How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 652 - Capítulo 652: Reina's troubles 2

Capítulo 652: Reina’s troubles 2

Following a lengthy exchange of Lavine’s grumbling and Riley’s unwavering stubbornness, the tiny fairy eventually threw up her hands, yielding to her master’s absurd demands.

“Fine, fine! I’m going,” she snapped, folding her miniature arms with the dramatic flair typical of an ancient soul trapped in a small frame.

“But you realize I was actually looking forward to the festival tournament, right? I’ve been waiting all week for this…!”

Riley let out a soft laugh. A flicker of guilt brushed against him—but only a flicker.

As an ancient mage, Lavine was someone who took great pleasure in spectating combat, particularly when it involved the prodigies of the next generation.

She loved spotting glimmers of raw talent and potential, and she found even more joy in randomly selecting disciples to mentor—even if Rose never actually required her guidance to begin with.

Perhaps that was the true source of Lavine’s irritation; she wanted to scout for other promising candidates besides Rose, searching for someone worth her time… someone intriguing.

“Don’t fret,” Riley remarked, brushing her head gently with a single finger, “I’ll secure a copy of the academy’s footage. At the very least, I'll get the notable matches.”

Lavine’s eyes rolled so dramatically her entire head tilted. “Then those would just be the duels you’re in, Master. That doesn’t help me at all.”

“Have a little faith,” he answered with a faint smirk, “the world is full of geniuses other than me. And you’re well aware that the other academies have brought some promising students as well, haven’t they?”

Lavine paused for a beat, her wings fluttering softly. “…Well, I did sense a few. Aside from those two elves, obviously. But…” She let out a defeated sigh. “Fine, it doesn't matter. I recognize that the demonic worshippers are the priority. I’ll take you up on that offer, Master.”

Even though she had conceded, Riley could still sense the massive pout she was radiating.

Smiling, Riley gave Lavine’s head a gentle pat.

“Just send word immediately if the situation turns dangerous.”

“Haaah, who do you think you’re talking to? I am the Grand Magus Lavine Chronos.” She puffed out her chest with theatrical arrogance. “Lowly demonic worshippers are nothing to me.”

“I believe in you,” Riley said evenly, “but fighting worshippers is a different beast than fighting demons.”

Lavine went quiet. That was a point she couldn't argue.

The possibility of actual demons showing up—no matter how slim—was a genuine threat.

While standard worshippers were far beneath her, true demons were an entirely different league.

Nevertheless, her ego wouldn't let her show any doubt.

“Well,” she huffed, tilting her chin up, “if they aren't even at the level of a demonling, then it’s irrelevant. They’re all just fuel for my magic anyway.”

Riley didn't press the issue.

Lavine then flashed a smile—one that was sweet, radiant, and dangerously unstable.

“I doubt anything will happen, but yes, yes, I’ll summon you right away, Master. After all, you’re the only person allowed to kill me~”

Riley narrowed his eyes, debating whether to sigh or simply ignore her comment as he usually did.

Spinning quickly in mid-air, Lavine gave a parting wave. “I’ll return before you even have time to miss me~!”

Her tiny form exploded into a cloud of shimmering blue particles that drifted across the sky like stardust.

Despite her earlier complaints, her aura was buzzing with excitement.

For the first time in an age, she was able to roam the world without being tethered to Riley’s constant supply of mana.

He could sense that she fully intended to make the most of it.

Riley watched the sparkling trail until the final ember vanished.

Only then did he check his watch.

It was still morning, nearing midday.

He let out a slow breath.

He wasn't certain if she would be at her usual haunt, but he couldn't put this off any longer.

One instance of her acting weird could be called a fluke.

Seeing her mimic Seo’s specific technique changed everything.

Evelyn was definitely plotting something in the shadows.

He was certain of it now.

Riley shut his eyes for a moment, sending a controlled burst of mana outward. His perception washed over the academy grounds like an invisible shroud.

He pushed his mana sense to its limit—

—and locked onto Evelyn’s precise coordinates.

…..

“Hmm… it seems he’s finally noticed….”

Sitting on a secluded rooftop of the academy—a lonely stone spire usually restricted to the student body—a stunningly beautiful young woman gazed down at the expansive campus.

The biting wind whipped her hair as the massive metal hands of the clocktower behind her moved with a steady rhythm, each heavy clack echoing into the quiet air.

Her face was tranquil… perhaps too tranquil.

A ghost of a smile touched her lips while her fingers moved rhythmically, weaving shimmering runes into the air one by one.

Each sigil glowed, vanished, and then reformed into a different shape, as if she were practicing a spell she had already mastered.

“You didn't think he’d catch on this fast?” a teasing voice inquired.

Evelyn let out a soft giggle—a sound that was light but carried a sharp edge of mischief.

“Fufu~ I know he can be a bit dense,” she whispered to herself, “but considering how boldly I’ve been acting, it was inevitable that he’d notice eventually. It’s a bit of a pity, though… I was hoping he’d only put the pieces together after Snow finished her task.”

Her blue eyes sparkled as she turned her gaze toward the open sky.

Indeed. Snow’s advancement.

The pace of everything was accelerating beyond her original plan—but it wasn't going wrong.

Her smile grew wider, breathtaking yet chilling.

Evelyn—the female clone of Riley and arguably the most chaotic variable tied to him—laughed softly under her breath.

“I realize everyone is hypersensitive about his progress… and the development of the others as well.” She hummed, tapping a finger against her cheek. “But this is the most efficient path. Is it dangerous? Without a doubt. However, as long as he doesn’t fully embrace it—doesn’t entirely believe the reality unfolding—the laws of causality will hold.”

She dropped her hand, her voice falling to a whisper thick with amusement.

“After all… the most convincing lies are the ones constructed from the most perfect truths.”

Fwoooosh…!

A sudden gust of wind twisted beside her—a sharp, localized burst that shoved the air aside as if someone had stepped through the fabric of space. Evelyn didn't even blink.

She simply turned her head, her smile remaining fixed.

Standing there was a perfect reflection of herself… though younger, more intense, and clearly male.

Riley Hell.

The original.

He glared at her with a gaze that was cold and disciplined.

“Evelyn…” His voice was calm, yet it possessed a heavy weight. “I believe you owe me an explanation.”

Evelyn’s smile softened into an elegant expression, one that might have seemed warm if not for the underlying coldness.

“Fufu~ I suppose I do have quite a bit to explain to you.”

She stood up gracefully, smoothing out her skirt before closing the distance—stopping just close enough for their identical auras to clash silently in the space between them.

She tilted her head, her eyes flashing with a wicked sense of fun.

“Well then…” she purred.

“Where should I begin~?”

….

“Hmm… so you’re the little sister of Riley, right?”

“Y-Yes…” Reina replied, her posture stiff.

“I see, I see!” Clara leaned in, inspecting her features with eyes that sparkled too brightly. “The resemblance is obvious now. Ah, that makes sense—so that’s why Lucas seemed so incredibly interested in you.”

“I-I beg your pardon??” Reina’s eyes widened in confusion.

“Oh, there’s no need for such formality—ah, wait!” Clara tapped her forehead with a light laugh. “I forgot my manners. Hello, junior. I’m Clara Luminaria, a second-year in the magic division, currently ranked third in the S-Rank class. I’m also your opponent for this round.”

“Y-Yes… um… I already knew that. Uh… it’s a pleasure to meet you, Senior Clara?”

“Fufu, just call me Clara. Your brother and I are quite close, after all.”

She gave a casual wave, adding with a knowing smirk, “Strictly business, of course. So don't go getting the wrong idea, alright? I’d rather not have his girls coming after me just because his adorable sister said something strange.”

“…Yes.” Reina had no idea how to handle that, so she just gave a small nod.

As Clara chatted away happily, Reina couldn't help but wonder what was happening. Was this even allowed?

This was her assigned waiting room backstage… and Clara was supposed to be in the room on the far side.

Yet here was her senior, lounging comfortably in Reina's space, talking as if they were cousins catching up over tea.

They were opponents. Their match was literally seconds away.

“Uhm, senior—”

“AND NOW, INTRODUCING… CLARA LUMINARIA!!”

The announcer’s voice thundered through the stadium, causing Clara to jump slightly before she smiled.

“Oh dear, I lost track of the time.” Clara stood up smoothly, adjusting her uniform. “Let’s have a proper fight out there on the stage, Reina.”

“Y-Yes…”

Reina watched as her senior headed toward the wrong exit—or rather, the right exit for the stage, but through Reina’s tunnel regardless.

After Clara vanished into the entrance, Reina remained frozen, her head tilted in confusion.

“…Should I… still go out this way?” she whispered to the empty room.

The quiet room gave no reply, leaving her only with her mounting bewilderment.

…..

“Hm? You’re here, Lucas?”

“Oh—Kagami!”

Amidst the loud chatter of the VIP section, Kagami entered and immediately spotted Lucas, who signaled him over with an eager wave. Kagami sat down next to him, looking surprised.

“I wasn't expecting to find you here,” Kagami remarked, raising an eyebrow. “Honestly, I assumed you’d finish your bout and go straight back to training. You’re usually a workaholic.”

Lucas let out a forced laugh. “Haha, well… I had a gap in my schedule today, so I thought I’d catch the match.”

“Hoh?” Kagami tilted his head, eyeing him suspiciously. “Is it because Riley’s sister is the one fighting?”

Lucas went still.

Only for a fraction of a second.

Just a microscopic hitch in his breath.

But it was plenty—more than enough—for Kagami to notice.

A slow, mischievous grin spread across Kagami’s face, even as he kept his voice sounding casual.

Lucas cleared his throat nervously.

“A-Actually, yes… Junior Reina is a dear friend of mine, so I wanted to be here to support her, you see.”

“Mmhm…” Kagami hummed in mock agreement, though the glint in his eyes suggested he was filing this away for future harassment.

He chose not to push it any further for now.

After all, he had a general sense of Lucas’s character—someone who, if he truly tried, could attract a following just as easily as Riley.

Kagami’s personal theory felt ridiculous even to him, yet observing Lucas now… he was starting to believe it.

“But what about you?” Lucas asked, desperate to change the subject. “Are you here to root for Reina too?”

“Well,” Kagami said, leaning back lazily in his chair, “you could say the match interests me… but I’m specifically curious to see Clara’s performance.”

“Huh?” Lucas blinked in surprise.

“Seems like we’re backing different fighters today, pal.”

Their eyes locked.

A silent spark of tension flared between them—

not out of anger, but out of pure rivalry.

Two supporters, two separate interests, and one stage.

The mood between them quietly shifted into a heat of competition, both men privately resolved that their chosen fighter would be the one to dominate the arena.