Reincarnated as a Therapist (In a world without Therapist)

"RVD?" Ryuji said, looking at the paper. 

"There are more worlds out there than the one that you and I lived in…and some of them are in worse shape. The Rite of Versal Displacement was set up as a sort of…brain drain…" Eichi said, "taking special people from different worlds and inserting them into new worlds for the betterment of that new world."

"Like an Isekai," Ryuji said. 

Eichi froze and looked puzzled, "how do you know what an isekai is?"

"I got into anime in the years since you've been gone. This sounds awfully similar to the plot of Konosuba or Mushoku Tensei…" Ryuji could have gone on with the list.

"Sure, think of this more like…umm…the Saga of Tanya the Evil!" Eichi said emphatically, "it's not that you have died, I am giving you a chance to save yourself by being alive in another world under my guidance."

"You had the Saga of Tanya the Evil in your back pocket and you are getting onto me for watching anime?" Ryuji said. Eichi waved him off with a playful smile. "So what exactly do you want me to do in this other world?" Ryuji said skeptically.

"Ah that is a great question!" Eichi said. He snapped his fingers and the room shifted. The speed of it gave Ryuji a hint of Whiplash. But surprisingly he didn't feel fatigued. In fact, he didn't feel his age either. Usually by this point he would start to have a quake in the knees or a pain in his back but he felt neither. Now the two of them were in what looked to be a theater, but an older looking one. One that you would see back in the 60's and 70's. Eichi and Ryuji sat down in theater chairs side by side. 

"We want you to go to a world we call Illverstand," Eichi said. He pointed towards the screen and a projector started to roll film. It showed images of a beautiful fantasy world. Rolling hills, glistening streams, flying dragons and magical creatures overhead. There were even a few cities. They looked to be taken straight out of 'Howl's Moving Castle'. Everything was colorful and vibrant. People looked happy. 

"Eichi I appreciate the thought, but this Illverstand looks to be in better shape than our own world, what do I have to offer them?" Ryuji asked. 

"Every world has something that never develops. In our world it's clean, renewable and sustainable energy…" Eichi said.

"Wait what?" Ryuji said, confused.

"In other worlds it is a plethora of different things," Eichi said ignoring Ryuji, "in this world it is a lack of awareness of mental health. RVD is an attempt to change that. It is a new initiative to help develop each world for what it is lacking." 

The images on the screen shifted. Different people and magical beings having fits of rage, wars, abuse, neglect, all of these horrible things were shown rampant across the screen. It was disheartening to see. Ryuji was no stranger to any of it, he had spent his entire career trying to counsel and help people going through trauma; but this was to a different degree. There was sadness, a sunkenness to their eyes; and it was widespread. Over the years Ryuji had picked up a sort of superpower that helped him in his profession. He could see the "loads" that people carried on their shoulders, the weight that bogged them down. Every single person in his world had some level of trauma or baggage, but comparatively most people walked around with maybe a 5 pound weight in his world, on the screen the inhabitants of this world looked to be carrying hundreds of pounds. It was a massive load upon their shoulders. They may have looked like they were walking fine or going about their normal lives, but the weight was definitely there. 

"This is awful," Ryuji said, "all these people…they are carrying too much…they look like they are about collapse" Ryuji felt a tear roll down his cheek. It was hard to control his empathy sometimes.

"That Ryuji! That is why we want you to go," Eichi said, "we want you to bring counseling to an entire world. A level of empathy that is unknown to these people."

"How would I do that?" Ryuji said, "I am a 60 year old man. The type of work you are talking about would take a lifetime…if not longer!"

"Which is why you will be reincarnated," Eichi said in a matter of fact manner. 

Ryuji couldn't tell if he heard him right. Did he say Ryuji would be reincarnated? Ryuji's mind began to spiral. It was hard enough to grasp things already but this was another level. Believing that you are going to be transported to another world is one thing, to be completely reincarnated is another. A thought sparked in Ryuji's head. It felt like a childhood dream that had existed only as embers was beginning to ignite into a blaze once again."What will I be reincarnated as?" Ryuji asked.

Eichi looked confused, "...yourself…we will change some things to help you fit in with your new world but you will be…you." Eichi replied.

"Sure…" Ryuji said, unsatisfied, he knew he would have to be more clear, "but will I be like an orc…or an elf…"

Eichi raised an eyebrow, "if you want to be?"

Ryuji felt his heart flip. He couldn't contain his excitement. A large smile spread across his face. Since he was a boy he had a fond love for Lord of the Rings. His favorite character had always been 'Elrond' the leader of the elves. He had always wanted to have a son to name Elrond but had never had the time for a relationship. Now he was getting the chance to actually be an elf? It was an unbelievable dream come true. 

"Do you want to be an elf?" Eichi said, eyeing him. Ryuji could only nod, he couldn't even speak, he was so overjoyed. "So that means you will do it then?" Eichi confirmed. This was a loaded question. Eichi was asking Ryuji to step into an unknown world, in a multiversal step that would make Einstein and Hawkin's head spin. How could anyone be ready for something like that? It was too much to truly comprehend…but then again…Ryuji would get to be an elf. That superseded any sort of fear. 

"Well what's the alternative?" Ryuji said, "I go back to our world and fall to my death? That doesn't seem like a choice anyone wants to make. To go to another world…as an elf," Ryuji was elated, "its amazing! Even if it is hard to grasp."

Eichi smiled, "then sign here," Eichi said. He pointed to the bottom of the piece of parchment Ryuji was holding. A pen suddenly appeared in Ryuji's hand. He very steadily and warily signed his name at the bottom of the parchment. With each letter he felt like he was signing away his world. Would he ever return to the world he had known? Did he even go? His mind is with Toshinori and his patients; would they be ok without him? Before he knew it his name was fully signed, no turning back now. The parchment floated into the air and hung there for a moment. It began to burn until it was completely ash. The ash coalesced into a ball and fell onto Ryuji's palm creating a magic circle that glowed red before disappearing. 

"What is this?" Ryuji asked.

"It is a magical spell. It allows me to communicate with you while you are in the other world. I will check in with you periodically to see how you are doing. Normally as a present we allow you to make a request but it seems that being reincarnated as an elf is enough of one for you. What kind of elf would you like to be?" Eichi asked.

"I don't know…" Ryuji thought out loud, "one that isn't too tall…maybe similar to my height…but I want to have the same sort of features as the elves in middle earth. I want the white hair!" 

"Ok I can do that but I should warn you…" Eichi started to say something but Ryuji wasn't listening. He was already thinking about what he might look like as an elf. If he would learn to use a bow. What kind of clothes he might wear. He had so many ideas. "Do you understand Ryuji?" Eichi said. It was then that Ryuji realized he hadn't heard anything he said but in his captivated thoughts he simply nodded rather than ask for clarification. 

"Alright then…" Eichi said standing up, "let's get you to your new life!"