"The Quest of the Mythical World" was a game that catered to a diverse audience, thanks to its flexibility in genres. However, its main draw lay in attracting those who were fans of harem or otome games.
Events like the first-year admission process held great significance in the game's narrative. This was especially true for Adam Stales, who had recently assumed the role of the vice president of the student council. The game developers seized this opportunity to introduce an element that would excite players even more.
Enter the first side heroine of the game. While the main heroines were Mary, Elsa, and Raven, the developers realized the appetite of harem enthusiasts and otome game players for more characters to interact with. Thus, a few additional side heroines were added to the mix.
Why discuss this now? Because the figure ascending the arena was none other than one of these side heroines – Helga.
"Helga and Cole, both of you understand the rules of this duel?" The announcer's voice rang out, drawing the attention of the crowd towards the combatants on the stage. I stood at a distance, having completed my part already.
'You give it your all during the competition and then discreetly step back before the main characters notice you. What shall I label you – a coward or someone strategically prudent?' Blaze's voice teased, though his words held a hint of jest.
"Start!" The announcer's declaration set the duel in motion.
The tension in the air was palpable as the duel between Helga and Cole commenced. Helga's expression remained calm, a confident smile playing at the corners of her lips. Her cerulean eyes gleamed with determination as she assessed her opponent.
Cole, on the other hand, appeared nervous, his grip on his wand slightly shaky. He conjured a gust of wind, aiming it toward Helga. With a graceful wave of her hand, Helga summoned a barrier of shimmering ice that absorbed the gust, dispersing it harmlessly.
As the spectators watched with bated breath, Helga's aura shifted. A faint azure glow enveloped her, signifying the activation of her magic. She raised her hand, and from her fingertips emerged tendrils of water that danced and weaved in the air. With a flick of her wrist, the water transformed into sharp ice shards, which shot toward Cole with precision.
Caught off guard, Cole attempted to conjure another gust of wind to deflect the attack. However, his control was wobbly, and his attempt was in vain. The ice shards struck their mark, causing Cole's magical shield to shatter into mist. He stumbled backward, his concentration broken.
Helga's expression remained serene as she continued to manipulate the water in the air. She formed intricate patterns, coaxing the water to respond to her will. With a swift motion, she directed a powerful jet of water toward Cole. He barely managed to create a protective barrier, but the force of the water pushed him back, leaving him vulnerable.
A hint of sympathy flickered in Helga's eyes as she watched her opponent struggle. With another elegant movement, she froze the water around Cole's feet, immobilizing him. The duel was almost over, and it was clear who the victor would be.
With a final flourish, Helga conjured a cascade of water, surrounding Cole in a sphere. She glanced at his defeated form, her expression softening briefly before resuming its composed fa?ade. The announcer's voice declared her victory, and the crowd erupted into applause.
As Helga stepped back from the duel, her face revealed a mixture of relief and satisfaction. Her serene smile returned, illuminated by the cheers of the spectators. It was an effortless victory for her, a testament to her mastery of water magic and her strategic prowess.
"That's the charisma of the future saintess," I muttered as I knew that she'll be chosen by the church itself in her last year of the academy.
After that, another duel took place, and the victor faced Helga. As a skilled combatant, she won effortlessly, displaying her prowess without any hindrance.
Oh, did I mention that Helga is also the lost younger sister of Adam Stales? To clarify, Helga's parents were traveling when he was lost, and it was who ended up being found by someone from an orphanage after that Helga was born in their family a few years later,she doesn't know that her parents had a son before her because she was never told but later it created a lot of drama in this year's mid-term as Helga was in a dilema about loving her own blood related brother.
'So, the side heroine is a little sister, and people enjoy the romance between them. I can't quite convey the extent of my disgust towards the norms in your world. It's disheartening,' Blaze commented, and I found myself without words. The normalization of such themes indeed raises serious ethical concerns, and I share Blaze's sentiment on this matter but I also don't care who does what.
"The first-year admission process for this year comes to a close now. Tomorrow morning, the names of the selected candidates will be posted on the outer gate of the academy. Take comfort in the fact that the number of applicants this year was comparatively lower, so your chances of selection are quite promising," the professor announced. Fatigue-laden candidates began to disperse, engaged in conversations or simply observing the student council members standing on the other side of the arena.
Adam, Mary, and Elsa were present, though it hadn't yet reached the point where Adam had captured Raven's heart. Nevertheless, it was clear that this development was on the horizon.
Adam's gaze swept over the students, a contented smile playing on his lips. To him, every student held the potential to make a significant impact on the world. The earnest belief of a protagonist who sees the best in everyone.
Beside him, the Elven Princess exuded a bashful charm that surpassed her virtual rendition. The enchanting contrast between the 2D and real-life versions often left a profound impression.
Surrounding the central figures were their loyal followers, engaging in conversations and admiration. Among them, Helga approached Adam, sparking a dialogue that revolved around scholarship perks. A chance encounter, yet a pivotal one as Helga fell for Adam—a love at first sight scenario that seemed to defy the usual constraints of realism, oddly unobjectionable by the players themself.
Amid this, Elsa and Adam sported matching flushed expressions, seemingly overwhelmed by the circumstances. Yet, the scene took an expected turn when Mary stepped in, interrupting the romantic atmosphere. A gesture of protection, a warning, and a pout from Helga.
'Enough of the omniscient narration,' Blaze interjected, breaking my trance as I realized.
"..." I tried to look away, the sense of being observed intensifying with every passing second. But, against my will -
"?!" Our gazes collided, and for a fleeting moment, the world around me seemed to blur into insignificance. It was as if time itself had frozen, leaving only her eyes that bore into mine.
In those few heartbeats, a curious sensation emerged—an inexplicable connection, like a spark of recognition in the midst of the unfamiliar. Yet, despite the intensity of the eye contact, there was no emotion, no realization of familiarity, just a bewildering blankness.
The eye contact held its grip for a second or so, a brief eternity, before I turned, abruptly breaking free from the unexpected trance.
'Don't you want to go and say hi to your old friend?' Blaze teased, his voice a mischievous reminder of my momentary distraction.
I shrugged off his comment, feigning indifference. "Nah, not interested." My words were casual.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm amber glow across the horizon, my energy remained unflagging. The idea of enjoying a forbidden drink, a subtle rebellion against the academy's rigid rules, tugged at me like a tempting whisper.
With the academy grounds almost behind me, the world bathed in hues of gold, my thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected collision.
"Hey, you fucker! How dare you bump into me?" The words, dripping with fury, erupted from a red-haired, masked boy. His fingers seized my collar, his grip a vise of unchecked rage.
A charged silence enveloped us, momentarily robbing me of words.
"Motherfucker, look at how a mere commoner like you—" Aron's tirade abruptly faltered, his words swallowed by my swift response.
Weaving mana through my left hand, I unleashed a punch that carried all the pent-up frustration within me.
"Dhad*"
His eyes lost their focus, pupils rolling upward as the sheer impact of my blow crumpled him.
"It doesn't matter if you're a prince or not. Don't curse at me," I murmured to his prone form. A cautious sweep of my surroundings followed, and I pulled my hood lower, concealing my features in the hope that the swift intervention had gone unnoticed.
Amid Blaze's laughter reverberating in my mind, a nagging realization grew. 'I have a feeling that subtlety might not be your strong suit, my boy. Hehe.'
And with it I ran out of there.
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