So. Here we are. Again.
One of the strongest beings, if not the strongest being in the Impure world, being reborn into a weak sack of meat and water.
This was bad enough the first time. At least then, I knew what everyone was saying. I managed to grow old and die peacefully in my bed, alone.. No loved ones, no kin. I was forcefully removed from the physical realm and sealed into the soul of a newborn babe on my first reincarnation. Abilities, power, even my magic were all bound. I was a normal human being except with one of the oldest souls in existence.
I was reborn during a modern era. History taught me many thousands of years had passed since my last memory. Disappointed, I found one of the many treasure caches I left in the Impure world and lived an easy, carefree life. Then I grew old and died.
Only to be reborn again. But I guess this time is different.
No random visits by nurses, no constant chimes and whistles from the monitoring equipment at a hospital. No random yells of pain or despair, no cries of newborn babes. Not understanding what anyone said when I finally was pulled from the womb.
Right now, there is only the breathing of two others in the darkened room I’m resting in.
I’d like to point out that actually experiencing the labors of childbirth as the child is not just exhausting but very traumatic. The fact that this is the second time really drives home just how lucky newborns are for not remembering the experience.
There is also no control of this meat sack I’m stuck in, my thoughts driving more stress through this tiny mortal shell than it can handle and I cry out involuntarily. It doesn’t help that I’m hungry.
A dim light appears, lifting a majority of the shadow perceived through my eyelids. I have bodily fluids still covering them, not being properly cleaned after my eviction from my new mother.
How do I know this? Second time… I likely would have panicked more, like I did the first time. Experience can be good, most of the time.
I’ll not bore you with the feeding and cleaning that took place. But it did make for a long week, at least I think it was a week. In that time, just like any newborn, I struggled with everything. But I also managed to open and focus my eyes.
Congratulations! You’ve been reincarnated… again?!
Well, aren’t you a lucky mortal to be reborn more than once. We welcome you to this new world. Please enjoy the tutorial and grow into a powerful being!
Transparent blue screen hovering in front of my eyes and I can read it - say what?
As you are a sentient newborn, you are experiencing the System fifteen years sooner than you normally would. This also means the tutorial will be !@#^&%%!@^#$%#$^.
Error
Error
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Error
I’ll guess that’s not normal. Would this be appropriately called a blue-screen of death? Hope it’s not being run on Macrosoft, they had all manner of issues.
int main () { std::cout << "System Admin override: assuming direct control…”
Ahem. Due to unlocking the System fifteen years earlier, an error has occurred. Please be patient while the System bug is corrected and patched.
In the meantime, please explore the Status command provided to you. As you are newly born, simply think the command - since you are unable to articulate vocally.
Even for a being that has been living for countless millennia, I have no words for this. I’m shocked to be sure, with gleeful jubilation rapidly replacing the shock.
Ah, I squeed and wet myself. Nappy change for me. I’d be embarrassed if I was old enough to control those impulses.
Yeah, I squeed, I fangirled, I spazzed. I greatly enjoyed reading those stories where random people were pulled into different worlds and given an ability or twelve to become the greatest in that world. While they depressed me, due to having been one of those beings and without assistance thank-you-very-much, those stories also allowed me to relive my glory days through proxy.
After being shuffled around and given new linens, which says a lot all by itself, I finally manage to have a moment I can activate the status screen.
Name:
???
Age:
10 days
Job:
Baby
Level:
1
Exp:
0
To next lvl:
100
Race:
Human (???)
Stat points:
0
HP:
5
MP:
locked
SP:
5
HP Regen/min
0.25
MP Regen/min
locked
SP Regen/min
0.25
Strength:
1
Agility:
1
Intelligence:
236
Endurance:
1
Dexterity:
1
Wisdom:
312
Charisma:
50
Luck:
1
As expected of being a child. The high intelligence and wisdom is certainly nice, reflecting the age of my soul and experience. The charisma is slightly surprising until I really thought about it, after all babies are supposed to be adorable. The single digit in luck is… disheartening, reflecting my old lives as well.
Damn my magic, being bound yet again. But since I have access to this System, I may be able to do something about that or the System will for me. Time will tell.
At the top left hand corner of this semi-translucent screen there is a picture of my face. I already have a head of pitch black hair and what looks like amethyst colored eyes with a slight vertical elongation. Hmm, that may have to do with the question marks next to the human race identifier.
I wonder… did any of my abilities carry over? I think of the word and focus, like I did for the status screen.
Forbidden action taken!
Abilities and additional stat points are blocked from user until age quantifier is submitted by Admin.
Please be patient, the error in the System was your fault after all.
… Fuck you too then.
I take a few moments to think and then I wake up. I didn’t even notice I had taken a forced nap. Oh, I suppose I’m hungry again and my damn nappy is a mess.
I sincerely miss being a dragon.