Elena stood in front of the tall mirror, breath catching in her throat.
The woman staring back looked like her… and yet entirely new.
Her lips were fuller, a soft rose-red blush like she had carefully applied lipstick.
Her skin gleamed, smooth and delicate as porcelain.
Her body looked toned, feminine — curves and softness perfectly balanced.
She traced a finger along her jaw, stunned. "What happened to me?"
The system answered immediately, a calm voice inside her mind:
> [Your physical form has evolved.]
Mating Bond energy has synchronized your body with Commander Aren Voss.]
The changes reflect compatibility, vitality, and protection.]
"Elena's heart thudded loudly. "So this is because… he and I are bonded?"
> [Affirmative.]
Your Core has awakened beside his.]
She exhaled slowly, hand pressed over the glowing mark on her wrist.
This world had changed her… or maybe revealed something she never knew existed.
Then — grumble.
Her stomach demanded attention.
"…Food first. Existential crisis later," she murmured and slipped into a simple white top and black fitted pants. The fabric adjusted perfectly as if tailored to her.
---
The Hall of Screens
The door slid open silently.
Elena stepped into a massive hallway lined with tall, seamless screens. At first she thought they were futuristic art pieces — until she realized they were live feeds.
Miners extracting glowing minerals below the earth.
Engineers refining metals.
Children in school training classes.
Office workers operating holographic panels.
Patrolling soldiers, marketplaces filled with laughter…
Everything looked so real, like she was watching the world through a window — not a screen.
"It's like CCTV everywhere…" she whispered.
Except smarter. More alive.
"Hi!"
Elena jumped, spinning around.
A cheerful girl stood behind her — green hair, big bright eyes, and a smile so cute it looked animated.
"I'm Clara!" she said, waving both hands.
Elena blinked. "Uh… hello."
Clara tilted her head. "You don't remember me, do you? When you arrived, you were half-conscious. No name. No memory…"
Elena swallowed — remembering the System's plan.
> Act like you have amnesia.
Earn trust.
Stay close to Aren.
Level up to 100.
She nodded slowly. "Everything is… blurry. I don't even remember anything clearly but my name is Elena."
Clara's eyes softened with sympathy. She reached out and squeezed Elena's hand gently.
"It's okay. The mind forgets what the heart isn't ready to handle," she said warmly.
"And you're safe here. Aren saved you himself."
A flash came back to Elena — a strong arm around her, a voice saying "You're safe."
She let a soft, shy smile slip. "Thank you."
---
Kitchen Haven
Clara looped her arm through Elena's. "Come on! You must be starving. I'm the head of kitchens — food is my love language."
The kitchen hall was enormous — clean, warm, and filled with color.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, breads — all vegan.
Elena blinked. "You don't eat meat here?"
Clara shook her head quickly, expression serious.
"No way! Animals are companions — some have elemental powers like us. They help defend the valley and protect homes. Why would we hurt them?"
Elena nodded slowly — in her old world, hospitals treated animal bites. Here, animals treated monster attacks.
This world was upside-down.
But in the best way.
Clara passed her a plate. "Eat. Then ask me anything you want. I like talking."
Elena laughed lightly and took a bite — the flavor was richer than any farm produce she remembered.
---
History & Power
Clara sat beside her, swinging her feet like a kid.
"Aren built the very first Valley. Then his companions — Martin, Lucy, Marge, and Homer — helped expand it. They rescued survivors, trained them, and built this whole place with their own power."
Elena's eyes widened. "He built this entire civilization?"
Clara nodded proudly.
"And now? All smaller valleys follow him. That's why he's our King. And you…" Clara smiled brighter, "…are our Queen."
Queen.
The title still felt unreal on Elena's shoulders.
Clara pointed upward toward the glowing skyline.
"Those tall towers connect the five main energies — Fire, Water, Electricity, Frost, and Light. Together, they create an unbreakable shield. It protects us from infection and monsters outside."
Everything made sense — brilliantly engineered survival.
Then Clara looked at her curiously. "Do you really not remember where you're from? Anything about your home?"
Elena took a slow breath — perfectly continuing her amnesia act.
"I don't remember. The only thing I recall is… him. Aren. His hand reaching out to me."
Clara's expression softened into a grin.
"Aww! Love at first sight — but you forgot the sight part!"
Elena rolled her eyes gently. "Maybe…"
Inside her mind, the system whispered:
> [Well done.]
Continue gaining trust. Strengthen bond. Level up.]
You must reach Level 100 to unlock full Healer Core.]
Elena exhaled, determination filling her heart.
She wasn't just a lost doctor anymore.
She was a Healer.
A Queen.
And the mate of the strongest man in this new world.
Her journey was only beginning.