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The Disaster Dragoness.

Nikita Cynthia is the final boss who exits the stage in Act 3.

Thus, to make her exit dramatic, she has a significant presence throughout Acts 1, 2, and 3.

In the early stages of the game, where the narrative focus is at its peak, Nikita is a character with substantial importance.

The story initially leads players to think she might be a heroine, only to hit them with a shocking tragic arc.

Fueled by the developers' relentless obsession with plunging the players into despair, Nikita's character is fleshed out to the extreme in the beginning.

Now then, who am I?

A seasoned player who has cleared "Flame Butterfly" 29 times.

If you add the times I deliberately triggered bad endings out of curiosity, my playthroughs far exceed this number.

In other words, I know every little detail about Nikita, her life, and her accomplishments.

I have countless routes to praise her from all angles.

Thus, right now, I am a Nikita praise machine.

“Senior Nikita, I commend you for carrying an injured exam candidate to the infirmary during your proctoring duties for the entrance exam.”

“Ahem, that’s just something any upperclassman should do.”

“Senior Nikita, I commend you for resisting snacks for fear of gaining weight and opting for tofu snacks instead.”

“Uh, th-that’s because tofu snacks are just tasty!”

“Senior Nikita, I commend you for staying behind in the student council room after accidentally being locked in and deciding to finish all the pending work.”

“H-how do you know about that?!”

“Senior Nikita, you also…”

“Stop!”

Nikita is precious.

She must be praised.

Overwhelmed by my relentless barrage of compliments, Nikita had a dizzy expression.

“Why? I’m not done yet.”

“Please, I’m begging you, stop.”

She rubbed her forehead with her hand, giving me a pointed look.

“...It’s a little creepy how much you know about me, Junior.”

Maybe I overdid it.

At some point, I just got carried away and started teasing her.

I decided to admit my mistake honestly.

“It’s all because I sincerely respect you, Senior Nikita. Everything I said earlier is true, and no one has worked harder than you.”

It’s true.

Nikita is weak to praise and strong against criticism.

But above all else, the most remarkable thing about her is her relentless effort.

This is why Nikita leaves such a poignant impression on me.

‘Nikita lacks any natural talent.’

The Disaster Dragoness, Nikita Cynthia.

Born into the prestigious Cynthia marquis family renowned for their magical prowess, Nikita possessed almost no magical talent.

The magic within her body was nearly nonexistent.

As a result, she was poorly regarded by her family from a young age.

In stark contrast, her older brother, Nia Cynthia, was exceptionally gifted in magic.

Because of this, Nikita lived her life constantly compared to him.

「Nikita, you’re no match for your brother.」

「It’s fine. After all, Nikita is a girl. It doesn’t matter if she lacks magical talent.」

「Nikita, take care of your appearance. That’s your only strong point.」

Her family had no expectations of her.

They saw her as nothing more than a pretty doll to be used for a political marriage.

Her own wishes were entirely ignored.

Most would have been disheartened by this.

And indeed, Nikita was.

But she didn’t stop at being disheartened.

If she had no talent in one area, she decided to cultivate it elsewhere.

She tried tirelessly to find a path where she could shine.

And she faced countless disappointments.

Nikita Cynthia is ordinary.

She has no magical aptitude.

She isn’t exceptionally intelligent.

Her small stature is a disadvantage in martial arts.

She is unremarkable in every way.

Just a beautiful doll.

The backdrop of her prestigious marquis lineage and the renown of her magical heritage only served to weigh her down.

Nevertheless, Nikita refused to give up.

She acknowledged her lack of talent.

And then she changed her approach.

If she had no natural talent, she would create her own.

She would plant seeds of ability in the barren ground.

Since magic was impossible without innate power, she set it aside and devoted herself to academics and swordsmanship.

No matter what her family said, she focused on what she could do.

This is why she became resilient to criticism.

And because she worked harder than anyone else, she developed a drive to overcome the rejection of her efforts.

She worked tirelessly.

Through sheer effort alone, she climbed to the position of vice president at Zerion Academy, where geniuses and prodigies gather.

She maintained a high ranking at the academy through sheer determination.

Her body wasn’t strong, so she studied until she bled nosebleeds at night.

She trained until her hands blistered and suffered severe muscle pain from wielding a sword.

Life was relentless, but Nikita never spared her efforts.

Because of this, she’s particularly vulnerable to praise.

Her family treated her like a pretty doll.

At the academy, people attributed her high achievements to her family’s influence.

Yet she always worked silently, even if no one noticed.

I really like Nikita for this reason.

So I wanted to tell her.

“Senior Nikita, you are someone who deserves respect and praise.”

Her current self is the result of her unyielding determination and perseverance.

Nikita’s lips moved as if to speak.

She stared at me blankly, her ears slightly red, suggesting that my heartfelt compliment had reached her.

“...Thank you.”

Nikita uttered her thanks.

Instead of the lofty expression I first saw her with, she wore a faint smile unique to Nikita Cynthia.

“This is the first time I’ve received so much praise in my life. Junior, I’ll make sure to live a life worthy of your admiration and respect.”

Nikita’s smile brimmed with pride.

She is someone who can endure life’s hardships because she knows someone acknowledges her efforts.

“You mentioned wanting to join the student council, right? A few administrative tasks just opened up due to some seniors graduating. Originally, we were going to recruit first-year applicants.”

“I’ll apply! I’ll work with utmost sincerity, so please choose me!”

“Hmm, we do need someone diligent. I’ll consider it positively.”

I finally managed to secure a spot in the student council.

“Well, I have business in the Martial Arts Department. Junior, see you next time.”

With that, Nikita walked off across the bridge.

I silently watched her receding figure.

Nikita Cynthia is someone who works tirelessly.

I sincerely hoped that her efforts wouldn't be in vain, even until the very end.

Perhaps that’s why.

As someone destined to guide this world towards the main story, I found myself deep in thought as I gazed at her retreating back.

Nikita Cynthia, the Calamity Dragon.

In the storyline, she's the boss of Act 3 that must be defeated.

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After a series of ups and downs, the day finally came to an end.

I made an enemy out of Isabel.

And earned Nikita’s favor.

‘Is it really okay to live such an extreme life?’

For now, I went with the flow and took the plunge.

But the process is undeniably grueling.

Above all, Nikita may have a love-hate relationship with Lucas, but she’s grown some level of attachment to him.

She wouldn’t be entirely pleased about Lucas’s death.

If she found out I spoke ill of Lucas, her favorability might plummet.

‘At least Nikita isn’t well-connected in the academy.’

Her daily routine of student council work, studying, and wielding her sword has left her with a limited social circle.

Because of this, she’s less aware of the news circulating around the academy compared to others.

If it’s something that happened among the third years, she might hear about it.

But rumors from the second years will take time to reach her ears.

Not to mention, since her family, the Cynthia House, has aligned with the First Prince, she’ll be too preoccupied with that to pay much attention to other matters.

So, I need to build her favorability points aggressively while I can.

‘Act 3, Chapter 1 has already begun.’

The fact that Nikita’s brother, Nia Cynthia, has sided with the First Prince marks the start.

There’s no shortage of things to prepare for, now that Lucas is gone.

‘Hang in there, me.’

I comforted myself as I stopped in my tracks.

Where am I standing right now?

This place is none other than the male dormitory of Zerion Academy.

But the building in front of me didn’t look like it belonged to a dormitory.

It was so luxurious that the term hotel would be more fitting.

Zerion Academy is a prestigious academy.

Because it attracts students from noble families, the academy receives substantial support from those families.

This, of course, is a way for them to curry favor for their sons and daughters.

Thanks to the overflowing sponsorship, Zerion Academy spares no expense on its dormitories.

"Master Hannon Irey, we’ve been expecting you. I am Marie E. Maris."

As soon as I entered, a stewardess greeted me with a bow.

A middle-aged woman in a long black skirt and apron.

She was the head maid of Zerion Academy’s dormitories—Marie E. Maris.

"Your belongings have already been moved to your assigned room."

"Thank you."

"Master Irey, we are merely your attendants. There is no need to use formal speech with us."

As someone from Korea, speaking informally to an elder isn’t easy for me.

But I’ll have to adapt.

"Got it. I’ll be in your care for the next two years, Head Maid."

"Yes, we will do our utmost to assist you in focusing on your studies."

With those words, she began guiding me.

At every turn, I couldn’t help but be amazed.

"This is better than a five-star hotel."

Why does the dormitory have a swimming pool, hot springs, and massage rooms?

Although I had my questions, I said nothing.

I’ve seen it often enough in the game.

It’s not really new.

‘There’s an event with a vengeful water spirit here, isn’t there?’

Instead, I reviewed all the events that take place in the dormitory.

‘I need to gather every possible resource.’

I’m not Lucas.

Naturally, I don’t have Lucas’s unique trait, Flame of Resolve.

‘Flame of Resolve is practically essential for driving the main story forward.’

But I can’t use what I don’t have.

So, I need to find alternative solutions.

‘This is the biggest issue for now.’

I do have a plan in mind.

The problem is that the most promising candidate for help is at a different academy.

‘To bring them here through a transfer…’

I’ll need to come up with a way.

I’ll take it step by step.

If all else fails, there’s always the event The Dean’s Secret Friend Who Grants Any One Wish!

"This will be your room, Master Irey."

Room 316.

As I looked at the door, I thought for a moment.

‘A second-year room, 316... If I recall correctly—’

Lost in thought about who my roommate might be.

Marie knocked on the door.

"Master Card, are you inside?"

Card.

Hearing that name, I blinked.

"Ah."

And as soon as the name registered in my mind—

Creak—

The door opened, revealing short, golden hair fluttering.

Along with a toned, tanned body in an open-front shirt and a face full of mischief.

So much for a quiet dorm life.

"Marie, if you wanted to see me, you could’ve come alone."

A cocky grin played on his face as he brazenly flirted with the middle-aged Marie.

Card Velique.

The golden-haired rascal who flirts with the main heroine only to get beaten by the protagonist.

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