irst of all don’t panic but as you probably guessed, you’re dead” said an elderly man seated in front of Maxwell. His beard went down to his chest.

Maxwell blinked back tears.

“Wha-” Maxwell paused looking around himself in bewilderment.

“Where am - ” In that moment he remembered that seconds ago he had been bleeding profusely out of his neck. He felt at his throat for the gash marks but there was no gaping wound, not even a trace of a wound. His fingers only brushed against the chains of his pendant. He was in a white room, perhaps a room was the wrong word. It was a white void that stretched as far as he could see. It was hard to tell since there was no variation or shadows in the whiteness.

“Start by calming down, perhaps have some tea” said the bearded man sliding a teacup towards him. Maxwell simply scowled at him.

“Where the hell am I!” He shouted. He grabbed onto the sides of the table. If this god had been the one that sent that creature there would be hell to pay!

The man sighed. “Why do I keep on expecting that to work?” he muttered quietly.”I should really lead with something else.”

He attempted to rise but strong invisible hands kept him in his seat. He tried to shake them off but they held him firmly down.

“Now, now, why don’t you behave,” said the god in a bored tone.

“It wasn’t me that sent that creature,” he said. “Frankly we’re not quite sure how it even made it to your world in the first place.” His next words he said with a sheepish expression.

“But I must admit under normal circumstances that would have never happened, the interdimensional barriers would never normally be that weak. It might be a couple thousand years overdue since it’s last checkup but that’s really not saying much,” said the god.

“I am dead!” shouted Maxwell. “You caused the death of at least two people!”

The god raised his hands. “Whoa, no need to be so offended, I have feelings too you know.”

“I don’t give a damn!”

“Just have some tea and calm down,” said the elder at Maxwell’s defiant expression. “I’ll answer whatever questions you have afterwards.”

Maxwell grunted before slowly reaching for the cup. It was warm in his hand. He brought it to his lips and took a sip. It didn’t have any particular taste but warmth filled his body soaking all the way to his bones.

“See, it’s pretty good isn’t it,” said the man.

“Who are you?” Asked Maxwell having cooled down a little.

“I am what you most likely know as a god, god of air to be exact, as gentle as the wind and free from all worldly tethers and desires” said the man matter of factly.

“Why should I believe you? What is this place? What was that monster?” said Maxwell without hesitation.

“Now, now aren’t you full of questions,” said the man

“I was just killed by some sort of supernatural creature and am in heaven,” said Maxwell. “Of course I have questions.”

“I suppose,” said the man reluctantly.

“First of all there is one thing I must make clear this isn’t heaven,” corrected the man.

“What is this place then,” said Maxwell gesturing to the ethereal surroundings.

The man snapped his fingers.

Wind raked at his clothes and large grey masses zoomed past them. Clouds, they’re clouds! Maxwell realised in surprise. They were in the sky. He held up an arm against the fierce winds. Maxwell peered upwards. In the distance above Maxwell’s head was a bright golden star. the light seemed to grow in luminosity as if it were getting closer to them or they closer to it.

The surroundings turned to normal as fast as they had changed, although normal was hardly the right word.

“We’re in somewhat of an in-between place right now, mortal bodies are much too frail to even think of withstanding the environment there,” Continued the man.

“Are we in the sky?” asked Maxwell.

“That’s right, but not the sky you’re familiar with,” he said. “My apologies if the wind was too strong, I thought it would be faster to show you that way,” he said.

“Earlier you mentioned we?” asked Maxwell. “Are there other gods?”

“Additionally your death was not meant to be, that abomination that attacked you crossed over from another world. It is still a mystery as to how it was able to do so.” The god went on without answering his question

“If you’re gonna apologise I'd rather you send me back!” said Maxwell crossing his arms.

“Unfortunately we can’t do that,” said the god calmly. Your untimely death and strong desires have put you in a unique circumstance where we are willing to make you an offer.” said the god.

What could this offer be? wondered Maxwell. There was little he could imagine would make up for the loss of his life. His life hadn’t been perfect but he had enjoyed it so very much. Goofing off with Colin, the kind Ms Turner and what was all that time spent studying for? He would never be able to reap the rewards from those long hours in the night chipping away at those textbooks.

“This is the proposal,” said the god. “As compensation you’ll have to be relocated to another world very different from your own. It is a world of swords and magic there is nothing for you to worry about, we do regular checkups. You will be the first-born son of a prestigious noble family. You won’t have to worry about money or hardships or any worries that you may have experienced so far.” said the god.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“Is there any other option?” Maxwell asked.

“There is no area for negotiation,” said the god. “If you refuse you will remain dead, whether you enter heaven or not certain.”

They sat there in silence for a while.

I say our proposal is quite generous if I do say so myself,” said the god. “Especially considering you left your friend to die.”

Maxwell froze. “No I didn’t,” he shouted. “I didn’t have a choice!”

“Sensitive topic, “ smirked the god.

“I didn’t abandon him,” he said in a small voice. The table in front of him blurred. A tear rolled down his cheek.

“What…?” Maxwell said. He wiped it away with the palm of his hand. Another one took its place at once. “Why Am I crying, I didn’t do anything wrong?” he said.

He heard a crash to his right. A medium-sized black metal object had fallen. THe light coming out between the flaps of its end fizzled out and died.

Maxwell’s eyes scrunched up in confusion.

“Is that a stagelight?” he asked blinking back tears.

“Huh, oh that,” The god hurriedly flicked his hand. The stagelight disappeared in a haze as if it was never there.

“Why do you have stage lights?” asked Maxwell, puzzled.

“The electricity bill can get quite high,” he explained.

“What electricity bill,” asked max flabbergasted. “You’re a god, why do you need to pay electricity bills!”

“What does it matter to you, I don’t need some mortal to be prodding into my financial situation, you people think it’s so easy being a god,” the god ranted.

Maxwell facepalmed. “Nevermind, I’m done. You’re giving me a headache,” he groaned.

“I accept the proposal,” said Maxwell resolutely.

Spherical Light particles danced on his skin.

“It seems our time is up,” remarked the god.

The light particles were now gently overwhelming his vision, merging with his senses.

“As one final sign of my goodwill, I’ll throw in a divine blessing to protect you and guarantee good fortune upon your life” The god’s voice became increasingly faint as if he were getting farther away.

A jolt went through his body.

“By the time you come too, expect nothing but a life of joy and ....”

Maxwell disappeared in a flash of white and yellow.

“... Luxury.” finished the god. The god waited a moment before leaning back and sighing.

“Same mortal different day,” he said to the ether.

He stared up at the white heavens, his majestic beard ruffling at the movement. He pulled out a cigar from his divine robs. He held it between his two fingers and lit it with a wooden, gold encrusted lighter. An ornamental lizard with dazzling ruby eyes was embedded one one side of it. Half of its length burned through and turned to ash. He then puffed out a lazy cloud. He turned to the side.

“That mortal is one piece of work, he’s got at least a couple screw loose right,” he said. He paused for a moment before chuckling. He took another hit of his cigar. It blowed brightly before disintegrating in his hands. He pulled out another cigar from his robes.

“I’m getting too old for this shit.”

***

A gentle breeze washed over Maxwell’s face. Maxwell dragged his eyes open. His mind was foggy like he’d been in a very deep sleep. He was lying down on what felt like clouds. He lazily sat up before stretching his arms into the air and tensing from head to foot before relaxing with a yawn. He felt surprisingly refreshed. Maxwell looked around. He was in a large bed in an even larger room. Silken white and red sheets swaddled him. He could tell at a glance that they were of exceedingly high quality. The linen was incredibly soft and its glossiness was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. The bed was so soft, it felt as if he were atop a cloud. He felt the gentle breeze again. It was coming from an open window to his left. He walked to it and stared out. It opened up into a neatly managed garden below. A water fountain in the center shot streams of water in the air before splashing downwards in a fantastic display. Maxwell whistled at the sight.

So far the god didn’t seem to be lying.

He instinctively scratched at his throat.

The room had lavish furniture, closets and a dressing table with a large mirror on it. A grandfather clock ticked to the side of the bed. A grated fireplace was built into the wall opposite his bed. The coals were blackened and charred.

Maxwell paused for a moment. He had caught his reflection in the mirror but a brown-haired boy stared back at him. There was one main issue with that. He looked nothing like that. He rushed over to it and stared himself right in the eyes. Golden irises stared back at him. Under normal circumstances getting a new eye-colour would have made his day, previously having brown eyes he had liked to have a more unique eye-colour. Unfortunately considering it took his gruesome death and relocation to another world to cause that he wasn’t quite as ecstatic as he would otherwise have been. His hair was also a chestnut brown now in contrast to the pitch-black hair he had before. If he wasn’t mistaken he appeared to be a bit younger as well. There was a certain softness to his face he didn’t have before. It couldn’t have been more than a couple years so it wasn’t much of a concern.

This discovery did wake some concerning questions. Was this even his body, he assumed he would be reincarnated as a baby or perhaps his body would be the same. This face, this hair this body. He looked deeply into the golden eyes in the mirror. Who had these eyes originally belonged to?

Knuckles rapped against the door.

Who is that? Maxwell had no idea what to expect.

“Master Igari, are you awake?” said a voice. It was a young boy’s voice. Other than that he had no idea who it was.

“I will be coming in, I was told by the master to check in on you,” said the voice.

The door handle began to turn. With no time to think Maxwell rushed to it. He stopped it from being opened fully.

“Yes, I’m alright,” said Maxwell, giving a strained smile.

“Dinner is ready,” said the boy.

“I see,” said Maxwell, unsure of how to reply.

“You seem to be feeling unwell, shall I bring medicine to help you?” said the boy staring at him. “Yesterday you excused yourself from dinner and went to bed, you said you had a headache.”

“That’s fine, I’m all better now ,” said Maxwell.

He followed the boy out of the room. It led to a long decorated hallway. The walls had the occasional sculpture of a stern figure and paintings of fancily clad people adorned the walls. He walked down it. His footsteps echoing across the patterned walls. Despite the very large interior he didn’t see any other person. It seemed strange to have such a large house but so few people inside of it.

Maxwell sat down at the table without making eye-contact with the parents. An older maid came out carrying platters of food.

“So Igari,” said the man. He had a mustache and piercing eyes. “When are you planning on getting married?”

Maxwell nearly spat out his drink. Of all the things he had been predicting this was definitely not one of them.

“What do you mean,” said Maxwell weakly.

“That’s right,” said the woman insistently.” By the time your father was your age he had already been engaged with me.”

Quick Maxwell come up with an excuse! He urged himself. “I want to focus on my studies for the time being, I must make myself as suitable as possible beforehand,” said Maxwell.

The man nodded. “ That is a respectable endeavour, and I’m sure you will surpass me greatly but make sure to not forget the other aspects of life.”

Maxwell nodded and muttered something before quickly taking a mouthful of food to stop them from asking more questions.

“Speaking of which, you’ll be joining them at the academy next term, then the entire Sheshire household will have gone there once again!” said the man

“How splendid!” said the woman.

“Yeah, with my siblings that I don’t have the faintest idea about,” muttered Maxwell.

“What was that?” said the woman.

“Nothing mother,” said Maxwell quickly. He prayed that he would never meet his siblings. If they knew him better than the parents did he would be screwed.

Nah that won’t happen.

Maxwell took another mouthful of food, chewing happily.