Avoiding Death in an Otome Game

Chapter 42: Chapter- 42: New Groups

A few weeks later.

The past few weeks were peaceful, unnaturally peaceful in fact.

Nothing significant happened in that time except for my birthday, which also passed peacefully. I received letters from my parents because they were unable to come to the capital. Though their gift is pending until the vacations.

And about the ’game plot’. Some of the side events had no chance to occur because of the changes in the relationship chart I caused.

But not all were affected by it, like this one.

”Good morning all the students.....”

Vice Principal Janet Cupin addressed the students from an elevated podium. Right now we are gathered in the academy hall. And by ’We’ I mean the whole first year.

Actually we are called here for the announcement of our upcoming test, which was also an important event in the game.

The test is a treasure hunt or should I say emblem hunt as it involves finding emblems hidden by teachers in the Viridian forest.

It’s the nearest forest to the capital and often used as a training and testing ground by the academy.

”Why do they have to do it now?”

Ian said in a complaining tone while we were returning to the classes, as he points outside the academy building where we can see visible rain.

”Couldn’t the academy wait at least until the winter?”

I understand what he means. Our task is inside a forest and the rainy season just made it harder and more troublesome for us.

”Maybe it’s part of the test”

I told him but it doesn’t seem to alleviate his disappointment.

”Easier to say for someone favored by this weather. Now I will be relying on you in this test.”

Ian said as he put his hands in his pocket, like giving up on doing anything himself. Well it’s true that the rain increases the potency of water magic.

”But why did they change the grouping rules?”

Elena complained from my other side. On her left, Lily also wore a disappointed expression.

Actually something unexpected happened with the rules. Originally for this test, the students were supposed to be divided into several small groups, with students given freedom to form the groups.

Just a group can’t be smaller than 4 members or bigger than 6 members. Which was the standard rule, used every year. And even in the game it was the same.

The Heroine Hina Blessen, being among the top students is supposed to be invited by Luna Layton in her group, or more like Prince Lucian’s group which already has four members, Lucian, Ray, Luna and the villainess Elena.

In the game, the group of these five encounters a danger in the forest when they are attacked by a group of giant blackskin earthworms.

Being an early game event, the heroine wasn’t very strong and her abilities were mostly balanced between combat and support. And Lucian being a prodigy, protected her.

This event acts as a plot device to bring the heroine and the main capture target closer, while it also makes the villainess who sees all this grow a seed of doubt about her fiance and heroine’s relationship.

”The changes in the rules were really surprising.”

I replied as I contemplated over the changes in the event that can be caused by this new rule ’Grouping by gender’.

Today the vice principal announced this new rule according to which, the boys and the girls can’t be in the same group.

”Elena, be careful during the test. Forest is dangerous and teachers might not be able to watch after every group.”

I said that as this was the reason the heroine’s group encountered those monsters. A few such creatures also attacked other groups and teachers were busy saving them.

Although in the game the heroine’s group handled the creatures and came out uninjured. But the changes in the rules are intensifying my worries.

”Yes I will be careful. But I don’t think the first year test will be anything that we can’t handle”

Elena replied confidently. The word fear doesn’t seem to exist in her dictionary.

”I know you are very strong, but I am having a bad feeling about the test, so just to be sure.”

I replied in a serious tone. Because of this new rule, we can’t be in the same group, and if any unforeseen danger arises then we will have to handle it ourselves.

Elena seems to be surprised by my sudden serious tone, but instead of displeasure her expression changes one of a delight.

”I understand. I will be completely careful”

She replied with a smile that looks anything but cautious.

*Is she feeling happy because I am worried about her? It’s really hard to understand female behavior*

I let out an internal sigh.

*At least she is strong enough to handle herself*

.....

”Elena, Lily, wait there!”

After the classes ended, we were about to exit the classroom when we were or more specifically Elena and Lily were called out by a female voice.

And we recognize without looking back, as there’s only one girl in our class who acts like this and doesn’t add any honorifics when addressing Elena.

”Ah. Luna? What happened?”

Luna accompanied by Ray, Lucian and Hina approaches us. And this seems to attract the attention of several other students as some of them also stopped in their tracks to eavesdrop.

But Luna, who seems oblivious of them directly hit the topic.

”It’s about the upcoming test. The new rules state that girls and boys will have to form teams separately so I thought four of us girls could form a team.”

Hearing this all the nearby students especially the female ones looked back with expectant eyes.

After all the rules allow them to have 6 members and even if four of them form a team then there will still be places remaining for two members.

After all, both house Mizo and Layton have quite a reputation among the nobles, and everyone is already aware of how strong Elena is.

Besides Hina’s closeness with prince Lucian isn’t hidden from anyone which makes her both a target of jealousy as well as a way to get close to the royal family.

”I also asked, princess Kajol but she already has a team”

Now she mentioned it, princess kajol already left the class with her two friends.

That’s actually unexpected. By how she had been behaving, it seemed like she wanted to get close to Hina and others but now she suddenly left the chance?

”Maybe she is disappointed because she can’t be in your group”

Ian whispered to me in a teasing tone.

”Mind your words”

I replied to Ian in a really low voice that only he could hear. Luckily Elena didn’t hear any of this.

Actually the problem is that Kajol Karnis, the X factor in this story seems to be abnormally interested in me.

*She was supposed to be Lucian’s marriage candidate, why am I getting dragged into this?*

Talking about the guy, I already know what’s going to happen next.

”How about we also form a team? We might be the strongest group, right Lucian?”

Ray approached Ian and me while casually addressing a prince by his name as usual.

”I agree with Ray, what do you think?”

Lucian said in a friendly tone. Studying in the same class, we had usual interactions before. Infact Ray and Ian are good friends, and being a son of a marquise I also have to stay in the social circle.

Now that the topic has come. Ian seems to somehow know everyone in the first year or probably also those in the senior years. He is not inferior to Luna when it comes to social circles.

”I am good with it. What do you say?”

Ian asked me like I still have a choice. If everyone agrees and only I reject the offer of a prince, what will happen to my social standing?

[He has no plan of giving up his noble title and inheritance. You can’t be born as a noble in every life.]

”Of course, it’s a pleasure.” I replied and I noticed that my tone subconsciously turned formal despite others talking casually.

It’s really hard to adjust tone while interacting with royalties. You can’t be rude, but acting too formal when the other party is acting casual doesn’t seem good either.

”No no! We can’t accept remaining members suddenly. Let us think about it.”

We heard Luna’s voice. Only then did I notice that there were a few girls around their group, who were trying to pursue Luna to let them be in their team.

It seems like Elena and Lily have already agreed so they have four members now and only two remaining, while there seems to be several candidates.

*She’s handling them surprisingly well*

”Hey Ian. It seems you still have a place in your team.”

I hear a voice from my side and know without looking that some students have approached Ian.

*I guess being too social comes with its own troubles*

I let out a chuckle as I watch them handle the line of candidates that seems to keep increasing.