“…What?”

When Aleria opened her eyes, no final battlefield greeted her. No humans despairing in their final moments. No bestial armies bearing down, intent upon paying back years of grievances. No colossal multi-headed dragon committing genocide with overwhelming power.

None of that.

“Where is this?” Aleria just stared, confused at the peaceful scene laid bare before her.

Massive brown tree-trunks stretched into the sky, splitting into countless branches lined with dangling green leaves. No tree was the same. Whether in the way they twisted skyward; the assortment of color-shades for bark, leaves, and branches; the number of limbs spreading across the canopy. They were all different.

Aleria couldn’t even remember the last time she had seen a tree. They were a precious resource after all, especially in a losing war where the alternatives were scarce. Fortifications, buildings, campfires; they all required wood. The longer the war went on and the further back humanity retreated, the less trees existed.

They shouldn’t be this tall though. She sat on the forest floor and even the tree roots crawling along the ground dwarfed her. It felt like being stuck in a labyrinth. Either these trees were abnormal—which wouldn’t be surprising, Aleria had seen much weirder things after Integration—or she had been shrunk. “I hope not, being small reminds me of childhood,” she mumbled.

Feeling the overhead sun’s warmth tickling her skin and a breeze of clean fresh air stopped her grumbling.

Aleria inhaled the pure leafy air like a fish out of water. She savored it like fine wine as it entered her lungs, How long has it been since I’ve had such luxury? The entire atmosphere was in stark contrast with the war-torn scenes she had known for the past fifteen-years.

Sun-rays pierced through the thick foliage, bathing the picturesque nature in calm as it blended forest-colors in an orange tinge that looked like in had been ripped out of a travel magazine.

Another breeze of fresh air carried with it the chirping of birds as they sang to each other, the chittering of insects as they went about their day, the creaking of trees as the wind blew through them, and peculiar high-pitch noises that seemed to communicate with each other… Wait.

Caution, trained over many years, took over as Aleria strained her ears, attempting to make out the strange sounds. She didn’t hear anything though; the wind changed, blowing the opposite direction.

She didn’t calm, however; the wind would change again and she would be prepared.

Many monsters and demi-humans made nature their homes after Integration, and none would tolerate an environment-wrecking human. Aleria didn’t even know where she was, or what happened, so she wasn’t about to take any chances in trusting the locals.

Patience paid off when the breeze blew through again.

Aleria filtered out normal sounds of nature, homing in on any anomalies. Hmm? She could hear it again. This time the sounds were louder, or rather, ‘they’ were louder.

High-pitch chattering echoed through the forest, making it impossible for her to pinpoint. They were obviously monsters communicating with each other and sounded like they were searching for something, becoming more frantic with each passing moment.

And they were getting closer.

I’d better move, I’m out in the open here after all.

Aleria tried to stand but found her balance off. Why do my limbs feel so— A sting of pain shot up her spine, trying to force her back down. I do not kneel! With gritted teeth she gathered her willpower and remained standing on shaky legs.

Glancing behind herself to locate the origin of pain, Aleria blinked.

Hidden behind long and luscious silver hair, thin transparent wings greeted her with a twitch. They were patterned with mesmerizing swirls and lines, like the wings of a butterfly. Those aren’t the wings of a valkyrie. She thought.

Okay, now I’m freaking out. What the hell is going on!? She screamed in her mind. I’ve obviously been teleported, but that isn’t unusual, someone could’ve saved me from the battlefield, I’m strong after all, I’ll be needed to continue the fight! Yet my wings are different. No. Everything is different.

Aleria grabbed a fistful of the long silver hair that reached down to her waist and now seemed to be hers. It was soft and well taken care of, nothing like what her hair should be. She’d never even had hair this long in her entire life, let alone this… this… this nice?

Her heartbeat increased as the ridiculousness of the situation began to set in. What the hell have you done Akasha!? It was the only explanation. Only the System would have the power to achieve such a thing.

Next thing you know I’ll find out this isn’t even the same world, or that I’m no longer even human!

Her cautious mind kicked her out of life-crisis mode when an excited shriek echoed from within the canopy, followed by another, then several dozen more. Soon the forest was awash in revelry.

I guess they found whatever they were looking for. I can break down later, for now I need to—

Before Aleria finished her thought, a dozen tiny female figures burst out of the canopy right above her. They were awash with joy as they descended toward her, high-pitch nonsensical cheers and giggles accompanying them.

Fairies. Of course I come across famed tricksters of the forest. Aleria sighed, preparing for the worst. Her analytical and combative mind took in all their details and began planning.

They each flitted around using a pair of delicate wings, patterned with various mesmerizing designs that even managed to steal her gaze for a second. Each wore little, nothing more than woven leaves around the chest and waist.

Aleria couldn’t say she approved, they weren’t outfitted for combat after all. Or maybe it was just because she didn’t know where to look? They were all beautiful after all, without imperfection.

Milky white skin, unblemished by time. Wild untamed hair, dyed in fantastical colors. Long delicate fingernails, guaranteed to cause significant damage to the unwary. And azure eyes which swirled around as if they were containing a tornado locked away.

Strangest of all, however, was how ten of them had eerily similar facial features. Only two had unique faces; one had a pink ponytail which flailed around in the air, while the other kept the wild and untamed look but took it to an extreme as green hair draped out like a superhero’s cape.

Activating an ability to discern more information—which would give her a better idea of what she faced—gave her nothing. What!? Why can’t I inspect them? Anyone can use that skill!

Now she truly was panicking. She knew beforehand that she couldn’t fight to the best of her ability due to injury, but she had at least planned to go down with a fight. After all, before winding up here she’d been prepared to die and her mind hadn’t calmed down from that tense state, even if it seemed her body had.

Yet now, if she couldn’t even activate a skill everybody gained after Integration, then did she even have the ability to fight? What else could she do? Could I negotiate? She didn’t like those odds, every race had been against humanity after all. But if this is another world… Aleria now hoped that crazy idea she thought of before was real.

As they began taking up positions all around her, she realized a fact she had overlooked. Each of their wings were thin and transparent, just like her own. Could the other crazy idea become real too? Am I no longer human? Am I perhaps one of them?

She shifted her weight as pent up tension ramped down. She could at least infer they weren’t immediately hostile, as they gazed at her with happiness, hope, relief, and was that perhaps reverence?

Aleria couldn’t remember a time where anyone had looked at her in such ways. Even when she’d caught back up with humanities strongest, she was always being shunned for something. It became so bad she just returned to her loner ways. I work better alone anyway.

Shaking her head, No irrelevant thoughts, especially now of all times. Experienced eyes surveyed the situation at hand, her guard hadn’t lowered yet. First, make sure this isn’t a fairy illusion.

Status.

A wall of text appeared in front of Aleria. None of the fairies reacted to this display and kept their gazes locked on her.

[[STATUS]]

Name: Aleria

Race: Wind Fairy

Level: 5 (Tier 1)

Classes(5/5):

* Wind Fairy:F (5)

…

Well, I suppose that answers a lot. Nothing can affect the Status screen. Guess I’m a fairy now, and I’ve been set back one hundred years of leveling. Honestly more peeved about that than a race change.

Aleria would’ve liked to look deeper at her stats but one of the unique fairies advanced toward her.

It stood a whole head taller than its kin and its pink ponytail—tied up by what appeared to be flax—swayed with each step. Within the fairies arms sat a crown crafted with entwined twigs and adorned with the greenest of leaves. Despite the crudeness, it appeared fit for a queen—well, a tiny one at least.

“Mii~ Miia~ mii~”

Aleria understood that the fairy wished to place it back on her head, Should I accept?

She widened her eyes, Wait… I can understand it? And back on my head? Does that mean it was already mine to begin with?

Why do they even see me as their ruler? I just got here. Perhaps I took over a body? She was unsure of herself. Should I even get involved with monsters? Because even if they look human-like, that’s what they are. Could I live with myself if I associated with such creatures?

Aleria shook her head, What am I even thinking, I’m a monster now myself. And it isn’t like being human ever treated me well. Besides, I don’t even know where I am, or what exactly happened.

But could she be what these lovable fairies wanted? It wasn’t like she received any memories of the previous owner of this body. She knew nothing of these fairies, hell she couldn’t even understand them, so how could she rule them?

Regardless, I’m here now and that’s all that matters. I can slowly get used to things, built myself back up and then search for answers.

With a deep breath she bent forward, intent on receiving the crude crown, however, this movement caused a sharp spike of pain.

“Ssss.”’ Aleria breathed through gritted teeth, once again, only barely remained standing. Dammit! I cannot show weakness, not now. What if they turn on me?

They didn’t meet her expectations though. Instead of the disdain or the calculated looks, every fairy looked panicked, a few even had pained expressions as if they were the ones in agony. However, the other unique fairy ran forward.

Aleria stiffed as her guard raised, her eyes trained on the panicked approaching fairy, What’s it doing?

This one dragged long untamed green hair along the ground behind it, somehow not getting dirty. A smidgen of green colored the center of its stormy-blue eyes, like a humans’ pupil. It was easily the smallest fairy and looked like a gust of wind could blow it away.

When it reached Aleria, green motes of light sprang out its dainty palms, drifting through the air and into the damaged wing.

Aleria felt immediate soothing relief as she relaxed her guard. So it’s healing me, how sweet. But why not touch the wing? Surely it would go faster?

The little fairy trembled with some emotion, which Aleria couldn’t put her finger on. Its scared of me? Or is it perhaps shy? The moment the healing finished the fairy scurried back to its spot in the circle, like a deer smelling a predator.

With the pain now dulled, Aleria nodded to the pink-haired fairy—who had been fretful—before lowering her head just enough to be crowned.

When the twig and flower crown rested upon her head, Aleria felt power surge through her body; any previous hesitation and random thoughts disappeared as increased clarity graced her mind. Only confidence, determination, and a healthy amount of girlish excitement at the prospect of being a queen remained. This crude thing is actually magical equipment?

Amazed but unaffected, she stood tall and regained her stature, as the fairies around her dropped to one knee and bowed their heads. Aleria could feel a regal aura with accompanying ‘pressure’ now emanated from her. She could tell that this aura suggested those around her to lower their heads, it wasn’t overpowering but it could be quite the hindrance in combat.

“Rise, my loyal subjects.” The pressure abated when she raised her hand in a rising motion. Oh, this is going to be so much fun.

As the fairies rose, their eyes contained deeper reverence, maybe even slight worship.

Is it the crown? Or perhaps…

Aleria activated the skill [Fairy Eyes] she had glimpsed when viewing her stats. She assumed this skill replaced the normal one and was how fairies analyzed targets, thus, the reason why she couldn’t scan them before.

[Wind Fairy | Lvl 2],

[Wind Fairy | Lvl 4],

[Wind Fairy | Lvl 2],

[Wind Fairy | Lvl 3]…

Ah, so that’s why their reactions changed. None of them are Named. Only named monsters have the intelligence to form human speech and thus, are worshiped for it. Aleria sighed inside her mind, cognizant of the fact she was now both a ‘ruler’ of fairies not to mention a fairy herself. It’s going to take a while for the fact that I’m now a monster to sink in.

Fairies were classified as monsters, despite the fact they could be mistaken as demi-humans—after all, they were just tiny humans with wings. In the fairies case, they were monsters because they were a spiritual race, created from a single element, in this case: Air.

I wonder then… Her eyes fell upon the fairy whom crowned her and now patiently waited in front of her—Pinky.

[Miia | Lvl 4 | Wind Fairy]

As expected, this one’s Named. It can only seem to speak its name though, so it’s likely never seen a human before, let alone heard their speech.

The now named fairy Miia tilted her head to the side, “Mii~?”

Broken out of her musings, Aleria cleared her throat. Since she’s Named, she can be taught. “Miia, from now on you shall be my right-hand and carry out my commands.”

Confusion became excitement as the pink fairy’s eyes became rolling skies. “Mii~!” She looked like a kitten who had finally received attention.

“Now Miia, tell me what has occurred while I was… indisposed.”

With a bobbing head, Miia proceeded, “Mii~! Miia~, mii~, mii~, Miia~.” Her eyes became more stormy the longer she went on, arms became more expressive. While the atmosphere of the surrounding fairies became gloomy, as the wind picked up. Leaves were twirling around the healer fairy, using the breeze like a weak tornado.

Their home taken? Unknown number killed or lost? Little food with no source of replenishment? Aleria’s face became grimmer with each ‘mii’ or ‘Miia’ uttered. But all her mind came up with, was a giant question mark.

How the hell do bees rebel?