That Time I Got Reincarnated As Myself ? So I Have To Start From Day 1

Day three of being myself again…

And I've come to a simple conclusion.

This body is trash.

I can't crawl. I can't stand. I can barely lift my own damn head! How did I survive 300 years in this thing before?!

Ugh, forget it. No point in stressing. The goal is clear.

Step 1: Die ASAP.

Step 2: Do enough good deeds first, so I qualify for heaven.

Step 3: Enter heaven, enjoy divine wine, and sleep forever.

Simple plan. Flawless plan.

...Oh, wait. Crap.

The Divine Regeneration Rain Drop.

That stupid drop of "holy miracle water" was what turned me into an almost immortal last time. When I was four, I drank a single drop—just one—and BAM, congratulations, i was a forever-living hero.

NOT THIS TIME.

When I turn four, I am dodging that drop like my life depends on it. (Which it literally does. Lol!)

---

…Wait.

If I die early, doesn't that mean Zephiroth is gonna keep ruling the world?

…

Meh.

Honestly? Not my problem.

It's not like he ever did anything personal to me. He never killed my parents, never wiped out my hero party. He just sat on his demon throne being evil or whatever.

So why should I care?

Let the guy enjoy his villain retirement plan. I'm here for peaceful, happy, short life.

---

Anyway.

Big event today—visiting the Holy Temple of the Seven Gods of Creation for my blessings.

Gotta be careful here. If I get too many blessings, I'll become OP again and we're back to square one. Last time, Water Goddess Aqua gave me way too many blessings. I don't know why she was obsessed with me, but if she pulls that stunt again—

No. No more OP Ryukard.

I need to NERF myself.

A small, simple human life. No grand battles, no legendary hero nonsense. Just a peaceful, natural end at the right time.

…

Assuming the gods actually listen to me.

After what felt like an eternity of being carried around like a sack of rice, we finally reached the grand staircase leading up to the Holy Temples of the Seven Gods of Creation. My parents looked all excited, while I, on the other hand, was mentally preparing myself for the nonsense about to unfold. The towering temples shimmered with divine energy, the air buzzing with an overwhelming sacred presence... and yet, all I could think was—Ugh, here we go again.

Ah, first things first—I'm supposed to get my name from the High Priest of the Temple of the Water Goddess, Aqua. Since Mom has her blessing, it's their tradition to decide my name. Finally, no more Ryumikiyo!!!

Well, here we are. The heavy bells are ringing like crazy—how do they expect baby ears to handle this much noise?! My tiny body is shaking, and I can already feel my future headaches forming.

Ah, here comes the High Priest.

High Priest: "Oh, such a healthy, cute baby boy you have, Maria Blackfyre!"

Mom: "Hehe, he really is, isn't he!"

Ahhh, Mom seems way too excited about this. Okay, okay, I'm being handed over to the High Priest now. Here it comes—

Blublublublublub—AH WHAAAAANN WHAAAANN!!!

WHAT THE HELL?! Why did he just dunk me in holy water?! Oh wait… right, Temple of the Water Goddess… still, what the heck?! Mommy, take me back! Dry me, woman!!!

Ahhh, finally, I'm dried up! I cling to my mother like a true baby—well, I am a baby right now, so whatever.

And here we go—the High Priest is starting his long-winded holy words.

High Priest: "Oh my Goddess of Water, divine and ever-flowing, giver of life and mercy, the one who nourishes the land and guides lost souls, the great tide that washes away evil, the eternal current that binds the realms—bless this child with your sacred favor! May his path be as pure as the rivers, his heart as vast as the ocean, and his soul as unshakable as the tides! By your grace, let him walk in your waters and carry your name with honor! In your wisdom, bestow upon him the name that shall mark his destiny!"

…Oh wow, that was long. I swear, he just kept adding more words as he went. Was he making it up on the spot?!

High Priest: "This child shall be known as... Ryukard Blackfyre!"

Oh. Well… at least it's not Ryumikiyo this time. Small victories, I guess.

"Wowww! My lovely-dovely Ryuk!!!"

…Eh? Who?

I blinked and looked up at the grand statue of the Water Goddess, Aqua. And there she was—standing right there in front of me!

"Ah! Goddess! It's an honor to meet you—wait. WHY CAN I SEE YOU?!"

Aqua just smiled and poked my cheek. "Well, since you're reincarnated, I figured showing myself for a bit wouldn't hurt~ at least until the High Priest finishes his rituals!"

"Your Highness! My Goddess Aqua! Why am I going through all this again?! This is suffering!!" I whined—like a real baby this time.

She giggled. "Hehe, because you're always such a naughty boy, my lovely-dovely Ryuk~!" Then, without warning, she kissed my cheek.

…Excuse me, WHAT?!

Of course, no one else could see her, so it wasn't a problem, but still! And then—AND THEN—she had the nerve to say, "Not to mention, you always looked at my statue with such hungry eyes—" her voice turning all flustered and weirdly excited.

"STOP. STOP. STOP. I DIDN'T! AND EVEN IF I DID, PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT!"

Nope. Nope. Nope. This was not happening. I needed to get this conversation back on track fast.

"A-Anyway! I'm living a SIMPLE, GOOD BOY life this time! So please—no overpowered blessings! Don't make me a walking disaster again!"

Aqua puffed up her cheeks. "Ehhh? But my lovely-dovely Ryuk! I was just about to max out your water magic to 100,000!" she said in the cutest girly voice—like she wasn't talking about absolutely ruining my life.

"AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM!! NERF ME DOWN!! DON'T YOU DARE BLESS ME OVERPOWERED AGAIN!!"

She tilted her head, looking all innocent. "Thee-hee~ my bad! I already did! Hehe, my bad!"

"WHAT?!?!"