'These… are insane!'
My first instinct was to pick the Memory Archive ability, but I already knew most of what was going to happen… most, I think.
Hovering over the other options, my eyes landed on Script Immunity. The idea of not being affected by whatever happens in the story sounded very amusing to me.
'So, whatever happens in the main plot can't kill me?'
"What if I die in the story? Let's say I kill myself?"
「 Then you respawn here and start all over from any point you choose, but each time you die, you lose 10% of your memory in real life… 」
"What happens if I lose all my memory?"
「 You will be stuck in your world forever with no hope of returning back to your original world, and when that happens, things will be really bad for this world and all the characters in it… 」
My chest suddenly felt heavy after hearing those words. I was tempted to ask 'how bad' but a part of me already knew the answer.
'Ten deaths… I mean there's no way in hell I'll kill myself.'
I saw the last option, Stellar's consciousness, and it amazed me too.
'She will guide me? I don't know how much power she has currently, but the idea of her being with me throughout seems like a win-win option for me.'
( Stellar's consciousness )
I glanced at her with my peripheral vision and saw a smile curve on her face.
The option locked in, fading away as the next popped up.
—
[ Magic Affinity ]
—
( Fire )
( Water )
( Earth )
( Wind )
( Lightning )
( Ice )
( Light )
( Darkness )
( Spatial )
( .... )
You may choose up to two affinities.
—
"Only two?"
「 You were never in the original story. 」 Stellar interrupted gently. 「 You will possess a core that is extremely unique, The Origin Core, which lets you learn any affinity, but you must awaken them. 」
"How do I awaken them?"
「 Through studying different grimoires, spells, and other artifacts. 」
I stared back at the options, looking for the best ones.
'If I can pick only two then…'
( Light )
( Darkness )
'These two are strong in so many areas and perfectly counter other affinities.'
The options faded, and the next screen appeared.
—
[ Race ]
—
( Human )
( Elf )
( Half-Elf )
( Demon )
( Beastkin )
( Dragon )
( .... )
—
Humans are the most dominant race in Elycia, although some elves and beasts reside there. They are greatly discriminated against, some of them taken in as slaves.
'But what if I was half-elf? I would live longer than most, and I would still be half human.'
( Half-Elf )
Another warning showed up beneath it.
» Warning: Choosing this race will result in social discrimination unless hidden.
[ Would you like to conceal your race? ]
( Yes ) ( No )
As expected, without hesitation, I clicked "Yes".
The last option was already chosen as I placed my surname as Anaxagoras, automatically making me part of their bloodline.
[ CHARACTER SUMMARY ]
» Name – Acheron Anaxagoras
» Age – 18
» Hair Color – White
» Eye Color – Light Purple
» Body Build – Hourglass
» Core – Origin
» Ability – Stellar's Consciousness
» Magic Affinity – Light, Darkness
» Race – Half Elf, Half Human
» Bloodline – House Anaxagoras
[ Confirm? ]
( Yes ) ( No )
'That should be all, I guess.'
The moment I clicked yes, the panel exploded into light. Everything around me dissolved instantly.
My body started changing. My hair grew longer, and I felt power rush through me at an insane rate.
Before I lost consciousness, Stellar's voice rang out in my head one last time.
「 Good luck, Acheron… 」
…
…
…
…
…
.
(A/N: The POV will now change to how Neyrene wrote the story.)
.
Weeping Willows, Hallow's Peak.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Nieves stood at the edge of a moss-covered stone bridge, watching the sun rise beyond the horizon.
She checked her weapons one last time, her bow strapped across her back with her little pocket knives lined up at her waist.
"My, my, beautiful as always."
Nieves turned around, her hands going straight for her sword.
Vincent Von Bastine leaned casually against a tree, wearing his usual infuriating smile.
"You…!"
Nieves charged at him.
"Woah, take it eas—"
Before Vincent could plead with her, Nieves's fist connected with his face with a satisfying crunch.
Crash…!
Vincent flew backwards, slamming into the nearest tree trunk. He slid down slowly as leaves rained down on him.
"Cough… Cough… easy there, love." He managed to speak as blood dripped from his lips.
Nieves crossed her arms and looked away.
"That's for standing me up at Cindermoor's."
"I didn't stand you up." Vincent pushed himself up as dust fell from his expensive coat. "I was tailing a bloody merchant who had information on the Tears of the Fallen Dragon."
Nieves turned around to face him.
"Did you get him?"
"Of course I did. Had to literally force the information out of the bloke."
"Right… So, where is it?"
Vincent bent his head and let out a bitter laugh.
"You're not going to like this. No, you're going to hate this."
"What is it? Whatever it is, just say it."
Vincent adjusted his necktie, walking closer to her.
"The Tears of the Fallen Dragon is located in the magic academy in Golden Plains."
'Golden Plains? The only academy located around that area is…'
"…"
"No, no! I am not going to Arcane Collegium!"
"See, love, I knew you wouldn't accept it."
"That place is filled with spoiled noble brats who only care about royal nonsense!"
Vincent burst out laughing, holding his stomach.
"I knew you'd react like that. Pfft."
Nieves pouted.
"Where inside is it located?"
"Umm… I didn't go that deep into the non-violent conversation I had with the merchant."
"Non-violent, my ass. I'm walking into unknown territory with no idea where what I'm looking for is?"
"Yeah… that's about it."
"…"
Nieves turned to view the horizon, thinking about the academy and what kind of noble brats she'd have to deal with there.
"How do I even get in?"
Vincent's expression brightened.
"That's easy, enroll as a student."
"That's impossible… you know commoners aren't allowed in their fancy schools."
Vincent raised his hand to touch his chin. "Well, that rule applies for most academies, however Arcane Collegium is one of those magic schools that was built beside where commoners live, Ironhill."
"Which means?
"Which means, love, the academies built near commoners' residences are obliged to train them. They have two buildings: one for the nobles, and the other for commoners."
"I am to infiltrate the nobles' one to steal the Tears?"
"Yes, love, but it won't be easy." Vincent raised a finger.
"They're locked somewhere in their Relics Room. I don't know where that is…"
Nieves gritted her teeth. Was it really worth it? All this planning for revenge?
There was only one answer in Nieves's mind.
"Fine. I'll enroll."
Vincent smiled.
"I'll arrange the paperwork."
"What about the man from Grimoire?" Nieves asked suddenly.
"Oh, I almost forgot…" Vincent reached into his coat and pulled out a folded map. "One of the bastards who attacked your island is somewhere in the Golden plains."
"Also in the Golden plains? Brilliant. I can kill two birds with one stone."
"…the sad thing is one is actually dying…" Vincent murmured to himself.
"You say something?"
"No, not at all, love, see ya at the plains." Vincent was already walking the direction he came. "Want to ride with me on my ship?"
"No, I will find my way."
After that, Nieves simply vanished.
Vincent scoffs and went back to his boat.
"Tsk… this blood stain won't come off."
・
・
・
Sunken Isles, Anaxagoras mansion.
A maid entered the bedroom quietly, hardly making any sound. She slowly approached the bed where a white-haired girl lay sleeping.
"My lady, my lady! Please wake up." She uttered gently, tapping the girl's shoulder.
"Mhm… Please mom, five more minutes…" The white-haired girl murmured, turning her pillow.
The maid sighed and went over to the curtains.
Swish…!
The sunlight poured through, covering every inch of the girl's bed.
"Ahh! Too bright!" The girl stumbled off the bed, falling into the marble carpet.