Transmigrated as an Elementalist in a Fantasy Game

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It’s my 18th birthday, and I’m spending it alone—working the evening shift at my part-time job. When I was younger, I used to dream of a grand celebration, but like most childhood fantasies, it faded into the background of reality, just another fleeting thought lost in the haze of everyday life.

I’m not heartbroken about it, though. The idea of a celebration sounds nice, but I've never expected much. Growing up in an orphanage, you learn quickly not to. The people there were kind—Sister Tricia and Father Anthony were like parents to me. I loved them dearly, but as I got older, I knew it was time to leave. I’m working now, earning enough to cover my meals and tuition. The orphanage barely had enough to get by, and by moving out, I lifted a small weight off their already burdened shoulders.

Sister Tricia had tried to convince me to stay, but I was resolute. I’ll miss them, of course. But I’ll visit. I promised I would.

Now, here I am, sitting in the break room, staring at a small cake my boss bought for me.

“This isn’t coming out of my paycheck, right?” I ask with a grin. My boss chuckles and shakes his head. “Nope. Just enjoy it.”

I laugh, cutting a slice. It’s not much, but it’s enough. Eighteen years is a long time for someone like me, and if nothing else, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. I worked hard to get decent grades—not top of the class, not even close, but good enough that I can pat myself on the back. Good enough to feel like I’ve earned something.

As I blow out the single candle, wishing for something to change, for something in my life to finally go right, my coworker Stephanie approaches, holding a small gift.

“Happy Birthday, Eve! I got this for you. It’s not much, but I thought you’d enjoy it,” she says, smiling as she hands me a USB drive. “It’s the latest game—Path of Light and Darkness. It’s a fantasy visual novel, and it’s got this cool feature where you get to decide your own path. I thought it was perfect for you.”

I smile, genuinely touched. Stephanie’s a good friend. The game looks interesting, too, but...

“Thanks, Stephanie, really. But, uh… I don’t exactly have a way to play it,” I say with a small laugh. “No computer, remember?”

She winces, clearly forgetting, but I wave it off. “It’s fine, seriously. I’m lucky to even get a gift at all.”

The night shift ends, and I say goodbye to my coworkers, the city dark and quiet as I walk back to my dorm. The game is still in my hand, and despite what I said, part of me is curious. Maybe I could ask Charles to play it with me. Charles… the guy I had a crush on until he got a girlfriend. He’s the top student in our class—smart, athletic, and kind. I thought he liked me once, but I was wrong. That’s just how he is with everyone.

I sigh, glancing up at the traffic light. It’s green, so I step into the crosswalk, my mind still drifting back to Charles, to the orphanage, to the game in my hand.

Suddenly, a strange glow catches my eye. The game. It’s glowing—golden light spilling from the cover of the game, pulsing faintly. I blink, rubbing my eyes, but the light is gone.

Must be my imagination.

HONK!

I whip my head to the left just in time to see a truck barreling toward me.