「But I want to be excited! I mean, reincarnation is what all of us young people think about at least once!」

　She sighs again and shakes her head.

「I suppose I should’ve expected this. You humans are all so impatient when it comes to second chances... Very well, listen carefully. Reincarnation comes with its own set of rules and trials. It is not the carefree journey you may be imagining.」

「Right... you mentioned conditions... Fine, what are these 'conditions' you speak of?」

　She glared at me again, clearly displeased that I was not taking her entirely seriously.

「You must clear the 【16th World Dungeon】 of this world I will send you to. To reincarnate you otherwise would provide no worth. To make your new world accept you, you must do something for it.」

　So this world I will go to is like that from a video game? Some big thing I have to clear, save the princess, that kind of stuff?

　It seems simple enough.

　However, Goddess-tan goes on to tell me a bunch of stuff that I, truthfully, wasn't listening to.

　I was daydreaming... caught up in thought. I know I should be taking this far more seriously, I keep reminding myself of that.

　It's difficult though... very difficult. To focus at the point right after your own death and during the first meeting with a Goddess? I can't do that...

　But I did pick up on a few things. Namely, this 【16th World Dungeon】she speaks of had never been 'cleared' in this world. Also, I must clear said Dungeon.

　That won't be a problem though, right? If I get reincarnated, I'll surely be the strongest of them all!

　Fufu...

　Plus what would even happen if I fail? I'll likely just get a scolding from Goddess-tan. Not that it matters, I'm confident I'll clear this 【16th World Dungeon】.

　After all, I've been seeking adventure my whole life and this is the perfect opportunity.

　No way I will fail.

　Well... what if I can’t clear it?

　Nah, stop it. I’ve got this. Right? Of course I do.

　Probably.

「Ahem...」

「Huh?」

　Oh, right... Goddess-tan is still here. Ahh and now she is glaring at me... But I didn't do anything! I was... behaving... I think.

「Were you even listening to what I was saying?」

　Crap! She's looking at me like I missed something important.

「Um... well yeah, some of it...」

「Some of- Hah... Just understand that it is consequential that you fulfill the contract of your metempsychosis.」

　Goddess-tan doesn't look very pleased with me...

　Sorry Goddess-tan, I swear I'm usually well-behaved!

「Human, I can see you daydreaming... Oh, dear... Are you ready to go?」

「Of course I'm ready. I was born ready!」

「Very well. I'll warn you, however, it may be an uncomfortable feeling. Two will become one after all. Now hurry along.」

「Two..?」

「Please, take this seriously human. I do not wish to see you here again.」

　I watch her eyes soften, giving a fleeting look I can only describe as concern.

　Does she doubt my readiness or something?

　It's too late for me to tell though, she fades into nothing. Meaning I can't ask any questions I know I should have asked earlier.

　I can't believe Goddess-tan was so quick to get rid of me... I thought we were hitting it off pretty well!

　Splotches of color and scenery painted themselves into my vision, like doors opening one by one to expose me to my new reality.

　Memories that are not my own seat themselves into my mind.

　I get that feeling twice... Two sets of memories, each feeling unfamiliar to each other. One of a young boy who despairs the situation he is in. The other set my own.

　A flash from a life spent within the fields of a land I know nothing of. Vague faces to who I feel connected without knowing by name. Along with a deep fear of the future that I certainly never had.

　The echo of a voice calling a name I don’t recognize. A sharp, cold dread grips my chest.

　His dread, not mine. But it feels real.

　A body unlike my own, which feels natural yet unfitting to who I am.

　Two sets of emotions and personalities coming to an equilibrium. Like a far more mature mentor leading their student through life.