"I think I'm about to throw up"
Who would have thought being ragdoll around the room through learning swordsmanship would be my biggest regret upon coming into this world?
I could feel sweat dripping down my—well, everything—as I lay there like a starfish on the training ground's floor. The sword that was supposed to be in my hand plunged deep against the wall of the training ground.
Though all the injuries I receive are self-inflicted, would it kill somebody to go easy on me on my first practice battle?
"Um..."—My ever-greatest decision approaches my limped figure before crouching down, her voice faltering slightly as she looks me in the eyes.
"I did warn you about my skill level beforehand, " she said as she took my hand and pulled me up into a sitting position.
I could almost strangle her for saying that, but let's not resort to violence just because I underestimated the power level of someone I met by chance—especially a side character in a book. "Ah..." I managed to let out a low whine as I accepted the water canteen she passed over, feeling grateful. In the background, I could even hear the knight commander laughing as I chugged the water.
How did things turn out this way?
Is my decision-making really that awful?
Let's rewind a bit to show what led up to this scene; I'm getting ahead of myself.
***
For now, my name from the past is irrelevant, so let's not touch on that.
I have always dreamt of being a professional script writer after junior high. It is just exhilarating to see, create, and visualize a whole different world that I can control with the tip of my pen.
The idea of being a god controlling the story and fate of different NPCs and characters doesn't fall under my scope of interest, but I like placing myself in other roles and fully emerging in the minds of those I created, experiencing all of their up and down with all the twist and turn of fate.
My dream started as a tiny seedling, growing larger as time passed. My family dismissed my aspirations and eventually kicked me out of the house. Undeterred, I worked hard year after year, pushing my limits to earn a scholarship to a renowned private university in the state. Coming from a low-income household, I took on part-time jobs late into the night to afford tuition after my scholarship ended, in case I couldn't secure another. I was determined to give it my all to achieve my goal.
"All our dreams can come true if we dare to pursue them."
"It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness."
"If you can dream it, you can do it."
"Hard work pays off if you're patient enough to see it through the"
What a load of bullsh** !!!
The scholarship that I aimed for was taken away by another student who used their parent's connection to secure the spot for it.
Different professors who teach my class also brought up the topic to me. The people who snatched the scholarship from my hand never even reached the top 100 with their test scores and took the scholarship for the sake of having a pretty profile.
They were even mocking the other students who failed the test on the school website without facing any consequences for it.
All of the students could only keep silent for fear of expulsion because a few people have tried intervening which resulted in them getting kicked out, fired, or even charged for a crime they didn't commit.
Money and power are scary things.
Saying that I was devastated at that point is an understatement. I struggle to get any shut-eye for days before I can sort out my anger. The school advisor could only help out by giving me a suggestion for places to find reasonably paying jobs to cover the tuition fee for the next few years.
And oh boy am I working my ass off.
Teaching assistant, tutoring, coffee shop waitress, babysitting,... I worked day and night to be able to be able to live from paycheck to paycheck while keeping up with the tuition dept.
***
The door creaked as I entered the small two-by-two apartment at midnight, closing the door behind me. My tired body could barely drag itself on foot to the lonely mattress in the corner with a dirty blanket messily over it.
I plopped down tiredly on the stiff surface, looking at the white ceiling as a frosty breath escaped my nose, blurring the world for a moment.
'Taking on four jobs for the sake of my future is a fair price to pay.'- I mentally cheered not entirely convinced.
I take out the phone in my pocket, tapping on the broken screen of the old device, ignoring the rumble in my stomach asking for food. The screen glows brightly in the dark empty room.
Several notifications popped up as I held back the tired sigh from work-related texts can be seen. I slowly scroll through the jumble of unimportant messages and answer them one by one.
*Ding* A notice popped up, the multiple cracks blocking the top half of the screen make it difficult to see the notification.
~ Internetstory: The story "Flower of Eden" has been updated Vol.7 Chapter 23. Come and read the latest update (≧▽≦) ~
Reading web novels is a habit that started when I discovered the Internet and its bountiful materials for creation. I couldn't stop reading but now I don't even have much time to eat much less take out time to relax.
"Flower of Eden" is the series that I have picked up lately to relieve some stress during the break period of classes. It is a story with detailed world-building and an engaging storyline that makes you ask for more.
I have only gotten through over half of the updated chapters up to the beginning of Vol 6 until now. Upon reflex, I push on it as the blinding white screen turns into the familiar homepage with a dark background.
- I guess... one chapter won't hurt
Every thought of reality got shoved to the side, placing my full attention on the novel. To refresh the story plot in my memory, I go back a few chapters to see how far have the story progressed.
One chapter turns into two, two turn into ten. The number only increased as my hand kept scrolling when I decided to reread from the beginning because many details in Vol 6 are related to past references, hints, and hidden plots from the first three volumes. By the time I got back to Vol 6, my sleepiness had won over.
The phone fell out of my hand and landed on the mattress with a light bounce as my vision gradually grew blurry. Darkness consumed my sight as my mind fell into a deep slumber.
'I guess I'll continue reading tomorrow, it is a free day after all.' That was my last thought as my consciousness slipped away.
***
Strangely enough, I awoke to see a dark space all around me. My body suddenly felt hot, and a burning sensation spread from my core, numbing my mind. The abrupt fever rage violently burned me alive. I could feel the sweat trickling down my forehead down the mattress below. A pained groan escaped my lip as I tried to move my body.
A soft hand touched my forehead as cooling energy flowed into my body, slowly but steadily repressing the scorching heat.
" She should be fine after drinking the medication "- my body slowly cooled down as I listened to the calming voice that seemed to belong to the hand on my head.
Did the apartment manager find me and take me to the hospital? But this voice doesn't seem like hers, maybe it is the doctor? I tried to pry my eyes but my eyelid had never felt so heavy.
"Thank you %∆¢#¶£, I am forever indebted to you "- A hoarse voice rang from a second figure at the bedside, placing their hand on mine. The first mysterious voice pulled up the thin sheet to cover my body.
They sat down on the mattress next to me, dipping it slightly, and stayed silent for a moment. The two figures didn't make me feel alarmed at all. Their presence felt strangely comforting. The hand on my head patted softly, putting me into a deep slumber.
***
The girl slowly sits up from her bed, stretching her body before letting out a moan of satisfaction. She has never felt so refreshed waking up from her sleep. The comfortable mattress and fluffy pillows might be the reason for this since her hands were still wrapping themselves around it.
It must be a good sign of fortune. She pats down on her messy hair, small fingers making it hard to.
An ominous feeling washes over her, she quickly rubs her blurry eyes to get a clearer look at the surroundings. The strange haze slowly cleared out of her vision.
A medieval European-style room with sophisticated decorations, and a shining marbled floor, yet filled with a heavy medicinal smell. The neatly arranged line of pillows next to her is in a state of slight disarray as a result of her twist and turn as she refuse to wake up just moments ago.
She let out a heavy breath as she took in the sight which was heaven and earth compared to the usual broken-down apartment that can barely contain two grown adults let alone store daily necessities.
'Where in the hell is this place?!'
Her mind was running miles trying to make sense of this situation, questions rapidly being thrown around in her mind, trying to recall what she was doing the night before.
This is going to be a huge problem.