Within the Holy Land Academy, in the heart of this prestigious academy lies the iconic landmark, "Everlasting Cherry Forest"
And one of the heroines in the game whom been the guardian of this enchanted forest is none other than the headmaster of the academy.
Witch of everlasting cherry forest, "Sakura".
This enigmatic woman was a rarity among the heroines, possessing such overwhelming power that players could only gain access it upon reaching the end of the game with a "Harem Ending", then it would enable to unlocked an encounter to her story in the latter half of the chapter 3 even If you have Alicia in your party.
Sakura wasn't just any ordinary stereotypical heroine, it was a boss-like entity capable of bestowing players with immense stats boosts merely being in its vicinity.
But what truly set Sakura apart was it's formidable unique skill known as...
[ Sakura's Unique Skill - Misty Forest ]
With this ability, Sakura could esnare players within the illusionary world entirely under her control, where the boundaries between reality and imagination were blurred by the mist she weaves.
Within this surreal realm, Sakura held dominion and the only barrier preventing it from instantly dispatching players was the whim of its own imagination.
Like literally, it was so OP that either Corrin or Aria in their final form were took some time before they broke free from the misty world.
Which is one of many reasons why I always had Alicia in almost all of the playthroughs even if I wasn't going for her route alone.
As this woman was just the goat of this hidden gem game.
Yet, despite its overwhelming strength, it wasn't Sakura's power that made me fear her right now as its was mainly to her personality being unpredictability were part of her nature.
She was the variable that I really wanted to avoid at all cost.
In the game, she was highly regarded as great leader and most powerful mage in the holy land, yet she also possessed a capriciousness that kept players on edge, never know what kind of antics she might to do next just to indulge her insatiable curiosity.
Even the critical moments, such as facing a powerful boss in the game, Sakura's unpredictability knew no bounds.
For instance, there was a moment during my eighth playthrough, this enigmatic woman randomly outright refused to join the party, citing a desire to simply drink alcohol which she asked me in buying one for her. And from there it escalates beyond control.
I even thought at some point that maybe it was bugged but, after reading some comments in the community forums, revealing that was just entirely her way of things.
As I found myself to stumble a situation I do hoped to avoid was a face-to-face encounter with the infamous headmaster, Sakura.
This enigmatic woman had knack for scheming unexpected things and revelling in it, and trust me that I had no desire to attract its attention, especially not without Alicia by my side.
However, it seems that fate had other plans for me, at this very moment, not only I crossed with the enigmatic woman, but I had also managed to piqued her it's insatiable curiosity.
I know that I'm being positive on having a number zero on the luck stat, believing it could hold infinite number of possibilities...
But really, why have to be those one of the infinite possibilities would be encountering her?
"How do you know me, first year? Tell me, I'm really, really curious?" Sakura's voice ring put the room, her tilted her head with a iconic grin, her eyes were gleaming with curiosity.
Crap....
Should I just spill the beans and just be done with it.
Nah, that would foolish to just reveal my secret to her.
I was suspicious enough as to call her first name, I didn't need to add "Crazy" to the list especially not in front of this damn woman.
But seriously, why was the headmaster here in the first place? And where exactly am I?
Surveying the dimly lit room with its pristine white curtains as my eyes settled on the golden cross adorning on the ceiling above me. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I was in the academy infirmary.
Had someone brought me here after I was blackout from Alicia's attack?
The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling put into place but, there was one question lingered in my mind.
What did the headmaster to do with any of this?
(Wait! Is Alicia around?)
Looking around the dimly room, it seems that she wasn't here whatsoever...
Still, it was kind of strange.
As far as I knew from the game, Sakura had never made appearances on her own unless there was something that truly piqued her interest.
And I couldn't even fathom any solid reason of why the headmaster would be personally visit a first year student, even had enough patience just waiting for me to wake up.
Then, like a chilling whisper in the wind, it spoke close enough to make my skin crawl.
"Hello Darling~" she murmured in my ears.
My heart skipped a beat, and I swear, for a split second, that my entire body were froze.
With the way she spoke and the voice she mimicked – It was her. It was Aria, my fiancée.
What the actual hell?!!
"Ara~ I finally got your attention." Sakura continued, her words hinting with a bizarre mix of amusement and mischief.
"Alicia mentioned that you don't talk too much and you also have quite an aloof personality. Now I can finally see that or is it just because your shy~" She mused, propping her cloudy hands as she wave before me, underneath her mischievous grin.
I felt the surge of panic rising within me.
Did she... did she just now use her that skill on me?
There were lots of tricks within Sakura's sleeve among them was a skill called.
[ Illusionary Mimicry ] - a skill that enables Sakura to simply mimic the very weakness of its target's mind using her mist.
Another reason as to why this heroine was such a great asset in the game, as you basically get a guaranteed critical hit onto any opponent your facing as long as this woman had been pleased enough.
But that wasn't important right now, just then with the way my body reacted, it clearly wasn't normal.
Is my secret got exposed?
Did she know that this world she inhibit actually came from the hidden gem game I've played?
Also, to realize that my weakness, an Achilles heel would be Aria although I didn't think much of that.
(How deeply traumatized was I by her?)
I wondered if this is what I truly felt inside for Aria.
As Sakura continued to smile, patiently waiting for my response, her eyes locked onto me with an eerie gaze.
Questions raced through my mind like a whirlwind.
Did Alicia really talk to her about me?
Did she send her here?
But that couldn't be it.
Were only just met at the floating ship, yet based on how Sakura's perception of me is like, she already knew that Alicia and I been together for a very long time.
There's little to no information in the game would regards to this theory.
Despite their relationship as sisters, Sakura wasn't the type of person to simply visit without a reason that compels her duty as headmaster....
Yes, maybe there was something or maybe someone with enough influence that compels her duty to check on me. But she could also just on check me for at least five to fifteen minutes then left the infirmary yet, why was she still here sitting beside me with that unnerving grin?
"Hello~ young man, aren't you going to answer me?" Sakura's voice rang out, pulling back to the present moment.
Let's do hope that she didn't deep enough within my memorie to know the secret.
With a heavy sigh, I attempted to conjure up biggest lie that I could muster. But deep down, I knew it was futile.
Sakura's intuition was uncanny, and with its arsenal of skills that it was practically impossible for me to deceive her.
Having delved into the game countless times, I have possessed insights into Sakura's weakness that eluded the average gamer.
With that knowledge tucked away in the recesses of my mind, I braced myself for the interaction ahead.
"No, I didn't know you personally, headmaster." I began cautiously. "But, I am aware of you."
"Hmm~"
"Senior Alicia is quite famous within and outside the academy." I continued, carefully crafted my words. "So naturally, rumors and news about her beloved and strongest big sister are quite popular as well."
"Big Sister...."
"Wait.... could you repeat what you just said to just now, young man" Sakura's eyes lit up with a fiery delight.
It's seemed her curiosity piqued, probably upon hearing the prospect of fame.
"Yes. [ The Strongest Beloved Big Sister Sakura ]." I continued, watching as her excitement grew. "That is the moniker people gave you."
"Really~!?" Sakura's enthusiasm was palpable, eagerly soaking in the praise.
"Yes. They say you are very loving and magnificently powerful big sister." I added firmly, feeding it's ego with calculated precision.
And just like that, I had her within the palm of my hands.
You see, this woman's weakness?
Sakura's weakness was that she could easily smitten by compliments. Just simply shower her with compliments, and her curiosity would be distracted as her focus diverted from whatever mischief she had in mind.
It was a trick that I had learned through countless encounters, a loophole in her unpredictable nature that I was more than willing to exploit.
Which is probably a trick that were mostly effective by older woman like her.
Encountering Sakura was always a precarious situation, a dance of danger where one mistake could lead to severe consequences.
But armed with this knowledge of her weakness in taking compliments as I bravely facing this encounter, knowing that my deathflag hinged on a delicate balance of flattery and caution.
"So I'm very loving, huh? Ehehe~" Sakura's voice rang out as her face blushed tinged with embarrassment, it's tone hinted with self-satisfaction.
In the game, compliments merely triggered a happy CG face effect, but seeing her now, all bubbly and bouncy. I couldn't help but, marvel at how unexpectedly endearing she seemed.
"Hey~~~ Can you please tell me more? I'm starting to like you, young man." Sakura's voice lingered a alluring undertone, her curiosity piqued and interest we're nearing dangerous levels focused on me.
(Oh no! Please don't!)
(Please don't take an interest in me in any way, shape or form!)
Landing on this woman's curiosity and interest list meant trouble, especially this is real life and not the confines of a game where consequences were scripted and actions are predetermined.
From the my recollection of the game, Sakura would enjoy anything that caught her fancy but vehemently depised anything that would threatened Alicia.
It was one of the many reasons why going conquer route on Alicia in the game was utterly impossible, Sakura's overprotective nature knew no bounds when it came to her little sister.
"Ara Ara~ I almost carried away that I was supposed to give this, here." Sakura mused suddenly, handing me a letter with an air of nonchalance. "It's a letter from the student council. That I personally deliver it to you, young man."
The student council? I racked my brain, trying to discern any reason why they would involve themselves.
Was it because of the incident were related to Alicia?
Considering she held a position as the student council secretary, it would make sense for them to send a letter, perhaps a formal apology.
But, why the headmaster was the one personally give this letter to me?
Not to mention upon receiving, there was something about this letter didn't scream "apology".
And for seemingly small letter, why was it so thick?
Running my fingers over the textured paper, I sensed something like metallic was inside.
Sakura's mischievous expression was replaced with a serious look, her gaze hinted with formality and professional.
"Now– it seems that you realize that isn't a formal apology. So starters, Corrin Ashfallen, first year of the knight department." Sakura continued, her gazed on me with air of nonchalance. "By my authority as headmaster of the holy land, I intend your transfer from knight department to mech department. While your acquisition of second medal might take awhile so, please refrain from telling anyone of your transfer until I finalized your transfer papers."
"Thank you, headmaster." I mumbled, accepting, my mind was racing with more questions and suspicions upon realizing what was inside this letter.
"You're much welcome~!" Sakura's response was chipper, her enthusiasm undetered as she quickly pushed me down the bed, her gaze were like a predator looked down on her prey. "Now that business is out of the way, young man. How about indulging this big sister with a glass of wine, just the two of us, please..."
This cunning woman, reveling in the attention like a child with a new toy.
(Just how much did you like compliments?)
I couldn't help but wonder, feeling a growing desire to escape this conversation and retreat to the safety of solitude.
You left no choice, woman as you have force me in using this.
"Kyaa!" Sakura scream in surprise, her gaze locked onto mine as our position were now reversed.
I leaned in closer, pinning her down on the bed rendering her inability to escape my grip.
With a single breath onto her ear, I summoned the most flattering compliments I could recall from the game, each word feeling like a reluctancy concession in the face impending doom.
The moment when her invulnerability were finally shown in front of me.... Now it's time!
For me to run with the wind!!!
Corrin Ashfallen, your life and future were already hellish enough.
Now it seemed that doom was about to sprinkle itself into every corner of your disposable existence.