With a gentle smile, Mrs. Magenta spoke, "Roselle, I believe you. You're not the only that experienced strange visions. When I was around your age, I went through it too. I saw things and had experiences that no one else believed. I knew deep down that I wasn't crazy, and I eventually learned to understand and control these...abilities."

Roselle's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. "Abilities? What do you mean, Mom?"

Mrs. Magenta chuckled softly. "Well, my little bunny, sometimes, people have unique gifts that allow them to perceive the world in ways that others can't. Your gift is the visionary powers you inherited from me, and I know how they work. It can be hard at first, but I can teach you how to use them. You can learn to make use of these abilities rather than see them as a problem."

Roselle looked somewhat shocked at all of the information, but then she eased up and smiled.

"Mom, thank you. I was really starting to feel lost and confused by these visions I’ve had. "

Mrs. Magenta smiled warmly and opened her arms, inviting Roselle into a loving embrace. " I'll always be here to support you dear. We'll figure this out together."

As mother and daughter held each other in a comforting hug, Roselle felt a renewed sense of hope.

----------------------------------------

The next day:

After School, Roselle's phone rang, and she quickly answered, hearing Harty on the other end of the line.

"Roselle, can you come to the chess club, like, right now?" Harty spoke with haste, which was a change from his usual nervously made calls to her. "There’s something we need to talk about."

Roselle nodded, even though Harty wasn’t able to see her. "I’ll be there soon as I can Harty, but can you atleast let me know what this is about?"

Harty replied, "I’ll let you know when the time comes, just make sure you get there as quickly as you can.”

Roselle felt a sense of foreboding. She knew that Harty wouldn't call her to the chess club in that type of tone unless it was a serious matter. With nod, she replied, "I'm on my way, Harty. Hold on."

After she hung up the phone, Roselle gathered her things and made her way to the chess club, her mind racing with questions about what could be so urgent that Harty had called her in.

Roselle arrived at the chess club room and she found Harty inside. He seemed relieved to see her. The room was set up for their investigations, with maps, notes, and various pieces of evidence scattered about.

Harty greeted her with a somber look. "I'm glad you could make it, Roselle. We have a problem," he began with worry. "We've lost Sarah. She's no longer a part of our investigative team."

Roselle's heart sank upon hearing Harty's words. She remembered losing track of Sarah at the arcade the previous day. Hearing that she was no longer involved in their efforts filled her with great concern.

"I haven't seen Sarah in school today," Roselle admitted while clenching her fists and looking downwards. "We need to find her, Harty. She's been with me for as long as I know her. She’s my best friend."

Roselle turned her gaze towards Harty. "We need to retrace our steps, Harty. I’ll go back to the arcade and try to talk to anyone who might have seen her. Sarah wouldn't just leave without a trace! There has to be some way to find her..."

Harty looked at Roselle for a while with a glare. Roselle in part took on the face of confusion which soon became a nervous smile. “Umm…Harty, why are you staring at me like that?”

“Roselle, there is something you should know,” Harty started off with. He took a deep breath with concern. "I went to the Silver Star Arcade last night. I was there because you didn't show up for our meeting. While I was there, I saw Sarah."

Roselle's eyes widened in surprise and concern. "You saw Sarah? “

Harty continued with his face becoming fearful, "She was with someone who looked exactly like you, Roselle. The person was taller, but everything else was similar, even their hairstyle. They weren't dressed casually like you usually do. They were with a boy who was dressed rather fancy for an arcade."

Roselle was trying to process this new information. A look-alike and a boy at the arcade? She didn’t see them at all. It didn't make any sense.

Harty’s face grew more serious as he recounted what he had overheard. "I caught a sliver of their conversation, Roselle. They were pressuring Sarah into doing something, something dark and dangerous. I tried to get closer to find out more. Unfortunately, my current partners had some kind of episode, and the three of us ended up in a secret part of the arcade. I couldn't get back to Sarah."

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Roselle's mind raced to connect the dots. It sounded similar to what Sarah had mentioned during her recovery, about someone leading her to do unspeakable things.

‘Even with all of this information, it still doesen’t make sense,’ Roselle thought.

"Wait, Harty," Roselle interjected. “I left the arcade without finding Sarah. I went home. How could I have been there with her?"

Harty looked equally puzzled and concerned. "I don't know, Roselle. Some very bizzare things are happening, and I think it's connected to the look-alikes case were working on. We need to find Sarah and figure out what's going on, before it's too late."

Roselle nodded in agreement, a sense of urgency propelling her forward. "You're right, Harty. We can't waste any time. Let's find Sarah and uncover the truth."

Harty hesitated for a moment before speaking once more,"Roselle, there's one more thing you need to know. There is another person who looks like you. Fortunately though, they're on our side. They joined our investigative team yesterday."

With that, Harty placed a picture in front of Roselle. While looking at the image, her eyes widened in shock and disbelief. It was a picture of an extremely familiar girl.

Staring at the picture, Roselle's trembled. "That's... that's .....That...can't be.... How... how is this possible?"

Roselle's mind was swirling with confusion and disbelief. The revelation that there were multiple people who looked like her, some potentially involved in sinister activities, had left her shaken. She tried to comprehend the situation, but unfortunately for her the systems brought her out of the memory and into the present space of her mind.

"Project Mage, the memory is over. It's time to come back to the present."

Roselle blinked. She took a deep breath and refocused on the present moment. "Go back to the present, “she muttered to herself then shook her head and said," Wait… Was that... Risebelle?" she asked, "My sister from the world I come from? In that picture, she looked older, like a college student. How is that possible? Is she a part of my past?"

"Project Mage, I don't have all the answers. The memories I show you are fragments, and they may not align with your current understanding of reality. The presence of someone resembling your sister in a different context is indeed puzzling. Unfortunately, I cannot provide a definitive explanation."

Roselle nodded, though her curiosity and unease lingered. "Mhhhgh! This just raises even more questions! I need to find out what's going on!"

"Project Mage," the system stated boldly, "further information will have to wait until the next Memory Fragment is found. Currently, 20% of Project Mage Data collection is complete. With each new fragment, you may be able to piece together a clearer understanding of what's going on."

Roselle sighed."I guess all I can do is hope to see the next memory fragment soon," she said with a hint of frustration. “But I won’t stop until I unravel the truth, no matter how long it takes me. If the past data can help me in some way, then I’ll take it on!"

The inside of Roselle’s mind became silent. Roselle began to feel a sense of unease though. By now, she would have been outside of her mind and waking up but the process was not as fast as usual. She should have been back to the present; however, it seemed to have stalled. Frustrated and curious, she decided to break the silence.

"System, you went silent," Roselle remarked. "I was supposed to be sent back to the present by now, right?"

The system's response was prompt; however not one she anticipated. “Your body is in a shutdown state for longer than the anticipated time. During these periods, you should feel free to ask any questions or seek information without the need for a prompt."

Roselle was surprised by the system's response. It was as if the system expected her to take the initiative in seeking answers. Roselle considering what questions she could ask to shed light on the mysteries of her past life.

After a moment of thought, Roselle made a decision. "System," she began, "can you tell me more about Project Mage? What is its purpose, and why am I involved in it?"

The system responded with a concise explanation. "Project Mage stands for 'Mastering Affinities in Guided Environments.' It is designed to enable the mastery of four elemental affinities. However, you currently have control over only one: yellow lightning. To access and harness the power of the other three elements—earth, water, and fire—you need to enter Project Mage Form. Doing so requires a minimum of 50% Project Mage Data collection. Upon Aquiring this form, you will be able to push your magical capacity beyond 200% without any danger; however, attempting to push your systems beyond 300% magic capacity without reaching this threshold will result in a Magic Rupture, which can be dangerous without the aid of Dr. Kintovar's technology."

Roselle absorbed this information, her mind racing with the implications of what she had just learned. The idea of mastering multiple elemental affinities was both fascinating and daunting. She knew that she needed to collect more Project Mage Data to reach that 50% threshold and unlock this potential.

"Thank you for explaining, System," Roselle replied. "I understand that I need to gather more Project Mage Data to access these abilities safely. I won't rush it. I'll work towards that goal."

Roselle then paused for a moment before asking another question that had been on her mind. "System, can you tell me more about Dr. Kintovar and her role in all of this? What is her plan with us? I um…just want to know…"

The system's response was firm and unwavering. "Information about Dr. Kintovar and her plans will only be revealed when you reach 75% Project Mage Data Collection," it stated.

Roselle understood that there were limitations to the information she could access at her current level of progress. She was ready to continue her journey, collecting Project Mage Data and uncovering the mysteries that surrounded her existence.

"Got it," Roselle replied with a sense of resolve. "I'll keep working towards that milestone, and when the time comes, I'll learn more about Dr. Kintovar and what's really going on. Thank you, System, for your assistance."

Roselle thought for a moment, then she said, "System, wait, one more question… can you at least tell me if Dr. Kintovar has only good intentions for us? I mean, is she really only trying to help us, or is there more she has planned to use us for?"

The system paused for a moment before responding, "Dr. Kintovar's intentions will become clearer as you progress through Project Mage. I'm unable to provide a definitive answer at this time."

Roselle nodded, realizing that her questions about Dr. Kintovar would have to wait until she reached a higher level of Project Mage Data Collection.

Roselle soon found herself drifting back in the present. Words echoed in her mind,

"Project Mage, the time to wake up is now,"

After taking a deep breath, Roselle opened her eyes.