Romance at the Academy.
As with all dating games, the story unfolds centered around the main protagonist and heroine.
The difference from other games is that the supporting characters and extras might as well not exist.
In the early episodes, Mate Dailight, one of the mid-bosses, belonged to that category.
In the previous timeline, he desperately tried to join the main character’s party.
After betraying the antagonist and choosing redemption, he narrowly survived thanks to the defense of many people when he was supposed to exit the story.
He had climbed to the status of a secondary character through his own efforts.
If I can do it, surely someone else could as well.
Yuri is a young girl on the verge of graduating from middle school. She arrived straight from class, still in her school uniform.
Her glossy, flowing blonde ponytail and fiery red eyes that glared at me with disdain seemed as if they could shoot lasers at any moment.
She exuded the aura of a fierce stray cat ready to claw at anyone who dared approach.
To be honest, Yuri’s survival isn’t crucial to the upcoming storyline. Yet, the memory of regret lingers sharply in my mind.
Why did I let Yuri go that day? If I had known a fire would occur, I would have insisted she stay overnight at the church.
“Ice magic works… like this…? Make a snowball by clenching your fist?”
She opened her textbook and studied earnestly. How could one abandon such a passionate young girl to her death?
Tap tap.
“This is how it’s done.”
I tapped the desk to draw Yuri’s attention and demonstrated.
Though not my specialty, this was the most basic magic, so I had no trouble manifesting it.
“I never asked for a demonstration. It’s just unnecessary boasting.”
Naturally, Yuri’s attitude is harsh.
Mate Dailight caused her mother to fall into a terrible predicament.
Even in the previous timeline, the two met a tragic end.
“Why doesn’t it work for me? It looks right…”
Whether it succeeds or fails, survival is the priority. No matter what, I will make it happen.
“Yamama.”
“I’m studying, don’t disturb me.”
“You and your mother should stay here tonight.”
Pfft-!!
An involuntary groan escaped as I was caught off guard and couldn’t defend myself.
After being slapped, I looked down to see a large snowball rolling on the floor.
“It, it worked!”
“Hmm.”
Seeing the snowball I had made still on the desk, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
I wanted to applaud in celebration, but considering what I must accomplish, my vision began to darken.
“Since you made me mad, I’ll let this one slide. But if you say something like that again, I’ll report you for harassment.”
Even if I told her her house would catch fire tonight, she wouldn’t believe me, and I’d just be labeled a lunatic.
“If only I had known the cause…”
Yuri’s village requires permission from the residents or the village chief to enter.
That was why I was expelled from the village before identifying the cause in the previous timeline.
Though it’s highly likely to be an accident, given Yuri’s mother’s unstable mental state, the possibility of it being man-made can’t be ruled out.
That’s why I want to keep both Yuri and her mother confined to the church until the cause is identified.
“So, let’s do this: I’ll help you with your magic studies. In return, just do as I say today.”
“What makes you think you’re qualified to help me?”
She naturally has no idea that I’m the second graduate of the Lumere Academy’s Magic Department.
Magic isn’t my specialty, but I applied there reluctantly to avoid overlapping courses with Yuren Star Dust.
I obsessively spent more time than others on becoming stronger and pushing myself.
As a result, here I am, still alive.
Even for a novice just starting to learn basic magic, my skills are more than sufficient to teach her.
“I’ll teach you intermediate magic.”
“That’s a ridiculous lie, isn’t it?”
“It’s the truth.”
“Wouldn’t you want to attend a prestigious academy?”
After being locked in the confession room for an hour with Yuri, I instinctively sensed something.
“Finally, you’re paying attention to me.”
I’ve finally found the breakthrough. Persuading Yuri can only be done this way.
If I follow this path, I can escape this complicated maze and finally finish today’s mission.
“With intermediate magic, the third year of middle school would surely draw a lot of attention, wouldn’t it?”
“A, attention? How much?”
“Not only your teachers but many of the juniors would follow you. Speaking of which, I forgot about the scholarships. Although the middle school is not as advanced as an academy, there are still plenty of benefits and support.”
I spoke only the truth, just like Yuren Star Dust.
“And as everyone knows, I’ll be entering Lumere Academy in a month. You know what kind of place Lumere Academy is, right? Surely, this is proof enough to be trusted.”
The highest ranked imperial academy.
Enrollment in Lumere Academy is known to be a dream for all youths.
And that goes for Yuri too. Despite living a life where she can’t even study properly due to poverty, she’s human after all. It’s natural to dream of entering the most famous and prestigious academy.
“There’s a condition.”
Yuri put down her textbook. This means she’s ready to talk.
“Go ahead and speak.”
“First, not your mom. I don’t know what you might do.”
“That won’t do. Without your mother, there’s no point in me making this offer.”
Did I say something strange? It might have sounded a bit off. But contrary to my expectation of her shouting loudly, Yuri was unexpectedly reserved.
“Is my mom that great?”
The reserve is canceled.
“How is this different from proposing to have a taste of my mom? Are you saying it’s okay just because I’m young?”
“Can you try speaking a little quieter? My ears are ringing.”
“Anyway, no to my mom. I’ll do anything else, but that’s it.”
Negotiation collapse.
Her will is stronger than I thought. Despite her glaring, I already know that she dislikes me.
Sigh.
No matter that they treat me like a crazy person. There’s no way to persuade her.
Save Yuri and let her mother die? For a girl who cherishes her mother, there would be no worse hell than that.
“Your house will catch fire tonight.”
“What, what?”
I expected this reaction. Yuri, who was completely stiff like a stone statue, after a while.
“Huh.”
Let out a meaningless laugh.
“You’re crazy.”
“…”
“You ran out of things to say, so you collapsed after throwing curses?”
Bang! I could feel her irritation deeply as she violently slammed her book. She’s clearly more upset than I imagined. As proof, she opened the door and hurriedly left the confession room.
If I let Yuri go like this without stopping her?
It is said that burning alive is the most painful death a human can experience.
“Let me go!”
She resists by violently shaking her arm. But there’s no way someone of a similar age and build could overpower a male.
“Help! Someone help me!!”
I checked the clock on the wall. 8 PM. In winter, the moon is more active than the sun. The moonlight and stars in the night sky, combined with the church’s soft lighting, create a gentle atmosphere.
To someone unaware of the situation, I must look like an extremely evil villain.
Fortunately, aside from Yuri and me, there’s no one else left in the church. I thought: Finally, the heavens are on my side…
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
From the opposite side of the church entrance, the sound of someone trying to break down the door came unexpectedly.
Momentarily confused, I lost my grip, and Yuri didn’t miss this chance.
“How did you get here so fast!?”
The distance that had already formed between us, our respective speeds. I instinctively realized it was too late and resigned myself as I stopped running.
Why is it so difficult to save a middle school girl?
“Please help!!”
By the time Yuri reached her destination, she cried out, opening the door, and at that moment, two familiar figures appeared.
Sister Shirai and Evia Cloudrain.
I don’t know why they’re here.
But one thing is certain—I’ve just been seriously misunderstood.
“That crazy guy grabbed my arm and wouldn’t let go!”
Trouble.
I regret tearing up the regression book more than any other moment.
Evia drew out her sword from the sheath on her waist and entered combat stance, clearly realizing the abnormal situation and the growing sense of danger, making my heart race.
If I’m caught here now, my enrollment at Lumere Academy will be canceled.
I need to stay sharp.
“Let’s have a communication moment…”
“Stop messing around with that filthy mouth of yours.”
Apparently, she’s very angry. Hmm.
Looks like I can’t avoid a fight.
Evia Cloudrain is fully ready to attack. I took a step back and summoned a fireball in my hand.
Right at that moment,
“Evia, it’s an order.”
Sister Shirai quickly came to me, turned her back to me, opened her arms wide, and said this.
“Drop your weapon immediately.”
In a much deeper voice than usual.
[!– Slider main container –]
