2 Where am I?

The stale scent of dampness hung in the air as Elena's eyes fluttered open. Her vision was blurry at first, and she squinted against the dim light filtering through the narrow barred windows of the cell.

As her surroundings slowly came into focus, she found herself lying on a rough, straw-filled cot. The sound of distant footsteps and muffled voices echoed in the distance.

"Where... Where am I?" Elena whispered to herself, her voice trembling with confusion.

Memories started flooding back into her mind – memories that didn't belong to this world. She remembered another life, a life lived in a different time and place. She had been someone else, somewhere else. But how was that possible? Was this some sort of dream or illusion?

Elena stood at the crossroads of two identities, and the memories of Seraphine's life were fading. Now, her mind had merged with Seraphine, breathing new life and purpose into the character she had once known only through the pages of a book. Yet, the cost of this awakening was the loss of Seraphine's original memories.

The new Seraphine tried desperately to grasp onto the fragments of her past, but they slipped further from her reach with each passing moment. Her mind was a collage of emotions, a swirling vortex of confusion and curiosity. How had she arrived in this world? What had brought her here?

Her hand clutched at her chest, feeling the rapid rhythm of her heartbeat. "No, this is real... somehow."

And then, it hit her like a tidal wave – the revelation that left her breathless and stunned. "I've been transmigrated... into the novel I once read, but how?."

The fragments of her different life mingled with the sorrowful recognition of her fate. She was merely a passing mention in the story, a character with little significance, destined to be killed by the villain – Damian Ornstein, the young master of the influential Ornstein family, a powerful marquis noble.

How am I even here, and what will happen to my body on the earth? Seraphine questioned herself and wondered how this kind of event happened to her.

Before she could unravel the mystery further, a sudden glimmer of light caught her eye. It was a peculiar projection. The luminescent display formed an ethereal interface, displaying letters and symbols familiar to her past life.

"What... is this?" she wondered aloud, her eyes widening with astonishment.

The apparition seemed to be some kind of advanced system, like nothing she had ever encountered before. A message materialized on the display, prompting her to interact.

[Welcome, Seraphine.]

The words appeared in a soft, shimmering glow, almost as if the message had a life of its own.

Seraphine blinked, trying to comprehend the situation. Was this some kind of magical artifact or an entity from the world of the novel?

[Seraphine, You have been transmigrated to this world from your previous life on Earth.]

The words appeared in gentle, glimmering text, reassuring her that this wasn't some nightmarish illusion.

[It seem there is a rare occurrence that links different dimensions and timelines together, Look like your consciousness merged with the soul of the character you once read about.]

Seraphine absorbed the explanation, though the idea of merging with a fictional character still seemed surreal.

[As for your physical body on Earth, it remains in a deep, dreamless slumber. You experienced a sudden heart attack in your sleep, which triggered this transmigration. Do not fret, for I am here to assist and guide you through this unfamiliar world.]

Tears welled up in Seraphine's eyes as the realization of her Earthly body's fate sank in. She was far from her home, her friends, and family

"Thank you," Seraphine whispered, her voice laden with emotion. "But what am I supposed to do now? Can I go back?"

[Regrettably, returning to your Earthly body is beyond our current capabilities. For now, your focus should be on navigating this world and change the future of the story in order for you to survive.]

Seraphine felt a wave of sadness wash over her. The reality of her situation settled heavily upon her heart – she was trapped in this novel unable to return to her Earthly life. The friends, family, and the world she once knew were now distant memories.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she whispered softly to herself, "Why.... why is this even happen to me.."

While she was lost in her thoughts and her sorrow, the heavy sound of knocking on the cell door jolted her back to reality. The slave trader's booming voice pierced the air, making her flinch.

"Get up, you worthless wench! We have a customer interested in a personal slave, and you better make yourself presentable!" he barked, his demeanor full of malice.

Wiping away her tears hastily, Seraphine mustered all her strength to rise from the cold, damp floor of the cell. She knew she had to conceal her emotions, even in the face of such heartlessness. In this world, showing vulnerability could mean even harsher treatment.

As she stood up, the cell door creaked open, revealing a man dressed in a finely tailored butler uniform. He looked at her with disdain, his eyes scanning her as if she were nothing more than an object on display.

"You will address this gentleman with utmost respect, girl," the slave trader sneered, shoving her forward with a rough hand.

With a deep breath, Seraphine forced herself to straighten her posture, attempting to project an image of obedience and humility.

The customer, the butler, inspected her with a cold gaze, and his lip curled in disgust. "A pitiful creature, isn't she? Well, let's see if she's worth the price you're asking."

The words stung, but Seraphine knew better than to protest. She had little choice but to endure the humiliation, for her survival depended on it.

She avoided eye contact, trying to make herself appear meek and unremarkable. However, her mind was now racing with a newfound determination. If she was going to be a pawn in this cruel world, she would make sure she played her role wisely.