5The shining clouds in the background begin to spread. Clouds spread everywhere like a rug with no end. There is a float ball of light on a tatami mat, it's a simple 4.5-tatami room (Although there is no wall or ceiling) that floats above the clouds. There is a low dining table along with a tea cabinet, an old-fashioned television, and a black rotary dial telephone.
In front of the glowing ball is an old man with gray hair. He has long eyebrows and a long beard, his hair is slicked, and wears a pair of black glasses. For clothes, he wears a light brown robe with a darker brown robe on top.
This is God (or Kami-sama). The God of Worlds controls what occurs in the world.
"Hello, Naegi Makoto." Kami-sama greeted the glowing ball.
"W-Where am I…?" Makoto -the glowing ball- looked around the area, even though it had no eyes. "Is this Heaven?"
Kami-sama heartily chuckled at the ball's guess. "No child. This is even further above Heaven; this is the world where Gods reside… That's right; this should be called the Realm of Gods."
"The Realm of Gods?" Three question marks pop up.
"Yes." He nodded and continued. "Humans are truly unable to come here. I specially summoned you!"
"M-Me?!" That's what Kami-sama expected, the male voice sounded surprised. If the ball had a human body, he would panic with his mind scrambling all over the place.
"Calm down my child." The Deity conveyed with a calming tone. His voice reminded Makoto of his deceased grandpa, and how he missed his family. Kami-sama pours hot liquid into a teacup.
"Here, have some tea." He served the tea to him. Oh, a tea stalk is standing straight up.
"Umm… Kami-sama, I don't have a body…" The ball has a comical sweatdrop.
Much to his mistake, the Deity laughs warmly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to give you a body, here, let me help you."
With a snap of his fingers, the ball shone brightly until it died.
The floating ball of light is replaced with a young man. He is notably short with spiky (with overall slightly more detailed), desaturated brown hair with a prominent ahoge, and washed-out hazel eyes. He wears black jeans, a zipped-up dull green hoodie with a red stripe along the zipper, an open black jacket with gold buttons, and red sneakers with white toes.
The hoodie has an image of a red gas mask in a circle printed on the back of the hood, and the zipper goes all the way up to the top of the hood. He wears a pin shaped like a four-pointed star overlaying a crescent moon, pinned to the lapel of his jacket.
The young man checked his body nook and cranny, feeling all parts of his body to see if anything was missing. Makoto felt like his eyes would start to get watery, he quickly wiped them away and glanced at Kami-sama with a grateful bow; on his knees and hand down on the tatami mat. "Arigatou gozaimasu, Kami-sama!"
"Child, no need to bow. Please sit properly."
"H-Hai…!" Makoto quickly sits in his original position. He grabs the teacup and drinks it. "Delicious." Sighing warm sensation in content.
"You are welcome." Kami-sama smiled.
"...What's going to happen to me now? Heaven or Hell, which one?" The desaturated ahoge man inquired.
"No, no." God shook his head. "You will not be placed in Heaven nor Hell, my child."
"Then what is it?" Makoto sipped his tea again. That tea must taste divine.
"The reason I summoned you to hear is to give you a reward," God revealed, sipping his tea. "You have achieved what you have done."
"A reward? Wait, please! You must be exaggerating, Kami-sama. I didn't achieve anything!" Makoto refuted his statement, waving his hands in front of him.
"Ohoho~ You have achieved something child, you gave Hope to the people," God said. It's sometimes humorous to see a humble human, like Makoto. "I have been watching you, Naegi-kun. You have a pure soul that I have seen like the other ones. You describe yourself as a very ordinary man, but your good qualities are the reason you have successfully approached and befriended even the most anti-social people."
"Geez…" The young man blushed with his praises. He clearly thought that was too much of an exaggeration. "I only wanted to get to know people. I know I am naive and an open book, but that doesn't mean I always have good qualities."
"And that's what makes you an incredible individual Naegi-kun. Those traits are the reason why you save people, even giving them a push to move them forward. You have spoken through both actions and words to face someone like Enoshima Junko." God continued.
"Not all people are saved." Makoto's spirit slowly dimmed, and his thumb rubbed the rim of the teacup. Anxiety crept within the young man as tragic memories came to give him massive guilt.
Yes, even though he lived life to his fullest, he cannot forget his deceased classmates. Hell, even the outside world can be described as The Biggest, Most Awful, Most Tragic Event in Human History, and also called The Worst, Most Despair-inducing Incident in the History of Mankind, or The Tragedy in short.
The Tragedy has been described by various people as being an extraordinary form of social unrest, which quickly escalated into uncontrolled, meaningless chaos, violence, and death. With Ultimate Despair working to fuel the flames of discontent, the "anti-talent" movement rapidly engulfed the world, becoming more violent by the day; chaos and death quickly became a normal part of society, and the original motives for the protests were lost. Soon, the better portion of the population had fallen into despair and anarchy, and the major worldwide phenomenon known as The Tragedy (or the biggest, most awful, most tragic event in human history) was born.
In response to these dire developments, Hope's Peak Academy decided to cease operations as an educational facility, effectively transforming the school into a shelter for the remaining students. Unfortunately, Junko was among those students, and she hijacked the plan from within the locked-down facility by killing headmaster Kirigiri Jin and erasing the memories of the other survivors, except those of her fellow conspirator and twin sister, Ikusaba Muluro. With that done, Junko plotted to use the SHSL students as a means to finally erase the last shreds of hope in the ravaged world, setting into motion the events of the Killing School Life.
It was horrible, gory even. One by one, all of his friends were killed by the murderers who were also his classmates. Then those murderers are executed with their naked eyes. Yes, it's an execution. Electric chair, poisonous gas, and getting torn apart like a paper plane in a hurricane. Those are the examples of execution that they watched, courtesy of the black-and-white stuffed teddy bear. Get the wrong person who is the blackened, all of his classmates, except the blackened, are executed.
They were forcing them to condemn a person to be killed. It's very hard not to take their eyes away from their dead bodies. It's too cruel, they don't deserve to die. It's horrible and bizarre. If they don't do it, they choose to cut off all ties with the outside world and accept living in Hope's Peak Academy forever.
In other words, a choice to give up all hope and give in to despair.
Fifteen students, one by one, died ascending another floor inside the "cage" until they met the mastermind; Ensohima Junko, The Super High School Despair. The mastermind who turned the world into mass chaos, the mastermind who forces her classmates to kill each other, and the mastermind who killed her own twin sister…
In the end, the plan backfired. Although many students died (including Mukuro), Junko was unable to drag the survivors into despair, largely through the efforts and encouragement of Naegi Makoto. His defiance led to him gaining the title of "Ultimate Hope" and driving Junko to execute herself, simultaneously giving the world a new champion and depriving Ultimate Despair of its founder and mastermind.
Then another Final Killing Game took place in Future Foundation, some of the participants were out for blood and that blood was Makoto himself and others wanted to survive until the end, but that didn't happen. He almost lost Kirigiri Kyoko (by the way his wife) after the fourth day of survival.
Several months after the Final Killing Game, Makoto and the Future Foundation decided to rebuild Hope's Peak Academy, with him becoming the principal and working alongside Kyoko until he lived a peaceful life to his last breath.
Reminiscing those gory memories and wanting Makoto to puke out, he could still smell blood even though there was no cold body. His body slowly shakes, his breath gasps at a slow but rapid pace, and his eyes shut in fear to clutch his fast-beating heart that is ready to burst.
He's at that strange imaginary place again, his deceased classmates are taunting him again, reminding him he failed to keep his promise. Makoto tried to apologize and conveyed he wanted all of them to be together.
"Naegi-kun."
A soft gasp escaped his lips, the nightmare was replaced by an old man in front of him, he felt a lightweight on his shoulder as his eyes saw Kami-sama's hand placed on top of his shoulder. God is smiling yet he looks at the young man with a caring expression and pats his head…a slight cut sensation is felt on his hand but he brushes it off.
"You must have carried a tremendous weight on your shoulders. You're a nobleman, Naegi-kun." Kami-sama felt bad for the man to carry all the burdens. "You don't pass their deaths, you carry them right?"
The anxious young man answered with a nod, not trusting his voice.
"Then keep being yourself, my child. You carried so much, now it's time for you to let it go so you can start anew. I will not say you need to forget them. I want you to set yourself free from the shackles of your doubts. If you keep being self-conscious, you need to trust yourself more, otherwise, your past will haunt you forever."
Those words left Makoto speechless, he could not explain or fathom how to respond but he understood what the God of Worlds was trying to say.
"I… I will try, Kami-sama." He could take the Deity's words to heart, he reached for his teacup and soothed himself from the divine taste.
"Very good." Kami-sama hummed in approval.
Sometime later, the teacup was empty, and the young man sighed in bliss with his nerves calmed down. Now his problem is solved, he remembers what Kami-sama explained about his reward, curiosity begins to be piqued, and asks God.
"Ano, Kami-sama. What's the reward you are talking about exactly?"
"Ah yes!" Kami-sama placed down his teacup and smiled at the young man. "I will give you a chance to live a second life in another world."
….
….
….
….
What?
Did he hear him right? Makoto's reward is reincarnation, and living a second life in another world to boot! The young man couldn't swallow a reality pill that big. Back when he was alive and young, he read countless isekai genres, light novels, web novels, and manga (sometimes he is forced to read by his little sister, Komaru). He never would have thought that he would become the candidate to be isekai'd!
"Ohohoho! Are you surprised?" Kami-sama stroked his bearded chin musingly.
"O-O-OOf course I am, Kami-sama!" He stumbles over his words, but Makoto's mind can't comprehend it after all.
"I understand how you feel, young man. I've seen many people getting surprised about this, both men and women alike."
"But still, to be reincarnated is a surprise…" Makoto murmured audibly. Well, that's his reward, there's no crying over spilled milk, so it's okay to accept it. "The world I'm going to, what kind of place is it?"
"Compared to your original world, it is more or less developed, it's approximately halfway through what your world calls the Medieval Ages," Kami-sama explains. "Well, not all are at the same level."
Makoto hums into his thoughts, the standard of living seems to have dropped considerably. He's worried about how he can manage in such a place. Will it be okay for the young man to jump into a world without knowledge? Well, once he is reborn into his new world, he will need to study its history and such.
"I will also mention that this world you'll live in has magic."
"Magic? You mean magic exists in that world?" Makoto changes his expression into astonishment.
"There is. You know what, you will be able to use it immediately." The Deity said.
He can use magic. Makoto's interest increased ten-fold. He is going to enjoy going to another world.
If Makoto were honest right now, he would jump in joy to experience what the main characters feel like they would live in a fantasy world. Looking at incredible noble houses, a village near the greenery, some people using flashy magic, oh what about demi-humans! He really wanted to feel their fluffy ears and tails. Let's not forget about monsters, whether it was naturally born, or experimental mutation, he needs to be ready to face them and not get killed early. Makoto didn't want to waste his life over a spawn kill!
Anyway, what people he will meet? What kind of parents are they if he's reborn? One question after another is piling up like staking bricks. Furthermore, not all people are good, he will encounter enemies in the future so he should be ready, and train his mind, body, and soul to take them down. He will do his best to challenge any hardship he will face. He knows that this new world will change me, but just like Kami-sama said. "Keep being myself." Makoto will be the same optimistic positive and friendly neighborhood guy he is. After all, he did befriend many people with colorful personalities, well needs to remind himself that he can be pretty easy to read like an "open book" just like his wife would say. This time, he will be very careful with people whom he will cross paths with.
"I'll give you a raise in basic and physical abilities in addition to various other things."
Kami-sama walked to his position, a gentle light covering his finger as he gave Makoto some kind of "blessing". After that, Kami-sama nodded in his successful attempt.
"I have granted you a simple ability that will enhance your body beyond that of the capabilities of other people." The Deity explained his "gift"
The desaturated ahoge young man checked himself, feeling every part of his body to if there were any differences, but he looked the same, probably he might feel those changes when he's reborn.
"Is there anything else I need to know?" Makoto tilted his head to the side.
Kami-sama strokes his bearded chin, thinking that is forgotten. "Hmm… None at the moment. I will tell you once I remember what it is."
"Okay." The young man nods. "For Kami-sama to forget something, it must mean you've lived long." Makoto couldn't help but quip.
"Indeed I have." The Deity sighed. "How long has it been… Youth has never been in my reach ever since I became the God of the Worlds." Looks like Kami-sama has missed those experiences ever since, Makoto could glance at him with sympathy.
"Thank you very much for everything, Kami-sama." Makoto bowed at him gratefully.
"Hohoho. It's no problem, young man." Kami-sama waved it off. "You have lived a hard life, it is my duty to reward someone like you with a kind heart."
'I never would have thought I would be given a second chance to live, I don't deserve this reward.' Makoto thought humbly. In truth, he wanted to see his classmates one last time before he moved, but since this place is where only Gods dwell, he wouldn't be able to see them.
"Once I send you out, I won't be able to intervene because it's forbidden.* God warned the man.
"I understand." And Makoto nods. "Thank you once again for giving me a second chance to live." He smiled warmly.
"It's no problem, young man." Kami-sama chuckled heartily at the end. "Now, it is time for you to send off now. Are you ready?"
"Hai! I'm ready, Kami-sama!" He answered enthusiastically with glittered eyes.
God chuckled again. "Such energy." With a staff in hand, a white light appeared under the desaturated ahoge man.
'This is it, Makoto, it's time for a new adventure in a new world!'
The white light brightens, filling his whole body with such pleasantry like his parents cuddling him like an infant. A small smile crept in and a single tear fell to his cheek, he will miss his friends and family, and he will always remember them wherever he goes in his memories and his heart.
With that final thought, Makoto gradually closed his eyes as the light enveloped him until he was gone, transferring his soul to his new life.
"That young man will have an unpredictable adventure." Kami-sama laughs in amusement.
When the God of Worlds created his body, some kind of strange aura lingered on his body, and to his surprise, it was Makoto's "luck". He tried to remove that phenomenon and well it did not work. His "luck" was sealed tight all over him like countless chains wrapping around him.
Not only that, but the "blessing" given to him is special, Kami-sama awakened a godly power that transcends any human, making Makoto a demi-god.
Fate loves to make the young man suffer, but that won't stop Makoto from moving forward, even if it means getting smacked in the face by some chained reaction type of disaster, the young man will always be one step ahead to survive such a feat.
Did Kami-sama do the right thing to receive Makoto's blessing? Yes, yes it is.
He would need it when he encounters another reincarnate from that world, in addition to that he's also a demi-god! Was that a coincidence? Who knows.
Wait, did he say "he"? The God of Worlds meant "she"!
The old deity laughs once again, who would have expected the strongest Hero King to reborn a girl? Did Goddess Alistair make a mistake? No no no, the deity from her world would never but if she did, then why? So many questions appeared after answering.
When Kami-sama looks over the Hero King's soul and memory he is truly shocked at the revelation he witnessed. The Hero King wasn't a man but a woman!? Why would the wise king hide "his" gender in the first place? Did "he" ask the Goddess to change "his" gender after having a blessing? Or was it because they looked down upon her being a warrior because she was a girl? Kami-sama would choose the latter logically
He would hope that the new demi-god will help the Hero King who she really is. The God of Worlds wasn't a love expert but he could see Makoto would have admirers in that world. Ahahaha! Truly amusing indeed.