The grand halls of Eden Academy buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the new school year began. The opening ceremony was to be held in the Academy's magnificent main hall, a place where the finest students and noble families of the kingdom gathered to celebrate their academic endeavors. Aira, now keenly aware of her precarious situation, prepared herself for the event with a mix of dread and determination.
Dressed in the elegant uniform of the Academy—a deep blue coat adorned with silver trim—Aira exuded an air of cold grace as she joined Sophia, her ever-cheerful roommate. The two girls walked side by side through the winding corridors, Aira's expression a careful mask of indifference while Sophia chatted away.
As they approached the main hall, Aira noticed the whispers that followed in their wake. Heads turned, and eyes narrowed as students murmured to each other, their words laced with disdain and curiosity.
"That's Aira Arima, right? The one who caused that scene at the Crown Prince's summer party," one girl whispered to her companion.
"Yes, I heard she humiliated Lady Elara, the daughter of the Duke of Westwind," another student replied, her voice dripping with contempt.
Aira clenched her fists at her sides, the rumors stinging despite her resolve. She recalled the game's storyline, where the original Aira had indeed tormented a pitiful noble's daughter at the summer party, earning the ire of many, including Crown Prince Asahi Alberst. The memory sent a shiver down her spine, but Aira forced herself to remain composed. She was determined to change her fate, no matter what the past held.
The main hall was a breathtaking sight, with high arched ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and rows of seats filled with students. Aira and Sophia found their places near the front, where the most prominent families sat. As they settled in, Aira felt the weight of countless eyes on her, judging her every move.
Moments later, the doors at the back of the hall swung open, and a hush fell over the crowd. Crown Prince Asahi Alberst entered, his presence commanding and regal. His white hair shimmered like silver in the light, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the room with a sharp gaze. Asahi was followed by his closest companions, including Dain and Ray Arima, who both held positions of influence at the Academy.
Aira's heart raced as Asahi's eyes landed on her. His expression hardened, and a faint scowl tugged at the corners of his mouth. A translucent window appeared before Aira's eyes, showing his favorability rate: -5. It wasn't as low as her brothers' ratings had been, but it was still deeply troubling.
As Asahi approached, the whispers grew louder. The entire hall seemed to be holding its breath in anticipation. When he finally stopped in front of Aira, the tension was palpable.
"So, the infamous Lady Aira graces us with her presence," Asahi said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "I trust you'll manage to behave yourself this time, unlike the last event we attended."
Aira's eyes flickered with defiance, but she held her tongue, knowing that any wrong move could worsen her already dire situation. She forced a calm expression and responded, "I assure you, Your Highness, I have no intention of causing any trouble."
Asahi raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. He noticed the slight change in her and said "We'll see about that," he muttered before turning to greet Sophia, who beamed at him with genuine warmth.
"Your Highness," Sophia said, curtsying gracefully. Asahi's demeanor softened immediately as he returned her greeting, but there was no sign of the instant love or admiration that the game's plot had suggested. Instead, he remained polite but distant, clearly more focused on keeping an eye on Aira.
In the original storyline of the game, Asahi had been captivated by Sophia from the moment they first met. Their encounter was supposed to be the start of a classic love story, where the charming and confident Crown Prince slowly fell for the gentle and kind-hearted heroine.
But today, instead of showing any signs of interest or affection, Asahi had barely acknowledged Sophia, treating her with polite indifference. This deviation from the plotline left Aira baffled.
As the ceremony commenced, Aira's thoughts churned with the reality of her situation. The students around her continued to gossip, their words a constant reminder of the villainous reputation she had inherited. Despite this, she remained determined to forge a new path for herself, even as the odds stacked against her.
When the ceremony ended, Aira noticed something strange. A translucent window appeared once more, displaying the favorability rates of Dain and Ray. To her surprise, both had increased—Dain's rate was now -10, and Ray's was -7. It wasn't much, but it was a step in the right direction.
"What could have caused this?" Aira wondered, puzzled by the sudden change. She hadn't done anything significant to improve her relationship with her brothers, yet their favorability rates had risen.
Unbeknownst to Aira, Dain and Ray had overheard a group of students mocking her earlier during the ceremony. Despite their usual disdain for her, the harsh words had stirred something within them—a protective instinct they hadn't realized they possessed. Though they would never admit it, the idea of others belittling their sister, even one they despised, had irked them enough to cause a slight shift in their perception of her.
As Aira and Sophia made their way back to their dormitory, Aira's mind raced with plans for the future. The road ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but she knew one thing for sure—she would not allow herself to be a mere pawn in the game. She would change her fate, no matter what it took.
The next day in the class.
"Did you hear about Aira Arima?" one student whispered. "Her mana flow is supposed to be incredibly weak compared to her brothers."
"I heard she can barely manage basic spells," another replied, their tone tinged with disdain. "It's no wonder she was involved in that scandal at the Crown Prince's summer party."
Aira's fists clenched slightly, but she forced herself to remain composed. Sophia, oblivious to the harsh gossip, was busy chatting about their upcoming classes and the various magic courses they would be taking.
As they reached their designated area for the Mana Orientation, the instructor, a stern-faced mage named Master Elric, began the session.
Students were instructed to practice manipulating their mana to form complex spells and summoning circles, showcasing their control and proficiency. Asahi Alberst and Sophia, both known for their impressive mana abilities, performed their tasks effortlessly, their auras glowing with a vibrant, controlled energy.
Aira struggled to cast even the simplest spell. Her mana, weak and unruly, seemed to resist her attempts to shape it. The contrast with Asahi and Sophia's seamless magic was stark, and the students' whispers only grew louder.
"Look at Aira. She's having trouble with the basic spells," one student remarked.
"It's no surprise," another added. "Her brothers are both powerful mages, and she can barely manage anything."
Aira tried to ignore the comments, focusing instead on her task. She glanced at Sophia, who was casting a spell with ease, and felt a pang of frustration. If she could just find a way to improve her own mana flow, perhaps she could start to change the narrative surrounding her.
Determined to help Sophia gain favor with Asahi, Aira decided to take a proactive approach. She suggested to Sophia that they join Asahi for a study session, hoping to foster some connection between them.
"Why don't we ask Prince Asahi to join us for some practice later?" Aira proposed. "It could be a good opportunity for you to get to know him better."
Sophia looked uncertain but agreed. "It's worth a try. I've heard he's quite talented with mana, and maybe he'd be open to sharing some tips."
The plan seemed reasonable, but when they approached Asahi later, the Crown Prince's response was less than encouraging. His polite indifference was palpable as he declined their invitation.
"I appreciate the offer," Asahi said coolly, "but I have other commitments. Perhaps another time."
Sophia's face fell slightly, but she nodded understandingly. "Of course, Your Highness. We'll catch up some other time."
As Aira and Sophia walked away, disappointment clouded their expressions. Aira had hoped this would be a turning point, but Asahi's disinterest was disheartening.
To make matters worse, as Aira was preparing to leave, a group of students playfully trapped her in a small alcove near the practice area. They had gathered to discuss their latest gossip, and Aira found herself cornered.
"What's the matter, Aira? Can't handle a little friendly competition?" one student teased.
"Maybe you're just not cut out for magic," another added, smirking.
Aira tried to push past them, but the group was persistent. In the midst of the commotion, Asahi appeared, his gaze falling on the scene before him. His eyes met Aira's, and for a brief moment, there was an odd flicker of interest.
"What's going on here?" Asahi's voice was authoritative as he addressed the students, who quickly dispersed under his stern gaze.
Aira looked up at him, her heart racing. "Nothing, Your Highness. Just a bit of misunderstanding."
Asahi's gaze lingered on Aira, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "I see. Don't...cause any trouble."
Aira nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and confusion. Asahi's reaction was not what she had expected, but it was clear that he had noticed her in some way.
When the students had finally dispersed, Aira and Sophia headed back to their dormitory. Aira's frustration was palpable as she recounted the day's events to Sophia.
"Why is it so hard to get Asahi to notice us? I thought if we practiced with him, it would help,how should I make him fall for Sophia" Aira said, her voice tinged with frustration.
As they settled into their room, Aira's mind was filled with a mix of frustration and determination. The day had not gone as planned, but she was resolved to continue working towards her goals, both for herself and for Sophia.
"Whatever it takes," Aira resolved silently, "I'll find a way to make a difference. I can't let these obstacles stand in my way."
With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, ready to face the challenges ahead with renewed resolve.