How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

172  President 4

Fantastical Witch…

The title was reserved for mages who had established contact with the world beyond the physical—a place often referred to as the middle world.

For centuries, scholars and practitioners of the arcane arts believed that the world was divided into three distinct realms: the celestial world above, the middle realm where mortals dwelled, and the abyss below, a realm of darkness and eternal rest.

This triad of existence was the foundation upon which the understanding of mana and magic was built.

The celestial world was seen as the domain of gods and divine beings, a place of pure, untainted light.

The middle realm, where humans, animals, and plants existed, was the physical world—a place of tangible reality, where life and death played out in an endless cycle.

Below it, the abyss lurked, a realm of shadow and despair, where the souls of the damned were said to wander in perpetual torment.

For many years, this simple understanding of the world held firm.

It was the accepted truth, taught in academies and whispered in the halls of power.

That is, until the discovery of something far more profound—higher dimensions, realms that transcended the simple tripartite structure that everyone believed in.

These dimensions were not just additional layers of reality; they were places where the boundaries between fantasy and reality blurred, where the impossible became possible.

These higher dimensions, known collectively as the Fantastical Realms, were unlike anything scholars had ever imagined.

They existed parallel to the middle realm, yet they were elevated above it in ways that defied conventional understanding.

Here, the laws of physics bent and twisted, and beings of unimaginable power ruled—entities whose might rivaled that of the gods themselves.

The Fantastical Realms were not governed by the same rules that defined the celestial or abyssal worlds.

They were lands of pure imagination, where the wildest dreams and the darkest nightmares could take form.

Spirits and familiars, creatures born from the very essence of magic, roamed these lands, each one as powerful as they were enigmatic.

To mortals, these beings were akin to legends, stories passed down through generations, but to the mages who dared to make contact, they were all too real.

Dorothy Gale, the former student council president of the academy, was a character who underwent a dramatic transformation as the story progressed.

Once hailed as a prodigy with a bright future, she eventually turned into one of the most powerful villains—a tragic fall from grace that shocked everyone who knew her. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Dorothy was not just any mage; she was a Fantastical Witch, a title reserved for those who had touched the realms beyond the physical world and harnessed the arcane powers that resided there.

Her potential was immense, rivaling that of legendary figures like Alice Holloway, who was my favorite character in the game.

Both Dorothy and Alice were said to have the power and potential to reach the realm of an Archmage, a title that signified mastery over magic itself.

Dorothy's future seemed destined for greatness.

She was a student council president, a position that commanded respect and influence within the academy.

Her talents in magic were unparalleled, and her leadership skills only further solidified her reputation.

There was every reason to believe that she would continue to rise, eventually becoming one of the most powerful and respected mages in history.

Her life was full of opportunities, and her path appeared to be one of light and success.

However, as the story unfolded, Dorothy's character took a dark turn that no one, not even the most observant players, could have predicted.

In the game, she became a villain, embracing dark magic—magic aligned with the belief in the now-sealed Evil God of Darkness.

This was a magic that was taboo, forbidden, and inherently corrupting in most teachings and practices.

It was a power that no one believed Dorothy would ever seek, let alone wield.

The question that haunted me was: why?

What could have driven someone like Dorothy, who had everything going for her, to embrace such a malevolent force?

Based on my personal interactions with Dorothy, and the limited knowledge I had from the game, there were no clear signs that she would take such a path.

She was always portrayed as kind-hearted, driven, and morally upright.

There was nothing in her character that hinted at a capacity for evil.

Even in the game's storylines, there were no clues that suggested she would one day fall to darkness. It made no sense—her descent into villainy was abrupt and without clear motivation.

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But there was one aspect of Dorothy's character that stood out—the very thing that had earned her the title of Fantastical Witch.

[The great wizard of Oz]

Dorothy's contracted familiar.

At the end of the harem end that bastard did show up standing side by side with the evil god Erebil, despite his contract seemingly ending, once Dorothy was out of the picture…

He wasn't exactly a final villain but....

'That bastard seemed to be the key to all of this….'

...

"Junior~!"

The familiar, melodic voice rang out, accompanied by that unmistakable, iconic laughter.

For a moment, I was utterly mesmerized, lost in the sight of her beauty as she descended gracefully from the air.

Her luscious pink hair cascaded around her like a waterfall of silk, temporarily obscuring my vision and leaving me in awe of the vision before me.

She landed neatly on the ground, her descent so fluid and controlled that it almost seemed like a dance. My heart skipped a beat, as it always did whenever I saw her.

There she was—Alice Holloway, my favorite character from the game and my overly joyous Senior.

She hurriedly approached me with that same heartwarming smile that I had grown so fond of, gently removing her witch hat as she drew closer.

Her eyes sparkled with the kind of warmth and enthusiasm that could light up even the darkest corners of the world.

"It's been a while, Senior" I greeted her, trying to keep my own excitement in check.

"Hehehe~ yes, it has! How have you been doing, Junior~?"

I couldn't help but smile at her reaction.

Her energy was infectious, and I found myself immediately at ease in her presence.

She quickly took the seat right in front of me, her bright demeanor as radiant as ever. It was like no time had passed since we last saw each other, despite the weeks that had gone by.

We were seated at the top of the open-air section on the second floor of the famous Panda Café, a popular spot within the academy.

The view was stunning, with the sprawling grounds of the academy stretching out beneath us, bathed in the soft afternoon light.

The café was bustling with students and staff, but somehow, in this moment, it felt like it was just the two of us.

"You could've just used the front door, you know, Senior"

"Hehe~ don't worry, I'm a regular here. The staff are used to it!" she replied with a carefree laugh, waving off my concern.

For some reason, I fully believed her.

The staff and servers around us seemed completely unbothered by her unconventional entrance, going about their business as if this was just another ordinary day.

Normally, most forms of transportation magic were strictly forbidden in the academy's commercial districts—things like teleportation and flight were considered too disruptive and potentially dangerous.

But with Alice, it was clear that the rules were more like guidelines, easily bent by her charm and the trust she had earned from everyone here.

As the days slipped by, the academy buzzed with activity, a palpable tension in the air as the looming election drew nearer.

The countdown had begun, and next week, everything would unfold just as I had predicted—or at least, that was the hope.

The events that were now in motion were the exact ones I had anticipated, aligning perfectly with the scenarios from the game.

A few days ago, the chapters [Act 2 Chapter 2: Wits and Plays] and [Act 2 Chapter 3: Joining Sides] quietly passed, each playing out in a more subdued manner than I had expected.

Snow, Rose, and Dorothy moved along their prescribed paths, each one acting in accordance with the roles they were destined to play in the story.

Their actions set the stage for the upcoming climax, guiding us toward the end of the second act, [Act 2 Chapter 4: President], which would commence with the election next week.

It was all building up to a pivotal moment—a full-blown battle of wits and strategy, where losses would be felt deeply, especially by Dorothy.

This was the point in the story where she would solidify her position as the mini-boss, the formidable opponent that had to be overcome before the story could advance to [Act 2 Chapter 5: Heroine].

In that chapter, one of the main heroines would tragically fall under the vengeful control of the final boss of the act, the great wizard of Oz—Dorothy's own familiar.

Things were moving at a strange pace—fast yet agonizingly slow at the same time.

The minor interferences on my side, combined with the subtle changes in the heroines' actions, had me on edge, thinking the story might spiral out of control.

But somehow, fate had a way of stabilizing the course, keeping the narrative on track.

Gilbert and Lucas played significant roles in bolstering Snow's standing in the presidential race.

Their support had been instrumental, tipping the scales in her favor.

Meanwhile, Dorothy, with Clara's calculated assistance, managed to overtake Rose's expected lead.

It was an unexpected development, but considering what Clara had hinted at during our last conversation, the twist in Dorothy's actions was bound to come into play soon.

The real question was when, and how drastically it would affect the outcome.

"It's very rare for you to suddenly call me out like this, junior~," Alice said, her voice tinged with uncharacteristic nervousness.

She kept glancing at me, only to quickly look away, as if something was making her unusually self-conscious.

Her fingers twirled the ends of her hair in a rare display of anxiety.

It was then that I noticed her outfit.

Today, she seemed more extravagant than usual, and the glass table in front of us did little to obscure the view.

The pinkish-white scarf she wore complemented her light pink hair, and the white dress paired with a blouse underneath gave her an air of elegance.

The slightly short skirt she had chosen revealed just enough to catch the eye without being overly revealing.

What really stood out was the black garter belt that contrasted sharply against the pale complexion of her legs, highlighting their graceful lines.

The ensemble was tasteful yet provocatively alluring, as if she had dressed with deliberate care, but for what purpose?

Was she trying to impress me? The thought crossed my mind as I observed her more closely.

The way she fidgeted, the way her eyes darted nervously around—this was a side of Alice I hadn't seen before. It was almost as if she was trying to make a statement, albeit in a subtle, non-verbal way.

"Junior… Please stop staring!" Alice's voice trembled slightly, a hint of embarrassment coloring her words.

"Ah, yes, please forgive my rudeness" I replied, quickly averting my gaze.

"I-it's fine to look, just not too much! Okay?"

'Which is it?' This was the first time Alice and I had met in a more personal setting since the incident with the other girls a few weeks ago.

Sure, we'd crossed paths and exchanged words here and there, but those interactions were fleeting, nothing of significance—more like brief encounters where we were both focused on our own responsibilities.

The dynamic between us had shifted, and it seemed neither of us knew exactly how to navigate it.

Alice had already apologized for everything that happened that day, going so far as to make Cheshire, her ever-loyal companion, lick my feet in an over-the-top gesture of forgiveness.

It had been bizarre, even by Alice's eccentric standards, but perhaps fitting for someone as unpredictable as her.

Cheshire, ever the mischievous cat, had deserved some reprimand, though the punishment had been more amusing than effective.

There was no bad blood between us, nothing lingering from the past events.

Yet, being suddenly called out like this by me must've felt out of place for Alice, almost as if she was trying to make up for lost time—or maybe there was something more she wasn't saying.

The air between us was thick with an awkward tension that neither of us was used to, and I felt the need to lighten the mood.

"Senior, you look strikingly beautiful today," I said, hoping a compliment would ease the tension between us.

Alice's cheeks flushed, and she looked away, clearly flustered by my words.

"I-Is that so? Hee~ c-complimenting your senior like this won't get you any bonus points from me, you know?" Her attempt at a playful retort was endearing, but the stammer in her voice gave away her true feelings.

I chuckled inwardly, amused by her reaction.

'Bonus points huh?'

What kind of points was she even talking about? It wasn't like Alice could actually give me any academic credit, yet here we were, playing this strange game of flattery and modesty.

"S-so why did you suddenly ask me out like this, Junior? I-I'll have you know my schedule is very busy, you know~" Alice stammered, clearly flustered as she tried to shift the conversation away from the tension in the air.

Her cheeks were still flushed, a soft pink that only highlighted her nervousness.

Attempting to regain control of the situation, she suddenly clapped her hands together, the sound sharp enough to grab my attention as she signaled for the nearby waitress.

But a busy schedule?

That was a transparent lie.

With the former student council disbanded, Alice's calendar was virtually empty.

The only real commitment she had now was her occasional visits to the fantastical world of the White Queen, where she dealt with whatever chaos was brewing there.

I knew practically everything about her schedule, down to the times when the White Queen's forces were at their weakest and least likely to cause trouble.

Over the next few weeks, those interferences would be minimal, leaving Alice with plenty of free time.

It was almost amusing, her awkward attempts to cover up her shyness with the excuse of a packed schedule. I had to fight back the urge to chuckle at her transparent ruse.

"Well, I had something I wished to discuss with you, Senior," I replied, deciding to play along for now.

"Discuss?" Alice echoed, her curiosity piqued as she leaned in slightly.

"Yes… and maybe ask you for a little favor," I continued, watching her reaction carefully.

Alice's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of suspicion crossing her features as she studied me.

But after a moment, her expression softened, and she tilted her head to the side in that familiar, endearing way of hers.

"I don't know what sort of favor Junior is asking of me, but as your wonderful Senior, I'll gladly fulfill it to the best of my abilities!" she declared proudly, placing her right hand over her chest as if taking an oath.

I smiled at her cute reaction; I don't know how much Alice would be willing to reveal but as the closest character to Dorothy here she was the best bet I could have.

"Can you please tell me everything you know about President Dorothy, Senior?"

As soon as the words left my mouth, I noticed a drastic change in Alice's demeanor.

Her golden eyes, usually so bright and full of warmth, darkened with a seriousness I rarely saw from her.

The light-hearted atmosphere we had just moments ago evaporated, replaced by a palpable tension.

'Did I say something wrong?'