The first thing I registered was the metallic tang of blood in my mouth. Not mine, thankfully, but definitely present, a coppery note against the dull ache behind my eyes. My eyelids felt like sandpaper, glued shut by an invisible force. I strained, a faint groan escaping my lips, and then, with a jolt, they flew open.
Darkness. Not the comforting kind of a closed room, but a crushing, absolute void. Panic, cold and sharp, clawed at my throat. I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt heavy, unresponsive. A sudden lurch sent a wave of nausea through me. My stomach churned, protesting.
Then, a voice. Not a human voice, but one that resonated deep within my skull, cold and clear as frozen water.
"System reboot complete. Host successfully bound."
What? My eyes, still struggling to adjust to… nothing, blinked rapidly. A hallucination? That had to be it. I must have hit my head, maybe fallen down the stairs. The last thing I remembered was reading that awful webnovel, 'The Saintess and the Seven Heroes,' the one with the truly annoying villainess who got what she deserved in the end.
"Welcome, Host. You have been successfully transmigrated into the body of Lady Seraphina Volkov."
Lady Seraphina Volkov. The name hit me like a physical blow. Seraphina Volkov. The villainess. My mind reeled. This was not a dream. This was not a hallucination. This was the plot of the novel, 'The Saintess and the Seven Heroes.' Seraphina, the power-hungry, manipulative noble who met a gruesome end, torn apart by her own failed dark magic. The villainess whose death marked the true beginning of the heroes' journey.
The darkness around me shimmered, then fractured, revealing… nothing recognizable. Just a swirling vortex of colors, like spilled paint on black velvet. My head throbbed. I closed my eyes again, willing it all away. This wasn't happening. I was in my bed. My apartment. My world.
But the voice persisted, calm and unwavering. "Host, your previous existence has been severed. This is your reality now."
My previous existence? Severed? A cold dread seeped into my bones, a fear far more profound than the initial panic. It wasn't just a bad dream. It was a complete, irreversible shift.
"Who… what are you?" I managed to croak, my voice raspy, unfamiliar. It sounded higher, weaker than my own.
"I am the Dimensional Re-calibration System. My purpose is to ensure the stable integration of displaced souls and facilitate their survival in a new reality."
"Displaced souls?" So I wasn't the only one? This was too much. My brain felt like it was trying to process a supercomputer's data on a calculator.
"Correct. Your transmigration was an unforeseen consequence of a significant dimensional instability. You were chosen due to your unique energetic signature and your prior knowledge of this world's narrative."
Prior knowledge of the narrative. Of course. I had read that wretched novel. Every twist, every character, every agonizingly predictable plot point. And now, I was inside it. Inside the body of the one character destined for the worst possible outcome.
"Host, your immediate goal is survival. The original Lady Seraphina Volkov died approximately three minutes ago from a self-inflicted magical overload. Her life force was unstable, corrupted. Your arrival stabilized this vessel."
Three minutes ago? I had been dropped into a dead body. A villainess's dead body. This was just… horrifying. My stomach clenched again, and this time, I actually retched, a dry, painful spasm.
"Alert: Host's current status is critical. Life force at 23%. Mana depleted. Minor internal hemorrhaging detected. Immediate action required."
A red flashing alert appeared in my internal vision, stark against the swirling colors. It was like a game interface. A very real, very terrifying game interface. "Critical? Mana depleted? What do I do?" I demanded, my voice thin.
"Activating 'Villainess's Escape' protocol. Quest one: Survive the immediate aftermath. Objective: Restore life force and mana. Reward: Basic magic awakening. Failure: Irreversible death."
Irreversible death. The words echoed, chilling me to the core. This wasn't a game. There were no respawns.
"Guidance: Consume the readily available vitality potion located on the table beside the bed. Instructions for use are inscribed on the vial."
Table? Bed? I still couldn't see anything. The swirling void continued. "I can't see anything! It's dark!"
"Host's eyes are currently compromised due to residual magical overload. Activating limited spectral vision."
Suddenly, the swirling chaos coalesced. Not into a clear image, but a murky, greenish-tinged outline. I could make out shapes, shadows. I was lying on something soft. A bed. To my left, a faint glow outlined a small, round table. On it, a single, elongated shape. A vial.
With immense effort, I tried to move my hand. It felt sluggish, heavy, as if submerged in thick syrup. Every muscle screamed in protest. But I had to. Survival. Irreversible death. These words fueled a desperate strength. I pushed. My fingers grazed cool, smooth glass.
I fumbled, my uncoordinated hand nearly knocking it over. Finally, my fingers closed around the vial. It was cool, smooth, and oddly comforting. I brought it closer, the spectral vision highlighting faint inscriptions on its side. My eyes, even with the compromised vision, struggled to focus.
"Mana Regeneration Potion. Restores 100% Mana. Caution: May cause temporary dizziness and nausea. Not for use by those with weak constitutions."
"Wait, it says mana regeneration, not vitality!" I protested, a fresh wave of panic. My life force was at 23%! Mana wouldn't help that!
"Error in Host's interpretation. The system indicated a 'vitality potion.' The potion you hold is indeed a Mana Regeneration Potion. However, due to your unique transmigration, your life force is inextricably linked to your magical reserves. Restoring Mana will initiate partial life force recovery. Drink it."
There was no time to argue. My body felt like it was shutting down. My throat was dry, but I managed to pry open the stopper. A faint, sweet scent, like crushed lavender and something sharp, citrusy, wafted up. I brought the vial to my lips and tilted it back.
The liquid was surprisingly thick, like honeyed water, and warm. It slid down my throat, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. Almost immediately, a surge of energy, faint at first, then growing stronger, coursed through my veins. It wasn't just a physical sensation; it was as if tiny sparks ignited within every cell. My spectral vision sharpened, the green tint receding, giving way to faint, blurry colors. I could almost make out the ornate patterns on the ceiling.
"Life force restoring… 25%... 30%... 45%... Mana restoring… 20%... 50%... 90%..."
The numerical alerts flashed rapidly, a lifeline in the dimness. The dizziness the system warned about hit me hard. The world spun, and I clamped my eyes shut, a gasp escaping my lips. Nausea, too, threatened to overwhelm me, and I swallowed hard, fighting it back. But underneath the unpleasant sensations, there was a growing warmth, a feeling of strength returning.
When I finally opened my eyes, the spectral vision was gone. In its place, the world was still dim, but no longer green-tinged. I could see the outlines of furniture more clearly. A lavish four-poster bed. Heavy velvet drapes. A large, ornate dresser. This was Seraphina Volkov's room. The one described in painstaking detail in the novel, her lair of luxury and scheming.
My body felt… different. Lighter, yet stronger. The ache in my head had subsided to a dull throb. I tentatively tried to move my hand again, flexing my fingers. It responded with much less resistance. I pushed myself up, my muscles still stiff but no longer screaming. I sat on the edge of the plush bed, taking shallow, careful breaths.
The room was still shrouded in shadow, but I could make out the distinct scent of old wood and dried herbs. It felt oppressive, ancient. Seraphina's room. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. This was the villainess's personal chamber, where she plotted her nefarious deeds and practiced her dark magic.
"Quest one complete. Reward: Basic magic awakening. Host now possesses rudimentary control over the elemental affinity of shadow."
Shadow magic? Of course. The novel mentioned Seraphina's affinity for shadow, though she usually dabbled in corrupted, forbidden spells. Basic control, though. That was… something. A tool. A weapon. Maybe even a way out.
The system's voice, still calm, continued. "Due to Host's successful completion of Quest One, the 'Villainess's Escape' protocol has accelerated. Quest two: Secure your immediate surroundings. Objective: Identify and neutralize immediate threats within your chamber. Reward: System tutorial unlocked. Failure: Discovery by hostile entities."
Hostile entities. My blood ran cold. Who? Or rather, what? The novel mentioned Seraphina had many enemies, both within her own household and outside it. Her family, the Volkovs, were a notorious dark magic family, but even they despised her for her ruthlessness and disregard for their rules. And then there were the heroes, who would eventually come for her.
I scanned the room, my eyes straining in the gloom. The heavy drapes were drawn, blocking out any light from outside. The only illumination came from a faint, flickering light from a small, enchanted orb on the dresser. It cast long, distorted shadows across the room, making every piece of furniture seem to writhe.
A sudden, sharp click echoed from near the large, wooden door. My heart leaped into my throat. I froze, every sense on high alert. Was it an immediate threat? Was the system's warning already playing out?
The click was followed by a faint creak, like old wood groaning under pressure. Someone was trying to get in. Now, the fear wasn't just existential dread; it was immediate, visceral terror. I had to think, and fast.
I looked down at my hands. They were smaller than I remembered, slender, and unnervingly pale. The hands of Seraphina Volkov. With a jolt, I remembered the original Seraphina's personality – cunning, ruthless, and terrifyingly intelligent. I had to channel that. Not the evil, but the intelligence.
"System," I whispered, my voice still shaky. "Give me more information about immediate threats. What am I dealing with?"
"Threat probability is high. Source: Unidentified presence outside your chamber door. Combat parameters: Unknown. Recommendation: Utilize newly acquired shadow magic."
Shadow magic. Right. How did one even use shadow magic? I had read about it, of course, but reading about throwing shadow bolts and actually doing it were two vastly different things.
"How do I use it?" I hissed, my eyes darting towards the door, which now creaked again, more insistently.
"Focus your intent. Visualize the shadow. Guide it. Your raw mana will fuel the spell."
Focus intent. Visualize shadow. Guide it. It sounded incredibly vague. But I didn't have time for a masterclass. The door was about to open.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, trying to recall snippets from the novel. Seraphina often used shadows to obscure, to bind, to distract. Rarely to attack directly, not at first. Obscure. Distract.
I opened my eyes, focusing on the deep shadows pooling in the corners of the room, particularly near the dresser and the large wardrobe. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my frantic heart. I extended my hand, palm flat, towards the shadows near the door.
Focus. Visualize. I imagined the shadows thickening, swirling, becoming a physical barrier. I felt a faint pull, a drain on my newly replenished mana, like a subtle current flowing from me. The darkness near the door seemed to deepen, growing in intensity. It wasn't a solid wall, but it was enough to make the area almost completely opaque.
The door handle rattled violently, then began to turn. A sliver of light appeared as the door began to push inward. But instead of revealing a clear path, it opened onto an impenetrable wall of inky blackness.
A muffled curse, distinctly male, came from the other side. "What the—? Why is it so dark in here?"
My breath hitched. A man. Not the heroes, not yet. Who then? A servant? A guard? Or someone sent by her family to check on her? The novel mentioned her family was often suspicious of her private activities.
"My Lord, the light spell is not working!" another voice, higher-pitched, whined.
"Get another orb, you fool! What is Seraphina doing in there, summoning a void?" the first man grumbled, his voice closer now, just outside the door.
A void. That was a bit dramatic, but it had worked. They couldn't see me. Not yet.
"System, who are they?" I whispered, my gaze fixed on the blackness at the door.
"Threats identified. Two individuals, low-level magical signature. Appear to be household guards, sent by Lady Volkov's father, Duke Volkov, to monitor her activities."
Duke Volkov. Seraphina's father. A ruthless, cunning man who wouldn't hesitate to eliminate threats, even his own daughter if she proved too much of a liability. This was bad. If they found me, a strange woman in his daughter's body, things would go from critical to catastrophic.
"Host, your mana reserves are rapidly depleting maintaining the shadow barrier. Recommendation: Disengage and find a more secure location within the chamber. Utilize environment for concealment."
My mana. Right. I felt the drain now, a steady trickle that would soon become a flood. The barrier shimmered. I had to move.
I released the shadow spell, and the inky darkness snapped back, receding into the corners of the room as if it had never been. The door, now fully open, revealed a dimly lit corridor. Two bulky figures, clad in dark uniforms, stood just outside, squinting into the room.
"She's just… sleeping?" one of them muttered, sounding confused. "But the darkness was..."
Before they could fully step inside, I scrambled from the bed. My feet hit the cold stone floor, and a jolt of pain shot through my ankle. I ignored it, adrenaline surging. Where to hide?
The massive wardrobe. Large, dark, imposing. Perfect. I lunged towards it, my movements clumsy and ungraceful. The guards were starting to step in, their eyes slowly adjusting to the dimness, their forms solidifying in my vision.
"She's up!" one of them exclaimed, his hand moving to the hilt of a short sword.
Panic seized me again, raw and desperate. I wasn't just hiding; I was running for my life. I yanked open the wardrobe door, the hinges groaning loudly, a sound that seemed to echo through the silent room. I practically fell inside, my body collapsing amidst silks and heavy wools. The scent of lavender and mothballs filled my nose.
I pulled the heavy doors shut, plunging myself into stifling darkness. Through a narrow crack between the doors, I could see slivers of the room. The guards were fully inside now, their heavy boots thudding on the stone floor.
"Lady Seraphina?" one of them called out, his voice wary. "Are you alright?"
I held my breath, pressing myself against the back of the wardrobe, trying to make myself as small as possible. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat. This was insane. Just moments ago, I was in my own world, safe. Now, I was playing hide-and-seek with armed guards in a villainess's bedroom, my life literally on the line.
"Threat proximity: Imminent. Host detection probability: High. Recommendation: Remain still. Observe. Devise counter-strategy."
Counter-strategy. What counter-strategy could I have? I was weak, unfamiliar with my new body, and surrounded by potential enemies. I had no weapons, no strength, and my magic was basic. This was a nightmare. A horrifying, bloody, real-life nightmare.
"The bed is still warm," the second guard noted, his voice closer now. "She must be here somewhere."
My breath hitched again. They knew. They weren't fools. This was Seraphina Volkov's room. She wouldn't just vanish.
"Check under the bed, idiot. And the wardrobe. She's probably playing one of her games."
The sound of footsteps grew louder, closer. They were heading for the wardrobe. My stomach clenched. This was it. Discovery. And then what? Imprisonment? Or something far worse, a fate echoing Seraphina's original demise?
My fingers, trembling, brushed against something hard and cold tucked deep within the folds of the clothing. I cautiously grasped it. It was a small, ornate dagger, its hilt intricately carved with what looked like a snarling wolf. Seraphina's personal dagger. It was sharper than I expected, its edge biting into my thumb. A drop of blood welled up.
Not a weapon I knew how to use effectively, but it was something. A sliver of hope, however small.
The wardrobe door creaked again. A sliver of light, then a larger gap. I saw a boot, then the hem of a dark uniform. The guard was about to open the door completely. My mind raced, searching for any possible escape.
Then, a thought, cold and desperate, formed in my mind. What if I didn't try to escape them? What if I played the part? The cunning villainess. She wouldn't hide like a coward.
I took a shaky breath, trying to steady my racing pulse. The first guard's hand reached for the wardrobe door, his fingers brushing the edge. This was my chance.
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, I shoved the wardrobe door open, much faster and harder than he anticipated. It slammed back, hitting him square in the face with a dull thud. He let out a yelp, stumbling back, his hand flying to his nose.
The second guard, startled, immediately drew his sword. "What the—!"
I didn't wait. As the door swung open, revealing the stunned guards, I pushed myself out of the wardrobe. I landed awkwardly, still stiff, but my eyes were blazing. I had to sell this. I had to act.
My gaze swept over them, a calculated mix of disdain and fury. It was all a bluff, but they didn't know that. They only knew Seraphina.
"What in the blazes do you think you're doing, barging into my chambers like common thugs?" I snapped, my voice surprisingly strong, imbued with an icy authority that wasn't my own. It was Seraphina's voice, her tone. It felt alien and powerful all at once.
The first guard, still clutching his nose, stammered, "Lady Seraphina! We... we heard a disturbance. We were just checking on you."
"A disturbance?" I scoffed, taking a step forward, my chin held high. "The only disturbance I perceive is your utterly disrespectful intrusion into my private sanctuary. Do you lack all sense of decorum, or are you simply imbeciles?"
The second guard, sword still half-drawn, looked bewildered. He exchanged a glance with his companion, who now had a red stain blossoming on his tunic from his nose.
"But the darkness, my Lady… it was so thick…" the second guard mumbled, clearly unnerved.
"The darkness is a reflection of my mood, you dolt," I retorted, letting a hint of madness creep into my tone, just as Seraphina would have done. "Do you not understand that a lady requires her privacy to compose herself? Perhaps my displeasure manifested as a minor magical anomaly. Or perhaps," I leaned in, my voice dropping to a menacing whisper, "you merely experienced the chilling realization that you have overstepped your bounds."
I could see the fear in their eyes. They believed it. They actually believed I had intentionally caused the darkness. Good. This was my advantage.
"Host's social manipulation detected. Threat level decreasing. Probability of immediate combat averted."
Averting immediate combat felt like a massive victory. I wasn't out of the woods yet, not by a long shot, but I had bought myself time. Time to think. Time to plan. Time to figure out how to escape the villainess's tragic fate.
"Now," I continued, my voice sharp, "unless you wish to experience a far more significant 'disturbance' than a mere magical flicker, I suggest you take your foolishness elsewhere. And inform my esteemed father that I am perfectly capable of managing my own affairs. And my own… moods." I emphasized the last word, letting it hang in the air, a silent threat.
They snapped to attention, their faces pale. "Yes, my Lady! Of course, my Lady! Our apologies!" The first guard, still holding his nose, bowed clumsily. The second one sheathed his sword with a nervous click.
They backed away, eyes still wide, then turned and practically stumbled out of the room, pulling the heavy door shut behind them with a muffled thud. The silence that followed was deafening.
I stood there, trembling, the adrenaline slowly receding, leaving me weak and breathless. My knees threatened to buckle. I clutched the small dagger in my hand, its cold presence a strange comfort. I had done it. I had bluffed my way out of the first immediate threat.
"System," I whispered, sinking back onto the edge of the bed. "Quest two: complete?"
"Quest two: Secure your immediate surroundings. Objective: Identify and neutralize immediate threats within your chamber. Reward: System tutorial unlocked. Status: Complete."
A new interface bloomed in my internal vision. Not just flashing alerts, but detailed menus, glowing icons, and a series of categories: Status, Inventory, Skills, Quests, World Map, Lore Compendium. It was a full-blown system, just like in the webnovels. But this was real.
This was terrifying. And utterly exhilarating. I had survived. I was Seraphina Volkov, the villainess, but with a new mind, new powers, and a determination to rewrite every single line of this pre-written tragedy. My escape had just begun.