Chapter 1: Awakening in the Unknown

Darkness. Silence. Then—pain. A sharp, pulsing ache spread through my body, forcing my consciousness to the surface. My eyelids fluttered open, revealing a sky streaked with golden sunlight piercing through a thick canopy of trees. I inhaled sharply, the crisp scent of damp earth and blooming flowers filling my lungs. The air was thick with magic.

I lay sprawled across a bed of moss, my limbs heavy as if I had been asleep for centuries. My long white hair, bound in its usual ponytail, cascaded over my shoulder, the silky strands catching the light like silver. Slowly, I pushed myself up, my fingers digging into the soft ground. I glanced down at myself, immediately noticing my attire—an elegant, sleeveless white dress with golden embroidery running along its edges, the sacred symbol of the Goddess of Nature gleaming on my chest.

I frowned.

"Where... am I?" My voice was soft yet steady, the only sound amidst the chirping birds and rustling leaves.

I tried to recall my last memory, but all I found was a void. I knew who I was—Aria Velanova, daughter of Gaia, the Goddess of Nature. A demi-goddess. An SS-Rank existence. But how I ended up here, alone in this ancient forest, was a mystery.

A soft chime echoed in my mind, and suddenly, a translucent blue screen appeared before my eyes.

—

[System Activated]

User: Aria Velanova

Race: High Elf (Demi-Goddess)

Age: 78 years old

Title(s): Elf Princess, Mama's Baby, Demi-Goddess

Rank: SS+

Strength: S+

Agility: SS

Endurance: SS-

Intelligence: SS

Mana: SS+

Skills:

Light Manipulation (SS) – Control over divine light for offense, defense, and healing.

Nature's Embrace (SS) – Manipulate plant life at will.

Divine Regeneration (SS-) – Rapid healing for self and allies.

Elven Grace (SS) – Enhanced agility, balance, and reaction speed.

Fist of Gaia (S+) – Enhanced hand-to-hand combat infused with nature magic.

Holy Smite (SS) – A devastating light-based attack.

—

I exhaled. My system was intact. That was good. At least I wasn't powerless in an unknown land.

Rising to my feet, I dusted off my dress, taking in my surroundings. Towering ancient trees with bioluminescent flowers stretched toward the sky, their petals glowing faintly in the shade. Vines coiled around the trunks like emerald serpents, and in the distance, I could hear the gentle gurgling of a stream. It was beautiful—almost dreamlike.

But beauty could be deceptive.

I flexed my fingers, feeling the raw power of my mana surging beneath my skin. "I should find civilization," I murmured. "Or at least figure out where I am."

The first step was choosing a direction. I listened carefully, tuning into the energy of the forest. Magic was alive here, but something about it felt... old. Ancient, even.

A rustle.

I snapped my gaze to the right, my glowing golden eyes narrowing. Something was there. Watching me.

A low growl followed.

A beast?

Without hesitation, I raised a hand, calling upon my magic. Golden light flickered at my fingertips, illuminating the shadows between the trees. Then, from the underbrush, a creature emerged.

A massive wolf, its fur the color of midnight, stepped into view. Its eyes glowed with a feral blue light, intelligence gleaming behind its gaze. Its aura pulsed—B-Rank, maybe A. Not weak, but not strong enough to pose a threat to me.

It bared its fangs, a deep growl reverberating through the air.

"You don't want to do that," I warned, my voice smooth but firm.

The wolf lunged.

I reacted instantly, side-stepping with inhuman speed. The beast crashed into the spot where I had been, dirt and leaves flying. Without giving it a chance to recover, I spun on my heel, extending my palm.

"Holy Smite."

A burst of radiant light erupted from my hand, striking the wolf square in the chest. It howled as golden energy engulfed it, its body disintegrating into motes of shimmering dust. Silence followed.

I exhaled, shaking my hand to dispel the residual magic. "Overkill," I muttered. "Oops."

This place was dangerous.

I needed to keep moving.

Adjusting my dress, I strode forward, weaving through the thick foliage with effortless grace. Hours passed as I traveled, the forest seemingly endless. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the landscape.

Then, in the distance, I saw it.

Smoke. Rising above the treetops. A sign of civilization.

Hope stirred in my chest.

Picking up my pace, I moved toward it, unaware that my arrival would soon shake the world itself.

—

To be continued…