The screen faded from black, and the female voice continued, providing a brief introduction to the game: "In Wizards and Wishes, you'll play as the protagonist Derek Reid, a commoner who gains admission to a prestigious school filled with nobles."
"It's set in medieval times. These types of games can be hit or miss," I commented aloud to myself.
"The choices you make will determine the endings you experience. Some paths may lead to your death or the death of a heroine. Enjoy your time playing Wizards and Wishes!" the voice concluded before fading away. The screen then burst into color, revealing the main character aboard a train.
I was taken aback to see people on the train using smartphones, indicating that the game was not set in medieval times after all.
"So it's not medieval?" I muttered in surprise.
After a few seconds, I gained control of the character and could freely move around and interact with NPCs in various ways. As I traveled to the end of the train, the camera zoomed in on a girl wearing the same black blazer uniform as Derek.
She had striking pink hair and captivating blue eyes, with a black skirt that ended above her knees. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her facial features seemed meticulously crafted.
Despite being a character in a game, she effortlessly drew the attention of everyone on the train.
I couldn't help but admire the detail put into the characters. Moments later, hundreds of options flooded the screen, each presenting a different choice. I was astonished—it was far more than the typical binary decision-making I was used to in games.
If there were this many choices available, I wondered how many different endings the game could have. Would it be hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands?
As I scrolled through the choices, I noticed some options that allowed me to attack the girl.
Despite the urge to see witness the outcome, I opted for a more natural approach, choosing to introduce Derek instead.
I spent the rest of the day immersed in the game, making choices that felt most fitting for the character. To my surprise, every action was entirely up to me; there were no predetermined paths. The depth of the game was staggering—even after hours of play, I hadn't completed more than five percent.
Saving my progress, I prepared to visit Lily. Secretly, I found myself enjoying the game, though I couldn't let Lily know; she'd never let me hear the end of it.
When Lily saw me at the door, her face lit up with excitement. "Did you play Wizards and Wishes yet?" she asked eagerly.
"I did," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.
"How was it?" she pressed, her curiosity evident.
I shrugged, attempting to play down my enthusiasm. "It's alright... There's not much to say about it," I said, failing miserably at hiding my true feelings.
Lily raised an eyebrow, her smile turning mischievous. "Don't tell me my big brother, who always acts tough, is actually into a dating sim game!" she exclaimed, bursting into laughter.
I sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable. "If you keep laughing, I won't tell you anything about the game," I warned, and Lily instantly stopped giggling.
Nodding in approval, I began to share my thoughts. "You were right about making choices. Every action I take offers hundreds of different options, each one impacting the storyline differently."
"Exactly! I heard people on TV saying it's a groundbreaking game that hooks anyone who plays it instantly!" Lily chimed in excitedly.
"Tell me about the characters. Are they well-developed?" she asked with curiosity.
"The main character's development depends on your choices. But from what I've seen, if you want him to become more powerful, you have to act like a simp," I said disapprovingly.
"You didn't, did you?" Lily asked, smiling.
"Of course not. I'm playing naturally, but I might struggle when I face off against the Eclipse Order," I admitted, recalling a particularly difficult battle against their lowest-ranking member.
"Who are they? They sound pretty lame," Lily remarked with a hint of disdain.
I chuckled softly as I began elaborating on the intricacies of the game. Throughout my animated explanation, Lily remained silent, her gaze fixed on me—a detail that escaped my notice.
It was her first time witnessing me engrossed in something other than her or her hospital stay. Lily lowered her head, her eyes falling to the pristine white blanket. "Victor, can I ask you something?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Her vulnerability caught me off guard, a wave of concern washing over me. "Of course, anything," I replied, gently covering her hand with mine.
"Please, live your life. Find happiness, a partner, build a family. I don't want you burdened by me," she pleaded softly.
I shook my head vehemently, rejecting her words. "You're not a burden. When you recover, we'll go home together and make countless memories," I reassured her, trying to lighten the mood.
"Victor, don't be naive!" Her sudden outburst startled me. It was a side of her I hadn't seen before. "I know my time is limited. You're intelligent, with so much ahead of you. Live the life our parents dreamed for both of us."
"For both of us, not just me! When you get better, I'll take care of everything. You'll never have to worry and you'll find the husband you always told me about when we were younger!" I insisted, causing Lily to chuckle weakly.
"My dreams were just fantasies. But yours, they can come true. Release yourself from this burden," Lily's words pierced my heart. I was at a loss, uncertain how to respond. These were moments our parents excelled in, but they were gone.
"When I'm with Mom and Dad again, we'll watch over you. They'll be proud of you," she said with a faint smile.
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes, so I squeezed them shut. Lily hugged me, offering reassurance. "It's okay, Victor. You've been strong for so long. It's okay to let go."
Reluctantly, my tears flowed freely, the first time since childhood. Emotions I had bottled up about our parents and Lily surged forth uncontrollably.
I spent half an hour crying before I could finally compose myself. Lily's wish for me to move on was an impossible task, as she meant too much to me.
As it was getting late, I bid Lily goodnight and headed home.
The next day, I made a life-changing decision: I quit both of my jobs and started pursuing my long-time dream of learning software engineering. Half of my time was dedicated to studying, while the other half was spent playing "Wizards and Wishes."