A Wager for a New Life

Her name was Liyahiss Lani, the rightful princess of this kingdom—a woman of immense power, authority, and unparalleled beauty.

Why would a princess reside in a desolate forest?

According to the fragmented memories forcibly implanted in her mind, this was a “sacred place” the original Liyahiss had discovered on an outing and had since claimed as her secret hideaway.

Indeed, she was not native to this world but a visitor from another.

In her previous life, she had been a poor, frail girl, so malnourished that her figure had never developed beyond a B-cup.

As a result, she was constantly leered at and even followed by slovenly, hairy men on her way to and from school, prompting her to avoid taking shortcuts through alleyways.

Her father had died young, and her stepfather was a master of every vice, prone to violent outbursts whenever he was drunk.

This left her with deep-seated trauma, causing her to spiral into self-loathing—a dark mix of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

She despised the fate that had brought her into this world and into such a family.

But she was powerless, unable to change anything…

Until one day, hoping to clear her mind and find a moment of peace, she went to a botanical garden.

It was a place of diverse flora, with an artificial lake and various children’s play structures.

She spent some time on the swings, moving back and forth like a simple pendulum.

Gradually, the sky grew overcast, and soon, raindrops began to kiss the surface of the lake.

The other park-goers scattered like birds before a storm; some took refuge in gazebos, while others ran for the cover of trees.

Following their lead, she sought shelter under a nearby tree.

She knew the electrical potential was greatest at the top of a tree, but since so many others were doing the same, she took her chances.

Besides, she thought, even if lightning does strike, what are the odds it’ll pick me?

Sometimes, life has a cruel sense of humor.

The world suddenly brightened, and as she looked up, she saw a silver dragon of lightning tear down from the heavens.

A tingling numbness lasted but a moment before her consciousness plunged into an abyss.

An unknown amount of time passed before she opened her eyes to a strange, white void.

Where am I? Am I still alive?

As if sensing her confusion, a gentle female voice echoed through the space.

“Do you yearn for power? Do you wish for a new life? Do you desire happiness?”

Recalling the life she had just left, she was filled with a bitter sense of injustice.

Though she suspected a catch, the choice was between rebirth and oblivion.

She had no other option.

She decided to make the ultimate wager: to have nothing or to seize everything.

With unwavering resolve, she cried out, “Of course! I want to become the most dazzling existence! I refuse to be a clown in someone else’s story ever again!”

The voice let out a deeply satisfied laugh.

“I can grant your wish. Come, accept my blessing!”

A sphere of white light then merged with her form, fusing with her, elevating her—

In that instant, an unprecedented warmth spread through her entire being, and her confidence soared.

“This is your starter pack. It contains what you are best at and what you desire most.”

Just as she was about to ask what that meant, a luminous interface materialized in her mind, displaying her personal information:

{
Name: Liyahiss Lani
Gender: Female (Permanently locked)
Age: ???
Race: Unknown
Height: 1.60m
Bust: C
Identity: Royal Princess
Charm: 314
Luck: 648
Basic Elemental Affinity: Lightning > Ice > …
Special Elemental Affinity: Shadow > Void > …

Combat Magic:
[Lightning Spear], [Ice Cone], [Shadow Step], [Frost Barrier], [Icicle Rush], [Shadow Touch], [Coordinate Teleport], [Ring of Repulsion], [Thunderstorm Blast]

Utility Magic:
[Instant Wardrobe], [Auto-Cleanse]

Magic Slots: ∞
Strength: A
Agility: A
Constitution: B
Endurance: B
Conviction: SSS

Exclusive Innate Skills:
[King of Phantasm]
[King of Whim]

Exclusive Talent:
[King of Avarice]

Domain:
[Outer—World of Sweet Dreams]
[Inner—Hell of Despair]
…
}