Kaela sat cross-legged on her bed, her laptop balanced precariously on her knees. The glow of the screen illuminated her face, casting shadows across her small, cluttered room. Posters of her favorite anime and video games adorned the walls, and a half-empty bag of chips sat forgotten on her desk. She had been waiting for this moment for weeks—the release of Yuri Harem Academy: Eclipse of Hearts, the latest installment in her favorite visual novel series.

The game promised a sprawling academy setting, a rich cast of characters, and, most importantly, the ability to create your own protagonist. Kaela had spent hours theorizing about her ideal character, and now that the game was finally here, she was ready to bring her vision to life.

She clicked on the "Create Character" button, and the screen lit up with a plethora of customization options. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard as she began to type.

Character Name: Kaela Ardent

"Kaela" had always been a name she loved—strong, unique, and slightly androgynous. It felt like the perfect fit for a protagonist who would navigate a world of magic, romance, and intrigue. "Ardent" was a nod to her fiery personality and unwavering determination.

Next came the appearance customization. Kaela scrolled through the options, her excitement growing with each click.

Hair: Long, flowing white hair.

Eyes: Crimson red, with a sharp, piercing gaze.

Build: Slender but toned, with an athletic frame.

She adjusted the sliders meticulously, ensuring every detail was perfect. The character on the screen began to take shape—a striking figure with an air of mystery and confidence. Kaela leaned back, admiring her work. "Perfect," she murmured.

Now came the fun part: choosing talents and abilities. The game offered a wide range of options, from elemental magic to martial arts mastery. Kaela's eyes gleamed as she read through the list.

Talent 1: Super Regeneration

"This is a must," she said aloud. The ability to heal from any injury instantly was incredibly overpowered, and she loved the idea of her character being nearly indestructible. She imagined the dramatic scenes where Kaela would rise from the brink of death, her wounds closing in seconds. "Plus, it'll make for some epic fight scenes," she added with a grin.

Talent 2: Martial Arts Mastery

Kaela had always been a fan of hand-to-hand combat in games. There was something satisfying about watching her character take down enemies with skill and precision. She selected this talent without hesitation, imagining Kaela Ardent as a whirlwind of fists and kicks, effortlessly dispatching her foes.

Talent 3: Charismatic Creator

This was a unique talent she had read about in the game's previews. It allowed the protagonist to have an innate understanding of the game world and its characters, giving them an edge in predicting events and influencing others. "It's like having cheat codes," Kaela said with a laugh. "I'll be unstoppable."

With the talents selected, it was time to choose drawbacks. The game required players to balance their strengths with weaknesses, adding an extra layer of challenge. Kaela scrolled through the list, her excitement mingling with a hint of apprehension.

Drawback 1: Perverted Masochist

Kaela paused, her cursor hovering over the option. "What the…?" she muttered, reading the description. This drawback would make her character gain satisfaction from being humiliated or hurt, leading to awkward and potentially hilarious situations. She bit her lip, considering the implications. On one hand, it was undeniably embarrassing. On the other hand, it added a layer of complexity to her character that could make the story more interesting.

"Why not?" she said finally, clicking the option. "It's not like anyone's going to see this but me."

Drawback 2: Shame Lover

This drawback made her character feel intense embarrassment when praised or complimented, making it difficult for her to accept admiration. Kaela chuckled as she selected it. "This is going to be so awkward. I love it."

Drawback 3: Overconfidence

The final drawback made her character prone to underestimating others due to her knowledge of the game world. Kaela nodded thoughtfully. "This'll keep things interesting. Can't have her being too perfect, right?"

With her character fully customized, Kaela leaned back and admired her creation. Kaela Ardent was everything she had envisioned—powerful, unique, and just a little bit flawed. She clicked the "Confirm" button, and the screen transitioned to the game's opening cinematic.

The scene opened with a sweeping view of Eclipse Academy, a grand institution nestled in a lush, magical landscape. The narrator's voice echoed through her headphones, setting the stage for the story.

"Welcome to Eclipse Academy, a place where the brightest minds and most powerful talents come to hone their skills. But beneath its pristine surface lies a world of secrets, rivalries, and romance. As the new transfer student, you hold the key to unlocking the academy's mysteries—and the hearts of its most extraordinary students."

Kaela's heart raced as the cinematic ended, and the game prompted her to begin her journey. She clicked "Start," and the screen faded to black.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her head. Kaela winced, clutching her temples. "What the…?" she muttered, her vision blurring. The room seemed to spin around her, and she felt a strange pulling sensation, as if she were being dragged into the screen.

"No way…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "This can't be happening."

The pain intensified, and she let out a gasp as her surroundings dissolved into darkness. The last thing she saw was the faint glow of her laptop screen before everything went black.

When Kaela opened her eyes, she was no longer in her room. She was standing in the middle of a grand courtyard, surrounded by towering buildings and lush greenery. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of blooming flowers. Students in elegant uniforms walked past her, chatting and laughing.

She looked down at herself and froze. Instead of her usual hoodie and sweatpants, she was wearing a black and red academy uniform. Her long white hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her crimson eyes widened in shock.

"No way…" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm… I'm Kaela Ardent."

Before she could process what was happening, a wave of dizziness washed over her. Her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the ground, her vision fading once more.

The last thing she heard was the distant sound of footsteps rushing toward her before everything went dark.