Sinner System

"Okay, what is happening?" Blurted out Jaden in bewilderment.

"Good question...but can’t say I’m not intrigued, so guess I’ll play along. Sure, why not, you’re on your second life too," Remarked Ciel, a bemused look on her face.

"Uh...I’ll say no, it’s the lie," Added Jaden uncertainly.

"Oh, close one, thought you were going to lose a point. The first statement’s the lie...unless you’re playing the game wrong again," I chimed in wryly.

"No, I made sure to get it right this time," She replied sheepishly.

"And I’ll also say that the first statement is the lie," Added Aria with a thumbs up.

"Cool, so Aria, Ciel and I get a point each. Alright, it’s your turn next, Jaden-...," I began.

"Nah, fuck the game. You’re gonna win anyway, so let’s just cut it short, say you won, and then explain this whole reincarnation thing!" Jaden cut me off impatiently, looking like he was about to explode with curiosity.

Yeah, I guess that’s fair.

"Alright, then, I’ll go first. So, I lived a pretty crappy life in the early twenty-first century, died in my twenties in 2025, and then reincarnated in this era. That’s it in a nutshell," I explained, as Jaden and Ciel stared in bewilderment, pretty visibly having trouble wrapping their heads around it.

"I see...and, what about you, Cleo?" Ciel asked her.

"It was a bit different for me. I was alive when the Monsters first showed up, so I experienced what the world was like both before and after. I was killed when a swarm of Monsters broke into the shelter my family and I were in, and when I reincarnated in this era, I vowed revenge," Answered Cleo, while Aria watched the other two in amusement.

"Wow, crazy...and the ability to keep growing more powerful, is that exclusive to those who’ve reincarnated?" Inquired Jaden, as he glanced between us.

"Well, I guess we should explain a bit about the source of our powers first. When we reincarnated, we unlocked these Systems, our powers stem from them. In my case, my dying thoughts met the conditions required to unlock the Sinner System."

"Same, my dying thoughts unlocked my Monster System," Added Cleo with a nod.

"Oh, and incidentally, the Demon Lord was in the same boat. The only difference is that he didn’t reincarnate in this world. Whatever happened to him in this world before-...and likely leading up to...-his death drove him in his quest of wiping out humanity," I informed them.

"Come to think of it, there was something different about him compared to Archdemons and the other kinds of Demons we faced," Recalled Ciel in response.

"So, what was the world like in your previous life? I mean, I’ve seen old movies and stuff, so I do have some idea, but I bet actually living in and experiencing the world as it was back then is a lot different to simply learning about it," Remarked Jaden curiously.

"I mean, I’m probably not the best person to ask about that. I had a pretty shitty first life, didn’t really have the luxury of experiencing much of what the world had to offer. It was definitely a lot different, though, almost like a completely different world. Magic didn’t exist, and technology wasn’t anywhere near as advanced and, well, futuristic," I replied with a wry smile.

"I think humans had just started to awaken to Magic around the time I died, but I didn’t know it at the time, I only found out after I reincarnated. For the last few months of my first life, I didn’t have any internet access or anything, so I had no idea what was going on in the rest of the world, all I could really think about was how to survive," Remarked Cleo with a wistful sigh.

"Huh, I wonder if it’s only you two, or if there are others who’ve reincarnated from the past?" Mused Ciel in fascination.

"Well, considering that no other X-Aces have popped up, maybe not? Then again, maybe they’re just opting to lay low and avoid standing out...either that, or they were killed by the Monsters at some point," Suggested Aria grimly.

"Hm, considering how chaotic the final battle was, it wouldn’t be impossible for someone to spring into action unnoticed," I added thoughtfully.

"Woah, wait...you said you died in your twenties in your previous life, right? Then, mentally speaking, are you in your forties?" Jaden asked me in bemusement.

"No, I didn’t start this life from scratch. So, basically...," I began, before explaining how my reincarnation kicked off.

They didn’t seem to have too much trouble processing that. Well, of everything I’ve revealed, it’s probably one of the less incredible revelations.

"Huh, so you just started your new life in a body that was already in its teens? Are you sure that you didn’t, like, replace someone?" Inquired Ciel, after a brief pause.

"Well, I was told that I didn’t. Also, appearance-wise and biologically, this body is identical to my old one. Except for the Magic, of course, and I’m in way better shape and health. But, other than that, this body is basically a Magically cloned version of my old one."

"My situation is pretty much the same, I’ve only been in this era for a couple of years. And this body was physically a couple of years older than I was when I died in my previous life, so I’m actually mentally younger than I am physically, by almost two years. In a few months, I’ll turn nineteen, but mentally, I’m closer to seventeen," Spoke up Cleo.

"Wait, seriously? Then, you’re just a kid...crazy that you fought the Demon Lord," Remarked Jaden, a bemused look on his face.

"I mean, I feel closer to my physical age. Considering everything I’ve been through since my reincarnation, I’d say I’ve mentally aged at least twice as fast...which would actually put my mental and physical ages more or less on par with each other," She replied wryly.