How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 5: My favorite!

As the scholars from Arkein City began their slow ascent onto the vessel, I settled into my plush, bed-like seat, buzzing with anticipation. My eyes remained glued to the porthole, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of my favorite character walking up the floating ramps outside.

There were four sets of stairs on either side of the ship, meaning there was only a 25% chance she would use the one I was watching. Still, a man can dream, can't he?

All around the cabin, students of various years were murmuring and catching up with friends. Just like the descriptions in the game, the passenger manifest was incredibly diverse.

It wasn't limited to humans; beastmen, dwarves, and even a few exceptionally rare elves were boarding the ship in tandem. The game lore mentioned that hundreds, if not thousands, of students enrolled annually, though that scale was never truly felt in the game since only the plot-relevant characters ever appeared on screen.

Seeing it with my own eyes now, I realized I would never question the game’s world-building again. The sight was surreal—countless other vessels were hovering around the city. Just how many new students were joining this year?

Most were likely heading to the general education department, but the spectacle was still breathtaking, especially within this fantasy environment. Some of these people didn't even have unique character models in the game, yet here, every single one of them was stunning.

Even the background extras and mobs were remarkably attractive. Were they always this good-looking in the game? Come to think of it, despite being a throwaway character, Riley was actually quite handsome himself.

If one were to ignore my miserable stats, I’m fairly certain I look more impressive and handsome than that generic, self-insert main protagonist.

As the internal hatches to the student quarters opened one after another, people began finding their designated spots.

"Rebecca, it’s been ages!!"

"How was your break, man?"

"No way, you passed too? Damn!"

Groups of students were exchanging greetings everywhere. Some were reuniting with friends, others were currying favor with high-ranking nobles to gain influence, and some were just naturally chatty. A few were busy paying their respects to the arriving seniors.

However, my vision filtered out the noise, focusing on one person and one person alone...

Thump...!

For no apparent reason, my heart skipped a beat. I had only caught a brief glimpse of her, and yet I was already paralyzed with awe. Whether it was her sheer beauty or the overwhelming thrill of meeting my favorite heroine in the flesh, my body moved on its own, completely beyond my control.

As those silky pink strands of hair drifted into my line of sight, I found it impossible to look away. Her radiant golden eyes seemed to brighten the dim interior as she beamed, pulling her closest friend into a tight embrace.

"Loraine, Hehehe~" She giggled, her iconic smile perfectly matching the infectious sound of her laughter.

She was the living image, the perfect physical manifestation of the character I had spent hundreds of hours on in the game. Even when I was forced to explore the routes of other girls, I always ensured she remained in my party, regardless of the gameplay disadvantages that might cause.

It didn't matter; she was my absolute favorite. She held her best friend Loraine close, her oversized witch hat bobbing along with her energetic movements.

"Stop that, Alice—" her friend whispered, trying to nudge her away, only to be drowned out by Alice’s joyful laughter.

With a playful smirk, Alice tightened her hold, stubborn as ever. "Don’t want to~"

Just watching this interaction—something I had never seen in the game—made me incredibly happy. A grin tugged at my mouth, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I watched them play. 'Alice Holloway.'

A third-year at Lumine Academy, she was ranked as one of the most prestigious heroines in the game—a title she fully deserved, as she was also my top pick. While every heroine possessed their own special charm, Alice’s appeal was simply on another level for me.

Playing through Alice’s story arc was like riding an emotional rollercoaster. Her narrative, packed with unexpected developments, gave her already charming personality so much depth. Every choice and dialogue felt like a path of discovery, revealing new layers of her complexity with every scene.

What truly set Alice apart was her status as a hidden heroine, much like the elusive Liyana. To even begin a romance with her, a player had to follow a very specific, difficult path that most casual players would miss. It was a feat reserved for those who mastered the game’s mechanics, finished every side quest, and scoured every corner of the world.

I only stumbled upon Alice’s route by chance during my sixth playthrough. It required completing every single tutorial quest just to have the opportunity to meet her again—a detail most players ignored in their rush to get to the main action.

Finding Alice within the game felt like discovering a buried treasure inside a chest of gold. I fell for her immediately, feeling a strange connection that went beyond the screen. She became the reason for my endless replays, each run driven by the hope of finding something new about her.

Thinking about her fate in the game made me shake my head in frustration. To think that her death was caused by such a ridiculous reason... What were the developers thinking, throwing away such a beloved character?

Luckily, I managed to save her from that end four months ago. Well, technically the main protagonist did the work, but since I was the one who gave him the information and told him what to do, it counts as my achievement, right?

"Hello, Alice!" "Senior!" "Alice, did you hear the news?"

As she walked toward her seat, Alice was swamped by a wave of greetings, just like in the game. Loved by both upperclassmen and younger students, she was a central figure in the student body—a testament to her magnetism. Whether she was called the pride of the second years, the hidden princess, or the cute "pink capybara," she accepted every title with grace, both in-game and on the fan forums.

With a laugh that echoed through the area, Alice moved through the crowd of admirers. Her natural politeness was on full display as she acknowledged everyone with a sincere smile. Loraine followed behind her, adding to the bright mood Alice created.

Watching her, I felt a surge of pure admiration. She was undeniably adorable, and I felt a desperate urge to say hello. But I couldn't take that risk. Any contact with the main cast might mess up the upcoming main scenario, and I couldn't afford a butterfly effect. I forced myself to stay still, fighting the impulse to walk over. As long as I followed the game's script, I could avoid trouble.

Yet, despite my attempts to stay calm, my heart wouldn't stop racing. Wait... why is she getting closer?

To my shock, I realized Alice was heading right toward me. Was her seat near mine? What are the chances? My eyes went wide as she approached, my pulse thundering with a mix of excitement and dread.

Before I knew it, she was right there. A sweet scent, like flowers in early spring, filled the air around me. Dammit, I instinctively covered my mouth, trying to hide my expression. I was smiling so hard I thought I might die of joy.

"B-16, B-17... found it!" "Alice... your seat is A-16." "Ehh...? No way! I'm sure I booked B-16!" Alice argued, sounding shocked. "It looks like you messed up the booking." "No way!" Alice wailed as she watched Loraine sit down. "Loraine... you didn't swap my seat at the last minute, did you?" "No..." Loraine replied, but Alice wasn't buying it. "Liar~! Look me in the eye when you say that!"

Alice teased her friend, starting a small playful bicker that lasted a few minutes. With a heavy sigh, Alice muttered to herself before turning around and heading for the empty seat right next to mine.

Wait... was this actually happening? I thought my luck stat was at zero. Why was this happening? This had to be a dream, right?

As if she felt me staring, she turned her head. Her golden eyes met mine directly.

"Hello—?" she said with a warm smile as she sat down. My heart nearly stopped. My pulse quickened as she looked at me with curiosity. A part of me wanted to hug her right then and there, to show her the same love I had given her in the game. But the cold reality hit me—I wasn't the hero who won her heart. Right now, I was just Riley Hell, a disposable extra in her world. I didn't belong by her side.

Anxiety clawed at my chest, and I felt a sudden, desperate need to run away from this awkward reality. Without thinking, I looked away, completely ignoring her friendly greeting.

In that exact moment, I realized... I fucked up.