Starless Reincarnation

"Look, Mom! There are so many shooting stars tonight!"

The child tugged at the hem of her mother's jacket, pointing eagerly at the night sky. The mother glanced up, her eyes lighting up as she watched the streaks of light trail across the heavens.

"You're right," she smiled, "Make a wish, maybe it'll come true." She gazed at the sky, her expression turning thoughtful. "I wonder what's going on tonight… Maybe this will turn into a starless night."

The child continued to stare in awe at the shooting stars, mesmerized by their fleeting beauty.

[The stars are shaking!]

[It has become a Starless Night.]

[...Cycle of reincarnation has been activated.]

[Welcome, Raven.]

At the entrance of the mansion, a young girl with black hair lay unconscious on the cold ground. Three figures surrounded her, two maids and a person of high status. The noise from their conversation seemed to stir the girl, and her eyelids fluttered open, revealing striking purple eyes. She was dressed in a black kimono with delicate purple detailing, its fabric crumpled around her as she slowly regained awareness.

"Your Majesty, what should we do with her? I believe she's been here for only a short time. The knights mentioned they didn't see anyone else with her," the first maid said, concern in her voice.

"She looks to be about fifteen years old. Whoever abandoned her like this is utterly heartless," the second maid added, shaking her head in disbelief.

"For now, bring her inside. We can't leave a child out here, especially with winter settling in. It's far too cold, and she might fall ill." The high-ranking woman gave a soft sigh, her eyes softening as she looked down at the girl. "Make sure she doesn't catch a cold."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the maids replied in unison.

As the maids carefully lifted the girl and began carrying her into the mansion, the woman of high rank lingered for a moment, her gaze fixed on the girl. Something about her caught her interest, a curiosity she couldn't quite place.

"Mother."

The woman looked down to see her daughter standing beside her, only two years older than the mysterious girl. The child's brow was furrowed with confusion.

"Yes, Celia?"

"Did something happen?"

Thalia glanced at the maids, now disappearing into the corridor with the girl, before turning back to her daughter. A faint smile played at the corners of her lips. "Hmm, something interesting is unfolding," she said, her tone cryptic, before walking off, leaving her daughter standing there, still puzzled.

In another room...

Raven slowly opened her eyes, the dim light of the room filtering through heavy curtains. Her body felt strange, foreign even. She found herself lying in a large, queen-sized bed, the softness of the blankets comforting yet unfamiliar. As she glanced upward, her gaze was drawn to the ceiling—an intricately painted masterpiece adorned with golden accents. It was the most luxurious thing she had ever seen, a level of opulence she had never known in her previous life.

"What... Where am I?" she whispered, her voice still hoarse from the confusion clouding her mind.

Her thoughts felt sluggish at first, but gradually, a trickle of clarity began to seep through. The fragmented memories of her past life resurfaced, bringing a bitter ache. She had been powerful, a cultivator who followed the dark path of demonic cultivation, feared and respected by all. But it hadn't been enough to protect her. She had been betrayed—her enemies, lying in wait for years, had finally struck when the time was right, ending her life with cold precision.

But none of that mattered now. The past was gone, and in its place, she had been reborn into this new world.

A robotic voice echoed in her memory, cold and impersonal, speaking of a starless night and reincarnation. The words didn't make much sense, but the implication was clear enough.

"Have I really been reincarnated...?" Raven muttered to herself. "During a starless night... don't know if that's important."

With a groan, she pushed herself up from the bed, feeling the unfamiliar weight of a child's body. The room around her was grand, furnished with lavish furniture and decorated with delicate tapestries. The air smelled faintly of lavender, an aroma that seemed out of place given the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

As she stood, her eyes instinctively moved to the full-length mirror across the room. The reflection that greeted her was shocking.

The face staring back at her was youthful, the round cheeks and small frame that of a fifteen-year-old girl. In her previous life, she had been well over two hundred years old, though that was considered young by the standards of cultivators like herself. But now, she was in a body that was not only younger but almost fragile. Yet, despite the drastic change, her features were unmistakably her own—long black hair that cascaded down her back and eyes that shimmered with an eerie purple hue.

"What is this?" Raven whispered, reaching a hand to touch her face, almost expecting to feel the weathered skin of her past life. But it was soft—too soft. "I... I'm a child now…"

She stood there for a moment, trying to process the enormity of her situation. Her past self had been a powerful force in the world, one whose name struck fear into the hearts of even the most formidable warriors. But now, she was just a girl—weak and defenseless.

"What about my powers...?" Raven's voice was low, a mix of hope and fear. The demonic cultivation that had once flowed through her body, granting her strength beyond measure, had been central to her identity. Without it, she was nothing. She closed her eyes and focused, calling upon the Qi—the energy that had been her essence in her previous life.

But nothing happened.

No surge of power. No dark energy answering her summons.

Instead, there was only a faint, unfamiliar sensation that rippled through her being. This was a different energy—something foreign to her, yet not entirely unreachable.

"What is this?" she thought, her mind struggling to grasp what was happening. It felt almost like the world itself was pushing her back, telling her that this new power didn't belong to her.

She closed her eyes again, trying to gather her thoughts. The energy felt... different. Lighter, but still potent. It wasn't the Qi she was used to, but there was something beneath the surface—a potential she could tap into, even if it would take time to understand.

Her gaze turned toward the window, where the first hints of daylight were creeping in, casting a soft glow across the room.

Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door, followed by the turning of the doorknob. An elegant woman stepped inside, and Raven immediately recognized her. It was the woman who had helped her when she first arrived.

"You're awake," the woman said, her voice calm and warm.

Raven nodded, still feeling the weight of everything. "Thank you... for saving me."

"It's no problem," the woman replied with a gentle smile. "I have a few questions, if that's alright."

Raven nodded again, curiosity stirring in her chest.

"My name is Thalia Vermillion," she continued, her voice soft and welcoming. "This is my estate. I also have a daughter, Celia. She's two years older than you. May I ask what your name is? Do you remember anything before you arrived?"

Raven hesitated. It felt safer not to mention her reincarnation. It would be better to leave that part of her past buried for now.

She shook her head. "I don't remember anything. My name is Raven. Just Raven."

Thalia leaned against the wall, her arms crossing over her chest. Her long crimson hair cascaded past her shoulders, and her orange eyes seemed to glow faintly in the dim light of the room.

"Well then, Raven," Thalia said, her expression thoughtful. "Why don't you join our family? You'll become my daughter."

Raven blinked, taken aback. "What...?"

Thalia continued, her voice almost playful. "A daughter appearing out of nowhere... let's just say you're my daughter, one I've decided to reveal now. Don't worry, your soon-to-be father and everyone here already know. You'll meet my daughter soon enough."

The weight of Thalia's words hit Raven all at once. Suddenly becoming the daughter of what seemed to be a royal family... It was all happening so fast. But at the same time, Raven couldn't help but feel a strange sense of acceptance.

She had been given a second chance at life, a chance to live as she wanted.

"Okay," she said, after a moment's pause. "But... can you tell me more about this city? This world? I don't remember anything about it."

Thalia smiled warmly. "I'll have one of my maids bring you a book. You can read, right?"

Raven raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "Yes."

Thalia laughed, a light, melodious sound. "I can already tell you'll be a great addition to the family. Once the maids bring you new clothes, freshen up, and then meet me in the throne room. Don't worry—you'll find it."

"Alright," Raven said.

"Well then, later, daughter," Thalia said with a teasing smirk.

Raven hesitated, then smiled faintly. "Bye, mother."

Thalia giggled before closing the door behind her, the sound of it clicking softly in the silence.

Raven let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Just as she thought she might finally get a moment to herself, the door burst open without warning.

A girl, almost identical to Thalia, stepped inside. Her hair was a few shades darker, and her orange eyes, though similar, had a dimmer hue compared to Thalia's vibrant gaze.

'This must be Celia, Thalia's daughter,' Raven thought, observing the girl who looked no older than seventeen.

"You're going to be my sister?!" the girl exclaimed, her tone a mix of excitement and disbelief.