[Octavia's POV]
[10 minutes ago]
My heart pounds like a war drum as I pass through the towering gates of Starcrest Academy. The ancient stones seem to hum with centuries of magical energy, but I barely notice. My mind is consumed by a single thought.
Elwin
I can't believe I'm finally here, about to see him in the flesh for the first time. My body trembles with anticipation, each step bringing me closer to my destiny. The leather of my armor creaks softly as I move, a reminder of how far I've come.
It's been a whirlwind year since that fateful day when I died in a tragic vending machine accident. One moment I was at the Boston Aquarium, shaking a vending machine for Doritos when I got hit by a truck. When I woke up, I was Octavia Darkmoon from my favorite anime, 'How To Capture The Prince!'
I still remember the shock of seeing my reflection for the first time, flowing white hair, golden eyes that seemed to glow with an inner fire, and a body honed by years of combat training I'd never actually experienced. It was surreal, exhilarating, and terrifying all at once.
But none of that compares to how I feel now, knowing that somewhere on this sprawling campus, Elwin Warbringer is waiting. My fated one, my reason for being in this world.
As I make my way along the winding path, I catch snippets of excited chatter from other students. Their voices blend into a melodic hum, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter or gasp of awe at the academy's grandeur. But I barely register any of it, my senses hyper-focused on scanning the crowds for a glimpse of familiar brown hair or sharp blue eyes.
I pause beneath an ancient oak tree, its gnarled branches stretching towards the sky like grasping fingers. The bark is rough against my palm as I lean against it, trying to calm my racing heart. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath of the crisp autumn air.
"Get it together, Veronica…. Octavia," I mutter to myself. "You remember how this bitch acted in the anime. She was a complete wishy-washy pussy who had no idea how to take what she wanted until the end!"
Elwin isn't just any boy. He's the one I've been dreaming of since I first watched the anime years ago.
'He's so perfect. A boy from a world with Gender reversal, so the men are horny! Preposterous! And because I know everything, I know I'm his type. If I just ask him out, he will say yes, guaranteed! Simple as that!'
Suddenly, a commotion near the main courtyard catches my attention. My eyes snap open, scanning the area. And there, emerging from behind a group of chattering students, I see him.
Elwin Warbringer, in the flesh.
My breath catches in my throat as I take in the sight of him. Elwin is even more breathtaking in person than I could have imagined. His flowing brown hair frames his chiseled features perfectly, each strand seeming to catch the sunlight like spun gold. His blue eyes shine with a gentle warmth that makes my knees weak. He carries himself with an air of quiet confidence, his regal bearing unmistakable even in the casual setting of the academy grounds.
Flanking him are his sisters, Lydia and Rowena. Lydia's fiery red hair dances in the breeze, a stark contrast to Rowena's short, sleek black locks. They move with the fluid grace of trained warriors, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings for potential threats. I feel a pang of envy, imagining how wonderful it must be to spend every day by Elwin's side, to bask in his presence and protect him from harm.
As they draw nearer, Elwin's gaze locks with mine, and the world seems to fall away. Those heavenly blue eyes bore into me, and I feel as though he's peering into the very depths of my soul. My heart races, pounding so hard I fear it might burst from my chest. My palms grow slick, and I have to resist the urge to fidget with my armor straps.
It's like meeting the most famous person in the world multiplied by a thousand. All my carefully rehearsed lines, all the scenarios I've played out in my head, they all evaporate like mist in the morning sun. I'm left speechless, my mind a whirlwind of panic and adoration.
Before I can gather my wits, Lydia steps forward, her hazel eyes sparkling with recognition. "Oh, you're Octavia, right?" she exclaims, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "The girl that pulled the hero's sword from the stone?"
Her words snap me back to reality. I force myself to tear my gaze away from Elwin, focusing instead on his sister. With a monumental effort, I manage to compose myself, pushing down the maelstrom of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. I slip into the persona of Octavia Darkmoon, the cool and collected heroine, praying that my voice doesn't betray the turmoil within.
"Yes, it's nice to meet you," I reply, extending my hand towards Lydia. I'm proud of how steady my voice sounds, how I manage to keep my expression neutral despite the way my heart is trying to hammer its way out of my chest.
"You must be very strong then," Lydia says, chuckling. Her grip on my hand tightens slightly as if testing my strength.
I laugh awkwardly, the sound catching in my throat. "Oh, I'm sure I'm no match for a Warbringer," I reply, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears. "Your family's strength is legendary."
As the words leave my mouth, I can't help but think to myself, 'At my current level, these girls could turn me into paste.' The thought sends a chill through me, but it's quickly followed by a surge of determination. 'But once I locate some artifacts, I can cheat my way to the top. Not even his sister Celestia will be able to stop me.'
Suddenly, Elwin steps forward, his movement as graceful as a dancer's. My heart leaps into my throat as he extends his hand towards me, a warm smile gracing his perfect lips.
"I'm Elwin," he says, his voice like honey to my ears. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Octavia."
The sound of my name on his lips sends a jolt through my entire body. It's as if every nerve ending has suddenly come alive, crackling with electric energy.
I feel my face flush hot, the blush spreading rapidly down my neck and beneath my armor. My breathing becomes ragged, each inhale a struggle as if the very air has thickened around me. My eyes widen, fixing on Elwin with an intensity that surprises even me.
My mind races, a jumble of thoughts and emotions vying for dominance. Part of me wants to throw myself at his feet, to declare my undying love and devotion right here and now. Another part wants to run, to flee from the intensity of these feelings that threaten to consume me.
Elwin's outstretched hand hovers between us. The seconds stretch into an eternity as I struggle to make my body move, to reach out and grasp that perfect hand.
But I've hesitated too long. The moment has passed, slipping away like sand through an hourglass. Panic rises in my throat, choking me with its intensity. My lips part of their own accord, and to my horror, I hear myself mutter, "Fuck..."
Elwin's eyebrows rise slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his beautiful features. My heart races even faster if that's possible. I have to salvage this somehow, to explain, to pour out the depths of my feelings for him.
"You..." I begin, my voice barely above a whisper. The words I long to say dance on the tip of my tongue.
'You are the most beautiful man I've ever met in my life. You are my destiny, my reason for being. I've loved you since before I even knew you were real.'
But the words won't come. They lodge in my throat, trapped behind a wall of fear and self-doubt. I feel the blood drain from my face as I realize what I've just said. 'Fuck you.' To Elwin Warbringer. The love of my life. The very reason I live and breathe.
My stomach churns violently, bile rising in my throat. The world spins around me, Elwin's concerned face blurring before my eyes. I have to get out of here. Now.
Without conscious thought, my body springs into action. I spin on my heel, the movement so sudden that my white hair whips around me like a silver tornado. My feet pound against the stone path as I sprint away, weaving between stunned students with the agility born of years of training.
The wind rushes past my ears, carrying with it the shocked whispers of onlookers. But I don't slow down. I can't. I run as if all the demons of hell are nipping at my heels, my armor creaking with each frantic stride.
*****
My lungs burn as I finally slow to a stop, chest heaving with ragged breaths. I've run for miles, pushing my body to its limit, desperate to put as much distance as possible between myself and the catastrophic encounter with Elwin.
I find myself at the edge of the academy grounds, facing a towering stone wall that marks the border. Ancient ivy clings to the weathered surface, its tendrils reaching skyward like grasping fingers.
Silence envelops me. No students venture this far from the main campus, leaving me utterly alone with my shame and despair. The only sounds are my labored breathing and the faint rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.
My stomach roils violently, bile rising in my throat. I double over, retching painfully as I empty the contents of my stomach onto the lush grass. The disgusting stench of vomit fills my nostrils, making me gag more.
Tears stream down my face, blurring my vision as I collapse to my knees. My armored fists slam into the ground with bone-jarring force, again and again, as an agonized wail tears from my throat.
"No! No! NO!" I scream, each word punctuated by another blow to the earth. Clods of dirt and grass fly with each impact, my knuckles leaving small craters in the soft soil. "How could I be so STUPID?!"
I curl into myself, forehead pressed to the cool grass as sobs wrack my body. "I'm even worse than the original Octavia," I choke out between gasping breaths. "At least she was just shy. I'm... I'm completely paralyzed! I can't even think straight around him!"
The memory of Elwin's perfect face swims before my eyes, his gentle smile and outstretched hand. A fresh wave of nausea hits me, and I retch again, bringing up nothing but bitter bile.
"Fuck you," I whine, the words tasting like poison on my tongue. "I actually said 'fuck you' to him. Oh god, I'm such an idiot!"
I pound my fists against the ground once more, ignoring the pain that shoots up my arms. The physical discomfort is nothing compared to the agony in my heart, the crushing weight of my failure.
As my sobs begin to subside, I take several deep breaths, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Birds chirp softly in the distance, their cheerful song a stark contrast to my inner turmoil.
I sit up slowly, wiping the tears and dirt from my face with a trembling hand. As I gaze out at the breathtaking vista before me, my mind begins to clear.
The initial panic and shame start to fade, replaced by a steely determination. I can't give up now, not when I've come so far. There has to be another way to win Elwin's heart.
I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing as I search my memories for inspiration. Suddenly, an image flashes in my mind, a scene from the second light novel, one that was never adapted into the anime or manga. When Lady Shadow broke into Elwin's room and raped him. My eyes snap open as realization dawns.
"That's it," I whisper, a plan beginning to form. "I can still salvage this."
As I sit there on the grass, my mind races with possibilities. I recall a particularly intense scene from the light novels, one that sent shivers down my spine when I first read it. The raw passion, the forbidden nature of it all... My breath quickens just thinking about it.
"The anime and manga never fully captured Elwin's true desires," I murmur to myself, running a hand through my tangled white hair. "They glossed over so much, sanitized it for a wider audience. But I know the truth."
I close my eyes, picturing Elwin's face, those piercing blue eyes and gentle smile. A familiar warmth spreads through my body. "He's not some delicate flower to be protected," I continue, my voice growing stronger. "He wants, no, he needs someone to take control, to show him true passion."
My eyes snap open, a new fire burning within them. "And I can be that woman," I declare to the empty field. "I can give him what he truly craves, what he's been denied for so long."
A plan begins to take shape in my mind, bold and daring. My heart races with equal parts excitement and nervousness. "Soon," I whisper, a sly smile curving my lips. "I'll sneak into his dorm and show him how much I love him. I'll make him mine, body and soul."