Synopsis
Mai finds herself burdened with a unique task: aiding powerful men in achieving breakthroughs through a mysterious system. With a mere touch of her fingers, she propels them to new heights of power, but at a cost she never anticipated—each success steals a year of her life, leaving her perpetually younger. Initially viewing this as a boon, Mai soon realizes the toll it takes as she regresses mentally and emotionally. Faced with the grim realization that she's on a path to premature death, she embarks on a desperate quest for a solution. She sets out to cultivate her way to salvation, all while wrestling with the weight of her choices and the mysteries of her own existence.
*It's on purpose the writing style is childish. I would love to have your feedback*
1. When Curse Becomes a Blessing
In a large bustling city where cars roared and the haze resembled a thick layer of ash, there lived a young woman. Her name was Mai. She was a cheerful woman, though her days were often spent pondering over the challenges life had thrown her way. With a lively imagination, she often dreamed of escaping into a fantasy world. According to a fortune teller, her spirit animal was an eagle.
"If I could be reborn, I would be an eagle so I could fly," she mused aloud one day. "And if only Kenta could join me, it would be perfect."
Kenta, her dog, a Shiba Inu, had been spoiled a bit too much, but he remained her unwavering companion—the one star in her world who never criticized her and was always there as a true friend. In a country where societal expectations loomed large, Mai struggled to measure up. She no longer saw her parents, and her sister had relocated to warmer climes. Loneliness enveloped her, and only Kenta managed to fill some of the void.
One morning, as Mai stirred awake in her bed, a breathtakingly beautiful fairy suddenly materialized before her. Draped in a long, white dress as pure as snow, she hovered above the bed, radiating an ethereal glow. The fairy's hair cascaded down her back like strands of spaghetti, glistening in a shade reminiscent of buttercups in the height of July. Sprouting from her back were a pair of majestic butterfly wings, their silver hue speckled with glitter, reminiscent of shooting stars on a clear night sky.
Mai was awestruck by the fairy's beauty, rendered speechless. However, the fairy's gentle smile, akin to a blooming flower, put her at ease. A warmth spread through Mai's cheeks as she returned the smile, feeling a newfound sense of comfort within herself. It was then that Mai noticed a small white wand clutched in the fairy's left hand, no bigger than a chopstick.
Filled with curiosity and surprise, she spoke, "Miss Fairy, welcome to my humble abode. I have nothing of great value to offer, but I would be honored to prepare some tea for you."
The fairy graciously accepted the tea, and as they sat together, savoring the warm brew, Mai couldn't help but steal glances at the wand in the fairy's hand.
Suddenly, the fairy set down her delicate teacup, her smile unwavering as she regarded Mai.
"Miss, I was not expecting such hospitality, and you have pleasantly surprised me. Is it rosehip, green tea, and quince that I taste? It's wonderfully mild, reminiscent of my youth. Oh, if only I could relive those days." she sighed wistfully, her smile tinged with melancholy.
Mai felt a pang of guilt. Her intention had been to bring joy, not sorrow, with her tea. She wondered if she had made a misstep.
"I'm sorry, miss fairy. But I fear I have nothing else to offer that befits your esteemed presence."
The fairy's kind smile returned, and she noticed Kenta sitting nearby, gazing at her with his almond-shaped eyes, brown as hazelnuts.
"Is this your faithful companion?" she inquired. "He seems sweet and loyal."
Mai affirmed that Kenta was indeed her dearest friend, for whom she held unwavering loyalty.
The fairy chuckled softly, then pointed her wand at Mai.
"My time is fleeting, and I require your assistance," she declared, her tone grave. "You must take up my mantle."
Mai's mind raced with questions. What did the fairy's request entail? Would it lead her to a new life, perhaps in a fantastical realm? But as she beheld the sorrow etched upon the fairy's face, she hesitated.
"Should I accept, my life will dim much like yours," Mai countered, her resolve firm. "I must decline your offer, miss fairy."
Despite her hardships, Mai harbored dreams of her own—of love, of family.
The fairy's expression darkened, and she rose to her feet, pointing her wand at Mai with a forceful gesture. A deafening roar filled the room as it convulsed, furniture trembling, and a cherished Ming vase crashing to the ground.
"You have no choice," the fairy proclaimed sternly. "I have chosen you, and you will obey. For spurning me, you are hereby cursed."
Mai's fear intensified as her body trembled uncontrollably, every fiber of her being vibrating with terror. With a flick of her wand, the fairy traced a large circle in the air, conjuring a ring of white smoke that hurtled towards Mai. Paralyzed by shock, Mai felt rooted to the spot, her legs like lead, her heart hammering against her chest.
Terrified of what might come next, Mai found solace in Kenta's sudden presence as he leaped onto the table, causing her teacup to spill. Gathering her resolve, she clung tightly to her faithful companion, her eyes fixed on the approaching smoke ring. In an instant, a colossal smoke hand, resembling the paw of a lion, surged forth, seizing her by the throat and dragging her into the swirling vortex.
Darkness enveloped Mai as she was whisked away, the void devoid of sound or light, leaving her feeling cold and isolated. Yet, amidst the emptiness, she felt a soft presence before her—it was Kenta, her loyal companion, accompanying her into the unknown. Relief washed over her, and she offered a grateful smile.
"Thank you, Kenta, for being by my side."
A radiant flash caught her attention, morphing into a luminous white door. Curiosity piqued, she ventured forth, Kenta nestled in her arms. Though the door seemed mere seconds away, the journey stretched on endlessly, time slipping through her grasp.
Finally reaching the door, Mai extended her hand towards it, her excitement palpable. Heart racing, she pressed onward, eager for what lay beyond.
"Where will you take me, Mr. Door?" she mused aloud, her hand brushing against the cool surface. As she made contact, a gentle breeze enveloped her, teasing her senses and eliciting laughter.
With a gentle nudge from the wind, Mai stepped through the doorway, embarking on an adventure into the unknown.
Mai found herself in an enchanted forest where birds sang melodious tunes and insects hummed in harmony with the gentle breeze that caressed the towering white treetops, each leaf resembling a glistening jewel. Inhaling deeply, she was greeted by the delightful fragrance of blooming flora, as if every flower and plant had burst into full blossom. Dandelions swelled to the size of plums, while colorful poppies swayed gracefully, their dance mirrored by the rustling leaves.
Ancient oak trees stood sentinel, their massive crowns stretching towards the heavens, adorned with vibrant parrots exchanging cheerful melodies. Above, the sky stretched clear and boundless, offering a breathtaking view of the cosmos. Bathed in the sun's warm embrace, Mai couldn't help but smile, savoring the fleeting moment of tranquility.
Her reverie was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a large rectangular golden hologram, hovering silently before her. Startled yet intrigued, Mai cautiously reached out, her hand passing effortlessly through the hologram. A surge of anticipation coursed through her as she retrieved a small, dark wooden staff, reminiscent of the one wielded by the fairy.
"Could this be the fairy's staff?" Mai wondered aloud, dismissing the notion.
After all, the fairy had cursed her before sending her to this mysterious realm.
Regardless, she recognized the gift before her as an opportunity—a chance to seize control of her destiny. With a mischievous grin, she gently squeezed the staff, expressing her gratitude to its unknown benefactor.
To her surprise, floating script materialized above her hand, revealing the staff's capabilities:
Avari's Elemental Staff:
Life Point: 100/100
Fire Attack
Earth Attack
Water Attack
Wind Attack
Quick to grasp the situation, Mai understood that the staff was fully charged and ready for use. Eager to test its powers, she pondered the method of activation.
Drawing inspiration from tales of magic, she conjured an image of a fiery sphere in her mind and uttered the incantation, "Fire Ball."
As Mai attempted to summon forth the power of the staff, small red sparks flickered like candle flames, but they failed to ignite the desired spell. Undeterred by initial setbacks, Mai persisted, yet each subsequent attempt yielded no results. Despite her relentless determination, the staff's Life Points dwindled with each futile effort.
Life Point: 93/100
"So, casting a spell consumes Life Points." She mused, noting the decrease in the staff's vitality with a deep sigh.
Resolving to conserve the staff's remaining energy for another time, Mai turned her attention to exploring her surroundings. In the distance, she spotted a sprawling city with gleaming white buildings, beckoning her with the promise of answers. Descending from her vantage point onto a well-lit path of smooth sandstone, Mai ventured towards the city, anticipation coursing through her veins.
However, her progress was abruptly halted by the piercing wail of an alarm emanating from the still-hovering hologram. Its crimson hue forewarned of imminent danger, sending tremors of fear through her trembling hands. Yet, fueled by curiosity, she tentatively reached into the hologram, retrieving a bundle of garments topped by a radiant pearl glistening in the sunlight.
As Mai touched the pearl, it transformed before her eyes into a pair of magnificent white butterfly wings with pointed edges, reminiscent of a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. Although plagued by a fear of butterflies, Mai's fascination was piqued by the bold golden text that materialized above the wings:
"Wings of Lust."
Despite her father's warnings that nothing in life comes without a price, Mai hesitated only briefly before accepting the enigmatic gift. With a touch, the wings melded into her being, warmth spreading across her shoulders and back. A sensation of tickling ensued, followed by the unmistakable sound of wings unfurling.
Touching her back, Mai felt the softness of the wings, akin to the finest silk or rabbit fur. Overwhelmed with joy, she traced her fingers along the delicate contours, marveling at the surreal experience.
"I must be dreaming," Mai whispered in wonderment. "And if so, I never want to wake."
Mai carefully examined the pile of clothes before her, noting three elegant robes reminiscent of those found in the xianxia novels she had avidly read. With delicate cherry blossom embroideries adorning the collars, two robes were pristine white, while the third boasted a subtle shade of pink. Accompanying them were a pair of black ballerina-like shoes, completing the ensemble.
"This attire resembles something from the xianxia novels." Mai remarked with excitement, slipping into the robes.
As she fastened the belt around her waist, a sense of anticipation bubbled within her, regretting the absence of a mirror to admire her transformation.
Her attention was soon drawn to a glimmer amidst the grass—a golden hairpin with a white hair tie. Securing her hair into a neat bun, she adorned it with the hairpin, taming stray strands with finesse.
Suddenly, the magical staff underwent a startling transformation, morphing into a long golden rod with a chalk-white sword blade at one end. Intricate golden strands spiraled from the hilt, coalescing into a golden flower. As if materializing from thin air, a pink silk ribbon wrapped around Mai's index finger, forming a small scabbard for the sword.
Dumbfounded by the sudden turn of events, Mai examined the newly formed dagger in her hand, its purpose unclear.
"Is this a dagger?" she pondered aloud, perplexed by the enigmatic gift.
As the hologram dissipated, she felt her wings vanish, leaving her bewildered.
"Why did my wings disappear? Were they merely an illusion?" she wondered, her confidence wavering.
Nevertheless, armed with the dagger and accompanied by Kenta, Mai strode towards the city, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through her veins. As she hummed a tune and skipped along the road, anticipation brimmed within her, akin to a child on the cusp of unwrapping presents on Christmas morning.
However, fate had other plans for Mai, as a large butterfly suddenly alighted on her hand. With thick, moth-like wings and golden dust fluttering from its flaps, the creature gazed at her with longing, its furry body radiating loneliness.
Startled, Mai attempted to shoo the butterfly away, only to find it stubbornly clinging to her hand, its feet mysteriously adhered. Her unease deepened as she noticed a long, thick proboscis extending from its face, mistaking it for a mosquito rather than a butterfly.
As the dagger made contact with the butterfly, it fluttered away, casting a parting glance at Mai before disappearing from sight. However, Mai felt a sharp sting at the spot where the butterfly had struck, akin to ants crawling over her skin. Alarmed, she inspected the area, discovering a small black dot that rapidly expanded, eliciting a drop of blood. To her surprise, golden text materialized in front of each of her fingers, prompting her curiosity.
Perplexed, Mai examined her pinky finger first:
"Pinky Finger:
Skill: Clear Mind
Makes one see everything clearer"
Muttering the words "Clear Mind," Mai experienced a sudden surge of clarity, as if a cool breeze had swept through her mind, sharpening her senses. The grass appeared lusher, insects more intricate in detail, painting the world with newfound vividness.
Moving on to her ring finger:
"Ring Finger:
Skill: Cupid Call
Activate emotions"
As she activated the skill, a warm breeze enveloped her, igniting a flurry of emotions within her heart. Laughter bubbled from within, yet a pang of loneliness tugged at her, yearning for companionship.
Next, her middle finger:
"Middle Finger:
Skill: Avari's Cloak
Activates a protective shield"
A comforting warmth emanated from her middle finger, manifesting into a shimmering golden beam that coalesced into a protective shield. Intrigued, Mai reached out, feeling the delightful warmth of its embrace.
Turning to her index finger:
"Index Finger:
Skill: Fairy Dust
Enhance other abilities
Stand alone"
A delightful warmth enveloped her index finger, accompanied by a gentle tickle as golden dust swirled around it. Experimenting with the newfound ability, Mai aimed the dust at a nearby tree, witnessing its explosive effect that left the area charred and barren.
Finally, her thumb:
"Thumb:
Skill: Almighty
Pure destructive"
A searing heat emanated from her thumb, enveloped by red dust that swirled ominously. With a gesture, Mai unleashed its power, witnessing a spectacular display of destruction as the trees surrounding her were consumed by flames, leaving nothing but silence in their wake.
Mai marveled at the discovery that the abilities were mirrored on both hands, a realization that filled her with excitement and anticipation. With avaricious eyes, she contemplated the possibilities that lay ahead.
"Perhaps these abilities could pave the way for a new beginning." she mused, her heart swelling with hope.
Her previous life had been fraught with hardship, a chapter she was eager to leave behind. Setting her sights on the city before her, Mai harbored dreams of prosperity and, perhaps, even love.
However, one crucial question lingered in her mind: Where exactly was she in this strange new world?
Determined to unravel the mystery of her whereabouts, she set forth towards the city.
