8 Return to school

Two days have passed since the training with my mother, and let me tell you, it was hell. The first day was bearable, but after she saw that I mastered fire magic well, she left me alone in the forest to fight monsters. Who does that to a five-year-old? I thought several times that I was going to die, but fortunately, I'm still alive.

But well, it's not all negative. I finally managed to complete the two training quests from the system, and I even learned several other techniques with fire magic.

"System, show me my status."

[Name: Jade Smith

Age: 5

Race: Half-human, half-dragon

HP: 1200/1200 > 2000/2000

MP: 1600/1600 > 2500/2500

Magic: 17 > 24

Strength: 12 > 20

Intelligence: 24 > 28

Appearance/Charisma: 23 > 26

Affinity: Fire

Skills: Cooking (B), Escape (C > C+), Running (C+), Pain Resistance ( E> D), Fire Magic (C): Fireball, Fire Arrow, Fire Explosion

Attribute points: 20

Gold coins: 1000]

Gazing at my stats, a wave of satisfaction washed over me. I had amassed enough gold coins to unlock the system's store, but before I could indulge in that triumph, my mother's voice pierced the serene morning.

"Jade, hurry up and get ready; you're going to school this morning."

I had completely forgotten about that detail. Although it had only been a few days, I had completed the homework assigned to me with ease. It wasn't challenging at all. Well, the system's store would have to wait. I leaped out of bed and dashed for a shower. Emerging with a towel wrapped around me, I caught my reflection in the mirror. The wound on my forehead had vanished, and I had grown slightly more muscular, my features refining into a newfound beauty.

[Host, you're beginning to display narcissistic tendencies, which isn't good.]

The system's response ignited a flare of anger within me. If I could physically strike the system, I would have done so long ago. Nevertheless, its remark didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. I dressed in no time, slipping into a simple black dress, and descended to the kitchen where my mother awaited me at the table with breakfast.

"So Jade, are you ready for your day at school?" she asked, her smile radiating warmth as I took my seat.

"I'm more or less prepared," I replied, my enthusiasm waning.

I just hoped I wouldn't encounter the villainess today. Oddly enough, nothing had happened yet. Normally, in the book, after Jade pushes the Raven, her family is exiled. But for now, nothing. Perhaps I had evoked such pity from her that she spared me.

"Jade, what are you doing gazing into nothingness? Eat before you're late for class," my mother chided, her voice cutting through my daydream.

I snapped back to reality, and together we began our meal. In a mere ten minutes, we finished, and I slung my bag over my shoulder as we left the house. After a twenty-minute walk, the school loomed before us.

"Go on, Jade. I must be off. Enjoy your day at school," my mother said, patting my head before turning to leave.

But then, a troubling thought halted me—I had no memories of this body's previous owner, which meant I was clueless about the way to my class.

"Mom, wait! I've forgotten where my class is. Can you take me there?" I asked, flashing her a hopeful smile.

My mother didn't seem surprised by my request, almost as if she'd anticipated it. She simply nodded and led me through the bustling corridors filled with students and teachers. I prayed not to cross paths with the story's villainess . Within two minutes, we arrived at my classroom, where Mrs. Pauline stood by the door, greeting us warmly.

"You seem much better, Jade. Good morning, Mrs. Smith," Pauline said with a smile.

"Yes, thank you. I'm feeling much better now," I replied, returning her smile.

My mother and Mrs. Pauline exchanged a few words before my mother departed. I then entered the classroom, immediately feeling the piercing stares of everyone inside. I could hear the whispers:

"The crazy one is back." "She's still alive, that fool." "If I were her, I'd never dare return after what she did."

Their words didn't reach me; I was unfazed. I calmly took my seat at an empty desk. Moments later, Mrs. Pauline entered the room, and all chatter ceased.For a moment, I was content, believing that Raven was absent. But my hope shattered like fragile glass when she arrived mere seconds after Mrs. Pauline. And, as if by some cruel twist of fate, the only vacant seat was beside me—my luck was indeed foul.

Raven glided through the room with an eerie grace, making her way to the empty chair next to mine. I quickly averted my gaze, hoping against hope she wouldn't recognize me. For now, all seemed well; she merely sat down, and upon seeing this, I let out a sigh of relief so deep it felt as if my soul was escaping.

"It's time to begin our lesson, so let's start," Mrs. Pauline announced with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Who can tell me the name of our world?"

Almost every hand in the class shot up, eager to answer. Mrs. Pauline's gaze swept across the sea of raised arms and settled on a boy.

The boy Pauline selects is named Oliver. He's a lanky lad with messy brown hair and glasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

"The name of our world is Arandor," Oliver answers confidently.

Pauline nods approvingly. "That's correct, Oliver. Now, can anyone tell me how many countries make up this world?"

Several hands shoot up again, and Pauline calls on a girl this time.

"It's composed of seven countries," the girl answers.

"Very good," Pauline acknowledges. "Arandor is indeed a world of fantasy, filled with diverse races. Can anyone name some of the races that inhabit our world?"

The students eagerly respond, listing off elves, dwarves, humans, and even some mythical creatures like centaurs and dragons.

"Now, let's briefly discuss magic," Pauline continues. "Can anyone tell me what magic is and how it functions in our world?"

A boy named Ethan raises his hand. "Magic is the manipulation of mystical energies that exist in our world. It's channeled through incantations, gestures, or even innate abilities, and it can be used to perform extraordinary feats."

"Excellent, Ethan," Pauline praises. "And how do we categorize magic in Arandor?"

"It's divided into various elemental affinities, such as fire, water, earth, air, light, and darkness," Ethan answers confidently.

Pauline smiles, satisfied with the students' responses. "Well done, everyone. Now, let's delve deeper into the intricacies of magical theory."

At that moment, I ceased to follow the lecture. After all, I was already well-versed in the theory of magic, having spent days laboring over the texts. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the lunch break arrived, and as soon as Mrs. Pauline announced we could step outside, I planned my escape.

I found myself in the courtyard, a sanctuary of solitude amidst the chaos of the academy. Settling on a secluded bench, I retrieved my lunch from the depths of my bag, eager for a moment of respite. But my tranquility was short-lived, shattered by a voice slicing through the air, calling my name. As I turned, my heart sank—it was Raven. In that instant, I felt as though the reaper had come for me.