How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 644: A Mother’s Care?

Following his match, Riley lingered in the waiting lounge, leaning his back against the wall while keeping his eyes fixed on the monitor.

Seo’s duel was slated immediately after his. To be honest, he had already predicted the conclusion before she even stepped onto the platform.

And as expected—

SWIISHHH!

Click!

"The victor is Seo Gyeoul!"

The entire bout hadn't even lasted sixty seconds.

The stadium erupted in cheers and screams, with many fans calling out her name in star-struck adoration.

Just like Riley’s performance, her victory was swift—only a fraction slower than his own pace.

Her mastery of the blade remained as sharp and flawless as it had ever been.

It was a fact obvious to every spectator in the stands.

Even the commentator’s voice cracked with excitement while trying to narrate the rapid-fire action.

Since their upcoming matches against the winners of Sector B weren't scheduled until the following day, they had the entire afternoon to themselves.

Consequently, the pair decided to tour the other sectors. They planned to watch the matches of Snow and Rose, which were being held at different locations across the vast arena grounds.

"Riley, will Alice be meeting up with us later?" Seo inquired as she walked at his side.

"Yeah... though she mentioned she’d be staying with Lorraine for a bit longer. There was apparently a minor incident, so she wants to keep an eye on her for a while."

"Understood..." Seo gave a small nod, her gaze flickering toward him for a brief second. Then, as if a sudden thought had struck her, she asked, "Since Rose doesn't fight until noon... would it be alright if we grabbed some ramen first?"

"Hm? Are you feeling hungry?"

"...Yes."

Riley couldn't suppress a quiet chuckle. "Is that so? Let’s head out then. Snow is over in Sector C, so we can go get her first, and I can call Rose to see if she wants to join—"

"No."

"...No?"

Seo turned her face away, her posture becoming incredibly rigid—far too stiff for someone trying to hide her flustered state. "Just the two of us... let’s go... just us."

A subtle pink hue crept up to the tips of her ears, contradicting her attempt at a steady voice.

Riley offered a soft smile.

"Alright."

This was the very first time Seo had ever made a request so... endearing.

It was so direct. And because it was coming from her, he found it impossible to refuse.

He figured the other girls wouldn't mind, anyway.

'I saw Alice utilizing her authority earlier... I should probably question her about that later.'

...

Meanwhile, amidst the massive crowd observing the Sector B matches, Hajey Gyeoul gnawed on his lip, his features contorted with frustration.

Dammit...

He clicked his tongue in annoyance, the irritation simmering within him as he replayed the scenes of the previous two matches in his mind.

He was well aware that his half-blood sister was a monstrous genius—someone who effortlessly reached heights that others spent their lives bleeding to achieve.

But witnessing it firsthand again, seeing her dismantle an opponent with such ease... it wounded his pride more than he cared to confess.

Hajey could only scowl, recalling his attempt to target Seo during the team battle a few days prior. That plan now seemed pathetic compared to the level she actually occupied.

Her prowess had already reached the very peak of the martial realm.

He knew she had mastered the hidden blade technique, but seeing the live execution and the absolute precision of her movements reminded him of the staggering chasm between them.

"Damn it...!" he hissed, his hands tightening into fists.

"Now, now, Hajey. Don't be so hard on yourself."

Cristo, his closest friend, spoke while munching on a handful of popcorn. He didn't even bother to look away from the fight currently taking place below.

"They say comparison kills happiness, right? Or... something along those lines."

He gave a casual shrug, treating Hajey’s internal crisis as if it were nothing more than a passing thought.

Hajey shot him a glare, which Cristo completely ignored.

Hajey then shut his eyes, exhaling a long, measured breath as the visible anger slowly faded from his face.

"...You're right."

"Hmm? That was quick." Cristo arched an eyebrow, his hand pausing halfway to his mouth with a piece of popcorn held between his fingers. "I really expected you to start another argument. Has my little Hajey finally matured?"

"Shut your mouth." Hajey clicked his tongue, though his retort lacked its usual bite. "Even if that freak makes my blood boil, I can't deny the truth. Seo... she is a monster. That's a fact. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to sit back and let her be."

Cristo chewed in silence, wisely deciding not to voice the thought that 'you definitely could just leave her alone.' There was no reason to provoke him further.

"But what's the move now?" Cristo asked instead. "Even if we stick to your plan, I have my doubts. You saw her performance—and don't forget about Riley. You saw him too. I seriously doubt he’ll just stand by and watch if he senses something is wrong."

Hajey remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowed as he calculated his options. Finally, he gave a sharp nod, his expression hardening with a grim determination.

"Even if I'm not certain how Riley will act... I have a feeling he won't interfere."

Cristo blinked in confusion. "...How did you come to that conclusion?"

"He has too much faith in her," Hajey whispered. "Our plan begins on the stage. If he steps in... it would only prove one thing to that arrogant brat."

His fists clenched in his lap until his knuckles turned white.

"It would prove that he doesn't trust her at all."

"Hmmm... the logic makes sense," Cristo remarked, scratching his cheek with his pinky finger, "but I honestly don't think Riley would gamble with Seo’s safety just for the sake of trust. Pride aside, he isn't the type to stay still if she's in genuine peril... you know that."

He tossed another kernel into his mouth before continuing, "And frankly... that item Mistress Aera provided? I'm skeptical. It failed to protect us from Princess Stacia last time. What chance does it have against Lady Seo? The girl basically lives and breathes the sword."

"Those are two different situations," Hajey countered, his eyes sharp. "This time, we have full authorization to use the codes on those runes without any limits. If we prepare properly, it will work. No—" he gritted his teeth, "—it HAS to work."

Cristo stared at him for a beat, noting the intense fire burning in his friend's eyes... then he let out a dramatic sigh and threw his hands up in surrender.

"Fine, fine... if you say so. I'll stick by you until the bitter end, my dear best friend and master~"

He made a joke of it, but the sinking feeling in his gut remained.

The truth was... he had serious doubts.

A lot of them.

The only intel they had on Riley consisted of those strange recent rumors...

Sure, the ancient runes would provide significant buffs—increased strength, faster reflexes, maybe even temporary invulnerability... but would it be enough to affect Seo? To stop her?

Cristo wasn't buying it.

He vividly remembered her match—how she moved like a living blade, her strikes possessing a terrifying combination of precision, weight, and speed. She had even silenced the entire crowd.

He had a feeling that if those runes did anything, it would only affect their own bodies. It might allow Hajey to land a harder punch before he got pulverized anyway.

Cristo stole a glance at Hajey, who was still wearing that stubborn, intense expression.

...Yeah. This was definitely going to be one of those "lessons learned through pain."

Still, he nodded to himself.

Well, Seo probably wouldn't kill him. Hopefully.

And since the academy ensures the safety of all contestants...

It might turn out okay.

Probably.

He popped another piece of popcorn and sighed heavily.

Sometimes being a good friend meant watching them charge straight into a brick wall... and being there to pull them out of the rubble afterward.

This will likely be my first failed mission.

...

Inside a specific ramen shop nestled within the academy’s commercial district, a peculiar tension filled the air.

It wasn't a threatening vibe.

It wasn't even serious.

It was... complete and utter bewilderment.

"Here, say ahh~ It tastes great, doesn't it?"

Seo silently masticated the warm dumpling that Aera had just placed in her mouth.

Her typically stoic expression faltered slightly as she stared at the stunning woman seated across from her.

Her fingers nervously toyed with the fabric of her skirt as she glanced between Aera and Riley, silently pleading for an explanation.

Riley, sitting right next to her, appeared just as baffled.

Aera, seemingly oblivious to the chaos of confusion she had sparked, gave Seo a warm, affectionate smile.

"Just look at you... you get more beautiful every time we meet. And your choice of clothes now—it's a vast improvement. I was genuinely concerned you wouldn't be able to adjust to the world outside because of our family's rigid traditions. I'm so glad I was mistaken."

As she spoke, she reached out and gently stroked Seo’s hair as if it were the most natural gesture in the world.

Seo didn't understand what was happening... but she couldn't deny that Aera’s touch felt warm. It was almost comforting.

Eventually, Riley reached his breaking point. He looked Aera straight in the eye, his gaze narrowing with suspicion.

"What is your actual goal here, Lady Aera?"

Aera met his gaze with a playful, cunning smirk, her half-lidded eyes dancing with mischief.

"Fufu~ whatever could you mean? Is a mother forbidden from spending time with her own daughter?"

Riley could only stare at her in shock.

What on earth is this woman talking about...