《IMPRINT》 THE BEGINNING Ren Amano leaned back against the worn-out couch, stretching his arms above his head as he let out a satisfied sigh. "Yes! I finally finished binge-watching Eminence in Shadow, Darling in the FRANXX, the Fate series, Gundam, and Knights and Magic. That was nice." He grinned to himself, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. "I''ve officially completed my break-time anime bucket list, and I still have two weeks left! Truly, I have outdone myself, Ren Amano." His grin widened at the thought. His luck had truly been remarkable. His parents had conveniently left for their anniversary vacation, leaving him alone in the apartment for the perfect, uninterrupted binge session. No nagging, no sudden chores¡ªjust him, his shows, and absolute freedom. He yawned, running a hand through his messy black hair as he stood up. The dim light in his apartment barely illuminated the scattered empty snack wrappers and energy drink cans littering the floor. His room looked like a war zone of neglect, but he paid it no mind. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, reminding him that he hadn''t eaten in a while. Dragging himself into the kitchen, Ren opened the fridge, only to be met with an uninspiring sight: a few expired jugs of milk and nothing else. "Tch." He clicked his tongue in frustration. "Of course, I forgot to buy groceries. Just great." His stomach growled in protest, urging him to do something about his predicament. "Guess I have no choice but to go outside and restock... ugh, but do I really have to?" A deep sigh escaped him as he resigned himself to his fate. With heavy steps, he trudged back to his room, picking up some relatively clean clothes and throwing them on. After making himself at least somewhat presentable, he slipped on his shoes and stepped out of his apartment. The moment he did, he squinted against the harsh sunlight assaulting his unadjusted eyes. "Damn, it''s bright." He shielded his face with his hand. "Maybe I should go outside more often... nah." He plugged in his headphones, letting the familiar rhythm of his favorite songs drown out the world as he made his way to the nearest convenience store. As he walked, he absentmindedly bobbed his head to the music, his thoughts drifting between anime theories, possible next shows to binge, and whether he should pick up some instant ramen or actual ingredients to cook something decent. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. When he reached the crosswalk, he saw that the pedestrian light had turned green. Without a second thought, he started jogging across the street, eager to finish his errand quickly and return home to continue his anime spree. But something felt... off. A distant yet rapidly approaching noise barely registered in his ears¡ªhonking, people yelling¡ªbefore he turned his head slightly, only to see the incoming disaster too late. A truck. Speeding. Unstoppable. Time seemed to slow as realization dawned on him. "Shit¡ª" Pain exploded through his body as the truck''s impact sent him flying. Agony lanced through every fiber of his being. He felt his bones shatter, his organs rupture, his body torn apart by the sheer force of the collision. Crimson splattered onto the pavement as he crashed onto the ground like a broken ragdoll. His vision blurred, the world fading in and out like a flickering light. The pain was unbearable, yet somehow, his mind still clung to consciousness, albeit barely. "Sorry... Mom... Dad... please forgive me..." he mumbled, voice weak, breath shallow. Yet, even as he spoke, something gnawed at his mind¡ªan eerie emptiness. Mom and Dad? Who were they? He knew what those words meant, knew he should have memories of them, but... his mind was blank. It was as if the concept of their existence was there, but not the people themselves. A paradox, a contradiction. "What... is happening to me?" His thoughts spiraled as pain surged anew, his consciousness slipping further. And yet, even in his last moments, an unexpected sense of gratitude filled him. "Thank you, Earth, for letting me live here... and thank you, too, to the ones who protect humanity''s myths, dreams, and stories. Thank you to the sun and moon also for enabling us to live and prosper on Earth also." His vision darkened, his body growing cold. "This is it. The end." And yet, as the void closed in, something shifted. A sound¡ªethereal, resonant¡ªechoed through the depths of his fading consciousness. A voice? No, not quite. Something more... primal. Something vast and incomprehensible. Then, the words came. [The entity ''Earth Will,'' XXXXX, is moved by your dedication and sincerity. She is surprised and flustered by your heartfelt words. In response, she has decided to bless you and imprint on your essence.] [The entity ''Sun Will,'' XXXXX, is touched by your acknowledgment and sincerity. She blesses you to the best of her power and imprints on your essence.] [The entity ''Moon Will,'' XXXXX, has taken a great interest in you. She finds your words fascinating and feels your sincerity. She blesses you and imprints on your essence.] Ren barely registered the words. The meaning was distant, vague, something he couldn''t fully grasp in his near-death haze. Yet, deep within the fading remnants of his consciousness, something ignited. A spark. A thread of possibility. A shift in fate. Then, there was nothing. This would mark the end of Ren Amano''s life. But it was also the beginning. A single moment, an insignificant accident in the grand scheme of existence, yet from it, an ember was lit¡ªone that would grow into a blazing fire. His story, now entangled with forces beyond mortal comprehension, was far from over. For in the vast expanse of the cosmos, where myths intertwine with reality and fate is woven by unseen hands, the first steps of something far greater had just begun. AVALORIA, LUMIEL In a realm separate from the mortal world, within a dimension that ceaselessly expands and contracts upon itself, a woman of unparalleled presence sat upon an ornate chair. The very air around her hummed with an indescribable essence¡ªregality, danger, allure, and something far beyond mere mortal comprehension. She exuded authority, her every movement carrying an effortless grace that could command both fear and reverence. Before her stretched an opulent table, its surface reflecting the shifting cosmos beyond the boundaries of the room. She sat in quiet contemplation, lost within the vast rivers of time and fate, until suddenly, a breathtaking smile graced her lips. Her voice, melodic yet commanding, resonated through the space, imbued with an almost divine authority. "How intriguing... A soul marked by three distinct concepts, yet guarded by something even I cannot decipher. An anomaly within the weave of destiny, either protected, guided, or perhaps restrained by unseen forces." Her luminous eyes flickered with amusement as she rested her chin upon delicate fingers. "And yet, the soul itself is nothing extraordinary. No remarkable past, no grand accomplishments. How... amusing." A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she leaned back. "I could peer through every timeline, every fragment of the past and future, unraveling the mystery with a mere thought. But what fun would that be? No, this will be my new source of entertainment. The last one ended... disappointingly." With a final smile, she made her decision. "Let''s begin." THE SOUL''S POV A blinding light. A sensation of weightlessness. The definitive moment of an ending, yet... I am still here. The suffocating embrace of nothingness dissipates, revealing a pristine white room. In its center stands a single table, its presence both commanding and ominous. Opposite me sits a woman¡ªno, a being¡ªof unearthly beauty. She is perfection incarnate. Long, flowing platinum hair cascades to the ground, shimmering as if woven from starlight. Her eyes, a striking shade of platinum, glow with an ethereal radiance, vast and unknowable. Her figure is sculpted to an ideal beyond human perception, a vision of elegance that could topple empires with a mere glance. Yet, beneath that divine beauty lurks something far more dangerous. A presence so overwhelming, so absolute, that merely existing in its vicinity feels suffocating. The weight of her gaze alone threatens to consume me, shattering the fragile remnants of my sanity. I force myself to look away, summoning every ounce of willpower I possess. "H-Hello." My voice comes out weak, uncertain. "My name is¡ª" Static. Distortion. An unbearable pressure clamps down on my mind. My name. My own name. It should be a simple thing to recall. And yet¡ª Why can''t I say it? This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Panic surges through me. Who am I? I know I should have a name. I know I had a name. But no matter how hard I try to grasp it, it slips through my fingers like grains of sand. My mind is at war with itself, two conflicting realities tearing me apart. A soft, melodic chuckle breaks through my spiraling thoughts. "Oh my, how delightful," the woman muses, amusement dancing in her radiant eyes. "You truly are an anomaly. How rare." Her voice alone soothes my chaotic mind, forcing the storm within me to settle. She leans forward slightly, resting her chin on one hand as she studies me. "My name is Avaloria," she continues, her tone both playful and commanding. "I am... someone who oversees certain matters beyond mortal comprehension. And for now, I am the one who has chosen to grant you a new existence." My breath catches in my throat. "You have been selected for reincarnation," Avaloria states, as if discussing something as mundane as the weather. "Not due to merit or achievement, but by sheer luck¡ªand other factors that I won''t spoil just yet. After all, surprises are the spice of life, wouldn''t you agree?" I try to process her words, but my mind struggles to keep up. "Reincarnation? A new world...?" She nods, smiling. "Indeed. Normally, I would bestow a ''cheat'' ability upon you to ensure a smooth transition. However, it seems your original world has already done so." Avaloria''s expression shifts slightly, curiosity flickering across her divine features. "You have been marked by something beyond even my reach. Three concepts entwined with your very essence, and something else¡ªan Arcanna. An enigma even to me." She leans back, stretching languidly as if savoring the mystery before her. "So, I will not interfere. Instead, I shall merely enhance what already lies within you, ensuring its compatibility with your new world." Her lips curl into a smirk. "And as for your Arcana... you will have to uncover its secrets on your own." I barely have time to react before a radiant magic circle ignites beneath me, engulfing the space in blinding light. My body feels weightless, my very soul being pulled forward. "Good luck, little anomaly," Avaloria whispers. "Make things interesting for me." Before I can utter another word, my consciousness is consumed by light. UNKNOWN POV As the soul vanishes, Avaloria rises gracefully from her seat. With a single step, the white expanse around her shifts, melting into a vibrant paradise. Verdant trees sway in an unseen breeze, radiant flowers bloom in endless hues, and the air hums with life. At the heart of this ethereal garden, a golden-haired woman lounges upon a lavish porch, an assortment of delicacies spread before her. She turns as Avaloria approaches, her golden eyes shimmering with mischief. "Found a new toy?" she teases, her voice carrying a lilting amusement. Avaloria smirks as she takes a seat beside her. "Perhaps. He is... different." The woman¡ªLumiel¡ªtilts her head, her long golden locks cascading around her like liquid sunlight. "Different, you say?" She hums thoughtfully, taking a delicate sip of tea. "How delightful. I assume you''ve already set things in motion?" "Naturally." Avaloria gazes into the ever-shifting horizon. "But listen well, Lumiel. You are not to interfere. Not yet." Lumiel''s smirk deepens. "Oh? Guarding your little anomaly so fiercely already? How unexpected." Her golden eyes gleam with curiosity. "Though, I must say, I''m surprised you said ''yet.'' Are you weak now that you have started to compromise?" Avaloria meets her gaze, unyielding. "You would have meddled regardless. This is merely a compromise. There will come a time when you and the others will act, but for now, he is off-limits." A moment of silence stretches between them before Lumiel sighs dramatically. "Fine, fine. I''ll keep my claws retracted¡ªfor now. But don''t expect our patience to last forever." With a final smirk, Lumiel vanishes, leaving Avaloria alone amidst the swaying blossoms. She closes her eyes, an enigmatic smile playing on her lips. "Let''s see what you will become... Kaelus Kuon."