One night, she dropped the novel 'The Unrivaled Zero Power'. The next morning, she died and opened her eyes as Amara Wavern, a character within that very story.
The moment she opened her eyes as Amara, she knew exactly what her future would be like. She had read enough reincarnation novels to understand the rules. Every new action and every decision she made as Amara would shift the story away from its original path.
But was that really my problem?
Why should she carry the weight of a terribly written, cliché-filled plot? Why would she involve herself in a cruel, male-lead-centered story when she despised both the author and the male lead, Leon, with every fiber of her being?
Leon did not need help. He had the story wrapped around his little finger.
Her time as Giselle Barn was short and hardly worth remembering. During that twenty-four years, well, she achieved nothing.
"Here's your tea, my lady," her maid said, her hands trembling slightly as she offered me the cup.
She gave her a gentle smile. "Thank you, Clara."
The maid's eyes widened with surprise and for a simple reason – not only did she remembered her name, she also bothered to thank her.
After all, she was Amara Wavern – the infamous villainess of this story. A spoiled aristocrat, cruel to the commoners, and incapable of sympathy.
There were countless reasons to call Amara a villainess, and yet, just as many reasons not to.
Because to Leon, she was an angel, his greatest ally and a bitch to everyone else.
Aside from her gay ass enjoying GL romance stories, she only ever read novels without a romance tag – especially the ones with overpowered MCs. And if she had to pick favorites, it'd be Murim stories, because she love swords almost as much as she love girls.
The door swung open, and in stepped Duke Lennon and Duchess Hazel, Amara's doting parents.
After years of failing to conceive, they had been blessed with her late in life, and their love for her was absolute. To them, Amara was a miracle, a treasure they would do anything to protect.
Duchess Hazel came to sit on the bed "You could go to the Academy next year, honey", she suggested, brushing her hair tenderly.
Duke Lennon crouched on the floor, his fierce gaze softened into something only she could see."Listen to your mother, little torch," he said, brushing her arms with careful hands. "You just woke up from a month-long coma and even lost some memories. The Academy can wait...you need time to heal."
She woke up two days ago as Amara Wavern, and in just a week, the Magic Academy would open – a chance she absolutely didn't want to miss. Who would? She, too, wanted to use this reincarnation as an opportunity to learn magic and grow powerful, just like those overpowered MCs.
But there was a slight problem in my reincarnation..
Amara Wavern was born a four-elementalist, a prodigy like that Avatar. But in this world, such power was a curse. Wielding all four elements destabilized each, canceling their effects and eventually leaving the user unable to cast magic.
The only benefit? A body as sturdy as a boulder against magic attacks.
"I'm all good now," she said, flexing her arms with a grin. "I really have to go… Duke… Dad, Mom." The words still felt strange on her tongue.
The Magic Academy began enrolling students after the age of fifteen, the age when they were believed to have matured enough to store mana properly.
After a few words of persuasion, she knew they would eventually give in to their precious daughter's request and finally, she was permitted to enter the Academy.
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It had been four days, and still she hadn't managed to cast a single spell. She devoured the study books, followed every instruction word for word… yet nothing worked. Just as the story had foretold, the curse of a four-elementalist bound her in crippling silence.
"Damn it, Clara~" she groaned, collapsing onto the bed with the book still in her hand. "What's the point of this life if I can't even use magic?! Shouldn't a system be popping up at least?!" she muttered, brushing her hand through the air above her.
She had been ripped away from her first life after enduring endless exams one after another, all for the promise of a good life and wealth, only to die just as she finally landed a decent, high-paying job.
"Maybe this is the price of the wealth I've finally gained..." she sighed, hurling the book across the room.
Her gaze lingered blankly as Clara picked it up from the floor and gently set it back on the table.
"I'm sure you can do it," Clara said softly.
She smiled faintly at Clara, who had been silently listening as she rambled on about whatever came to mind. Clara never questioned her; she simply listened and nodded along. Yet she was fairly certain Clara didn't understand a single word she had said.
The thought made her giggle.
"Tell me, Clara, do you think anyone can break the impossible?" She asked.
"I'm not sure," Clara replied, "but I think it's worth trying first."
"Alright!" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. She uncorked the bottle and let the water spill over her hand. "It's just some story made up by another human…" Closing her eyes, she focused. "Why should I follow his trash rules? I will make my own."
She has to stop letting the story shape her understanding of this world. This was her reality now, and she would live it fully. Regardless of how the author had framed it, she would exploit every advantage this world had to offer.
She felt the water dripping from her hand. All she had to do was stop it and take control. She, too, had mana-blood capable of manipulating magic, and she would make it happen.
The room had fallen silent for a while now. She could tell the water had almost entirely drained, dripping away from her hand…
"My Lady!" Clara gasped as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Shit!" she shouted when she saw the small pool of water levitating above her hand. "Clara! I think I'm going to cry – huhu!"
There, she accomplished what should have been impossible: defying the Novel's story and breaking its hold.
Little by little
_____________________________________
The day to enter the Academy finally arrived.
"Mmmm"
Her reflection never failed to surprise her – Amara was stunningly beautiful, with sharp crimson eyes that carried a natural menace, as if she had been born to play the villainess.
"My beautiful baby," Duchess Hazel whispered as she came to stand behind her in front of the mirror.
She couldn't help but still feel embarrassed around Duchess Hazel. The moment their eyes first met, she was instantly smitten, only to feel a pang of heartbreak later when she discovered that Hazel was Amara's mother.
Duchness Hazel slowly turned her around and asked again as her voice tinged with worry, "Are you sure you only want to take Clara with you?"
The Magic Academy permitted students to bring their servants if they wished, though the Academy itself provided no accommodations for them – they would remain solely under the care of their lords and ladies. As the Duke's daughter, however, she was afforded separate quarters for her attendants. If she remembered correctly, the original Amara had brought five maids with her.
"Yes, I'll be just fine", she reassured her.
In the end, she chose to bring only Clara with her for two very simple reasons:
First, she just loved Clara, and honestly, she was more than enough. Second, she had zero intention of recreating that absurd scene from the original story, where Leon swooped in like some knight in shining armor while Amara scolded her maids.
She hopped into the carriage, with Clara following close behind.
"Be careful out there, and try sending letters once in a while, little torch," Duke Lennon said, closing the carriage door himself. His expression hardened as he added, "And be wary of men."
She couldn't help but chuckle. "You don't have to worry, Father. I like women."
"W–What?!" both Lennon and Hazel gasped in unison.
But she had no intention of explaining further. With a wide grin, she ordered the carriage to move.
.....
.....
.....
After six hours, they finally reached the Academy gates. She had almost been late because of her scheming parents, torn between worry and love, who had ordered the servants not to wake her.
Being a heavy sleeper who relied heavily on an alarm even in her past life, she would have completely overslept if Clara hadn't secretly defied their orders to wake her.
She grinned at Clara and gave her shoulder a thankful pat. She swore she loved her to the core and would never regret bringing her along.
Standing before the Academy gates, she was determined to make every one of the three years ahead worth it.
She knew this world was designed to revolve around the life of the ML, Leon, and she had no intention of meddling in the main story – especially not with him, since she'd probably be dead at his hands in the years to come, that she remembered well.
But as long as she didn't give a damn about him, which she absolutely didn't – she could live her life to the fullest, mastering swords, magic… and, ahem, maybe enjoying girls too.
After all… this wasn't a bluff. Amara was beautiful, rich, tall – just perfect! and she would not hold back from using every bit of it to the fullest!
"Ah!" she nearly fell flat on the ground when someone bumped into her from behind.
But an arm quickly wrapped around her. "I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed.
She quickly pulled herself away and shook her head. "It's okay," she said with a smile – but was suddenly stunned when she saw the beautiful girl standing behind him.
The girl's long black hair framed her face like a halo, her skin glowed like an angel's, and her eyes were a stunning amber that complemented her soft, pink lips.
"M-My Lady, you're really beautiful," she couldn't help but bow slightly.
How could such a person exist?! she inwardly wondered in disbelief.
But the girl only tilted her head at her, saying nothing. Her eyes, however, looked quietly displeased—almost angry.
Did I… offend her somehow? she immediately wondered.
"Hello, are you also a new student?" the boy beside her asked.
"Yes," she blurted out quickly. Gods, could he just hush for a moment? I'm meeting an angel here! she inwardly cursed at him.
She thought hard...
Should I ask her name? Wait… is she a student too? That means she's sixteen as well—a beauty at the level of a goddess at such a young age?! Is that even fair? Gods! I hate pedophiles and groomers! Is this Karma?
Wait… she's wearing a maid's dress! Ah! She must be at least eighteen then!
She didn't exactly know how to look dashingly charming, but, "May I know your name?" she asked, trying her hardest to sound appealing.
To her dismay, the boy stepped in front of the girl, completely blocking her view of the goddess, and flashed a charming smile at her.
"My name is Leon Gargain. Pleasure to meet you, my lady."
"I was asking her– What? Did you just say, Leon?"
"Fuck!" she murmured.
She grabbed Clara's arm and immediately dragged her away – far… far away from them.
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.....
The moment she reached her dorm she collapsed onto her bed with the weight of frustration pressing down on her. How could she have forgotten Ina, the supporting character who was closest to being the female lead?
"I never imagined Ina could be that beautiful~", She murmured, her voice drifting in a daze of deep awe.
Ina was one of the reasons she dropped the novel—she simply couldn't endure how the author twisted the characters darker with every chapter, or how Leon mercilessly treated her. She got abused, used, tormented, raped..
She sighed at the thought of that beautiful goddess's future being so unbearably dark.
Amara, herself was one of the reasons behind Ina's tragic future. She was the one who ordered men to violate her which ultimately drove Leon to kill her.
Amara deserved her death!
"But…" she closed her eyes and reminisced about her with a smile. I swear, she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen~ she thought, smiling softly.
She sighed as she opened her eyes. "Why did you have to fall in love with Leon of all people?" She felt a pang of sadness for Ina.
But that was just how the author had written her. What could she do?
"Well… I won't be around to do those things to her~"
She believed Ina might possibly find a bright future without her presence… though she wasn't entirely sure, because she wasn't the only one who did terrible things to Ina.
"Argh!" she grunted in annoyance, her chest tightening slightly as guilt prickled at her.
Snatching up her pillow, she hugged it tightly. " I skipped most of it after the first five chapters! I'd be no help anyway!"
"Why did I have to reincarnate here of all places? Why not into one of those glorious murim stories I remembered so well?!" she shouted, hurling the pillow aside.
"Gah, forget it!" she muttered, rolling onto her bed. "I don't give a damn!"
She was sure there were plenty of other beautiful women like Ina. The story was only a small part of the world and the real world was vast waiting to be explored by her.
Besides, she should seriously fight against letting her admiration grow. The way Ina had hooked her from the very first moment they met was dangerous, and she couldn't allow herself to fall any deeper, especially when she was technically eight years older... or so she thought