The first thing I did after reincarnating was to touch my ears, which was kind of a habit at this point. They were pointy to the degree only elf ears could be. This meant I didn't have long until I'd need to start working in the laboratory again.
Quickly looking at my surroundings, I saw the by now very familiar forest. But it looked like I was the only elf around here, which was quite unusual for these kinds of reincarnations, but nothing I've never had before. This made things a little more complicated since I'd need to find the founding point on my own, but that wasn't anything a little magic couldn't handle.
After I used my floating spell to gain some height, I could already start seeing the mountains. And since this was the only mountain range in this world, I was certain that would be the correct direction. I didn't have anything left to do in this forest where I reincarnated, so let's hurry!
When I activated the fast flying spell, the 3D-runes formed again and the trees started to whoosh by below me. As I flew I saw the same type of trees for kilometers and if it weren't for the fact that the mountains started to appear bigger, I'd think it was the exact same spot where I had started. But this featureless forest, too, was something I slowly got used to. But at least it gave me some time to think about the things I'd need to do next.
I'd probably be one of the first elves at the founding point, so I'd likely need to help constructing the magic beacon system, which helps us to navigate in this world, and which would also mark the location of the founding point.
It was a bit repetitive to always have to build up the same basic infrastructure, every iteration, but it also helped me to remember the essentials and gave me small new insights from different perspectives each time. And while I was limited in the size of the experiments I could do, I could still do smaller ones, as long as the younger research scientists wouldn't notice it.
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Not even 15 minutes had passed, and I was already close enough to recognize the buzzing activity at the foot of the mountain. The first buildings already started to take shape and the constant explosions of the excavation and mining projects could be heard.
Although this city, in contrast to the capital and unpleasant village, had not been created by the origin, it was still the second-biggest city in this world, directly behind the capital. Which sounded quite impressive – until one realized how small this world really was.
When I landed in the city, I recognized some familiar faces of other research scientists, with which I had worked before. But there was no point in exchanging pleasantries, or else we wouldn't get any work here done in the next few weeks.
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So, I headed straight to the job office. It was one of the few buildings that was already finished.
As I entered the job office, I saw a long line of people waiting to receive their assignments. Elves of all ages were here, eager to get started with their tasks. I patiently waited to receive mine, observing the people around me. Finally, it was my turn. I approached the counter, and the elf managing the assignments greeted me with a professional smile. "Welcome. Which number are you?"
I had to pause for a second to think about it. It's been a while, since I had last been reincarnated as an elf... "I'm number 338.", I responded.
"Then, please help to get the magic beacon system up and running. It's currently our top priority, since it'll help the others to find our base."
"Alright, I'll do that then!"
Just, as I had expected.
Many elves were working on it and it will only take until sunset, until it is finished. Normally, such a complex structure would take months or years to design and build, but we all exactly knew our tasks and the plans were already ready in our minds. Or rather, in MY mind.
This advantage lets us build this whole city in a matter of days and is absolutely essential for the Magic Research Laboratory.
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As I reached the construction site, I saw more familiar faces. With most of them, I only exchanged a nod, but when number 12 saw me, she rushed over to me and greeted me with a bright smile. She was the youngest one here, so for her it was the first time working on the magic beacon system. Was I really like this in my early iterations?
"Hi, there! Did you also just arrive here? I'm glad to be back in this city again! What will you work on?"
What a headache... But I already knew she'd do that. I saw it many times already.
"Yes, I'll be handling the magic interference equipment. But you should know not to ask any questions outside your jurisdiction, right? It heavily limits your possibilities for future reincarnation cycles. After all, everything in this world, which happened in a previous iteration, will happen exactly the same way in every cycle. You can't change the past, after all – even if it repeats."
"Of course, I know that already.", she answered, "But this was a harmless question, wasn't it? It doesn't make a difference if I'll know this for all eternity."
That's why she was such a headache... "While that's true for this case," I answered, "it's about the principle. If you accidentally ask an elder a question which isn't harmless, even though you think it is, it can greatly restrict your actions. We have to be careful about our knowledge and whom we share it with. That's what all this about.", I said, while gesturing at our surroundings. "That's the single purpose of us being in this world. Why we created it. And why the Kaitlyn will go with the plan, after we are finished here and can prove our knowledge to her."
"I understand that. It's just that the atmosphere in this city always feels so lifeless compared to the capital.", she answered, while seeming a bit frustrated.
"That's simply due to the fact that in the capital are almost exclusively used by resting iterations. But we need to get work done here. And in this spirit, I'd like to start working now. Bye.", I said goodbye to her in a bit of a dry tone, but I hope it brings my point across.
But as I turned around, I hear a way too enthusiastic "Bye-bye!". Whatever...