How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 653: Reina’s troubles Interlude

Initially, she had always viewed herself as the capable one.

There was no reason to think otherwise.

Her elder brother appeared to be nothing more than a frail weakling—a pitiful individual who seemed entirely unfit to one day uphold their family's prestigious legacy.

That was her former perspective of him.

"I’m sorry, Reina—haha..."

In those days, he was always the first to offer an apology, despite the fact that Reina was the one inflicting pain during their childhood duels.

Time and again, he would utter those words with a clumsy grin, massaging the bruises she had given him as if she were the one deserving of sympathy.

"You idiot! I told you not to hold back just because she’s your younger sister!"

Their grandfather would reprimand him without end, his beard shaking with fury.

"Like hell I could hurt her, gramps!" Riley would snap back. "Besides—I’m very weak! What did you expect!?"

He was incredibly obstinate. It was infuriating. He was lazy to the core, never taking anything seriously unless he was backed into a corner.

However... even in those early years, Reina could sense something—hidden beneath Riley's sluggish exterior, there was a secret lurking in his gaze.

It was an expression that didn't belong on a child's face.

It felt more ancient... more stable... as if he were silently standing guard over her.

He didn't view her with any sort of disdain.

He never measured his talent against hers.

He harbored no resentment toward her martial prowess.

He was simply present—kind, soft-hearted, and possessing an unshakable sense of empathy.

Not a single spark of jealousy had ever existed between them. Never.

To Riley, she was simply his little sister.

And to Reina... he was that odd, vexing older brother who always appeared to possess some hidden knowledge she lacked.

Even as she grew more powerful.

Even when she left him in the dust with ease.

Even when she convinced herself she was far superior—

—she never felt like she could truly bridge the gap between them.

It was as if Riley had always been positioned on some distant summit deep within, a peak she couldn't even perceive.

"Hmm, you’re worried about the future of the Hell house? Then how about you become the next head instead? Just say the word and I’ll have Mom and Dad arrange everything."

He had proposed it so nonchalantly—as if handing over the mantle of family head was no different than giving her the final sweet on a tray.

He was indifferent to his rank, his reputation, or public opinion.

As long as he could exist in tranquility and follow his own desires, he felt no attachment to the heavy responsibilities of being the successor.

Back then, Reina found him completely incomprehensible.

Despite their bond, her brother remained a mystery—perceptive and gentle in ways he didn't even notice, yet strangely disconnected from the world.

It irritated her, baffled her, and drove her forward.

Consequently, she dedicated herself to her work.

To compensate for all the "weaknesses" he refused to address, she undertook brutal training.

To maintain the family honor he ignored, she studied until she collapsed from fatigue.

To protect the status he dismissed, she refined herself into a masterpiece.

She reached such a level of excellence that even their parents had no grounds for complaint.

The skill, the sweat, and the discipline—it was all hers by right.

By the time she reached an age where she understood the complexities of the world... she finally felt a sense of relief.

"Here, darling~ Ahmm~"

"Haha... Ahh."

"Hehehe~"

Honestly, it was grating to watch her brother being pampered so excessively every day by his fiancée.

Seeing Liyana feed him and dote on him like a cherished pet—it made Reina’s eye twitch with annoyance.

But she couldn't ignore the reality of the situation.

As much as it bothered her, and as much as she wanted to yell at him for being so soft... she was certain he was safe with Liyana.

Her detached, unpredictable, and impossible brother—

He was secure and well-protected.

Even if a catastrophe occurred in the future, as long as he stayed under Liyana’s wing, the family's future was essentially guaranteed and perfect.

Reina didn't have to stress about him leading the house.

In fact, she didn't have to worry about him at all.

"Are you sad?"

"I’m not!"

"Haha, you could at least try to say you are. I’m leaving tomorrow, you know?"

"W–Who cares."

"I care."

When Riley was getting ready to depart for the academy for the first time, Reina felt a knot form in her chest—a bizarre blend of farewell, dread, and a new kind of isolation.

She never expected to feel this way toward her brother, yet the feeling was there, thrumming with every passing second.

He reached out to pat her head in his usual manner, wearing that same peaceful, kind smile she had known her whole life.

"Take care of everyone while I’m away, okay?"

"I’ve always been the one taking care of everyone," Reina snapped back automatically.

"Haha... that’s true."

And just like that, the moment for his departure arrived.

To be honest, Reina assumed he would be back within a week—or a month at most.

Given his laziness and how quickly he quit when things got difficult, she was sure an academy teeming with geniuses and monsters would break him.

She envisioned him returning home defeated, whining as usual, probably having caused some sort of mess.

Instead, those weeks stretched into long, hollow months.

Nothing happened.

There was no sudden return.

No frantic letters claiming he couldn't hack it.

Only silence.

And eventually, rumors of his successes began to arrive....

By the time the winter frost set in and her brother finally came home... he was unrecognizable.

He was powerful.

He was formidable.

He carried himself with a quiet assurance and a freezing aura heavy enough to dominate the entire room.

It was the kind of presence only found in those at the absolute peak—warriors, geniuses, and monsters.

She recalled staring at him in silence, wondering what could have possibly changed him so much.

But as soon as their eyes locked, she knew.

The eyes that used to watch from the sidelines, always retreating and wandering—were now moving forward.

With absolute conviction.

It was as if he had made a choice, a decision he had never permitted himself to make until now.

Had he finally resolved to take life seriously?

Reina wasn't sure, and he offered no clarity.

But one fact was undeniable:

Her brother was strong.

Strong in a way that filled her with warmth and pride, yet also made her feel slightly intimidated.

And once she arrived at the academy herself, she finally recognized—and accepted—the sheer scale of his power.

Her previous anxieties vanished like a bad dream.

Riley had evolved into something far beyond her wildest expectations.

He was—without a doubt—the perfect elder brother she had secretly wished for.

He was genuinely, undeniably impressive.

And incredibly powerful.

That is why I cannot lose...

She steeled her resolve as she squared off against her rival.

Whether it was pride or just a bit of selfishness... she wanted to be like him—unshakable, potent, and strong.

Yes... Reina was aware she lacked the raw, natural talent of the academy's true elites.

She wasn't blind to her own shortcomings.

The sole reason she was ranked among the S-class first-years was because she worked harder than anyone—far harder than the geniuses who relied on talent alone.

But what if those geniuses started trying as hard as she did? What if they also gave everything to their training?

Would she be eclipsed?

Left in the dust?

Reina didn't have the answer.

And she didn't want to contemplate it.

Because right now, she had a golden chance—her hard work, her will, and her training... everything was about to be measured against a genuine genius.

Clara Luminaria.

Among the academy's elite seniors, Clara was a prodigy often considered even more mysterious than Seo or Rose.

She wasn't the strongest in absolute terms, but because she was overshadowed by the famous top two, few understood the true depth of her talent.

Even now, facing her, Reina could feel the massive gap in their mana capacity alone.

Clara was clearly a mage.

But even if she wasn't, Reina lacked the confidence that she could overpower her.

The difference was too stark, too oppressive.

Nevertheless... she gripped the hilt of her sword, her fingers tightening around the familiar leather. She took a step forward, head high and eyes focused.

No matter the outcome...

No matter how wide the chasm...

She would fight with every ounce of her being.

Her heart thundered in her chest.

Watch me, big bro...

She silently prayed that Riley was observing her at this moment.

.....

Well... this is quite a nuisance.

Clara let out a soft sigh as she looked at the rigid, intense, and clearly anxious Reina standing before her.

Of all the freshmen she could have drawn today, it had to be this one.

Truthfully, she had hoped to finish this quickly and attend to more pressing matters—like the easy targets waiting in the commercial district.

The Huse family, the Gladius Merchantry... there were so many chances to bolster her family's power and put those greedy merchants in their place for their antics at Gatefall Bridge.

Crucial political moves that needed her direct involvement. But those plans were now on hold.

The frustration didn't stem from the missed opportunities, though.

The real issue... was the girl in front of her.

Reina Hell.

The reputation of the Hell Family wasn't something she could casually damage—not when Clara still needed them for future schemes.

Setting Riley Hell aside, Reina herself was a link to someone Clara desperately wanted to form a proper connection with...

Her eyes shifted toward the VIP section.

There sat Lucas—watching the proceedings with a forced, painfully neutral expression.

Clara nearly chuckled.

Since that knight-obsessed meathead was always guarded by a certain red-haired terror, a direct approach was nearly impossible.

Using Reina as a bridge seemed like a much more viable strategy.

But now she had to duel the girl. And she had to win... but not too overwhelmingly.

Losing wasn't an option—it would look suspicious. But crushing Reina instantly would also sabotage her goals.

This required a delicate touch.

Hmm... how should I handle this?

She had various ways to dictate the fight—magical pressure, illusions, or subtle telekinetic blocks—but Clara couldn't see any reality where Reina actually beat her.

The gap in experience, mana quality, and magical finesse was simply too vast.

Should she just—

"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"

Her train of thought was severed by the announcer’s booming voice.

CLAAANNNG!!!

Clara’s eyes widened in genuine surprise as steel struck manifested mana right before her face.

Reina had closed the gap in a heartbeat.

Her sword descended with intense focus, grinding against Clara’s spectral blade, which was held in the air by telekinesis.

For the first time all day... Clara blinked.

Well then.

Perhaps this will be a little entertaining after all.