Starless Reincarnation

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

Raven blinked, momentarily dumbfounded by the outburst.

This girl accepted it so quickly? Raven thought, barely able to process the sudden shift in energy.

Before she could say a word, the girl darted forward and grabbed her hands, her excitement bubbling over. Her grip was firm but not unpleasant, and her orange eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

"You don't understand," the girl said, practically bouncing in place. "I've always wanted a younger sister! But Mother kept saying ridiculous things like, 'I'm too old to have another child' or 'the timing isn't right.' Blah, blah, blah. But now—now I have you! This is amazing!"

Raven blinked again, unsure how to respond to the whirlwind of energy before her.

"Um," she managed, but the girl—Celia, she recalled—was already charging ahead.

"Don't worry Raven," Celia said, gripping Raven's hands tighter and looking at her with a confident, almost self-assured grin. "Your big sister Celia is here now! I'll take care of you, okay? If anyone gives you trouble, just come to me. I'll handle it!"

Raven tilted her head, trying to suppress a smile. Celia's enthusiasm was overwhelming but oddly endearing. For someone who had lived over two centuries in her previous life, Raven wasn't used to this kind of genuine warmth or familial affection.

"Thanks... I guess," Raven said cautiously, still unsure how to navigate this dynamic.

Celia released her hands and stepped back, placing them on her hips in a triumphant pose. "No guessing about it, little sister. You're stuck with me now, and I'm going to be the best older sister ever. I'll even show you around the estate later—oh, and I'll introduce you to everyone. They'll love you."

Raven hesitated, her purple eyes narrowing slightly. "Wait. You're not going to make a big announcement or something, are you?"

Celia tilted her head, feigning innocence, but the mischievous glint in her eyes said otherwise.

"I might," she said with a sly grin.

Raven sighed, rubbing her temples. "Please don't. I'd prefer to stay under the radar for now."

Celia waved off the concern with a laugh. "Relax, I won't do anything too embarrassing. But seriously, you'll fit right in. Trust me, you'll love it here."

For a moment, Raven simply stared at her, trying to read her intentions. Celia seemed sincere, and her enthusiasm was almost contagious.

"Alright," Raven said at last, offering a small nod. "I'll take your word for it."

"That's the spirit!" Celia beamed, then turned toward the door. "I should probably let you rest, but I'll be back later. Oh, and don't forget to meet Mother in the throne room. She loves being on time."

Without waiting for a response, Celia flashed a bright smile and darted out of the room, leaving the door ajar.

A moment later, she came rushing back through the door, her energy unrestrained.

"Oh right! I forgot!" Celia exclaimed, tossing a thick book toward Raven. "Read this, my mother said to give it to you. It'll tell you everything you need to know. Cya!"

Raven caught the book, watching as Celia disappeared just as quickly as she came, leaving the room feeling oddly quiet. Raven stood there for a moment, the book in her hands, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Well, this is different, she thought. Celia's excitement was a stark contrast to the scheming, distrustful atmosphere Raven had once lived in. It was chaotic, yet strangely...refreshing.

Maybe having a sister wouldn't be so bad after all.

Raven sat down on the edge of the bed and opened the book, the title catching her eye: Guide 101.

"That's it for the title...?" she muttered to herself. But curiosity urged her on, and she began flipping through the pages. As she read, the world around her became clearer.

The city she now resided in was called Eldoria—a city filled with history and influence. It was home to several royal families, each with their own unique abilities and legacies.

The first family listed in the book was the Vermillion Family, known for their mastery of fire magic and unmatched skill in swordsmanship.

"What luck... the Vermillion family," Raven murmured. The mention of fire magic caught her attention—she knew the power of elemental forces all too well, though her old life had been centered on far darker energies.

Next came the Velmont Family, followed by the Caervyn Family, with each of the families possessing mastery over a particular element or magical ability. The list went on, detailing their strengths, historical significance, and influence. Raven couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The world she now found herself in was rich with power and intrigue.

"What fascinating politics..." Raven muttered under her breath.

But the part of the book that truly captured her attention was about mana.

Mana was the source of all magic, the invisible energy that flowed through the very fabric of the world. It existed in all things—living beings, the air, the earth, even the smallest particles. To most people, mana was undetectable, a mere presence in the world. But to those who could sense it, it was a constant hum, a pulse of warmth and energy that resonated with one's emotions and intent.

It was said that mana was the breath of the world itself, a gift from the stars that fueled life, miracles, and everything in between. Some believed that mana was infinite, a force that could never be fully understood or controlled—yet, it could be harnessed by those with the skill and talent to tap into it.

"Mana..." Raven whispered, her thoughts wandering. She had sensed it since her arrival in this world, but now she understood its significance.

There was also a concept called the awakening, a defining moment when an ordinary person first gains the ability to wield mana. It was a rite of passage for many, as it allowed them to shape mana into spells, weapons, or other extraordinary feats.

The book then described the mana core, the very heart of a person's magical power. It was where all mana was stored and refined, acting as both a source and a reservoir for one's strength. Each person's mana core was ranked based on its stars—each star represented the purity, density, and potential of their mana.

The First Star marked the awakening, the point at which a person could first wield mana. The Second Star was when the mana core began to truly develop, allowing for more refined control over mana and greater magical potential. From there, the stars continued to rise, each signifying a new level of strength and mastery.

"The highest rank is twelve stars," Raven muttered aloud, her fingers grazing the page. "And only three people ever reached that... but they've all passed away long ago."

She paused. Twelve stars—almost impossible to achieve. To think that such power existed, and that only a few had ever touched it.

The book continued to explain the concept of the Mana Core Wall, a mysterious barrier that prevented a person from advancing beyond a certain star level. Those who hit this wall often found themselves stuck, unable to improve no matter how much effort they put into training.

The book noted that there were two key factors when it came to mana cultivation: hard work and talent.

Raven let out a soft breath. "Hard work and talent... that's all there is to it, huh?"

It felt almost too simple. But then again, she had spent so much of her life in a world where things weren't simple at all. This new world, despite its complexities, seemed to offer opportunities that were based on effort and potential—things she could control.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door.

"Come in," Raven said, closing the book and setting it aside.

The door creaked open, and the two maids entered, each carrying a carefully folded, elegant outfit.

"Your Majesty—" the first maid began, before quickly correcting herself, "or rather, your mother has told us to come and get you to prepare for your introduction. We've brought the fitting attire for the occasion."

Raven raised an eyebrow but didn't protest. She could already guess this had something to do with the growing sense of importance surrounding her arrival.

The maids laid out the attire in front of her. Raven's eyes immediately drew to the layers of fabric, the soft colors, and the intricate designs.

The base layer was a light cream or off-white, a wide-fitting formal jacket that buttoned down to the waist. It looked comfortable but regal, its cut exuding elegance without being too tight or stiff. Over this was a second layer—a coat-like garment, dark and slightly purplish-black in color, that draped over the shoulders and fell to the mid-thigh. The fabric shimmered slightly as it caught the light, as though it held secrets of its own.

The overcoat was detailed with intricate gold ornamentation, fine threadwork weaving celestial motifs and delicate patterns into the fabric. Raven noticed the faint but beautiful violet-purple accents scattered throughout the garment, adding depth and contrast to the overall piece. Stars, moons, and constellations were subtly woven into the coat, giving it the air of a garment that could belong to a high noble or even royalty.

The overall look was striking—a combination of softness and strength, beauty and purpose.

"Is this for me?" Raven asked, her voice calm, though she was internally impressed. It was more grand than anything she had worn in her past life, but there was something strangely fitting about it.

"Yes, your... um, Lady Raven," the second maid replied, correcting herself with an awkward bow. "This is your attire for the upcoming introduction. Please allow us to assist you in getting dressed."

Raven nodded, slipping into the attire, feeling the smooth fabric glide over her skin. As she adjusted the final layer, she stood before the mirror, examining herself. 

"I'm ready," Raven said, turning toward the maids with newfound confidence.

"Your mother awaits in the throne room," one maid replied, her voice respectful. "Shall we escort you there?"

Raven gave a small, measured nod. Today was just the beginning of this new life—a life that, for better or worse, she was going to shape with her own hands.