In an unfamiliar room, a 15-year-old boy stands, half-asleep.
-Huh? … Huh??
He looks around from side to side.
-…Where am I?!
-What is this place?!
I glance around once more and notice that the room is square. In each corner, there are vases with beautiful red roses. In front of me, there's a desk similar to the ones an office worker would use.
The walls are light gray, with golden spiral details. Aside from those golden accents, the place is quite simple, yet very beautiful.
-But still… what place is this?
-It even looks like one of those rooms where the boss calls you in for a talk.
I look at myself, then around again, searching for something.
-(Just a moment… where are my things? I was just leaving my part-time job now, and… and… How did I end up here?)
While I try to think of an explanation, a light appears behind me.
I turn toward it, but the golden brightness is so strong that I have to cover my eyes with my hand. After a few seconds, the light dims, revealing a huge, golden, shining door. Soon, someone opens it, and a tall man emerges, white-skinned, with white hair and beard, black eyes, wearing a white robe and Chinese sandals.
The man's face looks like someone who has never even heard the word "rest" in his life. He walks toward the desk like a zombie.
The door behind him had long since disappeared.
I watch with curiosity.
-(Who is this man?)
-(And where did that chair come from? It wasn't there before, was it?)
I keep my eyes on him.
-(He's getting closer.)
But the man walks straight past me, completely indifferent, not even looking in my direction. He sits wearily in the chair behind the desk and pulls from the drawer a pile of papers, scrolls, and… a laptop?
Whoever he is, I notice he immediately starts working, writing and typing with mastery. It's impressive, one hand on the laptop, the other signing papers.
-(I never imagined someone could do that, but that's not the most important thing now.)
-(What I really want to know is where I am.)
I carefully walk toward him, stopping in front of his desk, speaking very softly.
-Hum… sir…
Before I can continue, he interrupts me.
-Ah, yes! Just a moment!
-Let me finish this paperwork first, then I'll answer your questions, okay, Nagaro?
I nod.
-…Okay…
I'm impressed by his tired, aged voice. Seeing that it will take a while for him to finish his work, I sit in the chair in front of the desk. This chair wasn't here before, it just appeared. Still, I decide to sit on it. I observe the man and guess he must be around seventy years old.
A thought suddenly surprises me.
-(Wait a minute… how does he know my name?)
….
…
..
.
-(I've been here… I don't even know how long… will he still take a while?)
I continue watching the man, noticing that, suddenly, it seems like he's turned into a six-armed man to finish signing the papers faster.
I narrow my eyes.
-(No, wait… he didn't grow four more arms, it's just that he's… really fast?)
-(What kind of old man can do this?)
Changing the subject, I realize I still don't know what happened to get me here. In fact, I don't remember how I ended up in this place. The only thing I remember is leaving my part-time job, as usual, and today was no different.
But when I try to recall what happened from leaving work to appearing here… I simply can't remember. It feels like I lost all the memories of that interval. The only thing that comes to mind, vaguely, is a flash… and an explosion, or something like that.
I turn my attention back to the man finishing signing the papers.
The multiple "arms" that seemed to appear vanish. At the same time, a small gust of wind rises, making my hair sway.
The man then collapses into the chair wearily, closing his eyes slowly, as if he had fainted.
I keep my eyes on him.
-(Is he asleep?)
-(I watched carefully everything he did, but I still don't know anything.)
-(Should I wake him?)
He looks very tired. From a distance, one might even say he had been dead for a long time. But if I don't disturb him, I'll never know where I am or how I got here.
I stand up from the chair, about to call him.
-Sir…
Suddenly, the man jumps from the chair, crossing the entire room in an instant.
-Yippee!!!
-Finally finished this heap of work!
He laughs loudly, head tilted back, extremely happy.
-Ha, ha, ha, ha!
I stare in shock, mouth open, not understanding his sudden behavior. Not only that, but seeing him leap from the chair to the other side of the room, which must be about twenty meters away, isn't something you see an old man do every day.
When he finishes celebrating, he looks at me with an even brighter expression.
-What an incredible stroke of luck that it's my shift.
-I can't believe I'm the one to guide someone to the "Other World."
-Ru, ru, ru, ru!
I try to understand what he's saying.
-(Did he say something?)
I don't understand his mumbling, keeping a cautious and silent gaze. Then the man seems to remember something, scratches his head, and opens a smile from ear to ear.
He walks back.
-My goodness!
He gives me a slight bow.
-I apologize in advance, boy.
-You must have a lot of questions.
-But first, let me introduce myself. My name is Eladreo, and I am one of the Regents of the Cosmos (Void).
He approaches me with a radiant, contagious expression, nothing like the exhausted man I saw collapsed in the chair a moment ago. I pull my chair slightly back.
My caution and distrust are obvious. Eladreo notices and looks a bit saddened. Then he returns to the desk, grabs his chair, and brings it closer before sitting down.
Eladreo looks at me seriously.
-Well… I know you must have many questions, so I'll be straightforward… You died, and you are going to another world.
It takes me a few seconds to process.
-W-What did you say!?
I widen my eyes and jump from the chair.
-W-what!? So… so I died!!?
Eladreo nods, confirming what I said.
-N-n-no… N… No.
-(Wait! Breathe!)
-(Get your thoughts in order… take a deep breath… calm your mind about what happened… yes… deep breath.)
After a few minutes, I turn to Eladreo.
-(Calm down, calm down.)
-Okay… I accept that I died, but can you tell me how? And why am I here? And what place is this? And, moreover, how do you know my name?
Eladreo responds immediately.
-Yes, I can tell you how you died.
-You died in an explosion caused by terrorists five Earth days ago.
-Your parents and relatives were saddened by this event, and you were buried a few days after your death. But, luckily, you were granted the chance to go to another world.
-This place is my workspace. On my shift, you are the first I will guide.
-And how do I know your name? Before you appeared here, my office was notified that an individual was coming.
Hearing all this, I think deeply. I feel sad for my parents and family, as I will no longer see them, but at the same time, I feel excited to have a new chance.
I sit back in the chair and look at Eladreo.
-I have one more question. Why was I chosen?
Eladreo.
-Look, this matter is still a mystery to us, the Regents. We don't know how people are chosen or what the criteria are.
-Well… at least, I don't know.
-It's sudden.
-But know this is a unique and random event.
-What I do know is that, in total, the people chosen to go to other worlds must be five beings, including you now. Who the other four are? I have no idea. And this happened a long time ago.
After Eladreo's explanation, a long silence fills the room until he breaks it.
-Now you may proceed… of course!
-How could I forget!
-Before going, you must hear some rules and a speech congratulating you for being chosen.
-And, you are entitled to a wish.
My eyes shine.
-A wish?
Eladreo.
-Yes, a wish, but first, you have to hear the rules and the speech.
Immediately, I see Eladreo pull a scroll from his clothes and open it hastily. The open scroll rolls across the floor to where the golden door had been. Astonishingly, before hitting the wall, it curves and stops very close to me.
Nagaro.
-…
-!!!
I turn to Eladreo.
-(Wait! He's not going to…)
I notice him picking up a magnifying glass to read the small letters better.
-…
-(He's going to?!)
Eladreo clears his throat.
Cheerfully, he turns to me while reading.
-So, shall we begin?
-Urum-rurmm.
-Dear chosen one, it is with honor and pleasure that, through this small and humble speech…
….
…
..
.
-… But let me warn you again, dear chosen one, you must pay close attention to the rules so as not to suffer a cosmic calamity such as…
Nagaro.
-Huh? … What?
I'm already drooling, almost falling off the chair, but I snap awake when I hear something like, "The universe will turn against you," and other threats of that sort. I look at the man, who remains fully focused on reading. It seems he didn't even notice that I dozed off.
Nagaro wipes the drool from his mouth.
-(What is even happening again? Oh right… I died and I'm going to another world.)
I rub my eyes.
-(Now that I'm awake, I should focus on listening to the speech.)
I straighten my posture in the chair and try to pay attention, but my ears only catch distant sounds and noise. My eyelids start to feel heavy, but I can't fall asleep again.
Nagaro repeats to himself mentally.
-(I have to listen to the speech.)
-(I have to listen to the speech.)
-(Please tell me it's almost over.)
I still struggle to stay awake, but my eyes insist on closing, very unsubtly. I glance at the floor and see that the scroll hasn't even reached halfway yet.
Nagaro stares at it with tears in his eyes.
The words go in one ear and out the other. It feels like this is worse than dying.
….
…
..
.
-…Rule sixty…
Eladreo is already tired of reciting so many unnecessary rules, but it's standard procedure to do so whenever there's a chosen one.
-Phew!
-(Finally.)
He puts the scroll back into his robes.
-Okay, that's it.
-These are the rules… understood?
When he looks at me, he notices that I'm genuinely paying attention, with sincere eyes. Eladreo even feels pleased, as it's rare for anyone to focus on this, even some Regents don't give these rules the attention they deserve.
I salute him.
-I understand, sir.
-(I didn't understand a thing. After the speech came this mountain of rules. I don't remember any of it.)
After Eladreo finished reciting the rules, we talked a lot. I even started speaking to him as if he were a friend.
I lean back in the chair.
-(Wow, this guy's funny.)
Eladreo explains what he does and exactly what it means to be a Regent. According to him, a Regent's main duty is to take care of planets. Currently, he is a "Regent in training," assisting other Regents who are responsible for various planets. Specifically, right now, he's helping the Regent who oversees planet Earth.
I ponder the information.
-(In short, I can say this without hesitation.)
-(Eladreo is a jack-of-all-trades.)
He manages one planet here, another there, and when the official Regent is absent, he steps in to handle responsibilities.
-I understand, it must be quite a lot of work.
Eladreo responds wearily, remembering he still has many tasks ahead after guiding me to the Other World.
-Yes. It's very demanding… and… ah!
-My goodness again!
-I almost forgot, remember? You're entitled to a wish.
I immediately get excited, but Eladreo continues.
-But I can't give you powers that make you a "god" in the Earth you'll be sent to. Remember the rules and the speech?
-The way the universe handles these things is slow, but it doesn't fail.
I understand and nod. I start thinking about what I want to wish for.
-Don't worry, I still have… let me see here.
Eladreo lifts a sleeve slightly, revealing an arm full of dimensional clocks.
He looks for the clock synced with Earth.
-Hmm… You still have two Earth days to decide.
I look at him, even more excited.
-Seriously?
-(What a cool guy. In the few mangas, anime, and novels I've read, these beings are usually boring, impatient, and so on… but this one… I have no words.)
-(If I had to rate him from zero to ten, he'd get a ten.)
We talk for a long time. It feels like an entire day. During that time, I thought carefully and decided on my wish.
-I've decided on my wish.
Eladreo claps curiously.
-Then go ahead, boss.
-I want to be strong.
-Based on what you told me during our conversation, the place I'll go initially will be very dangerous, right?
-So, please, grant me great power.
Eladreo.
-I can't.
I almost fall off the chair.
-Huh?
-What?!
-Why?!
Eladreo.
-Great power right from the start can make you greedy and stray from the path of good. Also, it's in one of the rules I mentioned, don't you remember?
-The types of wishes you cannot make, like "I want great power," "I want to be the strongest in the world," or "I want to be able to do anything," are examples of wishes I cannot grant.
I think for a moment and come up with a very good idea.
-Then…
Eladreo raises a hand, signaling me to stop.
-And even less, asking for more wishes.
-…
-Ah! (Too bad.)
-…
-Then…
Eladreo.
-No, no, you cannot wish for the power of a Regent.
I open my mouth.
-I wish…
Eladreo.
-Not this wish.
-…
-Do you have telepathy?
Eladreo.
-No, but I already suspected you'd make these kinds of wishes.
-…
-Alright.
-Then I wish to inherit an ancient power from some dragon.
Eladreo.
-Not allowed, the dragon's ancient power is too strong.
-I see.
-Then I want a powerful weapon and armor.
Eladreo.
-Not allowed. Compound wishes or objects, even small ones, aren't permitted.
I point a finger at him.
-Necromancer then.
Eladreo.
-That violates the laws of life. Try again.
-…
-…
-Hmm!
I snap my fingers.
-Then I want extremely high and efficient regeneration.
-(This must be one of the best wishes I can make under these conditions.)
Eladreo frowns slightly, scratching his chin.
-Hmm. That's almost immortality, isn't it?
-No!
-(Don't complicate things, old man.)
Seeing his expression, I try to explain better, but it doesn't convince him. He then takes his laptop and checks in the cosmic internet whether he can approve my wish.
Eladreo.
-I understand, it seems I can grant this wish in a way.
I nod, excited.
-Seriously?
Eladreo.
-Okay, I'll give you this power, now that I've reread some Regent rules, but there are caveats, it won't be molecular-level regeneration, understood?
-I agree. That's fine by me.
After another long conversation, it feels like we've spent another full day talking.
-That's it. It was nice talking to you, Nagaro, but unfortunately my time is up.
I feel sad to hear I have to go, but I understand Eladreo has a hard and tiring job ahead. I stand up from the chair, looking around, noticing that the room has no exit.
-I can go… where?
Eladreo points.
-Just go through that door.
I turn my head, but I don't see a door. Suddenly, fireworks explode, and a red carpet rolls out, along with a golden, imposing door with white edges… out of nowhere. Astonishing. I did not expect this.
The fireworks cease, but the imposing door remains.
-(It looks extremely expensive.)
With a surprised expression, I turn to Eladreo, who for some reason is standing in a heroic, proud pose, smiling as if proud of what he did. I stand from the chair and walk toward the golden door.
Just as I'm about to open it, I turn back to the man.
-Can I ask you something?
Eladreo looks at me, shaking his head side to side before sitting back down.
-Well… I can't give you another wish, that breaks the rules.
I say excitedly.
-No, that's not it.
-I just want to change my appearance. I wanted to know if I can.
Hearing my request, Eladreo decides to help.
-(Nothing stops me from doing that.)
He gives a wide smile.
-Of course. I may be in training, but I'm a Regent of Reality, this is well within my reach.
He stands up, walks behind the desk, and opens a white door, which also appears out of nowhere.
-He calls me.
-Come.
I follow him.
….
…
..
.
Eladreo leaves the room, going straight toward the desk, then turns to face the door, waiting for me to come out.
-So? What do you think?
Stepping out of the door is a young man completely different from the Nagaro of before.
What I chose to change was practically everything about my body and clothes. Now I wear a black mantle. My skin remains tan, but my hair, once brown and curly, has become black and straight. My former gray eyes now shine with an intense blue, and my physique has changed to that of a sixteen- to seventeen-year-old boy.
I see myself reflected in a mirror… which came from who-knows-where.
-Wow!
-Thank you. This is much better now.
Eladreo speaks, full of pride.
-You see, since I liked you, I'm giving you a few extra attributes, in addition to these clothes, as a gift.
-Oh! Which ones?
Eladreo smiles.
-A surprise, but they'll be very useful.
I look at my new clothes.
-Then, thank you very much.
I spend some time looking at myself in the mirror and thank him again, both for what he gave me and for the wish he granted. We talk a little more, and then I walk toward the golden door.
When I reach it, I open the door and see that the other side is completely white, making it impossible to see what awaits me beyond it. I say goodbye to the man before stepping through.
Eladreo sits down in the chair behind the desk and bids me farewell. Just as I'm about to cross the threshold, he speaks.
-Boy, be careful.
-I don't know exactly what awaits you in that other world.
-It may sound foolish, but… don't let the world change you.
He smiles without showing his teeth, and I feel a deep weight in those words.
I look at him and nod, a small smile forming.
-Yes, Eladreo.
-I won't change… That's a promise.
And then I step through the door, closing it behind me…
….
…
..
.