The transition was instantaneous. One moment, Aditya stood enveloped in a void of shimmering gold; the next, he was face-to-face with the Divine.
"Before you depart for this new life," the Creator spoke, their voice a harmony of a thousand echoes, "do you have a request for your vessel? How shall the world see you?"
Aditya didn't hesitate. "Black hair. And eyes the color of a summer sky—piercing blue."
The Creator placed a hand upon his shoulder. A blinding warmth surged through Aditya's veins, a light so intense it erased his very outline. When the glow receded, his reflection in the ether had transformed. He was no longer the weary soul of his past; he was a strikingly handsome teenager with soft features, silken raven hair, and eyes that held the depth of a clear ocean.
As his form began to dissolve into mist, a final thought flickered in his mind: *I wonder what kind of Goddess is waiting for me on the other side?*
Aditya awoke with the surreal clarity of a perfect sleep. The air smelled of jasmine and ozone. Before he could sit up, he felt a strange weight pressing against him. Turning his head cautiously, his breath caught in his throat.
Lying beside him was a girl of ethereal serenity. Above her head, a soft, golden halo hummed with a rhythmic light. She was an angel—silent, still, and impossibly beautiful. But something felt off. Even in her sleep, her grip on his arm was iron-clad, as if she feared he might vanish the moment she let go.
"Hey... excuse me?" Aditya whispered, nudging her shoulder. "Wake up."
The girl stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Startled by the sudden movement, she lost her balance and tumbled forward. Aditya gasped as she fell directly onto him, pinning him to the floor with a soft *thud*. There they remained—the boy with sky-blue eyes and the sleeping angel—tangled together on the floor of a pristine, divine hall.
After a moment of frozen silence, the girl's eyes widened. "I—I am so sorry!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing a soft pink.
Aditya looked up at her, his youthful face tilted with unintentional charm. "Are you... alright?"
Instead of pulling away, the girl's expression softened. She leaned back in and hugged him again—this time, the embrace was tender and warm, like coming home.
"Who are you?" he asked softly.
She pulled back, her gaze meeting his. "I am the Goddess of this world."
The words hit Aditya like a shock. He scrambled backward, putting distance between them. "I—I'm so sorry, Goddess! I just didn't think... I mean, I didn't think a girl this cute could be a Goddess!"
The Goddess didn't take offense. Instead, she glided toward him until he could feel the warmth of her breath. She leaned in, whispering into his ear, "I didn't mind it at all..."
As Aditya's face turned a deep crimson, the Goddess retreated, ascending the marble steps to her throne. Her demeanor shifted, becoming regal once more. "So," she said, her voice echoing. "You are the candidate for reincarnation."
Aditya stood before her, heart hammering. "I—I'm very nervous," he admitted.
With a knowing smile, she sent him forward to meet the Seven Gods—specialists of the realm. "Bye-bye..." she whispered. Aditya waved back, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He looked upward to see seven deities seated as if they had been expecting him.
"So, you are the Chosen One," they spoke in unison. "We grant you the gifts of master swordsmanship, peak magical ability, and the power of production. You also receive a special blessing from *Her*."
"What kind of blessing?" Aditya asked curiously.
"We cannot say," they replied enigmatically. "But you will notice it in time."
His body began to glow once more. Drowsiness washed over him, and when he next opened his eyes, he was standing in the middle of a busy, unfamiliar street.
As he looked around, he noticed something peculiar. There was no fear in his eyes. Only a strange calm.
As if this chaos… felt more like home than the world he left behind. The world was filled with women using magic effortlessly for everyday tasks. Meanwhile, the men were relegated to household chores, carrying bags, and assisting the women. A nearby news crystal flashed a warning: *"Males are advised to keep their safety tight. Reports of male trafficking are on the rise."*
Aditya realized he was in a world where the gender roles—and power dynamics—were completely flipped.
He made his way toward the Adventurer's Guild, expecting a rustic tavern like in the anime he'd seen. Instead, he found a sleek, modern mansion. Inside, the reception was divided: a long, crowded line for women and a much shorter line with comfortable seating for men.
He learned that to register, he needed a name and a party. As he leaned against a wall to wait, a group of five women approached the desk to form a team.
"You must have at least one male member to register a party," the receptionist informed them firmly.
The girls turned, their eyes landing on Aditya. They approached him immediately. "Who are you?" one asked.
"My name is Ash," he replied, using a pseudonym.
"Oh! But you look so cute..." they whispered among themselves. "How old are you?"
"Sixteen," he said.
The girls quickly introduced themselves:
Maria: A black-haired woman with brown eyes. "I'm a retired knight. I left the service early... it's a secret why."
Shiya: A girl with snowy white hair and piercing purple eyes. "I am the party's Mage."
Rem:Light brown hair and black eyes. "I'm the leader of this group."
Reina:Red hair and matching red eyes.
"I specialize in defensive magic."
Masha: Dark brown hair and warm eyes. "I'll be your Healer."
Aditya looked at the five of them, a million questions racing through his mind. But as they smiled at him, he realized his new life in this strange, matriarchal world had truly begun.