Chapter 1

It hurts.

It's painful.

I can't breathe.

I'm feeling faint.

"H...a..."

The girl finally managed to exhale.

It hurts.

It's painful.

I'm going to die.

—Die...?

Ah... I see.

I'm going to die.

The moment she thought that, the strength drained from the girl's body.

"...m...o...t...h...e...r..."

Father.

No matter how many times I say it... no matter how much I scream it in my heart, they won't appear here.

Why... can't I have what I really want?

Pretty dresses, rare sweets... lots of books.

There are so many things I can get with money.

I wanted to be seen.

I wanted to be loved.

That's all I wanted.

At least in the end... I wanted to be held.

A single tear streamed down from her closed eyes.

"Here, I'll give it to you."

Suddenly, a voice echoed in the girl's head, and her body felt lighter.

The pain and suffering faded away.

"H...?"

"I will grant your wish. In a different world."

"A different... world?"

"Yes, you will be reborn. As someone who loves and is loved, and protects the world."

"E, ah?"

Still confused by the sudden turn of events, the girl was enveloped in a bright light and lost consciousness.

---

"It can't be..."

Mina couldn't help but exclaim as she looked up at the building with its red roof peeking out from the ivy.

"Why... is this place from that game... no, the novel...?"

Suddenly, memories flooded her mind.

They were from a different world, of a sixteen-year-old girl who had died...

Ah, this is "me."

Mina instantly realized it was her past life's memory.

And with that realization, she understood that the building in front of her—the Blumenthal Royal Magic Academy—was the same one from the otome game she used to play in her past life.

(But it's different... it's not a game. Because that game is about a "past event.")

An event that shook the entire country five years ago and continues to cause many casualties.

...So this is... this world is...

(The world of that novel... I can't believe I've been reincarnated into another world.)

Despite the confusion from the sudden memories, Mina accepted the situation and realized:

(Huh? I... could I be...)

"An antagonist's daughter?"

Still looking up at the building, Mina muttered in disbelief.