How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game-Chapter 376: Last Night

"That was fun, right?"

"Mhm~ really fun~"

Alice's voice was light and cheerful as she clung onto my hand, her warmth lingering against my palm.

We walked leisurely through the commercial district, the golden glow of lanterns and streetlights painting the bustling night scene around us.

Despite the academy being quieter than usual due to the lack of students, the city itself remained lively—vendors calling out their final sales, couples strolling, and groups of adventurers sharing laughter over drinks at the nearby taverns.

By now, it was well past our dorm curfew, but honestly? Neither of us cared.

We weren't just walking. We were enjoying the moment.

Alice's fingers tightened around mine for a brief second before she spoke.

"I was really nervous, you know, Junior~" she pouted, swaying our joined hands slightly. "Suddenly inviting me like that… and even announcing that you'd introduce me to the others…"

She let out a small huff before flashing me a playful smile.

"I mean… I'm really glad everything went well, but you should at least let me prepare in advance next time you invite me out, okay?"

I chuckled at her cute reaction and nodded.

"Alright, alright. I'll make sure to give you some time next time."

"Good~" Alice beamed, but just as she was about to continue, she hesitated. Her lips parted slightly, then closed again—like she was debating whether or not to say something.

Finally, she mumbled softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"…And also, if it's alright with you… can it be just the two of us next time…?"

She spoke so meekly that even I had a hard time hearing her.

"If that's what you want, sure."

The moment I agreed, a soft blush bloomed across Alice's cheeks. She averted her gaze slightly, but she didn't try to take back her words either.

Well, in all honesty… I felt the same way.

As much as I enjoyed being with everyone, there was something different about spending time alone—where it was just the two of us, free from distractions, able to fully focus on one another.

'I'm sure the other girls would like it as well especially Snow who tends to be a bit extreme with her actions wherever we're alone…'

A relationship wasn't just about grand moments shared in a group. Private moments between lovers—where we could truly be alone with each other, just us—were just as important.

Because love and attention… were far more complicated than people thought.

"You know, Junior, I appreciate you taking the time to guide me back to the dorms… but is it really alright to just leave them like that?" Alice asked, glancing up at me with a hint of concern.

"It's fine," I reassured her. "Snow already mentioned she'd be heading back to the student council to finish up some unfinished work. As for Rose, well, she's probably preparing for her magic council meeting—that's why she left in such a hurry." I gave her a small smile. "And besides, we basically go to the same room anyway."

Alice blinked before giggling. "Hehe, now I understand why they were all in such a rush at the end… I really thought I was burdening them or something."

I smirked at her reaction. "Did you really think they were freely giving you alone time with me?"

"Well…" Alice trailed off, looking away.

I chuckled at her honesty. While that might have been part of the reason, I knew for a fact that neither Snow nor Rose would willingly miss a chance to spend time with me.

After all, I was the same way with them.

Honestly… this relaxing, loving feeling—the warmth that surrounded me whenever I was with all of my girls—wasn't something I'd ever want to neglect or ignore.

I cherished these moments.

Every single one of them.

Because soon…

A week from now, Senior's arc would likely begin.

And when that happened, I'd be away from the others once more.

Snow would probably come to understand that something was off.

She was perceptive—she wouldn't let things slide so easily.

As for Rose, despite her whimsical nature, she was by far the most logical in the group when the situation demanded it.

If anything, I was certain that once she pieced everything together, she'd realize I did it for her sake—for everyone's safety.

Still… that didn't mean I wasn't worried.

There was always a chance that things could go haywire, that their concerns would spiral beyond reason.

Especially Seo—out of all of them, she had no one else at the academy to properly rely on except me.

I had the option to tell them. To let them know what was happening.

But…

Getting involved with the White Queen wasn't something I could risk.

Of all the epilogue bosses, she was the only one with the full capability of sending multiple forces at different times, relentlessly striking from the shadows.

And above all—they had no way to protect themselves from the curse she carried.

That same curse—the one that had been bound to kill Alice before.

And now…

Yes, the girls were strong. In certain scenarios, if I asked them for help, we might have a chance at victory.

But that was a risk I couldn't afford to take.

Even with Rose's Light Magic and Celestial Magic—her strongest weapons against the White Queen and her forces—it would only be a temporary measure.

A stopgap. It wouldn't be enough.

I couldn't take any chances.

Although my decision this time might come off as a bit selfish, I was fairly confident.

Even without relying on a proper party, I can save Alice.

That belief was unshakable.

As I walked alongside Alice, my thoughts briefly drifted before she suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Junior, you mentioned that Rose is preparing for her Magic Council meeting… Does that mean she's already chosen a magic tower to apply to?"

I shook my head. "No… she's just attending the meeting out of courtesy."

That much I knew.

Though the Tower Masters would definitely flock around her, each of them eager to entice her into joining their respective towers.

I sighed, already picturing it in my mind. "The moment she steps into that meeting, they'll probably swarm her like a pack of hungry hounds—or crows, really. All of them trying to convince her to join their tower, promising power, influence, and prestige."

It was only natural.

Rose had already achieved the level of an Archmage—even if she wasn't officially recognized as one yet, her mana alone put her far above most magicians in the empire.

The magic towers would see her as an invaluable asset, someone who could bring prestige and expand their influence.

But…

I doubted she'd join any of them.

Just like in the game, there was never a point for her to align with any magic tower.

Rose wasn't the type to be swayed by promises of knowledge or power—she moved purely for herself and the people she loved and cared for.

That's just who she was.

"Hm~ maybe I should've given her a bit of advice then~" Alice mused playfully, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

"Now that I think about it... Did you also get the same level of attention in your second year, Senior?" I asked, curious about Alice's experience.

Alice let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms with a dramatic huff.

"Yes! Those old bums were really annoying, you know, Junior?" she grumbled, rolling her eyes. "They just kept spouting random nonsense about 'privileges' I didn't need, going on and on about how great and mighty their towers once were. Talking about how their towers are the pinnacle of magic, the 'foundation of knowledge'—ugh, it was unbearable!"

Her golden eyes gleamed with frustration as she continued.

"But in reality? Each of those towers is basically just a hiring pot for mages nowadays!" she scoffed. "If you really want to work in magic research, working in the academy is much better than listening to their outdated, self-important rambling!"

Her clear irritation made me chuckle.

"Well… people can't easily let go of past glories," I mused.

It was a universal truth—even back in my world.

Nobles from the empire, clinging to the legacies of their ancestors, refused to adapt and ended up dying first on the battlefield.

They were too blinded by their own arrogance to see how the world had changed.

The magic towers were no different.

Once, they had been beacons of knowledge, the heart of magical research and innovation.

Now?

They were nothing more than mercenary guilds—renting out their mages to the highest bidder.

If someone was truly seeking knowledge and wisdom, the academy was far better suited for that than any of the crumbling towers that still clung to their former prestige.

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Alice smirked, clearly agreeing with my thoughts.

"Exactly, Junior. Those old guys just don't get it."

"Hahaha!"

"Hey! I'm serious, you know!" Alice pouted, puffing up her cheeks in protest.

It was fun seeing Senior Alice like this.

Back in the game, one of the things I always liked about her was how—most of the time—she genuinely meant what she said.

She wasn't the type to sugarcoat her words or fake emotions just for the sake of appearances.

And right now, seeing the frustration on her face, I could tell she wasn't exaggerating.

She truly found the magic towers annoying.

That authenticity—that realness—was something I admired about her.

If I had already fallen for her before, then being here with her now—walking side by side, hand in hand—only made those feelings deepen.

It felt like... everything was better, just by being with her.

Maybe that was what love did to a person.

It made even the simplest moments feel like gold.

"You know, Riley…" Alice's voice softened as she turned to look at me. Her golden eyes shimmered under the glow of the streetlights. "I think you should smile more often."

She squeezed my hand, her fingers tightening around mine as she smiled warmly.

"…Really?" I murmured, raising a hand to my lips.

Now that I thought about it… maybe I was smiling more often than usual, huh?

"Yes!" Alice nodded eagerly. "It makes you look cuter… handsomer, even! Maybe even more approachable! Of course, there's a certain charm to the whole mysterious, aloof vibe you usually give off, but—yup! You smiling like this is just better~!"

I chuckled at her straightforwardness.

"Is that so?"

Maybe I should smile more often.

It wasn't something that came naturally to me.

Back in my past life, during my military days in the Empire, I had learned to mask my emotions, to keep a composed and unreadable expression at all times. It was a habit—one deeply rooted in me.

But now…

That hardened exterior—the one I had built up over years of training and war—was melting.

Melting… right in front of the people I loved.

It was something about myself I had never really considered before.

And yet, standing here now, hand in hand with Alice, feeling her warmth and seeing the way she genuinely enjoyed my smile…

Maybe… this change wasn't so bad.