Could a system even fidget?
"What now? Is there something else you forgot to mention?"
[...Maybe.]
Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose. "Out with it."
[There's also... a Lottery function?]
"A WHAT?!"
[A Lottery function! Host can spend Villain Points to spin a wheel and potentially win rare skills, traits, items, or other rewards at a fraction of their normal shop cost!]
Lucas took a deep breath, then another. "And when were you planning to tell me about this?"
[System was hoping Host wouldn't ask about additional functions for a while?]
"HOW MUCH does this lottery cost?"
[Each spin costs 15 Villain Points. The potential rewards range from common items to SSS-rank skills, though the probability of higher-tier rewards is naturally lower.]
"So I could potentially get something worth hundreds of Villain Points for just 15?" Lucas asked.
[Correct! Though Host could also get something worth less than 15. It's random chance.]
Lucas flopped back onto his bed and stared at the ceiling. "System, I want you to know that if I ever get my hands on you, I'm going to beat the absolute shit out of you."
[System understands Host's frustration!]
"No, I don't think you do," Lucas said.
"These are critically important functions that could literally save my life or make me significantly stronger, and you just... forgot to mention them? What else haven't you told me?"
[System has now disclosed all major functions! System promises!]
"Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it." Lucas closed his eyes.
"I'm not using the Lottery tonight. I only have 13 Villain Points left, and I might need them for something important. But we're going to have a serious discussion about you withholding information from me."
[System acknowledges Host's concerns and will strive to be more forthcoming in the future!]
"You'd better." Lucas rolled over.
"Now let me get some sleep. Tomorrow I have to survive a 'not-date' with a yandere at a festival, and I need all the mental preparation I can get."
[Good luck, Host! Try not to die!]
"Very encouraging, thanks."
Lucas pulled his blanket over himself and he was off to sleep in no time.
------
Lucas woke to sunlight streaming through his window.
For a moment, he lay still, staring at the ceiling and wondering if yesterday had been some kind of fever dream.
Then the System chimed in his head.
[Good morning, Host! Ready for your date with the yandere?]
"It's not a date," Lucas muttered, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "And stop calling her that out loud. What if she can somehow hear you?"
[System only exists in Host's mind. Unless Host has been speaking aloud this entire time?]
Lucas paused. "Have I?"
[Sometimes.]
"Great. Just great." He swung his legs out of bed. "People probably think I'm crazy."
After two hours of working out and a quick shower, Lucas threw on casual clothes: a simple white shirt, dark trousers, and a light jacket. Nothing too formal, but presentable enough for a public outing.
He checked his reflection in the mirror, making sure he looked like a normal student and not someone preparing for a potentially dangerous encounter with an obsessive noble lady.
He grabbed a quick breakfast from the dining hall then made his way to the main gate. It was still early, around eleven o'clock, but he wanted to arrive before Celeste to avoid giving her any reason to complain.
The academy grounds were quiet this morning. Most students were either sleeping in after late-night study sessions or already deep in their exam preparations.
The few people Lucas passed gave him curious looks, probably wondering why he was dressed up and heading toward the gates.
When he arrived, Celeste was already there.
She wore a flowing dress of pale blue that matched her eyes perfectly, with delicate white embroidery along the hem and sleeves.
Her silvery-blue hair was styled in an elegant braid that fell over one shoulder, and she'd applied just enough makeup to enhance her already striking features.
She looked absolutely beautiful, which somehow made Lucas even more nervous.
"Lucas!" She waved enthusiastically when she spotted him. "You're early! I thought I'd have to wait."
"I try to be punctual," Lucas said, stopping a respectful distance away.
Celeste closed the gap immediately, linking her arm through his before he could react.
"Shall we go? I've been looking forward to this all morning!" She said, excited.
Lucas sighed internally but didn't pull away. Causing a scene right at the start would only make things worse.
"Sure. Lead the way."
The walk into Lerastad proper took about twenty minutes. The city was already bustling with activity as they approached the main market district.
Colorful banners hung from every building, decorated with autumn leaves and harvest symbols.
The streets were packed with people: merchants setting up stalls, families walking together, children running around with painted faces.
"It's so lively!" Celeste said. "I heard about the Autumn Harvest Festival but seeing it in person is something else entirely."
Lucas had to admit, it was pretty impressive.
The game had never shown festivals in detail, they were usually just background events or loading screens.
Experiencing it firsthand made the world feel more real and lived-in.
"Let's start with the games!" Celeste dragged him toward a row of colorful stalls.
The first game was a simple ring toss. The goal was to land wooden rings on bottles of varying distances.
Celeste went first, missing all five of her throws despite her noble upbringing and supposed training.
"This is rigged!" she declared, pouting.
"Let me try," Lucas said.
He focused, letting his improved Agility stat guide his throws. Three out of five rings landed perfectly.
"We have a winner!" the stall keeper announced, handing Lucas a small stuffed bear.
Lucas turned to give it to Celeste, but she was already squealing with delight.
"It's adorable! Thank you, Lucas!" She hugged the bear to her chest, then gave him a cute smile.
They moved on to other games. A shooting gallery where Lucas's improved stats let him hit nearly every target.
A strength test with a hammer that he wisely didn't try too hard at, after all, there was no need to draw attention to himself.
A fishing game where Celeste actually beat him, catching three paper fish to his two.
"I win!" she declared triumphantly.
"You did," Lucas admitted. "What prize do you want?"
She pointed at a small wooden fox figurine. "That one. It's cute."
As they continued through the festival, they stopped at various food stalls.
Celeste insisted they try everything: grilled meat skewers, sweet fruit pastries, candied apples, and some kind of spiced bread that was surprisingly delicious.
"This is amazing," Lucas said through a mouthful of the bread. "What's in this?"
"Cinnamon, honey, and some kind of nut," Celeste said, examining her own piece. "The texture is perfect. Not too sweet, not too heavy."
They were debating whether to get seconds when a familiar voice called out.
"Lucas? Is that you?"
Lucas turned to see Lydia and Marie walking toward them, both carrying shopping bags.
Behind them were three other figures: Damion, Zacard, and most surprisingly of all, Raymond James.
"Oh great," Lucas muttered under his breath.
"These 'friends' of your really know how to show up at the most inopportune time, don't they?" Celeste said.
"Some of them," Lucas said as the group approached.
"Fancy meeting you here!" Marie said cheerfully. "Are you two on a date?"
"It's not a date," Lucas said.
"It absolutely is," Celeste countered, still clutching her stuffed bear.
Damion looked between them with barely concealed amusement.
He was dressed casually but still managed to look heroic somehow.
It was probably the protagonist aura at work.
His brown hair caught the sunlight perfectly, and his easy smile made him instantly likeable.
Zacard, standing beside him, looked significantly less amused. His sharp features were set in a neutral expression that didn't show any emotions.
"Lady Celeste," Zacard said with a polite nod. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Lord Zacard," Celeste replied coolly. "Likewise."
Lucas remembered that Celeste had rejected Zacard before the game's story and before he became Leyla's fiancee. So they clearly weren't on the best terms.
The real question was something else though.
Why the hell was Marie and Lydia together with Damion and Zacard?