Jakob, not one to be outdone, returns that stern look before butting in: “That is precisely what I was going to say. Forget about your parents and make your own path in life! You are starting off from a blank slate, after all, and you will need to focus all your energies on turning your life around.”

But then he pauses, considering. “Well, perhaps your parents are of little use to you now, but surely you must have someone to fixate on? Someone who will give meaning to your life and encourage you to push harder!”

Someone like a god—although Jakob isn’t thinking of it, nor does he recall that his success as a butler in his previous life had been that nigh-unhealthy fixation he’d nurtured on another person.

“Living for yourself will not be enough, I say! You must find someone to dedicate all your efforts to posthaste!”