race on Agenai, also the most promiscuous. Of all the half-breed races that inhabit the planet, around 82% can trace their lineage to Humans. Easy to adapt to new situations or environments, Humans have a leg up on where they may live as opposed to others; which is why a few races despise the Humans for coming into their territories. Most humans are able to start life in aristocracy or as a peasant, so it’s asked to take into consideration how you want to live your life before making certain selections.

Elves:

Easily one of the more fairer races to inhabit Agenai, the Elves come second to the tallest of the races; and first when it comes to the sn.o.bbiest. Elves are naturally talented with Spirit and Nature magics, and can easily understand mana flow in its entirety. The creators of various ancient artifacts still used today, the Elves are held in higher esteem than most races, though are still looked down upon by races such as the Draconics.

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Dwarves:

Shorter than the other “medium” races, the Dwarves are also the stockier of builds amongst them. Their greatest a.s.set is an innate ability to work any form of material with ease, as long as they have the tools necessary for the process. One cannot make a sword without a forge or anvil after all. Dwarves do have some issues with other races, having a natural xenophobia from the many generations of staying within their mountains; but it has been improving.

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Gnomes:

One of the “small” races, the Gnomes have a history of practical jokes and engineering intrigue. The appearance of the Gnomes is drastic from person to person; you could have a normal looking Gnome, or as gold skinned with purple hair and glowing pink eyes. These beings need to always find adventure and information to keep themselves from slipping into a Gnome only disease called “Graying.”

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Halflings:

One of the “small” races, the Halflings are known to eat more than three times their body weight in a single sitting if one were to allow them. It’s quite fascinating how these small people can fit so much food into them. One can be said for this little race, they have a knack for finding adventure wherever they go, or if random people come into their houses offering a deal. Be wary though, not many people can outmatch a Halfling’s wits.

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Demo-kin:

The Demo-kin race are descended from Demonic G.o.ds that came to Agenai millenia ago. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the usual Demo-kin has increased mental fort.i.tude, and able to utilize greater forces of mana. Many people still find great fear and hatred when interacting with a member of this race, even though they mingled with the general populace a couple centuries before.

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Ange-kin:

The Ange-kin race are descended from Celectial beings that came to Agenai millenia ago. They come in many shapes and sizes, but the usual Ange-kin has an air about them that gives them a leg up in social situations. They don’t have much interest in the use of their body, but find the pursuit of magic to be easier. Almost every country is willing to accept a member of the Ange-kin race due to legends stating they bring good luck.

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Beast-kin:

Members of this savage race are known to dwell within the forests and mountains of every continent; they prefer to live in tribes of many different forms of Beast-kin. Due to their tribalism, their physical attributes are a bit higher than normal, but mentally they have certain deficiencies. However, it’s speculated about this, but perhaps due to the worship of tribal patrons these beings have extra gifts.

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Half-Breed:

Not much needs to be said about the Half-Breeds, they are a mixture of two different races that came together; more than likely the Humans had something to do with this. Based on the two halves, the racial traits can change. Many cultures actually discriminate against the Half-Breeds due to what they are, and a few of Agenai’s worst villains were Half-Breeds.

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…

Good lord, that felt like it took forever to read through; my eyes feeling as if they were going to start bleeding even before I have had a chance to stab them out of my head. Rubbing my face, I did notice what I was looking for in the list though; not taking much time to click on the b.u.t.ton for Half-Breed. After that was selected another screen pops up where it asks to select two races for the current Half-Breed; my two choices are of course going to be that of Human and Demo-kin. In games that allowed it, I would always choose to play some form of half-demon, why should I change my ways just because I died.

There was no information block for what I selected, I guess they didn’t want to put in information for every racial combination that one would want to try. After the race was selected, next it sent to the tab for Birth, which is where I choose the type of Demo-kin my parent is; as well as where I am to be born. Since this really didn’t have much impact on anything important I just put my mother as Human, and my father as Demo-kin. Then as for the type of Demo-kin my father is, I guess this option may have some importance, but I select Wrath Demo-kin and that’s it.

What I find quite amazing about this system though, is that every time I choose something then the list of places I can be born at grows ever narrower. Currently there are only three different mothers who are expecting a Half-Demon baby from a father who is a Wrath Demo-kin; I am surprised there are that many, I am spoiled for choices. This at least makes my choice a bit easier; I only need to choose a mother in a land that is what I would prefer to live in.

Looking through the three I have been given; there was no information, only images of their faces… almost like a mugshot or something. I could also say that this system was a bit creepy in certain regards, but we won’t go into that too much. Each of the pictures showed just a simple face, but I could already feel myself being pulled towards the third choice…

She looked as if she had been lightly kissed by the sun, possibly from a long life of working out in the sun; but it was contrasted by the striking silver sheen of her hair, it was like looking at the moon. Her eyes were the color of a vibrant violet, a light tint of purple that could knock anyone back with how much they sparkled. Then there was the simple warmth of her smile; it was said that there are people in this world who exude love and happiness, as the sun exuded warmth. This woman here, unlike the other two, looked as if she was looking forward to her child, loved the man she was having a child with… and what I have been missing in a mother of my own.

The choice was clear; I had to pick Indra Haruk… wait a minute?

End of Chapter 3