Chapter 1: The End and the Beginning
Amy Ruby Knight prided herself on being a model employee, the sort who fixed problems before anyone else knew they existed. In the high-paced world of Genotronic Solutions, she was the unsung hero behind the scenes, putting out fires and untangling messes with a swift stroke of her genius keyboard. That is why the events of the last few weeks had really ground her gears. The chaos was not the usual code disasters or server meltdowns; it was something much more sinister. A seasoned systems administrator and cloud architect, she spent her days in a cramped cubicle farm with fifty other engineers, knee-deep in code and caffeine, hammering away at the data processing pipeline that fed the cutting-edge world of genetic engineering. Think designer pets, exotic fruit, and children that do not suck—very cool, very hush-hush, and apparently very open to shady dealings. Skeletons tumbled out of the closet when she least expected it, each revelation more baffling than the last.
It all started when an unusual server error led Amy to some seriously sketchy logs. She had been cleaning up after another one of Phil’s botched deploys when she stumbled across them. Phil, her boss, had the technical aptitude of a houseplant but was twice as devious. He had a knack for pushing responsibilities onto others while claiming the glory for himself. Writing a quick script and executing a few lines of code opened a Pandora's box of deceit: Phil had been claiming Amy’s work as his own, then padding the numbers to pocket government funds. Every new piece of evidence she read made her angrier and more determined to expose him. It did not take a genius to connect the dots, though Amy was one. She took the matter up with his supervisor and human resources, confident the truth would win out. Instead, Phil flipped the tables, blamed Amy for the entire mess, and weaseled his way out of trouble with a wink and a grin.
He'd always been a smooth operator, mastering the art of deflecting blame and turning accusations into vapor. To him, this was just another game. To Amy, it was personal. She had the evidence and the resolve; all she needed now was the right moment to strike back. Would she let herself be defeated by a man whose only skill was twisting words and paperwork? Not a chance. Amy was ready for battle, and she wasn't going down without a fight.
That led to today’s delightful meeting. It was supposed to be a “discussion of performance,” but when Phil shut the door and started berating her, it was clear where things were headed. The fluorescent lights hummed as he droned on, flinging phrases like “demotion” and “poor fit” with a side of smirk. But Amy had had enough. Before he could pin a shiny new job title of “Scapegoat-In-Chief” on her, she cut him off mid-tirade.
“I quit.” The words burst out with all the grace of a crashing server, but damn if they didn’t feel good.
Storming out of the meeting room, Amy could still hear Phil's grating attempts to salvage his wounded ego. He shouted grievances about loyalty, protocol, and how her departure “wasn’t part of the plan” like some melodramatic villain shaking his fist at the sky. The words faded into distant noise as she reached her desk and threw years of service and frustration into a single cardboard box. “Don't let the door hit you on the way out!” he yelled, trying to cover his bruised pride with bravado. One chipped and coffee-stained mug, a battered keyboard, and a few desk plants she was on the brink of murdering—turns out succulents were harder to maintain than high-tech systems. It was the paltry sum of her life at Genotronic Solutions, condensed and carried in her arms. She took a last glance at the cramped cubicle farm with its fifty engineers still hammering away at the data pipeline and thought about all the caffeine-fueled nights she’d spent untangling Phil’s messes. There was no fanfare, no dramatic final showdown, just her swift exit before anyone noticed she was gone.
Amy marched through the drab corridors and pushed through the buzzing front lobby. The elevator ride down seemed to take an eternity, each ding marking her transition from oppression to liberation. By the time she hit the street, the hum of fluorescent lights was nothing but a memory, drowned out by the rush of traffic and the sweet sound of freedom. Behind her, the imposing gray office building loomed like a relic from another life; each step she took was lighter and more liberated than the last. She walked away without a backward glance, leaving a dreary world of deceit and dashed dreams in the dust.
Her walk home was brisk and determined, fueled by a mix of adrenaline and that hollow uncertainty of leaving something behind. Sure, it was an abusive company with a boss who had the ethical standards of a moldy sandwich, but it was what she knew. Still, as the evening chill bit through her coat, Amy felt a fierce excitement rising. She could finally pursue her dream of becoming an author. She imagined it: days filled with whimsical words instead of tedious tech, writing fantastical worlds where villains like Phil got their comeuppance.
Her apartment was as sparse as she’d left it that morning, the minimalist dream or a burglar’s nightmare. She dropped her things on the table and surveyed the clutter of worn-out books and half-finished notes on writing. Amy could almost hear the crisp pages whispering, "Finally!" It was all so perfect, so brimming with potential. So, naturally, that’s when things took a turn for the bizarre.
As she sank onto the sofa, a dark voice pierced the silence: "You will do nicely." Amy’s heart leaped in surprise and then decided it might as well try to break out of her chest altogether. A searing pain hit her like a ton of bricks—maybe two tons—and she clutched at her heart, collapsing onto the cool hardwood floor. Books fluttered around her, the titles blurring as darkness crept in. This was definitely not how she’d imagined the start of her new life.
Floating in a boundless void was a real trip. Amy—dazed and definitely not dead yet—drifted in a shifting nothingness that was almost peaceful if you ignored the part where she had just had a heart attack. But then came a presence, calm and formidable, that filled the emptiness with an unexpected gravity. Raistlin, the imposing God of Earth, stood before her in flowing robes that seemed to shimmer with the colors of an autumn afternoon. His eyes held ancient wisdom, his smile a mix of comfort and mischief.
“You have a choice,” his voice resonated through the void, measured and profound. “Reincarnate into this fantasy world or return to Earth to die of your heart attack.”
“What kind of choice is that?” Amy exclaimed, and before she knew it, she’d blurted, “Reincarnation!”
Amy had always prided herself on being the sort who never acted without a plan, a careful thinker not prone to wild impulses. But here she was, her choice flying out of her mouth faster than she could say "risk assessment." The chance to reincarnate was far too tantalizing for her to resist, even if she hadn't weighed every possible outcome like she normally would. A chance to start over, to live a life of grand adventures instead of monotonous meetings and server woes—it was already more than she’d ever dared to hope for. And, besides, a life of unexpected wonders was surely better than no life at all.
Now, as she floated in the presence of a god, she realized how little she had considered the actual implications. Sure, it was a leap into the unknown, but wasn't that the point? Amy had spent years trapped in a cycle of predictability and deceit; this was her second chance at unpredictability and excitement. The more she thought about it, the more it felt right. She, the once-careful planner, had just taken the most dangerously thrilling plunge of her life.
Amy marveled at the enormity of her decision, her heart set on this fantasy world where she might finally live on her own terms. Raistlin’s cryptic smile widened as he launched into an explanation that made Amy’s eyes widen in wonder and apprehension. The new world had game-like mechanics with status points, skill slots, and resources like health, mana, and stamina. The whole setup sounded like a dream for someone who spent weekends in full-dive massively multiplayer online role-playing games, which Amy totally didn’t—okay, maybe she did, a lot.
“This is like an RPG,” she commented, catching on quickly.
The God of Earth chuckled, a sound like distant thunder. “The world administrators introduced those games to make reincarnation trials easier for humans to understand.”
She almost asked if he was serious, but considering her current floating-and-dead predicament, that seemed like a waste of breath. Instead, she cut to the chase. “Do I have a special task in this new world?”
Raistlin nodded, his tone still calm but tinged with a hint of gravity. “You have a trial to overcome, but I cannot reveal the nature of the trial.”
Well, that was ominous, but wonderfully exciting too. A world with stats, systems, and adventures? Amy could hardly believe it. She had the urge to jump up and down or whatever the equivalent was when you’re disembodied and floating in a void. Her mind fired on all cylinders, spinning thoughts of what lay ahead. Could she wield magic? Would she fight monsters? Could she, at long last, have her very own dragon? Maybe even a super sleek crystal tower with magical WiFi and a moat—and zero corporate weasels in sight. The possibilities were endless and intoxicating. One thing was certain: if she could get a fresh start in a world like this, she wanted to make sure it came with some perks. The right abilities could turn her new life from a grand adventure to an epic saga.
“Do I get to choose my skills and powers?” she asked, her voice bursting with eagerness.
Raistlin, still as composed as before, took a measured pause, as if weighing the impact of his answer. Surely a god wasn't going to refuse a mortal's humble request to be a total badass? A customizable loadout would sweeten the deal even more than the promise of reincarnation had. Amy waited, her anticipation mounting. Maybe she'd get titles and achievements too—how cool would that be?
“Can I choose abilities for my reincarnated life?” Amy demanded.
“Within limits,” Raistlin replied. “I cannot grant anything too overpowered, but I will accommodate your wishes as much as I can.”
Amy contemplated the possibilities, her mind racing to match her ambition with practicality. She knew the right combination could make her overpowered in this new world, and she wasn’t about to let that opportunity slip by. What skills would be most useful? Which ones couldn’t she pick up easily on the fly? Thinking like a true strategist, she aimed for bold choices—ones that would set her apart and give her a massive edge. After all, she was diving into a world she'd only dreamed of, and she wanted to make the most of it. Appraisal would let her understand her surroundings at a glance, a vital edge for quick decisions. The item box would solve all those pesky inventory issues; she’d never be caught without the right gear. Universal language comprehension would cut through any communication barriers, ensuring she could play diplomat or merchant without missing a beat.
Each decision fueled her excitement. She chose rapid recovery to keep her in the action without down time; after all, she didn’t want to end up bedridden every time she took a hit. Then, there was her wildcard pick, the one she knew was risky but oh-so-tempting: alchemy. The more Raistlin urged caution, the harder it was to resist. Amy knew what she was getting into, but the allure of crafting the impossible was too strong. Though it was an unkown art in her new world, she was certain she could use it well. Someone of her caliber could do anything if she set her mind to it. With all these skills combined, she could tackle whatever challenge came her way and still have time to write the book about it. She was determined to make this life extraordinary. Her requests were not just ambitious; they were her battle plan for a high-flying, magic-fueled existence, one that would transform her daring leap into an epic arc. Amy finally declared her choices with unwavering confidence: appraisal, item box, universal language comprehension, rapid recovery, and alchemy.
Raistlin's expression shifted to one of grave concern as he delved into an ominous warning about her most daring choice. Alchemy, he noted, was not just an outdated skill but a “dead” art, shrouded in mystery and long abandoned by its practitioners. The ancient techniques had fallen into obscurity, leaving behind whispers of their former glory. “This choice carries significant risk,” he cautioned, his voice taking on a fatherly tone. “Because it is so rare, it will draw attention, possibly from those who do not have your best interests at heart.” His words hung in the void like a cloud, dense with possible danger.
Amy could practically see the flashing red warning signs, but far from scaring her off, they only added fuel to her ambition. She knew she was setting herself apart in a colossal way. Sure, alchemy was risky, but she had always thrived on risk. The very fact that it was a lost art made it even more alluring; it was a treasure waiting to be rediscovered, a map without a path in a world craving innovation.
Raistlin seemed intent on making her understand the full implications. “Its power is immense but unpredictable,” he continued, eyes locking onto hers with the weight of his warning. “Your choice will signal you as different, extraordinary, perhaps even dangerous. Are you prepared for that burden?” He paused, allowing his cautionary tale to sink in, each word a testament to the monumental decision she faced.
She wasn’t about to back down. If there was one thing Amy was good at, it was turning the impractical into the ingenious. “I’ll take my chances,” she confirmed, determined as ever.
The God of Earth sighed, his patience seeming almost divine, as Amy's acceptance reverberated through the void. “Very well,” he said, the words both resignation and blessing wrapped up together. Raistlin honored her audacious request, recognizing the spark that drove her so fearlessly. But then, true to his nature, he upped the ante. If she wanted risk, she’d get the full package. In a move Amy hadn’t dared to dream of, he threw in all the magical affinities for good measure. This unexpected gift widened her eyes with astonishment; each affinity would let her harness a different element, opening fresh realms of possibility. Raistlin elaborated that possessing all these affinities was rare but not entirely unheard of, a luxury not afforded to most, but just common enough to serve her well. If Amy’s forbidden pursuit of alchemy ever came to light, she could cleverly mask it with regular magic, keeping her true capabilities hidden behind a dazzling curtain of elemental prowess. The prospect was exhilarating—a layer of mystery to conceal a forbidden art, all hers to wield with inventive precision.
Amy's mind spun with strategies. She imagined herself mastering an array of magical disciplines, each one a key to unlocking new mysteries. It was the ultimate smokescreen, providing cover for alchemy’s unpredictable power. Her thoughts buzzed with how she could use these affinities to her advantage, keeping others guessing while she crafted the impossible. Each magical talent would be a stepping stone, a carefully laid plan to guard her most coveted skill from both suspicion and envy. She felt like she’d just been handed the ultimate cheat code, a blueprint for living above the rules. This was more than she’d ever dreamed of—an elaborate game where she controlled the board and the pieces, secretly concocting what others deemed impossible. Raistlin's final gesture pushed the promise of reincarnation from mere adventure to an intricate tapestry of potential. Her excitement was palpable, a living thing that pulsed and breathed in the empty space around her. How could she refuse such a thrilling dive into uncertainty?
Before she knew it, Amy was spiraling into a brilliant, swirling light, her mind racing with the possibilities of the new world. The scene crackled with energy, and Raistlin’s final, knowing smile underscored the gravity of her decision. She was about to embark on the extraordinary life of Hinata Hikari, a life filled with adventure, magic, and the one thing she hadn’t bargained for—trouble.
