The crack on the barrier was faint, but clear enough to see if one looked closely.

"A crack? Impossible." The guard muttered out, his freckled face scrunching up. "We checked it early this morning."

Ida glanced at the guard, her expression cold and firm. She did not say a word, but the guard stiffened and inspected the barrier.

In an instant, his eyes widened and he visibly blanched. He shot his head up at the other guard tower.

"Al-Alex!"

"Yeah?"

"When I wasn't here for a moment, did something hit the barrier?"

"Yeah, it was one of those mutated wolves, it came charging in like crazy and rammed itself against the barrier. After that, it ran off."

"And you never bothered to check the barrier?!"

"Those ugly mutts can never leave a scratch on the barrier. Aren't they the weakest around here?"

"It wouldn't hurt to check, would it? Get down here and use those damn eyes of yours to see!"

Yet again, just like before, the guard leaped down from the tower easily. However, instead of riding on the falcon, Ida saw a transparent panther appearing beside the guard as he plunged down.

The panther let out a roar, before merging itself with the guard. He landed on the ground with ease, standing up and sauntering over to the barrier.

Ida noticed that his piercing yellow irises resembled that of a cat. Inspecting the barrier, his reaction was similar to his fellow guard.

"How is this possible?"

"The barrier is weakening."

"We just repaired it a week ago!"

"Maybe it isn't the barrier," Ida stepped in, glancing at the pillars. "But the core itself."

"We just have to use it once more," the guard with the freckled face sighed out. "The supply of it is rather limited now..."

"Supply of what?" Ida questioned.

Her memory until she was thirteen did not cover the history behind the creation of the magical barrier, or what was used to repair it.

Upon her question, the expression of the freckled-faced guard twisted.

"It's nothing, Lady Wolfe," Alex answered in a polite tone, bowing his head. "The barrier will be fixed immediately, do not fret."

Alex crouched down and leaped up onto the guard tower with an explosive force. Ida squinted her eyes, avoiding the dirt from flying into her eyes.

Meanwhile, the freckled-faced guard lowered his voice, speaking to Ida.

"Lady Wolfe, no matter how many times you ask, we cannot provide an answer," he said with a helpless expression. "It is your father's orders, we apologise."

Ida only paused, her expression unreadable before she nodded.

The guard excused himself to assist his friend, after escorting Ida further away from the barrier.

The previous Ida Wolfe must have questioned incessantly about the magical barrier.

Her parents, or should I say mine, seems rather protective.

Ida pressed her hand against her chest, tilting her head.

"Protective..." Ida smiled wryly, musing to herself. "To think there would be a day where I would be protected. What a strange second life this is."

She walked away after receiving confirmation from the guards that the barrier had been fully repaired.

After which, there were no other hiccups in Ida's life.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Two years have passed.

By now, Ida has become accustomed to her life. She had also formed a deep connection with everyone in the village.

She has also learnt the limits of her own body. The body of Ida Wolfe was, and always will be...extremely weak.

No matter what she did, she would remain slim. No matter what she did, she could never gain muscles.

Moreover, she also lacked something else.

A spiritual contract.

It was what the freckled-face guard, and Alex, possessed. The transparent falcon and panther they summoned out to aid in their daily lives was a spirit.

Long ago, in the great war that took place centuries ago, humans were the most hapless race to exist in the land of Vriafenia. They were caught in between the war, and the survival for their race was almost nonexistent.

Humans were extremely weak.

Thus, the humans fervently prayed for salvation.

One day, their prayers were answered. The Spirit God decided to bestow them with powers, allowing them to form a contract with spirits from the spirit realm. Alas, not every human was granted that right.

The spirits choose their own masters, and if none answered your call...

You were considered one of those unfortunate humans.

Alas, Ida Wolfe was more than unfortunate. Compared to what she could do in her previous life, Ida Wolfe was completely and utterly useless.

Nevermind the fact that she wasn't rich, in terms of physical abilities or spiritual abilities, Ida Wolfe was at the worst end.

She sighed, placing her head on her hand. Ida was seated on her bed in the bedroom, dressed in her sleeping gown with an outer robe.

It was dark out, but the night was still young. The Grenyth Empire had a different approach to light, and the night sky was littered with bright stars.

Although the path was simply made by prolonged human activity, the lighting around the village was unlike something Ida had ever seen.

The body of the streetlight was a wooden beam. However, the lamp was made out of the same shimmering vines that surrounded the stone pillars supporting the magical barrier. In the center of the shimmering vines coiled together, there was a luminescent light that filtered through the gaps of the shimmering vines.

The luminescent light would tremble from time to time, as if it was alive.

Only when the sun rose, and day broke, would the light stop shining. It was as if it could finally get some respite.

The source behind the light, or what it was, no one has given Ida an answer.

"Oh, my dearest Ida," her mother questioned, walking into her room. "Why the heavy sigh?"

"...it's nothing."

Her mother tilted her head in confusion, placing her clothes that dried under the sun inside her daughter's wardrobe.

Ida suddenly thought of the memory she was still missing. A year and a half has passed, but she still hasn't recovered them fully.

She sighed once again.

"Another heavy sigh?"

"It's nothing."

Once again, her mother tilted her head in confusion. Seeing that her daughter did not want speak any further, she left the room after giving her a light hug.

"Whatever it is, I'm sure you'll figure it out," she said with a smile. "And if you still aren't unable to do so, your father and I will be here."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Thank you, mother."

All of a sudden, a low chime was heard throughout the village. Despite being nineteen years old, this was the first time Ida had heard such a sound in the village. Albeit, she lost five years of her memory.

"What's that sound?" Ida questioned as she turned to her mother.

That's when she saw her mother's pale face.

Ida's face hardened.

"Id-Ida, stay here and don't go anywhere!" Her mother warned, her words faltering. "I need to go find your father--"

"It's about the barrier, isn't it?"

Her mother visibly stiffened.

"Mother."

"Alright, there's no point in hiding," her mother bit on her lower lip, gesturing to Ida. "Come, follow me to the barrier."

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

"The barrier is weakening again!"

"Bring it over!"

"It’s not enough! We have to wait for the imperial family to send it over again!"

"That's another week!"

"Darn it, just throw whatever we have left!"

Ida observed the chaotic situation before her with a composed expression. Meanwhile, her mother embraced her in fear while her father was busy contributing in the efforts to thwart the monsters away.

So those are the mutated wolves.

Ida thought, still observing the scene before her.

It was easy to tell they were mutated. Their size was larger than normal wolves, and black veins lined around their bloody red eyes, and there was a foul smell surrounding them. They bared their fangs, that were enormous, at their prey who were fighting them off.

The guards used their own contracted spirits to push the wolves back. Whether it was combining their strength with their contracted spirits, or commanding the spirits to aid them, they did whatever they could.

On the barrier, there was an ominous crack and the wolves were intelligent enough to know it was a way through.

Whenever they tried to wear the cracked barrier down, a few guards would combine their efforts to block and push before diving in for an attack. Ida's father used his own contracted spirit, an elephant, to help them as well.

"Oh dear Spirit God," her mother murmured out in fright, trembling. "Please help us."

Just then, Ida witnessed a guard leaping down from the guard tower as they carried a glass vial in their hands. The glass vial contained rainbow-coloured particles, resembling glitter, and she watched as they uncapped it.

They threw the particles all over the barrier and stone pillars. The vines around the pillars that were starting to lose their lustre had revitalized.

In an instant, the crack was sealed up.

The wolves rammed themselves into the barrier, and this time, they bounced off it. Landing harshly on the ground, the pack of mutated wolves growled menacingly before retreating.

They missed their opportunity to feast on the delicious prey.

Fortunately, there were no injured villagers or guards this time around.

"That was our last batch."

"We had no other choice."

"This won't do," Ida's father spoke, running his hand through his amber-coloured hair. "I'll have to meet with His Majesty to plead for aid and more replenishment for our supplies."

Everyone looked at him.

"Lord Wolfe, you know the Emperor is dying of old age," one of the guards scoffed. "Rather than caring for the well-being of his people, he would try to find a way to cure his old age instead."

"The crown would be inherited by His Highness, the Crown Prince," another guard spoke up. "I heard that compared to his father, he is benevolent and fair to the entire Grenyth Empire."

"I have spoken to His Highness on a few occasions," Ida's father nodded. "He will definitely aid us."

"Honey, let me accompany you."

Ida's father agreed immediately.

Ida noticed the gazes of her parents on her. It was clear they did not plan to bring her along.

"I won't ask to go," Ida stated. "Do not fret, mother, father."

Her parents sighed in relief.

"Hurry, prepare the horses!"

"Let a few of us come along as well, Lord Wolfe and Mistress Wolfe."

"We won't hesitate to accept your escort."

Whereas, as they were making preparations to set off the next day, Ida spun around to look back at the barrier.

Something felt amiss about it.

However, before Ida could contemplate any further, her thought process was interrupted by her parents demanding her to return home first.

Unbeknownst to them, there was the faintest of crack on the barrier.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

Back in her bedroom, Ida gazed out at the waning moon. Her arms resting on the window ledge.

"The barrier will not hold," she whispered to herself. "The trip to the imperial palace would take a few days on horses."

Nevertheless, Ida had the faintest feeling that it wouldn't last only a few days. In fact, it would take way longer for her parents to return.

She glared down at her thin wrists.

"What should I do to protect everyone with this fragile and useless body of mine?"

There was only one thing could do, which was to use her brains to devise strategies. Though, she didn't know much about this world and hence, she couldn't do that.

"What can I do--"

She was struck by a familiar phenomenon.

The memories of her missing five years, it started to rush back into her mind. The five years of memory would explain the meaning behind Ida Wolfe's sudden disappearance.

Just like the present Ida, the past her found out about her own helplessness.

There was an attack on the village, and it was more perilous this time. They barely managed to fight the monster off.

She couldn't help anyone, with her frail body, and neither could she make a contract with any spirit. After praying to the Spirit God for a week straight, nothing happened.

The village could no longer rely on the imperial family to support them. Everyone had to fend for themselves.

Ida Wolfe realised this quickly enough, and she started to grow desperate. She did not want to lose anyone else.

She could view her memory clearly.

Inside the prayer room, which was nothing but a large, empty building with a glass dome. This was built everywhere in the Grenyth Empire, for the sake of praying to the Spirit God.

In this poverty-stricken village, this was the most expensive building around. It was also the odd one out, among the houses made out of sturdy wood.

Just like how the humans prayed for their salvation, and was answered in their time of need. The same thing happened for Ida Wolfe, her salvation came in the form of an enigmatic robed-man, with a hood covering his face.

"You want power. I can grant you that."

The man with the hooded robe spoke in a low voice. He handed over a vial of blood over to Ida, who looked askance at the vial.

"You are doubtful, I understand. A demonstration would be best."

He placed his hand on Ida's shoulder, and lifted his hand up in the air. Snapping his fingers, Ida was shocked to find herself out in the Wastelands. There was a growl behind her and she gasped.

She saw the most common creature in the Wastelands, a mutated wolf.

"Drink that, and you won't die."

The wolf pounced onto Ida, and her composure broke, letting out a shrill scream. The mysterious man only stood aside, gesturing for Ida to swallow the blood in the vial. Since her life was on the line, Ida was forced to swallow it down.

The taste was horrendous.

"...!"

She could feel the strength surging through her. Almost immediately, she grabbed the wolf by its throat and flung it aside. The wolf let out a whine, scuttling off when it realised its prey was too powerful.

Amazed at how strong she became, she turned to look at the hooded man.

He gave her another vial of blood, and she could see the expectant smile on his face.

Ida did not make a move to take it.

"I know this isn't for free, what would you have me do?"

"A simple task. If a blonde woman with blue eyes comes by, do not let her through the barrier."

Ida widened her eyes, shaking her head in disapproval.

"I cannot do that. No one would survive out here, and I will not send anyone to their deaths like that."

"Well, then..."

His smile dropped.

At that moment, Ida could feel the pain spreading across her entire body. She let out a tortured gasp, dropping to the ground in excruciating pain.

The hooded man only looked at her, not bothering to offer a helping hand.

"You'll agree to do that, eventually."

Ida looked up, her body and her voice trembling.

"Sp-spare me."

"I am not the one causing you the pain. It's the blood that you consumed."

"He-help me. The pain...!"

The man stood there, not moving.

"You need only to agree to my request."

"I-I cannot do that!"

Ida lost consciousness a few seconds later. The mysterious man waited, and Ida suddenly burst open her eyes. However, the Ida before him was completely different.

There was a crazed look in her eyes, and she flipped herself up from the ground. She began to sprint away, and the hooded man spoke up.

"Bind her."

A transparent rope started to coil around her body. After which, Ida was pushed down by an unseen force and pinned onto the ground. She was panting heavily with the same crazed look, and blood dripped down from her lips.

"Now, I need you to wake up."

A shock coursed through her body, and she gasped. Her crazed look faded, a hint of recognition in her amber eyes.

"Please, spare me."

"I will."

The man gestured to her.

Ida squeezed her eyes close, her body burning and the pain was agonising.

"I'll...do it."

The man smiled expectantly. He placed the vial of blood on top of her body, removing the binds around her. Alas, due to the amount of agony she was in, Ida couldn't move an inch.

Her breaths were scalding, and she felt as if her body was on fire.

"Now, remember. The blonde woman with blue eyes. Never let Auriana Lionheart pass through the barrier."

The next time Ida awoke, she found herself back in the prayer room. She stumbled her way to her house with her feverish and weak body, shocking the life out of her worried and panic-stricken parents.

Thus, that was the last memory of the previous Ida Wolfe.

"..."

Ida was back in the present, and she was still leaning against the window ledge.

Although it felt long, the time that passed by in reality was no more than ten minutes.

"Now, I understand why."

She looked up at the waning moon, a conflicted look in her amber eyes. The colour of her hair was similar to that of the moon.

"I finally understand why everything seemed so familiar to me."

This world that Ida Wolfe was in, it was a novel she had read in her previous life.

Whereas, the blonde woman with blue hair named Auriana Lionheart...

She was the main character of this world.