Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner Chapter 2: Tutorial

The driver swiveled in his seat, directing a gaze at her from behind a cascade of greasy, brown hair.

"You alright back there, miss?" he inquired.

"Never better," she responded, chuckling with a sense of disbelief. "Five stars, would totally recommend."

He emitted a grunt and averted his gaze. She managed to catch a fleeting impression of his features: a flattened nose, a heavy brow, and a jawline so robust it could halt a charging bull. Recognition dawned instantly. It was the Tutorial NPC, the Wagoner. He was the one who transported every protagonist to Rosevale before disappearing into the ether forever.

"Okay," she murmured, testing her fingers, still unaccustomed to their delicate and nimble nature. "This is either a bizarre fever dream or the most high-end, expensive LARP experience imaginable. But if it's real, and I've somehow ended up here..."

Her eyes dropped to the envelope she held. In its corner was the royal crest of Valdria: a serpent coiled around a rose, topped with a diminutive crown. She gave it a gentle prod. It possessed a tangible quality, even appearing embossed.

"Isekai'd," she whispered, her voice quivering with the revelation. "I've genuinely been isekai'd."

The wagon lurched to a halt. Aegis (or Emily, though at this point the distinction felt purely academic) cautiously peered out from the canvas flap at the rear. She had anticipated perhaps a grand castle, or at the very least, a wizened old wizard prepared with a destiny-laden speech.

Instead, she was met with an open field. Then, three men materialized, their teeth resembling aged chess pieces and their faces etched with the characteristics of generations steeped in insular lineage. Each man gripped a cudgel, and an aura of existential threat emanated from them – the distinct kind found in individuals who, having failed at every positive life path, chose to inflict their bitterness upon others.

"Hand over the valuables, girl," one snarled, his regional dialect flawlessly matching the game's 'bandit shakedown' encounter. "Or we'll start breaking the less-than-valuable things."

Aegis applauded, a grin of amusement spreading across her face.

"I know this scenario!" she exclaimed, before recalling her supposed role demanded fear. "I mean—oh, heavens, please don't harm me," she added, her voice oddly reminiscent of a generic princess under heavy sedation. It was hardly her finest performance, yet the bandits appeared either convinced or, at the very least, bewildered.

She rummaged through her pockets. Her hand emerged empty. No phone, no wallet, not even a solitary, forgotten hard candy. She patted down her uniform and then gestured with a sense of apology.

"Apologies, gentlemen. All I possess are this envelope and my undeniably captivating charm."

The bandits exchanged a blank stare, uncertain of their next move.

The tallest among them flashed a grin, revealing a single gold tooth alongside four others that seemed to have experienced more harshness than sunlight.

"Then we'll take the envelope. And perhaps see what else you might have to offer, eh?"

Aegis narrowed her gaze.

[So that's how it's going to be, huh?] She managed to suppress a smirk.

Bringing her palms together, Aegis offered a smile – the very kind that had previously persuaded at least three nurses to discreetly provide her with contraband pudding cups.

"Gentlemen," she began, "I shall be entirely forthright with you. Should you dare to touch that letter, you will undoubtedly incur the formidable wrath of the headmistress herself. Furthermore, and lest we forget, the last individual who attempted such a foolish act found himself with a sword positioned rather uncomfortably where the sun doesn't shine."

The bandits, falling into the predictably 'dim-witted' category, hesitated for just a moment, allowing her to proceed.

She subtly gestured towards the wagoner, who, adhering to his silent code, remained slumped nearby, observing but uttering no words.

"Besides," she continued, her voice dropping to a more conspiratorial pitch, "would you truly wish to rob a student who hasn't even completed her orientation? I'm scarcely worth the cost of a bus token. You stand to gain nothing, and yet you have everything to lose by pursuing this."

The bandits exchanged glances. The smallest one, who in the game invariably fled first, began to fidget nervously. The leader straightened his shoulders.

"You're bluffing," he declared, though a distinct tremor laced his voice. "Prissy girls like you always have something hidden away."

Aegis allowed her smile to waver, replacing it with an expression of genuine concern.

"My dear fellows... is this truly how you desire to commence your week? Word has it the Rosevale guard has been intensifying their crackdown. I overheard they've been conscripting prisoners for latrine duty. Do you aspire to spend the remainder of your days with your elbows submerged in filth?"

The bandit with the gold tooth faltered. She observed the internal struggle. The second bandit (was his name Bort in the game?) was already beginning to edge away.

Leaning forward, she lowered her voice to a stage whisper.

"This is your final opportunity, gentlemen. The authorities are practically right behind me. Depart now, and I shall consider this incident forgotten. Attempt anything further, and you'll find yourselves scrubbing the king's private chamber pot until the very end of time. The choice, as they say, is yours."

A brief pause ensued.

Then, with an awkward, decidedly un-menacing grunt, the three bandits shuffled away, murmuring apologies to each other as they beat a hasty retreat. The leader shot her one last venomous glare, but even he appeared more intimidated than outright enraged.

Aegis sank back against the seat, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins. Though her hands trembled, she knew she was, miraculously, alive.

She meant to exclaim, "Holy shit, I can't believe that worked," but instead, a loud, ungraceful snort escaped her lips.

The wagon driver cast a glance backward. "That was quick thinking, miss."

"Yeah," she replied, still struggling to regain her breath. "I majored in creative self-preservation."

Her gaze fell upon her hands, which she flexed before looking at the envelope. It seemed indestructible, as if possessing some form of plot armor. The wagon slowly resumed its journey, jostling along the muddy path towards the distant points of the city.

Somewhere between the relief of surviving and the confusion of her attire, a pink-glittering HUD flashed across her vision.

# STATUS SHEET

BASIC INFO

Name: Aegis Starcaller

Race: Human

Titles: Commoner

STATS

POWER (Combat ability): 1

INTELLIGENCE (Academic knowledge, magical theory, and strategic thinking): 1

GRACE (Elegance, poise, and artistic expression): 1

INSIGHT (Reading people, detecting lies, and understanding hidden motives): 1

CHARISMA (Ability to persuade, intimidate, seduce, and charm through words): 100

---

RELATIONSHIP STATUS

Active Love Interests: None

Current Relationships: N/A

Relationship Phase: N/A

---

REPUTATION/SOCIAL STANDING

School Reputation: Unknown Newcomer

Faction Standings: None

Scandal Points: 0

---

INVENTORY & GIFTS

Current Items: None

Gift Database: Locked

Special Event Items: None

Memento Items: None

---

EVENTS & CALENDAR

Upcoming Events: N/A

Character Date Opportunities: None Available

Critical Choice Notifications: None

---

SKILLS/ABILITIES

Magical Spells: None

Combat Techniques: None

Arts Performances: None

---

FLAGS & ROUTES

Current Active Route: None

Death Flags: None

Bad End Warnings: None

Hidden Route Availability: Locked

Route Lock Status: None

---

ACHIEVEMENTS/MILESTONES

Social Milestones: None

Academic Honors: None

Secret Discoveries: None

Political Alliances: None

Amidst all those stats and categories, one particular item stood out.

[CHARISMA: 100.]

She fixated on the number, anticipating its decrease, perhaps a reset, or even a spectacular, fiery overflow error. Yet, it remained steadfast, bold and absurd, like a mischievous prank orchestrated by an underpaid intern.

Aegis smirked, holding her letter close to her chest. This was the realm of "Queen of Hearts." And Aegis? She was fully prepared.

She was intimately familiar with every. Single. Romance flag. Every branching conversation tree. Each specific gift preference and elusive questline. The precise methodologies to make countless women fall irrevocably in love.

"Watch out, Rosevale," she declared, rising within the wagon with arms outstretched. "Aegis Starcaller has arrived, and I'm about to seduce this entire kingdom into—"

The wagon jolted violently as it hit a deep pothole.

Aegis stumbled, bracing herself against the wooden side. As she regained her balance, she felt an unusual weight between her legs, a foreign pressure beneath the fabric of her uniform skirt.

[Wait.]

She looked down. The skirt ballooned outwards in a distinctly specific and anatomically improbable manner. At least, improbable for the body she possessed mere minutes ago.

Her hands moved instinctively, probing the area through the cloth.

[Oh.]

She patted herself down.

[Oh no.]

She patted herself again, then a further three times.

It wasn't her imagination.

[I...]

She blinked.

[I have a dick.]

The status screen helpfully flickered in her peripheral vision:

HIDDEN TRAIT DISCOVERED:

Blessing of the Fertility Goddess

Effect: Enhanced "compatibility" with all potential partners

Aegis gazed at the notification, then at her skirt, then back to the notification.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"