Start Of The Game

The pleasant background chatter of the cities people discussing things among themselves, the clacking of hooves along the cobbled path, the poetic chirping of the birds and the rustling of leaves in the amiable wind.

It was perfect. A soothing and calming atmosphere accompanied by the mellow blessing of the still rising sun. And I could enjoy it all whilst my frivolous gaze darted everywhere, as I comfortably sat in my carriage.

Finally, after arriving at this world for the first time six years ago, the main events of the game would finally begin and unveil.

"These past six years have been tough...haven't they?" I muttered to myself as I leaned on my hand.

Since coming to this world, I have developed my body through gruelling and intense training, developed my knowledge through my scholar mother who cultivated my grasp of all things that I could possibly imagine knowing, practiced my mana control and use repetitively and grasped the same wooden sword hundreds of millions of times up until this stage.

All to prepare for this day and the following three years after that. I'm coming for you shitty Hero! And I'm coming for you, my throne, gold and beautiful wives!

"Young lord, we are arriving at the academy." The driver of my carriage informed me, turning his head to project his voice better.

"Yes, thank you. Your services have been great." I gave a cordial smile and adjusted my uniform.

The Empire Academy's prestigious uniform, dawning the white as the primary and black and gold colours as the accessory, clearly representing this nations flag and patriotism.

The carriage then haltingly came to a stop and the driver scuttled out of his seat to open my door. "Thank you." I nodded to him politely and saw him off as he left.

My eyes furrowed as I gazed at the massive entrance building visible at the front of the school.

Get ready you shitty Hero!!! I'm going to claim my spot as the deserving one!

The gathering frenzy of newly enrolling and returning students frolicked in groups as they slowly began entering through the opening gate. Naturally, my looks drew the attention of many onlookers, especially the girls as the majority of the female population glanced in my way and uttered something along the lines of,

"Oh my Goddess, who is he?"

"Isn't he just absolutely stunning?"

"He must be a quite high status noble then?"

I carefully brushed past them all with a quick wave and cheerful smile, but I moved with purpose.

My eyes naturally scattered as memories of the game flooded through my head as the scenery of the school and characters I met.

"Angelica, Iris, Kora, Lisa and Sara. I can't wait to finally meet you, my heroines."

***

As I gradually entered onto the school grounds, my mind immediately started recalling events involving the protagonist of 'Roses and Gold'.

"The protagonist always had a bunch of excuse-me kind of moments that always distinguished him as the centre of attention and as someone special throughout the game. I know he had one practically every year, be it in front of his own year or another, but he always announced himself as this big deal whilst apologising for his clumsiness. Which I have to say, totally not fucking cute, shitty Hero." I stuck my tongue out at the image of the Hero manifesting in my head.

"Anyway, his grand entrance at the start of the game was~... Ahhh, indeed it was that. Fashionably late as a protagonist. That just comes with the territory, am I right?"

Intently with an envisioned plan in my mind, I began navigating through the school looking for the greatest treasure of this world. "Ohhhh Hero~!" I called out mischievously around the halls with an evil glint blissfully shining in my eyes.

"Here you are..." I said to myself, standing before two double doors with a silver sign next to it. "The library. You sure are nervous right now, Hero? With all that pressure of being chosen by the Goddess and entering such a school. Aww you poor thing~."

My hands rubbed together as I began envisioning how much shit I could pull finally after planning crazily for this day for the past SIX. LONG. YEARS!

I mildly pushed the weighted door open and peeked inside before stepping in.

The sheer size of the library was more than described in the game and the volume of the books seemed to also exceed my expectations. No one including the librarians were present at the moment and wouldn't be for the entirety of the morning.

Neither would any student be, but of course the Hero had to be special and make me chase him down. He just can't stop attracting people no matter what he does, can he?

After rummaging around the area, I eventually found him sitting down at a table near a few windows, his mouth moving at incredible speeds as he sat with his knees tucked.

"That innocent and scared act even though he can be so vicious." I then sneaked to one of the open windows, the curtains flowing in the wind as I sat theatrically on the edge and gazed at the cantaloupe sun that bathed me with its light.

A snicker crawled onto my face and as I made sure he hadn't noticed my presence and I called out to him, looking out of the window.

This was my debut to embarrass the Hero and establish our hierarchy and I wouldn't let it fall just like that without doing anything grand! I need my style and charisma points!!

"That's a shitty attitude to have isn't it?" Leon's face snapped to mine as I looked on at him with my azure eyes, a proud grin filled with superiority and pity smacked across my gob.

He chuckled to himself and scratched the back of his golden hair. "I guess it is...but I can't really help i---"

"Ah well that's just not good enough, is it, mister Hero?" A devious look formed on my face as his face fell and sweat beamed from his forehead.

Leon leapt from his seat and sharply stepped back. "H-How did you know?" His weak voice stuttered as his knees shook slightly.

For some reason, a further rage instilled itself within me.

"Not even hiding it, are we? Well not like you're good at doing that, are you undeserving Hero." I taunted, dismissing him with my hand as I looked back to the scenery outside of the window.

"W-W-Who are you!?" His eyes furrowed as he prepared himself in a stance to fight.

Yes! Fight back!

I eminently and elegantly stood from the edge of the window and slowly walked closer to him before stopping at a distance far enough for me to miss even I were to throw a kick.

"I'm the one that's going to crumble your world before you, undeserving Hero!" I proudly announced.

He gathered himself as his voice sharpened, a certain ferocity gathered in his eyes.

"I'm not undeserving of the Hero title!" He claimed, his hand placed on his chest as his verdant eyes roared.

I couldn't help it, but it was too good.

"Ha...hahahahaha. Hahahahaha!" I began laughing in his face whilst holding my stomach. The fact I finally got this chance and the fact he still thinks I'm talking about him being the Hero was just awfully comical to me for whatever reason. But I'd play along with him for now.

"You? Deserving? Don't make me laugh! You're just a weak and undeserving bastard mistaken for something better by your shitty Goddess!" I taunted, spit flying from my mouth.

"How dare you insult the beautiful, esteemed and holy Goddess herself?" His voice raised.

This was another annoying part of his character. His romantic love for the Goddess that literally could never be realised and so countless erotic scenes with the heroines were discarded.

You luck, shitty, obsessive and undeserving BASTARD!

"I challenge you to a duel for your insults!" He bravely pointed at me with his finger, all fear and uncertainty gone from his face.

Was the Hero really that strong at the start if he's so confident to challenge me? Wait, what if he's stronger after all the training I did? No, no this can't be happening!?

"Haha..."

"What are you still laughing about!?" He demanded an answer.

"Sorry, I didn't even realise I was laughing." The Hero, stronger than me? I really am comedic! But this. This setup with him challenging me is just too perfect!

But if I were to fight him now...it'd be like a grown man toying with a child! How can I enjoy and revel in that? I need to let him grow stronger so I can enjoy it more when I still beat him!

But for now, I need to instil that fear and despair into him at the difference between our skills.

Whilst his anger seeming to only boil, in only a split-second, I vanished behind him without having him even notice my disappearance from my original spot. My fingers of my left hand nice and tightly gripped around the Heroes Adam's-apple and my right hand dug into his nerves at his neck, freezing up his body and putting him in a state of certain pain.

I slowly bent down to whisper in his ear and with a tempted smile I spoke. "Big for your boots aren't ya, mister Hero? Get a bit stronger before you start flaunting your power and then challenge me, okay?"

Leon was entirely frozen in fright as his life rested preciously in my hands. He tried swallowing saliva down his dry throat and then slowly nodded with my permission.

"That's good then!" I clapped my hands and a charming smile slipped across my face again as I pushed back a chair and sat opposite to him, but his body was entirely closed off. "C'mon, loosen up. We're both first years."

He cowardly smiled and then got up. "I have to get going."

"Oh? You're finally going to the opening ceremony? I mean a bit late, but perfect for the entrance of the Hero, ain't it?"

Leon's head sharply snapped to the clock on the wall and his face squirmed as he realised the time. He then grabbed his blazer of the back of his seat and tried to run off, but I quickly slipped my arm over his shoulder.

"C'mon Hero. Wait for me. We're first years, so let's look out for each other." I insisted, a fixed expression on my face.