"Well, that's fine."
And it really was.
Most attributes come from actual combat experience, and this little mock battle just boosted my proficiency in Caldwell-Style Swordsmanship by a noticeable margin.
"Fine?"
Elize was patting her forehead beside me. Why is she even angry?
"No, this…"
She stared at the papers in disbelief.
Across the table, Roderick's smug grin was firmly in place, while Percy looked utterly lost as she handed over the document.
It stated we could select and rent an item from Caldwell's Vision Warehouse.
"Doesn't that usually need Imperial Family approval…?"
"That's why it says 'rent.' If it were 'awarded,' there'd be a problem."
I calmly replied, but this was huge.
Opening the Vision Warehouse is rare—twice in the entire game, and only after major events. Freshmen getting access? Unheard of.
And now, Percy herself had granted me the right to request anything.
'This is… really good.'
Even a seasoned veteran would be jealous.
"…"
Elize tilted her head, giving me a curious look.
"Mister… I've noticed something. You're always calm, no matter what."
"Uh?"
"You already seem to plan everything. Like you already know what's going to happen… hmm…"
She stroked her chin thoughtfully.
What now?
"Umu, yes. I should at least prepare one surprise."
"…What?"
"I've been thinking about it for a while, but it became clear during the mock battle. If I don't do something now, I'd lose the chance eventually."
"…"
What is she talking about?
I frowned at Elize, but she just grinned and extended her fist toward me.
"…What's this?"
"Oh, a fist bump. Don't men do this with their friends?"
"…"
New. Weird. Uncharted territory.
She had that friendly-game vibe going on like in the original, but… something about her screamed chaos incoming. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but my Spidey-sense was tingling.
Our fists bumped, and Elize bolted off, all sunshine and sparkle.
"See you tomorrow, Mister! I'll be sending you a letter back to your dorm!"
"…"
Tomorrow? Yeah, nothing could possibly go wrong with that.
< Gift-related Character Notification >
▼ Lirielle
[ Trust Level 5 ]
[ Close to favorability status change! ]
[ Important character—special event triggers after success ]
[ D-1 until event ]
▼ Elize
[ Curiosity Level 5 ]
[ Rewards Currently Unavailable! ]
[ Close to favorability status change! ]
[ Important character—special event triggers after success ]
[ D-1 until event ]
Tomorrow. When the main quest decides to crash face-first into character events.
In the original game? Nada. Just some monster trouble that didn't even make the NPCs blink.
But now? Two major character events overlapping? Oh, Adrian, welcome to panic city. Population: me.
---
"What are you thinking about?"
I turned to see Lirielle, aura of doom included. Arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed, eyes twitching like she was calculating exactly how many ways she could end me.
"…"
Uh… hi?
Expressionless mask on, but the tension radiating off her? Very much "do something stupid and die."
"Looks like you two had fun together. Do you like that freshman, Elize?"
"…"
Wait, WHAT.
No Last Resort? Okay… I'll take that as a plus. But danger level: imminent.
I had to speak.
"Um… Student Council President?"
"What?"
"I missed you."
"…"
Somewhere in my brain, a tiny alarm screamed: "Yup. That's your cue, idiot."
A fool. Adrian Merrick. High-profile Student Council President falling for that? Hah. Yeah. Sure.
"…Did you?"
Her voice softened. Expression… eased. Oh. My. God. It actually worked?
Uh… did that just work?
A hail-mary, a pure throwaway. Yet, here we are.
Then Lirielle crossed her arms sharper than a guillotine.
"You mean you wanted to see me while being with that freshman?"
"…"
No. Not exactly.
"Ah, don't get me wrong. Not romantic. Obviously. I mean… friends. Friendly friends. Definitely not that kind of relationship. Yet."
"…"
"…Umm, yes."
"Then that's it. Remember your priorities."
"…"
Priorities? Oh no. No idea. Great. That's fine. Just fantastic.
"Well, since I'm here, I'll give this to you early. Meant for tomorrow."
She handed me a letter.
"…Open it somewhere quiet. Got it?"
And poof, gone, leaving a trail of subtle embarrassment.
"…"
Both Elize and Lirielle are suddenly giving me letters. My life. My choices. My soul. All trapped in stationery.
---
"I shouldn't have opened them."
I squeaked like a dying old man.
On my desk: two letters. Same content. Invitations to be their 'partner' at the freshmen welcome party.
"…Partner?"
Translation: walk around, smile politely, try not to implode. AKA a date.
Springtime bloom of youth. Lovely. But game mechanics scream: Reject the wrong one? Favorability plummets. Fail the event? Death. Don't show up? Also death. Choose one? Death. Choose both? Double death.
…I'm so dead.
And not just dead. Candle-in-a-hurricane dead.
This wasn't even a real date. Favorability? Curiosity and Trust. Interest. Not affection. Interest.
'I can't just die like this.'
Gritted teeth. Braincells engaged. Full Adrian Merrick panic mode: last resort activated.
Think Adrian. THINK!
There has to be a way to survive this without turning either into literal murder machines.
"…Ahah."
A plan formed. Risky. Suicidal. Trash-tier. But the only way out.
"…Trashy? Absolutely. But it's my trash now."
Eyes closed. Event mapped. Letters analyzed. Every scenario calculated.
It's worth the shot…
Impossible? Not quite.
"…Why not both?"