"Thank you for your service, scholar Lue. Your lifelong dedication to this institute and achievements in the field shall be honored, and your name remembered for generations to come. We wish you a peaceful retirement. As a symbol of our gratitude, we'd like to give you the first copy of the Natural Encyclopedia, with personal signatures from everyone involved!"
The owl-like director of the institute holds out a big book while bowing. Giving an appreciative bow back, I take the book and hold it close to my chest. It is the culmination of decades of work, made real thanks to the newly invented printing table.
The people around me clap and cheer, congratulating me. Looking around, the faces blur together as my head feels faint. I give a smile, and walk towards the door. I wasn't one to give speeches or anything. And with my work finally over, I needed a break. Stepping outside, with a flick and a snap, I grow a tree to provide shade. My legs give out, as they always do. And then I faint.
When I open my eyes, some time has passed. I am now sitting in a nice leather bed, some sort of servant walking out of my bedroom. A plate of desserts was placed next to the bed on a table. I try to say thanks, but nothing comes out.
Snacking on the desserts, I reread the Encyclopedia. Flipping to random pages, quizzing myself on random topics. The wings of birds, the skeletons of mice, the communication method of wolves, the medical uses of mushrooms, the growing seasons for blueberries...
Eventually, the pages blur together. I'm all out of desserts, and something smells salty. The door opens as an odd pirate walks in, their identity unmemorable. They start talking about some sort of sea monster they encountered. A starfish that shot lasers out of its center.
Tired eyes blink, everything blurring slightly, as someone else replaces the pirate. A red haired knight, with some fancy armor. Their story is of a continent to the south, full of verdant fields, flowery hills, lush plains, and a blessed forest.
A messenger pigeon lands by the bed, delivering a letter with the institute's seal. Opening the letter, I read of a planned expedition to that southern continent. There is a tinge of envy, as I remain unable to join it. All I can do is request the direct reports from the expedition.
And sure enough, more letters arrive. Telling more about the holy forest (it has a title!) and the incredible diversity of its fauna. Then came the identification of a large white crow, who explained more about the forest. Of course, someone was dumb enough to try and check it's stats.
The wise crow Wisteria, level 74, countless skills. A truly legendary entity. For a moment, I feel self-conscious. I check my own stats, but only a faint, half-broken box appears;
The of Nature, Lue
lv 12
STR:3
DEX: 3
CON: 1
INT: 7
WIS: 7
CHA: 3
HP:
SP:
MP:
Information is missing, but that's what happens if you try to rely on memory. All things considered, it's fairly average stats. Maybe a bit low, thanks to my current condition. It only got worse over time. At some point, I accepted my fate.
And then, out the window, far in the distance, I can clearly see a bird with royal colors, just as weakened as I. And it bursts into flames, and from the ashes steps out a newborn phoenix. The only known form of natural reincarnation. And there is yet another sense of envy.
I built up a few favors over my lifetime. No point in saving them now! Lucy the librarian was a bit concerned by my request for some forbidden or restricted books, though I reassured them it was pure curiosity. After all, most of it was historical texts, considered outdated. There definitely wasn't anything dangerous or cognito-hazardous.
It all starts with a monster that forgot how to evolve.
----------------------------------------
Excerpt from "Improper System Evolutions";
...
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Under normal circumstances, the maximum attainable level is 20. To grow beyond level 20, one must either break the system's limits (of which there are many consequences) or evolve to a form that can better handle the mana. Each evolution normally increases the maximum level by another 20, though some rare evolutions can have higher or lower limits.
Normally, evolution is a safe and automatic process, simply taking only a few hours to gather the necessary mana. However, under the wrong circumstances, evolutions can fail. Sometimes there's simply not enough resources for evolution, in which case it is postponed until sufficient resources are acquired. Sometimes it's just a matter of stress, and evolution can resume once one calms down.
But sometimes, an evolution can begin, only to be unable to complete, and resulting in those who are partially and improperly evolved. The most well known example is the False Phoenix, which started off as a bird-type monster. It attempted to evolve, but for whatever reason it was unable to. Despite that, it still attempted to evolve, eventually forcing one to begin. The result was an uncertain mess of bird-parts. Extra wings, too many eyes, teeth, and one leg.
Since then, the False Phoenix attempts to evolve every few weeks. It never works, only evolving random parts, adding or removing limbs. Though, in a twisted way, it achieved a form of immortality. Each time it 'evolves', its age resets and injuries heal, just like a normal phoenix.
Other examples of improper evolution are 'mulification' of horses, and boneless snakes.
...
----------------------------------------
This book was forbidden due to its implications. That forcing an improper evolution acted as a sort of 'reincarnation'. At the time, this was mostly theoretical, and unreplicated. The very concept of reincarnating was new, spreading thanks to the phoenixes and fungal fey, which seemed to 'die' and create offspring from their remains, that then retain memories.
Of course, this was long before my time. Nowadays, reincarnation is known, just neglected. Compared to other forms of immortality, reincarnation came with too many downsides. Despite that, a certain wizard went through the trouble of learning everything about reincarnating. Including its consequences.
It did help that the wizard wrote it down.
----------------------------------------
Collection of notes, "Forms of reincarnation and the drawbacks";
3 current known forms of reincarnation; Natural biological, through the "Reincarnate" skill, and through a magical ritual.
Natural biological: Special organ(s) that retains memories, skills, etc. and reforms a new body after death. New body is not identical to previous body, which is what differentiates it from regeneration.
"Reincarnate" skill: A passive skill that allows reincarnation upon death, though at a pre-determined cost. Requires making a deal with the system(?), often harsh costs.
Magical ritual: Single-use, uses mana and raw materials to create and transfer to a new body. Takes long time to fulfill, high resource cost, only one with chance of failure.
For all intents and purposes, the biological method is impossible for normal people. Additionally, ritual method is not sustainable nor reliable. Therefore, the best achievable method would be to obtain the "Reincarnate" skill.
First one must contact the system. No consistent method known. Once contact is made, attempt a deal to obtain the skill. Decide on what you are willing to sacrifice each time you reincarnate (or sacrifice once permanently). If deal succeeds, congrats, you have the "Reincarnate" skill. You may also start hearing the system audibly, but you will not be unable to understand.
...
----------------------------------------
Obviously, having a step-by-step process of how to reincarnate was considered "too dangerous" and the notes "went against all understanding of the system". If younger me, 40 years ago, were to have read this, I would've thought the same and ignored it. But with a certain encounter, my thoughts have changed.
A hermit that lived in a shack by the sea. Our unexpected meeting was short. But oddly, he kept speaking to nothing in particular. When I asked about it, he said it was the system asking questions. At the time I thought him crazy. Now I question why I, as a scholar, didn't investigate more.
How does one contact the system? Through prayer or song? By reaching out with magic or looking within? Or is it as simple as saying "hello"? Maybe it's different for everyone. But for me, all it took was offering it a hug and cake.
400 years ago, the false phoenix made a deal. It sacrificed its ability to evolve for the "Reincarnate" skill.
120 years ago, a nameless wizard finally managed to make a deal. No one quite remembers who it was, their name gone.
And today, an old scholar wants to see the true nature again. She decides to sacrifice something no one else would ever dare get rid of.
----------------------------------------
Mochi wakes up from her dream to the sound of gentle breathing. Warm black and grey fur surrounds her, and the faint sound of rain tells her to put the rain-door up. However, peering around Nikola, she sees that the woven rain-door is already in place. She whispers a thanks, and tries to go back to sleep. Today's a Sunday after all, and Mochi likes to sleep in late on Sundays.
"Mr. Narrator, you didn't have to narrate this. Now be quiet and let me go back to sleep..."