Opening the book, Ophelia flipped through the pages of ancient skills hidden by the Royal family, her eyes darting back and forth as she searched for the one thing she desired. "Hmm, I see that there are many skills to learn from within this Skill Book. Perhaps taking some for the future will benefit me in the long run." Eventually, Ophelia found what she was looking for - a skill that promised to accelerate her aging process.
"Oh, that is the skill, uprise, it allows for one to either accelerate or decelerate their age. If memory serves me correctly, the Royals of Algunita use it to stay immortal and live for long periods of time." Said Invidia, glancing at the Book of Skills with familiarity.
"Hoh? Immortality sounds quite pleasing, especially for someone like me." Looking up at the Sin of Envy, the young princess questioned them abruptly. "Though, I am curious, how do you Sins know so much about the world and skills, despite just being born today."
Invidia gazed at their master with gentle eyes. "Our nature is quite complex, Master Ophelia. We are abstract creatures born from your sins, however, we do connect to other people who have sinned as well. Everyone in the world has at least committed one of the Seven Deadly Sins once in their life. Some commit the Sin of Greed, Pride, Gluttony, and Wrath, and even Envy, which allows us to connect with them." They proclaimed with glowing green eyes.
"Hm? What do you mean by 'connect', Invidia?" Asked the infant, tilting their head.
"By connect, I mean by forming a link between them and their nucleus. For example, I am the Sin of Envy, and naturally, I can connect to someone who's at least committed the Sin of Envy once in their life, therefore, allowing me to read their memories, learn hidden information, and amplify their jealousy. This is an intrinsic skill that all other Cardinal Sins possess. Where there is Sin, there is us."
"I see… that's quite useful. This Cardinal Sin System is more versatile than I thought." Looking back at her book, she placed her hand over the skill, manifesting a magical circle. "Let us get this show on the road." The infant raised her voice loud and clear, shouting, "Learn Skill, Uprise." The magic circle glowed with a soft green light. The same circle appeared on the book's page, connecting her to ancient knowledge.
[Rare Skill Learned: Uprise]
[Name: Ophelia Grovenheart
Age: 2 Hours
Race: Voidbound
Magical Power: 500
Strength: 500
Speed: 500
Durability: 500
Skills: Uprise (Rare), Appraisal (Common)
Cardinal Sin System: Wrath (Unlocked), Envy (Unlocked), Gluttony (Locked), Pride (Locked), Sloth (Locked), Greed (Locked), Lust (Locked)]
"Rejoice, Invidia, your Master will ascend anew with newfound power!" The Sin of Envy smiled as they bowed their head.
"I am eager to see your development, Master Ophelia."
"Everyone is eager to see me grow! That old man, my mother, and Alicia. I shall rule this world with an iron fist, and prove my worth." Placing her small palm upon her chest, Ophelia shouted, "Uprise!" She could feel a rush of adrenaline as the aging skill coursed through her veins. Her body began to change, growing taller and more mature as her soul was forced to grow alongside her.
She could feel her soul shatter and disintegrate from the drastic change in her body. It was on the verge of deconstructing, but through sheer willpower and rage, she forced it to repair itself. She could feel her bones lengthening, her muscles expanding, her features sharpening into those of a young woman.
As she aged, her baby clothes ripped off her body, but she barely noticed. She was too focused on the incredible sensation of growing up—of finally being able to stand on equal footing with those who had once dismissed her.
The transformation was finally completed, leaving her standing at her full height of 5'7. She looked down at her hands, now larger and more capable than before. Her skin was smoother, her face more defined. Ophelia smirked, feeling more confident than ever before. Her family would be in for a surprise when they saw her.
"Ufufu…" Ophelia's eyes sparkled with a sinister gleam as she looked at her reflection in a nearby mirror across the library. Her transformation had been completed, and she was now the image of a regal and powerful woman with your stereotypical British accent. She laughed, the sound echoing through the library. It was a cold, calculating laugh that sent chills down even Envy's spine.
"I am no longer in that pathetic little body! Now I can impose my will onto this world as the Princess of Grambosia." She turned to face the Sin of Envy with a look of satisfaction. "I thank you, Envy."
Envy bowed low, their form trembling with excitement. "It is my duty to serve you, Master Ophelia. You've surpassed all expectations. With your newfound power, no one will be able to stand against you."
Ophelia's expression became serious as she nodded. "Indeed, but first we'll need Ulysses. She's busy buying time for me." Ophelia grasped the ancient book once more, her fingers tracing the pages as she searched for a suitable skill. She had no intention of wandering the castle nude, especially not now since she was an adult.
"Ah, this shall do." Eventually finding a skill that would create a magical wardrobe for her, she erected a magic circle. "Learn Skill, Wardrobe!"
[Rare Skill Learned: Wardrobe]
With a confident flick of her wrist, she cast the skill. A soft glow enveloped her body, and when it faded, she was dressed in elegant Western attire. The dress she wore was an opulent black and red aristocratic dress with a wide-hemmed heel-length red skirt and a black petticoat. She also had a black choker, a pair of black high-heel shoes, and a pair of long black fingerless opera gloves, with a Diamond on her middle finger. Underneath her dress were translucent black stockings with a red elasticized band at the top, and she was adorned with a black clip on her hair. The fabric clung to her curves, accentuating her new adult figure, and bountiful breasts.
"Quite fitting, wouldn't you say?" Ophelia admired her reflection in the mirror, twirling around to see how the dress moved. The skill had worked perfectly, and she now looked every bit the part of a powerful princess.
Envy watched her with approval, their green eyes gleaming with pride - despite their nature. "You are truly magnificent, Master Ophelia. Your magic is as impressive as your beauty."
"Ufufu," she tittered, covering her mouth. "Naturally, my loyal Sin. Now let us make haste, we don't want to keep Ulysses waiting." Invidia nodded as Ophelia strode out of the library, her heels clicking against the stone floor with grace. She moved with an air of confidence and authority that commanded attention. Never in their life have they felt so confident up until now, especially in her past as Yuto.
The hallways felt as if they parted for her as she walked—her presence radiating power and elegance. Invidia followed closely behind her as their shadow stretched out like a warning.
As she approached her loyal servant, the clashing of swords and the shouts of guards grew louder. Ulysses' roar echoed through the air, and Ophelia could even feel their rage even from a distance. She was an unstoppable beast of anger.
"The men she's fighting are all probably dead. Ulysses is immortal. No matter how many men gang up on her, she won't die." Proclaimed Invidia, walking behind her formally.
"You mentioned immortality a moment ago with Uprise, but I presume this is different, no?" Asked the princess, gazing behind her.
"Mmm." Invidia nodded. "When enraged, Ulysses' sense of pain is nonexistent, and she becomes an unstoppable killing machine. She cannot die, as long as her rage continues to burn. Destroy her body and soul, and she'll return even angrier than before, even eradicating her Nucleus will get you nowhere."
The princess widened her eyes before smiling, tittering at Invidia's statement. "How befitting for someone who embodies Wrath, I must say."
Ophelia quickened her pace, her gown flowing behind her like red wings. The scent of smoke and magic filled her nostrils as they turned the corner.
There, in the center of the chaos, was Ulysses, their form towering over the fallen guards while others remained alive. Blood stained the floor, and the air was thick with tension, though King Jubilius and Alicia were still alive, which was a relief to Ophelia.
King Jubilius stood at the edge of the battle, his face pale with shock after he watched Ulysses rampage through his men with ease. Beside him, Alicia clutched his arm, her eyes wide with fear, though she would protect her father at all costs, even if she was terrified.
Suddenly, a feminine voice cut through the chaos, clear and commanding. "That's enough, Ulysses."
The Sin of Wrath stopped in their tracks, their fiery eyes narrowing as they recognized the voice. The king and Alicia turned to see a woman standing there, regal and composed, with Envy at her side. King Jubilius's face twisted in confusion as he tried to make sense of the situation. He took a step forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Who are you? Another intruder?! I'll handle you by myself!"
"Father, wait! You can't fight!" Said Alicia, gripping his arm. "You're ill!"
Ophelia chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound that sent chills down their spine. She tilted her head, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"Oh, father, you really don't recognize your own daughter?"
The king's eyes widened further, and he took a closer look at Ophelia's features, now using Appraisal to inspect even further. Immediate realization dawned on him as his face turned ashen.
"Impossible... you can't be..."
Alicia's grip on the king's arm tightened, her voice trembling. "Wait… baby sister? But how...?"