12 The Chosen Ones

Ren's POV.

"So that's it."

"We are done?"

"Yeah, that's all there is to know about the owner of this body; from now on, you are Ren Hilton."

Now the memory transfer is complete.

This memory transfer revealed many shocking things that I didn't know until now.

So when I was seeing all these memories flash through my mind, I was freaking surprised.

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Now back to present, to our system or Mr. Fireball.

Silence...

"What now?"

"Nothing since this was the last step. Now you're free to go." Mr. Fireball said while hovering above my head.

'huh!!!'

"No mission or any tasks like saving the world?" I asked. As far as I am concerned, there has to be something that these Gods want me to do. That's why they brought me here, right?

"Nah, don't you know who you are now?" Mr. Fireball was specially pressed on the word "now."

It clicked for me.

"I am Ren Hilton, a third-rate villain in this world."

"So do you think you can do something that was supposed to be a deed only the protagonist of the story could do?" Mr. Fireball asked. I am nobody in this world, so there is no burden on my shoulders.

"No, but there has to be something, right?" I still can't believe that they don't want anything from me.

"Soooo annoying! Hey, what did you regret most in your last life?" Mr. Fireball was a little aggressive.

What did I regret in my past life? Only one thing came to mind, and that is,

"I regret that I didn't get to live my youth like everyone else." I said while looking at him for any kind of response.

"That's it! Since you have another chance in this life, why don't you live your youth then?" Maybe he liked my answer and said this.

"Yeah, I can do that." When I think about it carefully, there is no need for me, the "villain," to be important in this whole story. So I can live my life normally, and since I know what the future will be like, I can avoid dangers.

"Thank you for your advice, Mr. Fireball." I showed gratitude to him. I didn't expect that I'd be this thankful to him when I came here.

"It's fine." He said with a slight elevation in his voice.

"So I don't have to save this world, but at least I should get some kind of power or gift like other Isekai heroes, right?" But I can't ask for more since I got another chance to live.

"Now I'll send you back." He said without wasting time.

"huh? You ain't coming with me?" I asked since it said it was a system; isn't it normal for it to be with me?

"Nah, how can you even think about that? This is the last time we meet, and if a situation arises, I will be the one to contact you." Mr. Fireball said.

"Then what about that whole 'system' thingy?" I asked. When I came here, he introduced himself as a system.

"Oh, that's... do you remember that transparent blue slate from before?"

"Yeah." I do remember that transparent slate that appeared a while ago.

"That's your system, so use it well."

"Then, when I came here, you said you were 'the system.' What about it?"

"Haa, you have so many questions, kiddo! I am a system for the whole world, and now I am sending you back, you annoying child."

"But I have more..." My consciousness faded before I could complete my question.

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Inside the dark room:

"The kid almost saw through my facade."

Back in the dark room where Ren was just a minute ago, a neon fireball floated in the air.

Zoop.

The fireball transformed, and a humanoid figure covered in azure flames emerged from it, illuminating the entire room. The room revealed its true size, appearing humongous.

Within the room, eight thrones were arranged in an octagonal shape. The thrones were so large that it was hard to get a full view of each one. Seated upon these majestic thrones were inhuman entities.

The entity that had previously taken the form of a small fireball walked towards an empty throne and sat down, resting his chin on his palm.

"Svarog, are you going to bestow your blessings upon this child?"

"Not now, Elora. First, I'll wait and observe him for some time to see if he is worthy."

The azure entity in the room was Svarog, the god of flames. Svarog possessed control over every kind of flame and was responsible for Inferno, the fire-type magic in this universe.

The alluring beauty in white cloth who had been conversing with Svarog was Ellora, the goddess of light. Ellora had long blonde hair and pale, marble-like skin. Her half-opened eyes were fully white without pupils. Ellora possessed a floating halo above her head and wings sprouting from her back, emanating a mythical aura.

Others in the room included Geb, the god of earth, and Neptune, the god of water. They both supported Geb's statement about Svarog choosing a hero. Geb had a Pharaoh-like appearance, while Neptune had a long white beard and hair reaching his shoulders. Neptune's exposed torso revealed his bulky physique, and he held a trident in his right hand.

The room was also occupied by Hera, the goddess of wind, Aine, the goddess of fairies, Erebus, the god of shadows, and Falkor, the god of the dragon race.

"But Svarog, you are the only one who hasn't chosen anyone, so we think that you should hurry."

"Yes, I also think that, just like everyone else, you should choose a hero."

"Don't worry, Geb and Neptune. I will choose when the time is right."

Geb and Neptune expressed their thoughts, and everyone in the room agreed. Falkor, in his humanoid form, spoke up.

"Enough, since we know Svarog will choose someone when the time is appropriate."

Svarog initiated the meeting.

"Then I'll go first. The one I've chosen is an elf child with a strong will named Amelia. She is an excellent archer, and with my powers, I will bless her as the hero."

"Any objections?"

Silence.

"Since there are no objections, Aine can bless this child."

"Thank you, everyone."

Aine expressed her gratitude for everyone's acceptance.

"Now, next is Neptune."

"The one I've chosen is the third princess of the mermaid race, Venda Vexer Aquarius. Venda has a strong affinity for water and ice."

"A mermaid, huh? Any objections?" Svarog asked.

Silence.

"Neptune, you can bless this child."

"I was going to do that even if all of you opposed it," Neptune remarked, showing his indifference towards others' opinions.

"You can't do that, and you know why, right Neptune?" Svarog's voice carried a stern tone.

Tch.

Neptune clicked his tongue but didn't argue further. He understood the importance of the meeting.

"I think I should go next. The one worthy of my blessing is an excellent warrior from the beastmen tribe.named Devon. He possesses the bloodline of an ancient warrior and exhibits exceptional potential."

Ged declared his choice, and the room fell silent once again.

"You can bless this child," Svarog spoke on behalf of everyone.

Now it was Falkor's turn to announce his chosen hero.

"I choose my son, Falco, to inherit my legacy," Falkor stated, keeping his words concise and direct.

"Hey that nepotism!"Geb immediately voiced his disagreement, calling it nepotism.

"Shut up Geb!"However, his objection was quickly silenced by the rest of the gods.

"Falkor has the right to choose his own successor," Svarog asserted, putting an end to any further arguments.

Hera took her turn to announce her chosen hero.

"I have selected Aron Adiel Velcrow, the first prince of Hestia's empire," Hera declared, keeping her words to a minimum.

Silence followed her announcement.

"You can bless him," Svarog declared.

Only Ellora and Erebus remained to announce their chosen heroes.

"I cannot reveal the identity of the one I've chosen," Erebus spoke with an eerie voice, causing his words to echo in everyone's ears.

"That's foolish, you-" Geb started to object, but he was swiftly silenced by the others.

"Shut up, Geb!" they exclaimed in unison, preventing any further arguments.

Erebus decided to keep the identity of his chosen hero hidden for unknown reasons.

"Erebus, do you have a specific reason to keep it a secret even from us?" Svarog inquired.

Erebus paused, scanning the room before responding, "Yes, I do."

"In that case, it is fine," Svarog acknowledged Erebus's decision.

Now it was Ellora's turn to announce her chosen hero.

"The one I've chosen is a human child. He possesses unwavering faith, strong determination, exceptional swordsmanship skills, and the ability to handle a significant amount of mana. His name is Adam Stales."

Svarog wasted no time in declaring, "Ellora, you can bless this child."