"Didn't one of your children ever play video games?" The Goddess said with a shocked expression. "So, you know how exercise made you stronger on Earth? This world has magic and the whole world is based on levels. The higher your level the higher your stats. Normally unless someone is an adventurer, they only reach the level of fifteen or so and most adventurers top out at thirty."
"So, you have a level?" Gary was confused. "And it determines how strong you are?"
"Right!" She smiled happily. "Whatever caused the level increases the stats associated with the increase. If you studied and leveled, you would gain intellect or if you worked hard, you might gain strength or endurance. If you were able to talk your way out of a problem, you would gain charisma. I came up with this concept from your world actually. Earthlings are super creative."
"So, everyone knows how strong everyone else is by a number?" Gary was still trying to grasp the concept.
"No, of course not." She answered. "Only you know your level, it isn't displayed anywhere. Bodies still develop like they do on earth. Exercise builds muscle, overeating and laziness builds fat. But even if you build your muscles, you would not be as strong as someone with a higher strength stat. Would be rare, but you could be a completely unassuming looking person and also be the strongest on the planet."
"That is weird and sounds kind of pointless." Gary said. "Why would you make such a convoluted system and have an entire world based on it."
"Because I work in mysterious ways!" She replied. "Look, I said I get bored okay. You try existing before the dawn of time. Aside from that I have exciting news for you! I have your level, and well it was unexpected."
"Oh, am I starting out at the fifteen most people reach?" Gary asked.
"Well, apparently experiences on Earth are worth a lot of experience, I guess since each item made in the factory granted you experience, and you made a lot of items over 40 years…" She paused. "It all added up."
"Each item?" Gary paused as he thought about the significance of that statement. "I made around 600 tires a shift. Six shifts a week, forty years…"
"7,488,000 tires." She said. "Each tire was worth an astounding 500 experience points, giving you a total of 3,744,000,000 experience points. Also, the school you attended granted you quite a bit and your use of social media, although brief granted you a lot as well."
"How much experience is level fifteen?" Gary wondered.
"Well, I tried to make it easy to level on the world, but hard to gain experience." She replied. "Level fifteen would be 30,000 experiences. It only takes 2000 to level up."
"So, what's my level?" Gary asked with a shocked look on his face.
"Two million." She said softly.
"Two million?!" Gary was in shock.
"Yes, I didn't expect it, but like I said earlier you will be fine!" She spoke.
"Can't you just make me average?!" Gary said.
"Look, I wanted you to have a better life." She answered. "And I went through all the trouble of transferring your experience to your new self. Just enjoy being a literal superhero."
"I guess I shouldn't argue with the will of the creator." Gary sighed.
"That's right!" She chimed in. "Also, I can't undo the experience transfer without destroying your soul." She whispered under her breath.
"What?" Gary asked.
"Nothing." She smiled back. "Look, you are about to be born, so let me go ahead and go over your traits as well."
"Traits?" Gary asked, he was really starting to wish he paid attention to his son's video games.
"They're like special bonuses that you get." She explained. "Okay so your first trait is hard worker, you won't get tired no matter how hard you work. Next is Master Artisan, anything you build or create will be of the highest grade even if you use the lowest materials. And a few others that will activate over time, I will let those be surprises. I wouldn't want you going into your next life with no excitement."
Gary began to hear crying and could feel himself beginning to fade away. "I guess I'll see you again after this next life is over. I hope I will get to be with my family then."
"If that's what you still want the next time we meet." She replied. "Now go and make that world a better place."
"Thanks," said Gary as he faded away. "Please watch over my family until I return, let them know that I love them and let my grandkids know that grandpa will be back as soon as he can."
"Have a good life, Gary!" The Goddess waved as he faded. "Please stay alive as long as you can! I am sorry you won't remember any of this!"
The crying got louder and louder until Gary realized it was coming from his own mouth. He then ceased the tears and watched as they pulled him out of his mother.
"Doctor is my son alright!" The duke shouted. "He stopped crying! Does he still live?!"
"Yes, I can feel his pulse. It is strong." The doctor replied. "It seems he just decided to stop crying."
"Ah yes!" The duke cleared his throat. "But of course, he is my son after all! Ha Ha! No doubt he will be superior to his cousins!"
"My lord please don't say anything to anger the King." The doctor said. "You know he is always fearful you will lead a rebellion and take his throne."
"Ha! If I wanted the damn thing, I'd take it." The duke laughed. "Being Duke is far more fun! All the luxuries and none of the work! My brother got duped when he took that throne, he had no idea how annoying it is to lead a kingdom!"
The doctor then stood up and held the baby up for the parents to see. "I present you with your son!" He said as he handed the child to the duke. "Tell me my lord, what shall you name the child. What shall be your firstborn's name?"
"He shall be named Zell." The duke smiled. "Do you like that name my baby boy?"
[My new dad seems so happy.] Gary thought to himself.. [Whoa I feel so different, I mean aside from the fact I am a mere infantile newborn, I feel strong and of a much superior intellect then I once had. Could this be what it's like to be level two million?!]