Mariana adjusted the strap of her backpack as she stepped into the heart of Silvercity University. The sprawling campus buzzed with life—students rushing between classes, clubs recruiting in the quad, and the scent of roasted coffee hanging in the air.
She paused for a moment, taking it all in. It felt surreal. Just months ago, she had been Mary—mother, wife, and ultimately, a victim. Now, she was Mariana Henderson—eighteen, a brilliant economics major, and the quiet owner of secrets that could reshape fates.
Her first lecture was in a grand auditorium, filled with chatter and anticipation. Mariana took a seat near the middle, pulling out her notebook. Her handwriting was flawless, shaped by years of calligraphy practice with her past life's father-in-law.
As the professor began, a soft chime echoed in her mind.
[System Notification: "New side quest unlocked."]
> Task: Collect 3 rare plants from the Silverwood Preserve near Hammer. Use collected herbs for potion crafting module. Reward: +5 skill points in Energy Manipulation. New item: Basic World Key Fragment (1/4).
She blinked, letting out a small sigh. "Potion crafting, huh?" she whispered, amused. Her life really had turned into a storybook.
The system interface opened lightly before her eyes—transparent to others but clear to her. She quickly saved the mission and minimized it. First, survive macroeconomics. Then, she'd find some magical weeds.
Outside the class, she found herself drawn into casual conversations. Her flatmates had invited her to join a study group, and one of her professors had already taken notice of her sharp mind.
But always, in the back of her thoughts, was George. The boy she'd loved more than anything, now growing strong again.
She was here to build a new empire, but she would always protect the heart of her old one.