The familiar scent of old books and dust filled the grand library of the Eveque mansion, a comforting aroma that had become my daily companion. It had been a month since my unexpected transmigration, and I’d buried myself in these tomes, trying to decipher the mysteries of this new, magical world. But despite my efforts, one bitter truth had solidified: I, Alexandria Eveque, the notorious villainess, was utterly devoid of magic.

"It’s too late for me to use magic," I’d muttered to myself countless times, the words a weary mantra. Yet, the thought of being utterly powerless in a world brimming with elemental users gnawed at me. My survival, already a precarious dance around plot points and death flags, depended on my own strength. So, I’d chosen an unconventional path.

My fingers instinctively traced the hilt of the wooden sword tucked beside my study chair, a tangible reminder of my secret training. Swordsmanship, coupled with the nascent power of Qi manipulation—my own little rebellion against fate. Vice-Captain Bogart, bless his stoic heart, was a surprisingly patient instructor, though my parents remained blissfully unaware of their daughter’s newfound martial pursuits.

Two more weeks, and I would be starting at Kershian Academy. The thought brought a mix of dread and anticipation. That place was a nexus of danger, where the novel's main characters, my potential executioners, would converge. But it was also a place of opportunity, a chance to truly break free from the villainess script. I had to fix my reputation, avoid entanglement with the male leads, and most importantly, survive.