29 Enemies and Lovers

The measuring was so quick, I wasn't sure why it took so long for the line to move. They had a crystal ball similar to the one I saw at my Awakening. All I had to do was drop some blood, and they told me to leave afterward. I guessed I would find out the results tomorrow before the tournament. Lily and I walked to our dorms afterward. I wanted to sleep, but I had things to do first. I opened Madam Minerva's log.

"There was something that Smarus wasn't telling me… but then again, there were a lot of things I didn't plan on telling him. Every fiber of my being wanted to deny him any access to the lowest floor of the library, but I couldn't. I could see the determination in his eyes. There was something in him that forced him to keep moving forward regardless of the pain and fatigue… He reminded me of my beloved.

Warning: Possible Outcome:

Advisor"

It seemed like there was more to the madam than meets the eye… well other than the immortality thing. Although this log was first person, it was still very short. I wondered if she could limit the information that I could get or if I was supposed to interact with her more… And since it was in first person, this outcome was more than likely to come true.

I shrugged. It didn't matter at the moment, and if she wanted to be my advisor, who was I to decline? I was sure that she accumulated centuries of wisdom and knowledge that would come in handy in the future. I pulled up Luna's log.

"She saw that you had, not only your own group of friends, but most of them were females. She felt left out, especially when no one acknowledged her presence. Luna wondered why you refused to engage with her. Not only that, but Ace also left her alone since your battle with him. Perhaps, she was the problem?

Warning: Possible outcomes:

Bloodthirsty Maiden

Lover

Enemy"

What was the difference between a bloodthirsty maiden and an enemy? Actually, I didn't want to find out. Something in me wanted to speak to Luna above everything else. Perhaps this body was still alive to some degree. I could sense the villain's emotions and thoughts linger in this vessel. My theory was only confirmed after Donkor shared his thoughts in the bathhouse. I sighed. It was a bad idea to let emotions be pent up, so I prepared to leave.

First, I grabbed an early dinner at the cafe, and then followed the crowd of love-struck boys. It truly disgusted me that someone could throw away their pride for a female. I shook my head as I followed the trail. Eventually, the trail of boys slowly changed to a mixture of boys and girls.

It was a weird view. Did Luna attract girls too? However, I caught something that a girl mumbled under her breath.

"The two of them would be the perfect couple!" She squealed.

I paused and thought for a moment. I should've known that something was up since I was near the dorms again. I began to pick up my pace. I was just outside the dorms when I saw two familiar faces speaking to each other. This was getting old.

Ace was talking to Luna. She looked like she was love-struck herself. I had a vivid flashback to the game. The villain only found out about the affair because he went to visit Ace in his dorm. Right as he was about to turn the corner, he saw Luna exiting Ace's room. She kissed him goodnight and then left. The villain was heartbroken, and then his origin story began. Some pieces of shit they were. Now I was experiencing something similar.

"Luna, it's been a while. You look good," Ace smiled as he spoke gently

"Huh!? I- I do?" She was blushing.

I sat behind a bush and thought to myself. I technically didn't have any relation to either anymore. I stated earlier that I wouldn't waste my time on people who were not close to me, but I had a nagging feeling. I wanted to stop them! I took a deep breath.

This world had a lot of deviations from the game. Maybe Ace wasn't a complete scumbag, and he really did like Luna. If that was the case, all was fine… mostly. I felt some jealousy. It definitely was this body… it was sad. The villain never got a happy ending. The one person he truly loved… Why am I going down this road!? There were many more women that were more attractive than Luna!

Well, this wasn't my problem, and I was too late. I began to get up to leave them to their own devices.

"A-ace?"

I sat back down and hid when I heard this. A few paces from me, another girl was hiding nearby. I could hear sniffling and tears being shed.

"Y-you said you loved me…" The rest was unintelligible

Anger rose and… was I happy? I slapped myself. This body needs to chill. However, I now knew that there was one constant in this world. I stood up and walked towards them.

"Well, well, well" I dramatically clapped my hands. "You are quite the woman's man Ace!" I could feel myself going on an ego trip.

"Smarus!" He gritted his teeth.

He was holding Luna's arms, and when he clenched his fists, she winced in pain.

"Smarus, why are you here?" Luna looked at me surprised.

"I came to apologize for earlier, but it seemed like you were busy," I smiled. "I did intend to leave you and let you two be bu…"

"Then leave," Ace mumbled.

Wait, Ace was making moves way earlier than in the game. This was alarming, but I should've guessed that this was a possibility. I mentally criticized myself.

"I will… After you apologize to that girl in the bushes," I pointed behind me.

"Eek!" The girl jumped up and ran away.

"I guess you can't now," I shrugged.

Both Ace and Luna were surprised. Luna pushed him away and backed off..

"Ace, what is the meaning of this!?" She was turning red with anger.

"She must have been a fan girl or something," He tried to defend himself.

"Like a friend with benefits?" I instigated.

"Shut up Smarus!" He quickly turned to me.

"No," I smiled.

"Smarus, I can handle myself thank you," Luna crossed her arms. "You did enough, thank you."

"I haven't done enough. If I don't stop you, you will be forced to stay with this womanizer," I shook my head. "I'm sure even this meathead knows the side effects of your class Luna."

Ace clicked his teeth once I revealed his plan, and Luna's eyes widened. She scoffed.

"All men are the same. You all just want to seek your own pleasure and benefits," She sighed.

"Um, hello?" I waved at her.

"Shut up Smarus!" She snapped at me.

"Ouch," I chuckled.

She was actually taking this pretty well. I guessed my job here was done. Maybe I was wrong about Luna. She seemed like a strong, independent wo…

Whoosh!

"Huuhh!?" Luna fell back.

Ace dashed forward at Luna, and in the same instance, I jumped in front of her. I managed to stop his sword with my own, but I made a grave mistake. I held my sword in my left hand and had an open palm in my right. I was wearing the ring I got from the library. Ace noticed this subtle difference and backed off.

"If you knew that much Smarus, then you must know the true strength of a saint… I wonder why you haven't made a move yourself," He sheathed his sword and shrugged. "So I'll cut you a deal."

I put my sword in my inventory. I kept my eyes on him as I spoke.

"I know better than to deal with the devil," I glared at him.

"Funny. Who is the devil here? After all, the winner decides what side he's on," he smiled at me. "I know you won't touch Luna, so I'll leave for now. After the tournament, after I beat you, I will claim what is mine," He turned to walk away.

This piece of shit. He was too far gone if he saw Luna as a tool and not as a human with needs and desires. I smirked.

"As of this day!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

A few people opened their windows to see what was going on. Ace turned around, grabbing his sword.

"You won't!"

"Lunafreya Crestiala is under the protection of the Dragonborne clan!" I declared that at the top of my lungs.

I managed to say it before Ace could reach me. Since I had an audience, the word would spread faster than fire. Luna audibly gasped, and Ace glared daggers at me.

"You sly fox. Soon, you'll meet your end," He clicked his teeth before he walked away.

"Feel free to try. After all, lions aren't bothered by cubs," I laughed.

The people that saw this began murmuring and some students even ran to spread the news. I stepped into some deep crap, but it was bound to happen. I just wished that I didn't have to meet these two under such hostile conditions. I turned to Luna.

"Now, like I said earl…"

Slap!

"Is that how nobles say thank you now?" I tried to laugh off my anger.

"Why are you always helping me?" Tears were flowing down her face. "You ignore me, and then come to save me when I need help. What is your aim!?"

I sighed. I wanted to give some kind of bullshit reason, but I shouldn't. I didn't want to run the risk of her going insane again.

"I want to protect those who are dear to me," I crossed my arms. "And you aren't making it easy for me."

She blushed as she began to hold herself.

"You find me dear to you?" She tried to act tough.

Ding! Ace's Character Log has been updated! Lunafreaya's character log has been updated!

"Anyway, I only came here to apologize. Sorry," I ignored her question and walked away. "Good luck tomorrow."

"What! You're just gonna walk away after everything that just happened?" She called me.

"Yup."

I walked away. Things were beginning to become more and more dangerous. I should read the logs now, starting with Ace.

"I WILL KILL SMARUS! No matter what I did, he was always in the way. He was never consistent in his actions and words, but I did know one thing. Whatever that so-called 'revelation' he had a year ago was, it changed him for the worse. I should have killed him when I first suspected it.

Path chosen:

Arch Enemy"

I kinda saw that coming. I wished I could say I was calm, but I was far from it. I had to fight the hero now, and I was at a massive disadvantage! I barely leveled up as it is due to my class! I took deep breaths. It was just the luck of the draw, and I didn't plan to lose now. Be it the hero or a god, I will overcome any and all obstacles. Luna was next.

"I honestly don't get Smarus, but now I know one thing. He always had my best interest in mind. I shouldn't have given up on him or tried to seduce him. I should also stop playing with other people's feelings now that I tasted what that was like. I need to be better, for myself… and for Smarus!

Path chosen

Lover"

Heh? This girl was lost and confused, and she needed help ASAP. Since I was on the topic, the lover option popped up a few times in the past… I knew polygamy was legal, but I didn't want to go down that road. I would have preferred not to get tangled up in this mess in the first place. I sighed. Like all emotions, I was sure that Luna's will pass over time… hopefully. I should let her down lightly.

I closed my tab as I reached my destination. I knocked on the door of Sonia's dorm.

"What do you want?" She muttered.

"Would it kill you to say hello for once?" I sighed.

"Would it kill you to hold your end of the promise?" She rebutted. 

"I am. It just takes time."

"Fine, I'll allow it for now," She crossed her arms.

What was up with this girl? Why did she even like Donkor to begin with? Whatever, I had bigger fish to fry.

"More importantly, is it ready?" I changed the subject.

"It was barely completely on time… I'm suspicious on how you knew what to do, but it worked," She informed me.

"Good. There's no time to spare."