Rebirth of the Interstellar Pope <Mecha>

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The author has something to say: I will skip the typical plot of rebirth-those tedious awakenings, the existential realizations, and the psychological ramblings that fill so many rebirth stories. Instead, let's jump straight into the main narrative. The Pope was reborn from StarCraft 4463 to StarCraft 7463, a full 3,000 years later, and found himself transformed into a mere orphan, stripped of all status.

Now, let us begin with Anno's journey as he enters the University of Jerusalem to pursue his studies. [Anno reflects: I believe that even after death, the spirit of faith endures and is worthy of praise. I hold that only the body dies while the soul journeys through the stars to unknown destinations. I believe in powerful forces, unwavering dedication, lifelong love, and steadfast loyalty-these I leave to the world, imperishable amid the cosmic dust. But if there is an afterlife, I vow never to be the Pope again; I seek only to find my lover and live an ordinary life.]

In this new life in StarCraft 7463, Anno's current identity is Gaso, a boy relegated to the status of an orphan subsisting on interstellar welfare.

Having never set foot in a classroom, Gaso worked as a handyman at Beta 5's helipad, where he cleaned spaceships and restocked them with energy and supplies.

When Gaso's name appeared on the University of Jerusalem's admission list, the entire management team of Beta 5 trembled in shock.

A shortwave call crackled through the air: "Ministers, An-Qadira from the University of Jerusalem is on the line."

The members of the management team exchanged anxious glances, their nerves palpable. One of the ministers, maintaining a semblance of calm, nodded. "Put her through."

The device beeped, and a nonchalant voice filled the room. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, this is quite something! The Beta 5 helipad is housing one of my students, yet it's been 25 minutes since the school term began, and I still haven't seen Gaso! Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Within ten minutes, Gaso-or rather, Anno-was whisked away to the gates of Jerusalem University aboard a maglev train.

Holding a soft-bristle brush in his hand, Anno frowned in frustration. He had envisioned an ordinary life following his rebirth, but the advancements of interstellar technology over three millennia were staggering. Gone were the days of traditional exams; students aged sixteen to eighteen merely walked past an electronic machine that determined their eligibility for religious studies.

This device scanned brain waves and identified those with special cerebral cortex configurations deemed suitable for studying religion. The secret of this selection process was known only to the programmer behind the optical computer, who was none other than Rufit Celestial Cult-the sole Celestial Cult in the entire Interstellar United Nations, holding a status akin to that of the Pope.

Suddenly, Anno's biological electronic watch beeped, indicating a message. He activated the holographic screen to read: Beta 5's subsidiary company, Helipad, has terminated your contract. Compensation has been transferred in full. Please confirm receipt.

With a dismissive flick, Anno tossed the soft-bristle brush aside, dusted off his hands, and took a deep breath. He didn't even glance back at the University of Jerusalem as he turned to walk away.

His unfamiliarity with the surroundings near the university became apparent; Anno had only ever traversed the route between the helipad and his home.

Three thousand years had transformed the universe in countless ways, and Anno was still adapting to this new reality.

Yet, beneath the confusion lay a sense of liberation. He relished the freedom from his past identity and embraced the simplicity of his current existence. His only worry was the occasional struggle for funds-but with the substantial compensation from Beta 5, he could finally consider renting a new place.