How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 5: My favorite!

As the scholars of Arkein City began their ascent onto the massive floating vessel, I settled into my plush, bed-like chair with a heart full of anticipation. My eyes were glued to the porthole, desperately searching for a sign of my favorite character walking down the gangplank.

Each side of the ship possessed four separate stairways, meaning there was only a one-in-four chance she would appear where I was looking. Still, a fan can dream, can’t he?

The air around me hummed with the chatter of students from various grades reconnecting. The crowd was just as eclectic as the game described, featuring a wide array of races.

It wasn't merely humans boarding; I spotted beastmen, dwarves, and even a few of those exceptionally rare elves joining the ranks of the ship.

The lore of the game claimed that hundreds or even thousands of new students enrolled annually. In the digital version, you never truly grasped the scale since only the plot-relevant characters appeared on the screen.

However, witnessing it firsthand, I can no longer question the game's world-building. The scene was breathtaking—other vessels were even hovering around the city. I found myself wondering exactly how many initiates were joining this year.

While the vast majority were likely headed for the general education tracks, the sheer scale of the gathering was stunning, particularly in a high-fantasy environment like this.

In the game, many of these individuals were faceless NPCs, yet here, everyone looked remarkably attractive.

Even the background extras and mob characters were visually striking.

Was everyone truly this handsome in the original game?

Thinking back, even Riley—despite being a throwaway character—was actually quite good-looking.

If one ignores my miserable stats, I am fairly certain I look more impressive and handsome than that bland, self-insert main protagonist.

The internal doors to the passenger decks slid open one by one, allowing students to filter in and find their designated spots.

"Rebecca! It’s been ages!"

"How did you spend your break, man?"

"No way, you actually passed the entrance exam too?"

Voices erupted everywhere as acquaintances reunited. Some were catching up with friends, while others suckered up to high-ranking nobles to gain favor. Some were just naturally loud, while others greeted the arriving seniors with respect.

But my focus remained narrow, ignoring the chaos as I tracked a single individual...

Thump!

My heart gave a sudden, heavy throb.

A single glimpse was all it took to leave me completely paralyzed with awe.

Whether it was her sheer radiance or the overwhelming thrill of seeing my favorite heroine in the flesh, my body reacted instinctively, slipping beyond my control.

The moment those shimmering pink tresses entered my line of sight, I was captivated.

Her luminous golden eyes seemed to brighten the dim cabin as she beamed, pulling her closest friend into a tight embrace.

"Loraine, Hehehe~" She giggled, a sound that perfectly complemented her infectious, iconic smile.

She was the perfect manifestation, the literal living version of the character I had spent hundreds of hours on in the game.

Even when I was busy exploring the romance routes of other girls, I always ensured she was in my active party, regardless of the gameplay difficulties that choice sometimes caused.

None of that mattered; she was my absolute favorite.

She clung to her best friend Loraine, her oversized witch hat bobbing along with her energetic movements.

"Cut it out, Alice—" her friend muttered, trying to shrug her off, only to be drowned out by Alice’s joyful laughter.

Wearing a playful smirk, Alice only squeezed harder, refusing to budge. "I don't want to~"

Just watching this interaction—a scene I had never actually seen in the game—made my heart swell with happiness.

A grin tugged at my mouth that I couldn't suppress as I watched their antics. 'Alice Holloway.'

A third-year at Lumine Academy, she was widely considered one of the highest-rated heroines in the game. In my opinion, it was a title she earned easily.

Though every heroine possessed her own charm and unique traits, Alice’s appeal was simply on another level for me.

Playing through Alice’s character arc was like riding an emotional rollercoaster.

Her narrative, packed with unexpected developments, gave her already fascinating personality so much more depth.

Every choice and every line of dialogue felt like a path to discovery, revealing her complexities one interaction at a time.

What truly set Alice apart was her status as a hidden heroine, much like the secretive Liyana.

To have any hope of a romance with her, a player had to follow a very specific, narrow path that most casual players would miss entirely.

It was a feat reserved for those who mastered the game mechanics, finished every side quest, and turned over every stone in the virtual world.

I only stumbled upon Alice’s route by complete accident during my sixth playthrough.

It was only after I meticulously cleared every single tutorial quest that the opportunity to encounter her again appeared—a detail most people skipped in their rush to get to the main story.

Finding Alice in the game felt like discovering a hidden diamond within a crown I already loved.

I was instantly smitten, feeling a strange pull toward her that went beyond just pixels and code.

She became the reason I replayed the game so many times, each run driven by the hope of seeing a new side of her through our interactions.

Thinking about her fate in the original story made me shake my head in frustration.

To think her life ended because of such a ridiculous, stupid reason...

What were the writers thinking, throwing away such a beloved character like that?

Thankfully, I managed to save her from that tragedy four months ago. Well, technically the main protagonist did the deed, but I was the one who provided the vital information.

'I deserve the credit for that, right?'

"Hi, Alice!"

"Senior!"

"Alice, have you heard the latest news?"

As she walked toward her seat, Alice was bombarded with greetings and attention, exactly like her game version.

Adored by both upperclassmen and juniors, she was a centerpiece of the student body—a clear sign of her immense charm and popularity.

Whether she was called the Pride of the Second Years, the Hidden Princess, or the affectionate "Pink Capybara," she carried her titles with poise, both in the game and on the fan forums dedicated to her.

With a laugh that echoed through the area, Alice moved through the crowd of admirers, her natural politeness showing as she acknowledged everyone with a sincere smile. Lorraine walked beside her, trailing in the wake of Alice's bright energy.

Watching her, I felt a massive wave of respect and affection.

She was undeniably adorable, and I felt a desperate urge to say hello to her myself.

But I knew I couldn't risk it.

Interacting with the primary cast might butterfly-effect the main scenario later on, and I couldn't let the plot go off the rails.

I forced myself to stay put, fighting the impulse to walk over.

As long as I followed the game's established path, I could avoid any disastrous complications.

Even so, despite my best efforts to stay calm, the anxiety began to bubble up inside me.

Wait... why is she getting closer?

To my shock, I realized Alice was heading right for me.

Was her assigned seat near mine?

What were the chances of such a coincidence?

With wide eyes, I watched her approach, my heart thumping with a mix of dread and excitement.

Before I could process it, she was standing right there, the scent of fresh spring flowers wafting from her.

Damn it. I reflexively covered my mouth, trying to hide my expression so I didn't look like a creep.

I was grinning so wide I felt like I could die of pure joy.

"B-16, B-17... found them!"

"Alice... your seat is actually A-16," Lorraine pointed out.

"Huh? No way! I was sure I reserved B-16!" Alice argued, sounding completely unconvinced.

"It looks like you messed up the booking somehow."

"This can't be!" Alice complained as she watched Lorraine sit down. "Lorraine... you didn't swap my ticket at the last second, did you?"

"No..." Lorraine replied flatly, though Alice wasn't buying it.

"You're lying! At least look me in the eye when you say that!"

Alice teased her friend, sparking a playful bicker that lasted a few minutes.

With a heavy sigh, Alice muttered to herself before turning around and moving toward the seat right next to mine.

Hold on...

'Is this actually happening?'

I was under the impression that my luck stat was at rock bottom.

So why was this happening to me?

This had to be a dream, right?

As if she felt my stare, she turned her head, and her golden eyes locked onto mine.

"Hello—?" she said, offering a gentle smile as she sat down. My heart skipped a beat. My pulse hammered as she looked at me with curiosity.

A part of me wanted to hug her right then and there, to show her the same love and care I had given her in the game.

But the cold reality hit me like a bucket of ice water—I wasn't the heroic main protagonist who had won her heart in the story.

In this world, I was just Riley Hell, a minor, disposable extra.

I had no right to be near her, or to act like I belonged in her presence.

As my nerves reached a breaking point, I felt a desperate need to get away, to escape the crushing weight of my own insignificance.

Without thinking, I jerked my head away, completely ignoring her kind greeting.

In that exact moment, the realization hit me.

I really fucked up...