CHAPTER 29: PATHWAYS AND PLOTS 7

"And that, esteemed committee, represents the duality of noble oppression versus commoner resilience!"

Aegis gestured at her canvas. Black paint splattered across white. Nothing special. Just random streaks she’d thrown during her "artistic rage."

Professor Whittles wiped tears from his eyes.

"Brilliant! The raw emotion!"

"Such depth!" Another committee member clutched her chest. "I feel the centuries of struggle!"

Aegis had to actively stop herself from laughing.

"Thank you." Aegis bowed. "Art flows through me like the blood in my veins!"

The committee erupted in applause. Again.

"Miss Starcaller, we owe you an apology." Whittles stood. "Clearly, your talents are genuine."

"Water under the bridge." Aegis waved dismissively. "Though perhaps next time, evidence before accusations?"

A few committee members shifted uncomfortably. Good.

"Of course. You’re free to go."

Aegis collected her "masterpiece" and headed for the door. Behind her, she heard Whitmore gushing about adding it to the academy collection.

[They can have it. I’ve got better prizes.]

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Scandal Points Acquired!

Current Balance: 15 Points

NEW FEATURE UNLOCKED: Information Exchange

The notification made her pause in the hallway.

[Information Exchange?]

SCANDAL POINT SHOP

Available Intel:

Upcoming Assassination Attempt (10 Points)

Valdris’s Secret Project (50 Points)

Shadow Empress Identity (200 Points)

Major Timeline Deviation

(300 Points)

Lune (500 Points)

[Holy shit.]

Aegis ducked into an empty classroom to process.

In the game, Scandal Points were in Queen of Hearts, but in the game, Scandal Points bought items. Weapons, stat boosters, even unique spells.

But information?

[This...] Aegis smirked. [This is so much better!]

As much information about Queen of Hearts as Aegis had sitting in her smooth little brain, it was slowly becoming more and more clear that this wasn’t exactly the same world she knew. Certain things had changed. Headmistress Valdris being futanari. Lune existing at all.

Now she could find out why.

[Anyone else who suddenly isekai’ed into a dangerous, assassination-heavy world like this, might want to lay low, find the most broken spells and weapons, and just chill for all eternity. The game, however, rewards you for gaining people’s attention. Being on the rumor mill. Being a hot topic. And, it seems that’s made its way into this isekai of mine. I’m being rewarded for causing scenes, basically.]

The cheating scandal. Her entrance exam performance. Every time she drew attention, positive or negative, the points rolled in.

She knew what this meant.

[Time to become Rosevale’s biggest drama queen.]

She left the classroom, mind racing with possibilities. Which info should she buy first? Lune’s trait seemed useful but—

Voices ahead made her slow.

"—assured the Umbral Forces remain contained." A woman’s crisp accent. Foreign. "Though recent activities suggest otherwise."

"The academy’s wards hold." Dean Whitmore’s voice. "Whatever shadows stir beyond our borders won’t breach Rosevale."

Aegis pressed against the wall. Through a cracked door, she glimpsed them. Whitmore and three figures in diplomatic attire. Kaldoran Empire, based on the silver-threaded cloaks.

[Right on schedule.]

This scene happened in Chapter 5 of the game. International observers worried about Valdria’s shadow magic problem. Minor foreshadowing that paid off three arcs later when—

"The Shadow Empress grows bolder." One diplomat lowered his voice. "Our seers speak of corruption spreading. Soon, not even Rosevale will be safe."

"Speculation." Whitmore straightened his robes. "The Empress is a myth. Shadow sorcerers acting independently, nothing more."

[Sure, Dean. Keep telling yourself that.]

The Shadow Empress. Final boss of Queen of Hearts. The big bad who corrupted love interests, triggered bad endings, and generally made life hell for players who didn’t pay attention to their stats, weapons, and abilities.

In the game, she didn’t appear until later. But there were little diplomatic meetings like these that started early, planting seeds of the threat to come.

"We shall monitor the situation." The lead diplomat bowed. "But Kaldor expects transparency. Any shadow magic incidents must be reported."

"Naturally."

They continued talking. Border policies. Trade agreements affected by "umbral disturbances." Boring political stuff that would matter later.

Aegis kept walking.

[The Shadow Empress, huh?]

She’d beaten that boss dozens of times. Knew every attack pattern, every weakness. The corruption mechanics. The way she turned allies against you if their affection wasn’t high enough.

[But that’s a long time away. Plenty of time to prepare.]

Still, the mention sent chills down her spine. The Shadow Empress being real? It was like hearing a character from a horror movie had suddenly made it out of the screen and into real life.

[When she shows up, I’ll need every advantage. I’ll be ready when she comes.]

---

"Country Mouse!"

Scarlett burst through the door without knocking. Typical.

"Ever heard of privacy?" Aegis asked, adjusting her shirt.

"Nope!" Scarlett grinned. "Get dressed. We’re taking the city by storm tonight."

"We?"

"Me, you, bunch of other scholarship kids. There’s this tavern that doesn’t check academy curfew."

[Perfect timing. I need more Scandal Points anyway.]

"Count me in."

Lune looked up from her sketchbook.

"You’re going out?"

"Want to come?" Aegis offered.

"No." Lune returned to drawing. "Too loud."

"Your loss." Scarlett threw an arm around Aegis. "More fun for us!"

---

The Silver Stag looked straight out of a fantasy novel. Wooden beams, roaring fireplace, and the sweet smell of honeyweed smoke curling through the air. Patrons danced, fought, and sang with equal enthusiasm.

"This place is perfect!" Scarlett shouted over the noise.

"If you like chaos!"

"I do!"

They found a corner table. Other scholarship students waved them over—Ellis, Tam, Miheyra. People Aegis recognized from study groups.

"Aegis! Heard you destroyed Princess Stone today!" Ellis raised his mug.

"Destroyed is a strong word."

"She dropped her sword!" Tam laughed. "That’s destroyed in my book!"

[News travels fast.]

Scarlett ordered drinks. Strong ones. Aegis sipped hers carefully—getting drunk with Power 6, unable to defend herself at all, seemed unwise.

"To surviving another week!" Miheyra toasted.

"To not getting expelled!" Ellis added.

"To beating stuck-up nobles!" That was Tam.

They drank. The tavern’s energy was infectious. A bard played something upbeat while couples spun on the makeshift dance floor.

[In the hospital, I dreamed of nights like this.]

"You good?" Scarlett’s voice cut through her thoughts.

"Yeah. Just thinking."

"Don’t hurt yourself." Scarlett grinned. "Save that brain for scheming."

"My schemes are already flawless without much thinking, thank you."

"Oh yeah? What’s your next one?"

"Haven’t decided." Aegis watched dancers spin past. "Maybe I’ll seduce the academy."

"Ambitious." Scarlett’s arm settled around her shoulders. "Are you starting with me?"

Aegis smiled warmly.

"Already working on it."

"Good to know."

They sat like that, watching the chaos. It was strange, though. Scarlett usually jumped into every fight, every dance, every drinking contest. Tonight she seemed content just sitting close.

[Interesting development.]

"Why aren’t you out there?" Aegis nodded at the dance floor.

"Maybe I like where I am. You know, just enjoying the company."

[Definitely interesting.]

A new song started. Faster, wilder. The crowd cheered as more people joined the dancing.

[When’s the last time I danced?]

Never, technically. Emily couldn’t. But Aegis?

[...]

Before she could stop herself, Aegis moved.

"Hold my drink."

"What—"

Aegis hopped onto a nearby table. The wood creaked but held.

"Anyone want to dance?" She called out.

Three women immediately volunteered. Of course they did.

The music pulsed. Aegis moved, not gracefully, her Grace was still garbage, but with enthusiasm. She spun one partner, dipped another, generally made up for skill with confidence.

[This body can MOVE!]

No tubes. No monitors. No weakness. Just music and laughter and life.

She caught Scarlett watching from their table. The redhead wore the biggest, dumbest smile Aegis had ever seen.

Their eyes met across the crowd. Scarlett raised her mug in salute, still grinning.

[Affection +10 (❤️❤️❤️❤️🤍)]

[Four hearts? When did that happen?]

The song ended. Aegis bowed dramatically to her dance partners, earning cheers and a few copper coins thrown her way.

"Thank you, thank you! I’ll be here all week!"

She hopped down, slightly dizzy but exhilarated.

"Have fun?" Scarlett asked as she returned.

"The most."

"Good." Scarlett pulled her close again. "My turn to buy the next round."

"Trying to get me drunk?"

"Maybe." That grin turned wicked. "Would it work?"

"Depends what you’re planning after."

"Wouldn’t you like to know?"

They bantered back and forth. The tavern spun around them. Fights breaking out, couples sneaking upstairs, bards switching songs. But in their corner, it was just them.

[Four hearts out of five, huh? Crazy.]