The bright morning sun filtered through the windows of the Imperial Academy, casting soft golden light over the rows of students seated in the large, lecture-style classroom. Ryuto leaned back in his chair, barely listening to the drone of the instructor at the front of the room. His mind wasn't on the day's lesson, Magical Theorems and Their Practical Applications, though he really should have been paying attention. No, his focus was entirely on Amelia.
Amelia sat a few rows ahead, her elegant posture a perfect reflection of her noble upbringing. Her golden-blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her deep blue eyes were fixed intently on the instructor's lecture. To Ryuto, she was the definition of beauty. Her calm, graceful demeanor contrasted with his constant inner turmoil whenever he tried to speak to her.
She had no idea about the storm of thoughts that whirled inside Ryuto's head. In fact, she seemed oblivious to his existence beyond polite greetings and casual interactions. How could she not notice me? Ryuto thought with a mix of frustration and longing. He was smart, had magic potential off the charts, and was kind of a big deal, in his own mind, at least. But no matter what he did, Amelia just wasn't seeing him as anything more than another classmate.
As the instructor continued lecturing on the theoretical principles of mana infusion, Ryuto felt his attention drift back to the Affection Points App. The little meter next to Amelia's name in the Dating Sim App sat stubbornly low, just a few points above neutral. What if I just gave it a little nudge? Ryuto wondered, his fingers twitching toward his smartphone hidden beneath his desk. What's the worst that could happen?
But then his mind flashed back to Celeste. Her affection for him had gone through the roof after he'd used the system on her, and it had only gotten worse from there. The thought of making the same mistake with Amelia made him hesitate. As tempting as it was to boost her affection and solve all his romantic problems with the press of a button, he knew better now. Amelia wasn't just some crush, she was the girl he wanted to win over the right way.
Ryuto sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. He'd have to find another way.
The bell rang for lunch, and students began filing out of the classroom in small groups, heading for the academy's vast courtyards and gardens. Ryuto grabbed his bag and made a beeline for his usual spot under one of the large oak trees, where he and Roland always met. As he approached, he spotted Roland sitting on the grass, eagerly munching on an oversized sandwich.
Roland waved Ryuto over, grinning with his mouth full. "You look like you're plotting something again."
Ryuto flopped down on the grass next to him. "I'm always plotting something. But this time, it's about Amelia."
Roland raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Ah, I see. Still trying to impress the untouchable noble beauty?"
"Don't call her that," Ryuto muttered, his eyes scanning the courtyard until they landed on Amelia sitting with a few other girls, laughing and chatting. He sighed. "But yeah. I tried everything today, spells, compliments, even holding the door open for her, and… nothing."
Roland snickered. "You? Compliments? Let me guess, you went overboard."
Ryuto groaned. "Maybe. I told her she had the most radiant smile I'd ever seen. It sounded better in my head."
Roland burst into laughter, nearly choking on his sandwich. "No wonder she thinks you're weird! You've got to play it cool, man. Girls like her don't want to hear dramatic speeches, they just want to see you being yourself."
Ryuto frowned, glancing back toward Amelia, who hadn't even glanced in his direction all day. "Yeah, well, being myself isn't exactly getting me anywhere."
Roland clapped him on the back, still chuckling. "Just give it time. I mean, come on, we're barely old enough to know what we're doing anyway. Besides, you've got bigger things to focus on. Like becoming the greatest adventurer in the world."
Ryuto sighed again. Roland was right, of course, but that didn't make it any less frustrating. Amelia was a challenge, and Ryuto hated feeling like he was constantly failing at something. Magic? I've got that covered. Physical strength? Working on it. But romance? I'm useless.
But as they sat there, Ryuto's gaze drifted to his smartphone again. The Affection Points App hovered in his thoughts. He could fix this. He could make Amelia fall for him, just like he had with Celeste, only without letting it spiral out of control this time.
But then again… no. He clenched his fists, determined. No shortcuts. No cheats. He had to figure this out on his own.
Determined to shake off his frustration, Ryuto focused on the upcoming practical magic class. If there was one thing he could always count on, it was his raw magical power. Today's lesson was about elemental manipulation, and he intended to show everyone, especially Amelia, just how skilled he was.
The class gathered outside on the academy's practice grounds, a wide-open area where students could safely test their spells. Ryuto's heart raced with excitement as he took his place among the students, his hands already itching to cast something impressive.
The instructor, Professor Alden, stood at the front of the group, his voice booming. "Today, we will be practicing basic control of fire and water elements. Remember, control is more important than raw power. A true mage can shape magic with precision, not just force."
Ryuto smirked to himself. Control, huh? Let's see how much I've improved since that last little mishap.
Amelia stood a few feet away, her focus entirely on the lesson, completely unaware that Ryuto's primary goal was to impress her. He couldn't let her go another day without noticing him.
Professor Alden demonstrated a simple fire spell, conjuring a small flame in the palm of his hand and shaping it into a controlled, swirling ball of fire. "Now, each of you, take turns," he said. "Show me you can control the element, not let it control you."
One by one, the students stepped forward, casting their versions of the spell. Some succeeded with ease, while others struggled to maintain control. When it was Ryuto's turn, he stepped up with confidence.
This is it, he thought, feeling his mana swell as he prepared the spell. This time, I'll show everyone how much I've grown.
With a flick of his wrist, Ryuto summoned a flame into his palm, shaping it with ease. The fireball glowed brightly, crackling with energy. He grinned, so far, so good.
But as he tried to impress by making the flame bigger, his mana surged out of control.
The small fireball rapidly expanded into a massive inferno, roaring into the air as students screamed and scrambled to get away. Ryuto's eyes widened in panic as he desperately tried to reel the fire back in, but it was too late. The spell exploded, sending a shower of sparks flying in all directions.
Amelia ducked just in time, the flames missing her by inches. She looked back at Ryuto, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and disbelief.
Professor Alden rushed forward, quickly extinguishing the rogue flames with a flick of his hand. "Ryuto Velclair!" he barked. "You need to control your power, not overwhelm it!"
Ryuto stood there, mortified, his face flushed with embarrassment. All around him, the other students whispered and laughed behind their hands, and Amelia… well, at least she was noticing him now. But not in the way he had hoped.
Ryuto's face burned hotter than the flames he had just conjured. His grand plan to impress Amelia had, once again, gone horribly wrong. Instead of seeing him as the skilled mage he so desperately wanted to be, she was now probably thinking of him as the guy who nearly set the academy on fire.
"Smooth," Roland whispered from the sidelines, trying and failing to stifle his laughter.
Ryuto shot him a glare, but it didn't matter. He'd already made a complete fool of himself in front of the entire class, and worse, in front of her. Why does this keep happening? he groaned inwardly, kicking himself for getting overconfident.
"Ryuto," Professor Alden called out, his tone stern but not unkind. "I've told you before, your magic is powerful, but without control, it's a danger to yourself and others. Next time, focus on refining your spell rather than pushing your limits."
Ryuto nodded, too embarrassed to say anything more. He shuffled back to his place, feeling the weight of every student's eyes on him. From the corner of his vision, he saw Amelia glancing his way, but her expression was hard to read. Was she impressed by his raw magical power? Or did she just think he was reckless?
He desperately hoped it was the former, but he couldn't tell.
Roland sidled up next to him, grinning. "Well, that was one way to get her attention. Not sure if it's the kind you wanted, though."
"Not helping, Roland," Ryuto muttered, folding his arms as he tried to look anywhere but at Amelia.
"You really need to stop overthinking it," Roland continued, ignoring Ryuto's sour mood. "I mean, yeah, your magic kind of exploded, but that's better than being boring, right? At least you're memorable."
"Memorable for being a walking disaster," Ryuto groaned, running a hand through his hair. "This is hopeless. Every time I try to get closer to her, something goes wrong."
Roland leaned back, thinking for a moment. "Maybe you're trying too hard. You know, instead of showing off with magic or grand gestures, maybe just... talk to her like a normal person?"
Ryuto blinked. The idea of simply talking to Amelia without some big, impressive plan felt... alien. He'd been so focused on trying to wow her with his abilities that he hadn't even considered the possibility that she might appreciate just having a conversation. Is that really all it takes?
Ryuto's mind buzzed as he and Roland strolled through the academy gardens. The sprawling grounds were a haven for students, filled with lush greenery, shaded benches, and winding paths. It was one of the few places at the academy where students could relax between classes, and today, it was the perfect spot for Ryuto to clear his head.
They had just finished practical magic for the day, and though Ryuto's earlier mishap still weighed on him, he couldn't shake Roland's advice. Maybe it's time to stop trying to show off and just be myself. As terrifying as that thought was, it was better than blowing things up... again.
"Alright," Ryuto said, turning to Roland. "I'll try it your way. Next time I get the chance, I'll talk to her. No magic, no grand gestures. Just... a normal conversation."
Roland clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit! Now, let's just hope you don't accidentally set the conversation on fire."
Ryuto gave him a half-hearted glare. "Very funny."
As they rounded a corner, Ryuto's heart nearly stopped. Sitting alone on one of the garden benches, reading a book under the shade of a tall tree, was Amelia. She looked peaceful, her golden hair glowing in the afternoon sunlight, her eyes focused intently on the pages in front of her.
Ryuto's palms immediately grew clammy. This is it. This is my chance.
He froze, his mind going blank. What was he supposed to say? Should he comment on the book? Make small talk about the weather? Compliment her again? No, don't do that, he reminded himself. Keep it simple.
But as he took a step toward her, his stomach lurched with nerves. What if I mess this up?
Roland nudged him forward. "Go on. You've got this."
Taking a deep breath, Ryuto forced himself to walk over to her, his legs feeling like they were made of lead. When he was only a few feet away, Amelia glanced up from her book, her blue eyes meeting his.
"Oh, Ryuto," she said, her voice light and polite. "Did you need something?"
Her tone was casual, but not unkind. Ryuto's heart pounded in his chest. Okay, here we go. Just talk to her. Be normal.
"H-Hey, Amelia," he stammered, inwardly wincing at how shaky his voice sounded. "I just... saw you over here and thought I'd say hi."
Amelia smiled, closing her book. "Hi."
There was a long, awkward pause. Ryuto's mind raced as he tried to think of what to say next. Come on, think!
"So, uh... what are you reading?" he blurted out, instantly regretting it. What are you, ten? Of course, she's reading something, it's in her hand!
Amelia, however, didn't seem to mind the question. She held up the book, showing him the cover. "It's a collection of short stories from ancient magical civilizations. It's fascinating how magic was used so differently back then."
Ryuto nodded, desperately trying to think of something intelligent to say. "Yeah, that sounds... cool."
Cool? Really? Ryuto mentally facepalmed. Could I sound more like an idiot?
To his surprise, Amelia continued. "You know, I've always found ancient magic interesting. The way they used natural elements in their spells, it's so different from how we're taught today."
Ryuto blinked. Wait, is she... actually talking to me?
Seizing the moment, he leaned in slightly, trying to muster up some confidence. "Yeah, I've read a bit about that too. Like how the elementalists of old could combine water and fire magic to create steam-based attacks. Pretty impressive stuff."
Amelia's eyes lit up with genuine interest. "Exactly! It's such a shame those techniques have been lost over time. We could learn so much if we studied their methods more."
For the first time, Ryuto felt the conversation flowing naturally. I'm doing it! I'm actually talking to her without making a fool of myself!
But just as Ryuto was starting to feel more confident, he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye, his smartphone. The Dating Sim App was still open, the Affection Points next to Amelia's name glowing faintly.
The temptation surged up again. He could give her a small boost, just enough to make her like him a little more. It wouldn't be like with Celeste. He'd keep it under control this time. Just a few points... no one would even notice.
As his hand twitched toward his pocket, Ryuto froze. No. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to resist. Not like this. I'm not doing it again.
Amelia tilted her head slightly, noticing his hesitation. "Is something wrong?"
Ryuto quickly shook his head, smiling awkwardly. "No, nothing. Just... thinking."
Amelia gave him a curious look but didn't press the issue. Instead, she stood up, tucking the book under her arm. "It was nice talking to you, Ryuto. Maybe we can discuss more of this ancient magic sometime."
Ryuto nodded, trying to keep his composure. "Yeah, definitely."
With a final polite smile, Amelia turned and walked back toward the academy, leaving Ryuto standing there with his heart pounding in his chest.
Roland appeared by his side moments later, grinning. "Well, look at you, having an actual conversation like a normal person."
Ryuto let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "I... I think it went okay."
Roland clapped him on the back. "See? No explosions, no dramatic compliments, just talking. Told you it'd work."
Ryuto allowed himself a small smile. It wasn't a grand victory, but it was something. He'd managed to have a normal conversation with Amelia, and even though she wasn't falling head over heels for him, he felt like he'd made some progress.
One step at a time, he reminded himself. I'll win her over eventually, without using the system.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Ryuto couldn't stop replaying his conversation with Amelia in his head. He'd managed to keep things normal for once, no explosions, no embarrassing moments, and no grand gestures that made him look like an idiot. He had actually made her smile. That alone was enough to leave him feeling on top of the world.
As the afternoon sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the academy's courtyard, Ryuto and Roland found themselves in their usual spot under the large oak tree. Roland was lounging on the grass, casually tossing stones toward a nearby fountain, while Ryuto sat leaning against the tree, staring off into the distance.
"So," Roland began, breaking the comfortable silence, "you actually managed to talk to her without catching fire this time. I'm impressed."
Ryuto chuckled, though there was still a slight twinge of embarrassment. "Yeah, well, I wasn't trying to blow things up today. Just… talk."
Roland grinned, shaking his head. "See? What did I tell you? You don't need to do anything crazy. Just be yourself."
Ryuto sighed, glancing over at the academy's main building where Amelia had disappeared a little while ago. "Yeah, but... it still feels like I'm not making enough progress. She's nice and polite, but that's it. She doesn't really notice me, not the way I want her to."
Roland raised an eyebrow. "What, you expected her to fall madly in love with you after one normal conversation?"
Ryuto groaned. "No, of course not. But it would be nice if she at least saw me as more than just another student."
Roland threw another stone, watching it skip across the fountain's water before sinking. "It'll happen. You just have to give it time. You're doing fine, man. Better than fine, actually."
Ryuto leaned his head back against the tree, staring up at the sky. Roland was right, as usual. This kind of thing didn't happen overnight. He had to take it slow, be patient, and not rush things. Still, it was frustrating to feel like he wasn't making real progress.
"Maybe you're right," Ryuto muttered. "But patience isn't exactly my strong suit."
Roland laughed. "Yeah, I noticed. But look, Amelia's a smart girl. She's not the type to be swept off her feet by flashy magic or cheesy compliments. You just have to keep being yourself around her, and eventually, she'll see you for who you really are."
Ryuto thought about that for a moment. Who I really am. He wasn't sure he even knew who that was anymore. His life had been split between his noble duties, his desire to be a powerful adventurer, and, of course, navigating his complicated relationships with the people around him, like Celeste, who had grown even more attached after the affection points debacle.
It was hard to know where he fit in all of it. But there was one thing he was sure of, he wasn't going to use the Affection Points system on Amelia. Not again. No matter how tempting it was, he couldn't risk making things artificial.
"Yeah," Ryuto said softly, more to himself than to Roland. "I'll just have to figure it out as I go."
The Velclair estate was bathed in the soft glow of twilight as Ryuto returned home after the long day at the academy. Dinner had already come and gone, and Ryuto had managed to avoid any awkward run-ins with Celeste, who was thankfully busy with her own studies. His mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Amelia, though now they were mixed with his usual frustrations about not being able to move forward as quickly as he wanted.
Why does everything have to be so slow? he thought, slumping down on his bed. He stared at the ceiling, the weight of the day finally catching up to him. His mind kept circling back to that one moment under the tree with Amelia, the way her eyes had lit up when they talked about magic. She seemed interested. Maybe this can actually go somewhere.
But doubt crept in quickly. Was it really enough? Would Amelia ever see him as anything more than a fellow student? It was hard not to feel like he was just spinning his wheels.
Ryuto's thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door.
"Come in," he called, sitting up.
The door creaked open, and to his surprise, it was Seraphina, his mother. She stepped inside, her graceful presence filling the room as she gave him a warm smile.
"I thought I'd check on you before bed," she said softly. "You seemed preoccupied during dinner."
Ryuto blinked, momentarily surprised. He hadn't even noticed her watching him earlier. "I'm fine. Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."
Seraphina walked over to sit beside him on the edge of the bed, her eyes gentle as they always were when she was concerned about him. "You've been growing up so quickly, Ryuto. Your studies, your magic, your responsibilities... I know it must be a lot to juggle at your age."
Ryuto shrugged, though the weight of it all did feel heavier than usual. "It's not that bad. I'm handling it."
Seraphina's gaze softened even more. "I know you are. But you don't have to handle everything alone. You have family, friends, people who care about you. And it's okay to take your time. There's no need to rush."
Her words struck something deep inside him. Ryuto had been so focused on pushing himself, trying to be stronger, better, more impressive, that he hadn't really stopped to think about what he was racing toward. Maybe I am rushing. Trying too hard to be something before I'm ready.
Seraphina reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, a motherly gesture that always made him feel safe. "You're doing wonderfully, Ryuto. You've already accomplished more than most at your age. Just remember, the future will come, and when it does, you'll be ready."
Ryuto smiled up at her, grateful for the reminder. "Thanks, Mom. I'll keep that in mind."
She stood, giving him one last look of encouragement before heading for the door. "Goodnight, my son. Sleep well."
As the door closed behind her, Ryuto let out a long breath, feeling a sense of calm he hadn't felt all day. His mother was right, there was no need to rush. Whether it was his magic, his adventures, or even his feelings for Amelia, it would all come in time.
The following morning, Ryuto felt a renewed sense of determination. He wasn't going to stress about his relationship with Amelia. He would take things slow, enjoy the small victories, and let things unfold naturally.
As he made his way through the academy courtyard, he spotted Amelia once again, this time standing by the fountain, talking to a group of students. Her laugh floated through the air, and though it still made Ryuto's heart race, he felt calmer today.
I'll get there, he thought, watching her from a distance. One step at a time.
Roland appeared by his side, as usual, giving him a playful nudge. "So, what's the plan today? Gonna charm her with your magical knowledge again?"
Ryuto grinned. "Nah. No grand plans today. I'm just going to take it easy. Talk to her if I get the chance, but no pressure."
Roland raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Look at you, Mr. Maturity. I like this new approach."
Ryuto chuckled. "Yeah, well, it beats setting things on fire."
As the day unfolded, Ryuto didn't push himself to seek out Amelia. Instead, he let things flow naturally, focusing on his classes and enjoying the day with Roland. And by the time he crossed paths with her again, during a break between lessons, he was able to have another brief, casual conversation without feeling the need to impress her.
It wasn't a grand moment, but it felt good. Slowly but surely, Ryuto was starting to understand that sometimes the best way to move forward was to let things unfold at their own pace.
And as he walked away from his second successful interaction with Amelia, he couldn't help but feel like, maybe, just maybe, things were starting to fall into place.