How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 176: President 7.5 ”I get it already, so can you two shut up now?” Dorothy huffed, her cheeks puffing in that familiar way. ”No way!” Amy shot back with a grin. ”Weʼll make sure you fully understand just how much pain and suffering we went through because of you!” Celine added dramatically, waving her hands in the air as if recounting a tragic tale of woe.

Dorothy let out a long, exasperated sigh, rubbing her temples as the teasing intensified. ”Yeah, yeah... haah...”

At first, Dorothy had genuinely thought Amy and Celine were angry with her.

The constant reminders of how hard she had pushed them during their student council days made her feel a pang of guilt.

But as the conversation continued and their teasing grew more playful, she realized they werenʼt actually mad-they were just having fun at her expense.

Her shoulders relaxed as relief washed over her.

They werenʼt holding any real grudges; they were simply enjoying themselves, poking fun at the ”tyrant” they used to serve under.

It was a reminder of the bond they had formed through all those long hours and sleepless nights.

Despite all the complaining, the teasing, and the exaggeration of how much they had suffered, there was an undeniable sense of camaraderie between the three.

They had gone through a lot together, and while their time in the student council had been exhausting, it had also forged a lasting friendship.

As the conversation quieted down, Dorothy glanced around the office.

The memories of their shared struggles and triumphs came flooding back, and she couldnʼt help but feel a sense of nostalgia.

This room had seen countless late nights, stressful deadlines, and moments of pure chaos- but it had also been the place where they had grown as a team. ”Is this all we have to deliver?” Amy, finally done having her fun, shifted the topic as she finished sorting out the piles of papers and documents on the table she had been cleaning. Celine, who had also completed her task, nodded. ”Yes, thatʼs everything.”

Dorothy smiled gently, grateful for their help. ”Thank you, both of you. Even though you didnʼt have to, you came all this way to help me out.” ”Just let it be, hehe~,” Celine responded casually, waving her hand. ”This is basically our final send-off to the office anyway. Might as well help sort things out for the next generation of officers before they take over.”

Amy raised an eyebrow. ”Did you forget thereʼs still a chance for us to be here again, Celine?” ”Oh, thatʼs right...” Celine sighed, the realization hitting her.

Dorothy, sensing their concern, quickly chimed in to ease the tension. ”If youʼre worried about me winning this year, you donʼt have to be.”

She spoke with a reassuring tone, but there was a subtle undertone of resignation in her voice. ”Although my supporters did increase, thanks to Claraʼs sudden backing, it doesnʼt really mean anything.”

Amy furrowed her brows, tilting her head in confusion. ”What do you mean?” she asked, with Celine mimicking her confused expression.

They both considered Dorothyʼs run for president as something serious, especially knowing how dedicated she was when it came to anything related to the council.

Dorothy took a deep breath, looking at both of them with a thoughtful gaze. ”While Claraʼs support has definitely given me a boost, it doesnʼt change the bigger picture. Princess Snow has been gathering support since last semester, and her influence is much stronger than mine. In the end, this election isnʼt just about who has more backing-itʼs about the image people have of me.”

Celine, crossing her arms, frowned. ”But you were a great president, werenʼt you? Why wouldnʼt people support you again?” ”Hm~ you donʼt really have to think too much about it. Just know that I have no intention of winning in the first place... by the time this is all over, Iʼll be gone anyway~,” Dorothy said with a casual, almost whimsical tone, her eyes gleaming with a mysterious edge. ”Huh?” Amy blinked in surprise, the confusion clear in her voice. ”What are you talking about all of a sudden, Pres?” ”Yeah, whereʼs this coming from?” Celine chimed in, her casual demeanor shifting to concern.

Dorothy smiled softly, but there was something off about it-something distant, like she was already preparing to let go. ”Thatʼs why this is goodbye, okay? Thanks for being my friends all this time. I really enjoyed it here-it was fun~!”

Before either of them could respond, a dark shadow fell over their eyes. The light within them vanished, replaced by an eerie, hollow darkness.

Dark purplish runes began to materialize, floating up from their foreheads, casting an otherworldly glow.

The ancient, arcane symbols of Claza and Ramal ignited with sinister energy, pulsing with the mana of darkness.

As the runes flared to life, Amy and Celineʼs expressions turned blank, their bodies stiffening as if they were puppets cut from their strings.

Slowly, they turned, their movements mechanical and unnatural, like sleepwalkers trapped in a nightmare.

Dorothyʼs gaze lingered on them for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she turned away.

She didnʼt flinch or look back as the two girls, their consciousness snuffed out by the dark magic, silently began to walk out of the room.

Their steps echoed in the empty halls, the dim glow of the runes fading as they moved further away, their hazy eyes staring into nothingness.

Their minds were no longer their own. They had only one thought left: to return to their dorms.

Dorothy stood there in the quiet aftermath.

Her soft smile remained, but the warmth was gone, replaced by a chilling emptiness. ”It was really fun while it lasted...” ”Are you sure letting the two of them go was the right choice?” A tiny, mysterious man, no larger than the size of a palm, spoke up, his voice carrying both disappointment and worry. Dressed sharply in a miniature suit, he puffed smoke from his small pipe, his dark, beady eyes locked onto Dorothy with concern. ”Thereʼs still a bit of time before you let everything go, right?” he asked, exhaling a cloud of smoke that quickly dissipated in the air.

Dorothy, leaning casually against the now-emptied table, gave him a soft, almost melancholic smile. ”You know runes donʼt last forever without their masterʼs mana.

Itʼs better to let go of them now, before needless worries arise.

Sending them off genuinely now is better than dragging this out~” she replied, her tone unusually gentle for someone in her position.

The tiny man, known as Oz, narrowed his eyes slightly. ”Youʼre too kind for your own good,

Dorothy.”

Dorothy let out a soft chuckle, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. ”Hey, I wasnʼt born evil, you know?”

Oz gave a dry laugh, smoke curling from his lips. ”But you do have quite the knack for it... The amount of darkness you can swallow is practically an endless pit. Even the spirits of darkness would pale in comparison to someone like you.” ”You say that like itʼs some kind of superpower,” Dorothy teased, her smile widening slightly. ”Anyway, is everything prepared on your end, Oz?”

The small figure floated lazily in the air as he blew another puff from his pipe. ”Yes, just as you ordered. Susan and Theo are handling their parts perfectly. Though, I doubt theyʼll be too happy once they figure out what youʼre really up to.”

Dorothyʼs eyes darkened slightly at the mention of the two names. ”Just let it be. They need to figure things out for themselves eventually. Theyʼve been leaning on me for too long.”

Oz tilted his head, his gaze scrutinizing her closely. ”Youʼre really set on this, huh? Letting go of everyone, even though you know what itʼll mean for you?”

Dorothyʼs smile faded, and she looked away, her fingers gently tracing the edge of the table. ”Itʼs not about what it means for me, Oz. Itʼs about what it means for them. If I keep holding on, theyʼll never grow. Itʼs better to leave things this way.”

Oz watched her in silence for a moment, before shaking his head. ”Youʼre too kind... but maybe thatʼs why they followed you in the first place.”

Dorothy let out a long sigh, her eyes softening. ”Maybe. But kindness has a price, and Iʼm willing to pay it.”

Oz floated in silence for a moment, as if contemplating her words. ”Well, if youʼre set on this path, then I guess thereʼs no stopping you. But remember, Dorothy... the darkness youʼve embraced wonʼt be so easy to let go of.”

Dorothy didnʼt respond, her gaze distant as she stared out the window, watching the fading light of the day. ”I know,” she whispered, more to herself than to Oz. ”Once everything is finished, my promise to Mother will finally be over,” Dorothy said, her voice carrying a lightness that didnʼt quite reach her eyes. ”

And you can finally take the reward of our contract. Itʼs a win-win situation for you, right?”

She turned her gaze toward Oz, a faint smile playing on her lips. ”So why are you acting sad all of a sudden? Did you develop feelings for your dear olʼ master, perhaps?”

Oz smirked, but his eyes held an unusual seriousness. ”Who knows- Maybe I just find your situation... pathetic?”

Dorothy let out a soft, hollow laugh. ”Fufu- Maybe it actually is.”

The air between them grew heavier for a moment, and Ozʼs small figure floated closer to

Dorothy, puffing on his pipe. ”Well, if this is really how you want to end things, then so be it. Iʼll just do my part of our contract until the very end, master. But... are you sure you donʼt want me to kill that bastard first before letting everything go?”

Dorothyʼs smile faded as she shook her head, her tone resolute. ”No, that wonʼt be necessary. Besides, it would only cause more trouble for the people who actually love him.”

Oz raised an eyebrow, flicking ash from his pipe. ”If you say so... Iʼm gonna go now. Just make sure to proceed as planned, and donʼt forget to remind Cheshire before you go. We canʼt have that cat holding a grudge on us.” ”Okay,” Dorothy responded, her voice barely above a whisper as she nodded. She watched Oz vanish, leaving her alone in the dimly lit room.

With a soft sigh, Dorothy lowered herself into the seat of the student council president-her seat, though it wouldnʼt be hers much longer.

As she leaned back, her fingers tracing the familiar edges of the desk, Dorothyʼs thoughts drifted to her younger sister. ”I hope my dear sister wonʼt be too bothered by all the heavy things Iʼll throw her way.” A pang of guilt tugged at her chest, but it was quickly smothered by the cold logic of her decisions.

She knew that the path she had chosen was a difficult one, but it was necessary. For her sister, for her friends, and even for herself.

Yet, sitting in the presidentʼs chair, surrounded by memories of her time in this office, she couldnʼt shake the lingering sadness that clung to her like a shadow.

Her lips curled into a bittersweet smile. ”Well... this is goodbye, after all.”

Life wasnʼt no fairytale, there was no hero who could possibly save her in this story.

In the now empty office of the student council room, a lone young woman closed her eyes as she accepted everything the world has placed down upon her.