I stepped out of my room, gripping a broom, heading toward the third floor. I was still adjusting to my new body, but the overwhelming sense of not belonging suffocated me.
As I looked around, I noticed that a luxurious room's door was left open. On the plaque mounted beside it, a name was elegantly engraved:
"Frosita."
I let out a deep sigh.
"I'm screwed!"
I had found her room without raising any suspicion.
Summoning the system, I clenched my fist in frustration.
"You damn bastard! What kind of system transports someone to a new world without granting them the host's memories or even a map to navigate?!" >
The usual annoying notification popped up, as if the system was mocking me:
< [To purchase this body's memories, pay 100 points.] >
My eyebrows shot up in shock.
< "What?! Every transmigrator gets the memories for free! This is a scam!" >
But I quickly realized there was no point in arguing with this piece of digital junk. I sighed and asked about the map's price.
< [To purchase a map of this world, pay 200 points.] >
I gritted my teeth.
"This is daylight robbery, you scrap heap!"
Instead of continuing the argument, I started cleaning. The room was spacious, with a king-sized bed, a massive mirror, and a wardrobe filled with luxurious clothes. Books were stacked neatly on one of the shelves.
As I dusted, my hand accidentally knocked a book off the shelf.
I picked it up and read the title:
"Fundamentals of Magic."
A smirk tugged at my lips, and I started flipping through its pages.
"Mana is the source of all things in this world..."
"Blah, blah, blah… the same cliché introduction in every magic-based world."
But the next part caught my interest:
"To master mana sensing, one must close their eyes and visualize circles of energy flowing around them."
Taking a deep breath, I gave it a try. At first, it felt like an empty void, but after a moment… Suddenly, mana exploded around me!
I felt it surging inside me like a raging ocean, flowing unnaturally—as if I were a black hole consuming everything.
< [Analyzing bloodline… Processing…] >
< [Update complete!] >
A new notification appeared before me:
[Status Window]
Name: Lin Darkil Noctarien
Clan: Noctarien (Partially Sealed)
Age: 13
Level: 1 → 6
Strength: 5 → 20
Agility: 8 → 25
Endurance: 10 → 28
Mana: 20 → 100
Blessing: Not Activated
< [Newly Acquired Skill] >
Mana Gluttony (F) → An abnormal ability to absorb mana at an extremely fast rate and convert it into internal energy.
"What?!"
I expected some advantages, but this… this was insane! I could absorb massive amounts of mana in just four hours! Even the geniuses in the original novel took months!
Before I could process it further, Camellia's voice called out to me:
"Lin, are you done?"
I jumped up and quickly returned the book to its place.
"Just need to finish dusting the books."
Camellia eyed me suspiciously.
"Why are you taking so long today? You usually finish in two hours."
I lowered my head, feigning exhaustion.
"I'm just a little tired today."
She didn't seem entirely convinced, but she didn't press further.
A while later, we carried the food to the family's dining hall. As I was leaving, the patriarch entered, followed by his wife, Arin, their daughter, Frosita, and her brother, Silvren.
The moment my eyes met Frosita's, I froze in place.
She was smiling.
But it wasn't a childish, innocent smile. It wasn't sarcastic or even amused. It was just a calm, faint smile… yet it felt like it was penetrating my soul.
"Shit… why do I feel like a rat under a microscope?!"
Had the symptoms already begun?
I hadn't even interacted with her yet…
Then, suddenly, the system popped up.
< [Target detected.] >
< [Mission initiated: Gain Frosita's favor.] >
< [You have 10 days to raise her favorability to 70%.] >
< [Current favorability: 30%] >
I silently gasped. But what I read next nearly made me slam my head against the wall.
< [Failure penalty: "The First Nightmare" – You will be unable to sleep for 20 days.] >
I clenched my teeth.
"Damn you, you bastard…"
"You're trying to imprison me. This is insane! You want me to kiss a 12-year-old kid while I'm 18?! Are you out of your mind?!"
"What else was I expecting from a shoujo novel?!"
Before I could think of a way out, a new notification popped up.
< [Side Mission Activated: "Shoujo's Touch"!] >
< [Condition: Kiss the heroine, Frosita.] >
< [Reward: +30% favorability, 50 additional points.] >
At that moment, I felt my heart stop.
"Huh?!"
Kiss !!!!!!!!
Fury exploded inside me.
"You damn system! Have you lost your mind?!" >
But the system remained unfazed:
< [Warning: Refusing the mission will result in point deduction and the immediate activation of "The First Nightmare"!] >
< ["Good luck, dear romantic hero! ♡"] >
My hands trembled, and I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself.
"That old hag..."
"That insane author who wrote this cursed story! I know you're watching me! Are you enjoying my suffering?!"
Then, a thought crossed my mind.
"Alright… if I'm inside this novel, there must be a way to turn it upside down!"
I tightened my fist and smirked darkly.
"I won't be the hero of this shoujo nonsense… I'll be its downfall."