How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 648: Rose’s Revelations Interlude

Where...?

With her vision blurred and hazy, Stacia pushed herself up from what she assumed was a mattress, only for her hands to meet a surface that felt nothing like fabric.

It was gritty, crumbly... like piles of ash.

She blinked rapidly.

Once.

Twice.

The landscape that materialized before her was a bleak, alien wasteland.

A scorched landscape of blackened earth stretched out to the horizon, looking as though a massive inferno had devoured a forest and left behind nothing but a dark cemetery of soot.

The sky was a dull gray, choked by swirling embers and dust.

The air was silent and still, lacking even a whisper of wind, creating a heavy atmosphere that weighed down on her chest.

What... happened?

She tried to piece together her fragmented memories.

She remembered confronting Flamme.

She recalled the suffocating aura of the Water Spirit King.

She remembered the desperate struggle to force her mana to endure the clash of those two powers.

But everything after that was lost in a white void.

Did I... actually win?

This place was definitely not the medical wing of the academy.

Not even close.

There was no comforting heat from healing magic, no aroma of medicinal herbs, and no gentle lights or quiet murmurs.

There was only devastation.

Hello? Are you there?

She reached out mentally, instinctively searching for the steady advice of her future self—the presence that usually replied, guided her, and whispered in her mind.

There was no answer.

A cold sense of alarm began to rise in her heart.

Why was she silent?

Why was there nothing but this absolute quiet?

Attempting to calm her nerves, Stacia rested a hand on her Dantian and focused inward, observing the movement of her mana.

There—at the very center of her soul—she found it.

A pulsating, brilliant orb.

It was like a miniature sun burning brightly inside her.

Her blessing.

It remained radiant.

It was still there.

Relief swept through her, and the tightness in her frame began to dissipate.

The link must have just been interrupted for a moment. It wasn't gone.

She let out a long breath, finally able to inhale properly, even though the terrifying world around her remained a mystery.

Where am I... and why was I brought here?

[It appears you have finally woken...]

Stacia’s body trembled at the sound of the voice—it was deep, resonant, and searing, as if every word held the intensity of a star.

A wave of blistering heat struck her back, so powerful it almost stole the air from her lungs.

And yet... she sensed no ill intent. The heat was intense, but it didn't burn her skin. It was heavy, but it didn't crush her spirit.

Her breathing became labored.

Perspiration ran down her neck.

The very air shimmered like a desert mirage with every breath she took.

I... I recognize this aura...

She didn't have to look back. Her gut instinct already knew the name.

It was the same crushing weight she had felt just before losing consciousness during the battle with Flamme.

Takal...

The Primordial Spirit of Fire.

The Burning Wolf.

The entity that represented every flame, every ember, and every conflagration that had ever existed.

Being in his presence was like standing at the edge of an active volcano.

[I had my suspicions... but observing you at this distance leaves no room for doubt.]

The vibration of his voice made the air shake.

Stacia’s legs felt like lead. Her hands shook as the warmth penetrated her very marrow.

She felt her strength failing and her head spinning.

This was more than just divine pressure—it was the aura of an ancient concept, a being that existed before her nation, her bloodline... perhaps before the dawn of man.

Yet, despite this terrifying power—

—he was not causing her harm.

[My aura is still too overwhelming for you,] Takal spoke with a low rumble.

[However, it is undeniable... you and I possess a compatibility far beyond most. More than I anticipated. Even Lavine does not have the resonance you display.]

Stacia felt her stomach churn at the gravity of his statement.

The mere sound of him caused waves of dizziness to wash over her.

Compatible...? With a being like him?

Her knees finally gave out.

"T-The water... spirit king..." she tried to murmur, but her words were weak and immediately drowned out by the surrounding heat.

[Do not overexert yourself.]

His voice was a strange blend of intrigue and authority—like a predator king watching a fascinating small animal rather than an enemy.

[Our time is short. For now, child, I will be content with satisfying my curiosity this much.]

Darkness began to creep into her field of vision.

The horizon tilted. Her breath hitched as her mind started to fade.

And just before she lost herself to the void—

A sensation like a warm breath brushed against her back.

[**The next time we meet... you shall explain why you carry my blessing.**]

Everything turned black before she even hit the ground.

The final thing she felt was Takal’s voice echoing away into the burning abyss.

....

Ugh...!

Stacia bolted awake with a gasp, her body aching as a sharp pang of discomfort forced her to sit up.

Her breathing was ragged and unsteady as she gripped her chest, looking around in a daze.

Where...?

This time, the surroundings were familiar.

The white ceiling, the sterile bedsheets, and the subtle scent of medicinal salves—she was back in the academy's infirmary.

Was all that... just a dream?

The thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

No. It was impossible.

The searing pressure on her skin, the crushing weight of that presence, and that impossible heat—a mere dream couldn't replicate that. It had been too vivid, too grounded, too... divine.

Her heart hammered as she tried to make sense of the encounter, but her focus shattered every time she moved.

The mana inside her was acting up, raging like a wild forest fire.

"Hah... ah—"

She winced as the internal heat flared again, violent and untamed—as if her own power was attempting to incinerate her from the inside out.

What is happening to me...?

’It appears he has taken notice...’

Huh?

Her eyes snapped open as the familiar, mature voice resonated in her mind like a soothing, cool wind.

You’ve returned...

The moment she sensed her other self, the chaotic flames within her began to quiet down—it was still hot and painful, but no longer life-threatening.

She could feel her future self working to suppress the worst of the magical backlash.

’I can only provide this much assistance... your physical vessel isn't prepared to endure his influence yet.’

Thank you...

She sent the thought back weakly, feeling grateful as the agony subsided into a dull, manageable heat.

’I had intended for you to meet him properly at a later time... when your Cultivation was higher, when you could face him without collapsing. But—’

A quiet sigh drifted through her mind.

’—destiny seems to have accelerated. Regardless, embrace this. It could be the catalyst for your greatest breakthrough.’

Stacia balled her shaking fists, paying close attention.

’For the coming days... do not fight him, no matter what. Do not resist me, and do not resist him. Let the transformation take its course. It is the only way your body will adjust.’

Her head was still swimming from the vision—Takal’s flaming silhouette, the way reality itself seemed to bow to him, and the ancient curiosity in his gaze.

She swallowed hard, gave a small nod, and let out a shaky breath.

"...I understand."

Though her Dantian still throbbed with the heat of his fire and her mana felt like liquid gold in her Meridians, she realized one thing for certain:

This meeting... was going to change everything.

...

Night had already fallen by the time the group assembled in Riley’s room, the fatigue from the long day of competition lingering in the air.

The pleasant scent of the meal Yui had prepared still filled the room, providing a sense of comfort around the table.

"By the way," Rose remarked casually while cutting her food, "the emperor seemed quite entertained by the fact that we are all living under one roof."

The room went deathly silent.

"W–What... what did you say?"

Snow was the first to speak, her eyes widening so much it looked almost painful.

"I mentioned the emperor found our living arrangement amusing," Rose said again, her voice steady and seemingly unaware of the bombshell she had just dropped.

"......"

Snow nearly dropped her utensils. Her face turned a shade of red that made even Seo stop eating to stare.

"Is it a problem that he knows...?" Rose asked, tilting her head in genuine confusion.

"N-No, not exactly... it's just..."

Snow’s voice trailed off, her face twisting as she struggled to find the right words. She couldn't bring herself to say it.

Not in front of everyone.

She had promised her father to keep her relationship with Riley dignified and modest until they were wed... knowing how overprotective and prone to worrying he was, there was no telling how he was overreacting at this very moment.

Knowing his personality, he was likely already grillling the imperial guards for every detail.

Snow massaged her temples. "Sigh... never mind. I suppose it will all work out eventually..."

She said it, but everyone knew she was banking on one specific thought:

Since it was Riley, her father would have to give in at some point.

He wouldn't be happy about it—but he would accept it.

"The emperor is your father, right Snow?" Seo inquired, still calmly chewing on a piece of meat.

"Yes," Snow answered, trying to regain her composure.

"Should we go introduce ourselves?" Seo asked, completely unbothered.

"Fufu~ I'm sure he'll make an effort to meet everyone in time," Snow said with a strained, awkward smile. "I am curious, though, why he only asked to see you specifically, Rose..."

It was a valid point.

Her father had warned her about his surprise visit to the academy, but his message hadn't mentioned a private meeting with Rose.

That was a detail even Snow wasn't privy to.

"Who knows," Rose said with a shrug. "He mostly just asked for my impressions of my time here so far."

"I see..." Snow replied, still deep in thought.

She figured it was likely just a personal check-in her father wanted to conduct.

If that was all, she expected to hear from him soon—otherwise, it might just be another one of his subtle maneuvers.

Given his nature, that was always on the table. After all, he hadn't just summoned Rose; he had also invited Duke Raymond and the principal to lunch. There had to be a motive.

"Don't overthink it, Snow... the emperor and I only talked about ordinary things. I promise you, it wasn't anything complicated."

Rose tried to comfort her, her voice soft and reassuring.

Snow sighed and offered a small smile.

"I suppose so..." she whispered with a quiet laugh.

Truthfully, knowing her father as she did, it was her instinct to analyze his every move and prepare for trouble.

But here at the academy... she didn't have to be the flawless crown princess managing political fires at every turn.

Here, she could finally catch her breath.

"Besides the small talk," Snow added tentatively, "did you discuss anything else with him? Specifically... did he... mention anything about our connection with Riley?"

"He didn't say anything specific," Rose answered, "but I could tell he felt positive about us. He did give us his blessings early on, after all."

"That's... a relief." Snow let out another breath. "I was planning to tell him gradually about how far our relationships have come. Especially regarding Seo as well..."

"I also mentioned our future children to him."

Clatter!

Snow’s silverware slammed onto her plate as she goggled at Rose, her eyes wide as if her soul were escaping her body.

"I-I beg your pardon?"

"Yes," Rose nodded with a serious, almost happy expression. "While I didn't go into specifics, his majesty is now aware that he might have grandchildren in the near future."

She looked remarkably proud of herself—far too casual and calm for such a statement.

If Riley or Alice had been present, they likely would have choked on the spot from the sheer shock of it.