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The Administrator's Insight

The Administrator's Insight

Bryce sat with the kids gathered around him, their faces a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. The ethereal woman had stepped aside, leaving them in silence for a few moments. The glow of the food court behind them flickered with life and energy, but here, in this secluded corner, everything felt more still, more contained.

Moments later, another figure approached, someone new. This one wasn’t ethereal like the woman who had led them here. She looked more… ordinary, yet somehow still out of place. She wore a neatly tailored suit, her hair combed back meticulously, and her eyes twinkled with an almost unsettling knowledge. Bryce straightened in his chair as the woman stopped in front of them, offering a gentle, but practiced, smile.

“Hello,” the woman greeted them warmly, her voice carrying the same calming hum that everything in this strange place seemed to have. “I’m Administrator Kellen. I’ve been assigned to explain the next steps to you.”

Bryce instinctively leaned forward in his seat, feeling a blend of hope and trepidation. “Yes, we’ve been trying to understand what happens here. Can you help us?” Bryce blinked, his mind still processing everything. He wanted to ask a thousand questions, but the kids were already ahead of him.

“Where are we?” Mason blurted out. “Are we dead?”

“What happens next?” asked Ava, her voice barely a whisper.

Kellen’s smile widened, and she gestured to the empty chair across from Bryce. “I’m here to answer those very questions. May I?”

Bryce nodded slowly. “Please.”

Kellen sat, smoothing her suit jacket before folding her hands on the table. She took a deep breath, as though preparing to dive into a long explanation. “What I’m about to tell you may sound overwhelming at first, but I assure you, it’s all quite structured. You see, every world—every universe, really—operates under its own system of balance. This place you find yourselves in is part of that system. You’re in a sorting and reincarnation center.”

“In this realm, we oversee the sorting and reincarnation of souls,” Kellen began, her voice calm and measured. “Every world has its own unique balance of souls—some rich with magic, others reliant on technology, and some blending both. There are worlds with low industrial development and those that are highly advanced. Each world has a set range of souls it can accommodate to function harmoniously.”

There was a pause. The kids, and even Bryce, stared at her in disbelief.

“A reincarnation center?” Bryce repeated, his voice uncertain.

Kellen nodded. “Precisely. You’ve heard of reincarnation, yes? The idea that, after death, souls are reborn into new lives. Well, that’s not just an idea—it’s part of the universal system. When you pass from one life, your soul comes here, where it is sorted and prepared for its next journey. Some worlds, like the one you just came from, operate on a cycle of life, death, and rebirth.”

Bryce furrowed his brow. “So… we’re going to be reborn? In another world?”

“That’s right,” Kellen said, her tone matter-of-fact. “There are countless worlds, each with its own rules and systems. Some worlds are like the one you knew, where technology advances and societies function much like Earth. Others, however, are vastly different. There are worlds of magic, where spells and enchantments shape everyday life. Some operate on advanced technology—far beyond anything your world has yet to experience. There are worlds where people live with a game-like system, gaining levels, skills, and abilities as they grow. It’s all part of the balance.”

One of the younger boys, Alex, raised his hand tentatively, like he was in a classroom. “So… can we choose where we go next?”

Kellen smiled softly. “In a way, yes. Each world has a set range of souls that it can support. To maintain the balance, some worlds are kept within a middle range—enough souls to ensure the world functions properly. When the number of souls starts to get too high, some are cycled out, like what’s happening now. They come here, where we sort them and direct them to worlds where the soul count is lower.”

Bryce frowned, trying to keep up. “So, if we go to a world that’s low on souls… what happens?”

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“That’s where things get interesting,” Kellen replied. “If a world’s soul count is dipping too low, it can start to destabilize. Souls that choose to go to these worlds help restore balance, and because it’s a bit riskier, they are often rewarded, bonus or a sort of boon. The closer a world is to the bottom of its range, the greater the bonus or boon you might receive in your new life. You could be granted special abilities, better circumstances, or even memories of your past life to give you an advantage.”

“Special abilities?” Mason perked up at that. “Like magic powers?”

Kellen nodded. “Exactly. In a world with magic, for example, you might be born with innate magical talent or have an easier time learning spells. In a technological world, you could have advanced intelligence or skills in engineering. It all depends on the world and the circumstances.”

Rachel, one of the quieter kids, piped up. “But what if we want to go to a world that’s full of souls?”

Kellen’s smile faltered, just slightly. “Ah, well, that’s where it gets a bit more complicated. If you insist on going to a world that’s already close to its upper limit, the system will still accommodate you, but there will be consequences. You might be born with certain disabilities or challenges in your new life, as a way to maintain balance. The world can only handle so many souls before things start to go wrong, so in those cases, your entry has to be… balanced by a penalty.” Her gaze going over the kids that had been until just minutes ago disabled either physically or mentally.

The kids shifted uneasily in their seats. Bryce’s mind raced. There were so many factors, so many things to consider. His thoughts were interrupted when one of the kids, Liam, raised his hand. “What if we want to stay together? Like… as a group?”

Kellen glanced around the group, her gaze thoughtful. “That’s possible, but it takes some scheduling. Small groups, like two or three souls, can be arranged to be born close together—perhaps as siblings or close friends. Larger groups, however… well, it gets trickier. For groups of five or more, like yours, it requires more time and coordination to ensure you’re all placed in proximity to each other in the new world. Sometimes, it’s not possible to keep everyone together perfectly. We must coordinate births in a way that allows you to be close—whether in the same family or community. While this is not guaranteed, it can usually be arranged if you express your desire to stay together.”

A murmur rippled through the group. The kids were already whispering to each other, excitement bubbling up as they considered their options. Bryce could hear bits and pieces of their conversations, but a few voices rose above the rest.

“I want to go to a world with magic! I want to be a wizard!”” Mason declared, his eyes bright with enthusiasm.

“No way, I want to go somewhere with robots and spaceships!” Liam shot back.

Rachel, who had been listening quietly, frowned. “But I don’t want to be in a world that’s too dangerous…”

“I want to be a healer!” another girl chimed in; her voice bright with eagerness. “Or maybe an elf!”

Bryce rubbed his temples. The kids were starting to argue, their individual preferences clashing. Mason was adamant about going to a fantasy world with dragons and spells, while Liam argued for a sci-fi setting with advanced technology and exploration. Some of the others were hesitant, unsure of what kind of world they wanted to enter next.

“Guys, calm down,” Bryce said, his voice cutting through the rising chatter. The kids quieted, looking at him expectantly. He sighed, glancing at Kellen. “What happens if we can’t agree?”

Kellen leaned back in her chair; her expression serene. “If there’s a disagreement, we’ll work with each of you individually to find a suitable compromise. Sometimes, people from the same group end up in different worlds based on their preferences. Other times, we find a world that has elements of what everyone wants.”

“Can we visit other worlds?” Ava asked. “Like, if we go to one world, can we travel to another?”

Kellen chuckled softly. “That’s a little more complex. Some worlds are connected, allowing travel between them, but most are isolated from each other. Once you’re placed in a world, that’s where you stay until your next cycle.”

Bryce felt a pang of responsibility. He had become the de facto leader of this group, and now the kids were looking to him for guidance. His mind raced with the possibilities. A part of him wanted to let them each choose what they wanted, but another part knew that keeping them together would be safer, especially in a world as uncertain as whatever lay ahead.

But the idea of getting to choose… to have a say in where they went next… it was a lot to take in. He turned to Kellen. “How much time do we have to decide?”

“There’s no rush,” Kellen said calmly. “We want you to make the right choice. Take your time, discuss it with each other. When you’re ready, we’ll guide you through the next steps.”

Bryce exhaled, feeling the weight of the decision settle on him. The kids were already talking again, this time with a little more control, but the excitement was still palpable. As the conversations unfolded around him, Bryce’s thoughts drifted. This was not just about survival; it was about thriving in a new existence. With the children by his side, he would navigate this incredible journey, forging a new path in a universe filled with endless possibilities.

What kind of world did he want to go to? He hadn’t even considered the possibility. Would he choose a world of magic and adventure, where he could become something more than what he had been? Or would he prefer a world of peace, where the dangers of the past wouldn’t follow them?

He glanced at the kids, now fully engrossed in their discussions, and felt a sense of responsibility tighten in his chest. Whatever they chose, he would be there with them. He had to be.

Because in this strange, chaotic afterlife, he was all they had now.