How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

'In the end, I accepted…'

I offered the only answer that could realistically work under these absurd circumstances, and with that, my trial was drawing to a close.

"Hmm~ influenced by a dungeon boss, were you?" The principal mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "A mind flayer's abilities are rare, but it's not out of the question; after all, they can control even the most seasoned adventurers."

The principal and her staff were meticulously crafting the story of my "possession"—an S-rank dungeon boss's mental control forcing me into a reckless spree of unleashed power.

It was almost laughable, but it saved face for both sides: a tale that made me look like an unfortunate pawn, while allowing them to preserve their own dignity.

They continued to debate the details, adjusting the narrative as though I weren't even in the room.

"No, no, it would be best if I delivered the final blow,"

"What? That doesn't make any sense. Dean Gale was the one actually trying to subdue him—shouldn't he be the one—"

"Think about it the principal stopping him in the nick of time gives a stronger impression, wouldn't you say?"

"And what about the rest of us? We put in serious effort out there too. Are you saying our actions should just… disappear from the record?"

"Please, do you think your efforts make any difference in the eyes of the academy's' student body?"

"All of you do realize that it's a pretty well-known fact now that it was student Alice who managed to stop him in the end right?"

"If we're bringing the students involved into the matter, then what about Rose who actually restrained him?"

"But wasn't he the one willingly stopped after those two got involved?"

"Saying that we all had to holdback would be more appropriate, no?"

I stifled the urge to laugh as they argued, blissfully oblivious to my presence.

'They do realize the one who beat them up Is in front of them right?'

Even though I'd agreed to play along with their story, the level of shamelessness on display was astounding.

Right now, they were weaving the "appropriate" scenario to match my convenient excuse, like actors preparing their roles for an elaborate performance.

What exactly where they planning for all the witnesses involved?

The principal assured me that the crown would personally step in, which meant manipulating events on this scale wouldn't be a challenge for them.

But their methods?

That was another matter entirely.

If the game's lore held any truth, the empire's first choice would be to erase any witnesses outright—clean, ruthless, efficient.

And while I doubted, they'd resort to such extremes, I couldn't rule it out, not when imperial interests were on the line.

Yet, this was the principal we were talking about.

She hadn't survived this long without an ironclad understanding of these threats, and she certainly wouldn't put her students at risk on a whim.

Knowing her, she would sooner sacrifice herself than allow harm to come to her "precious students."
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It was unlikely that she accepted the crown's terms without extracting some assurances of her own, something that protected the academy and its people.

The deal she'd struck was clearly not one she could refuse, and I'd been given no real choice in the matter either.

It may have tied up loose ends, but I couldn't shake the feeling I'd just been signed away, a pawn in someone else's strategy.

'I feel like I just got sold…'

And then there was the emperor.

Why he was suddenly involved in all this was still a mystery, but his interest in me felt far from casual.

Especially with the details in the letter involved….

"Riley Hell… accept my favor and you shall live…."

Although what was written inside was a bit longer with a bit more details the core of the message inside was rather simple… and all of it was basically directed at me.

'I should probably have a word with Snow…'

"Riley Hell."

The principal's voice rang out after the entire dramatized "scenario" they'd pieced together finally drew to a close. Her tone was surprisingly positive, her gaze fixed on me.

"Now that this short-lived fuss has been addressed, I trust you'll keep everything discussed here confined to this room?"

"Of course," I replied without hesitation.

Not that I had much of a choice.

Speaking openly about what had transpired here would expose not just a staged trial but would also bring to light the academy's decision to compromise its supposed neutrality by striking a deal with the empire.

This whole charade questioned the academy's values to their very core.

For an institution that prided itself on neutrality above all else, aligning with the empire was more than just bending the rules—it was shattering them.

And I could tell that not everyone was thrilled about it.

Some of the professors and deans had glared in disapproval, a flash of resentment slipping through as the principal took control.

But with the majority favoring this arrangement, I doubted anyone would dare to jeopardize it.

Those who disagreed were likely forced to swallow their pride and accept the terms.

Even if a few brave souls did speak up, the empire had ways of ensuring such voices wouldn't see the light of day.

Life expectancy could become rather short for those willing to oppose imperial interests.

I couldn't shake the suspicion that everyone present had received some form of reward from the empire, probably threats as well.

'Whether they liked it or not'

SMACK!

The sharp sound cracked through the silent room, jolting everyone's attention.

In the principal's hand, a small gavel materialized, brimming with fierce, thunderous purple energy.

Her smirk was wicked, her eyes narrowing in on me with a look of satisfaction.

"Riley Hell," she announced, voice filled with a smug finality. "Our judgment is now clear. You shall be placed under indefinite suspension until—"

BOOM!!!

An explosion erupted behind me, drowning out her words.

A violent flash of red energy burst forth, quaking the ground beneath us.

I spun around, eyes widening as the room filled with a pulsing red aura that seemed to burn the air itself.

Through the blinding energy, four knights appeared.

Encased in crimson and black armor, they moved with precision and purpose, each of them emanating an aura so thick with power it felt like standing in the center of a storm.

Their weapons shimmered, dangerously sharp and glowing with an intensity that marked them as no ordinary knights.

Trump marks covered their bodies as it glowed with intensity, with threatening glares, they surrounded me in a protective stance, each knight moving as though bound by a solemn duty.

SWOOSH!

Another flash of light followed—a brilliant, golden arc cleaving through the air like crescent moons, glinting in sharp contrast to the thick, oppressive red energy.

It was dazzling, ethereal, a golden brilliance that seemed to cut through the chaos like a divine force.

The room got colder as frost started manifesting all around us.

SIZZLE~!!!

Then, just as quickly, a barrage of magical crimson circles materialized, suspended in the air around us.

They radiated a concentrated celestial energy, layering in complex patterns and encasing every person in the room.

The circles pulsed, their intricate designs shifting and interlocking like gears in some celestial machine, each one dense with the kind of ancient power that could only belong to magic of the highest order.

"S-STOP!!!!"

Came a voice cut that through the air, sharp and unyielding.

"Junior is innocent you all know that!"

"This treatment is unfair!"

"You all know he wasn't at fault!"

"Ignoring the opinion of the public is clearly an abuse of power, don't you think so, Principal Leilah?"

"Hmm~ without him, the academy's financial state might officially collapse overnight, you know~~"

"T-That's right! This is all a lie! S-Senior Riley is someone blessed by the goddess; there's no way he would do such awful things!"

"Touch him, and you will all die…"

"Man, bursting in like this wasn't exactly part of the plan, right guys? ~ sigh!"

Their familiar voices surrounded me, fierce and determined.

I blinked, stunned as I turned to face them, each one standing resolute with fire in their eyes.

Snow, Senior Alice, Janica, Lucas, Rose, Seo, Kagami—and even Emilia and Clara.

All here, united, as they posed behind me like some superheroes in a cool group shot scene… no, I guess with their signature stances they looked more like the power rangers…

"You guys…" I managed, trying to grasp what was happening.

Snow's usual composure softened for a moment as she looked over at me with a slight smile and a wink.

"Are you alright, Riley?" Seo's voice broke through my thoughts.

"S-Seo?"

Before I realized it, her warm hand had reached out, gently gripping mine.

'When did she get so close?'

Her expression was more worried than I'd ever seen, her red eyes holding a quiet but intense resolve.

"Don't worry, Riley… we will save you,"

'You don't need to, though…'

Taken aback by the lengths they were willing to go.

I could feel a mix of gratitude and unease building up as I took in their determined expressions.

Every one of them stood there with a proud look, as if ready to face down the whole academy.

It was absurd, reckless, and undeniably… touching.

And as I continued to stare at them with their somewhat proud looks….

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~!"

The voice of a cat dying of laughter echoed in the air….