Ligia left the hall with footsteps that echoed heavily down the empty corridor.
When she reached the terrace that connected to her room, her eyes went straight to the sky — and there it was.
The crimson moon.
Full.
Oppressive.
Strangely comforting.
Watching everything with the calm cruelty of one who has seen eras pass without ever interfering.
Ligia crossed her arms, shook her head, and let out a sigh.
"The moon looks different..."
Or maybe... she was the one who had changed.
The floating cat appeared in the air, yawning like a bored king.
"Hmm... so you hid that little detail about your final decision during the Awakening from Auren and Michael, huh?" said the system's voice, as lazy as a summer breeze.
Ligia wasn't even surprised. She was already used to the feline entity's dramatic entrances.
She gave a crooked little smile.
"Protagonists are allowed to keep secrets. It's called character development, you know?"
The system stretched in the air, licking a paw made of bluish light.
"Yes, yes. And your choice... made things way more interesting. More work for me, of course. But definitely more fun."
Ligia raised an eyebrow with mild sarcasm.
"I want to be strong. Strong enough to stop asking permission to exist."
The system purred. Deep. Vibrant. Almost like an engine.
Then it flipped belly-up, floating beside her like a smug, hovering feline drone.
"Keep going like that. But remember... protagonists who grow too much become legends. And legends... always come at a cost."
"If I have to pay, I'll pay. With interest," she shot back, firm.
The system let out a mocking meow and spun in the air.
Ligia looked once more at the moon.
The emptiness was still there... but now, something else pulsed beneath it.
Determination.
Not to destroy the world.
But to become someone capable of facing it — and rebuilding it, if needed.
She turned and headed to her room.
Upon entering, she opened her arms like someone returning from war.
And technically... she had.
"Finally..." she sighed long and deep.
The system was already sprawled belly-up on her bed, yawning like someone who had watched everything from a VIP seat.
She whistled softly and headed to the bathroom.
Turned on the tub. Steam rose quickly, scented with lavender and promises of peace.
Then she walked to the wardrobe. Opened it.
Sighed.
"Why... universe?"
The wardrobe looked like it came straight from the fifteenth century.
Velvets, ruffles, corsets, ceremonial tunics...
"I can't get used to this style. Feels like I'm a noble Italian on the way to the opera," she muttered.
"You know you can design your own clothes, right?" purred the system from the bed.
"I don't know how to make the ones I used to wear. T-shirts, hoodies, baggy jeans... normal people stuff."
The system opened one eye with the look of someone preparing an irresistible offer.
"Buy the blueprints at the system shop. Someone will sew them for you here. Easy."
Ligia narrowed her eyes.
"How many points do I have?"
"Fifty-eight."
"And a clothing blueprint costs...?"
"Forty," it answered a bit too fast. A "Special Offer" icon blinked above its feline head.
Ligia went silent.
The system sat up, eyes sparkling with commercial interest.
"Think about it... style is power. Do you want to command attention or look like a background character in a medieval opera?"
"You're a magical capitalist parasite living in my head."
"I prefer interdimensional style consultant."
"If I spend now, I'll have eighteen points left. What if I need to buy a mass destruction spell?"
"You improvise. Style first. Explosions later."
She laughed. That kind of laugh that already knew she was going to spend but pretended to resist.
"Fine... show me the models."
"Right away!"
The system opened a holographic display of modern clothes: oversized coats, hoodies with sarcastic quotes, wide pants with slits, and digital combat boots.
Ligia looked at it like someone spotting water in the desert.
"You know exactly what I want."
"I'm a system, not an amateur," it puffed its invisible chest.
"Purchase complete."
The sound of points disappearing made the system purr like it had just received a cosmic massage.
"Excellent purchase. Fashion queen."
"Better than going through the Awakening again," she replied, heading toward the bathroom steam.
After the bath — and yes, even vampires care for their skin — Ligia threw herself on the bed like she was performing an emotional purification ritual.
She mumbled something into the sheets.
Something between freedom, gods leave me alone, or help.
The system yawned loudly.
Ligia lifted her head, hair sticking to her forehead.
"You said I'd unlock the special training tab after the ritual. Explain that."
The system, curled into a ball of light, gave her a lazy glance.
"You'll find out... soon."
She gave it a dry look.
But didn't press.
Sank back down.
The room fell silent.
Only the soft sound of breathing filled the space.
The system purred, content.
But the last thing Ligia expected...
Was to wake up.
Again.
She opened her eyes in a completely white place.
No shadow. No ceiling. No floor.
Only... white.
She breathed — or tried to.
Nothing.
No smell. No sound. No presence.
"HELLO?! IS ANYONE HERE?!"
Nothing answered.
And just when she thought she had died, been reborn, and now had died again, a dust of stars sparkled to the right.
From the glow... the cat-system appeared.
"This... is the special training place," it purred.
Ligia stared at the void with boredom.
"This looks like a giant sheet of paper."
The system licked a paw.
"This blank space...?"
It smiled — the kind of smile that comes right before chaos.
Snapped its fingers.
The whiteness shattered.
Light ran along the edges of existence.
The space took shape.
Golden walls appeared, machines shimmered in the air, racks of weapons, tatamis, platforms. All forming in waves of magic.
It was a training hall.
Vast.
Elegant.
With decorative armor watching from above like silent judges.
Ligia blinked.
A lot.
Everything sparkled like a star had exploded in there.
She turned, hesitant.
"So... I'm going to take lessons here?"
"Yes," replied the system, ego inflating.
"Here we have the best instructors. Magic. Alchemy. Combat. Etiquette. Seduction. You choose. But you'll need one thing..."
"Consistent effort?" she guessed.
"Bingo, genius," it purred.
Ligia looked around. Her excitement growing.
"Can I start now?"
"Of course. Just open the Special Training tab. Easy."
Ligia gave a crooked grin.
"Buhahahaha."
The system blinked slowly.
"... You're already delirious."