Roland laughed and said, "Well. Better hope that our friend here doesn't decide to abuse his control over our dear princess then, hm?"
Marisa rolled her eyes. "Pervert."
Roland's face turned a bright red and he turned to look at Marisa. "M-Mari! P-Pervert? What are you talking about?!"
"Hm? You just said it. Abusing Evelyn."
"That is NOT what I said, Mari! I said-"
Marisa yawned and said, "It's getting late."
"Mari!" Roland looked panicked and said, "Wait, let me explain-"
Marisa waved at me and said, "I'll see you in the morning, Alex. Try to get some good sleep, okay?"
I chuckled and waved at her. "I will, Mari. Thanks. Love ya."
Marisa laughed and said, "Now who's the one causing misunderstandings, hm? But love you too, Friend."
"Ouch." I mimed getting shot in the heart.
Evelyn rolled her eyes and then pulled me in for a hug before nipping my ear. After that, she looked at Mari and said, "Mine."
Marisa laughed and held her hands up. "I know, princess, I know."
Roland glanced at Evelyn for a second, but then ran over to Marisa's side. "Seriously, Mari, I wasn't implying anything like that!"
Marisa pointedly ignored Roland and kept walking along the path to the southwest portion of campus where the dorms for the top ten students were.
"Mari!"
I laughed as I watched the two walk off, Roland trying and failing to get Marisa's attention.
Evelyn leaned against me and giggled. "Well... I suppose that is one way to get Roland's attention."
I chuckled and said, "Well, the guy doesn't understand the direct approach, so might as well have him earn it. Mari was giving him a blank check and he just returned it, so might as well have him work hard to get her affection then."
Seriously, all Roland had to do was ask Marisa on a date at this point and it was a done deal...
...It was interesting how Mari fell for Roland so early though. But then again, I guess their chemistry was just that good.
Evelyn smiled and then tapped my nose. "Should I be grateful that my Alex was so clear and direct?"
I rolled my eyes and said, "I seem to recall a certain princess being the direct one. I just did what any sane man would do and accept."
Evelyn laughed and said, "Well... Some would debate that 'sane man' label considering all the troubles yet to come from accepting my heart... But." She held me close and murmured, "I would not have it any other way."
I smiled and rubbed her back, enjoying her warmth.
After a bit though, Evelyn said, "But are you truly well, Alex? I know that seeing your sister again... No. Being able to save her and yet being separated again... it must be heartrending."
I sighed. "It does hurt."
The weight of breaking a promise. Of making a promise that couldn't be fulfilled.
Of losing the one I saved, just before my eyes...
"...But it wasn't real." I looked into Evelyn's eyes.
Evelyn stared back, her silver eyes soft with concern.
I held her cheek and murmured, "My reality is here. And while I want to save Betty, there is someone more important right now."
Evelyn's eyes trembled. Then she took a deep breath and muttered, "So I am in danger after all, then?"
"No." I brushed her cheek and murmured, "Because I will save you."
Evelyn shook her head and smiled. "I must say, I do not particularly enjoy the thought of being a damsel in distress, even for you, Alex."
"Bear with it." I chuckled and said, "I'll be relying on you a lot more in the future once we get past that danger, Eve."
That was true. Because Evelyn's
If Betty was in the situation I feared she was in. If she was the one I thought she was right now...
That would be the only way to save her.
Evelyn gave me a soft kiss on the cheek and said, "Then, do your best to save me, my Alex. Save me, and then let us all go save your lovely sister. Alright?"
"Of course."
Evelyn smiled and then said, "Do not stay up too late. And call me if you cannot sleep. I will always be here for you." With those words, Evelyn walked away, heading along the same path as Roland and Marisa.
I watched her back fade away into the dark. Then I let out a sigh and headed towards the northeast section of campus where my dorm was.
Alex wasn't rich or a part of the top ten in Starlight Academy, so he was stuck with the normal dorms.
Hm... I should probably change that. It wouldn't do for Eve's suitor to be anything less than the top ten.
And also...
'I need that privilege.'
The right to form a party and make an expedition once a semester. The one given to the elites of the elites that formed to the top ten...
"Those guys said 'my' home was Edelweiss, right?" I murmured, committing the name to memory.
It was unfamiliar.
A setting I didn't recall, and one that wasn't in my notes from what I checked on my phone. But even more so because of that...
"I need to see it with my own eyes."
Like always, it seemed...
"...There's much to do." I murmured and opened my status screen as I walked.
===
[Status Screen]
Name: Alex Smith
Age: 18
Equipped:
Strength: 40
Agility: 40
Vitality: 40
Endurance: 40
Mana: 40
Stamina: 400 (+700)
Mana Pool: 400 (+700)
Rank 1: Basic Elemental Magic
Rank 6: Divine Spirit
Mana Circle Overdrive: By shattering your mana circles and performing a forced fusion, can perform one Rank 6 spell at the cost of all stored mana and halving physical stats.
At the cost of my life - An undying resolve to eradicate monsters burns in your soul. After laughing in the face of death, you have forcibly shattered your limits. Growth in all stats is dramatically increased until Rank 5. Afterwards, growth in all stats are double the average growth rate.
Seablaze (Equipped) - You can summon inextinguishable flames that emit a pressure as vast as the ocean depths. Range is a radius of (total mana pool) meters.
Stellar Mana Physique - All stats are increased by one rank. Physical attacks may be imbued with magic. Stamina and mana pool are combined. You have no cap on the total mana pool and stamina.
Jack-of-all-trades - In all skills, you have average expertise. Be it weapons or otherwise.
Playwright - You have an instinct for dramatic flare! You can decide a 'character' and a 'play' at any time. Actions taken in accordance to the character and play will be magnified in effect. Your lies become indistinguishable from the truth and your actions are seen in the best light.
(New!) True Intuition (Equipped) - You will see the path towards avoiding unfavorable outcomes.
(New!) True Clarity (Equipped) - You will remain composed even in the depths of despair and see through all attempts at misdirection.
(New!) Water Magic Mastery (Equipped) - You can naturally use Water Magic two ranks above your Mage Rank.
(New!) Fire Magic Mastery (Equipped) - You can naturally use Fire Magic two ranks above your Mage Rank.
Artemis - A rank 6 artifact. Formerly an effigy to the Bear Goddess Artio, now refined as an effigy towards the Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis. Allows the use of Lunar attacks based upon the authority of Artemis.
(New!) Aquaburn Orichalcum Ring (Lv. 7) - Grants the Traits
(New!) Clear Star of Intuition (Lv. 7) - Grants the Traits
(New!) Rebellion (Lv. EX) - An oppressive sword forged from mana and fragments of a Rank 6 Mage's Domain. After having dragged a Transcendent being to mortal status, it has gained a status of its own. On successful attack, inflict
Rank-Up Voucher - Elevates either Mage Rank or Warrior Rank by one level.
===
"...Hm?"
The menu was a little different now. Did Rob add new quality of life features?
No, that didn't matter. Instead...
"Wait. If that effect of
...I may have found the solution to my lovely Eve's problem.