The screech of tires, the sickening crunch of metal, and then… nothing. Ryu Hyuga, the undisputed "Blade Emperor" of the legendary esports team "Nexus," felt a sudden, profound emptiness. One moment he was navigating the chaotic rush hour traffic after a grueling practice session, the next, his world was gone. No, not gone. Changed. Utterly and irrevocably changed.
He slowly became aware of sensations. A gentle warmth, the faint scent of honeysuckle, and the distant, melodic chirping of unseen birds. His eyelids felt heavy, but he forced them open. Instead of the familiar ceiling of his apartment or the harsh fluorescent lights of a hospital room, he was greeted by a breathtaking canopy of shimmering silver leaves, filtering the sunlight into ethereal patterns on a pristine white ceiling. The air was cool and crisp, carrying a delicate, almost magical fragrance.
"Shinika? Are you awake, my dear?" A voice, as soft and melodious as a harp, drifted from somewhere to his left. It was a voice he knew, yet it was not. He processed the name. Shinika.
He tried to sit up, but his limbs felt… different. Lighter, more graceful. He looked down at his hands, expecting to see his calloused, gamer's fingers. Instead, he saw slender, elegant hands with long, delicate fingers and perfectly manicured nails. His skin was alabaster pale, almost glowing.
He bolted upright, eyes wide with a sudden, horrifying realization. He rushed to a polished, silver mirror standing in the corner of the opulent room. What stared back at him was not Ryu Hyuga.
A young woman, no older than eighteen, with flowing silver hair that cascaded past her waist like a waterfall, framed a face of breathtaking beauty. Her eyes, a striking magenta, held a depth that belied her youthful appearance. A golden headband, adorned with shimmering blue gemstones, rested perfectly on her brow. She was clad in an elegant outfit: a bodice with a high neckline, and a short black skirt with delicate ruffles. Her ears were long and pointed, characteristic of a High Elf.
"Oh my gods…" Ryu whispered, his voice sounding strangely high-pitched and feminine. It was Shinika Hirosa. The strongest Swordswoman in "Aethelgard Online," one of the top 20 strongest characters in the entire game, the Fourth Princess of the Silverwood Empire, and… a character he had read about extensively in the game's lore.
The door creaked open, and a woman with long, golden-blonde hair and emerald eyes entered, her face etched with concern. "Shinika, dear, you worried us. You've been asleep for nearly two days after your training session." Her voice was filled with maternal affection.
This was Queen Lyra Hirosa, Shinika's mother and the reigning Queen of the Silverwood Empire. Ryu's mind raced, pulling up every piece of lore he knew about Shinika. High Elf, Level 320 (max level 1000 in Aethelgard), Swordmaiden, one of the Seven Holy Saintesses, immense magical power…
"Mother… I… I just had a very strange dream," Ryu stammered, trying to sound as much like Shinika as he could. The queen's expression softened.
"Rest, my child. Your father and brothers were quite worried. Even your little sister, Elara, kept asking for you."
Little sister. Elara. The adorable, mischievous eleven-year-old princess, known for her burgeoning talent in illusion magic.
After the queen left, Ryu, or rather, Shinika, felt a cold dread creep into his stomach. He was Shinika Hirosa. A fictional character, now real. And he knew her fate. In the game's lore, Shinika, despite her strength, met a tragic end defending her empire from a devastating invasion, a fate he absolutely had to avoid.
He cautiously extended his hand, focusing, and muttered, "Menu." A translucent, shimmering interface materialized before him, just like in Aethelgard Online.
Status
Inventory
Skills
Magic
Guild
Quests
Map
System Settings
He tapped "Status."
Name: Shinika Hirosa
Race: High Elf
Age: 18
Level: 320
Class: Swordmaiden / Holy Saintess
Title: The Strongest Swordswoman, Fourth Princess of the Silverwood Empire, One of the Seven Holy Saintesses
Stats:
Strength: 950
Dexterity: 980
Intellect: 1100
Vitality: 900
Wisdom: 1050
Charisma: 990
Luck: 800
He blinked. These stats were insane. Even for a level 320 character, they were exceptional, reflecting her lore-accurate power. He opened the "Magic" tab.
Ultimate Magic:
[Elven Starfall] - Summons a concentrated shower of celestial energy, devastating a wide area.
High Magic:
[Mana Geyser] - Creates a powerful burst of raw magical energy from the ground.
[Chronos Ward] - Temporarily slows down time in a localized area, enhancing reaction speed.
[Aura of Seraphim] - Grants temporary invulnerability and buffs allies within range.
[Grand Healing Cascade] - Restores severe wounds and ailments to multiple targets.
Offensive Magic:
[Solar Lance] - Fires a concentrated beam of solar energy.
[Storm Vortex] - Creates a localized whirlwind of lightning and wind.
[Earth Shatter] - Causes a violent tremor and fissures in the ground.
[Blizzard Nova] - Unleashes a freezing burst of ice and snow.
[Shadow Bind] - Immobilizes targets with ethereal chains of shadow.
[Arcane Barrage] - Fires multiple bolts of raw arcane energy.
Healing Magic:
[Minor Heal]
[Greater Heal]
[Cure Poison]
[Purify Debuff]
Enchantment/Rune Magic:
[Rune of Fortification] - Enhances armor and defenses.
[Rune of Sharpness] - Enhances weapon damage.
[Mana Weave] - Infuses objects with magical energy.
[Swiftfoot Enchantment] - Increases movement speed.
High-Level Ritual Magic:
[Ancient Grove's Blessing] - Channels the power of ancient nature spirits for a massive area-of-effect buff.
[Astral Projection Ritual] - Allows the caster to project their consciousness.
Illusion and Concealment:
[Veil of Shadows] - Creates a powerful cloaking illusion.
[Phantasmagoria] - Generates realistic sensory illusions.
Elemental Magics:
[Fireball]
[Water Jet]
[Gust of Wind]
[Stone Skin]
[Thunderbolt]
Spirit Magic:
[Whisper of the Forest] - Communicates with nature spirits.
[Spirit Sight] - Detects ethereal beings.
[Banish Undead] - Repels or harms undead creatures.
[Soul Shield] - Protects against spiritual attacks.
[Commune with Ancestors] - Seeks guidance from ancestral spirits.
[Ethereal Binding] - Temporarily binds a spirit to a location or object.
Specialized Abilities:
[Sword Dance of the Moonlit Blade] - A devastating sword technique combining agility and arcane energy.
[Mana Regeneration Mastery] - Significantly increases natural mana regeneration rate.
[Elven Resilience] - Grants enhanced resistance to magic and ailments.
This was more than he could have ever dreamed of. Ryu, the pro gamer, had always prided himself on his strategic mind and quick reflexes. Now, with Shinika's inherent power and his own knowledge of Aethelgard's intricate mechanics and lore, he was a force to be reckoned with. The fate he knew for Shinika, while still a distant threat, now seemed avoidable. He had immense power, political standing, and a loving family – Queen Lyra, King Theron, his two powerful older brothers, Prince Lyam and Prince Eldrin, and his three older sisters, Princess Aeris, Princess Seraphina, and Princess Isolde, all High Elves of incredible beauty and power. And of course, his little sister Elara.
He felt a pang of longing for his old life, his team, his friends. But then he looked at his reflection again. Shinika Hirosa. This was his new reality. He, Ryu Hyuga, was now Shinika Hirosa, the strongest Swordswoman, in the world of Aethelgard. And he would not only survive, he would thrive, and perhaps, just perhaps, change the grim future that awaited this beautiful princess. The Silverwood Empire, a powerful military nation, was also a close ally of the Xavier Kingdom, the strongest Human Empire. He had powerful allies and resources.
A new purpose ignited within him. This wasn't just a game anymore. This was his life. And he, the Blade Emperor, was ready to conquer this new world.
He stood up, feeling the lightness and grace of Shinika's body. He took a deep breath, and a determined glint entered his magenta eyes. "Alright, Aethelgard," he murmured, a faint, confident smile gracing Shinika's lips. "Let's play."