Unknown Place
I groaned as I slowly forced myself to wake up, realizing my phone alarm hadn't gone off. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I reached for my study table, only to find nothing there. My eyes finally opened fully, and I scanned my surroundings, confusion enveloping me.
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Panic set in as my gaze fell on a room that felt utterly unfamiliar. I shot out of bed without a second thought, disregarding how I must look, and bolted for the door. Someone must have kidnapped me!
But as I sprinted down the hallway, I came to a sudden halt. The world outside was different, too. The walls were decorated in a way I'd never seen before. My body felt foreign as well, and I was overcome by a strange sensation. Confused, I retraced my steps, realizing I had rushed out of an apartment building that was clearly not my own.
Staring at the building, I squared my shoulders and cautiously returned inside. As I walked back, several people regarded me with curious glances. I bowed my head in embarrassment, imagining they thought I had escaped from a mental institution—running like a wild woman just moments ago.
I hurried to my apartment room and slammed the door shut behind me. I flopped onto the small sofa, pondering where I could possibly be.
Let's calm down first.
Breathing deeply, I inhaled and exhaled slowly. Once my heart rate settled, I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face. Bending over the sink, I turned on the faucet and let the cool water refresh me. As I grabbed a towel and wiped my face, a new, unfamiliar face stared back at me in the mirror. My internal scream echoed in my ears as I realized I wasn't seeing my own reflection.
Startled, I let out a high-pitched scream, and the sharp sound ricocheted painfully in my ears.
"What was that?" came a voice from the hallway.
"Hey! Keep it down!" another shouted.
"Seriously, one more scream and she'll shatter a window!"
Adelaine ignored the comments, her attention locked on the stranger in the mirror.
I need to find some answers!
I quickly scanned the bathroom, searching for clues about what had happened. It didn't take long for me to realize the identity of the body I was inhabiting—Remillia Lockhart.
I'm inside my own dumb novel, living it out. This world mirrors the real world but feels distinctly different. I've become a random person living here!
I knew only a little about Remillia Lockhart's life:
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Remillia Lockhart
Living alone in a simple apartment. No information about her parents, siblings, or any relatives—there weren't even any photos. She was accepted into the Heroic Federation of the Armed Forces Academy at just five years old! How could anyone enroll her in such a prestigious school as a child? Only those with exceptional gifts would pass the entrance exam for this elite academy, which trained its students to become remarkable heroes fighting monsters and wisplings.
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This was all happening too fast. Was I really in my own novel, or was this just a bizarre dream?
That's it! I thought, a sudden idea striking me. I darted back towards my bed, determined to sleep through this madness.
If I just sleep, maybe I'll wake up in my own world again.
I squeezed my eyes shut, counting in my head to help me drift off.
Five minutes.
Fifteen minutes.
An hour passed, and still, slumber eluded me. I sat up in frustration. This ridiculous possession or transmigration—whatever it was—made no sense! I had real-life responsibilities waiting for me. If I didn't submit my recent novel, my boss would have my head.
All I wanted was a good night's sleep to recharge for another day of writing, and instead, I had somehow landed here, in a place that was both familiar and bizarre. Whoever was responsible for this was cursed in my mind.
Glancing at the calendar on the wall, I noticed that yesterday's date was encircled in red, accompanied by a hastily scribbled note. I stared at the words, realization dawning: Graduation Ceremony of the Heroic Federation of the Armed Forces School.
What rotten luck do I have!