14 School

"May I ask what you are do-" The guard began but stopped midway. "Oh. Forgive me impudence, your majesty."

The spear he held in his hands shook as he cast his eyes, filled with fear, to the ground.

"What do you mean?" Ace asked, confused.

"I didn't realise that you were trying to show me the blessing you have been bestowed upon. I did not mean to question your gift."

"Huh?"

"I do not deserve to be a guard of this school!" He shouted as he put the sphere to his neck and was about to pierce it through his neck but Ace managed to catch the back of the spear before he could make it go through his throat.

"What do you think you are doing?!" he tried not to shout but couldn't stop himself. "Are you crazy!?"

"But … I insulted your great blessing, your majesty. That is something that is punishable by death." He said, looking at Ace, confused.

Why are you looking so confused?? I am the one confused here.

"You didn't know." He said, forcing a smile on his face. "That part is understandable. Sins can be forgiven as well. Don't you think so?" he had absolutely no idea of what he is saying but he decided to go with it.

"Your majesty." The guard said, clasping his hands together as he looked at him with awe. "You are the kindest human alive. Any other person would have demanded me and my descendants heads."

"The hell kind of people are they?" he asked getting a surprised look from the guard, "You take care, alright?"

"Yes, your majesty." He said, standing in attention as the carriage rolled into the school.

Suddenly everything around him paused again and Cleo appeared in a small flash of light.

"Hi!"

"Hi yourself." He said, still looking at his hands in awe. "What just happened?"

"You have control over your body in front of another character." It said, hopping up and down on the cushioned seat. "I am glad that it was a success. For now."

"What do you mean for now?" He asked, smile faltering.

"You see, this is not something we have tried to do before. So it is a bit of a … test. So to say."

"It seems to be working just fine though." He said, looking back at the frozen guard. "Did you see what just happened? I was talking … all on my own and it's just chapter 14."

"That was to a minor character." The fox chuckled. "Of course you will have more power over a minor character than you would on major characters like the king for example."

"Honestly, he seems more like a minor character to me." He sighed whining just a bit. "Why is he so powerful?"

"He is the king. Besides, these 'minor' characters, as I called them, still have lives of their own.

"If this was in any other situation besides the game situation now, you wouldn't have been able to talk to him with your own will. Every character is important. I need you to remember that when you break the loop."

Ace suddenly smiled lazily at Cleo, eyes twinkling.

"What?"

"You said 'when' not 'if'." He side, pocking its side. "You have that much faith in me, I see."

"Of course. I am staking the future of the people of this kingdom on you, and every player that enters here for that matter. I have to. If I do not believe in you all, no one will and you will give up before you even try."

"I feel like giving up already." He said, leaning back on the cushions. "This is tiring."

"You haven't even been here a day." Cleo climbed up at his chest, frowning. "Didn't you enjoy that … blood lust life?"

"Naa. It's too much work." He said, looking down at his uniform and pulling apart the golden neckpiece so that it wasn't sitting as snugly as it did before.

"You can't give up now. You have gotten so far." It said, starting to panic as Ace couldn't help but chuckle.

Patting the head of the fox he said, "You remind me of a pet I once had."

"Was it cute?" Cleo decided to humour him.

"It was the ugliest thing I ever saw." He said, hand still on its head. "But I loved it so much. Too bad it was mistaken for some kind of creature and shot dead."

"How do I remind you of that?" Cleo asked, slightly offended.

"I don't know." He shrugged. "Maybe your nose? But then again, don't all animals have the same nose?"

"You are impossible." It said, rolling its eyes. "Try to take this seriously."

"I am. This is how I take things seriously." He said, shrugging. "Were you trying to tell me something?"

"Yes. I only came to tell you that we tried to change the system and this is just a prototype. But I need to tell you this too." It leaned in, "The system is determined in making Ace seem like the perfect 'good' boy. Noble, kind, courteous, all that."

"Ok … and?"

"Just tell me what you find out," Cleo said, winking at him. "Keep your eyes peeled and make sure to be very, very observant."

"About what exactly?"

"Everything." With that Cleo is gone in the blink of an eye.

"Helpful." Ace said, sighing as he stared out the window.

There was this kind of tunnel that they had to go through first, everything darkening for just a split second.

Though that split second felt like minutes had passed by for the boy with all the sounds he heard coming from the darkness.

The sounds of the creatures from the forest and that day in the tent filled his ears as he tried to calm himself down.

There is no way those creatures would be in school, right?

He didn't want to admit it, but he instantly felt better once they entered back into the light.

That was weird. Was I always scared of the dark?

The school grounds were enormous and covered entirely with plants and flowers of all kinds. The trees in the courtyard were all cherry blossom trees and he couldn't help but snicker at it.

This is such a dating Sims setting. I only know this because of that one game I played. Just that one.

___________

The carriage turned a corner and parked at a place that looks very similar to a stable and parking lot at the same time.

On one side are the carriages and on the other side are stables for the horses to take a break and wait in. There were hay, vegetables and also stable boys to take care of the horses.

"What about you?" Ace asked the driver as he opened the door for him and helped him out of the carriage.

It seems the boy has forgotten how to walk after sitting in the carriage for a good thirty minutes. But he remembered after a couple of seconds of walking like a baby giraffe, fortunately.

"I will be here, waiting for you, your highness." He said, giving him a kind smile. The man is almost old with his greying hair and the wrinkles around his face. But, he still looked very healthy.

"Ok." He said, turning to walk to the school ground when he heard someone running in his direction.

Deciding to ignore it, he turned to walk in the other direction so as to not to bump into anyone.

"President!" A boy's voice called and when he did not turn around, a hand landed on his shoulder. "President. I was calling to you."

"Me?" Ace asked, looking at him with disgust. "Who are you again?"

"Did you forget me or something, president?" The boy asked, adjusting his glasses as he looked up at him. "I understand that you have been very busy over the winter break with the errand that the king has sent you on but I don't think that is long enough for you to forget me."

He looked at the boy closely, trying to remember where that curly auburn hair and blue eyes looked so familiar to him. Then it hit him.

"Vice president." A smile came on his face out of his own volition and he began to lose the control he had before.

Just great. So this is the second lead guy, Leon Kyut. The vice president of the student council and son of the Duke of Boron. Second only to the five, now six, prince and princess with the brooch from the king.

You could get into a relationship with him if you earned enough hearts in the first ten episodes. As a character, you get to interact with all four of the male leads and get chances to earn their hearts. Then after episode ten, you get separated into a different storyline depending on the person whose hearts you earned the most of.

Leon is … how do I say this nicely? Easy. He is very easy.