"This one is delicious, and this one is also delightful! It's a pity that you're a system and can't taste it."
The system said, "Ressa, don't you focus on eating? Have you forgotten that you still need to complete the mission? It's been a month! You either eat or drink every day-when are you going to start, ah?!"
"Hmmmmm I'm going to start after I eat this.
"Ressa!!!", the system shouted, its voice crackling with static.
"Hey, look! This cake is so beautiful,it looks like it was painted!
"Ressa, taste the flavor? Is it good?"
"Ohhh it's strawberry flavored!"
'I want to eat it too! Damn it!' The system thought silently.
_________________________________
One month ago.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!"
"Someone call 911!"
__________________________________
A bright light appeared in front of Ressa Evans as she crossed the road, unaware of the approaching car due to several consecutive late night at work.
After waking up, she discovered that the system had inadvertently bound her to the wrong person due to an unexpected procedural error. The good news was that Ressa Evans was still alive; the bad news was that she had become vegetative in the hospital. To return to her original body, she needed to complete a mission. With no other choice, Ressa was compelled to travel in time with the system to the Eldorin Empire to save the world.
The Eldorin Empire, an ancient dynasty that has not been documented in history. Magic exists within this realm, and the Archmage of the Crown holds a status second only to the Emperor, making them the most powerful magician in the entire empire. Due to the presence of magic, women in this society can also serve as officials, although they are few in number. Among all historically renowned female officials, the most notable is the famous general, Duke Aaliyah Davies, who is the only female duke. Ressa is fortunate; she has crossed into this body, which belongs to the count's family, after the youngest daughter fell ill and succumbed to her condition.
"System, what did you say about my mission yesterday?" Ressa inquired while eating the cake.
"What? You didn't listen again after everything I said yesterday? You absolute fool!!!"
"Okay, okay, I admit, I was wrong.Wow! What do you see in that? Is this a light?"
"What? Where?" Taking advantage of the system's distraction, Ressa rushed out of the garden and headed for the house. On her way, she encountered the Countess and exchanged a few polite words before continuing on her way. The Countess was the stepmother of the original owner of this body.The original owner's mother had passed away when she was three years old, and due to an illness in her childhood, the original owner's intellect was impaired. Nevertheless, her family doted on her, and didn't neglect her despite her intellectual disability.
"System, you mentioned that I have taken over someone else's body and am merely relishing the love her family has for her. This thought I always leaves me feeling uneasy,." Ressa said to the system, guilt evident in her voice.
"Huh? Why do you feel guilty? It was you."
"I know, though she has-wait! What did you say? Me?!"
"Yeah, didn't I mention this to you yesterday? Considering how careful you are with them every day, do you really think just anyone can cross over? Of course, it only happens if your soul aligns with the version of you in this world."
"Yesterday? I was asleep! How could I have heard it? Did you do it on purpose? You must have manipulated the system, you don't think I don't know! Didn't you say you bound the wrong person instead of me? You lied to me!"
"Urghhh, listen to my reasoning! No explanation! I did bind the wrong entity, but not entirely wrong. Originally,my mission was not focused on you, I did not expect that this world also contained someone like you. You were originally the same soul, but a part of you accidentally ended up in that world, causing a split. You went to that world, while she remained in this one. Due to the missing part, your intellect is incomplete. Now that you've returned, you are her, and she is also you."
"So, within each world, there exists a version of me, but with a different consciousness—a distinct individual, right?"
"Yes, Ressa."
"I have two older brothers and one younger brother. Where are they? What do they look like? Are they nice?"
"Your oldest and second brothers were born to the last Countess, your mother, while your brother's mother is the current Countess. Your oldest brother, Heinrich Evans, is the youngest captain of the Royal Knights, responsible for the palace's security and trusted by the king. Your second and younger brother attends Sanctum Arcanum, one is a fourth-level magician, and one is a second level magician, their peers, making them key training students at the school. As for their looks? "
The system observed the face of its host, who face that was only 14 years old but destined to become the most beautiful person in the empire. It contemplated for a moment, "But your older and younger brothers both rank among the top ten on the empire's most handsome list, with your older brother even making it into the top five."
Ressa nodded in understanding as she reflected on her face, which had seldom been compared to either her past life or her presence one. "And how were they treating her—no, me—before?"
The system contemplated how the family had to clear the flat ground when the previous host fell and chose an appropriate analogy: "You even look at the Empire's number one heartthrob your older siblings are likely to swoop in and claim him for themselves."
"Really? Is that the mission you were discussing earlier?"
The system sighed and replied, "Save this small world from collapsing."
Ressa frowned and asked, "How can I save it? I'm just one person. Even if I learned magic, how many years would it take for me to master the skills necessary to save this world? Are you sure he can wait?"
"A tree that bears the fruit of life. If you can find it and offer the fruit to this small world, your task is complete. The only challenge lies in the uncertainty of its location. The closest individual nearly succeeded, only to be thwarted by someone who created a significant amount of trouble due to a minor misunderstanding. As a result, the attempt failed!"
The system glared at its host with sorrowful eyes. "The host even lost his soul.If it hadn't been for ..."
"If not for what?"
"It's okay, I'll help you. I won't let anyone hurt you this time!"
Ressa noticed the message this time and reflected on her little system's words, it seemed her small bin held a secret.
"System, do you believe I can return to the original world once the mission is complete?"
"You want to go back?"
"I believe my kitten is still waiting for me to come home. I'm relieved he was still at the veterinary hospital before I arrived here; otherwise, what would he do at home alone?" The only thing Ressa had left to hold on to from that world was the kitten she had picked up on her way home from work. She didn't have many friends, and her family was gone; the kitten was the only companion that had always been there for her.
"In fact, if your quest meets the required standards, you can also redeem rewards, such as allowing your cat to enter this world."
Ressa jumped up excitedly upon hearing this and asked the system, "Really? I can actually bring fries here?"
"People are unable to be sent here, but cats shouldn't have a problem."
"How many points are required?"
"1,000,000."
"What's my mission? How many points can I earn for completing a mission?"
"Your mission is to collect emotional points from others. The higher their emotions towards you, the more points you will earn."
"Emotions? How do you expect me to collect them? Should I just run off and start a talk show?" The system didn't make a sound, and for a moment, there was complete stillness all around.
Ressa raised her hand nervously and asked, "Can I refuse?"
"Invalid~"