[Behold! I Shall Conquer my Ex's Heart!]
Ryder racked his thick skull upon hearing the other participants of the competition gossiping about the arrival of another, unanticipated guess, whose [Main Title] was as absurd as the one he currently possessed.
If there was one thing that seemed to be this World of Chuuni's universal truth, whether it was a mere game or now a reality, it's that the more cringe-worthy the [Title] sounded in the ears of the listener, the higher chance its [Main Effect] was fraudulent in nature.
Whether it's a blessing or a curse for the [Title] holder, it's undeniably still considered a cheat code!
'Damn it. Why is she here?' If the rumors of her participation were true, then Ryder was in huge trouble of winning the competition… that's if he was not aware of her [Main Title]'s weakness.
This particular NPC in-game standards was amongst the renowned figures who had a critical impact on the Main Storyline. After all, born from the Fox Queen, ruler of the Fauna Queendom, she's also one of the main heroines, but a deceptive one at that.
'I heard she once betrayed Princess Luna in one of the academy arcs…' Ryder did his best recalling every bit of information about what had transpired that was discussed in the official forum, which affected the game, Cosmic Nomenclatures, in its entirety.
Moreover, since this Lunar Circle Competition was a month before the transpiration of the Main Storyline, no one but only the developers knew what exactly happened in this part since this would be considered as a 'flashback' only written in the player's own system when accepting a game quest.
'If I managed to complete this mission without a hitch, then it means the supposedly Lunar Circle Competition in the academy will not happen…' Ryder thought.
'However, without a hindrance is utterly impossible.' He added in his mind while his gaze fixated on the gradually decreasing participants in line.
After some time, Ryder handed to the vampire warden, who was guarding the massive gate of the Moonsoil Mountain Range as though it was an amusement park, the personal invitation stamped with the genuine crest of the Valentine Royal Family.
"Ryder, 24, a mere commoner from the Erindem Continent?" The vampire warden scrutinized him from head to toe, making him quite uncomfortable.
'I'm not only the damn commoner here!' Ryder inwardly expressed himself, gauging the thought that was running in this vampire's mind.
"Hmm, did you perhaps steal-" Just as this vampire warden was about to express his suspicion, a soft yet cold voice from behind echoed.
"He's invited."
It was Princess Luna's personal maid, Helene the Crimson Maid.
***
"Your cat mask draws unwanted attention." Helene the Crimson Maid, who was usually in her maid uniform, softly said.
"Pardon me, but this mask is necessary, at least for me." Ryder followed her from behind. "By the way, where are we going? Is Your Highness looking for me?"
"I see. So you wouldn't take that mask off even during the competition? That's a pity considering your commendable facial features under that mask" Helene said.
Pausing for a second or two, she continued, "I was asked to escort you as someone who personally received the invitation. I am not sure you are aware, but most of the invitation to become Your Highness Luna's personal butler was delivered through several mediums.
"Most of the participants, if not all of them, are recommended by the subsidiary guilds under the control of Your Majesty, the Queen of Vampires."
Ryder fell silent, his mind wandered.
After a while, he opened his mouth to ask, "If that's the case, I guess this will be a fierce competition. Anyway, may I ask something else…?"
Without glancing back, Helene answered, "What is it?"
"I heard the rumors that one of the heirs of the Fox Queen is also participating, is it true?"
Hearing such a query, Helene sighed. "Yes, it's true. It means Your Highness will be disappointed. After all, didn't you declare in front of her that you would win this? It's a dilemma."
'Dilemma…'
Ryder understood Princess Luna's personal maid's remark. After all, the [Title] holder of the [Main Title] – Behold, I Shall Conquer my Ex's Heart! was a close friend of hers. At this point, the betrayal had yet to transpire.
'I have to find out what happened between these two. Or the possibility of a third party that causes the Fox Queen's daughter to betray the heirs of vampires.' Ryder inwardly mumbled.
After some time had passed, when Ryder and every other participant were escorted to their personal lodgings built on the foot of the Moonsoil Mountain Range, the roll call began.
"Every participant, proceed to the open field! The first part of the Lunar Circle Competition will begin!"
***
Jagged and tranquil, the Moonsoil Mountain Range was a long and ginormous forest filled with rich herbs, a few dungeons, several resourceful caves, and some species naturally inhabiting it to keep the cycle of the ecosystem alive.
Seeing it up close, at least even by just standing at the foot of the mountain range, Ryder sensed the clean atmosphere, a very different one from his single apartment filled with trash.
'I wonder if I should have gone out more…' He thought clearly since his chronic social anxiety was now miraculously cured. This caused him quite a surprise because such seemingly regretful words would not come across his mind if he had been in his previous mental and psychological state.
"Everyone, take your seats!" Ryder's nostalgic and 'what if' scenario was snapped by the competition's presider's voice.
It was not only him, but rather most participants were baffled at the sight in front of them.
In this open field just at the foot of the mountain range, a few hundred sturdy wooden armchairs were neatly arranged. However, having no choice, Ryder took a seat around the right side of the rows and columns while the others also found theirs.
"Now then, you see the parchment and a feathered pen? Answer me!" The female vampire, whose appearance was a pale beauty but with cold red eyes and cascading long silver hair, shouted at everyone.
She was like a teacher being neglected by her students.
"Yes~!" Everyone answered.
"All right. If there's no problem, let us begin the Lunar Circle Competition's First Exam, which falls under the written category!"
With her reverberating voice, the murmurs eventually increased.
"Wh-what?! Written?"
"I thought we were going to fight!"
"Not like this! We aren't students anymore!"
It was at that moment-
Whoosh!
Thud! Thud! Thud!
…that three heads painted the soil crimson with a fountain of blood.
The Exam Presider then softly yet coldly asked,
"Are there any more complaints?"