Lilia Hearthwell was lost.
Utterly, completely, royally lost.
"This place is a maze," she muttered, frowning at a wall-mounted map that looked like it had been designed by an architect with a flair for chaos and too much caffeine.
She had been trying to find Class 1-C for the past fifteen minutes.
So far, she had:
Circled the same water fountain twice,
Walked into a broom closet once (Why was it unlocked?),
And accidentally wandered into the Advanced Swordsmanship hallway, where a girl sliced an airborne apple in half — with her eyes closed.
Lilia had turned on her heel and bolted before someone decided to demonstrate sword-to-commoner combat.
"I swear, this school is bigger than my entire neighborhood," she grumbled, stepping into yet another hallway filled with high-arched ceilings, floating light orbs, and portraits of noblemen who all looked like they had strong opinions about soup.
The worst part?
Her shiny little status screen was still no help.
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[Current Objective: Find your classroom!]
[Tip: Trust fate! Encounters await!]
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"Fate can kiss my commoner shoes," she muttered, scowling at the display.
She stomped forward, then paused in front of a particularly snooty painting of a man with a powdered wig and judgmental eyebrows. He seemed to be judging her posture.
"Don't look at me like that," she whispered. "I've had a morning."
Just as she was seriously contemplating curling up in a supply closet and living there forever—
"Um… excuse me?"
Lilia jumped. She turned around, startled.
A girl stood behind her, hugging her books to her chest.
She looked to be about Lilia's age — maybe sixteen — with soft, curly chestnut hair styled into two fluffy side buns, and bright green eyes that sparkled with warmth. Her Evermere uniform was crisp, though less embellished than the noble students.
"You look kinda… lost," the girl said gently, smiling.
Lilia blinked. Then let out a sigh of relief so loud it echoed down the marble hallway and startled a passing professor.
"YES. Yes, I am. I've been wandering for, like, twenty minutes, and I think a painting tried to curse me."
The girl giggled. "You're looking for your class?"
"Class 1-C."
"Oh! I'm in 1-C too! I can walk you there — it's tricky if you're new."
"You're a literal lifesaver," Lilia said, nearly hugging her on instinct.
The girl's smile widened. "Come on. It's this way!"
They walked together, the girl confidently navigating the twists and turns of the hallway labyrinth like she'd been born in it.
"I'm Mari, by the way. Mari Linden. My family runs a bakery in Westwind Town."
"Lilia Hearthwell," Lilia replied. "From… uh… Rosefield. My family owns… dirt."
Mari laughed. "Well, that makes two of us who don't sparkle when we walk. Nice to meet you, Lilia."
For the first time that day, Lilia smiled.
A real smile.
It felt strange. Good. Like something normal in a world of glittering royals, floating menus, and violin music that played when hot boys entered a room.
They reached the classroom just as the final bell rang.
"Whew, made it!" Mari whispered, grabbing Lilia's hand and tugging her inside before the doors shut.
Rows of desks. A tall, stern-looking instructor. Students sitting up perfectly straight like enchanted mannequins.
They found two seats near the center and slid in quietly.
Lilia didn't realize how tense she'd been until she sat down beside someone who didn't sparkle when they talked.
The teacher cleared her throat and turned to the class. "Welcome to Evermere Academy. I trust you all know what's expected of you—"
Ding!
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[You have met "Mari Linden"– Support Role: Loyal Companion!]
[Friendship Progress: 2%]
[Bonus Trait Activated: "Baker's Luck"– Occasional snacks guaranteed!]
=======================
Lilia blinked at the glowing screen hovering in her peripheral vision.
She leaned sideways and whispered, "Do you bake?"
Mari looked slightly confused, then beamed. "I make cinnamon buns that could change your life."
Lilia stared at her, solemn. "You are now officially my best friend."
Just as Lilia dared to think she could maybe breathe again, the classroom doors swung open with dramatic, wind-summoning flair.
And she walked in.
Tall. Regal. Absolutely terrifying.
Her raven-black hair shimmered under the chandelier lights like ink on velvet. Her uniform was flawless — sharper than steel, not a single thread out of place. A golden rose brooch glinted on her chest, delicate and ominous.
Her gaze swept over the class like a hawk in a room full of mice.
Lilia felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine.
This had to be her.
The villain.
Yui had ranted about her character arc so often it was burned into Lilia's soul.
"Lady Eveline Ashford. Noble heiress. Queen of side-eyes. If there's a drama war to start, it's her. She's the obstacle in every route. Doesn't matter who you go after — she's always there. Elegant, dangerous, terrifyingly polite."
Eveline glided into the room like she owned not just the academy, but reality.
Her icy blue eyes scanned the room, sharp and assessing.
And then… her gaze landed on Lilia.Her lips curved into a slow, calculating smile.
Oh no.
Eveline's gaze flicked toward the back of the classroom — to where Prince Alric von Valenhart had just made his entrance, fashionably late and leaning against the doorframe like a visual novel thumbnail.
He was surrounded by a faint glow. Girls across the room practically melted in their seats.
The tension in the room shifted.
Whispers started.
"Did you see that girl fall into the prince this morning?" "Yeah, the one with the discount uniform and the crooked ribbon?" "She tripped right into his chest." "Already trying to get close to him. So shameless…" "She doesn't stand a chance. Not with Eveline around."
Ding!
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[Warning: Rival Detected – Eveline Ashford (Class1−C)]
[Threat Level: High – Special Route Guardian]
[Trait: "Ice Queen"– Uses social dominance and status to sabotage rivals.]
[Suggested Action: Maintain low profile or prepare counter measures.]
[Reminder: Avoid public displays of affection near Eveline.]
=====================
Lilia blinked, then internally screamed.
"Great," she whispered under her breath. "Just what I needed."
Her pulse thundered in her ears.
She wasn't supposed to be the heroine. She was supposed to be background noise. A footnote in the real protagonist's story.
And yet — here she was. Already labeled a threat by the queen of the social elite.
Her eyes met Eveline's again.
This time, the noble girl didn't bother masking her expression.
It was a challenge.
Elegant. Icy. Deadly.
Lilia turned quickly back to her desk, pretending to shuffle papers. Her mind was spiraling.
Okay, okay… you tripped into the prince this morning. You already triggered a major flag. And now you've got the academy's biggest social shark baring her teeth at you.
Fantastic.
She looked over at Mari, who — entirely unfazed — had pulled out a tiny cupcake and was nibbling it with quiet joy.
Mari noticed her stare, winked, and whispered, "Don't worry. We'll survive this."
Lilia blinked.
Then, slowly, she smiled.
Yeah. Survive.
And maybe, just maybe, win