As the darkness envelops me, a surge of panic grips my chest. Is this the end? Will I meet my demise here, in this unfamiliar world, at the hands of a seemingly innocuous injury? The thought gnaws at me, a relentless whisper of dread echoing in the recesses of my mind.
But just as swiftly as it descended, the darkness recedes, replaced by the sterile white walls of what appears to be the infirmary. Blinking against the harsh fluorescent light, I find myself lying on a narrow cot, the concerned face of the woman with green hair hovering over me.
"You're awake," she murmurs, relief evident in her voice. "You had us worried there for a moment."
I attempt to sit up, only to be met with a wave of dizziness that sends me reeling back onto the cot. The woman's gentle hands press me back down, her touch a reassuring anchor amidst the uncertainty that swirls around me.
"Easy now, Jade. You took quite a knock on the head," she says soothingly, adjusting the bandage that wraps around my wound. "But you're going to be alright."
At that moment, I gingerly touch the bandage wrapped around my head.
"Don't worry, Jade, everything will be fine. Your mother will be here soon," the woman with green hair says, offering me a reassuring smile.
The door opens on a twenty-something woman with blue hair and green eyes. Dressed in a simple dress, she exudes an aura of deep concern. The green-haired woman leaves, insisting that my mother can take me home and that I need to rest. My mother nods and quickly settles in beside me. The two of us are now alone in the infirmary.
"Jade, what happened to you? How did you end up like this? Did you get into another fight?" my mother asks, her tone tinged with anger.
"No, Mom, don't worry. I just tripped and fell, that's all," I reply, forcing a smile.
Suddenly, my mother pinches my right ear.
"Don't lie to me, Jade. I already know everything. I hope this head injury serves as a lesson for you, and you won't do it again," she scolds sternly, releasing my ear. Tears prick at my eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I won't do it again," I promise.
At that moment, the infirmary door creaks open, and the nurse enters with another student. She instructs us to leave now that I'm awake, and we comply, exiting the infirmary. As we step out, we encounter the woman with green hair again, this time holding papers in her hand. She approaches us and engages in conversation with my mother, giving me the opportunity to communicate with the System.
"System, are you there?" I silently inquire.
[Yes, host, I am here. How may I assist you?] the System responds promptly.
"Why didn't you warn me that my health bar was decreasing?" I demand.
"[I'm sorry, host, but you didn't ask me. That's why]," the System responds.
"You know what? I wonder why I bother asking you anything," I mutter under my breath, exasperation coloring my tone.
At that moment, my mother finishes her conversation with the woman with green hair, who hands her the papers she was holding.
"Thank you again, Pauline. And don't worry, I'll make sure Jade catches up on her homework when she returns next week," my mother says, offering a smile.
"It's nothing, Mrs. Smith. Take care on your way home," Pauline replies with a smile of her own.
My mother returns the smile and takes my hand.
"Come on, Jade, say goodbye to your teacher," she says, her smile warm.
"Goodbye, Mrs.," I say politely.
Then my mother and I leave the school. After walking for twenty minutes, we arrive at our house.
Upon reaching the house, my mother unlocks the door with a familiar click, ushering me inside. The warmth of home envelops me like a comforting embrace as we step into the cozy interior.
"Make yourself comfortable, Jade. I'll prepare something for us to eat," my mother says, bustling off towards the kitchen.
I nod in response, taking a moment to survey our modest surroundings. The living room exudes a sense of familiarity, adorned with family photographs and well-loved furnishings. The comforting scent of home-cooked meals wafts through the air, a soothing reminder of the love and care that fills these walls.
As I settle onto the couch, I can't help but reflect on the events of the day. From the bewildering encounter with the System to the unexpected reunion with my mother, it's been a whirlwind of emotions. Yet, amidst the uncertainty and upheaval, there's a sense of reassurance in being back in familiar surroundings, surrounded by the warmth and love of family.
Soon enough, my mother returns with plates of steaming food, setting them down on the coffee table before joining me on the couch. We share a meal in comfortable silence, the clinking of utensils and soft conversation filling the air.
As the evening wears on and the sky outside darkens, I find myself enveloped in a sense of contentment.
As the hours slip by, the weariness of the day begins to weigh heavily on me, my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. Sensing my fatigue, my mother suggests that it's time for bed.
"Come on, Jade, let's get you tucked in," she says, rising from the couch and extending her hand to me.
I nod sleepily, allowing her to guide me down the familiar hallway to my bedroom. The room is bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering in through the curtains, casting ethereal shadows across the walls.
With a gentle touch, my mother helps me change into my pajamas before tucking me into bed with a loving kiss on the forehead. As she bids me goodnight and switches off the bedside lamp, I feel a sense of peace settle over me, the rhythmic sound of her footsteps fading into the distance as she leaves the room.
Alone in the quiet darkness, I close my eyes and drift into a deep and restful sleep.
POV ???:
In the living room, Jade's mother can be seen holding a crystal ball in her hand. She touches the crystal ball, and it begins to glow, revealing an image of a dragon woman with white hair and red eyes, dressed in a shirt and pants. The woman speaks through the crystal ball, her voice tinged with anticipation.
"So, Lily, you managed to successfully transmigrate our daughter into this world," she says, a hint of satisfaction in her voice.
"Yes, don't worry, it went very well, although it wasn't easy," Lily responds.
"However, I still don't understand why I was transmigrated as a woman. It's unfair," the dragon woman remarks.
"I'm sure you'll find a solution. But it doesn't matter if you remain a woman. I love you no matter what you look like. But don't take too long; we're waiting for you at home," Lily reassures her.
"You're right; I won't delay too much. I love you too. Goodbye," the dragon woman says before the crystal ball goes dark.