Chapter 2: The First Spark of Humiliation

Kaela's consciousness returned in fragments. The first thing she noticed was the cold, hard ground beneath her cheek. The second was the faint murmur of voices around her, growing louder as her senses sharpened. She groaned, her head throbbing as she pushed herself up onto her elbows.

"Are you alright?" a soft voice asked.

Kaela blinked, her vision clearing to reveal a girl kneeling beside her. She had short, curly golden hair and bright green eyes filled with concern. A flower crown rested atop her head, and her green-and-white uniform was adorned with floral patterns. Kaela recognized her instantly—Elise Brightbloom, the cheerful healer and one of the original heroines of Yuri Harem Academy: Eclipse of Hearts.

"I… I think so," Kaela stammered, her voice shaky. She glanced around, taking in her surroundings. The grand courtyard of Eclipse Academy stretched out before her, its towering spires and lush gardens even more breathtaking in person than they had been in the game. Students milled about, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

"You took quite a fall," Elise said, offering a hand to help Kaela up. "Are you new here? I haven't seen you around before."

Kaela hesitated before taking Elise's hand. Her skin was warm, and her grip was firm yet gentle. "Yeah, I'm… new," Kaela replied, her mind racing. She was really here. She was Kaela Ardent, the character she had created.

Elise smiled brightly. "Welcome to Eclipse Academy! I'm Elise, by the way. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Kaela nodded, her cheeks flushing. "Thanks. I'm Kaela."

Before Elise could respond, a loud, haughty voice cut through the air.

"Well, well, what do we have here? A stray dog rolling around in the dirt?"

Kaela turned to see a girl striding toward them, her nose held high. She had long, platinum blonde hair tied into an elaborate braid, and her piercing blue eyes gleamed with disdain. Her uniform was pristine, its silver-and-blue design accentuated by a crest that marked her as a member of one of the academy's most prestigious noble families.

Kaela's stomach dropped. She recognized this girl—Lady Seraphine de Lune, a minor antagonist in the game. Seraphine was known for her arrogance and her tendency to belittle anyone she deemed beneath her.

"Lady Seraphine," Elise said, her tone polite but wary. "This is Kaela. She's new here."

Seraphine's gaze swept over Kaela, her lips curling into a sneer. "New, you say? How… quaint. Tell me, commoner, do they not teach you how to stand properly where you come from? Or is rolling around in the dirt part of your… culture?"

Kaela's face burned. She opened her mouth to retort, but the words caught in her throat. Her heart pounded, and a strange, tingling sensation spread through her chest. She recognized it immediately—her drawback, Perverted Masochist, was kicking in. The humiliation, the disdain in Seraphine's voice—it was triggering something deep within her, something she had created but never truly understood until now.

"I… I…" Kaela stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seraphine smirked, clearly enjoying Kaela's discomfort. "Oh, how adorable. The little commoner can't even speak. Perhaps you'd be better suited to cleaning the stables than attending this academy."

The students nearby began to snicker, their laughter like needles pricking Kaela's skin. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to contain the overwhelming rush of emotions.

Elise stepped forward, her expression firm. "That's enough, Lady Seraphine. There's no need to be rude."

Seraphine waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't be so dramatic, Elise. I'm merely stating the obvious. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to."

With that, Seraphine turned on her heel and strode away, her braid swaying behind her. The crowd of students began to disperse, leaving Kaela standing there, her face flushed and her hands trembling.

Elise turned to Kaela, her expression softening. "I'm so sorry about her. She's… not the nicest person. Are you okay?"

Kaela nodded quickly, avoiding Elise's gaze. "I'm fine. I just… I need to go."

Without waiting for a response, Kaela turned and hurried away, her heart racing. She needed to get out of there, to find somewhere private where she could collect herself. The tingling sensation in her chest was growing stronger, and she could feel her cheeks burning with a mix of shame and something else—something she didn't want to acknowledge.

She pushed through the crowd, her vision blurring as she searched for a place to hide. Finally, she spotted a sign pointing to the washrooms. She practically ran inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

Kaela leaned against the sink, her breathing ragged. She stared at her reflection in the mirror—her white hair disheveled, her crimson eyes wide and panicked.

"What is wrong with me?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The humiliation she had felt under Seraphine's gaze was still fresh, but it was mingling with something else—a strange, almost electric thrill that made her stomach twist. She clenched her fists, trying to push the feeling away, but it only grew stronger.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, splashing cold water on her face. "I'm Kaela Ardent. I'm supposed to be strong, confident, unstoppable. Not… not this."

But no matter how much she tried to rationalize it, the feeling wouldn't go away. Her drawback was a part of her now, and she couldn't escape it.

Taking a deep breath, Kaela straightened up and smoothed out her uniform. She couldn't stay in the washroom forever. The entrance ceremony was about to start, and she needed to be there.

As she stepped out of the washroom, she caught sight of a large crowd gathering in the courtyard, heading toward the academy's grand auditorium. Kaela hesitated for a moment before joining the flow of students, her heart still pounding.

The auditorium was even more impressive than she had imagined. Its high ceilings were adorned with intricate chandeliers, and rows of seats stretched out before a grand stage. Kaela found a seat near the back, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she waited for the ceremony to begin.

Her mind was still racing, her encounter with Seraphine replaying in her head. She hated how much it had affected her, how much it had… excited her. But she couldn't let it define her. She was Kaela Ardent, the creator of this world, and she had a story to live.

As the lights dimmed and the headmistress stepped onto the stage, Kaela took a deep breath. This was just the beginning.