After the political theater of lunch, the silence of her bedroom felt like a forbidden luxury
The door closed with a whisper
She removed the formal dress carefully, hanging it up as if it too were exhausted
The only thing more tiring than looking noble was pretending she was noble on the inside
The bath was already drawn, steaming with perfumed vapors that danced in the air
Lígia sank in without hesitation, the warm water wrapped around her like an old embrace
"Liquid relief... why don't all reincarnations start with this" she murmured, sinking in with pleasure
Later, wrapped in a soft robe, she applied natural products in slow, practiced gestures
Lavender oils, wild rose creams, scents that reminded her of a forest after rain
Vanity? Maybe
But also subtle armor
She lay on the bed like a leaf on water
Closed her eyes
A moment of silence. Peace. Almost a dream—
[DING!]
Her eyes opened. Bone dry with patience
There he was
The System, in its questionable luxury feline hologram form
Electric eyes
Looping tail
A voice that sounded like it came from a supernatural call center
"You've earned 6 Total Affinity Points so far" it announced, perched on the nightstand
"Three of them came from your little sister. Congratulations on not traumatizing a child within your first two days"
Lígia groaned, shoving her hands over her ears
"Get out of my nap, byte demon"
"That won't work, Your Reincarnance. I'm part of your soul now"
She sat up in bed, furious, and threw a pillow at him
It passed right through, as if no insult could ever touch him
"Tch" she muttered, biting her lip
"Stupid system"
"Stupid? Look who's tal—"
He didn't finish. The door burst open with the force of a small revolution
Three maids stormed in like a social hurricane wearing lace aprons
"My Lady! It's time to prepare for your afternoon lesson"
"Dress, hair... and maybe a necklace with less personality"
"The tutor has arrived!"
Lígia stared at the ceiling for two seconds, as if summoning ancestral strength
"Of course. Because rest is apparently revolutionary here"
The maids moved like coordinated swallows
One went straight to the wardrobe
Another brought brushes and ribbons
And the third… shot a suspicious glance toward where the cat was floating
"Are you alright, my Lady? Were you... talking to yourself?"
Lígia smiled with forced sweetness
"It's a new meditation method. Anti-stress"
The system purred arrogantly
"Advanced reality-denial technique. Level 3 unlocked"
She muttered through gritted teeth
"I swear if I could delete you, I'd do it with a USB stick and salt"
She stood with the poise of an exhausted empress who, against her own will, was about to conquer the world
I sighed
My body turned into a doll in the maids' expert hands, who braided, pinned, dressed, and adjusted me like my soul was up for auction at some noble gala
The silent torture of being presentable
Ah, if only they knew the soul inside came from a world where sweatpants were ceremonial garb and breakfast was a shot of liquid despair...
When I was finally released, I wandered the halls like a warrior defeated by her own team
The holographic cat, invisible to others, floated mockingly beside me
The afternoon classroom was spacious, with tall windows filtering in the lazy light of late afternoon
Inside, an elderly lady stood observing the view
Her posture was straight
White hair in an elegant bun
Eyes gray like first frost
I swallowed my anxiety
Remembered posture. The bow. The trained voice
"Lígia d'Argêntea, daughter of the Count d'Argêntea. At your service" I said, bowing with elegance
The lady turned slowly, measuring me with eyes that weighed intentions and memories
"Sit down, child. Let's see if there's more than etiquette in that pretty little face"
I sat, trying to appear dignified and not like an interdimensional fraud with the soul of a stressed college student
"I am Madame Erminelle. My job is to keep you from dying of ignorance... or causing a diplomatic scandal from historical stupidity"
"Have you studied this world's history?" she asked bluntly
I choked on my pride
"No, ma'am"
She laughed. Dry, but full of life
"Of course not. Young people prefer balls, mirrors, and cheap adventures over knowledge. But at least you're honest"
She stepped closer in steady strides, opened a thick book, and set it on the table with reverence
"Listen closely. This world, my dear, is woven from kingdoms, empires, gods, and ambition"
Her words began to paint the air
For the first time since I reincarnated... I felt real interest
"The Empire of Solarys, where you now live with your dear family, is the heart of tradition.
Castles breathe magic, and nobles dance on the edge of politics and power"
"To the east: Lunaris, under the Moon Goddess. Ruled by priestesses. Gentle magic, but deadly"
"To the west: Eldrath. Swords and spells go hand in hand.
There, children learn to kill before they learn to smile"
"To the south: Verdeval. Peace, wine, tea, and diplomacy. Blessed by the God of Agriculture"
Okay, I accept this place. If they have magical croissants, I'll become a monk tomorrow, Lígia thought
"In the north? Fragmented. City-states. Warring guilds. No central crown"
As she spoke, something lit up inside me
Guilds? Magic? Cults?
This... this was better than any TV show
"Guilds are the other side of power. They ignore kings. Follow gods, contracts, or unique talents
The ones closest to the Empire are:
The Guild of the Flaming Rose – duelists and fire mages
The Silent Eyes – espionage, illusion, shadows
The Order of the Eternal Contract – words used as spells
The Arcane Crafters' Council – artifact-makers who shape kingdoms"
My brain hurt, but I absorbed it all. Eyes wide. Mind starving
"Academies shape the elite.
Solarys trains diplomats, elemental mages, and intrigue dancers
Lunaris produces lunar sorcerers
Eldrath forges warriors
Verdeval teaches alchemy with calm and roots"
She closed the book slowly, but not before casting one last firm look
"And behind it all, the gods. Ancient. Present. Jealous"
"Solarium, the God of Light
Kaorlun, the God of Chaos — forbidden, of course
Thargan, of Destruction
Selunara, the Moon
Farlorn, of Harvests
Velmor, of Contracts
And Edris, of the Five Elements"
Her fingers caressed the pages like one touches an old lover
"Choosing who you serve defines who you will be in this world"
Serve? I thought
Wouldn't it be easier to just survive?
But I kept that thought to myself. I just... took notes
I might be a dimensional impostor
But no one said I couldn't be an exceptional student
The lesson ended with the snap of a closing cloak
"Return with questions. A noble who doesn't question will always be a slave to what she's told"
I stood up with my head buzzing
Outside, the virtual cat awaited, leaning against the door
"And here I thought you'd fall asleep before learning anything useful"
"Shut up, infernal magical cat..."
And I walked down the halls
To... whatever this new life was
It had a name.
And, with luck, a destiny