[ Fourth Place - Jeanne Chronos - Mage Department ]
Known to her popular title as the "Time Empress" hailed by many die-hard fanatics within the community forum as the most fan-favorite character, akin to the renowned all time fan-favorite heroine, Alicia.
While the developers simply called her "Priestess of Chronos" in the game.
She was the one and only daughter of Lumis von Chronos, a head researcher for project "Lancelot" as well as the knightframe department dean or what in the game's description as the mech department.
In the game's description, her childhood was akin to Corrin. At such tender age, immersed herself mostly within her father's study room to learn magic and ancient text. When she reached the age of six, she had been already mastered most of the four basic elements up to third-level spells with ease.
From time to time, she joins on her father's journey, exploring countless ruins that were related to the lost kingdoms of unknown time. To which leads on her discovery of the ring weapon technology.
During the evaluation exam, her mana was so immense that she could easily defeated a senior with just barraging countless first-level spells. Placing herself among the first year's twelve knights as the fourth.
"Is this book that you need?"
"Yes, so could you please let it go off that book."
As I stood beside her, bemused by this awkward situation as both of our hands were clinging on the book. It became clear to me that this girl before me, with her unflinching determination and calm demeanor was the person that I've been wanting to meet.
"Here you go."
As I handing over, she immediately snatched the book from my hands, her arms hurriedly tightened around the book. "Thank you." She began.
I couldn't help but a small tugged was beginning to form in the corner of my mouth upon noticed her adamant reaction.
As among all of the books that she had already read, only with the book of Chronos was her favorite. According to her father that within the sky-blue book were hand written by her ancestor who was a renown grand magus where it includes the whereabouts of the holy artifact.
With a wave of my hand, I was trying to reassure her. "Don't worry about it, it's seemed that book had some importance to you." I calmly explained, hoping to divert any form of awkwardness that was hanging in the air between us for quite awhile now.
Though to my expectation, her response were quite swift and defensive, shaking her head vehemently.
"Huh! This isn't my kind of book." She retort, her cheeks were blushed with embarrassment.
I couldn't help but find her face more cuter than what the game had described upon noticed her quick denial. It was evident that her true feelings lay in that book, with just observing how clinginess she can be.
Well this situation was something that I would at least expected coming from her, as she was found herself been often ridiculed by other nobles on daily basis, regardless of how many achievements she had gathered.
Glancing at the book cover when suddenly, I was caught off guard by her outburst.
"Ah, wait! Please don't look!" She cried out, her tone tinged with a mixed of frustration and embarrassment.
With how the way her words were implying, I couldn't help but sense of curiosity had been piqued, rendered me unable to resist taking a closer look.
I almost chuckled when Jeanne even trying to block the book cover with her arms but such futile attempts was too late upon I read it's title aloud. "Ten Ways to Locked Away Your Childhood Friend...."
....
I momentarily paused.
Realization were hit me like a ton of bricks upon noticed the book's title as I couldn't help but raised an eyebrow sceptically.
With It's color and cover of the book were the perfect match as it was the game had described though....
What the hell is that book's title?!!!
Despite my certainty that the book as exactly as what the game had shown but, who would have think it was just random instruction guide book.
More importantly....
It is really her true feelings all along?!!!
"Don't look at me like that! I'm not weird! this book was for my cousin, Sumia! Sumia Flan!" Jeanne's voice trembled with embarrassment, her anger grew palpable despite the blushed was remained on her cheeks.
.....Ahh!
Now I think about it, before the protagonist's party had entered the ruins, Sumia also did mentioned that there was person among the group of researchers was her cousin...
Then later, upon reaching the end where they witnessed Jeanne fighting one of the dungeon boss before she was eventually killed, making Sumia enrage and be the first character to triggered a battle scene. I can definitely see now the connection between them as cousin.
But to think, that Jeanne was willingly help her cousin just by borrowing such an weirdly book.
Somehow, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Jeanne... for I knew all too well that Sumia would gladly do anything to win over Leon's affection, but seeking out with Jeanne's help on borrowing on that book.... which I could imagine from her look to be more cute and scary at the same time.
Though with all the dots had been tightly connect, for which I can probably assumed that what Yumina's unexpected action did greatly affected Sumia.
In the game, there really wasn't much to show about Sumia's personality as can be often described as it was running hot and cold at the same time. Even if you pursued her route exclusively, things like this weren't shown although, some were mentioned but that's all you get nothing more.
As a tsundere-type heroine, her true feelings wasn't exactly like a rocket science as deciphering her words and actions was often like trying to solve and encode a very complicated morse code. Despite the fact that her spouting off were mostly with cold remarks, there was always a hint of affection were leaking behind her mask of pride.
But something like this which I didn't expect coming from her, resort on relying with that book.... it seemed that I wasn't the only one been dealing a childhood friend with possessive-like tendencies.
My dear protagonist, it seemed that a such long, bumpy journey was already ahead of you.
As the students that were nearby began to take notice of the commotion, ignoring them completely with a huff, Jeanne quickly turned around and left the scene.
"Hey! wait for me." I called out, quickly ran behind her though, I wanted to avoid myself from getting more rumors about me.
Upon returning on the library's front, both of us didn't spoke out a single word ever since the commotion happened earlier, as the air of awkwardness between us that I was hoping to divert turned even more thicker than before.
This time, there was no mistaking upon sensing a hostility within her gaze.
(Yep I'm sure of it. She definitely hates me now.)
It wasn't only just her pride as a noble that was greatly affected, but it also include her sense of self-worth as a woman. To be caught herself in such a moment of vulnerability, especially in a public place, must have been quite embarrassing for her.
Seeing her like this couldn't help but feel a pang of regrets upon my blunder. Despite her appearance as a proud noblewoman, at the end of the day she was also a human with feelings and vulnerabilities just like everyone else.
And now, to be faced with the aftermath of this embarrassing misunderstanding, it was evident that she was struggling to maintain her composure.
With a deep sense of guilt were coursing through me, I was about to apologize for my abruptness when suddenly....
"Jeanne! Why you took so long?" a somewhat loud voice resonated caught in between my throat.
Standing before us, I noticed a girl was looking at Jeanne with a twitched brows as she crossed her arms.
A long reddish-brown hair that were framed with her face, and a uniquely pierced green eyes staring in between me and Jeanne.
Coupled with a black shawl that was adorned in her uniform which was befitting on her ethereal figure and her face that I had seen countless times in the game.
So, she was here....
My dear protagonist's one and only OG childhood friend heroine in the game, as well as Jeanne's cousin.
Sumia Flan
Right now, she was standing in front of Jeanne, looking at the book she had taken from me.
Now that I see them up close, at first glance, you can actually see them like they're identical twins or something.
As I observed their exchange in between Jeanne and Sumia, a nagging thought were popping into my mind.
Isn't she supposed to be with the protagonist right about now?
Looking around this maze-like library, there wasn't even a single trace of such presence from the protagonist.
It would seemed highly unusual of her to actually leave Leon alone around at this time, especially considering with the tensions between her and princess Scarlett ever since tumultuous first event.
Had something change while I was away, or was there another motive at play?
As I delved myself into conjecture, suddenly I was found myself in a unexpected focus from Sumia's attention.
The disdain in between her piercing green eyes grew palpable, her glares locked onto mine were sharp like a knife. But the moment when our eyes had crossed, I was taken by surprise upon noticing her lowered gaze and blushed cheeks.
"So.... you know all about it, right?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
I slowly nodded, still quite unsure of what the hidden meaning behind her obvious sense of embarrassment.
"Don't tell anybody about this, got it?" She warned, her tone was serious with a fierceful gaze cut through me intensified.
Now that I found out something like this, she probably wanted for me to forget everything or else, that I will surely faced with a dire consequences.
Who would to think she would go all this far though.... I never expected coming from her doing like this behind the scenes. After all, I couldn't imagine her actions in a such manner with all the prideful acts she carries away on her mask.
Now I can definitely see why she cried so much in a certain point of the story when you choose a different girl and cut off her route permanently in the game.
With the way she had begged for forgiveness, trying her upmost best to amending the lost connection with the main protagonist, and till the very final battle, she would even offered herself as sacrifice for Leon.
This girl was truly madly in love with her childhood friend to the point where she had to resort using the book.
I thought at first, that her tsundere antics and possesive-like tendecies were just a bit annoying.
But thinking about sheer amount of effort that she puts into make her childhood friend noticed of her affection, makes me appreciate her now.
Though if only she were completely honest with her feelings, then it would've smoothened their relationship with her childhood friend, Leon.
Despite the fact that she just gave me a stern warning, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement before me. It was like I caught a glimpse of her greatest secret, then its was the moment I became her accomplice.
Trying to suppress my laughed, I solemnly nodded. "Understood, milady." I replied, bowing my head slightly to maintain a sincere expression in front of her.
Her immediate reaction was evident, a mix of surprise and confusion can be seen on her face. "H-huh?!!! Mi-milady? Me?!!!" she stammered, clearly she was caught off guard when I just mentioned of her title.
It's what one of many similarities between Sumia and Jeanne — they're both desire to be treated with grace and dignity befitting of their noble status. As someone who took immense pride in their lineage, just by suggesting them anything like a proper lady could easily flustered.
"U-uhmm, are you perhaps a noble?" She inquired tentatively, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
"Yes, milady." I humbly replied, maintaining my gaze towards her with unwavering sincerity. "Please... don't worry about your secret. I solemnly swear on my family's name that not a single person will come to know about it."
Within the noble society, it was sacred gesture of trust and respect between nobles when they invoke their family name as it held a symbol of honor and reverence. Just by invoking my family's name within the said promise, hoping it would convey to her complete assurance that my upmost sincerity for the commitment in keeping her deepest secret.
"I-I see... Thank you." She said, her voice tinged with a sense of relief though, her gaze were lingered with skepticism.
Yet with the invocation of my family's name on the line somehow, it have a calming effect on her as she seemed genuinely grateful.
Initially, I had originally planned to only guide Jeanne towards the secret location of the unique starting item. But now, that my blunder towards her were inadvertently intertwined with Sumia's dilemma, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of responsibility to set things at the right course.
And not to mention, that Jeanne's glare was like shooting daggers at me for quite awhile now.
"Do you know him, Sumia?" Jeanne's word resonated brought her back to reality, as sudden realization causing for her flustered slightly.
"Uh-uhm, if it's not too much to ask, but may I know your name, sir?" Sumia inquired tentatively, her mannerism befitting to a noble, albeit with a hint of embarrassment.
Suppressed my laughter, amused by her attempt to amend her mistake by maintain a usual facade of nobility, as I bowed slightly before them. "My name is Corrin. Corrin Ashfallen, milady." I humbly introduced, watching closely at their exchange glance for any signs of recognition.
"Corrin Ashfallen.... Are you the one who placed as the twelfth knight?" She inquired, though her brow furrowed slightly, as she attempting to recognize my name.
But that was expected, since my family's name wasn't exactly renowned for its prestige and prominence among the nobility's society. As our sphere of influence were humbly expanded through only a remote border region, far removed from the capital's glamorous and power-hungry nobles.
Although it seemed what my previous achievements did managed were only get a small amount of recognition.
"Yes, my lady."
"My name is Sumia, Sumia Flan." she said, her bright smile glimmered as she extended her hand in greeting.
It's also another noble etiquette, when two nobles of man and woman meet for the first time.
As I took her hand and placed my gentle kiss upon it, I noticed that Sumia's gentle smile remained, albeit with a touch of blush in her cheeks.
Her mannerism illuminated her features with a genuine warmth. It was expected from a heroine borned and raised from a very renowned household as it held a significant allure for her — a fleetingly feeling emerged from many long years of isolation and longing for such a world that she had only glimpse from fairytales.
She was akin to her cousin, considering from what I recalled in the game, her family were the only influencial nobility that were dominated within her hometown. And only noble family that were visited was her cousin's Chronos household.
So this gesture were kind of rarity to her, as this was the first time she could act like the one she read in fairytale.
"As I already mentioned that I was her cousin. My name is Jeanne, Jeanne Chronos." She said, acknowledged me as she stretched out her hand.
By following that same noble etiquette, I also took her hand and placed my lips upon it with the same genuinity.
"Hmm..." Jeanne mused, her gaze locked onto me before she shifted to her cousin.
"Sumia, here's your book that wanted to borrow." She said, handing over the book with a transparent blue card on top of it.
These pair in front of me were really like identical twins or something, both of their expression were synchronous and yet, only with their personalities presented a stark contrast. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of bewilderment upon seeing from their exchange.
With my time here is limited, I had to find a way to gracefully end this stalemate conversation, and guide Jeanne towards the intended secret location of Chronos's Tear. Luckily, I had just a perfect plan to divert Sumia's attention and make her leave.
"By the way, could that book be for Leon, Lady Sumia?" I casually asked, hoping this would steer her attention.
"H-huh?!! What are you talking about? How could this book was for him?!! We're only just childhood friends— wait, how do you know Leon?" Sumia inquired curiously, her embarrassment was brief upon caught the meaning of my words.
"I've seen you two recently at the student's square." I replied smoothly, maintain my expression with neutrality. "I thought at first, the closeness between you and him were like how lovers would normally act or, am I wrong, Lady Sumia?"
"Really?!!! Do you think–.... I mean, how could you think such a thing? There's no way I acted like that from him being born from the highlands, you know? She retort though, her eyes betrayed a hint of amusement.
Haah... If you only could be more honest to yourself instead of avoiding it by masking your true feelings with an excuse of your noble status.
Seeing her reaction clearly as transparent glass would only served to confirm my suspicion.
"Do you like him, Lady Sumia?"
"H-huh? W-we're just ch-childhood friends." She stammered, her facade were breaking through.
The longer she put on her mask to avoid the truth, the more wounded she takes, it was given that lying wasn't suited for Sumia's character. However stepping further deep into the matter won't increased my scarcely time so, I decided to throw another question for finality.
"Then is it alright for you if that hoshidan girl would claimed him?"
"Huh...?" Sumia inquired, her voice twinge a sense of confusion.
For the brief moment, I noticed a flicker of something break within her facade expression — perhaps a hint of hesitancy?
But the moment her facade was breaking, It shifted, as she brought back the usual facade of indifference.
"What do I even care?" Sumia responded quickly, though her bright smile was betrayed by her darkened eyes.
"Perhaps you didn't know? That Leon was gracefully invited for a very splendid lunch from the princess Scarlett herself." She revealed, a small smile was playing on her lips.
I-I see..." I replied, noticed her grip on the book was tightened, causing it to crumble slightly within her hands.
(Damn...)
I couldn't help but feel marvel at her strength, as I was expecting coming from a heroine placed as the first year's fifth knight.
Seeing her immense power would safe to assumed around above D-rank, probably either C or B-rank stat?
"I will take my leave now, good day." Sumia said, bow her head as take her leave towards the exit.
"Sir Corrin." She called out, her eye glanced back at me.
"Please don't need formality with me, Corrin is quite enough." I replied.
"Th-then you can call me Sumia." She added, her cheeks flushed slightly.
"May I wish that our encounter shall not ended here." She whispered softly, her expression hinted a genuine wish before she take her leave permanently this time.
As I watched her graceful retreat, couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration through me — a feeling longed stirring within me.
She truly was captivated woman with a mist of mystery, with the way her expression changes with such a consistency. That it almost make me stifle a laughter aloud, but managed to restrain myself till the very end.
After all, I was still in the middle of a public place, and a proper decorum must be maintained.
Based on what Sumia had revealed to me just now, I couldn't help but wonder what sort of drama would unfolded for my dear protagonist's journey.
Tsk! Tsk! Oh Leon....
Please to be careful on the road, it's has filled with nails.
However, I had to remind myself that my fate was pretty much same. Especially when there's certain someone was silently staring at me.
(Just how freakishly long you were staring?)
"Your name is Corrin Ashfallen, am I right?" Jeanne inquired tentatively.
"Yes, lady Jeanne."
"Just call me Jeanne anyway, tell me when you ask me earlier? Are you referring to this book, is that right? She continued, her words piqued my interest.
As I glanced on what she hold, I immediately recognized.
She was holding within her pale hands is a sky-blue book and it was entitled....
The Tears of Chronos....