On the day that Vivillian and William were to have a meeting, Viv followed a rather different daily schedule than usual.
During class, he fidgeted with his pen to the point of worrying Ms. Lilia, and after class he headed straight to his dorm.
Heading into the old wooden study, you would notice the formally empty bookshelves somewhat less empty as they were filled with various books, all brought with Vivillian's allowance.
Sitting in the center was the old wooden desk that Vivillian mainly used to work on assignments he forgot to do.
Taking a seat, Viv began furiously writing in his new magic journal.
In order to unlock the journal, you would have insert your mana into the small magic stone on the cover that locked the book. Then, the stone would reject any other person's mana except its owners which was imprinted onto it the moment Viv first unlocked it.
Any attempts to forcefully pry open the leather cover or too many wrong mana signatures would make the journal burn itself using the small magic stone as catalyst.
This was an annoying, simple, but smart gadget that even Darvillion would have to ponder a little before carefully breaking it open.
Though it was probably nothing in the eyes of William, who could probably have it safely opened with the help of careful Imperial Mages, but at least it would protect Viv's secrets from any small external problems.
At the beginning of the journal, Viv patiently wrote down all the details of his past life that he could remember.
From what school he graduated from, how many family members he had, his first name and last name, significant events in his life and whatever could come to mind about his old life.
After that section, he began to diligently write a timeline of all future events that would happen at Einsvul, along with sub events that would happen in between that was centered around Lizzy and the capture targets.
Towards the end of writing the main timeline, Viv paused as he contemplated what to write. After the main section of the game, the story would differ depending on what route the female protagonist chose.
During the chosen route, there were 3 endings that could happen.
The good ending, which usually involved Lizzy and the capture target recognizing their feelings and solving a problem together for the benefit of humanity, they live happily ever after and so does the Empire.
The normal ending, which was the most common ending and usually involves Lizzy and one of the capture targets recognizing their feelings. However, different from a good ending, it usually stops at there and it is uncertain of the Empire's future.
Both of these two possibilities is what Viv hoped Lizzy could accomplish, but if he altered the storyline too much, the world will be put on the bad ending route.
A bad ending route differed on depending on the capture targets.
For William, if his affection and trust was high yet you failed the corresponding events that led to the end, he would die by assassination and his little brother would take the throne. Then, the kingdom would go through hard times in the future due to an unready King.
As for Darvillion, if his affection and trust was too low, and you had higher affection on another capture target during his route, he kidnaps Lizzy and starts a dark romance route. In this route, he takes her away and locks her up, unwilling to ever let her see the light of day again.
Perukono's bad ending was the least mildest of the main endings, with his bad ending only achievable if his affection, trust, and failed corresponding events met a certain criteria. Calling Lizzy to the back of the school, Perukono would sadly inform his wishes to break up with her, before leaving to dedicate the rest of his life to serving the Crown Prince in solitude, never forgetting his first love.
All these endings were just the tip of the iceberg too, as these were just the free endings available to the public. There were many other secret routes and hidden capture targets that the player could unlock depending on what they do in events.
As Viv rolled the pen inbetween his fingers as he then decided to put a simple question mark at the end of the main storyline.
The safest option was trying to set up Lizzy and Perukono up, though several years of prosperity for the Empire would be nice living as a small noble, the consequences of the bad ending made Viv dare not to be greedy.
"Hagh..." Leaning back on his study chair, he let out a tired sigh as he clicked on the pen's switch.
"It's not even my world, so why am I forced to play matchmaker with fake people to live normally...?" He muttered to himself.
At that moment, a voice suddenly interjected.
"Fake people?" Elva curiously opened the door at that time, startling Viv.
"Guh, it's just you." Clearing his throat, Viv annoyedly turned over, his eyes narrowing. "Why did you barge in here?"
"Uhm..did you forget? You told me to remind you when the time hit 4:25pm."
Elva scratched his head.
"...Urgh."
Viv felt another headache coming.
...
"Are you prepared?" Perukono smiled as he tilted his head, looking at the disgruntled face of Viv who opened the door. The pocket watch in his hand had just turned exactly 4:30pm.
"...Yes."
Scowling, Viv slowly followed Perukono up many flights of stairs up the mysterious Einsvul dormitory.
Despite meeting a Crown Prince, Viv simply wore his school uniform and a black beret, which almost made Perukono laugh when he first saw him.
Being beside William for many years, Perukono was used to having many noble children dress in their most expensive gowns and put up airs and do anything to build a connection with William.
Apathetic, or calculated, I wonder...
Perukono thought to himself, smiling as they finally reached the top floor, which was locked several heavy magic infused locks, and seals.
If you were to look closely, you would see multiple enchantments covering the area, intricately wrapped between one another so that if even one tinkered with, it would alert the whole defense system.
Viv watched as Perukono waved his hand, an insignia on his wrist glowing before all the defense mechanisms were disarmed.
"After you." Perukono bowed, and extended his hand forward.
Uncomfortably stepping forward, Viv looked at the hallway decorations that seemed a bit..off putting.
"Ah, those aren't for decoration. I advise you not to touch them, it might trigger their self defense spell and explode suddenly."
"..."
The hell?
After what seemed like an eternity, they finally reached the Crown Prince's room, Perukono knocking on the door crisply.
"Your Majesty, your guest has arrived."
There was a brief silence before a response came.
"...You may come in."
Was William's curt reply.
Opening the door, Viv cautiously stepped into the room and scanned the somewhat familiar surroundings he had seen before while he was peeking as a bird.
Though, Viv suddenly stiffened as he saw an unexpected presence in the room, sitting right next to William who sat on the couch.
"Apologies for not informing you that my friend Darvillion would attend, it was...a last minute decision that he wanted to join." Clearing his throat, William beckoned Viv to sit on the opposite side. "Please, do not feel as if you are being interrogated."
Flicking away his gaze from the two smiling devils before him, Viv nervously took his seat on the other couch.
"I'm sure the true purpose of this visit was not simply for refreshments." Viv eyed Perukono, who seemed to take on the duties as a maid, as he set down a tray of elegantly decorated snacks.
"Do you wish to cut formalities?" Humming, a corner of William's mouth tugged up as he leaned back on the sofa, scanning him.
"If that would make this meeting shorter, then sure." Sighing, Viv took a teacup and took a sip, holding it in his lap.
Darvillion let out a snicker at the side, prompting William to give him a look, which made the black haired brat snort and stay quiet.
"If that is your wish, then..."
He trailed.
"Join my force."
"I'll humbly de-."
"Before you give me your answer, I must mention that I have a feeling that you know who I am and what I am capable with."
Smiling, William cut him off as leaned his head on his hand, resting on the armchair. "I can give you some time to think things over."
Speaking slowly, William motioned at Darvillion, who was finally able to speak his piece.
"Don't forget Vivillian, I know that secret of yours that causes strange phenomena with plants." Darvillion pulled something out of the air using a spell, it was a now preserved sprout in a jar. "Just think of how the public will react when they find out a boy no older than 13 with low mana capacity managed to manifest life itself from an old carved bookshelf."
"..."
Darvillion told William about the incident.
Viv felt his plans to decline them hurriedly slipping away, as he tried to not let his unease show.
"...Ha, are you sure this meeting was for relations and not a hidden threat?"
Putting down the tea cup, Viv hid his shaking hands underneath his school uniform.
"Of course, it would be most preferable if you were to come work with us voluntarily, that way we would start to build a semblance of trust, don't you think?"
William shrugged, as he tilted his head. "Also, if you want I could list off all the benefits that you can acquire just by openly stating your allegiance to me."
"You should know by now that staying near Your Highness also comes with a torrent of turbulence." Viv spoke just as quickly back.
"Of course." The Crown Princess eyes gleamed as he stared directly at Vivillian.
"But I don't pick people who I don't think can bear it."
"..."
There was a silence as Vivillian and William observed each other from the short distance, neither of them speaking, with only William smiling.
Perukono couldn't help but gulp as he anxiously scanned the pair, Darvillion playing around with the preserved specimen in his hand.
"...Give me 3 years."
Finally, Vivillian opened his mouth and spoke.
"Three years to decide whether or not to change the course of my life and join you." Villian crossed his arms. "In 3 years time, that is when all the departments will begin to merge and talents will be more developed and noticeable to the eyes."
"Hm...that's a long while isn't it?"
William tilted his head, looking curious at Viv's proposal.
"Three years is a short time compared to the lifetime that is yet to come if I do decide to join your side." Speaking quietly, Viv eyed William. "Surely you can wait 3 years to see if there are any more promising candidates beside me."
"What makes you so confident I will find a better candidate than you?"
"There are people who have a rough edge, unpolished in the first 3 years of staying here. However during the last 2 years stretch, it is most likely they emerge from their unpolished cocoons and show potential even brighter than I."
I know this will happen too.
Vivillian thought to himself as he recalled the coming events, he was 100% certain of it. He had something others didn't, a sure future.
Soon, there will be a true genius emerging in 3 years.
"It is more beneficial to have more focus on the best talents, isn't it?" Viv continued as he took the cup on the table and sipped, feeling his brain had been refreshed.
"Hah, you sure have a way or words, despite the rumors and personality. You speak so humbly of yourself that it makes me truly wonder what facade you're trying to pull." Letting out a resigned sigh, William grinned. "You must truly not want to work for me."
"I will not agree nor refute anything."
William's eyes drifted to the side, his brain weighing the pros and cons of Vivillian's proposal.
"...Fine, I'll play along with your little game for now."
Snapping his fingers, a magic contract appeared beside William.
Widening his eyes, Viv didn't expect such a precious and rare item to be used for such a small deal.
Enchantments on scrolls that could be used to enforce deals were rare and usually reserved for precious transactions.
Knowing the Crown Prince however, he probably had a sizable sum of them lying around...
William read Vivillian's expression and let out a proud snort.
"Take it in, and see how much I value you in my mind, I'll even give you half a year extra to decide, as I am confident in my decision."
The contract floated over, and Vivillian read the terms to see if anything was amiss.
In three and a half years time, Vivillian Ambrosia will decide whether to join William Luven Slachal's alliance. If William Luven Slachal finds a talent more promising than Vivillian, he cannot bother or force Vivillian to join under his wing. Any person in this contract who breaks the conditions will have blood pour out of every hole in their body and experience excruciating pain. This contract may be edited or reformed if both parties consent. During the three year time period, William and any subordinates acting on behalf of him or have a close relation with cannot bother or cause trouble to Vivillian without probable cause.
"..." Everything sounded good, except for the third clause, but it was just a punishment just in case. And it seemed William understood his thoughts well with the fifth clause.
Lizzy and that guy will soon make their entrances anyway, I'll just have to play along for now.
Expressionlessly, Vivillian signed it, and so did William, who still had an annoying smile on his face.
After signing, the contract burned up, and a golden diamond insignia appeared on the inside of Vivillian's elbow. The same symbol found itself the same place on William.
"Let's meet again, Vivillian, in 3 years time." William let out a laugh as he waved off Viv, who unceremoniously dusted off his uniform, and promptly left the floor.
—-
Darvillion and Perukono watched uncomfortably as William's smile soon darkened.
How funny, setting up all these clauses just to stall and play stupid. I have many other ways to convince you to join my side willingly, Vivillian.
A clicking of a pen could be heard as William took it out of his coat pocket.
The moment you stepped foot in here, your life was surrendered to me.
My {Talent Eyes} do not lie.