Academy Tharsaros.
Once, this place was known as a military institution that only accepted children of high-ranking noble lineage or those with exceptional combat potential. Students were trained to become soldiers, battle mages, or field commanders.
But over time, with the interference of various noble houses, the Academy's face slowly changed.
Tharsaros was no longer just a battlefield training ground—it had evolved into a comprehensive educational center, opening its doors to other fields of knowledge.
Its curriculum had expanded far beyond its martial roots.
Now, in addition to combat classes, the academy offered departments in Diplomacy, War Strategy, Ancient Literature and Language, Royal Economics, even Mystical Archaeology.
The academy had become a symbol of progress and wisdom—revered across the entire continent.
Though open to all, the standards for admission remained exceptionally high.
Every applicant—combat or academic—had to pass a rigorous set of written and practical exams.
Thus, Academy Tharsaros had grown into more than a school.
It was a proving ground.
A stage upon which the fate of a new generation would be decided—whether as heroes, leaders… or something even more mysterious.
Year 500 of the Tharsaros Kingdom.
Early Spring.
Clop! Clop! Clop!
The sound of horse hooves echoed through the main road of the Capital.
A modest carriage came to a stop near a small district—now slowly gaining recognition as the 'New Quarter.'
Erica stepped down and stood still, staring at a small bakery at the end of the street.
Except—it was no longer small.
The once shabby two-story building patched with rotting wood had transformed into a three-story bakery, now adorned with clean glass windows, hanging flower baskets, and a golden sign that read:
'Bread of Hope – Myra's Bakery.'
Ching—!
A tiny bell chimed as Erica pushed open the door.
The smell of warm bread, butter, and cinnamon instantly wrapped around her like a memory.
"Ah… Erica? Is that you?"
A woman's voice came from behind the counter.
"…Auntie… I'm back."
Erica's voice trembled slightly. Her eyes shimmered.
The woman—Myra—was once the only adult who ever treated her kindly when she was nothing but a nameless girl from the slums.
She gave Erica a job, a floor to sleep on in the back kitchen, and a name to be called with love.
"Oh dear… You've grown so beautiful."
Myra stepped forward and gently clasped Erica's hands.
"To think the little girl who used to nibble on leftover bread grew up to be… this. Are you eating well? Are you happy now?"
Erica nodded. Her smile was soft and sincere.
"Of course, Auntie. I'm doing just fine."
It was the smile of a child finally returning home.
"Sister Erica…? Is that really you?"
A small voice emerged from behind a display shelf.
Erica turned and saw a teenage girl with shoulder-length hair and bright brown eyes staring at her shyly.
"Lilia… You've grown up so much. You didn't stop studying, right?"
"Hiks… Sister!!"
Lilia ran into Erica's arms, hugging her tightly as tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
She was one of the many children Erica had helped teach how to read, in between her studies with her grandmother.
"And the twins, Den and Dori? Where are they?" Erica asked, stroking Lilia's hair.
"They're playing out back… they're good kids now…"
Ching—!
The bell rang again as Haluti and Clay entered the shop, still dressed in their red robes.
"Eri, what is this? Do you know them?"
Haluti asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
Erica smiled and patted Lilia's head gently.
"This… was where I used to work."
Their warm conversation continued, and soon Lilia began telling them about the huge changes in the district since Erica had left.
About a year ago, the thugs who used to extort local merchants had mysteriously disappeared. No one knew how.
Some residents claimed to have seen people in white cloaks removing them quietly in the night.
Soon after, the district fell under the care of a new owner—a mysterious figure who never revealed their name.
The filthy alleys were paved. Houses were repaired.
A small school was even built on the north side.
Clothing shops appeared. Market stalls multiplied. The area had bloomed.
"Auntie says this place is cleaner than the city center now," Lilia giggled.
Clay squinted out the window, skeptical.
"…Strange. Who would pour this much money into a slum? This isn't mere charity…"
"Who knows?" Myra shrugged, placing a tray of steaming bread on the table.
"All I know is… we're finally living like human beings again."
With the bakery now thriving, Myra had taken Lilia and the twins—Den and Dori—under her care. The once cramped building had become a spacious three-story home, large enough to shelter a few other orphans from nearby areas.
"Lilia, take Erica and her friends around the neighborhood later, alright?"
Myra said while preparing toast.
"Okay, Auntie!" Lilia replied cheerfully.
After a meal of warm bread and soft butter, the group strolled through the district—now full of life.
What used to be muddy, narrow streets were now cobbled and clean.
Shabby homes had been replaced with colorful houses and flower-lined gardens.
Erica paused at a stone bridge.
She looked down at a field of blooming winter flowers.
Right beneath this bridge… once stood a shack.
The one where she had lived with her grandmother.
That shack was long gone.
In its place now was beauty.
Everything had changed since her journey began—since the moment she met Pyra, left with her grandmother, and entered the Red Tower.
But her true journey… was only just beginning.
Later, as they finished their walk—
"H-Hiks… Sister, are you going to leave again…?"
Dori's quiet voice broke the peaceful silence.
The little girl looked up at Erica with tear-filled eyes.
"Don't cry, Dori… H-Hiks…"
Den tried to stay strong, wiping his own face.
Erica knelt down and patted their heads.
"It's okay. I'll visit during holidays, alright?"
In truth, the Tharsaros Academy wasn't too far.
It was located in the southwestern region—not a long journey from the Capital.
If lucky, she could visit during school breaks.
"Here. Some food for the road."
Myra handed over three warm bundles wrapped in cloth—fresh bread.
"Uwah, thank you so much!" Haluti's eyes sparkled.
"Hmph… Thank you. Here's payment," Clay added, pulling out five silver coins—enough to buy an entire ram.
"Ugh… not again," Haluti muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Just take it, Auntie. He's stubborn like that."
Myra smiled, patted Clay's hand, and accepted the coins gently.
"Alright then… if you insist."
After hugs and final goodbyes, they departed once more.
A gentle spring breeze blew, carrying the scent of fresh bread and wildflowers.
Ahead of them lay a new destination—Academy Tharsaros, where fate would soon be written.
And Erica, who was never supposed to be the main character of this story…
was about to begin a route that never existed in the game she once knew.
Inside the carriage rolling southwest, Erica stared out the window.
A thin snow began to fall, painting the land in pale white—ushering her into a new life.
Suddenly—
DING!
[System]
Name: Erica
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Lv: 39
Tier: 3
Job: Mage – Summoner
Skills
Basic: Ignite Lv.3, Fireball Lv.3, Firebolt Lv.2
Expert: Flame Burst Lv.1, ???
Master: ???
Information: Normal
Summoner Contract:
Mythical Beast – Ignis Aether (Phoenix)
DING!
[Mission]
Objective: Enter Tharsaros Academy and begin the main route.
Description: Save key influential characters and receive rewards.
Progression Flag: Main Route Initiated
Since absorbing the Ancient Stone, Erica's system had evolved significantly.
What was once limited now resembled the full-featured UI of Doki Doki Love Fantasy—the game she once knew inside and out.
Even her level had skyrocketed.
Erica clenched her fists.
Alright… I'm ready.
The gray skies of spring welcomed their carriage as it approached the great academy.
The first step to changing the fate of this world… had finally begun.
In a vast room lined with old wooden bookshelves overflowing with ancient tomes, the scent of ink and leather filled the air.
An elderly man sat behind a massive round desk, surrounded by stacks of documents.
He held a piece of parchment—the profiles of students taking this year's entrance exam.
"…Seems like we have quite the gifted batch this year."
His voice was calm but carried the weight of authority.
His gaze pierced through names as if reading souls behind each one.
He was Alaric Vane, a Tier 7 Archmage—Headmaster of Academy Tharsaros.
A legendary figure known across the continent.