Dawnstar Dynasty, Aelsryel

Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Eirik caught sight of his reflection in a puddle by the roadside. Before him stood a young man in tattered linen clothes.

Though his attire was ragged, he was tall and handsome—almost exactly the same as he had been before his journey. The only difference now was that the thin fabric left him shivering in the biting cold wind.

“Have I really become a beggar in another world?”

With a heavy sigh, Eirik felt a sharp pang of disorientation. It finally dawned on him: he had crossed into an unfamiliar realm, a world where magic, elves, goblins, and creatures from legend truly existed.

Lost in his thoughts, several bright lights shot overhead—people soaring on enchanted devices!

“Wow, I want to learn magic too!”

But before he could get excited, a sharp pain pierced his head, an overwhelming surge of unfamiliar memories flooding his mind.

“Sorry, you lack magical aptitude. Starlight Academy of Magic does not accept you.”

“You are fated to have no connection to magic. It would be wise to focus on working hard and earning coin on the streets…”

“Earn coin? But I haven’t earned a single copper!”

A bitter flood of memories returned—years of backbreaking labor, leaving him threadbare and starving.

"So, I can’t learn magic... and I can’t even make money?" Eirik thought, the weight of it sinking in.

"Is there a more unfortunate transmigrator than me? No way."

He’d crossed into another world, yet here he was, destined to live as a common, struggling soul.

Just then, a cheerful mechanical voice rang out, crisp and clear:

[Ding! The Queen’s Ascendance Program is starting. Are you ready?]

Eirik’s heart leaped in his chest.

“Oh, haha! It’s the system! Finally, it’s here!”

A surge of excitement coursed through him as he quickly tapped “Ready.”

[The game is starting… Launch complete!]

A series of text and a panel materialized in his mind.

[Next, you will play the role of a supporting character. Your ultimate goal is to cultivate a supreme queen who will rise to the pinnacle of power.]

[If you succeed, rewards will be granted based on your performance.]

A supporting character?

Eirik stared at the screen, stunned. As a proud transmigrator, wasn’t he supposed to be the shining hero? Now, he was relegated to the role of a side character?

“I’ve crossed into another world, and now I’m playing a game? This feels… off.”

Still, Eirik’s curiosity won out. He instinctively clicked the panel, revealing an array of captivating profiles. Each girl seemed more beautiful and alluring than the last. He was left in awe.

“Well, with all these pretty faces, I might as well give it a try,” he mused. After all, he’d always enjoyed nurturing games. Watching his characters grow stronger had always brought him a strange sense of satisfaction.

“The system really delivers—these character designs look almost lifelike! They surpass any mobile or PC game from my past life!”

Among the many profiles, one stood out—Elvynna, a graceful girl with a stunning appearance. Her curves were alluring, yet her icy demeanor gave her a commanding presence. Eirik had a soft spot for cold beauties—conquering someone like her, seeing her fluster… that was where the real thrill lay.

[Name: Elvynna]

[Race: Human]

[Age: 16]

[Talent: Elven Sovereign’s Legacy: From birth, she bore the Regal Bone of the Ancients, a powerful relic of her Elven heritage. Although she has lost this bone due to various circumstances, her cultivation and strength still surpass those of her peers.]

[Talent: Unknown, Unknown…]

[Background: Unknown]

The goal of the game was to nurture these girls into unparalleled magic users, so their magical potential had to meet high standards. Elvynna’s prospects were clearly exceptional.

Her card was light on details, but the phrase "Elven Sovereign’s Legacy" was written in purple—signifying rarity and immense power.

Even without the Regal Bone of the Ancients, her talent still gleamed in purple. What must she have been like before she lost it? And if she regained it, her strength could be unimaginable.

Elvynna was a five-star character—top-tier! She was exactly what Eirik had hoped for. A rare and powerful asset for his first game. It was a no-brainer. Full speed ahead! He would nurture her well, and, with luck, win her heart.

Meanwhile, in Aelsryel, within a humble, run-down courtyard, a stunningly beautiful but cold-faced girl stared at a similar panel, her voice soft and melodic as she murmured.

“Queen Ascendance Program? What is this?” (The female lead’s system is different from the male lead’s; hers is a subordinate version, similar to how his is a master, while hers is a servant. Keep reading, it’s quite exciting.)

Her voice was clear, like ice water trickling from a mountain spring—distinct and soothing. This was Elvynna, the girl with the Elven Sovereign’s Legacy.

She had been studying magic at home when suddenly, a cold, mechanical voice echoed inside her mind:

[Queen Ascendance Program: Bound! Would the host like to start the game?]

Without hesitation, Elvynna instinctively clicked “Start.”

[In the thirty-sixth year of the Dawnstar Dynasty, your power has reached the level of Practitioner, rapidly surpassing your peers.]

[Both the Aelsryel government and the Starlight Academy of Magic favor you; your future seems bright.]

[But little do you know, a vast conspiracy concerning you is quietly brewing.]

A conspiracy? Interesting. Elvynna’s sharp eyes narrowed. Despite her exceptional talent, Aelsryel was the largest city-state in the southwest, home to nearly ten million people. Among them were countless prodigies! Within Starlight Academy of Magic, many could rival her! As an orphan without influence, why would she be involved in some grand conspiracy?

[Many geniuses within the Starlight Academy of Magic have been disappearing one after another, yet the instructors and headmaster seem unfazed…]

Disappearing geniuses? Elvynna furrowed her brow. She’d heard whispers of students and teachers vanishing, but could it be true? Was there really something sinister unfolding?

[Feeling threatened, you decide to remain indoors and focus on enhancing your strength, preparing for what’s to come. Just then, an unfamiliar, mundane citizen unexpectedly arrives at your door.]

At that moment, a beautifully rendered character illustration of Eirik appeared before her.

He was dressed in tattered linen, his smile gentle and his gaze mysterious.

Strikingly handsome—enough to make many young girls swoon—but Elvynna merely glanced at him, then turned back to the screen. He was just a mundane who couldn’t even learn magic. What good was being handsome if it couldn’t bring you power?

Suddenly, her eyes narrowed as she noticed a small line of text beneath his illustration.

[Fortune: Mysterious Visitor]

Fortune? Wasn’t this man just an ordinary citizen? As a Practitioner mage, why would her encounter with him be labeled as fortune?

Confused, Elvynna clicked on Eirik’s profile, and a series of messages appeared before her.