Chapter 3: A Deal Beyond Death
Liam floated in an endless expanse of light, the weight of his mortal body long forgotten. There was no pain, no cold pavement beneath him, and no sound beyond the steady hum of the void. It was peaceful, in a way. Peaceful and… unsettling.
He wasn't alone.
"Liam," the voice called again, soft but commanding. It was neither male nor female, neither harsh nor gentle, but perfectly balanced—a voice that could belong only to something far beyond human understanding.
Liam turned toward it instinctively, though he had no body to move. Before him, the light coalesced into a figure, their form shimmering like the surface of a calm lake reflecting the stars.
"Welcome," the figure said, their tone calm and assured. "You've reached the crossroads, a place where endings meet beginnings."
Liam hesitated, his thoughts still sluggish from the transition. "So... I'm dead?"
"In your previous world, yes," the figure replied. "But death is not the end, only a threshold. And for those who've acted with selflessness and courage, a rare opportunity presents itself."
Liam blinked—or at least, he thought he did. "Wait, you mean—"
"Yes," the figure interrupted gently. "You have the chance to begin anew, in a world of your choosing."
The words sent a jolt through Liam. His mind raced with possibilities, memories of Aetherium Chronicles flooding back in vivid detail. The battles, the politics, the magic—he could live it all, firsthand.
"Aetherium Chronicles," he said, barely able to contain his excitement. "That's where I want to go."
The figure inclined their head, as if in approval. "So be it. But know this: while you will retain your memories and knowledge, the challenges you face will be far greater than those of a mere reader. This is no longer a story to observe; it is a life to live."
Liam nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "I understand. I'm ready."
"Before you go," the figure continued, their voice deepening slightly, "you are entitled to two gifts. Choose wisely, for they will shape your destiny."
Liam's thoughts spun as he considered his options. He needed something versatile, something that could adapt to any situation. And given the dangers of Aetherium, luck wouldn't hurt either.
"My first wish," he began, "is for a Gacha System. Something that will let me acquire skills, talents, and items as I grow."
The figure's form pulsed faintly, as if in approval. "A wise choice. And your second?"
Liam grinned. "Godly luck. I'll need it."
The figure chuckled softly, the sound like a breeze rustling through leaves. "Ambitious, but fitting. Your wishes are granted."
For a moment, the light around them dimmed, and Liam felt a strange energy course through him. It was as if the very fabric of reality was shifting to accommodate his new path.
"But there is one condition," the figure added, their tone turning serious. "Your Gacha System will remain dormant until you reach the age of ten. It will awaken during your talent ceremony, when the world first recognizes your potential."
"Ten years without it?" Liam frowned, the excitement in his chest dampened slightly. "Why the delay?"
The figure's gaze seemed to pierce through him. "Because every journey requires a foundation. Until that time, you must grow as any other child would. Learn, adapt, and forge connections. Only then will you be ready to wield the power you seek."
Liam exhaled, processing the terms. "Alright. Ten years it is."
The figure nodded. "Prepare yourself, Liam Evandale. Your new life begins now."
Before Liam could ask any more questions, the light around him intensified, pulling him forward with an unstoppable force. His consciousness blurred, and he felt himself falling—not in fear, but in anticipation.
A piercing cry echoed through the grand chambers of Evandale Manor. The room was lavishly decorated, with high vaulted ceilings and walls adorned with intricate tapestries. Servants bustled about, their faces a mix of relief and joy as they attended to the woman lying on a grand canopy bed.
"Congratulations, my lady," one of the midwives said, cradling a small, swaddled bundle. "It's a boy."
The woman, pale but radiant, reached out with trembling hands. "Let me see him."
The midwife placed the baby gently in her arms. The woman's eyes filled with tears as she gazed down at her son. "My little Liam," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Welcome to the world."
Liam, meanwhile, was doing his best to process the situation. Alright, this is happening. I'm a baby. His newborn body felt strange and alien, but his mind was sharp, retaining every memory from his past life.
As his mother held him close, he felt the warmth of her embrace and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. It was comforting, even if the situation was beyond surreal. He closed his tiny eyes, allowing himself a moment to adjust.
[System Notice: Initialization Complete]
Liam's eyes snapped open. The voice was back, this time softer, more subdued, as if whispering directly into his mind.
"Gacha?" he thought.
[Welcome, User. This is a preliminary activation. Full system capabilities will unlock at age ten.]
"Preliminary activation? What does that mean?"
[For the next decade, the system will remain in standby mode. During this time, I will observe your growth and provide basic guidance as necessary. Full interaction will commence during your talent ceremony.]
Liam sighed internally. "Guess I'll have to wait for the good stuff."
[Patience, User. Great power requires a solid foundation.]
There was a pause before the system added, with a hint of amusement:
[Also, you'll need time to grow fingers capable of spinning a Gacha wheel.]
Liam almost laughed—or would have, if his current vocal capabilities weren't limited to gurgles. "Great, even my system has a sense of humor."
[Humor is an essential component of effective guidance. Besides, you're going to need it in this world.]
Liam couldn't argue with that. Aetherium was a land of beauty and wonder, but it was also one of danger and intrigue. He would need every advantage he could get, and he wasn't about to squander this second chance.
"Alright, Gacha," he thought. "We've got ten years to prepare. Let's make them count."
[Understood. Welcome to Aetherium, Liam Evandale.]
As the system's voice faded, Liam let himself relax. His mother was humming softly, rocking him gently in her arms. For the first time in both his lives, he felt a sense of peace. He had a new family, a new world, and a clear purpose.
The real journey was just beginning.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone