Chapter 3: Knock! Knock! Your Dear Brother Is Here...
The Arcane Academia.
The place where the majority of the game's story takes place, yet they couldn't come up with a more original name than this generic crap.
This shows about how much fucks the dev really gave, Zero!
The story itself is generic, a copy-paste of the same template over and over, but at least put some effort into hiding it.
Sigh...
Of course, this academy isn't just any random school.
Is never a random school in such stories.
It's where prestigious families like the Blackthornes send their heirs, a status symbol in itself. And by this otome world standards, it's the best academy or wait,
Second best at least,
Cause, I remember that one mission in the game where squads from Arcane Academia faced off against rival academies.
Yeah, we lost there.
So it should be second best.
And if my memory serves me right, Steve should be in his third year.
That's technically the last academic year since the fourth year is all about completing a long-term mission outside the campus.
They're barely relevant to the story anyway.
But here's the thing, like every cliché academy in novels and games I have played, Arcane Academia prides itself on autonomy.
Supposedly, no noble influence works here, and everyone is treated fairly.
Everyone starts on equal grounds.
They all receive the same privileges.
Same training.
Chuckle!!
What a bullshit.
And just like those novels, this game doesn't even follow its own rules.
Take Steve, for example. Every student is required to live in the dorms, but nope, not him. The heir of Blackthorne gets a private, luxurious palace all to himself.
Well, this setup actually works out great for me. Not just because I get to enjoy all this luxury, but because Elowen is here too.
At the start of the game, before the academy's opening ceremony, she lived with Steve in this mansion.
This was where he relentlessly harassed her.
And even though how bad it sounds, the only saving grace is that it didn't seem to go in that direction, I mean Se...Ahem!
thankfully, the game was rated 13+.
Still, this makes confronting her here way better than trying to deal with her at the academy.
Without wasting time on unnecessary thoughts, I decided to apologize straight and get this damn quest over with as fast as possible.
I opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Even though it was the middle of the night, it wasn't pitch dark. The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling cast just enough light to illuminate the way.
But honestly, the flickering candlelight and silence only made everything feel creepier.
A complete blackout might've been less scarring.
Anyway, the real question was, where the hell is her roo—
A hand suddenly landed on my shoulder.
"Y-Young Master, why are you awake so early? Do you need something?"
"AHHHH!!!"
"HOLY FUCK! Who are you?"
I jumped, freaking out on instinct.
Seriously, who wouldn't? Imagine some random old man sneaking up and grabbing you in a silent, dark-ass hallway while you're lost in thought.
The man looked confused, stepping back with a worried expression.
"I-I'm so sorry, Young Master. Are you alright?"
His tone now shifted to that of concern.
I took a moment to calm my breathing and got a proper look at him. He was wearing the classic butler uniform.
So yeah, my personal attendant, I guess.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said, trying to sound casual. "But act careful from next time."
"Yes, Master! I deeply apologize!"
Even after I reassured him, his face still showed confusion, maybe even suspicion.
Great. Did I already act too differently from the real Steve?
Tsk.
Better to distract him before he starts thinking too much.
"I have some matter to discuss with Elowen. So, you'll come with me,"
The moment I spoke, he straightened up and nodded. "Yes, Master."
Though his expression still looked reluctant, even a little disappointed. Was he assuming I was about to bully her, even at this hour?
Fine. Whatever.
"You go ahead. Lead the way," I said, waving him forward.
"Understood!"
In these eerily silent hallways, only our footsteps echoed.
After a few minutes, the butler finally stopped in front of a locked door. "Master, do you have the keys with you?" he asked, while his sorrowful eyes flickered toward me.
Keys?
This bastard Steve even locks her up?
Fuck. Now that I'm experiencing the situation first-hand, it's looking more and more messed up.
I shook my head, keeping my tone steady. "No."
Without another word, the butler turned and walked away.
What?
Where are you going, you bastard? At least tell me before you disappear like that.
I stood there, frozen, waiting.
But, soon enough, he returned, and beside him was a maid.
A good-looking one, at that.
Long red hair, and her eyes had this… seducing glow to them.
"Master, what business do you have with her?" she asked, stepping closer to me. Too close. Close enough for her chest to press against mine.
Soft. It fuddled a little against my chest.
I'm not a simp. In fact, I hate those kinds of men. But by instinct, I had an erection.
Fucking whore. What are you planning?
I swear, this is the kind of woman I hate the most. Even more than those immature feminists.
With a firm grip on her shoulder, I pushed her back. "Firstly, keep your distance when talking to me, okay?"
Her expression shifted into something unreadable, but I caught a hint of surprise in her eyes as if she hadn't expected me to respond that way.
Did she trust her seducing skills that much? Or does she have some kind of connection with Steve?
Well, I don't fucking care right now.
Wasting no time, I locked my eyes onto hers. "You have the keys, right? Open this."
"Y-Yes, Master," she stammered, with a hesitant voice. "But... I think you shouldn't speak to her right now. That bitch has been acting like a total psycho lately."
Psycho?
Fuck. Was I too late?
"Open it. Quick!"
"Master, she's acting like an animal. She can…"
This woman…
"Listen, tell me, who are you?"
"??"
"Linda?"
"No, not your name. Who cares about that? Tell me who you are."
"A maid, sir?"
A dry chuckle escaped me. I couldn't help it.
These are the very people I can't tolerate.
Those who don't know their place.
"Oh, a maid. So tell me, what authority do you have to fucking order me around? To tell me what I should or shouldn't do?"
It was as if all her initial confidence was drained from her face, replaced by fear. Her heartbeat quickened. "Sir, I was just suggesting. I never ordered…"
"Shut up! Know your fucking place before you speak to me," My voice raised, locking my gaze onto her frightened eyes.
I could practically hear her heart pounding.
But I was too frustrated to care. "I don't need any justification before slicing your throat open. Understand?"
With a quick gulp, she fumbled for the key and unlocked the door in an instant.
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