The first thing Elena remembered was pain.
Not the kind that aches or throbs — the kind that burns straight into the soul. Cold water surged around her ears, swallowing her screams before they reached the air. Hands — rough, merciless — held her under.
"Stop struggling. It'll be over soon."
Voices. Familiar ones.
Voices she once trusted.
She kicked, clawed, fought, but her energy slipped away like sand through trembling fingers. Her lungs burned, vision blurred, and as the world dimmed, she saw a face — smiling above the water.
So… this is how I die.
She felt her heartbeat slow.
Three…
Two…
One…
Darkness.
It should have been the end.
But instead of nothingness, she felt warmth, like sunlight after winter, wrapping around her body — no — her soul.
A voice echoed in her mind — ancient, layered with power:
"Elena Voss. You have been chosen."
Chosen for what?
She tried to speak, but her lips did not exist — she was floating, weightless.
"The world of Asterra calls for a spirit strong enough to rewrite its fate."
Her chest tightened.She wasn't afraid — she was furious.
"I didn't ask for this," she snapped into the void."I didn't want to die."
The voice softened — terribly gentle:
"Then live again. This time… with power."
Her soul was pulled downward — fast — as if falling from the sky.
A gasp escaped her new lungs.
The world snapped into focus — bright lights, a bedroom with gold-trimmed walls, a mirror… and a young woman's reflection staring back.
Long silver hair.Violet eyes.Skin untouched by bruises or scars.
She wasn't Elena Voss anymore, yet the name felt like hers.
Before she could process anything, the door slammed open.
A girl with fiery red curls rushed in. "Elena! You're awake! Thank the stars — we thought we lost you!"
Elena blinked. Her instincts tensed. Who is she?
The girl hugged her tightly. "I was so scared. You collapsed in the training hall — you stopped breathing!"
Collapsed? Not drowned?
So this world… this body… had its own history.
Elena forced a nod. "I… don't remember clearly."
The girl — Liora — stepped back, eyes soft with concern. "You don't have to talk about it now. The Academy Master called a meeting. You're summoned."
Liora helped her up, and they walked through long hallways of crystal chandeliers and armored statues.
This world is beautiful… but something's wrong.
Students whispered as she passed.
"Isn't that her?""The girl who almost died?""She should've been expelled after the incident.""Dangerous."
Elena clenched her fists. Even reincarnated, she was surrounded by judgment.
In the grand hall, a group waited — teachers, nobles, and three students. Two she vaguely recognized… and one she didn't.
A tall man stepped forward.
Black hair. Dark eyes like obsidian. A cold aura that froze the air around him.
Kael.
Her heart reacted before her mind did — though she couldn't explain why.
He looked at her without expression. "You're awake."
Elena stiffened. "Unfortunately for some, I seem to be."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips — gone almost instantly.
The Academy Master spoke:
"Elena, due to your sudden magical outburst during training, we need to reevaluate your placement."
So the old Elena caused trouble. Dangerous trouble.
Liora whispered, "Don't antagonize Kael. He's ranked first — and he hates you."
Elena didn't respond. She was too focused on the other presence across the room.
A man leaning casually against a pillar — unlike the others, he wasn't wearing a uniform.
White hair with dark streaks. Amber eyes that gleamed with playful wickedness. A dangerous smile that could melt anyone's guard.
His gaze met Elena's — and he didn't look away.
He looked like someone who had already chosen her.
The Academy Master cleared his throat nervously."We have a… visitor today. Commander Lucian of the Shadow Legion."
Lucian pushed off the pillar and walked toward Elena with easy confidence, eyes never leaving hers.
"Pleasure to meet you," he murmured, voice smooth enough to be a sin."I've heard… interesting things about you."
Kael stepped forward instantly, blocking his path."She's not here for your entertainment, Lucian."
"Oh?" Lucian tilted his head. "And who are you to decide that?"
The tension was so sharp it could cut steel.
Elena's pulse rushed — not with fear, but something intoxicating and dangerous.
Neither man was looking at anyone else.
Only her.
And for a moment — a single moment — Elena felt something powerful:
She didn't come into this world to hide.She came to change it.
The meeting ended with no decisions — too many eyes watching, too much unspoken chaos.
Later, in her room, Elena leaned against the window and watched the moon.
Her fists trembled.
"I won't be helpless again. Not in this life."
And in the silence of the night, her reflection in the window stared back — but her eyes glowed.
Violet turning ashen white — the mark of soul magic.
A whisper curled in her mind — familiar and terrifying:
"Power always comes with a price."
She didn't look away.
"Then I'll pay it."