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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Dragoness of Calamity
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Nikita Cynthia, the Dragoness of Calamity, is the final boss who exits in Act 3.
Therefore, for her dramatic exit, Nikita is also the character with the most significant presence, spanning Acts 1, 2, and 3.
In the early parts of the game scenario, where the focus is heaviest, this character leads to a shocking tragic narrative that stems from the complacent assumption she would be the heroine.
Due to the developers' persistent obsession with solely plunging users into despair, Nikita's characterization is maximized in the early stages.
So, who am I, standing here? I'm a veteran player who's cleared the 'Flaming Butterfly' arc 29 times.
Adding in the times I intentionally sought out the bad endings just out of curiosity, my total play count is far higher than that.
In other words, I know everything about Nikita, from the most minor details of her life to her greatest achievements, and I possess countless ways to praise her from various angles.
Therefore, I am currently a Nikita praise machine.
"I commend Senior Nikita for personally carrying an injured examinee to the infirmary while proctoring the entrance exam."
"Ahem, well, that's just a senior's basic duty."
"I commend Senior Nikita for often wanting snacks but, worried about gaining weight, refraining and instead eating tofu crackers."
"Uh, that, that's just because tofu crackers are tasty!"
"I commend Senior Nikita for accidentally falling asleep in the student council office, finding herself locked in, and then deciding to take charge of the remaining student council work."
"H-how do you know that, Junior?!"
"Senior Nikita, you..."
"Stop!"
Nikita is a baby. She needs praise.
Dizzy from my barrage of compliments, Nikita wore a dazed expression.
"Why? I'm not finished yet."
"Please, please, stop."
She pressed a hand to her forehead and stared intently at me.
"...Junior, knowing me in such detail is a little creepy."
Was I too much? Halfway through, I just got excited teasing her and went overboard.
I readily admitted my mistake.
"It's precisely because I genuinely respect Senior Nikita so much. As I said before, you've worked harder than anyone."
That's exactly right. Nikita is vulnerable to praise but resilient to criticism. But setting all that aside, her most striking quality is that she is a diligent person.
And this is precisely why I remember Nikita with such a unique fondness.
'Nikita is tragically devoid of talent.'
Nikita Cynthia, the Dragoness of Calamity. Despite being born into the Duchy of Cynthia, a renowned magical noble family in the Empire, she possesses no magical talent whatsoever.
The magic she holds within her body is close to zero. Perhaps because of this, she received rather poor evaluations from her family since childhood.
Conversely, Nikita's older brother, Nia Cynthia, was born with exceptional magical talent. As a result, Nikita's life was one of constant comparison to him from the moment she was born.
"Nikita, you're not as good as your brother."
"It's alright. Luckily, Nikita is a girl. It doesn't matter if she has no magical talent."
"Nikita, cultivate your appearance well. That is your only strength."
Her family held no expectations for her.
They merely saw her as a means for an arranged marriage, using her natural beauty. They paid no mind to her own will.
Normally, one might have despaired. No, in fact, Nikita did despair.
However, Nikita didn't stop at despair. If you lack talent in one area, you simply apply it elsewhere.
She tried countless times to find a direction where she did possess talent. And she experienced countless disappointments.
Nikita Cynthia is an ordinary person.
She had no magical talent whatsoever. She didn't possess an extraordinary intellect superior to others. And her naturally small physique became an obstacle even in martial arts.
Nothing remarkable about her. Just a pretty doll.
Her background as a prominent ducal family and the reputation of being a magical noble house were merely environments that weighed down the ordinary Nikita.
Nevertheless, Nikita did not give up. She acknowledged that she had no talent.
So she changed her approach. If she had no talent, she would cultivate the talent she lacked. She would plant the seeds of talent in barren ground.
Magic was an issue that couldn't be resolved without innate magical power. So she set that aside and poured all her efforts into academics and swordsmanship.
No matter what her family said, she did what she could. This was precisely why she could remain steadfast against criticism.
Moreover, because she worked harder than anyone, she developed a strong desire to win, determined to overcome any denial of her efforts.
She persevered. Through sheer effort alone, she rose to the position of Vice President at Zerion Academy, where geniuses and prodigies gathered. Even at the academy, she stubbornly maintained a top rank.
Her natural physique wasn't particularly strong, so she would get nosebleeds from studying every night. Her hands would crack every time she swung her sword, and she suffered from severe muscle pain.
Even though every day was grueling, she spared no effort.
Perhaps because of such a life, she was unusually susceptible to praise.
Her family treated her as a pretty doll. At the academy, they believed her high grades were merely due to her family's favorable background.
She always strives with quiet dignity. Even if no one recognizes it, she always puts in the effort.
I quite like this Nikita.
So I wanted to tell her.
"Senior Nikita, you are someone who deserves respect and praise."
Her current self is purely the crystallization of her refusal to yield to life, built up by her own hands.
Nikita's lips parted slightly.
She stared blankly at me. Judging by her flushed ears, it seemed my heartfelt praise had reached her.
"...Thank you."
Nikita uttered her thanks.
Instead of the dignified expression she had worn when I first saw her, a subtle smile, one only Nikita Cynthia could make, graced her lips.
"It's the first time in my life I've received so much praise like today. Junior, from now on, I'll strive to live a life worthy of your praise and respect."
Nikita held a rather proud smile on her lips. She was a strong person who could keep living simply knowing that someone recognized her efforts.
"You said you wanted to join the student council, right? With the third-years graduating, a few positions for miscellaneous tasks have opened up. Originally, we were thinking of recruiting first-years who applied, but..."
"I'll apply. I'll work with all my heart and soul, so please just pick me."
"Ahem, well, we do need someone who will work diligently. I'll consider it positively."
Somehow, I succeeded in getting my foot in the door of the student council.
"Well then, I have business at the Martial Arts Department. Junior, I'll see you later."
Nikita finished speaking, crossed the bridge, and departed. I quietly watched her receding back.
Nikita Cynthia is a tireless worker. I hoped that her efforts, until the very end, would not be in vain.
Perhaps because of this, as someone who must guide this world to its true ending, many thoughts ran through my mind as I watched her receding back.
Nikita Cynthia is the Dragoness of Calamity. The boss of Act 3, whom I must defeat according to the scenario.
***
After many twists and turns, the day finally came to an end.
I earned Isabella's enmity. And I gained Nikita's favor.
'Is it really okay to live such an extreme life?'
For now, given the situation, I just went for it. But it's true that it's a rough process.
Above all, Nikita is Lucas's rival, but she's also grown fond of him despite their antagonism. Lucas's death wouldn't have been entirely welcome to her.
If she finds out I disparaged Lucas, her favorability might drop.
'Fortunately, Nikita is rather slow to hear news within the academy.'
Since she's constantly busy with student council work, studying, and swinging her sword every day, Nikita's social circle is rather small.
Because of this, she's also less informed about news within the academy than others.
Unless it's something that happened among the third-years, it will take time for word of a commotion among the second-years to reach her.
Furthermore, since she knows the Cynthia family has sided with the First Prince, she'll likely be preoccupied and distracted by that.
So, I need to build up her favorability as much as possible beforehand.
'Act 3, Chapter 1 has already begun.'
The fact that Nikita's brother, Nia Cynthia, sided with the First Prince is already the beginning.
From now on, there's no end to the preparations I'll have to make in Lucas's stead.
'Hang in there, me.'
Comforting myself, I abruptly stopped walking.
Where was I standing now? This was Zerion Academy's male dormitory.
But the building before my eyes didn't suit the word 'dormitory.' It was a super-luxurious building, more befitting the word 'hotel.'
Zerion Academy is a prestigious academy. As such, with many scions of noble families attending, their families provide a lot of support, hoping their sons and daughters will be well-looked after.
Thanks to the overflowing funding, Zerion Academy had put great effort into its dormitories as well.
"Young Master Hanon Airey, we've been expecting you. I am Marie Emaris."
As soon as I entered, a servant greeted me with a bow. She was a middle-aged woman in a long black skirt and an apron.
She was Marie Emaris, the head maid overseeing Zerion Academy's dormitories.
"Your luggage has already been moved to your assigned room."
"Thank you."
"Young Master Airey, we are merely servants; there's no need to use formal language with us."
As someone from South Korea, it's hard to speak informally to elders. But I suppose I'll have to adapt.
"Alright. Please take care of me for the next two years, Head Maid."
"Yes, we will do our utmost to assist you so you can focus on your studies."
She said so and immediately began the tour. As I was guided, I realized anew.
'A five-star hotel can't even compare.'
Why would a dormitory have a swimming pool, hot springs, and a massage room? I seriously wondered but said nothing.
I'd seen it often in the game, anyway. There was nothing particularly new about it.
'Wasn't there a scary water ghost event here?'
Instead, I checked all the events that occurred within the dormitory.
'I should get everything I can obtain.'
I am not Lucas. Naturally, I don't possess Lucas's unique trait, the 'Flame of Fighting Spirit.'
'The Flame of Fighting Spirit is almost an essential element for guiding the game to its true ending.'
There's nothing I can do about not having it. So I need to find another way to resolve this.
'This is the biggest problem, though.'
I do have something in mind for this part. The problem is that the most promising person is at another academy.
'If I'm to bring them over via transfer...'
I'll have to figure out that method too.
Little by little, I'll try. If all else fails, there's the 'Dean's Secret Friend Who Grants One Request!' event.
"This is the room Young Master Airey will be staying in."
Room 316. I paused, thinking as I looked at the room.
'A second-year room, 316...'
Perhaps it's because the 'Flaming Butterfly' arc has many minor, non-essential characters. Just as I pondered who might be there, Head Maid Marie knocked.
"Young Master Card, are you inside?"
Card. I blinked, recalling the name.
'Ah.'
And the moment that name belatedly came to mind.
*Creak*—
As the door creaked open, short-cut blond hair fluttered. Simultaneously, a tanned chest, openly revealed, and a face that looked ill-tempered came into view.
I guess a quiet dormitory life is out of the question.
"Marie, if you wanted to visit, you could've just come alone."
The man with the sly grin, who shamelessly flirted even with the middle-aged Marie: Card Bellicman.
He's the blond scoundrel character who antagonizes the main heroine and gets dealt with by the protagonist.