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The steady hum of city traffic echoed around the street as Kai adjusted his headphones and stepped into the warm afternoon light. His thoughts were worlds away, focused on the fantasy RPG he'd recently become obsessed with. His favorite character? The villainess, Lady Seraphina von Eldric—a complex, misunderstood royal with a heart of ice and a magnetic presence.
He'd always found her tragic backstory captivating. She was hated by the hero, manipulated by her family, and ultimately sacrificed for the kingdom's greater good. Yet, something in her story struck a chord with Kai. She wasn't evil; she was merely a product of her circumstances, trapped by her role. And now, he couldn't help but imagine a world where Seraphina had a happier ending.
Kai's phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. His mother had texted him a reminder to pick up some groceries, so he changed course and entered the corner market.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts about the game—about the sad, fiery Lady Seraphina—that he barely registered the green light flashing as he crossed the street, clutching his grocery bag. The sound of tires screeching was the last thing he heard.
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A cool breeze brushed his face, and Kai opened his eyes, wincing at the bright sunlight. He sat up slowly, feeling the scratch of unfamiliar fabric against his skin. His hands were smaller, softer. He was lying on rough, dewy grass, and beyond him stretched rolling hills bathed in the morning light. A village rose in the distance, surrounded by thick forest and mist.
"What...where am I?" he murmured. He looked down at himself, realizing with a start that he wasn't wearing his own clothes. Instead, he was clad in simple linen trousers and a worn shirt, clothes that looked handmade.
An elderly woman rushed over, worry lining her face. "Kai, are you all right?" she asked, her voice soft with concern. She reached down, touching his forehead gently. "You took quite a fall."
He froze. Kai. She knew his name. And the surroundings—he'd seen them before, but only on a screen. No, it couldn't be. Was he…?
The woman kept fussing over him, bringing him back to reality. "You're lucky, young man," she continued, her eyes narrowing. "Bumping your head like that could've ended much worse."
Realization hit him like a lightning bolt. Somehow, impossibly, he was inside the game—the very game where Lady Seraphina von Eldric reigned as the cold-hearted villainess, and he'd been reborn as a commoner.
Once he'd managed to calm himself, Kai focused on the elderly woman's words. She mentioned he'd been found near the village outskirts, and she insisted on bringing him back to her home. "Everyone in Greendale Village knows you, Kai," she said with a smile. "You're a good boy with a bright future."
That was a surprise. Greendale was a small village in the game, mostly known for its peaceful residents and rich traditions. According to the game's lore, few from here ever crossed paths with the nobles.
But one thing was clear—he was no longer just Kai. He was "Kai" of Greendale, and he wasn't here to live an ordinary life.
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Days turned into weeks, and as he adjusted to his new life, Kai was quick to realize that he had advantages in this world. For one, he'd been blessed with physical abilities that far surpassed those of a regular villager. His singing voice was clearer, his movements smoother, and his body responded with surprising strength during the daily chores he took on in the village.
Then came the day of the Harvest Festival. Villagers gathered from miles around to celebrate the bountiful season. Musicians played, children laughed, and stalls brimmed with food and handcrafted goods.
Kai seized the opportunity. The idea that Lady Seraphina might attend such an event was laughable, of course. She was a high-born noble, miles away in her grand castle. But he felt a growing urgency to show his talents—to make himself known, somehow, so that one day he'd be worthy of meeting her.
Kai made his way to the festival's main stage, where performers took turns showcasing their skills. As he stepped into the center, his heart raced, not from fear but from excitement. The villagers watched curiously, intrigued by the quiet boy now standing before them with newfound confidence.
He began to sing, his voice carrying over the festival grounds, captivating everyone. His tone was rich and mesmerizing, his movements graceful, each gesture timed perfectly. By the end of his performance, the crowd was silent, then erupted into applause.
"Did you see that?" whispered one of the local merchants. "Who would've thought Kai had such talent?"
The whispers spread, and for the first time, Kai felt like he was one step closer to his goal. As the festival continued, a group of knights who had come to observe the celebration approached him. One of them, a stern-looking man with a high rank, extended a hand in acknowledgment. "Young man, you have a rare gift," he remarked. "We could use someone of your talents in the capital."
Kai's heart skipped a beat. The capital—where the nobility and the royal family lived. Where Lady Seraphina awaited, far beyond his reach. Yet this was a chance, a slim opening into a world he had once thought he'd only admire from afar.
With a nod, he accepted the knight's offer. It was just the beginning, but he felt it—his journey to Lady Seraphina had begun. And this time, he wasn't just a boy with a crush; he was determined to win the heart of the villainess he admired so deeply.
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End of Chapter 1