Glimpsing that flamboyant, ice blue hair that reached just below the level of his shoulders, and a glint of remarkable self-confidence in his same-colour eyes, screaming a height of arrogance I hadn't ever seen with my two eyes before, it was evident.
Love Interest Number Two had appeared.
"Apprentice of the Mage's Tower. How unbecoming of someone of your stature, to eavesdrop on a lady's conversation and interfere, and so frightfully unabashedly."
Listening to Lucretia's chiding remark from the side as she scoffed only served to reinforce my certainty beyond a reasonable doubt.
I was amazed that two of them had been encountered in a single afternoon, but mostly, I was already too mentally drained from everything else to have the energy to deal with it. Inwardly, I only prayed that the new arrival would say his piece and hastily leave.
If there was a silver lining, it'd probably be that the Protagonist herself was nowhere to be seen.
'...Although, it might actually be a good thing.'
Since my time limit was three months, I should prepare while keeping in mind the possibility that I could be here for that long. No, to be even safer, I should simply assume that I'll be here for the full three months.
So, if I could become acquainted with all the relevant characters of the plot, even if it was a pain in the ass to deal with them, it was overall a beneficial idea. In the end, it was better to get familiar with the main obstacles in my way now so that it'll be easier to plan out how to surpass them later on.
While such thoughts floated around my mind, the newcomer opened his mouth.
"Ah, the Winter Flower knows of me? My apologies for the rudeness, but once I overheard the talk of magic, I simply couldn't help myself but to bring my fullest of attention to attendance, unbecoming it may be. Like a hound to its owner's beckoning, you could say? Irregardless, it was of no intention of mine to eavesdrop, not at all, please rest assured."
'Did he just call himself a dog...?'
Lucretia addressed the guy in front of me as 'Apprentice of the Mage's Tower'. Of course, I had no idea what that exactly meant, but I didn't think it really mattered.
The main point was that he existed, most likely, as a key character in this world.
As one of an unknown number of potential love interests for the Protagonist, I suppose he could only be someone of importance.
"Incidentally, who might this perplexing gentleman be? Your theory regarding 'inconstant magic' was highly intriguing; quite unorthodox if I may say so! Do you perhaps have a background in magic theory? And, if I may be so indulgent as to ask, is your body--"
"He is my attendant. State your business, apprentice."
Honestly, I was expecting all of the love interests to be hostile or aggressive towards me and Lucretia, but by the looks of it, he really was just curious... I don't know what that last bit he was going to say was about thanks to her interruption, but I doubted he had anything of importance to say.
In any case, judging by his current state, does that mean...?
'The Protagonist hasn't 'bewitched' him yet?'
In that case, it likely still hadn't been that long since the start of the game's plot, I would imagine. If some of the love interests weren't interested in the Protagonist, only that'd make the most sense as to why.
Either way, it was very good news for me.
"Lady Archduchess, you speak of business, yet I truly happened to be taking a simple stroll when I coincidentally overheard some rather unique talk of my most beloved, favourite subject in the entire world. Magic! Would you merely disregard it if you were in my shoes? As someone so deeply involved in the topic, even if it was impolite of me, I couldn't do such a thing and call myself a mage! So, how about it? Do you mind if I partake in a discussion with this attendant of yours?"
The more I listened to him talk, the more I was convinced.
This guy hadn't met the Protagonist yet.
No more than an innocent young guy interested in magic... was that it?
I didn't know what the game's original plot was like, or what happens to the various love interests after the ending cutscene, when just one of them was picked to be the Protagonist's significant other, but it couldn't be anything good.
Love tends to be ruthless like that, after all, and particularly if it's unrequited.
The fact that this guy didn't yet have a connection to the Protagonist was good―I could make use of that.
Besides, well... considering what fate was to befall the Protagonist in the future, it would be simply better in general for no one to fall in love with her. Right? That way, at least no one would be hurt as a result of her death.
'Nobody would forget that experience...'
That side of things wasn't something I thought I should concern myself with, for a number of reasons, but in the end, if I had the ability to do something that would save a life or two from grievances, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to lend a hand at least once or twice.
Especially if it would only make achieving my own objective easier.
"Excuse me, My Lady."
That's why, I'll take it upon myself.
"May I take five minutes?"
To make sure no innocent boy gets ruined by heartache at the Protagonist's hands.
❖─────★★★☆☆─────❖
I had that thought, but it was mostly a joke.
The thought of protecting the heart of this clueless kid from the naive, yet merciless whims of the Protagonist. Of course, it wasn't that I would simply stand by and watch it happen―absolutely not.
That would only make my job harder, for one thing. Rather, I would definitely make it clear.
"―Pink hair and eyes? There's a girl like that at this academy?"
"Yes."
"And so... you don't want me to meet her?"
"That would be for the best."
"Hm. May I enquire as to the reasoning behind your judgement?"
Because the only way to not get hurt was to not get involved in the first place.
"You'll experience greater pain than you could ever imagine."
The second you get involved, it'll stick with you for the rest of your life.
For someone like this, whose personality remained unknown to me, it was a complete roulette on whether that emotional baggage will be a buff to carry him forward, or a weight to forever drag him down. That didn't matter.
"...Huh. Your words fuel my curiosity to burn even brighter, attendant of the archduchess. I'll have you know that I am quite capable for my age?"
"Of course. But this really isn't something you should get involved with. Not because it'd be a danger to you physically, but... Anyway, just stick to your magic studies, man. Trust me."
In reality, I didn't know who this guy was at all.
"The girl with the characteristics I mentioned has a power she's hiding."
Lucretia mentioned he was some kind of mage apprentice, but other than that, I don't even know what his name is or anything. That's how little I know about him.
"Because of that, you'll probably find her interesting since it's not something frequently seen."
However.
"But, I know the truth of it."
I didn't need to know all that in order to bluff. Well, even calling it a bluff wasn't exactly right.
"And I'm warning you to stay away from her. For your own good."
Following my words, his ice-blue eyes narrowed thin.
"...You're saying this whilst knowing fully what my identity is? Someone reigning from the one and only Mage's Tower―you want me to keep my nose out of something concerning magic? Do you understand what that means?"
My expression was honed; meeting that harsh gaze head on, unblinking, I responded simply.
"That's right."
"..."
He glared at me in silence for a while, and eventually...
"...Ha. You are certainly bold; fitting of the archduchess' right hand, I suppose. Very well. Since you appear to speak with such sincerity, even going so far as to borrow the Lady's time in this manner, I shall take your advice to heart and keep my nose out of unnecessary trouble."
'What, that was easy?'
At that declaration, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
"―However, under one condition."
Sticking his hand out with a cool smile, he finally introduced himself.
"I'm Joádin Lomaziere, though I wouldn't be surprised if you knew that already."
Needless to say, I didn't, but it would be good to remember just in case.
'Ah... What does he want...?'
"...Enki."
We ended up shaking hands, and right after that, he muttered something incomprehensible, causing me to raise an eyebrow.
"So I see my eyes were not deceiving me. You truly are..."
"Hm? I'm what?"
"No... Do pardon me and nevermind it. Just, please bear it in mind that I wish to have a proper, more profound conversation at another date. It may come soon, it may come much later, but please do remember."
"A talk? Oh, if it's just that, sure."
"Yes. Then, I'd love to chat some more―perhaps delve into that magical argument you proposed earlier―but it seems we're out of time. The Lady is boring a hole into my face with her eyes right over there. Even though she isn't using magic, I can feel the heat from here... what a terrifying woman. You're a really brave guy, you know?"
Nodding his head, the young mage promptly left the scene.
'What was that he was going to say...?'
I didn't have time to deliberate over the mystifying utterance he mentioned, however, as Lucretia briskly approached.
"Enki. Did it go well?"
"It did."
'Actually, that went better than I had hoped―about as well as it could have? Assuming he'll really stay out of it like he said, that is... is there any way we can confirm that?'
[Certainly not, I'm afraid! Even if I was able to peek into the source material, which is not possible as of the current moment, it would doubtless not match the present's flow of events!]
'Ah... right. This isn't inside the game, so things shouldn't be forced to follow the exact same plotline. But, even if he says he'll avoid her, he might end up coincidentally crossing paths with her anyway, or even intentionally seeking her out because of what I've said...'
All I could do was hope that he actually took my warning seriously.
If he was a student attending the Royal Academy, he was still a kid no older than 16 or so, so from the beginning I couldn't expect much.
At the very least, this way, there was a chance of making things just a bit easier.