[participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]

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 a few reviews have gone up as of November 19th-22nd that will skew expectations the wrong way. Those reviews have gotten a lot of upvotes so I'll state this in the blurb and opening comments.There is definitely a lot of nonsensical Isekai zaniness. There is cringey anime comedy. Lorina is presented as tone deaf and annoying. These choices are intentional.

But - the traumatizing content tag is there for a reason, and the writing choices in arc 1 are deliberate.

This is a deconstruction attempt, and believe it or not from first impressions, it is a character-driven story. The first arc should look quite different on a second read if I nail the landing. With that said, enjoy! As always, I appreciate any and all constructive feedback.