The Final Route

03 | memory upload

During my slumber, my mind unspooled a reel of memories like a film marathon. Each scene played out like a cinematic experience, offering a peek into a life that was definitely not mine.

These memories belonged to Seira Kopas, the villainess who was apparently now my unexpected alter ego.

It felt like I was watching a movie from the front row, experiencing her world through her eyes. I presumed being in her body meant I had access to her memory archives — like inheriting a dusty old vault of personal footage. But I was just a spectator, gaining insight into Seira's life and the world she ruled over with a haughty sneer.

I navigated through Seira's timeline, from her childhood to recent events. The timeline wasn't exactly seamless; there were gaps and fuzzy bits, like an old VHS tape that's seen better days. Yet, each fragment added pieces to the puzzle of her character and this unfamiliar world.

Seira and Klein, the twin children of the late Duke Kopas, had a cushy upbringing in a realm of luxury. Their parents, though busy with duties, made sure they experienced a happy childhood.

The twins' early years were filled with both sibling shenanigans and the occasional clash of royal wills. Klein looked up to his father as if he were a superhero, dreaming of filling his shoes one day. Meanwhile, Seira, the spirited troublemaker, thrived on her natural talents and early successes.

But alas, the plot took a dramatic turn when a tragic accident claimed their parents' lives when the twins were only six. The sudden loss threw their world into disarray, transforming their once-happy home into a stage of chaos and grief. The absence of their parents left a chasm that no amount of luxury could fill, casting a long shadow over the Kopas household.

After their loss, Seira and Klein's grandfather, Alfred Kopas, emerged from his retirement to take charge. Now the sole family left, he stepped up to raise the twins with his characteristic mix of warmth and discipline. Alfred was a genial yet no-nonsense man, and was determined to give his grandchildren a solid education.

By the time they were ten, he had them grappling with complex concepts and developing their critical thinking — because nothing says "happy childhood" like intellectual challenges.

Despite her haughty exterior, Seira was no slouch. Her unrequited crush on Prince Chancis Ledestria, drove her to excel in everything she did, making her the ambitious overachiever of the family who dreamed of becoming the next queen. Meanwhile, Klein, ever the dutiful successor, was already helping his grandfather with business matters at eight, proving himself a rising star among his generation.

At twelve, the twins started at Ruiles Academy, the prestigious school that was basically Hogwarts for nobles. Thanks to Alfred's rigorous prep work, they aced their exams, earning top spots among the freshmen. Ruiles Academy, sprawling across private lands and overseen by the esteemed Headmaster Marquess Felder Ruiles, boasted over three thousand students from across the continent. It was so renowned that people spun tales about it, even though most could only dream of attending.

As Seira's memories washed over me, I got a full immersion into her life — like binge-watching a reality TV show. I learned everything from her school clique to her daily routines, likes, dislikes, and even her most well-kept secrets.

And honestly, I wasn't shocked by what I found. There were no surprises here: Seira Kopas was precisely what I expected.

Picture the typical "mean girl" from American TV dramas. If Seira were a character in a corny high school love story, she'd be the one with all the power and none of the subtlety. Far from being a true villainess, she was just another privileged bully with an ego the size of her wealth and a beauty that made her a walking, talking royal decree.