How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 368: White preparations...

”I was hoping I’d at least see you soon… No, maybe I wasn’t hoping for that, but anyway, isn’t this rather too soon?”

Principal Leilah’s voice carried an air of amusement, but her sharp gaze betrayed her curiosity—and suspicion.

”Well, circumstances led from one thing to another,” I replied with a shrug.

”Is that so?”

Right now, I was back inside the principal’s office, facing the ever-perceptive Leilah.

She was back in her disguised form as her hair was brown now.

Her deep blue eyes, filled with a mix of calculation and intrigue, studied me with an almost unspoken question.

I couldn’t blame her. It hadn’t been that long since we’d come to a tentative understanding—to trust each other, at least to some extent.

But seeing me here so suddenly?

That was bound to set off alarms in her head.

Especially since, from her perspective, I was undoubtedly tangled up in every suspicious incident happening within the academy.

The moment she heard I was coming; I wouldn’t be surprised if she had braced herself for another unforeseen mess.

”You don’t have to worry too much about my visit, Principal,” I assured her, keeping my tone light. ”I can guarantee it has nothing to do with the hidden problem the academy is facing.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly, as if gauging whether to believe me. A moment passed before she gave a small nod.

”…That’s a relief.”

Still skeptical, but at least she wasn’t pressing further—yet.

”So, why are you here?” she finally asked.

I leaned back slightly in my seat, meeting her gaze. ”You remember the reward I asked for, the favor remember?”

”The favor?” she echoed, tilting her head. Then, realization dawned on her expression. ”Ah, you mean instead of claiming the academic benefits you should have received for subjugating that dungeon so early?”

Bingo.

”Yeah, that one.”

Her eyes flickered with interest. ”…I see. And you’re here to collect on it?”

I nodded.

For a moment, she simply observed me, as if trying to predict what exactly I was going to ask for.

”Yes, that favor. I want to take it now.”

As I approached her desk, I pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper and placed it in front of her. Principal Leilah arched an eyebrow before unfolding it.

Her eyes scanned the name written on it, and she mumbled, ”Evelyn Shoreline?”

”Yes,” I confirmed. ”I want you to create an official student identity for that person.”

There was a brief pause. Then—

”Huh?”

She looked up at me, utterly dumbfounded, as if I had just asked her to rewrite the academy’s history or declare me the headmaster.

”Ahn, since she looks and acts exactly like me, you can base her official documents on mine if you want,” I added nonchalantly. ”Just make sure she’s officially enrolled in the magic department among the second years…”

I trailed off, watching as Principal Leilah’s expression contorted between disbelief, confusion, and something dangerously close to frustration.

Her fingers tapped against the desk as she continued staring at me like I had grown a second head.

”…Are you being serious right now?”

”Completely.”

She blinked once. Then twice.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Finally, with a deep sigh, she leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temple as if to soothe an incoming headache.

”You do realize what you’re asking for, don’t you?”

”I do,” I replied smoothly. ”And that’s why I’m using my favor for it.”

She looked at me as if I was the most absurd person in the world.

...

The evening arrived sooner than expected, and I found myself walking through the grand halls of Heavenly Hall, making my way toward the student council office.

The warm glow of enchanted lanterns lined the corridors, casting elongated shadows that danced along the marble floors.

With the matter concerning the principal settled, things should proceed smoothly from now on.

Even if Evelyn was wandering around the academy freely, I was relieved she wasn’t bombarding me with too many questions.

After all, I had only explained the essentials to her—just enough to keep her from asking anything unnecessary.

Maybe I should have been a bit more honest. Maybe I should have told the principal that Evelyn was my clone rather than some random long-lost cousin I was secretly working with.

But telling her the truth would only invite more complications and scrutiny.

Questions about the nature of Evelyn’s existence, the method of her creation, and whether she posed a potential danger would all inevitably arise.

And frankly, I didn’t have the patience for that.

Besides, in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t really matter.

I had no intention of making Evelyn attend actual classes.

Her identity as a student was merely a tool—her enrollment would grant her access to official academy resources and prevent unnecessary interference from academic staff. That alone was enough.

More importantly, she was the key player in ensuring that Lucas and the Saintess stayed on the right path—guiding them toward safely defeating the Archdemon that was on the verge of being summoned within the academy.

That was the real reason for all of this.

If everything went as planned, quietly dealing with the cultist pests lurking in the academy shouldn’t be much of a challenge, especially with me around them now.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I continued down the hall, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors.

By now, Evelyn should be steadily guiding Lucas and the Saintess through their first encounter.

I wasn’t sure exactly how she’d handle it—whether she’d take a direct approach or subtly nudge them in the right direction—but since she seemed confident and possessed my memories, I could trust her to take care of it.

With that settled, my focus shifted to Lucas. I had already finished assessing his current state and potential for growth.

Given his current trajectory, once the Archdemon was defeated, he would likely break through the level cap imposed on ordinary people in this world.

That moment was drawing closer.

Soon, I’d have to leave this place and assist Senior with her matters.

That meant I needed to start spending more time with the girls before my departure.

I couldn’t just disappear without a proper excuse—without at least some groundwork laid out.

Knock…!

I arrived at the top floor of the hall, standing before the ever-familiar student council office.

The polished mahogany doors loomed in front of me, their intricate golden engravings reflecting the dim corridor lights.

Even though I wasn’t a council member anymore, Snow had sneakily given me an official council brooch, granting me unrestricted access to the office.

I could technically walk in freely, but something about using it openly—especially for an unofficial visit—felt odd.

Well… no use overthinking it now.

As the door opened, I was surprised to see a familiar face inside.

”Hm? Riley?”

It was Amy.

It had been a long time since I last saw her.

Snow had mentioned that she had brought back some of the previous student council members from Senior Dorothy’s time, but I hadn’t expected Amy to return here—especially with all the memories she had tied to this place.

Given her history with Dorothy, I thought she would’ve stayed away.

I guess she’s acting as Snow’s secretary, just like before, huh?

”Please, come in.”

I nodded and stepped inside.

”What brings you here? Ah, are you here for the Prin— I mean, the President?”

”Yes.”

”I see… So, the rumors about you two dating were true, huh?”

I didn’t reply.

Since it was true, there was no point in confirming or denying it.

Letting the rumors flow as they were should be fine for now.

I had a feeling that giving any sort of comment here would only spark controversies or scandals—things I had no intention of dealing with.

I trusted Amy wasn’t the type to blabber, but information always had a way of slipping out.

I shifted my gaze around the room.

This place sure hadn’t changed since the last time I was here.

Everything remained practically the same—ornate, grand, with a slight modern cleanliness to it—but this time, it seemed even more well-organized.

The documents on the desk were neatly stacked, the bookshelves arranged with precision, and the faint scent of fresh ink lingered in the air.

The only difference was the atmosphere.

Before, there had always been an undercurrent of tension—especially during Dorothy’s time. Now, the air felt more composed, as if everything ran with quiet efficiency.

Looks like Snow is managing things well.

Still, stepping into this place again brought a strange sense of nostalgia.

Maybe I should consider joining the student council...

There were still open slots, and given the circumstances, it might not be a bad idea.

Technically, Snow and Alice would spend most of their time here, so this place could serve as a private space for us to be together more often.

Rose, being a former member, was already well-acquainted with this place.

If she joined again, I doubted she would have any problems fitting back in—her managerial and assisting skills were top-notch, after all.

The council would probably appreciate her involvement without question.

On paper, it was a solid plan.

But… something about it felt off.

It almost felt wrong to use the council as an excuse just to spend more time flirting with my lovers. Love and work should be separate matters, after all.

We continued walking, and before long, we reached the inner office.

There, at her desk, sat my beautiful fiancée.

Snow was completely engrossed in her work, so much so that she didn’t even notice my presence.

Her delicate hands moved with effortless precision, writing and signing documents in a steady rhythm.

The soft glow of the evening filtered through the window, casting a warm light over her, enhancing her already ethereal beauty.

It was mesmerizing—the way the golden hues of twilight blended seamlessly with her pure white hair, creating a contrast so striking it was almost otherworldly.

Her blue eyes, though locked onto the papers before her, gleamed subtly beneath the dimming sunlight.

For a brief moment, I simply stood there, watching her.

Even when she was just sitting there, lost in paperwork, she still looked like a goddess.