A man stood alone in a void of nothingness. His features were worn and weary, with flecks of white scattered through his hair. Judging by his face, he appeared to be in his late forties or fifties.
In stark contrast to his aging face, the body visible beneath his plain T-shirt and loose shorts was a masterpiece of physical conditioning. His muscles were developed almost to the point of bursting, betraying a youthful, rigorously trained physique.
"Hmm...? Where am I?"
As the man blinked and muttered to himself, three figures materialized out of thin air.
"Are you awake?"
"Is your mind clear?"
"We would appreciate a response."
"Ah, yes, I'm alright. Forgive me, it was so sudden that I forgot my manners. My name is Ryoma Takebayashi."
"It is quite alright. Do not be so stiff. Why not have some tea?"
Hearing Ryoma’s reflexively polite greeting, an old man with a long beard gave a gentle smile and waved his hand. Instantly, a low table appeared where there had been nothing, complete with floor cushions and tea for four.
"Come, please, sit."
"Thank you."
The only woman among the three—a young woman with a bright, cheerful smile—encouraged him to join them. Ryoma offered a brief word of thanks and took his seat. The old man sat directly across from him, the woman to his right, and a young boy took the remaining cushion to his left.
They began to sip their tea in the silence of the void. Ryoma took a polite sip before speaking up.
"Pardon me, but there are a few things I would like to ask. Would that be alright?"
"Of course. We are here for that very purpose. However, we can likely guess what you wish to know. Why not listen to our story first? Most of your questions will be answered along the way."
"I understand. Please, go ahead."
Seeing Ryoma bow his head respectfully, the old man—who introduced himself as Gain—nodded and began to explain the situation concisely.
"Indeed. We are what humans refer to as 'Gods.' I am the Creator God, Gain. To your right is the Goddess of Love, Lulutia. And to your left is the God of Life, Kufo. We hail from a world different from the Earth where you resided.
And, unfortunately, you passed away in your sleep last night. We have brought your soul here to the Celestial Realm."
"I see. So that's what happened."
Ryoma nodded in understanding and took another sip of tea. His calm reaction left the three gods bewildered. Kufo, the god in the form of a young boy, was particularly shocked.
"Whoa, wait, that’s it?! Aren’t you going to scream 'This is a lie!' or 'Why did I have to die?!' or something?"
"Those who came before you were usually a bit more... distraught," Gain added.
"Well, I am surprised, and it all feels a bit surreal," Ryoma replied. "But if this is a dream, I’ll wake up eventually. If it’s real, well, everyone dies sooner or later. Besides, my job—or rather, my company—was quite brutal. So many colleagues and new hires ruined their health and quit that I always figured I’d die young anyway. Honestly, I’m surprised my body held out until I was thirty-nine."
He paused, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Plus, despite my age, I’ve always had a soft spot for games and manga. I actually love these kinds of stories. I didn't have any family or relatives left, so this is a much better end than just turning into ash."
Ryoma spoke with genuine satisfaction, but the gods remained stunned.
"Really? Do humans actually think like that?" Kufo asked. "You haven't reached some higher state of enlightenment, have you?"
"And I don't think hobbies have anything to do with it," Lulutia chimed in. "We've had others with similar interests, and they usually get so excited they won't even listen to us. It's a real headache. I suppose being calm is better than being hysterical, though."
"Well, it certainly saves us the time and effort of convincing you," Gain said. "Though it does leave us with less to talk about. Is there anything else you wish to know?"
Ryoma thought for a moment before speaking slowly.
"In that case... how exactly did I die?"
"Hmm? You want to know that first?"
"Yes. I knew it could happen anytime, but I have no memory of it."
"Well, with a death like yours, there's no way you'd remember," Lulutia said.
"The cause of death was an intracranial hemorrhage caused by a head injury," Kufo explained.
"Eh?! But... as far as I remember, I was just going to bed."
"Oh, you were definitely asleep," Lulutia said. "But while you were sleeping, you sneezed. Several times."
"Four times, to be exact," Gain added. "With every sneeze, your pillow shifted further until you finally cracked your head against the floor. Your futon was such a cheap, thin thing that it offered no cushion at all..."
"It wasn't enough to wake you up," Kufo finished, "but several blood vessels in your brain burst. By dawn, the internal pressure finished you off. Curtains."
Ryoma stared down at the table, processing the words. Then, his face twisted with sudden, intense bitterness.
"I can't accept it... How could I die like that?"
The three gods looked at him, confused.
"I survived my drunk boss swinging beer bottles at me! I walked away from thugs with iron pipes! My old man hit me in the head more times than I can count during training! So why... why did a sneeze take me out?!"
A wave of raw frustration and anger washed over him, momentarily blinding him to his surroundings. The gods simply watched, as if they had been waiting for this.
"Ah, there it is."
"He didn't blink at dying or meeting gods, but he loses it over this? What a strange man."
"It seems he had a secret pride in his physical toughness," Gain noted. "His father forced martial arts on him from a young age, and he never missed a day of training until the end. Kufo, Lulutia."
"Yeah?"
"Is something wrong?"
"I've found something interesting about him. While he calms down, I'd like your help with something."
Gain's expression turned uncharacteristically stern. Sensing his intent, the other two deities joined him. As Ryoma sat hunched over, drowning in his own frustration, the gods began a private conversation in a language no human could hear.
"Phew... Oh, that was unsightly. My apologies for losing myself like that."
A while later, Ryoma regained his composure and looked up. The gods were still there, sipping their tea as if nothing had happened.
"Don't worry about it," Lulutia said warmly. "We have nothing but time, and our world is stable enough that we had plenty of leeway when we came to get you. It's perfectly normal for people to be emotional here.
A human soul is meant to be housed in a body. Even when we sustain it with divine power, it’s inherently unstable, making emotions easy to trigger. It doesn't bother us at all."
"Time is a bit vague in the Divine Realm," Kufo added. "Souls don't get hungry or thirsty. It's not rare for it to take four years for someone to calm down enough to talk."
"Four years?!"
Ryoma couldn't hide his shock, but for the gods, it was just business as usual.
"It depends on the person," Gain said. "If they start running from reality, we usually just leave them alone for a while. Trying to force them to calm down just makes them suspicious. Some people lose it every few minutes. By the time they finally settle, years have passed. So, please, don't give it another thought.
Now, if you're ready, shall we continue?"
"Yes, please."
Gain nodded. "Umu. I shall explain why we summoned you. To put it in terms you would understand... it is the 'template.'"
"I see. So I'm going to another world. Is it a transfer, or since I'm already dead, is it reincarnation?"
"You really are fast," Lulutia said with a hint of a sigh.
"It is effectively a transfer," Gain explained. "You will be entering a body I have created in our world, so you will have no parents or relatives."
"But since the body will be much younger, you could call it reincarnation," Kufo said. "We can even adjust your appearance if you have any preferences."
"How old will I be, exactly?"
"Around ten years old," Gain replied. "At that age, it's at least plausible that a very lucky child could survive being lost in the woods. It also makes it easier to enter a town without being questioned. We will provide as much protection as we can, of course.
You'll be a commoner and an orphan, but the country we've chosen is relatively loose with social hierarchies. You shouldn't have any trouble living a normal life."
"Thank you. As for my appearance, please just make sure I don't look out of place. Also, what am I supposed to do there? Do I have a mission?"
"Well... sort of," Lulutia said. "But it's fulfilled the moment you arrive. In essence, your 'mission' is simply to travel to our world."
"Our goal," Kufo explained, "is to use your soul as a bridge to send mana from Earth to our world, which is currently facing a shortage."
Ryoma tilted his head, a new question forming. "Can't you just send the mana by itself?"
"No," Kufo said. "Think of it like a wall between worlds. Mana can't cross that wall. We can punch a hole in it with our power, but maintaining that hole is incredibly exhausting—we’d run out of juice before enough mana moved over.
That’s where you come in. We wrap your soul in divine protection and wedge it into the hole like a prop. It keeps the path open just long enough for us to move the mana we need. You won't even be conscious for that part."
"Our world is heavily reliant on magic," Lulutia added. "If the mana runs out, people lose their way of life, magical beasts go extinct, and the entire ecological balance collapses.
On the other hand, Earth has plenty of mana but doesn't use it. Since there are no magical beasts there, Earth won't miss it, so we're just... taking a little off the top."
"I see... So it's not a sudden catastrophe, but rather that consumption is outpacing production?"
"Exactly," Lulutia sighed. "Humans are the main culprits. Magic is convenient, so they keep finding new ways to use it, and the consumption just keeps growing."
"It is quite difficult to encourage conservation," Gain grumbled. "Furthermore, using one's internal mana is taxing, so people prefer to draw it from the environment. It is a lamentable state of affairs."
While the gods complained about human nature, Ryoma felt a spark of excitement.
"Regarding that magic... will I be able to use it?"
"You will," Gain said.
"Yep," Kufo added.
"Of course," Lulutia smiled.
"Really! Ah—pardon me."
"It is fine," Gain laughed. "Your new body will be the same as any human in that world. If they can use it, you can too—provided you train."
"And," Kufo added, "since we're wrapping your soul in divine power to cross over, we can give you a little boost. Even if you had zero talent, we can kickstart it so you can at least have some fun with it. We can't necessarily make you the 'Number One Genius in the World,' but you'll be fine."
Ryoma felt a flush of embarrassment at their warm gaze, but he couldn't hide his joy at the prospect of magic.
"In that case, let's give you magic-type boons. For starters, we'll grant you 'All Elements' for basic Elemental Magic."
"Wait... won't that make me stand out too much?"
The three gods shared a knowing grin.
"People who read light novels always say that," Kufo chuckled.
"Having all elements is rare, but it's not like the world is going to stop turning," Lulutia explained.
"It's not?"
"Indeed," Gain said. "There are plenty of people born with the aptitude, and technically, anyone can learn all of them with enough training. A national knight order might have ten or twenty people who were born with the gift.
Besides, being a 'jack of all trades' has its downsides. If you train everything equally, you'll be slow to master any of them. A mage who is mediocre in every element is often less valued than one who has mastered a single element to a high level."
"I see. So it's easy to become a 'master of none' situation."
"Precisely."
"So," Lulutia said, "it’s not a game-breaking advantage. It’s perfect for someone like you who just wants to enjoy magic, right?"
"That makes sense. Then yes, please give me all the elements."
"Very well. We still have some room left. What else would you like?"
The conversation continued for quite some time as Ryoma and the gods hammered out the details of his new life.
"—Alright, that’s about as much as we can pack in. Are you sure about this, though? It’s almost entirely magic. You have your martial arts for self-defense, but by spreading your magic so thin, you won't be able to use any high-level spells for a long time."
"As long as I can survive, I'm happy with what we've decided."
"I see. If your heart is set, then that is that. Finally, we need this."
Gain produced a sheet of parchment and a quill from thin air. The document summarized their agreement in detail, with a blank space for a signature at the bottom.
"I didn't expect to be signing contracts in the afterlife."
"Oh? Do you mind?" Lulutia asked.
"No, not at all. It's just a bit surprising."
"Well, it's not strictly necessary," Kufo chimed in.
"It's not?" Ryoma paused, his hand hovering over the quill.
"It’s just a final check," Kufo explained. "We make sure you understand your situation, and you confirm that we’ve fulfilled our duty to explain it. Your signature is just a formality of consent. We could just do it verbally."
"We tailor the process to the person," Lulutia added. "For kids, talking is usually easier."
Ryoma read through the parchment one last time, satisfied, and signed his name.
In that instant, a soft light enveloped his body.
"What is—?!"
"Stay calm," Lulutia said. "It's just the signal that preparations are complete. It won't hurt."
"Rules are rules," Kufo said. "Once the deal is struck, you're sent off pretty quickly."
"I swear, the annoying ones linger forever," Gain muttered, "yet when we find someone we actually like, the departure comes all too soon."
Ryoma realized the time had come.
"I see... I'm going to miss you all. I'll never forget this kindness as long as I live."
"Don't worry about us," Gain said. "It's your life now. Live it however you want. I'll send you to a relatively safe forest to start with."
"We'll be watching over you," Lulutia said. "Since this is the end, you can be a little selfish, you know?"
"Yeah, you can drop the 'polite salaryman' routine," Kufo added.
"Indeed," Gain chuckled. "Why not show us your true self before you go?"
Ryoma went quiet for a moment. "...Right... yeah. Thanks. I guess trying to put up a front didn't really work, did it?"
"We are gods," Gain replied. "Of course we noticed. Besides, your tone shifted when you were shouting about your death."
"You could have just been yourself from the start, you know!" Kufo laughed.
"I couldn't exactly walk up to a bunch of gods and start talking like a brat," Ryoma said, scratching his cheek.
"Well, if you were a jerk it would be one thing, but you're fine, Ryoma," Lulutia smiled. "I'm a goddess, after all. My heart is plenty big enough for that."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Do you have a plan for when you arrive?" Gain asked.
"If you're worried about anything, let it out," Lulutia encouraged.
"We're listening," Kufo added.
Ryoma thought for a moment before the words came naturally.
"I guess... people. I lived thirty-nine years, and I was never great at socializing. I'm still the same guy; I don't think a new world is going to fix that. Honestly, I'm just tired of the rat race. I thought about just living in seclusion, but..."
"Then do it," Gain said. "That is also a way to live."
"But at the same time," Ryoma continued, "it feels like a waste to go to another world and never see it. I'm torn."
"Then why not live in seclusion for a while and think about it?" Lulutia suggested. "Go on a journey when you feel like it."
"Is that really okay?"
"The first place you'll land is a forest anyway," Lulutia said. "Dropping a kid into the middle of a city would cause a riot. So just live there for a while. You'll need time to experiment with your magic anyway, right?"
"Ah... that's true."
"Take your time," Kufo added. "You're the type who tries to check every box on a list, but you can just follow your whims. It's okay if you don't do everything."
"You died once already," Lulutia reminded him. "This is a fresh start. You're going to be a kid again! Forget about everything except staying safe and just have some fun. Use the powers we gave you to enjoy yourself. Your Earth knowledge should help you master magic quickly, but don't rush. Focus on control."
"Umu. It’s a good plan," Gain agreed. "And with your skills, a few common bandits won't be able to lay a finger on you."
"...Carefree, and as my whims dictate, huh. Alright. If I can make it work, I'll stay in the forest for a while. I feel a lot better now. Thanks."
"If you ever make it to a town," Kufo said, "be sure to visit the church. We can't manifest there, but if you get the 'Oracle' skill, we might be able to have short chats. The higher the level, the longer we can talk."
"Got it. I'll make sure to visit when I get to civilization. I don't know when that'll be, but I promise I'll go."
"We'll be waiting," Kufo said. "I'll need someone to talk to."
"We're always bored, after all. Ho ho ho!"
As Gain laughed, the particles of light began to fully envelop Ryoma.
"...Looks like it's time."
The light intensified, gradually washing out everything in Ryoma's sight.
"The preparations are complete," Gain said, his voice deep and resonant.
"It's time," Kufo added.
"Be well, and have fun!" Lulutia called out.
"Yeah! Thank you... Thank you for everything!" Ryoma shouted.
"Umu! Go now! Let the path to a new world be opened!"
"Our blessings be upon you!"
"May there be light on your journey!"
"Enjoy your new life!"
A brilliant flash swallowed Ryoma entirely.
When the light finally faded, Ryoma and the gods were gone, leaving only the empty void behind.