(Mei's POV)
I felt a warm light hitting my face, the sounds of a river flowing, and a soft breeze blowing through my hand. I opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar yet beautiful scene.
There were trees everywhere, and a river near me. I thought of my last memory, and believe I was in heaven, and the dream about AI was likely a product of post-death hallucination or something like that, right?
I stood up and I started to notice something odd. My hands and feet were smaller, and I was wearing a white sundress and a pink Beizi that was tied around my waist. I started to panic until a voice interrupted my panicking.
"Ah, she lives!" A voice like wind chimes and broken glass echoed through the clearing. "Took you long enough, sleepyhead!"
My breath was caught, and I took in the figure perched on a nearby boulder. The girl-no, the being-with lavender hair and star-pupiled eyes swung her legs carelessly, her impossibly perfect features arranged in a smirk.
"A-Ai? So that wasn't a dream..."
Hoshino Ai hopped down with a twirl, her dress shimmering like a galaxy. "In the flesh! Well, divine projection technically, but who's counting?" She leaned in, pinching my cheek. "And look at you! Adorable!"
"W-Why am I like this?!" I asked while swatting her hand, and walked to the river to see my reflection.
I saw a pink-haired child with smooth jade-like skin and soft facial features that scream both cute and beautiful. I was shocked because it wasn't my younger appearance in my past life.
"Like the upgrades?" Ai appeared beside her reflection, grinning. "I went for 'ethereal child star' meets 'future goddess of pop.' The hair changes color in sunlight - see?" She flicked a strand, which shifted from pink to gold.
My voice trembled. "Why am I a child?"
"Practicality, darling!" Ai conjured a floating chair and lounged dramatically. "Rebirth 101 - start young, train hard, avoid existential crises about your real age." She counted off on glittering fingers. "Plus, child stars are marketable. And most importantly..." A wicked grin. "I'm impatient."
I took a deep breath to calm myself, and after composing myself, I asked Ai an important question:" So, where am I?"
"...Good Question, I forgot."
"..."
"..."
" Aren't you supposed to know where you're going to place someone!!"
"Tehee~, Don't worry, I have a guide to help you in becoming a legendary idol. As for the other information. We could until I remember the information or ask a local to- DOULUO, that's the name of this world, and if I recall, this world has a profession called Soul masters. You can think of them as those cultivators that is trying to become powerful or something like that."
" ...That's it."
" No way, don't forget about the guide that I've prepared just for you."
Ai snapped her fingers. A massive holographic screen materialized:
"WELCOME TO DOULUO, MEI"
Current Status:
Age: 7
Spirit: Starlight Stage (Awakening Pending)
Soul Power: 0
Fans: 0 (Pathetic)
"What is this? Some kind of game interface?" eyes twitching.
"Think of it as your... celestial career roadmap." Ai waved a hand, and the display shifted to show nine glowing gates. "Complete all nine trials of the Idol God, and voila! Divine stardom awaits!"
"And if I fail?"
Ai's smile didn't waver. "Let's not think about that~!"
The screen changed again, showing two shimmering skills:
[Charming Voice Lv.1]
Chance to mesmerize listeners when singing
[Dancing Machine Lv.1]
Chance to mesmerize Audiences when dancing
[All Eyes On Me (Passive)]
Natural stage presence draws attention (Bonus to first impressions )
I hugged her knees to my chest, the reality of the situation settling in. "So I'm really... stuck here."
For the first time, Ai's expression softened. She floated down to sit beside Mei. "Look. I know this is overwhelming. New world, new body, terrifyingly beautiful goddess breathing down your neck...But this is your encore, Mei. A chance to shine brighter than ever before."
She stood abruptly, pulling me up with her. "First lesson! Your spirit needs awakening, and for that, we need..." She gestured grandly to the forest. "A willing audience!"
As if on cue, a rustling came from the bushes. A small fox with violet-tipped ears emerged, tilting its head curiously.
I gasped. "It's... beautiful."
"Your first fan!" Ai pushed her forward. "Go on, superstar. Give it a show."
I hesitated, then took a deep breath. And began to sing a lullaby from my past life.
As my lullaby floated through the trees, something miraculous happened. The air itself began to dance.
Tiny starlights burst from my lips, swirling around the violet-eared fox. Its eyes reflected galaxies as it crept closer, entranced. Then—
Thrum.
The earth beneath me sang back.
Glowing runes erupted across the grass, forming a circular stage that hummed beneath my bare feet. Holographic spotlights pierced the canopy, painting the clearing in gold and pink. My Starlight Stage had awakened.
"Brava!" Ai twirled overhead, her dress scattering glitter like stardust. "Now that's an entrance!"
"Congratulations!! You unlock your martial spirits," Ai said excitedly
The holographic status screen materializes
"Mei's Idol Status"
Current Status:
Age: 7
Spirit: Starlight Stage
Soul Power: 5
Fans: 1
" And it seems our audience is getting bigger and bigger. Go and entertain them." Ai encourages me and then vanishes from thin air.
And like she said, from every direction, they came - spirit beasts drawn to my song. Tiny rabbits peeked from bushes, their twitching noses glowed. A flock of silverfeather Birds perched on branches, swaying in perfect rhythm. At the clearing's edge, a twilight color Panther emerged, its shadow swallowing the sunlight, yet its ears flicked forward, pupils wide with wonder
Somehow, I didn't feel scared or nervous, but felt excited and happy, I could feel my voice trying to sing another song. And it feels so incredible that I know my face is showing a stupid grin.
" Well, I shouldn't make them wait then. " I said excitedly and started singing again.