I Choose The Heroine's Route

25 The Story Begins

After briefly talking with Anastasia Clovis – the Heroine, and after she finally sat down beside me, we didn't talk again. Although there are noises around us because of other people's chatters, everything seemed strangely silent to me. Most of the attention we have gathered earlier is already gone, and I made sure to make myself look calm and relaxed as much as possible.

However, there was still this unexplainable tension in the air so I didn't dare to even glance in the Heroine's direction.

At this rate or point, I don't think that my plan to befriend the Heroine, Anastasia Clovis will be easy to achieve, especially now that I've seen that the Heroine... is much colder than I expected her to be.

When I made that plan, I was desperate, and in a rush – I still am, but thinking about my personality and hers right now, I can't seem to imagine myself befriending her, added the fact that I'm not really the type of person who can just boldly approach someone unless something pushes me in doing so or if needed.

I... was never a social person, and it's easier to approach someone for me if it's a 'need'. When it comes to interacting with people – as you might have noticed or not, I tend to blend in or act in a way that will make them comfortable. I'll appear as they want me to be. If I'm not blending in, then I'm behaving in a way that will seem 'right' according to the situation.

It might be a manipulative thing to do, but it's something I've been used to especially since the very first time I opened my eyes in this world as Aka Euridice, it's already been put into use.

I might be able to talk to her, but being her friend is another matter.

Although Anastasia and I seem to be similar to each other, that doesn't mean that we will easily get along. Although we seem similar, we might just be the opposite of each other as well when it comes to other things.
Besides, now that I saw her with my own eyes, I've confirmed that she's quite different from the Heroine in the otome game I've played.

So whether she also has the in-game Anastasia Clovis personality aside from her cold personality right now... it's unknown. As for why she's different, even I don't know.

So far, only Anastasia Clovis is different. My parents, Hariz, the Second Prince, Percival, and Alexander – they're all the same as I remember them to be.

At first, I thought that it's okay even if I don't become a friend of hers as long as I don't offend her, but I also realize that if we became friends, it'll be safer for me. Although It will be difficult, there's nothing wrong in trying as long as I don't make her my enemy, hopefully.

And since I don't really know when something 'unexpected' could suddenly happen even though I know the future or the original story, I need to always be careful.

Thinking like this, I couldn't help but sigh. There are too many known and unknown variables to be considered. Perhaps I'm also being paranoid because of all the experience I have reading stories that present very similar situations like I currently have, and in all of those stories – one way or another, something unexpected is certain and bound to happen.

"Is that the Headmaster?"

"It's Headmaster Roderic!"

Hearing the student's sudden shouts of excitement, I was snapped out of my thoughts.

With curiosity, I looked in front. My gaze was instantly pulled to a man walking towards the very center of the platform where a high table with a microphone or what they call a 'sound amplifier' in this world is placed.

The man's bright long blue hair and light blue eyes was the one that immediately caught my attention. In the otome game A Magical Romance, in chapter one, the main focus was indeed Persival's speech, however, its second focus will always be the Royal Academy's Headmaster introduction.

It is not as highlighted or exaggerated as Percival's speech, but I could still clearly remember the exact same words used to describe that scenario.

– With clear and bright blue eyes and shoulder-length blue hair like the sky, Headmaster Alexander Roderic walks towards the very center of the platform as everyone looked at him in admiration. Standing proudly in front of thousands of students with elegance, grace, and dignity that fits just that of a Marquis, holding the sound amplifier, he spoke –

"Greetings, dear students of the Academy," Headmaster Roderic's voice was heard clearly throughout the whole auditorium, "As the Headmaster of the Royal Academy, I am honored to welcome all of you." He continues.

The whole auditorium was now in complete silence, every student's attention was now on Headmaster Roderic's words.

Alexander Roderic.

A Marquis and the current head of the Roderic Family – a family that's greatly recognized by the Royal Family and is known in the Lansera Kingdom as the family where most of the King's aides are from. Even now, in the game, although not named or introduced, the King's current aide is said to be Alexander Roderic's younger brother.

Despite this, the Roderic family has always been known to be rational and intelligent people, they are not biased and will do what they think is right and fair – It is exactly because of this reason that they are expected to be the most suitable aide to the King.

Despite not being a capture target, Alexander is one of the few side characters in the game that was also able to capture some of the player's hearts and he's popular for his gentle, polite, but astute personality.

Although he was born with a weak body and is said to have no talent with swordsmanship, Alexander is blessed with a great amount of Mana and the ability to use Wind Magic.

His talent in Magic was the one that made the Master of Tower of Magic; The biggest organization of mages of the Kingdon of Lansera who proposed the idea of establishing a Magic School in the Kingdom, choose him, as the next Headmaster of Royal Academy when the previous Headmaster had retired.

"Royal Academy has always been known as if not the best, is one of the greatest Magic school there is. This school's purpose has always been the same; to produce excellent and powerful students and Mages." Headmaster Roderic said, smiling slightly. Looking at him just like this, one wouldn't think that he was already thirty-seven years old because of his youthful but mature appearance.

In the original plot of the otome game, he was also one of the people who helped Anastasia. Alexander always tried to look out for her – one of the reasons why is because he saw Anastasia being targeted by the other nobles, and the other reason is that he's also quite close with Anastasia's father, Baron Hernon Clovis.

Thinking like this, I secretly took a quick but careful glance at Anastasia who was listening closely to what Headmaster Roderic was saying. As for myself... I probably stopped paying attention to Alexander's speech the moment I got distracted and started recalling his role in the game.

That's why – when Alexander called Percival Roques name, and I saw a student sitting in the front area standing up, I realize that the Headmaster had already finished speaking so I wasn't that surprised anymore.

And other than feeling extreme nervousness, I also feel a little excited. Despite my anxiety, there was also anticipation, because here, at this moment, the real story will finally begin.