As the floating ship sailed off through the sea of clouds, stretched out into the distance away from my hometown.
I felt palpable sense of excitement swelled up inside me.
Finally, I was about to enter the best parts of the game and not to mention that I be able to see my favorite character in the flesh, a 3d!
Ahem! Sorry bad habit.
"Attention! We are about enter to Arkrein City."
Above, the announcer's voice crackled over the speakers as it repeated the announcement one more time before cutting off signalling that our impending arrival at Arkrein City, neighboring city of Valhailm to pick up the next batch of students there.
It is fairly close city as it situated in just a few kilometers away from our current position.
Arkrein City is also the home of my favorite heroine that I previously mention to you, the one that made me divulged the system's directives to guide the protagonist towards her
This heroine that I admired and rooted for countless times as I played through the game, the thought of finally seeing her in real life instead the pixels of CG on the screen filled me with a mix of both anticipation and nervousness.
The last time that I saw a small glimpse of her was....
Well anyway, this time I vowed to not interfere as I'll savor her entire presence along this ride as a mob character.
"AAAALLLLRRRIIIGGGHHHTTT!!!!"
Daike shouted loudly on top of his lungs like he's the human loudspeakers as the nearby students were fixated their looks directly towards us.
"Daike could you please stop the shouting, your making embarrassing us."
"No can do, my greatest rival. The ladies needs my embrace, see yah!"
Ah...there he goes.
Seriously, Why this guy so excited as to went with his bottom head more than top head.
"Could you blame him, ever since you make a public scandal in front of mages' association, Daike was more motivated than usual." Rein explained.
Ah.... It seemed thanks to Aria's unique skill that these three didn't recognize her identity.
"Really Corrin, kissing some random girl on the street in broad daylight nonetheless. Are you trying to jealous Aria by doing that?"
"...." I paused, taken aback by his scolding remarks this time, it seems they all believed that I only do this to make Aria lose her affection.
Might as well playing along with this alibi for now.
"Well I hope that your plan didn't backfired on you this time, I gotta go to the foyer before that lust oaf getting more trouble for us." he sighed.
"Right..."
Rein left towards where Daike last run off as me and Bastion we're the only one's left not leaving.
"Hey, Corrin."
"Yes. Bastion."
"I'm gonna find some quiet place to finish those requests of yours as there requires some final touches before give it to you."
The request that I put onto Bastion's hand was something related to the upcoming main event thay gonna put in a position would force me to be involved since I'm what trying to achieve was manipulate the variation.
"Sure, go ahead. I'm staying here waiting."
Bastion nodded as he left his chair and walks off in the different direction as the students from Arkrein City were slowly boarded the floating ship.
I was the only one left, sitting in a bed-like seats with pure excitement, fixed my gaze on the circular window in hopes of catching just a glimpse of my favorite heroine descending the floating stairs outside.
Although on each side of the floating ship there were at least four sets of chairs, so the likelihood of her descending the one I was watching was below 25%, but a man can hope, right.
Knowing every nook and cranny of this game from the back of my head that its evident that I knew all to well the course of the story down to the smallest detail.
For example, knowing where she seating.
Yeah.... I know what you're thinking even me felt weird by saying this like I'm some kind of stalker like Aria.
All around me, students from all grades began murmuring each other as they chatted with familiar faces.
Just like in the game, the list of students boarding was quite diverse as it wasn't just humans entering; there were also beastmen, dwarves, and even some very rare elves boarding alongside the ship.
In the game described that they were hundreds, if not thousands of students entering the academy each year, though when I'm original world playing this game, I couldn't really feel the full impact of those numbers, as I only the most important characters were being showed up on the screen.
But now, seeing them all up and personal. I don't think I can doubt the game's description again. It's was surreal — there were even other ships and boats floating around the city.
Just how many students were entering the academy this year?
Although most of them were probably chose to the general education classes, it was still very surreal sight to see like this, as expected of a setting for a romance fantasy game.
Some of these guys didn't even have faces portrayed in the game, but now, every single one of them looked so stunningly beautiful.
Even the extras and mobs were also stunning.
Were they really this good-looking in the game?
Not to mention that Daike, Rein and Bastion we're also handsome in their looks department.
Well, if I think about it, despite thrusted into this world as Corrin, a disposable character, I was fairly handsome as well if only you ignore my pathetic stats and pretty sure myself that I look cooler and more handsome than that generic looking, dense – as – deep – as – blackhole, self insert, main protagonist.
As the door inside the student hall went opened one by one as all the newly boarded students entered and take their assigned seats.
"Christy, long time no see!!!"
"How's your vacation, man?"
"So, you managed to pass as well."
A bunch of students were greeting their friends and acquaintances here and there. Some were from couples greets each other by kissing to besties being raised a high five upon seeing each other in a while, some were just being polite towards the higher-ranking nobles to gain some attention and recognition, and some were either just gossiping or other were there as they pay some respect to the seniors entering.
But my eyes didn't any ounce of attention everything in my surroundings as it fixed towards a certain person and it was....
Thump!
My heart just skipped a beat for no reason, I had only glanced of her once and hear I am was greatly affected by her awestrucking beauty.
Whether it was caused from her beauty or being sheer excitement to finally see my favorite heroine in real life somehow my body reacted on its own beyond my control.
Her glossy pinkish locks swayed within my field of view as my gaze was already fixated on her bright golden eyes seemed brings illumination this slightly – dim room with just only flashed her iconic radiant smile. Embracing her best friend with a tight hug.
"Misha, hehehe~"
Along with her familiar voice as she giggled and laughed were all to familiar just like her infectious smile.
Man. Someone please.....get this man a pair of sunglasses. Really because she was spitting image of a character that I had devoted countless over countless of hours into the game.
She hugged her best friend named Misha tightly, her big witch hat dancing along with bubbly personality.
"Stop that, Alicia~" Misha murmured as she attempts to push her away only to be countered by Alicia's hearty laughter.
With a mischievous smirk, Alicia tightened her grip more, refusing to let her go.
"No way~ I don't want to~ hehehe~"
Just simply observing their interaction, something that I had never witnessed in the game since, filled me with joy.
As I simply watched their playful exchange, a smile slowly tugged at the corners of my lips refusing to fade it away.
But I didn't matter; after all, she was my favorite heroine.
Alicia Meletes
A third year student of the Holy Land Academy, the greatest mage has ever recorded in history which was what the game depicted her behind the game cover.
Held the esteemed title of SSR–TIER of the Top – Tier Heroines in the game, a honor she rightfully deserved in my eyes and also my favorite heroine in this game.
While all the heroines in the game boasted their own unique qualities and charm, I find that Alicia's allure to be unparalleled.
Her storyline, were filled with twisted turns that added layer of depth to her captivating personality.
Alicia truly stand out as her status as one of the game's hidden heroines, akin to the elusive Aria. To even have the chance to romance with her the players needed to embark on a specific path in which one that eluded the casual player.
It was a feat achievable to those only who delved into very depths in the game's mechanic by meticulously completed quest, missions scenario, correct choices and explored every corners of the virtual world.
I, myself too was fortunately stumbled upon Alicia's existence though not until my seventh playthrough of the game.
It was only then that I diligently tackling all the early quest on the way towards a specific location that I have the chance to meet her again, an aspect many would overlook as it was designed by the developers to deliberately them as they fully engaged into the story.
Discovering her within the folds of the game felt like I was stumbling upon a hidden treasures within the already hidden gem.
I was instantly fell for her character that I found myself inexplicably drawn towards her, forging a bond that transcended in the virtual world.
She was the driving force behind my countless sleepless night, each save was fueled by the further anticipation of uncovering new facets of her personality in every interaction.
Reflecting on her existence within the romance fantasy game, I couldn't help but shaking my head in disbelief.
Who would to think that her unfortunate fate was palpable to see every time I play on her route.
What were the developers really thinking when they made this hidden gem as I cannot fathom the reasons as to why jeopardize a such beloved heroine's fate.
As you can see, despite all of her perfect aspects, her fate was akin to Corrin as being also a heroine who was bound by the countless deathflags on her back like a persistent shadow.
Fortunately, I was managed to save her from one of them around four months ago, well it was the main protagonist who of course make that deed but, I was the one who send the hints to guide him towards her safety.
It's due to my credit, right?
Though it was one time thing as I focus on avoiding myself from getting involved with her storyline, no matter how much I wanted to just because of one crucial fact.
Despite I managed to achieved the 100% completion of the romance fantasy game by reaching the true harem ending, yet her fate of death was still inevitably happened.
In that ending, Alicia was sacrificed herself to sealed away the final boss before he can able to recover his strength and that time, it would be impossible for it to be defeated.
And that final boss that I mentioned was none other than Corrin, himself.
Yes, I was destined to become her death's agent of her end in which I don't want, so to prevent from happening, I had to sacrifice by avoid myself from getting exposed on her spotlight and decide to intervene only when necessary like in case the protagonist in this world went astray on her storyline.
"Hey, Alicia."
"Senior!"
"Alicia, did you see the news."
As she gracefully make her way towards her assigned seat, Alicia was found herself being enveloped in a flurry of greetings and attention from both under and beside her grade, much like her counterpart in the game.
She was adored by both students and administrators alike as she held a place of prominence within the student council – a testament to her popularity and charm.
Whether being the pride of the Holy Land's legacy, the elusive hidden princess, or the endearing "Cherry Blossom", she wore her titles with grace, both within the game and in the niche fandom forum communities that celebrated her existence.
With a single gigle that resonated through the crowd, Alicia was gracefully navigated around the sea of well – wishers, her signature politeness shining through as she calmly acknowledge each greeting with a genuine smile. Misha followed alongside her, adding to the cheerful atmosphere she made.
As I watch her from afar, still affected as I felt a great surge of admiration washes over me.
She was so undeniably cute that I was found myself wanting to approached and greet her as well.
But I couldn't afford to take the risk as any interaction with the main cast including Alicia could potentially disrupt the upcoming main scenario later on, and I couldn't let that happen.
I forced holding myself back, resisting the urge to approach her.
As long as I stay away from getting directly involved myself to the main scenarios of the game, I could avoid any unwanted complications.
But despite my best efforts to remain uninvolved, something that I couldn't shake this off the nervousness as it building up inside.
Hmm? Why is she getting closer....?
Then, something that I didn't expect as I noticed Alice drawing closer to where I was sitting.
Was her assigned seat closer to mine.
There is no way of that's happening in the game, I know her assigned seat by memory.
As my widened eyes were fixated on her approached, my heart was racing with mixed of both anticipation and uncertainty.
Before I even try to stand up to get away, she was right there, her sweet scent reminiscent of freshly bloomed cherry blossom filing the air.
Darn it, I instinctively turned around as I covered my mouth trying to not make myself exposed.
I was so distracted by her addictive smile that it was too late to noticed her heading to where I seated.
"B-16, B-17, found it!"
"Alicia..... Isn't your seat is A-16."
"Eh? No way I made sure to book B-16!"
Alicia protested, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Alicia..... your seat is definitely A-16 on the dot! What the hell you made sure to book B-16?
In the game, when the main protagonist were about to buy the ticket, he meets up with Alicia at the booking ticket in which she tells to the protagonist that her assigned seat was A-16 before boarding the floating ship, hinting to seat beside her.
So why?!!
Is she deliberately lying to the protagonist before this?!!
My mind right now was in completely shambles as I palpable to understand the sequence.
Hey, Developer!!! We have fucking runaway train situation over here!!!
My beloved heroine is going off the fucking script!!!
"Looks like your made a mistake somehow."
"No way!" Alicia cried out in protest as she watched Misha taking her seat.
"Misha..... you didn't change my seat number at the last second, didn't you?" She asked.
"Nope..." Misha flatly denied however Alicia didn't seemed fully convinced.
"Liar~! At least look at me when you say that." Alicia teased, prompting a small fight with her best friend that lasted for a few minutes.
With a long sigh, Alicia grumbled to herself before surrendered her claim as she suddenly turned around and approaching the seat next to mine.
What...the....hail.... is going on!!!!
Why was this happening?
This couldn't be reality, right?
First Aria being so affectionate towards me and now being that my beloved Alicia is now deliberately lying which is out of her very character depicted in the game.
This situation is gone from bad to worse.
People we have code red, I repeat, code red!!!!
Is it really that my luck stat was stuck at zero.
[ Luck: 0 ]
Huh, that's checks out.
Let's hope that she didn't noticed that I stare at her right....
Though it was too late as it caught me off guard when she was already facing at me, looking with her golden eyes fixated onto me.
"Hehe~ Hello~" she greeted me with a kind smile as she took her seat, my heart skipped a beat once again with each passing second as her curious gaze settled on me.
Heart, you're not helping your master right now, that's treason!!!
A part of me longed to embrace her as to shower her with the same tenderness and affection that I had lavished upon her in the game.
But other part of me was struggling to holding back as knowing myself that I wasn't the main protagonist who had captured her heart within the confines of the game and directly involved would've risk of surmounted consequences.
The pain was unbearable like there was a mini tug of war ripping my heart in half.
Right now, I was just Corrin Ashfallen, a death's agent in her story.
It wasn't my place to stand beside her, to basking in her presence as if I was belonged here together with her.
As nerves gnawed at my insides as I find some plausible excuse to escaped, flee from the uncomfortable urge to embracing her.
Without a second thought, Instead of ignoring her as I instinctively turned around to face and.....
"Hi... Alicia."
Did I fucking just return her friendly greeting....
It was at that moment that I knew...
I fucked up....