How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 91: Hidden Brilliance 2

Seoʼs eyes narrowed; her usual calm demeanor was replaced with palpable tension. The atmosphere in the classroom grew heavy as Rose approached us, her every step exuding confidence. ”Hello, Riley,” Rose said, her voice like a melodious chime. ”I hope Iʼm not intruding.” ”Not at all...” I replied, trying to keep my composure. ”What brings you here?”

Rose smiled at my question. ”I was in the area and thought Iʼd drop by to see how youʼre doing,” she said, her eyes flickering to Seo for a moment before returning to me. ”And maybe join you for lunch?” ”Riley and I already have plans...” Seo interjected, looking at Rose with a subtle bloodlust underneath her gaze. ”Is that so?” Rose said casually, ignoring Seoʼs apparent hostility before looking at me again. ”Well, do you mind if I join?” ”Yes.” Seo said firmly. ”I wasnʼt asking you, Miss Seo...” Rose retorted, her tone cool and unbothered. 11

Whatʼs up with this strange atmosphere right now?

Why is it so cold, and why do I feel like Iʼm about to lose my head? ʼDid something happen between these two?ʼ ”I actually visited yesterday as well, but unfortunately, you were on sick leave, Riley. Iʼm glad youʼre doing okay now~” Rose said, ignoring Seo once more. ”I see... thank you,” I replied, trying to keep the conversation neutral.

That explains why I could hear some people in the background saying things like ʼSheʼs here again.ʼ or ʼDidnʼt she come by yesterday?ʼ

It was clear from everyoneʼs gazes that there was one question that was on everyoneʼs mind right now. ʼWhatʼs he done to attract their attention?ʼ

It wasnʼt unusual to see students from other departments visiting ours, especially from the magic department.

After all, knights and tanks are essential in battle, and collaboration is common, between the two departments.

But seeing Rose, the lone wolf of the magic department and the genius of the century, visiting our classroom for a specific someone?

That was something people wouldnʼt expect. ʼShit...ʼ

Iʼve already garnered enough attention from Snow last time, and I donʼt even know how much rumors spread with my interaction with Rose back at the cafeteria, and now this....

Iʼve practically sealed myself in a whole bunch of scandals. ”So Riley, do you mind if I join you two for lunch?” Rose asked once more, her voice sweet but insistent.

I was about to say, ”No, I donʼt mind,” right away to appease and get out of this awkward situation, but Seoʼs hand gripped my left hand, tugging firmly.

Judging from the bone-breaking grip she had on me, it was clear that she didnʼt like Rose at all.

Now I was stuck in a situation where any form of escape was out. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my temple as I weighed my options.

Seoʼs grip on my hand tightened even more, her eyes silently urging me to refuse.

Rose, on the other hand, stood with an expectant smile, seemingly unaware of the tension- or perhaps she enjoyed it. ”I...” I started, trying to think of a way to diffuse the situation. ”I suppose itʼs fine, but we should probably get going. The commercial district might get crowded soon.”

Seoʼs eyes narrowed slightly, but she didnʼt protest verbally.

Roseʼs smile widened, and she clapped her hands together. ”Wonderful! Letʼs go then, shall we?” Rose said, gesturing grandly.

Standing up, Seo immediately grabbed onto my side, her hand firmly clasping my left hand while she shot a look at Rose that clearly said, ”Go away.”

Rose didnʼt react overtly, but the gleam in her bright golden eyes darkened slightly, paired with a mysterious, calm smile.

The tension between them was palpable, and I could feel it rising like a storm.

I let out a small chuckle to break the ice and grab their attention. ”Alright, letʼs get going,” I said, leading the three of us outside.

As we walked out the front door, I noticed just how many people were tuning in to our little drama.

The academyʼs noble children seemed to thrive on gossip, their eyes filled with curiosity, envy, and a mix of other emotions.

I could hear whispers and see pointing fingers, but I tried to ignore them. However, amidst the cacophony of murmurs, I sensed a faint but distinct bloodlust.

At first, I thought it was just Seo and Rose eyeing each other, but this was clearly from someone else.

I looked around, scanning the faces of my peers to identify the source.

To my surprise, my eyes landed on the most unexpected person.

Theo?

Theo, usually composed and indifferent, stood among the crowd.

Although the sensation disappeared like a flicker in the wind, I was sure that feeling of bloodlust originated from him.

Our eyes met briefly, and he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable. ... [Killian Hall] [Private Dorms, Training Hall]

In a dimly lit room within Killian Hall, two students sat parallel to one another, sorting through papers and documents of utmost importance.

The table between them was strewn with a myriad of names, pictures, and detailed descriptions of students within the academy walls.

Susan couldnʼt help but notice her partnerʼs annoyed expression and found his reaction amusing. She decided to break the silence with a playful comment. ”Now he even has the golden childʼs attention. Just how strong is that guyʼs charm?” she mused, her eyes flicking to a picture of Riley amidst the documents. ”Well- I canʼt really blame her, though. If I were in Lady Roseʼs shoes, Iʼd also be interested in him.”

She chuckled lightly, watching Theoʼs reaction closely. Although he tried to mask it, Susan could clearly see that he was deeply bothered by the scene they had witnessed earlier. ”Are you going to do anything about it, Theo?” she asked, her tone teasing yet curious.

Theo glanced at Susan, his eyes cold and calculating behind his glasses. He took a moment to readjust them before replying tersely, ”Just shut up and do your job, Susan.”

Susan smirked but didnʼt push further. Instead, she returned to sorting through the documents, her mind wandering back to the events of the day.

Theo, on the other hand, was struggling to maintain his composure.

The image of Riley, Seo, and Rose together gnawed at him.

He clenched his jaw, trying to push the thoughts aside and focus on the task at hand.

Seeing this, Susan couldnʼt help herself and decided to tease him a little more. ”Are you sure you wonʼt do anything about it? Heʼs taking away your betrothed, you know?”

Theo glared at her, his anger intensifying. ”Oh, thatʼs right, sheʼs your ex-fiancée now?” Susan said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. ”Iʼm so sorry, did I open up old wounds perhaps?” She giggled, watching Theoʼs hand tremble as he nearly crushed the metallic pen he was holding. ”Susan...” he growled. ”Hm~?” she responded, feigning innocence. ”If you say one more word about it, Iʼll kill you myself.” ”Sure, sure, Iʼm sure you can do that. Iʼll even cheer you on!” Susan chuckled subtly, clearly enjoying Theoʼs frustration.

Theo clenched his fist, trying to calm himself. He knew all too well how obnoxious Susan could be. ”You really are no fun, Theo. Are you just going to let another man take Rose away from you?” || || ”If youʼre going to act unbothered, you should really hide that blood lust of yours, you know? Even Riley noticed right away.” ”And if youʼre mad, at least try to stand your ground. Why the heck did you chicken out the moment he stared back at you? Hahaha.”

Theoʼs anger flared, but he took a deep breath, attempting to control his emotions. He couldnʼt afford to lose his temper, especially not with Susanʼs taunting making things worse. ”If you want, I can request the master to send the twins after him for you~” ”You donʼt understand anything, Susan...” Theo said through gritted teeth, his frustration evident. ”I think I understand everything pretty well, though-?” Susan replied with a teasing smile. ”Just shut up! And do your job. The masterʼs waiting,” Theo snapped, trying to regain his composure.

As someone who used to be betrothed to Rose, Theo knew just how spoiled and dangerous that woman could be.

She was the type to play with and have fun with anything that amused her, and he was sure

Riley was one of those same cases.

Once she was done with him, she would throw him out immediately, just like she had done to him in the past. ʼRiley is just the same as me.... Thatʼs right heʼs just another toy, Iʼm sure of itʼ ʼOnce sheʼs done with him....ʼ ʼIʼll make sure to make her mine thenʼ

Susan smiled, seeing Theo trying to change the subject once more.

Since she had already had her share of fun teasing him, she decided to let him off the hook for now.

After all, she could probably tease him more later. ”Sure-,” she said, getting back to her work. She promptly sorted out all the documents they were handling. ”By the way, Theo, have you heard anything from the twins yet?” ”No... didnʼt you send them to hunt that Henry bastard?” ”I did, but itʼs been three days since Iʼve gotten anything back from them. Usually, theyʼd be done in a day or two. Theyʼre even absent in class as well. Did something bad happen, perhaps?”

Theo frowned; concern clear on his face. ”Thatʼs unusual. Theyʼre normally very efficient. We need to find out whatʼs going on.”

Susan nodded in agreement, her usual playful demeanor giving way to seriousness. ”Iʼll reach out to our contacts and see if anyone has seen or heard from them.” ...

Why the heck did Theo show me that much animosity? ʼTheo Lightwayʼ

In the game, he wasnʼt exactly an important character. He wasnʼt even a side character to begin with.

He was just like me, a disposable character.

If I remember correctly, he dies in one of Roseʼs many arcs, and he didnʼt even die in a significant way.

He just died randomly in one of the many missions with Rose where he accidentally got hit by one of her spells. There were also a couple of instances where he probably died in the main scenario as well.

Although he did have a certain connection with Susan, the best informant side character in the game, so in reality, heʼs probably part of a bigger picture in this world...

But why is he mad at me, though? Although he was trying to hide it, due to my acute senses now, I could clearly tell back then when our eyes met that he wanted to rip my face off. ʼI should try and see what I wrote about him in my diary later. Maybe thereʼs something more about him than meets the eye.ʼ ”Weʼre here...” Seoʼs words jolted me back to reality.

I looked ahead, surprised by the destination Seo had suggested for the three of us to have lunch. ”Ramen... Senhi?” Rose mumbled, squinting to read the characters above the place.

It was clear this was an Eastern-inspired restaurant.

Since Seo was from the East, it wasnʼt that surprising, but to take us to this place... Was she mad?

This place only sells spicy ramen... ʼDoes she want to kill Rose?ʼ