Holy moly… I can't believe everything that happened in such a short time.
I almost ruined my relationship with Maxine.
Clementine has blackmail material on me…
I still have no idea what the hell to do so Carlotta doesn't kill me.
Fisalia? Who knows what the hell she's planning.
… Damn.
Is it just me, or have I made zero progress on my plan to get along with the crazies?
You know what? I'd better sleep on it and figure out what to do about all this.
For now, let's read this thing.
With that in mind, I pulled out the pamphlet Carlotta had given me a few hours ago.
When I touched the paper—or what I thought was paper—a set of neon-green circuits spread across its surface.
"Whoa, so that's how this works, huh? Alright, let's see what it says. I better read this carefully."
I feel like if I don't, Carlotta's gonna kill me tomorrow.
The pamphlet showed a couple of paragraphs along with a pretty tight schedule. It was the practice plan.
Apparently, starting tomorrow we'd be split by days and time slots; each group would have three days of practice, three hours per session.
Doesn't sound that bad…
"Pay attention. You've probably noticed that the first practice is an introduction to the Foundation of Aura," the professor announced. "As you know, magic is divided into three main branches: Physical, Creative, and Manipulative. Many of you already know your affinity, but I'm certain some of you have no idea what your Traits are. That's what we're going to find out today. Form your groups."
It was true. One detail I noticed when I first played the game was that each hero represented one type of magic: Kaelvarion embodied Physical Magic, Elion Manipulative, and Auren Creative.
Depending on your initial choices—in other words, which hero you aimed to romance—Kathryn would develop affinity for the corresponding type of sorcery.
Which made me cry internally. I had zero interest in Kaelvarion, and yet I still ended up developing an affinity for Physical Magic.
Which sounds like I'm way deeper into his route than I thought.
At the very least, I hope that doesn't count as increasing his affinity for me.
"Come on, Carlotta."
"I don't—"
"Look, I know you hate me and all, but do you really want the teacher to get annoyed?"
I lied. The truth is, Isac is pretty laid-back. I'd bet you could insult him to his face and he'd just yawn before walking away.
But seeing the mission timer ticking down in red numbers reminded me of something important: I needed to start changing this discount crazy blonde's heart before the missions got even more extreme.
Something I haven't been doing very well because of all the chaos caused by the other missions popping up from time to time.
Plus, I need to figure out what this mission is about.
Without waiting for her response, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her along, practically dragging her toward where the professor indicated.
Carlotta clicked her tongue, stiff, frowning, her shoulders tense, like my touch was a personal offense.
… Shit. That reminded me of how other kids used to act when they had to touch me during certain activities.
N-No! Come on, Julia! Remember what Dana taught you… head up high.
Don't let anyone step all over you.
With that in mind, I tightened my grip, wanting to show my determination.
If this crazy woman obsessed with that idiot fiancé of hers wants to mess with me, she'll find out this "kitty" is actually a lynx!
***
"Alright, let's begin the practice. As you know, according to the schedule we'll start with the fundamental exercise. Form a line."
Now we were in some kind of… well, I don't even know how to describe it. I've never been in a place like this.
It was huge. Like, HUGE. Like a full stadium. Divided into different zones—some with wide open dirt fields, others with something like a ring, and several areas with platforms that rose and lowered.
It's amazing! Like… straight out of a novel. Lol.
I walked across the tiled path toward where the other students were lining up—at the end of it I could see the nurse beside a small station—but I noticed my psycho blonde wasn't moving.
"Wait… you're not coming?"
"… No."
"Why? Scared?"
"How dare you speak to me like that…?"
She straightened instantly, chin raised, eyes sharp as blades.
"Listen, cheap little Nen. Lady Wiebke doesn't need any of that."
"Huh?"
"Who… who the hell are you?"
The one who spoke was a brown-haired girl; beside her, an albino girl watched with a twisted smile. I didn't know who they were, but from the way they spoke, they seemed close to Carlotta.
"Girls…"
"After all, Lady Wiebke possesses her 'Blood.' Everyone knows that!" the albino said.
She smiled—but it wasn't pretty. It was ugly. Repulsive, even.
The brunette giggled, and both of them stepped forward.
… Scratch that. Not so friendly.
Damn, even I could feel the venom hidden in that fake compliment.
"What the hell was that?"
"Nothing. They're just my… friends."
"Friends? You and them? Yeah, sure. And I'm a prestigious noble with a god complex—"
"What did you say?"
"No! I mean—before you punch a hole through me, let me rephrase. You? Friends with them? They looked like they hated you."
"It is what it is. Friendship is like that."
"… I'm pretty sure it's not. Just look at Maxi and me. We're close and affectionate with each other."
"The fact that you're dumb enough not to notice how Lady Ryu tolerates you is impressive on its own."
"Ouch! Excuse me!? We are best friends!"
There are things I can let slide, but questioning my friendship with Maxine? That crosses the line.
"Whatever you say, idiot. Just move."
Before I could keep arguing, Carlotta started pushing me. She walked forward with firm steps, back straight, like the entire world owed her something.
But I could feel her fingers trembling.
Let's see… digging through my memories…
I think… I've got it. Maybe.
If my mind doesn't fail me and it better not, or I'll stab my brain with a cotton swab. Carlotta has something called "Blood Magic."
Which is considered negative. Who knows why.
I think I read somewhere that this type of magic is seen as a kind of social curse. In short: if she weren't a noble from an important family, she'd be a pariah. Like me.
Damn… being born into wealth really changes things, huh?
When I placed my arm on the pad to expose my veins, something clicked in my head.
"Wait… that would make sense— Ow!"
My epiphany was brutally interrupted when the nurse pricked me with a needle and drew blood.
What I was thinking was this: Carlotta must hate me because, in reality, she loves Kaelvarion.
And how did I figure that out? Easy.
If Blood Magic runs through her veins—an abomination capable of turning anyone into a pariah—then she must've felt threatened by the protagonist's presence.
Just think about it: one day, a sweet, beautiful, and sexy girl—Kathryn—shows up, someone who doesn't have that "flaw" that you do. Wouldn't it be natural to feel threatened?
The thought that her fiancé, the man she loves so much, might fall for someone else… must've scared her.
Maybe so much that it pushed her to commit all those crazy acts.
Looking at it from that angle… I can almost feel sorry for her… almost.
I know what it feels like to be rejected and betrayed by someone you love— I mean… someone you care about a lot.
Of course, all of this is just speculation.
The game never really explains Carlotta's true reasons for hating Kathryn. It's just assumed, through simple logic, that the villainess acted out of jealousy.
But maybe it wasn't that simple.
Maybe she was just afraid of being left alone… in a society that, deep down, despised her.