Celine walked through the corridor during lunch break, deep in thought, her gaze unfocused as the various classrooms hummed past her.
End-semester evaluations. Points. Rankings. Visibility.
Everything she needed to win.
And yet.
Her thoughts circled back to the same problem, again and again.
Aurelia Valen.
She was damaged, yes. But not broken. Not yet.
"People like her don't collapse all at once," Celine thought calmly. "They erode."
She needed something subtle. A mistake Aurelia would make willingly.
Suddenly, she heard a commotion. Celine's eyes shifted.
Near the back corridor, half-hidden by a column, a familiar scene unfolded.
Three girls stood in a loose half-circle, their laughter sharp and thin.
At their center was a small figure.
Short. Slender. Brown hair tied in a long braid down her back. Large, round glasses perched on her nose. Freckles adorned her cheeks. Her uniform was neat but worn, sleeves slightly frayed, fingers clenched around a stack of notes. Her frame was petite, slender arms like delicate twigs, small but well-shaped legs. She resembled a cute little bird. In her hands, she held a small wooden box etched with magical runes.
A board game case.
"Honestly, why are you even here?" one of the girls sneered. "This is a magic academy, not a hobby club."
Another leaned in, peering at the box. "What's that today? Dungeon Dice? Arcane Tactics? Do you ever study anything real?"
The girl shrank, her shoulders folding inward.
"I- I was just- " Her voice cracked. "I was going to- "
A third girl scoffed. "Going to fail again?" All three burst into laughter.
Celine froze.
Then, slowly, her lips curved.
"…Oh."
The name surfaced instantly.
Mira Feldan.
She remembered her clearly now.
In the original game, this was a side quest buried inside the academic arc. Easy to miss. Easier to regret.
Mira was a knowledge-type NPC. High theoretical intelligence in magic cards. Terrible execution. Addicted to magic board games because they made her feel safe.
Her problem was simple. Fail this semester, and she would be held back a year. Helping her was optional.
If the player chose to tutor Mira:
- Study time drained rapidly
- Academic scores dropped noticeably
- Points were lost
But.
Much later in the story, Mira would reveal the location of a rare skill card, one only she knew about. Hidden behind obscure puzzle mechanics she alone understood. A reward meant to compensate for the early loss.
A classic trade.
Short-term pain for a rare reward.
But Celine already knew about the card.
She knew where it spawned. She knew when. She could acquire it at any moment she desired.
Which meant now…
"This quest has no upside," she thought serenely.
Only damage.
Celine watched as Mira bowed repeatedly, apologizing even as the girls continued to laugh.
How fitting. A choice that punished kindness. Aurelia would never refuse it.
" I have found a perfect pawn" Celine said to herself, as she stepped forward
She moved with unhurried grace, her steps light, almost unnoticeable as she slipped in behind the girls by using shadow magic.
"Ah," she said softly, concern threading her voice. "Is something wrong?"
The bullies turned, startled.
Recognition sparked immediately.
"Miss Celine—!"
"We were just joking," one of them said quickly.
Celine tilted her head, her eyes warm, forgiving. "It didn't sound like joking."
Her Charm innate skill activated quietly, like a gentle warmth spreading through the air. Not forceful. Just persuasive enough to remind them who held influence here.
The girls exchanged uneasy glances.
"Sorry," one muttered. "We didn't mean anything by it."
"Of course," Celine replied with a smile that offered grace without warmth. "Why don't you go on ahead?"
They didn't need to be told twice.
As they scattered, Mira remained frozen, her hands trembling.
Celine turned to her fully.
"Oh my," she said, crouching slightly to meet her eye level. "Are you alright?"
Mira blinked rapidly, tears spilling over.
"I- I'm sorry," she said reflexively. "I didn't mean to be in the way."
Celine's smile softened further.
"You didn't do anything wrong."
Mira's breath hitched.
"I heard," Celine continued gently, "that you've been having trouble with your studies."
Mira stiffened. "…I'm trying. I really am. I just- no matter how much I read, I can't keep up."
Celine nodded, listening. Understanding. Planting a thought where fear already lived. A suggestion wrapped in relief.
"Have you thought about asking for help?" Celine said softly.
Mira swallowed. "I don't… I don't know anyone like that."
Celine's gaze drifted casually toward a familiar blonde-haired figure across the courtyard.
Aurelia Valen.
"She's known for her diligence," Celine said, as if thinking aloud. "And her sense of responsibility. I think she would understand you."
The idea settled. Took root.
Mira's breathing steadied. Her eyes brightened, desperation giving way to fragile hope.
"…Lady Aurelia?" she whispered.
Celine smiled.
"Yes."
Then, quietly, invisibly, she reached inward.
Her Memory Manipulation innate skill unfurled.
Just a nudge. She erased the memory of her giving Mira the idea to speak to Aurelia, preventing any lingering doubt or investigation.
Still in a hypnotic daze, Mira slowly began walking toward Aurelia, determination building as she went. Ready to ask for help.
Originally, in the game, this quest only triggered if the player already knew the location where Mira was bullied. It was mentioned briefly in the guidebooks.
Yet here was Mira walking to Aurelia of her own accord. Which would have never happened without Celine's influence
Celine smiled as she knew which choice Aurelia would make, guided by her unwavering sense of morality.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Aurelia was on her way across the courtyard when the voice stopped her.
"…L-Lady Aurelia?"
She slowed, then turned.
The girl standing a few steps behind her looked as though she had rehearsed this moment a hundred times and failed every single one. Her shoulders were drawn inward, hands clenched tightly around a wooden box etched with runes. Large round glasses sat slightly crooked on her nose, fogged faintly at the edges.
Her eyes were red.
"Yes?" Aurelia asked gently.
The girl bowed so quickly it startled her.
"I-I'm sorry for bothering you," she said, words tumbling over each other. "I know you're probably busy, and I shouldn't interrupt, but I just- "
"It's alright," Aurelia said, stopping her with a raised hand. "You can speak."
The girl hesitated, then swallowed.
"My name is Mira Feldan. Nineteen years old. S-Second-year. I'm in your class."
Aurelia nodded.
Mira drew in a shaky breath.
"I heard you're… good at studying," she said. "That you're kind."
The second word landed harder than the first.
Aurelia's steps paused.
"I don't think I deserve that," she replied honestly.
Mira's fingers tightened around the box.
"I know I'm not important," she rushed on, panic rising. "I just thought- if I fail again this semester, I'll be held back. My family already thinks I'm a burden, and my father said if I can't pass this year then maybe the academy just isn't for me and I-"
Her voice cracked.
Tears welled up, then spilled over before she could stop them.
"I study every night," Mira whispered, staring at the ground. "I really do. But it's like my head won't cooperate. Everyone else understands so easily. I'm always the slow one."
She clenched her hands, then forced herself to look up.
"So… I was wondering," she said, voice barely steady, "if you would help me study. I know it's selfish to ask, and I understand if you say no, but I didn't know who else to turn to."
The words came out in a rush, as if courage might vanish if she stopped.
Aurelia felt something tighten in her chest.
She had heard that tone before.
She had spoken in it herself.
Aurelia stepped closer.
"You're not wrong for struggling," she said softly. "And you're not weak for asking."
Mira looked up, startled.
Aurelia hesitated only briefly before placing a hand lightly on her shoulder.
"I can't promise you perfection," Aurelia continued. "My own situation is… complicated right now."
She thought, briefly, of Chris. Of his steady voice. Of the way he had told her she didn't need to disappear.
"But I won't turn you away," she added.
Mira stared at her, disbelief slowly giving way to fragile hope.
"You… you'll help me?"
"Yes," Aurelia said. "We can study together. I'll do what I can."
Mira bowed deeply, tears falling freely now.
"Thank you," she said over and over. "I wont disappoint you. I swear."
Aurelia smiled, small but genuine.
"I believe you."
As Mira straightened, clutching her box tightly, Aurelia felt the familiar weight settle in her chest.
But the thought of refusing had never truly crossed her mind. It is because Aurelia realized something, almost with surprise. She wasn't making this choice because she felt pity. She was making it because she knew what it meant to be seen when no one is there for you.
.....from across the hall, unseen, Celine watched.
Her smile never reached her eyes.
"Wrong choice," she thought gently.