The clear blue sky was slowly covered by creeping black clouds. A low rumble of thunder rolled in the distance, like the sky clearing its throat before a storm.
As time passed, the heavens were swallowed entirely by heavy darkness.
Suddenly, a violent crack of thunder tore through the air.
A single raindrop fell from the churning clouds and landed gently on the cheek of a small figure lying in the grass.
The figure did not move.
Not an inch.
Not a breath.
It appears, the figure had died only minutes ago.
The figure appeared to be a girl around three years old, with soft green hair and dressed in luxurious clothing that did not belong to any ordinary child.
Another raindrop fell.
The moment it touched her skin, her tiny heart gave a faint thump.
Then another.
Stronger.
Then stronger still.
Blood began to flow once more as her silent heart returned to life.
Her fingers twitched.
Her chest rose with a trembling breath.
A sharp pain shot through her chest, draining the color from her face.
Then—
Her green eyes snapped open.
She clutched at her shirt weakly, curling onto her side, pulling her knees toward her chest as pain twisted her expression. Her small body trembled beneath the rain.
But slowly, gradually, the pain faded and her muscles loosened.
"Fuh… fuh… fuh…"
She took a heavy, uneven breath.
The rain began to pour harder, soaking her completely. Strangely, warmth bloomed inside her.
She didn't understand why, but the rain felt peaceful.
Comforting.
Almost… welcoming.
For a brief moment, a faint smile formed on her lips.
Then it vanished.
Her eyes flew open.
*Wait… where am I? Why am I outside? Wasn't I sleeping peacefully in my room?*
Her gaze darted around, scanning the surroundings. Nothing felt familiar.
Fear crept into her chest. Her heartbeat quickened.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
*Calm down… don't panic… panicking won't solve anything…*
When her breathing steadied, she pushed herself up with one hand.
And froze.
Her hand was tiny.
Soft.
Childlike.
Her eyes widened.
"This… what is this…?" she whispered.
The sound of her own voice startled her.
It was high-pitched. Gentle.
A child's voice.
Not hers.
She looked down at herself.
*…I'm a child, aren't I?*
The clothes she wore were elegant and refined, like something she had seen in fantasy anime or manga. The kind worn by noble children in another world.
Her heart skipped.
A chilling thought surfaced.
(Did I die… and reincarnate? Or did I transmigrate into someone else's body?*
Not the place.
Not the body.
Not the voice.
But one truth rang louder than thunder—
She was no longer in her old world.