Shades of the New World

Chapter 27: Evin's kind

"I am a reincarnator. And I come from a different World, one much more technologically advanced than this one," he finally revealed.

A look of shock appeared on the Feline's face, but it soon turned into understanding.

"As I suspected. That explains so many things!" he exclaimed excitedly. Even the stoic Abvelgail was taken aback from the revelation.

Evin knew that the discovery of another completely alternate World wholly warranted such a reaction.

"I believe other Children of the Empress are the same as me, but perhaps they come from a World different from mine," Evin added quickly.

"No, none of them are from different Worlds, as far as I know," interjected Abvelgail. "They are all from Alvox. When one dies, their soul has a chance to reappear in a newborn. It is somewhat of an open secret between the people. Though, obviously, there are a few that still don't know about it"

"That explains why technology in this World is not as explosive as I would expect. But why does this matter have to be kept secret?"

The reason might've been the same as him, but Evin could not help but ponder at other conclusions.

"It's just what most Children decide to do. Keep the matter a secret. I supposed they would want their advantage to be not exposed,"

"But some people must've slipped the secret away in the Empire's entire history," Evin asked, still unconvinced.

"Of course, such things happened. But most of the commotion dies out soon after. Can you guess why?" Abvelgail asked suddenly.

"You can't mean that everyone at the top is a reincarnator? That's preposterous. Doesn't that mean that to succeed in life, one must die first?" Evin blurted out the question.

"You don't know how bad it is. I've heard of one man that killed himself while two others were trying at conception next to him," Rith answered.

The thought made Evin chuckle, but he soon composed himself.

"But did it work?" he could not help but ask.

"It did, but apparently it was not the person who died," Rith joked and the three had a pleasant laugh.

"I still can't believe everyone at the top is a Child of the Empress," Evin said afterwards.

"Well, of course not everyone. And not every Child becomes a great man. There are exceptions to every case. But after one dies once, they would start feeling the value of life more deeply. If they've spent their previous life idly tolling away their days doing nothing but wallowing in misery, then of course they would give their everything in their second attempt at life," Abvelgail explained.

"I also find the matter unbelievable and I do understand your shock, but tell me. What are you doing with your advantage of reincarnation? After you're two years old, you would already become one of the richest individuals in the World. Don't you think that others like you would not use everything at their disposal to gain an edge in their new life?" asked Rith.

"Then that must mean" Evin started, but was soon interrupted by the elder Feline again.

"Yes, yes. Of course, we accept. You may fear that we will greed for your knowledge, but we're not dumb enough to kill the duck that lays golden eggs. But you must tell me about the financial developments of your original World," said Abvelgail impatiently. His previous stoicism and seriousness were all but gone.

'Birds of a feather really do flock together,' thought Evin, finding the contrast amusing.

Evin knew how easily people made friends, no matter how unlikely it seemed. You just needed to find what they're passionate about. Set off the talk that way, and soon after, you'd wish they'd just shut up for a moment. But what mattered most was finally over.

Evin could finally take a breath of relief. His gamble had paid off. He would not have to worry about money for the rest of his life, and he also made himself an ally to the most important group in all of Alvox.

Although it would have been nice to quietly spend his time training the Worlds and leaving for his adventure to immortality when he was actually ready, that path was simply too risk free to offer such benefits.

His decision to reveal his origins was also a choice he thought deeply about. First, the residents here are not that averse to reincarnations. If he was reincarnated on Earth and revealed he was from another World during the Middle Ages, he would find himself in a mental asylum in the best cases and in the worst cases, he would burnt at a stake. But here, after finding that not that few people knew about the Children of the Empress, he found it more and more acceptable to reveal his origins.

"And for the matter of tutelage?" Evin asked in a high-pitched tone.

"This and that are different things. We must still spend some time monitoring your actions. Until then, we won't tell a word of our methods. And while we're on the topic of tutelage, Rith seems quite eager to accompany you for it," Abvelgail said.

"So the fact that you're sitting there, shining like a beacon of Space energy, has something to do with the matter?" asked Evin.

During the conversation's entire duration, Rith was slowly and steadily absorbing Space energy into her body.

"Yes, to monitor you properly, she must leave the World of Space for a long duration. And for that, she will need to survive on a stockpile of the World's energy. I'd love to tell you more about us, but sadly, such things are not allowed to be disclosed to outsiders," lamented Abvelgail.

"By the way, I also chanced upon Two Tales while I was going through the Worlds, but why do Authorities have glowing eyes?" Evin asked curiously.

"You've met the Empress' Authority? What a lucky fellow," uttered Abvelgail in a shocked manner.

"Is he that hard to meet? I mean, you've called your Ancestor for a contract with a one-year-old, and to my observation, he didn't seem to mind that much," Evin asked in return.

"The Ancestor trusts our judgement, and he is not such a small-minded ruler. Thought I do feel pained that I have to resort for his help, he knows it is essential for the growth of our Group. It is a similar situation with the other Authorities as well. Even if they are bound by the Empress to be impartial and neutral, they still do their best to help their descendants"

"Then I suppose Two Tales and Twelve Jokes are considered rare to meet, because they are not affiliated with anyone?"

"Precisely so. It is not something to boast about, but it is still quite intriguing. Like how one would see a falling star or how one would find a four-leaf clover and feel lucky. Logic says that such things should naturally happen from time to time, but as intelligent beings, our imagination likes to add some flavor to the matter. But regardless of all that, the Authorities have glowing eyes, because they are beings of energy. Their skin and clothes are only shells that make it easier for them to convene with us. But their eyes are part of their true body, so it has the aspects of it," Abvelgail described calmly.

'That makes some sense' Evin considered inside.

Apparently, to become more powerful, one has to literally become a being of energy. Your energy levels should go over nine thousand and then, suddenly, you realize that all of your being became energy.