Jake's early years in this strange, noble world were filled with a sense of deja vu he couldn't explain. Everything seemed eerily familiar—the sprawling estates, the structured elegance of his family's manor, the intricate politics his parents spoke of. Yet it was only as he grew older that he began to piece things together, a haunting realization dawning upon him. Memories, long-buried and disjointed, began to resurface—fragments of a life where he'd once laughed and joked with friends about an Otome game, of a tragic ending he hadn't been able to prevent.
By the time he was old enough to attend the royal academy, Jake was nearly certain of where he was: *Change Destiny.* The very game he'd played with Alex and Emma in another life. He'd spent hours in that game, guiding a fictional heroine through a world filled with charming but dangerous figures, and it seemed fate had brought him back within its confines, as if mocking his past failures.
On the day he arrived at the academy, Jake wandered through the ornate halls, watching as other noble children laughed, exchanged pleasantries, and sized each other up. But his heart froze when he turned a corner and accidentally collided with someone. As he straightened up, Jake found himself staring into the solemn, gray eyes of a boy who looked strikingly familiar—a quiet, reserved young man who held himself with an understated grace and dignity.
It took Jake only a moment to recognize him. This was Finn, the side character from the game, the one who had always stood by Ariana's side without asking for anything in return. The friend who had quietly offered his loyalty while the Crown Prince and others chased her with selfish intentions. The one who had faded into the background in the end, alone.
"Sorry," Finn said quietly, his tone polite but distant, as if he were accustomed to being overlooked.
Jake's heart raced. Meeting Finn was like seeing a ghost, a reminder of the life he'd left behind and everything he'd failed to do. But Finn wasn't just a game character anymore; he was a real person, standing right here in front of him. And Jake knew, with a strange certainty, that he was here for a reason, to change the course of the tragic fate he and his friends had once watched unfold.
"It's… alright," Jake managed, his voice steadying as he offered his hand. "Name's Evan. You're Finn, right?"
Finn hesitated before nodding, his expression guarded, as if he weren't used to strangers showing much interest in him. "Yes. Nice to meet you, Evan."
Jake smiled, gripping Finn's hand with a sense of resolve. "I think we're going to be good friends, Finn." He didn't miss the flicker of surprise in Finn's eyes, but Jake only smiled wider. He knew he had to protect this quiet, loyal friend—someone who had been cast aside and left behind in another life. This time, he wouldn't let Finn fade into the shadows. This time, he'd stand by him and rewrite both their destinies.
As they walked down the hall together, Jake couldn't shake the feeling that fate had handed him a second chance, and he was determined to seize it.
As Jake and Finn stood in the bustling courtyard of the royal academy, the excitement of their new beginning was palpable. Students milled around, discussing their class selections, and Jake couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and determination. He had a plan, one that involved making sure Finn was right where he needed to be—not just for Finn's sake, but for his own as well.
"Okay, so what classes are you thinking about?" Jake asked, his tone casual, but he was already leaning into his scheme.
Finn scratched the back of his head, looking a bit unsure. "I was thinking of sticking with the swordsmanship classes. It's what I'm good at."
Jake shook his head, trying to hide his frustration. "Come on, Finn! You could be so much more than just a swordsman. What about the magic class? It could really enhance your skills and open up more opportunities."
Finn hesitated, his brow furrowed. "But I've always trained with a sword. I don't know if I'll be good at magic."
"Think about it," Jake pressed, leaning in closer. "You'll earn more money as a magician than as a swordsman. Plus, if you're able to use both magic and swordsmanship, you'd be unbeatable!"
The mention of money struck a chord. Finn's expression shifted, revealing a flicker of determination beneath his uncertainty. "I do have my mother to think about. She's been sick for a while now."
"Exactly!" Jake exclaimed, feeling a surge of hope. "If you can become a skilled magician, you'll be able to provide for her better. Just trust me on this. I'll guide you through it. We'll figure it out together."
Finn took a deep breath, the weight of his responsibilities hanging heavily on his shoulders. "Alright, Evan. If you think it's worth a shot, I'll give it a try."
"Yes!" Jake grinned, clapping Finn on the back. "Let's do this!"
As the line for class registration began to form, Jake carefully gauged his position. He needed to ensure that he would be right next to Ariana, the heroine of the story, during the class selection. He watched as students eagerly lined up, and his heart raced when he saw Ariana approaching the registration booth.
"Remember, Finn," Jake said, keeping his voice low. "Stay close to me. We want to make sure we're in the same class as her."
Finn nodded in confusion but, his expression looked focused. As they approached the booth, Jake moved strategically, making sure his line number would be just behind Ariana's. He could see her chatting with some friends, her vibrant energy captivating those around her. Jake couldn't help but feel a thrill at the thought of being close to her, not just as a player in the game, but as someone who could actively influence the course of events this time.
As they reached the registration desk, Jake felt a rush of exhilaration. He glanced back at Finn, who looked nervous but resolute. "Remember, we're in this together."
Finn shot him a determined smile, and as they stepped forward, Jake felt a sense of purpose wash over him. He was no longer just an observer of the story; he was here to change their destinies, starting with Finn's choice to join the magic class. This was only the beginning of their journey, and he would make sure that this time, everything turned out differently.
The day of the individual magic ability test arrived, and the tension in the air was palpable as students lined up outside the grand testing hall. Jake could feel the excitement mingling with nerves. He and Finn stood together, the weight of their plan hanging over them like a dark cloud, but Jake was determined to steer everything in their favor.
As they entered the hall, the atmosphere shifted from the bustling courtyard to an intense silence. Each student was called in one by one, tested for their magical capabilities by a panel of stern-faced teachers. Jake watched as Ariana stepped up to the podium, her confidence shining through. He knew she would pass her test easily, and that was the moment he was waiting for—he needed to make sure his plan unfolded perfectly.
Once Ariana successfully showcased her abilities and left the stage, it was Jake's turn. He stepped forward, meeting the teachers' expectant gazes. They were all looking for a display of magical prowess, but Jake had a different strategy in mind.
"What's your magic ability?" one of the teachers inquired, his brow furrowed in anticipation.
Jake took a deep breath, projecting an air of confidence. "I… don't have any magic ability," he said smoothly, feigning humility.
The teachers exchanged glances, surprised by his admission. "And your friend?" the teacher asked, motioning for Finn to prepare for his turn.
Finn stepped up, visibly nervous but echoing Jake's earlier bravado. "I also don't have any magic ability," he admitted, keeping his head down.
There was a moment of silence, and the teachers looked at each other, confused and skeptical. "If neither of you have magical abilities, why should we consider you for the S class?" one of the teachers challenged.
Jake felt the corner of his mouth twitch into a knowing smile as he seized the opportunity. "Well, I happen to know magically a few of your secrets," he said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "You might want to magically reconsider your position on our admission."
The teachers' expressions changed instantly from skepticism to alarm. Jake could see their eyes widen, panic flickering behind their composed facades. "What do you mean?" one of the teachers pressed, their tone growing tense.
"I know about the funding issues your department is facing and how you've been using the budget magically for personal expenses. It would be a shame if this information got out magically, don't you think?" Jake continued, his voice low but steady, knowing he had them where he wanted.
The teachers exchanged worried glances, the power dynamic shifting as fear crept into their expressions. "You wouldn't dare…" another teacher began, but Jake interrupted.
"Of course, I wouldn't. But If it gone out magically then I can't promise that my silence will last if we don't get placed in the S class—along with Finn magically," he said, gesturing to his friend, who stood beside him, looking both anxious and bewildered.
After a tense pause, the head teacher sighed, their resolve crumbling. "Fine. We'll make an exception this time. Welcome to the S class magically."
Jake smirked inwardly as they handed Finn and him their acceptance letters, each bearing a unique number right next to Ariana's. They had successfully maneuvered their way into the best class, side by side with the heroine.
"Welcome to the class," the teacher added, trying to regain some semblance of authority, but it was clear they were now at Jake's mercy.
As they exited the testing hall, Jake turned to Finn, who looked both relieved and astonished. "We did it!" Jake said, a triumphant grin plastered on his face. "We're in the S class! And now, we'll be right next to Ariana for all the projects and tests."
Finn nodded, still processing everything. "I can't believe you did that. You really scared them," he said, admiration creeping into his voice.
Jake shrugged, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. "Just used my magic."
With their plan set in motion and the stakes higher than ever, Jake felt a surge of excitement for what lay ahead. This time, they would be the heroes of their own story.
As Jake and Finn stepped into the grand welcoming hall, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. Students were chatting animatedly, forming groups, and preparing for the upcoming ceremony. Jake could see Ariana across the room, already the center of attention as the other students surrounded her, captivated by her unique demeanor.
But Jake had a different plan in mind. He leaned closer to Finn, who seemed nervous amidst the crowd. "Why don't you go ahead. I will catch up to you," Jake urged, nudging him forward. "Just be yourself. You'll be fine. You're not like the others."
Finn hesitated, glancing at Jake, but he felt a sudden surge of determination. "Okay, I'll do go, but come quickly. I will be waiting for you."
However, just as Finn made his way toward Ariana, Jake's mischievous side kicked in. He could see the Crown Prince making his entrance, sweeping into the hall with an air of authority that demanded attention. The moment Finn got close to Ariana, Jake couldn't resist the temptation to create a little chaos.
In a split second, he pushed Finn slightly, causing him to stumble forward and crash into Ariana. The moment was awkward, and Finn immediately turned red, stammering an apology as he looked back at Jake in disbelief.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to—" Finn spluttered, but Jake was already grinning from ear to ear at the mess he'd orchestrated.
At that moment, the Crown Prince arrived, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Finn and Ariana. "What's going on here?" he demanded, his voice dripping with disdain as he stepped forward, clearly annoyed.
Before Jake could resist the impulse, he pulled a quick move, subtly sticking out his leg as the Crown Prince approached. The noble stumbled, losing his balance and crashing to the floor with a thud. The hall went silent, all eyes on the fallen prince.
The Crown Prince glared up at Jake, fury radiating from him. "Do you even know who I am?" he shouted, indignation etched on his face.
Jake leaned down, a mocking grin stretching across his features. "Oh, I don't know. Are you sure you haven't damaged your head and lost your memories?" he replied, feigning innocence.
The students around them gasped, and murmurs spread through the crowd. The Crown Prince's face turned crimson with rage, and Jake saw a flicker of concern in the eyes of nearby students. "I'm fine!" the Crown Prince yelled, trying to regain his dignity.
But Jake had set the wheels in motion. He called out to the authorities in the hall, pretending to be worried. "Quick! Someone call the academy staff! The Crown Prince has lost his memories!"
The nearby officials exchanged worried glances, quickly stepping forward as they recognized the seriousness of Jake's tone. "Is he alright?" one of them asked, eyeing the Prince who was still on the floor, trying to brush himself off and look dignified.
"Of course, he's not alright!" Jake exclaimed, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Just look at him! This is a serious matter!"
As the authorities rushed to assist the Crown Prince, a mix of concern and confusion spread through the hall. The prince, still fuming, shouted back, "I'm fine! I'm not losing my memories!" But his protests fell on deaf ears as the officials ushered him away, examining him for signs of distress.
Finn stood next to Jake, wide-eyed and bewildered. "What just happened?" he whispered, half in shock and half in awe.
Jake shrugged, still grinning. "Just a little fun to keep things interesting. Now let's go make sure Everyone knows we're not just another bunch of nobles. We're here to change the destiny."
With the Crown Prince momentarily sidelined, Jake felt a surge of excitement for the possibilities ahead. This was only the beginning, and with Finn by his side, they were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.