Chapter 2: A Startling Transformation

Chapter 2: A Startling Transformation

Morning sunlight poured through the grand windows, casting a golden glow across the room. Yamauca groaned as he sat up, rubbing his eyes. His body still felt off, heavier in some areas and lighter in others. He shook it off, thinking it was residual exhaustion from the chaotic day before.

Dragging himself out of bed, he shuffled toward the bathroom, still groggy. As he reached for the basin to wash his face, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the full-length mirror—and froze.

A stranger stared back at him.

His—or rather her—face was otherworldly. Her porcelain-white skin was impossibly smooth, her lips were a delicate shade of pink, and her deep blue eyes sparkled with an almost hypnotic allure. Her figure was slim but curvaceous, with a soft yet elegant femininity that seemed both regal and untouchable. Her long, dark blue hair cascaded in silky waves past her shoulders, framing a beauty that felt unreal.

“What the...?” Yamauca whispered, stepping closer to the mirror. “What happened to me?”

His hands shot to his chest, and he winced as he felt the unfamiliar fullness there. Panic set in as his mind raced. Yesterday, he had looked like the original Aetrial—a handsome but slightly feminine man. Now, he had transformed into a woman whose beauty could rival the goddesses described in the novel.

“Okay, okay, calm down,” he muttered, forcing himself to breathe. “Think. How did this happen? Is this some weird side effect of transmigrating? Did someone cast a spell on me?!”

As Yamauca continued to wrestle with his new reality, a sudden knock on the door startled him.

“Master Aetrial,” came the butler’s composed voice, “the academy day is about to begin. Your breakfast and carriage are ready. Please prepare yourself.”

Yamauca's blood ran cold. He couldn’t let anyone see him like this.

“I’ll... I’ll be out shortly!” he called, trying to keep his voice steady.

Rummaging through the wardrobe, he grabbed a long strip of cloth and began wrapping it tightly around his chest, flattening his curves as best as he could. The process was uncomfortable, but it worked well enough to make his figure look more like Aetrial’s original.

“This will have to do,” he muttered, throwing on his academy uniform—a tailored black coat with gold accents, crisp white trousers, and a high-collared shirt. He adjusted his hair into a low ponytail, hoping it would distract from his delicate features.

When he finally descended to the dining hall, the servants greeted him with stunned expressions.

“Master Aetrial,” one of the maids gasped, her eyes wide, “you... you look—”

“Like a Angel,” another whispered under her breath, earning a sharp glare from the butler.

Yamauca avoided their gazes and quickly sat down at the dining table, where a lavish breakfast spread awaited him. He ate as quickly as he could, ignoring the murmurs and glances from the servants.

“Is it just me,” one whispered, “or does the young master look even more radiant than before?”

"Radiant??. This is simply more beautiful even compared to use" a maid know for her attractiveness whispered

“Yeah, even we don’t look that beautiful,” another female maid know for her attractiveness muttered.

Yamauca fought the urge to scream. “Thank you for the meal,” he said curtly, rising from his chair.

The butler bowed. “The carriage is ready, Master Aetrial. I’ll escort you to the door.”

---

The ride to the academy was uneventful, but Yamauca’s nerves were frayed. He fidgeted with his uniform, double-checking that his makeshift binding was holding and that nothing about his appearance would raise suspicions.

As the grand gates of the magic academy loomed ahead, he took a deep breath.

“Just stay quiet,” he told himself. “Keep your head down. No one needs to know anything.”

But deep down, he knew it wouldn’t be that simple.