In summary, after spending several hours with the Stupid Trash, I learned a couple of fundamental things.

  First, I need to stop being so impulsive and use my damn brain more if I don’t wanna screw myself over even harder. Locking my ability to learn other Sorceries and spells? Yeah, that’s not exactly cute.

  Second, leveling up doesn’t mean I can use every spell. It just lets me get ahead, like kinda cheating to see which spell suits me best.

  Let’s put it this way. I could use an Lv 3 spell without having to learn ALL the Lv 1 and Lv 2 spells; but that’s complicated.

  For now, my best bet is to farm more P.P or Mastery through practice.

  Which brings me to… the next problem.

  Practices.

  Alright, brain, I choose you!

  Come on, you’ve gotta have some memory.

  According to the game’s plot, Kathryn was supposed to choose Specialized Practices. A major “Love Between Battles” event, since it massively increases affection with the route’s Hero. Unlocking events and scenes.

  Which means no.

  Absolutely not getting anywhere near that css. The st thing I want is to be close to them.

  The heroes will be there. And where there are heroes… there are problems.

  My instincts and logic agreed: avoid that Practice at all costs.

  "Decision made. The opposite. Practices focused on Sorcery-Magic Manipution."

  If I’m gonna survive, I need to understand how to use this damn Defensive Sorcery.

  And this time…

  I’ll do it right.

  "Sup, Maxi," I said, leaning a little anxiously against the back of my chair. "You already know which practice css you’re taking?"

  "Yes. Specialized Practices. I think I could have a good future with my Terrestrial Sorcery."

  I smiled on the outside.

  On the inside, I was crying.

  Maxine had made the exact same choice as in the game. It was logical. Inevitable. Even so, that tiny sting in my chest was lethal.

  That meant we wouldn’t be together. And I don’t wanna be separated from her. I swear the moment I am, those crazies will kill me!

  "You look sad?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Aren’t you taking the same css?"

  "No…"

  I stopped.

  Looking at her, I noticed a faint hint of… mencholy? Her expression, always so neutral, now looked like a puppy that had been left without its favorite toy.

  "Huh? Why do you look sad then?"

  "Not at all," she replied quickly, looking away. "I was just surprised. I thought you’d follow me like a loyal hound wherever I went."

  My brain shut down.

  …Did she just invite me to follow her?

  My heart jumped so hard I felt heat in my ears.

  God.

  Just because of that, I was seriously reconsidering changing my entire choice just to stay with her.

  That doesn’t sound like a dec—

  I quickly spped myself. How could I even think something that weird about my friend?!

  "...Did you just… sp yourself?"

  "I didn’t sleep much st night and I almost dozed off. Don’t pay attention!"

  "...Ok. So?"

  "What?"

  "Which one are you choosing?"

  "Oh. Uh…" I swallowed. "Practices focused on Sorcery-Magic Manipution. I have… a certain attraction to Defensive Sorcery."

  "Really? That’s weird…"

  She fell silent.

  Her face, usually calm and almost expressionless, tensed for just a second. It was minimal, but I saw it. A brief shadow, like she had said something she shouldn’t have.

  Weird, today I’ve seen several new expressions on her beautiful face.

  When she noticed I was staring, she returned to her usual expression.

  "Nothing. Forget what I said."

  "Huh?"

  Before I could press further, the cssroom door opened with a dry creak.

  Professor Isac entered dragging his feet, in his usual sloppy state: crooked robe, deep eye bags, and a I-wanna-go-sleep expression.

  "Alright, css," he said in a rough voice. "I hope you’ve already thought about which practices you’ll enroll in. Remember, this is important for your future. Not everyone wants to join the Cavalry, so think carefully about what you want to dedicate yourselves to."

  Cavalry?

  …My mind remembered absolutely nothing about that.

  This academy trains knights?

  Meh. I couldn’t care less. I’m not getting involved in anything dangerous.

  "Next," Isac continued, "you’ll pass around this Jade Tablet. Mark your option when it’s your turn."

  The tablet moved row by row until it reached me. I grabbed it immediately and wrote my name under Practices focused on Sorcery-Magic Manipution.

  My win! This way it should be harder—if not practically impossible—for the System to stick me with some stupid mission involving the heroes! …I think.

  I was about to pass the Jade Tablet to the next person when my eyes froze on the words engraved on its surface.

  Among the many names listed, three stood out to me because of the atrocious meaning behind them.

  [Cssroom 1-A Carlotta von Wiebke — Practices focused on Sorcery-Magic Manipution

  Cssroom 1-C Clementine von Marinette — Practices focused on Sorcery-Magic Manipution

  Cssroom 2-A Jade von Fisalia — Practices focused on Sorcery-Magic Manipution]

  …

  … You’ve gotta be freaking kidding me.

  HOW?

  HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ALL THREE ARE IN THE SAME PRACTICE?

  WHY?

  Weren’t they supposed to be in the same practices as their heroes?!

  I felt something inside me slowly crack, like a bad joke dragging on way too long.

  And as if the universe wanted to finish me off, the stupid trash appeared in front of me, its red letters glowing with cruelty.

  [Main Quest: [ Act One — Survival in the Crimson Winter. [Survive the Blood Witch — (Completed!) — Petty Red Practices — (Locked: Survive the Previous Stage) — (Locked: Survive the Previous Stage) — (Locked: Survive the Previous Stage)— (Locked: Survive the Previous Stage)] Time Remaining: 2’203:05:59]

  I closed my eyes.

  "Like seriously…" I muttered. "My luck sucks."

  If those three were there…

  Then the real hell was just beginning.

  Ouro