G6 stared at the ornate ceiling.
Okay. Reincarnation. Check. My old skills tagging along? Probably this tattoo's fault.
She'd come straight back to the villa after the Queen, claiming she needed fuel for the next day. The truth was simpler: she was starving.
Now, lying on the bed, arms wide, she ran the numbers.
If I say I don't know magic, they'll freak. Their eyes practically popped out when they saw my stats. Gotta figure this out.
"Right. Let's go," she said to the empty room, and stood up.
She walked onto the balcony, breathing in the cold air.
In all the shows, you just imagine the mana and let it rip. Can't be that hard.
She held out a hand, palm up, and closed her eyes. Imagine the flow.
Energy flooded her palm—a tidal wave. Not just from inside. The very air around her swirled, mana gathering like angry, glowing bees.
Whoa. Cool. Just like that wind blade tech—
CRACK.
Her eyes snapped open.
The massive oak tree in front of her was sliced clean in half.
She blinked, hand still out. "Did I do that?" she muttered, her tone flat, as if commenting on the weather.
Footsteps pounded from the garden below. She ducked back inside and slammed the balcony door shut.
"Close one," she breathed, thinking she'd gotten away with it.
She'd forgotten the rule. Only nobles played with elemental magic so openly.
"The Queen had a point," she mumbled, flexing her tingling fingers. "This body's a mess. My hand feels weird."
She flopped back onto the bed.
What was Reise doing for 18 years? She's so soft. At 18, I was already the Reaper. I wonder how the team's holding up…
A strange, hollow ache punched through her chest. What the hell is this?
She was an expert at reading others' weaknesses. Her own feelings were a blind spot, trained into oblivion. The ghost of another life's attachments was just static.
G6 turned over and buried her face in the pillow, smothering the useless feeling until she fell asleep.
❈.❈.❈
The sky was still a soft gray when G6 woke. She'd already been on the balcony for an hour, practicing. A few sacrificial flowers in the bed below were now confetti, casualties of her learning curve. Now, the wind obeyed.
Better. Control established.
In the dressing room, she faced the main wardrobe—a riot of pinks, yellows, and frills.
"My eyes," she complained to the empty air. "It's like a clown exploded." She turned to the locked cabinet—Old Reise's real stash.
Inside hung shadows and severe elegance.
"All of you are beautiful," she said, mimicking the world's dramatic lilt. "And locked away. Don't worry, darlings. I'll put you to work. Save you from the pastel nightmare out there."
She pulled out the black gown. Gorgeous. But the straps are a suggestion and the neckline dives to my navel. The Queen will take my card again.
Her Professional Card was a direct line to the monarch. Her boss.
"Hello, gorgeous," she whispered, her eyes landing on a dress tucked in the back. She pulled it free.
Black lace. Backless. Shoulders designed like a delicate, deadly butterfly's web. No slit. Tasteful. Perfect.
"Whoever made this gets it," she said, approving. This was the one.
On her way back, servants pressed themselves to the walls. "Good morning, Lady Reise."
"Morning," G6 replied.
And she smiled.
The servant froze, watching the Wicked Rose walk away, bright and early. G6 was just pleased with her new gear.
❈.❈.❈
Back in her room, she laid the dress on the bed. After washing up, she sat at the vanity and opened the makeup.
"Tina's soft look is boring. I want an edge."
First, the hair. She pointed at her head. "Don't blow your own head off." She released a focused stream of warm air. Her curls relaxed into a sleek fall. "Much better."
Next, the makeup. No soft blends. She traced a sharp, neon-green line along her lids, making her eyes look cunning and bright.
"Damn, this stuff is good. Looking like a weapon," she told her reflection.
She stood and dressed herself, without waiting. It was normal. For her.
❈.❈.❈
Tina and Lilia approached her door.
"Is she awake?" Lilia asked.
"I've stopped guessing," Tina replied. "Expectations are for breaking. Her behavior has no pattern."
They knocked and entered.
Their lady was at the tea table, ready. The black lace dress. The severe hair. The sharp green gaze.
See. No pattern, Tina thought.
"Good morning, Lady Reise!" Lilia chirped, all shyness gone. She darted over. "You're stunning!" She circled G6. "And your hair! A whole new you!"
"Good morning, Lady Reise," Tina said. "You look… distinctly elegant."
"Thanks," G6 said, smiling.
Why is she smiling? New agenda detected, Tina's mind supplied.
"You woke early, my lady?" Lilia asked, taking a seat beside her without asking—a liberty G6 now allowed.
"Yep."
"Your hair. How?" Tina asked, neutral.
"Used the family affinity. Heated air."
"I assume you practiced extensively before attempting it," Tina said, a polite probe.
"You got me, Tina. Always too smart," G6 replied, the light sarcasm taking the sting out.
"The servants mentioned a disturbance last night," Lilia added brightly. "A tree was cut. And the garden was… rearranged this morning."
Crap. The magic rule. "Wasn't on purpose," G6 said quickly.
"And stop standing guard," she added, turning to Tina. "Sit."
Tina sat, knowing she was a diversion but allowing it.
A knock. Edmund entered with a breakfast cart. He paused at the scene: servants seated like guests.
"Don't ask. It's the rule," G6 stated.
"As you wish." He presented French toast and tea.
"Smells good."
"Alistair ensured it was fortified. I mentioned your Bastion training."
"Good. Sit." G6 nodded to the empty chair.
Edmund glanced at Tina. She gave a micro-nod—a warning that refusal might mean breakfast out the window. He sat, uncomfortable.
"Tina, serve the extras," G6 ordered before eating.
"Lady Reise! Is that why you wanted extra plates?" Lilia asked, delighted.
G6 nodded, mouth full. She had her passions: deadly fashion, strong drink, and good food.
"Thank you, Lady Reise!"
They ate in quiet comfort. Edmund finally spoke. "You are… considerate, my lady. Contrary to rumor."
"She hates an audience while eating," Tina explained. "And dislikes being the only one."
"Yeah. Don't annoy me, and we're good," G6 agreed, as if stating a simple fact.
❈.❈.❈
"I'm stuffed," G6 announced, draining her water in one go.
"Thank you for the meal," Edmund said, sipping his tea with grace.
"Portions stay the same. Don't make me repeat it," G6 said, staring at Tina.
"Understood, Lady Reise," Tina replied, her formal tone laced with familiar edge.
This four-eyed maid. Always with the attitude.
"I'm going to the Collegium. Which way?"
Instead of answering, all three slid their Staff Cards toward her.
"The Queen mandated supervision," Tina stated.
"I'm not going to get lost."
Believability: zero, Tina's face said.
"Her Majesty was… insistent," Edmund added gently.
"She'll revoke your access," Tina finished.
That woman. Always with the leverage.
"All three of you? Get a life."
"Lady Reise, the Collegium is so beautiful…" Lilia's eyes were wide, pleading.
Tina began slowly taking her card back. "You may, of course, remain here. All day."
Blackmail. Cute. "Fine. Stop."
Smiles of victory. They'd found another lever.
"How's this work?"
"Align your family crest with the name. A wisp of mana. It's keyed to you," Edmund explained.
G6 did it. The cards glowed, imprinting the Worthon crest and her initials.
"Yay! It's so pretty!" Lilia hugged her card. "Now it has your mark!"
"An honor," Edmund agreed.
"What if you lose it?"
"Useless to anyone else. It knows our mana."
G6 nodded. High security. Tight systems like that… just beg to be broken.
❈.❈.❈
"Lady Reise! This way!" Lilia pointed down a secluded garden path.
She took G6's hand. G6 found it weird but didn't pull away.
Tina and Edmund held their tongues, seeing it was permitted.
"Residents only," Lilia explained.
"There's another entrance?"
"Yes! The main gate is outside. Not all Collegium folk are Pillars."
"So the Pillars live here?"
"Yes, my lady," Edmund added from behind. "It also serves as a training ground for heirs."
"Please don't cling," Tina said to Lilia, stern.
Lilia looked up with puppy-dog eyes.
"It's fine, Tina," G6 said. She glanced back, a tease in her smirk. "You can hold on too, if you're jealous."
Tina took it as consent. "As you wish." She adjusted her glasses and took G6's other arm.
This little—!
Edmund, behind them, allowed a small smile. The Wicked Rose's thorns are… selective.
「ROYAL COLLEGIUM」
They reached a massive, ivy-covered wall shimmering with a distortion barrier.
"This is it?" G6 asked.
"Tap your card there," Edmund said, pointing to a crystal panel.
G6 tapped and waited. The others followed—Edmund lifting Lilia to reach. G6's lips quirked. She stepped through.
The sight was impressive. Grand buildings in a ring, a central fountain with a god's statue, the air thick and buzzing with power.
"It's magnificent!" Lilia breathed, clinging again.
A young woman approached. "Good morning, Lady Reise. I am Brenda. Her Majesty asked me to guide you."
Another watchdog. Am I that much trouble?
"Pleasure. My team," G6 said, gesturing.
"The child is with you?" Brenda asked, polite confusion.
"She is. Problem?" G6's voice cooled. The warmth was for her trio only.
"Of course not, my lady. Forgive me. Shall we? The Magic Department first." Brenda gestured forward.
Not bad. Better than sitting around.
「SANCTUM—MAGIC DEPT.」
As they entered, the hall's murmur died. Eyes tracked them.
"Who is that?"
"Rose-gold hair… Lady Reise Worthon."
"Visiting her brothers?"
"She looks… different. Sharper."
Lilia's grip tightened.
"Lady Reise," Brenda said, "your Open Access privilege lets you train or work anywhere. At your discretion."
The Queen's fishing. Wants to see what I can do.
G6 listened in silence as Brenda explained the potion labs. A voice cut in from behind.
"Reise? Is that you?"
A young man, handsome, sharing her features, moved to hug her. G6 sidestepped.
Brother. Ray.
"Master Ray," Tina greeted.
"Master Worthon," Edmund nodded.
"Tina! Edmund!" Ray beamed. He tried another hug. G6 evaded. "Reise! Your hair! You look—"
"REISEEEE!" Another one charged, arms wide. "My sister!"
G6 dodged. Lilia swayed.
"Quiet, Ron. You're embarrassing," Ray hissed.
"My sister too!" Ron shoved him. "Reise! You look amazing!"
Second brother. Ron. Both of them: overly handsy.
"Reise, here for me?" Ron reached for her hand. She pulled back.
"For me—" Ray argued.
Tina's voice cut through, firm. "Sirs, you are causing a scene. Lady Reise is here on duty, not a social call."
Their faces lit up. They stepped closer. G6 stepped back, her shoulders hitting the wall.
Crap. Cornered.
"Tired of playing the perfect fiancée?" Ron asked, eyes bright.
"Seen the light about the Prince?" Ray added.
They don't like Dio. Noted.
They stepped closer. Lilia squeaked. G6 realized they hadn't seen her. She slipped past their loose circle.
"Back up. Now," she commanded, voice leaving no room. She looked down at Lilia. "You okay?"
"Yes, Lady Reise," Lilia whispered.
"Reise…" both brothers muttered, confused.
"You're… holding a servant's hand?" Ron's disbelief was plain.
"And dodging us? Do you hate us?" Ray sounded genuinely hurt.
Tina and Edmund watched with professional mortification.
"Get a grip. You're being embarrassing," G6 stated flatly.
Are all siblings here this clingy? My brother showed affection by trying to shoot me.
"For heaven's sake," Tina interjected, her voice a blade. "Lady Reise is on a tour. You will excuse us." She signaled Brenda, and the group moved away.
G6 turned, pulling Lilia along, escaping the chaotic sibling ambush.
"Reise! We'll find you later!"
"Bye, sister!"
"My sister!"
"Shut up!"
Their voices faded.
Analysis: Host's brothers are a massive pain. The diary undersold it.
—To Be Continued…—