197 - Just What Principle Underlies Reincarnation as Seola's Daughter?
Reincarnation as Seola's daughter—what on earth was the principle behind it? If I dug into it scientifically, there were more than a few things I could nitpick. Sure, if we just casually defined the fictional concept of a "soul" that could blithely leap across spacetime, everything would be neatly resolved. But that was as convenient a notion as saying the sun revolved around the Earth. Besides, even dragons—known to traverse dimensions—vehemently denied the existence of souls. In the end, the more I pondered it, the more I sank into neuroscience theories. Replicating a human brain identically was nearly impossible, let alone integrating different synapses without conflict. And when exactly did that integration happen? At separation from the placenta? During implantation? From the germ cells themselves? Thus, reincarnation was an unscientific concept. That was the best conclusion I could reach.
"This way."
An elderly woman at the columbarium reception desk, bent with age, guided us to the urn room. Contrary to expectations of a crowd, not a soul was in sight.
"Lysianthus, tulips, dahlias. Right?"
She glanced at the bouquet in my arms and spoke. She seemed to know her flowers well beyond just chrysanthemums.
"Yes. Pretty, aren't they? For my mom."
The old woman nodded slowly and returned the way we'd come.
No Seola
2022. 2. 21 ~ 2045. 6. 11
I stood before the urn holding Seola's ashes and took a deep breath. Fourth shelf down. On the empty spot that had felt so hollow, I placed the bouquet and propped up the group photo from the hospital—not forgetting a single detail. Life breathed into the stark space. My chest tightened, yet a faint smile tugged at my lips.
Thank you... so much. I won't disturb you anymore. Spend good times with Mother.
It's me.
I pulled the portable transmutation circle writer—my birthday gift—from my pocket. No need for bitter flashbacks from a distant past or wistful memories right now. Facing her purely as Seola's daughter was the utmost respect I could offer, or so I believed.
2nd Circle Casting: Cerebral Cortex Reconstruction
4th Circle Casting: Lateral Septum Activation
Encryption: Neurotensin Receptor 1
Restriction: Episodic Memory
⟨ Estasha Ryu Form 2 - Schadenfreude ⟩
Mom! Mommy! Do you know what? I... I actually have memories from my past life. I don't remember super clearly right now, but I was an incredibly strong, beautiful, and kind princess. That's why everyone keeps calling me a genius. They make surprised faces when I solve hard problems in one second, and they clap when I cast tough magic. It's not that I'm smart—it's just the memories from my past life. But getting praised feels so good. It's been four months since I last talked to you—hope you're not mad? What else should I tell you? Oh, after I told you last time, Professor Cheon told me to try the academy. I went to the interview and passed on the first try. Some creepy uncle was being rude, so I scolded him with magic. I did good, right? I made tons of really great friends at the academy. My seatmate is this kid named Si-hu—his parents must drill studying into him hard. He's not like me with past-life memories, but he's super smart and mature. Turns out he likes Yuna? I tease him about it all the time—it's too fun to stop. What if they actually start dating? Nah, gotta keep teasing. Yuna's a girl a bit taller than Si-hu, with weird red hair. They say aura heart transplants change your melanin like that. Yuna's actually sweet, but her friends hated on her at first, so it was awkward. Later I found out her mom was really sick. That's why she studied so hard for scholarships. It reminded me of our mom, so I just treated her with the Akashic Record! I was scared the aura heart might break, but it was a formula I used a lot in my past life, so it was fine. If you knew, you'd have worried sick, huh? But using magic means paying mana taxes, right? So I streamed again after ages to earn cash like a boss. I made my avatar look just like my past life, and people praised how pretty it was—felt good but kinda jealous too. Will I grow up that beautiful someday? I'm the smallest at the academy... No, our mom is the prettiest in the world, so I'll be way prettier than that princess! In the game, I met this NPC Adella—she's so weird, right? My heart races every time we meet, and I couldn't leave her alone, so I saved her somehow. Wonder why I felt that way. No idea, hehe. Anyway, Adella escaped the game safe and sound—she's probably chilling in my private room, ding-ding-dinging around. But while rescuing her, I saw the lab where you and I were. Were we really experiments for creating AI? If the day comes when I learn the full truth, I'll get revenge on those who locked you up. I'm not scared at all. But no matter how I think, no one's around to help me. And the evidence I gathered so carefully? They won't even look. So I entered a gaming tournament! If I get super famous, it'll all work out, right? Why a game tourney? 'Cause it's fun...! And it's what I'm best at... Magic doesn't feel like something I achieved. Real secret though... I think I mostly loved seeing all the chat praise. So many other things happened, but every one I wanted to share with you. Pajama party with Yuna and Haru, amusement park with Adella and Kariri unnie—all those moments would've been perfect with you. I'm drowning in happiness beyond my years, with kind noonas and oppa, friends who love me so much. Selfish as it sounds... I just miss you, Mom. Wanna play with you, sleep with you. Wish you'd come to parent-teacher day, praise me for good test scores. I'm surviving like you said—giving my all, even for your share. But without you... my heart... it hurts so much here... Why'd you have to sacrifice? You must've been scared to die too. How could you throw away your life just 'cause I'm your daughter...? If I'd been a little—just a little—better, would you be here now? Even smart unnie doesn't know. Sorry, Mom... Meant to show only happy today, but I keep spilling this. Here's a pic from today. Room's packed, right? Don't worry... I lived these four months super hard, made tons of friends! Truth is, in my past life... yeah, I didn't have many friends. Personality-wise, I was kinda bad. Meeting all these good people? Thanks to Seola. Still blunt as ever, but way more positive than before. Thanks for being born your daughter. Proudest thing ever—won't change. Keep watching. I'll visit often, birthdays or not. Love you... Can't say it twice. I truly love you.
"Why'd you come out so soon? Nami?"
Shuffling down the hall with weary steps was Bo-reum. While she and Professor Cheon waited in the lounge, Nami had slipped off to the urn room with her flowers. Bo-reum had followed a bit later, but her face now was far from cheerful.
"Ah... Felt like I'd be in the way if I stayed."
Bo-reum mumbled the first excuse that came to mind at Cheon's question. The girl who'd seemed unbreakable had been sobbing—quietly, sadly, just like any kid her age. Shocked, Bo-reum had bolted without looking back. She bobbed her head gratefully at Cheon's offer of an Americano.
"Thank you... But uncle, aren't you...?"
"Hm?"
Bo-reum tilted her head.
"Kinda famous in our country...?"
Cheon, sipping his coffee, furrowed his brow. Doubting herself, Bo-reum quickly searched her phone, pulled up a VTube video with 3,500 views, and showed it to him.
"This you...? In this video..."
Cheon's eyes narrowed at the title.
"Not you? But it is... definitely."
That was exactly when Nami appeared.
"Sorry for the wait. Dinner time? Starving—barely ate lunch. Bo-reum unnie coming too?"
"Nami's hungry. Let's hurry."
"Yesss...!"
Bo-reum glanced at Nami, who clutched Cheon's hand. No big expression change from entering the columbarium, but her eyes were faintly damp.
"Anything you wanna eat?"
"Um... I eat anything!"
"No picky eating for me today either."
"Wander and find a spot?"
"Yeah!"
The two girls nodded eagerly. Leaving the car parked in the columbarium lot, the trio entered the food alley. Bo-reum couldn't shake Nami's earlier state, asking if she was okay over and over until Nami grew annoyed.
"I'm fine—let's pick food already. Long walks tire me out."
"Want a piggyback?"
"Professor, how old do you think I am?"
"Eight as of today."
"Right, eight... Even at eight, that's..."
No decent eats in the first alley, so they moved to the next. The sun dipped low, crimson dusk slanting across building corners. Young folks enjoying dinner and drinks spilled onto sidewalks for smokes. Laughter and bar tunes formed a noisy backdrop. In this ordinary city heart, a small commotion stirred.
A friendly-looking man raised his arm high and shouted.
"...im!"
Gazes from chatting groups converged.
"NoName!"
Pushing through the crowd to Nami's group was a face more familiar from VTube than real life.
"Who...?"
Cheon stepped in front of Nami.
The neatly parted young man bowed 90 degrees.
"Yes! I'm Twitch streamer Han Yong-cheol!"
"Streamer...?"
Cheon, prejudiced against internet broadcasters, got clarification from Nami.
"Ah! Teammate from the gaming tourney. Fancy meeting here."
"Yes! Not a weirdo, promise! Wow, what brings you here...?"
"Just out for dinner."
"No way? Here by chance? Haha, insane!"
Still puzzled by Yong-cheol's excitement, Bo-reum guessed.
"Wait... Twish tourney afterparty here?"
Her manager experience and viewer habits made such events second nature.
"Yup! Right up ahead! What a coincidence. Nami, wanna join? Everything's free!"
"Thought it was a bar."
"Booze? Nah... Looks like one outside, but we don't drink! Hold on...!"
Yong-cheol frantically messaged his phone, returning beaming to persuade.
"Good eats if we go?"
"Everything! Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Western—steaks, desserts too!"
"Sweet desserts?"
"Sweet tooth, huh? Huge chocolate fountain fondue, macarons, brownies, tiramisu, waffles, gelato... what else...?"
"Professor, let's go. It's free."
Nami had sidled from Cheon to Yong-cheol. Decision made in a flash.
"NoName's coming?"
Over a hundred streamers whipped out phones and fired up streams at the news. Pros through and through.