Let's take it piece by piece. First, this body is not mine, it belongs to a villainess destined to die at the hands of the main characters, and apparently, I've indirectly absorbed her manners or actions. I wasn't a spoiled girl in the past, so it makes little sense for me to answer the coachman that way... to test the theory, I tried to stick my finger in my nose, and I couldn't.
For some reason, I was so disgusted by the thought of moving my finger there that I stopped mid-movement, freezing and receiving a series of thoughts like "that's gross" that shouldn't be mine. In other words, besides the change in body, my emotions and apparently thoughts are being modified according to the ideas rooted in this mind.
This is a massive problem. I can't follow Aubry's actions like in the original plot of Magistra's Oath, otherwise, I'll fall into the Demon Lord's clutches, turn into a dark elf, and then die from a holy sword strike!
Come on, think, how much time do I have now until the story events really start going sideways for me? If I consider that I'm at the beginning of the academic year at this magical academy, about a month?
Yes, that must be the deadline I have until the first pieces of shit show up on my side. Honestly, Aubry did a lot of stupid things in the game, so it's understandable that someone would hate her.
What can I do? I'm an elf, so I must have control over certain elements of nature, correct? In the worst case, I can research elven magic or something like that, since in the game, you weren't given any impactful content about their powers, as elves were such a private race that even that wasn't properly cataloged in the manual or promotional material for Magistra's Oath.
I get up from the bed, run my hand over my face, and look at myself in the mirror, barely believing that I am Aubry, the same one who is the daughter of the Lilaccuria clan, the most influential elven group of their race.
Let's test the capabilities of this new body, then. If I remember correctly, magic is described as a series of signs that configure a magic circle, so I should know something, right?
Forcing the memory, a simple "growth" spell appears in my head. I take a plant pot out of my luggage... Wait a minute, why did she bring a plant pot here? Well, whatever.
I place the pot on top of the room's desk, planting a little seed in the middle, and then perform a series of hand signs at high speed, something that impressed me when I tested the motor memory. For a moment, I feel my tongue wanting to speak, probably the chants for this thing to boost the proud elf pulp, but there's no way in hell I'm saying something so embarrassing.
The seed germinates a stem that grows until it forms a sunflower.
"How cute... I guess Aubry has a gentle side, even being such an asshole."
Speaking in the third person is weird, I haven't adapted to calling myself "Aubry" yet.
Okay, let's explore the academy a bit first. Repeating the exercise of forcing memories, I manage to remember that classes will happen soon, probably the day after a night party for the newly arrived freshmen.
Until then, I can practice spells and adapt. Aubry is a character you can fight in the game during this academy's magical tournament, and she has countless magics related to plants, wind, earth, or anything linked to nature. She probably learns some in the time she spends here, meaning there are many I won't know.
The corridor leading to the training wing opens before me with the academy's crest engraved on every standard: a crowned hydra, wrapped in ancient runes. This place is called the Arcane Institute of Hydraxis.
In the game, it was the main setting for the school life chapter, where you could raise affinity with the important characters. I walk around there feeling a certain nostalgia, which soon turns into a certain discomfort tinged with déjà vu. The training room is at the end of the hall.
When I enter, the space reveals itself to be large, full of magic circles on the floor, reinforced dummies, suspended platforms, and runes scattered across the walls. The smell of stone and mana filling the air makes something inside me react automatically, as if my body recognizes and feels the energy floating around.
Oh, I found someone I didn't expect to see so soon.
She is in a combat stance, practicing magical strikes with a short blade that glows with a bluish hue. She is a young woman with long hair tied up in a messy ponytail, in a determined and well-trained posture for someone who has practiced the way of the sword their entire life, giving a fierce look to an inanimate dummy.
This is Lysette Rux, one of the main heroines and one of the romance options in the game.
Lysette was always one of the most consistent interests in Magistra's Oath, you could increase her affinity by helping with training, choosing the correct lines of dialogue, and participating in her personal quests, which involved the complicated relationship she had with her own magic.
In the game, Aubry was a stone in her shoe, constantly hindering this knight from reaching her supreme magical potential. Thankfully, I'm not here for that, so the path should be smoother.
I stand still, staring at the girl... staring for a long time.
It's not by my own intention, I just wanted to study the character up close, but because Aubry's intrusive thoughts start to infiltrate in an uncomfortable way. It's a mix of automatic superiority and elven pride, thinking myself better than this human who brought a sword to a magical institute. Seriously, I'm reacting without thinking because of this idiot's consciousness.
I don't know exactly what my face is expressing, but it must be terrifying and nothing subtle.
The look I cast at Lysette is irritated, far too irritated. She stops her strike mid-movement, turns slowly, and... when our eyes meet, she jumps backward as if she'd seen a beast emerge from the shadows.
"I-I... e-excuse me!" she stammers, grabbing her bag with the haste of someone fleeing a monster.
She leaves so quickly that the gust of wind kicks up dust, slamming the door behind me.
What was that?
I look at my own hands, trying to remember what expression I made. I have to reorganize my thoughts, separating mine from those that belong to this Aubry I now inhabit, otherwise, I think I'll be in a coffin before a month passes here.
Something inside me gives off a strange feeling, as if it were satisfied with having scared someone off. I, on the other hand, am completely confused.
To relieve the accumulated tension, I decide to train. I raise one hand and conjure something simple, mentally repeating the signs I still recognize.
A gentle gust of wind blows through the empty room. Then, small roots sprout from the training floor and retract immediately afterward.
Why did she run off like that? Lysette isn't a sensitive character, in fact, I'd say she's very brave given how many times she confronts Aubry and other villains, so it's weird to be startled away just by an irritated look from me.
The spell dissolves between my fingers, leaving only mana sparks behind. Maybe it was fear because of the reputation Aubry has as the daughter of a great elven clan. In the worst case, my expression conveyed something even more terrible without me realizing it.
I continue practicing, moving my hands so that the signs flow smoothly.
If I want to survive in this world, understanding this body will be just as important as understanding the magic.