[Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge. Arc 2 revisions pending.]

Things didn't really start off all that weird, but boy - that sure didn't last.I opened my eyes, and I really wish I hadn't.

I was a literal. Honest-to-god. Cel-shaded anime mage girl named Alice. With dark blue hair, purple eyes, a stupid ahoge, and a complete and utter lack of stature or athleticism.

Worst of all? This girl Alice was supposed to be some sort of magic prodigy. And well, I woke up here with none of her knowledge and expertise so I guess I'm a fraud. My family - the Liddell family here is broke. We're about to lose the house, and there's no food on the table. Alice coming of legal adventuring age was supposed to be the family's big break. All the expectations in the world were heaped on me, and my airhead of a sister Lorina has dragged me off to deal with all kinds of bowel-clenching, terrifying situations. One deadly scenario after another after another....Why can't life just be simple?

I'd hoped to leave the devil in the details, i.e showing not telling, but I will state this in the opening comments.There is definitely a lot of nonsensical Isekai zaniness. There is cringey anime comedy. Lorina is presented as tone deaf, pushy, and annoying with no respect for the MC's boundaries in arc 1. These choices are intentional.

I will say that this is a character-driven story with a heavy emphasis on character development, functional magic, and worldbuilding, and a heavy dose of horror despite first impressions. Please read the opening chapters with the intentional isekai comedy cringe in mind.With that said, enjoy! As always, I appreciate any and all constructive feedback. This is a writathon project, and most of the work is in a second draft state as of November 27th.There are still some things I want to add but the fic has come quite a bit.