Reitte had a very clear goal:
Do not die.
Do not anger the villain.
Do not touch anything shiny.
He was already failing at Goal #2.
Reol Aveline's boots stopped right in front of him.
Cold silver eyes stared down at him like he was a bug that accidentally walked into royalty territory.
Reitte gulped.
Think, think, think—
What did NPCs usually say in the beginning of the game?
"Uh… good morning?"
Reol's eyebrow twitched.
"This is the west wing. Students aren't allowed here."
"Right! I was just… uh… testing gravity."
Reitte hopped once.
"Gravity works! Haha…"
Reol looked like he was considering arresting him for crimes against common sense.
Wonderful.
Before Reitte could dig his own grave deeper, something flashed in front of his eyes:
[DANGER: You have encountered the Villain before the main story begins.]
[Probability of death increased by 27%.]
Reitte internally screamed.
He forced a calm smile.
"Sir, I promise I'm not suspicious."
"You're very suspicious," Reol said immediately.
Fantastic. NPC logic was alive and well.
Reitte bowed dramatically.
"I'm new! Very new. Extremely new. I got lost!"
Reol's eyes narrowed.
"No one gets lost in this academy."
"Wow. That's a good rule. I broke it! Sorry!"
Another message popped up:
[TIP: Villain responds positively to honesty.]
Positively? In which universe?
Reitte threw his hands up.
"Okay fine, I'm not supposed to be here. I was following a cat. A very cute cat."
Reol blinked.
"…A cat."
"Yes."
"In the restricted wing."
"Yes."
"…You're an idiot," Reol declared.
Reitte nearly cried from relief.
Insulting him was better than stabbing him.
Before Reol could detain him, the academy bell rang loudly.
Reol sighed.
"Get to class. If I see you in this wing again, I'll report you."
Reitte nodded so fast his head almost detached.
"Never again! I hate this hallway! Worst hallway!"
Reol turned to leave—
Then paused.
He glanced back once.
"What's your name?"
Reitte froze.
OH NO.
THE GAME NEVER ASKED HIS NAME THIS EARLY.
THIS IS OFF-SCRIPT.
He swallowed.
"…Reitte."
Reol stared at him a moment longer.
Then walked away.
---
Reitte waited until he was completely gone before collapsing against the wall.
"Oh god. Oh no. Oh god again. I almost died in Chapter. Zero."
Another message flashed:
[GOOD JOB! You have avoided your first death flag.]
[Reward: +1 Survival Instinct]
Reitte groaned.
"Great. Only 999 more to go.