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Chapter 4: The Hardworking Boss Character
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.
‘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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