[ Mission 1 - 8: A Falling Empire ]
There was a first mandatory quest during my first playthrough where you have to enter a newly discovered ruins and search a small group of ruin researchers who have lost contact.
Upon entering the ruins and managed to reach at the end, there you will have to face these three dungeon bosses. Depending on who NPC that gave you this quest and how well you performed during the previous mission.
[ Dungeon Boss: Ancient Metalloid Golem ]
[ Successful Chances: 89% ]
- Logan Wolfgang, Knight Department Dean
[ Dungeon Boss: Otherworldly Eyeball Creature ]
- Seraphim Pine, Mage Department Dean
[ Successful Chances: 50% ]
[ Dungeon Boss: Unknown Ruin Girl ]
[ Successful Chances: 5% ]
- Lumis von Chronos, Knightframe Research Department Head
There were also some quests with the same location indicated although, those quests were automatically be setting a stone towards the path of a common conflict rather than a main, true conflict.
As these three quests alone were the first story point where it leads you on the heart of the main conflict and towards to the true endings of this world...
These uniquely quests represents to a one way door that would opened a sequences of world–threatening events, embarking players to a journey filled with never-ending mysteries and ever-constant hardships.
Once a player's choice had set at least one of these three main quests would inevitably no turning back without any restarts. It's a famous game mechanic, dreading players where they had to play again from the beginning if they're unprepared.
All of these true ending quests would requires two crucial factors: an ever constant growth of the protagonist's party overall strength and a proper mission-plan.
Even without my direct involvement on one of these main quests will Leon end up to choose, if him and his party's current growth were deemed inappropriate upon embarking these journey, would added a spell of uncertainty to my already dreadful fate and the world.
So, it was imperative to observe the protagonist's growth and set of choices that he would set upon this world in the near future.
Even if that kind of a world where an dreadful fate of my beloved fiancée's sword was diverted, living oneself to a world near its end would still considered a deathflag within my standards.
The moment Leon will embarked a certain path, other two paths would also start simultaneously at random.
It was apparent that his choice alone be a such crucial factor, forecast the fate of this world right now.
Fortunately, Leon was also special character that was blessed with an absurd skill known as "Limit Ability".
A similar skill to what my favorite was used against me during the yesterday's exam. As you could say its a power crunch ability that allowed him to change the outcome of the battle if certain conditions had been met.
Which I had realized that what Rein had said to me earlier was actually the truth all along, considering Alicia's conditions of her limit ability that I have wrote in the forum guide.
Anyway....
In the near future our dear protagonist will awakened a powerful S-rank skill known as [ Sword Cardinal ], and if he managed early acquisition of a ring weapon [ Falchion ] from Bastion's mother would also trigger his unique skill [ Light God ].
This fixated set of skills is what our beloved developers was aiming for, these powerful skills would granted Leon an ability to see the capacity of his opponent's strength, no matter how hidden they are which added another layer of advantage in tactical aspect.
Not to mention, adding his ring weapon [ Falchion ], a legendary ring weapon that grant it's wielder to cut through almost anything, even things that seem impossible to cut.
These uniquely skill build that I wouldn't ever access to although, I didn't have much to complain since I also have my own unique skill and a ring weapon to boot.
Still, I couldn't help but wish that it could trade off with my unseemly ability as close as if possible to protagonist's ability.
Like seriously...
Why does among all the skills and abilities would grant this character have to be [ Crazy Heart ]?
What's the point of making oneself to be drawn towards the villain anyway...?
Hey, system.
Is this how the developers had in mind when they created a disposable character like Corrin in the game? Or is there something else?
[ To answer the host's question, please take a look at status overview~! ]
[ Currently, your special ability "Crazy Heart" had managed to charmed: 2 / ??? ]
What the fuck to look at?!!!
With just how absurdly many of these malevolent villains were being implemented in the game, this Crazy Heart would just added another layer to my impending death in the future.
And what the hell is with that I've charmed two people over anomaly mark?
I already know that one of them would be my beloved fiancée for just having possesive tedencies, but who is the second person?
Did my cursed ability had already affected two people?
But who though?
[ Answer: Is someone beyond the system's detection. ]
.....
I had enough shenanigans for this chapter.
Haah.... moving on.
So, three dungeon bosses.
The first boss was a ancient golem, created to protect the ruin from any living dare to intrude.
The second boss was a unknown creature from another world, summoned by unknown entity on to this world and bring it's inhabitants on the path of destruction and turmoil.
And lastly, the third boss was a ordinary girl who had been slept for a very long time within the depths of the ruin and after just being awaken by a researcher.
As she suddenly went into a rampage with a deep sense of revenge and hatred.
These adversaries posed a significant threat, their stories of the past were interwined with the present world in profound ways.
And yet among all of these events that were happened in the game, were highlighted a certain person in the middle of it— the one that would help me tremendously in the near future.
If it came down to her vast knowledge of ancient civilization and magic technology, she was known prodigy akin to Bastion.
However her fate was akin to oneself's fate, a mere disposable character that her predestined death would changed Leon and his harem's destiny towards the heart of the main conflict.
But since I made a vow to change my predetermined fate, by changing her ill-fated death and prolonging further beyond the game had predicted would be the first steps to my ultimate goal.
For that, I needed to selflessly sacrifice the only growth to my strength but this also guaranteed that her ill-fated death would permenantly diverted.
It wasn't just something very simple, if were talking about giving up a unique item in exchange to her fate.
Right now, I don't need to intervene much since Leon's current strength were in good condition needed in these upcoming story points.
As long as Leon's growth wouldn't hindered and his main scenario unfolded as the game had predicted, I could continue on adding more variables.
Despite the fact that I had chippingly add a small, potent variables onto the main scenario ever since the previous mission, they were maintained its natural course with only slight change which was itself, an silver lining.
It would've meant that as long as it were small tangents added, they could maintain its course, one way or another.
But still, I couldn't help but wonder how a mere disposable villain like Borris would even managed to escape from Alicia.
Despite of my intention a much quicker ending from him during the first act would inadvertently change beyond it, though I do hope this won't be a similar case to her. As it could side tracked the upcoming steps and I had force to improvised, a worrying prospect that wasn't my kind of specialty.
Well, there was no need in doubting too much on it now...
With my armed knowledge from the game, and the fact just how much of a significance was held within this unique item, her chance of surviving this upcoming story event were statistically high.
Ultimately, upon taking this unique item would then, the moment that she would breakthrough herself from the seal of death by the hands of a dungeon bosses.
As I stepped into the library, a sense of awe were struck to me upon seeing a sheer size of this place.
Upon this labyrinth-like maze of knowledge were thousands of books encased in those shelves lay before my eyes, as I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
A once pixelated CG background within the confines of a screen, had stepped out creating a world filled with endless literature.
No wonder why the principal had always mentioned this place in every speech in the game; it was truly impressive.
"Sir, are you planning to stay?" A young woman was suddenly called out to me in a hushed tones.
Upon seeing her figure countless times in the game, noticed her in real life felt like nostalgic as to this iconic place.
Her slightly closed eyes locked onto me attentively, waiting for my response.
"Yes, Miss Anna." I replied, while looking around the maze-like library for signs of presence of that extra character.
"Then, how long will you stay?" She asked, writing something on her work desk.
"At least for an hour."
"Ah,yes." She murmured, her slight closed gaze on the giant hourglass before nodding herself. "I see, that checks out. Can you place both of your hands on top of this crystalline tablet?"
Placing my hands on top of a blue table that young woman gestured, she conjured some magical phrases on the crystal tablet below us.
I couldn't understand the specifics around but, it seemed this tablet served as identificator for new arrivals.
After a moment, she nodded to herself before taking out a transparent blue card which was very similar to the tablet, she gave it to me.
"Is there any particular reason why you asked me about time, Miss Anna?"
"Because three hours from now, the grand library will be closed so, we want to limit the number of students coming as well as prevent any remaining students planning on staying during closing hours. Unless, of course with some exception if they're seniors, no one shall allowed to enter the grand library during that time." Miss Anna explained in a calm manner.
"I see, thanks." I responded, taking mental notes of the limited time had given me.
"You're welcome... Ah, before you go." Miss Anna called out to me again, she simply added with a wink. "If you want to borrow any book, please remember that you must pay its downpayment fee of 3,000 crystalline and if you didn't return it on the designated date will added another 2,000 as fine, got it?"
....
This woman.
Not only she had remind me that my time in the grand library was already limited but, why she have to reminded me that bombshell price tag of borrowing a book?
Just mentioned it to me brought shocking memories during my first playthrough all over again.
Reluctantly nodded back to her, I hurriedly made my towards the deep end of this library, hoping that I could managed to encounter her in time.
The chance of encounter her there were probably low but still, there's no better place than here since my knowledge of her whereabouts was her hobby is reading books.
From what I've recalled in the game, upon the protagonist first time entering this place, his insatiable curiosity urged him towards the depths, got lost, and from there he encounter her.
She also read this particular book held a similar hint that the principal was previously mentioned during the entrance ceremony.
With a sheer of determination, she avowed that by getting this ancient item could hope in regaining the lost legacy of her household.
And this particular ancient item was...
[ Chronos's Tear ( Unique Item ) ]
A pretty powerful starting item that it could probably the most useful of all the items within the same category given all throughout the game.
This unique item features isn't something that could enhance stats or adaptability for battle which a ring weapon can but, it made up for players provided with a unique support system. It was one of the few starting items that you must always equip from the beginning till the final battle.
Although this unique item was rare find, that you would probably find out about its existence after just finishing at least one or two main path as well as try and experience a bunch of different paths in the game.
Originally, players would only discover this powerful item through the principal's speech however, it's was a different case during my fourteenth playthrough that I've lately discovered its existence upon encountering this extra character.
Despite my late discovery, I did managed to win some good endings without the item though, ever since its existence and always equipped it all throughout my other dozen gameplays does grant me a smoother playthrough.
In the game's narrative, it was written within a sky-blue book held a hint on how to find its location of the item. I just needed to guide her on the upcoming trial.
Upon the dimly part of the library, I noticed immediately a sky-blue book was gleaming in the shadows, it fitted the design it had in the game which confirming that I was in the right place.
However to my utterly dismay, the person that I hope in encountering wasn't here.
Shit...
Did my arrival were late and I just missed her somehow? Do I really have to improvise?
With frustration were coursing through me, I quickly approached it, stretched out my hand as to grab the book when a thin hand was suddenly landed on mine.
"Hey, I need that book, so could you please hand off?" A soothing gentle voice was resonated beside me.
Following my gaze towards a girl beside me, staring back with calming eyes as her hand still rested on top of mine.
Then at that moment, she was standing right beside me, looked at the book I was about take.
I had realized....
Long reddish-blonde hair curled tightly by a pink ribbon, and her unique pinkish-red eyes looked back at me.
Coupled with brown cardigan and uniform which fitted her beautiful body perfectly, and a face that had seen the first time and a couple more after that.
At last... I finally encounter her.
Hailed as the fan-favorite character akin to my favorite heroine, Alicia as well as the extra character that would brought the world towards the path of turmoil upon her death.
Jeanne Chronos...