Ruby.

Aurora still blushed when she accidentally overheard people talking about her duel.

After the news of her winning the duel with Nova Wilder, she became more and more famous. At first, people were curious about her because of her light magic. But now, it was more like respect, or even fear.

Aurora wasn't sure if she liked it or not.

"Cute and can kick your ass, that's totally my type," she heard her classmate say.

"How can she move so fast?" said another.

"I thought light magic was just a joke. Rare didn't mean strong, right? I guess I was wrong," said another.

And then, some time later, Nova approached her.

"I've mastered seven forms of my magic," Nova said, angry. "I was just a little careless. If I had used all my power, you would have turned into dust. Don't get ahead of yourself."

"Sore loser," Ruby interjected. "Stop making excuses, you lost."

"Shut up, midget!"

"Can't even handle losing. Pathetic." Ruby retorted.

"Don't push it!" Nova warned.

"So what? What can you do about it?" Ruby taunted.

Aurora finally stepped in, grabbing her friend. "Okay, that's enough," she said. "Let's go."

"Wait, I'm not done rubbing it in her face," Ruby complained.

"Enough with that already," Aurora sighed, as she pulled her friend along down the hall.

Ruby pouted. "Why? I thought you hated her too."

"She wasn't just boasting," Aurora said. "Let's not anger her too much."

"What?"

"She really has seven forms."

"That's not funny," Ruby snorted. "Most graduates aren't even able to go that far. And you said she already had it in her first year?"

"Yes," Aurora said simply.

Ruby stared at her friend. She noticed that Aurora was completely serious.

"What the heck?" Ruby said. "She's a monster."

Aurora nodded.

"But you're a monster too," Ruby said.

"What?"

"What's up with the speed then?" Ruby continued. "I've never seen someone that fast before."

Aurora smiled mischievously. "That's a secret."

"Oh, come on!" Ruby pouted again.

Aurora just laughed.

***

Lyra entered the room in a hurry.

"Miss," she said. "Miss, big news!"

Aurora, who was sitting on the bed while reading a book, looked at her.

"What happened?" she asked.

Lyra was out of breath. "It's... It's the mine! They found a huge amount of gems there!"

"Oh, finally," Aurora smiled.

"You're not surprised, miss?" Lyra said, confused. "Did you already know?"

"Well, I had already predicted it," Aurora said, going back to reading her book.

"But... how?"

"I know stuff. I'm just that amazing." Aurora trying to wave off the explanation.

Lyra smiled. "You really are amazing."

"Oh, right," Aurora said. "If you find any rubies, especially ones of great quality, bring them to me."

"Are you going to use them?" Lyra asked.

"Yes, and go to town," Aurora said. "Look for the best artisans around here. I might need their help to make a necklace or something. Everything else, I'll let my father handle it."

Lyra nodded.

"And..." Aurora said, sound unsure.

"Yes?" Lyra waited.

Aurora put down her book. She seemed to be contemplating something.

"I wonder if I should start with that plan too," she murmured to herself.

"Something wrong, miss?" Lyra said.

Aurora let out her breath. "I guess there's no point in waiting. Alright, Lyra, when you're in town, I need you to do an extra thing."

Lyra nodded. "And that is?"

"Try to ask around about the information guild," Aurora said.

Lyra raised her brows. "The information guild...?"

Lyra raised her brows. "The information guild...?"

"Yes, but make sure you don't end up in trouble," Aurora said. "You don't even need to actually find them. Just make sure people around town know you're looking for them."

"I understand, miss," she looked at Aurora in concern. "But why are you looking for them? I don't think it's a good idea to get in contact with them."

"I can't tell you yet," Aurora said. "I know about their bad reputation. Don't worry, I will be careful."

Lyra still wasn't convinced.

Aurora walked toward her maid and patted her shoulder. "Thank you for worrying about me, but trust me. I know what I'm doing."

Lyra nodded. "Sorry if I overstepped the boundaries."

"Not at all," Aurora smiled. "You're important to me. I'm happy you care for me that much. But I will let you know early, in the future I will ask you all kinds of things you might not understand. I hope you can trust me and help me with that."

Once again, Lyra nodded. "I understand, miss. I will do my best."

***

Aurora decided to take a walk to pass the time. She had just finished her book and was feeling bored. Her maid was out, so she didn't even have anyone to talk to.

She really wanted to meet up with Ruby, but she didn't know where she was at the moment. In times like this, Aurora missed having modern technology like cellphones.

As she strolled around aimlessly, she heard some commotion coming from the practice area. Curious, she made her way over to investigate. To her surprise, she found a group of students earnestly training with swords.

Knight practice? Aurora guessed.

As Aurora got closer, she spotted a familiar face. It was Ruby, a petite girl with twin tails, standing alone and watching the practice session. Correction--she was actually only watching one person, Finnick Hunter, her childhood friend.

That reminded Aurora that she was a rival character and that she was in love with him.

Finnick Hunter, a big buff guy, was sweating profusely. He was swinging a big sword again and again. According to the game's description, he was the best swordsman at the magic academy.

It was no surprise to Aurora that Finnick was the best swordsman at the academy. After all, he was the only son of the Knight Captain. The only weakness he had was that he wasn't very good at using magic. His element was wind.

Personally, Finnick wasn't really Aurora's favorite character. She respected his hard work, but she wasn't particularly interested in physical power, and found him a bit too buff.

Not that she had a problem with Ruby liking him, everyone has different preferences.

Aurora walked toward her.

Ruby noticed her. "Hey, I didn't think I would see you here at this time."

"Me neither," Aurora smiled. "I had nothing to do."

"What about your book?"

"I've already finished it."

"Oh, okay."

They ran out of things to say and went back to looking at the students practicing swordmanship.

Ruby stared at Finnick without blinking.

"Do you have someone you like?" Ruby suddenly asked.

"What? Me? No, not really," Aurora said, surprised.

Ruby smiled in pain. "I hope I haven't fallen in love too."

Far in front of them, Finnick finished training. Nova gave him a drink and they talked and laughed together. Aurora understood, looking at that must have hurt.

"Why does she keep pestering him?" Ruby said, her voice cracking, "when she already has a fiancé? There's no way I can get in between them."

She grabbed her skirt in frustration. "Even though we've known each other for so long, I'm not special to him."

"But aren't you the one who appreciates his hard work the most?" Aurora said quickly. "You're the reason he keeps working hard."

Ruby looked at her friend in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

What...?

That was when it finally hit her: not only had Nova successfully made all capture targets her allies, but she had actually stolen the event from the rival character?

In the world before Nova regressed, Ruby was the one who made Finnick keep chasing the position of Knight despite his weakness at magic. That connection, that was the reason why she became a rival character. But if that event got stolen by Nova, doesn't that mean Ruby isn't even a rival character anymore?

So all that was left was just one-sided love?

"Anyway, I'm tired," Ruby said. "I'm going back to my room."

She messed up. Without knowing what actually happened, she said all those stupid things.

Ruby is hurt. She must do something.

Without thinking, Aurora quickly catches up with her and grabs her hand.

"Wait a second," Aurora said.

Ruby looks back, crying.

"Why... You stop me? I don't want you to see..." Ruby tries to hide her crying face with her hand.

Aurora immediately hug that small girl, trying to make her feel better, even just for a little.

***