Rose, an industrious girl, led a challenging life with no parents to support her. She worked night shifts at a 24/7 supermarket while excelling in her studies. One fateful day, after her part-time job, she was struck by a truck and passed away.
The following day, she woke up thinking it was a dream, but it wasn't...
A maid knocked on the door and said, "Lady Aira, I will help you get ready for today's breakfast."
Rose, bewildered, replied, "W... wait a minute."
Springing up, she realized she was not in her own body but had been reborn as a villainess named Aira in a game called 'Thorns of Heart.' Aira was a dreadful villainess who tormented the main female character, Sophia, at the Academy and social events.
In the game, Aira envied Sophia and had a crush on the crown prince. Shocked and enraged by her impending doom, Rose decided not to disclose her situation to anyone.
"Uh... uhh... Come in," Aira said, clearing her throat.
Once the maid finished, she left in shock, clearly noticing the change in Aira's demeanor.
"Now, I will alter Aira's fate and make sure I escape from here. I hope I am not dead right now," Aira said to herself, looking in the mirror.
"By the way, isn't Aira just as beautiful as described in the novel? Beautiful long white hair and red eyes like rubies. I wonder why she chose to become a villainess," Aira pondered.
After getting ready, she asked her maid waiting outside to escort her to the dining table, where her two brothers and father awaited.
"Okay, the one with black hair and red eyes is the eldest, 'Dain.' The one with red hair and blue eyes is the middle one, 'Ray.' And I, 'Aira,' am the youngest. And my father, the Duke of the North, 'Armin.' So, this is the Arima family..." Aira thought to herself.
"Be grateful that we invited you to breakfast, you maniac. You should thank us," said Ray, leaving Aira confused.
"So, you all despise me. Well, I understand," Aira thought silently. She walked forward and sat on the chair.
"Tomorrow, you all will be going to the academy. Make sure you behave nicely and make Arima proud. Let me know if you need anything," said Mr. Armin. Aira was pretty sure those words were not for her.
"Ray and I will do well, but what about Aira? This bimbo will bring disgrace to our family. Her mana flow is very weak, too," taunted Dain toward Aira.
Aira was furious but constrained due to her bad reputation. "No, I will make sure not to do such a thing, Father. I promise," Aira stated confidently.
"Look who is speaking," said Ray. Aira was about to explode, but the Duke remained silent, so she thought it was no good even if she said something. They finished breakfast, and Aira headed to her room.
The first thing she did was gather every piece of information she remembered from the game.
According to the game, Sophia was the main character with long pink hair and green eyes.
The two main characters were her two brothers, Dain and Ray.
The third main character was Crown Prince Asahi Alberst with white hair and captivating blue eyes.
And the fourth main character was Eclis with blue hair and blue eyes.
Dain, the eldest brother, is arrogant, domineering, and dismissive towards Aira. He seems to hold a lot of resentment towards her and isn't hesitant to show it.
Ray, the middle brother, appears cynical and confrontational and also shares a disdainful attitude towards Aira.
Sophia, the main female character, seems kind-hearted, gentle, and empathetic towards others.
Crown Prince Asahi Alberst appears charming, confident, and charismatic but rude towards Aira.
Lastly, Eclis is mysterious, reserved, and observant, never having had any prior contact with Aira. She decided to maintain her distance from these individuals.
Fortunately, her bag was already packed, so she didn't have to do much extra work.
The next day, Aira and her brothers departed for Eden Academy. She felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness about what the future held. Because of this, she couldn't sleep peacefully all night.
Rose, now Aira, sat in the grand carriage of the Arima family, feeling the weight of her new reality. Her brothers, Dain and Ray, sat across from her, their expressions a mixture of disdain and indifference. As the carriage began to move, Aira noticed something peculiar: above Dain's head, a faint number floated in the air, reading -15. Similarly, above Ray's head was a -10.
"What on earth is this?" she thought, her mind racing. Before she could ponder further, a small, translucent window popped up in front of her eyes, displaying a message:
Quest Activated: Family Favor
Objective: Increase the favorability rates of Dain and Ray to positive values within one month.
Failure to complete the quest will result in your demise.
Reward: ???
Aira's heart skipped a beat. "A quest? Favorability rates? This is just like a game!" she thought, her anxiety mounting. "I have one month to turn my brothers' opinions of me around, or I'll die. Just great."
Trying to stay calm, Aira glanced at her brothers. "I need to be careful and strategic about this," she thought. "If I make any wrong moves, it could end badly."
"Why are you staring at us like that?" Dain snapped, narrowing his eyes at Aira.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about how we can make this school year better for all of us," Aira said, forcing a smile. "We're family, after all."
"Family? Don't make me laugh," Ray scoffed. "You're just a nuisance."
Aira took a deep breath, reminding herself of the quest. "I know I haven't been the best sister, but I'm determined to change. I want us to work together, to support each other."
Dain and Ray exchanged skeptical glances but said nothing more.
As the carriage continued its journey to Eden Academy, Aira began to formulate a plan. She would have to use all her knowledge of the game and her wits to navigate the complex relationships and prove herself to her brothers. Failure was not an option.
The scenery outside the carriage windows blurred as they traveled, but Aira's mind was sharp and focused. "I will survive this," she vowed silently. "I will change Aira's fate and carve out a new destiny for myself."
The quest had begun, and there was no turning back.
The carriage arrived at Eden Academy, a grand institution with towering spires and lush grounds. Aira took a deep breath, bracing herself for the new chapter of her life. Her room awaited her, and she was determined to make it a sanctuary where she could plot her strategies in peace.
Upon entering her dormitory, Aira surveyed the room with a critical eye. It was a modest space with wooden floors and classic furnishings: a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. She immediately set to work, arranging her belongings with precision. She hung elegant, dark blue curtains at the window and placed a vase with fresh, white lilies on the desk. The walls were decorated with a few tasteful paintings, and she spread a soft, dark blue rug on the floor. Her room soon exuded a cold elegance, reflecting her own reserved personality.
As Aira finished decorating, her roommate arrived. The girl had long pink hair and striking green eyes. She wore a warm, friendly smile as she entered.
"Hello! I'm Sophia. It's nice to meet you," she said, her voice cheerful and welcoming.
It was Sophia, the female lead. She was surprised to have her as her roommate.
Aira replied, expression remaining stoic. "Hello, Sophia. It's nice to meet you too."
Sophia seemed to sense Aira's cool demeanor but didn't let it deter her. "I hope you like the room. I'm sure we'll get along just fine!"
Aira nodded slightly. "I'm....s...sure we will."
After Sophia unpacked and settled in, she looked at Aira with curiosity. "So, what's your first impression of the academy?"
Aira's gaze was steady as she replied, "It's impressive. I'm here to focus on my studies and handle my responsibilities."
Sophia's smile grew wider. "That's a good attitude. If you need anything, just let me know."
As Sophia began to explore her side of the room, Aira glanced at the small, translucent window that had popped up earlier. It now displayed a new message:
Quest Activated: Roommate Rapport
Objective: Build a positive relationship with your roommate, Sophia, by the end of the week.
Failure to complete the quest will result in reduced comfort and potential complications with your stay.
Reward: ???
Aira frowned slightly, her mind racing. "Another quest? This is going to be more complicated than I thought."
As the day went on, Aira's focus was interrupted by various pop-ups showing the favorability rates of different characters. The numbers hovered above their heads, indicating their current disposition towards her. Sophia's favorability rate was +5, a modest but promising start.
Meanwhile, her brothers' favorability rates were still negative—Dain at -15 and Ray at -10. Their disdain was palpable, but Aira had to keep her focus on improving these numbers.
At dinner, Sophia was animatedly chatting with some other students, including a few notable side characters. Aira observed from a distance