The days following Eveline's awakening were filled with a mix of curiosity and confusion. Every detail about the new life she now lived surprised her more and more. The opulence of the mansion, the servants who attended to her every need, and, most notably, the constant mention of something that seemed to be of utmost importance in this world: Magic.
One morning, as sunlight gently filtered through the mansion's library windows, Eveline sat in a plush armchair, surrounded by piles of books. She had spent the last few hours immersed in reading, trying to understand more about this new world. The old, yellowed pages told stories of legendary heroes, prosperous kingdoms, and—what intrigued her most—powerful spells and enchantments.
"So, magic really exists here…"
In her past life, Suzume loved fantasy stories, where magic was common and characters could manipulate the elements or summon mystical creatures. However, knowing that she was now in a world where this was real still felt surreal. She closed the book in front of her and looked around the vast library, where books on magic, history, and politics lined tall shelves.
As she reflected on the new information she had absorbed, the library door opened, and a familiar figure entered. It was a young boy with blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes, wearing a uniform that indicated his noble status. He appeared to be the same age as Eveline—around 10 years old. Eveline immediately recognized him as her older brother, Edward.
"Eveline, here you are, " Edward said with a warm smile when he saw her. "I was looking for you. Father wants to see you in the training hall. "
"Training hall? " Eveline asked, feeling a pang of nervousness. She was still getting used to the idea of being a young noble, and now, apparently, she had to deal with some kind of training?
Edward noticed the hesitation on her face and chuckled softly. "Don't worry. Father just wants to see how you're doing with your studies in magic and swordsmanship. No need to push yourself too hard. "
Magic and swordsmanship? The combination sounded both exciting and terrifying. Suzume had never been athletic, preferring to spend hours in front of her computer. But now, as Eveline, she was expected to master noble skills like swordsmanship and magic control.
"I see... Let's go, then," Eveline said, trying to sound confident. She rose from the armchair and followed Edward, though her heart was racing.
They walked through the mansion's long corridors until they reached a heavy wooden door, adorned with ancient runes. Edward pushed the door open, revealing a vast hall illuminated by sunlight streaming through arched windows. Shining armor lined the walls, and in the center of the hall stood Count Reinhardt, an imposing man with brown hair and a well-groomed beard, standing beside a weapon master.
"Eveline, " said the count with a fatherly smile as she entered. "I've heard you've been spending a lot of time in the library. That's good, but it's also important to develop your body and your magical abilities."
Eveline swallowed hard. "Yes, father," she replied, feeling the formality in the word she was still not fully accustomed to using.
The count nodded to the weapon master, a robust man with battle scars. He approached Eveline, offering her a training sword. "Let's start with something simple," he said in a deep voice. "Just hold the sword and feel its weight."
Eveline took the sword with both hands. It was heavier than she expected, but after a few moments, she began to get used to the feeling. The weapon master guided her on basic posture, how to hold the sword properly, and how to move.
"Now, strike!" the master ordered.
She hesitated for a second but quickly reminded herself that she needed to adapt to this new life. With an uncertain movement, Eveline swung the sword. Although the strike was weak and clumsy, the count smiled encouragingly.
"An excellent start. In time, you'll become a formidable swordswoman," he said.
After the sword practice, it was time to test her magical abilities. Edward guided her to the center of the hall, where a magical circle was drawn on the floor. He instructed her to focus, feel the mana within her, and channel it into a simple light spell.
Eveline closed her eyes, trying to concentrate. She felt a faint current of energy flowing through her body, something she had never experienced before. It was strange, but at the same time fascinating. Following Edward's instructions, she murmured the words she had read in one of the books.
"Lux."
To her surprise, a small sphere of light appeared before her hands, glowing softly. The sight left her astonished. She had actually conjured magic.
"You did it!" Edward exclaimed, his eyes shining with pride.
The count approached, observing the small sphere of light. "Very well done, Eveline. For a first attempt, that's impressive."
She looked at the sphere, still in disbelief. The sensation of having created something so extraordinary, even if simple, left her in awe.
In the days that followed, Eveline continued her studies and training, discovering more about the world around her. The life she now lived was full of responsibilities and expectations, but also opportunities to grow and become someone completely different from who she had been as Suzume.
Eveline knew there was much to learn and many challenges to face, but for the first time, she felt that perhaps she could find her place in this new world—a place where she could finally feel at home.