The concept known as the butterfly effect was a motherfucking piece of shit.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with the phenomenon proposed by the theory itself.

It went without saying that changing conditions could lead to different outcomes.

However, its existence proved that a small decision had the power to alter a person's destiny.

“My dear.”

'Therefore, it's a fucking piece of shit. Well, for me, at least.'

To put it simply...

I have made some choices in my life that I regret.

Choices that led me into this situation.

Why, there was typically that one thing.

I shouldn’t have played that damned game.

[ Savior Rising ]

In short, Sera. An academy drama between innocent youth, usually featuring complex and multifaceted characters. While, at the same time, retaining familiarity and archetypes.

It was a good game.

If only I hadn't gotten sucked into it.

Did that even make sense? That someone would get trapped inside a game just because they played it a bit?

I was completely oblivious as to why this happened. Was it because some God-like being willed it, or was it because of the attachment I had with the main character?

As usual, I completed the game, saw through the ending, had my fun, and then went to bed.

And then, the next day, I woke up inside the game.

“My dear. Are you listening?”

I didn't answer.

Maybe that person wouldn't notice that I was here and go away.

'Oh, please.'

“I already know you are in there. You’d better open the door.”

“…”

“I have already talked with Dorm Supervisor Ophelia. You have no classes scheduled today.”

“…”

They were like a stalker.

I needed to come up with another way to send them away…

"Alright. Are you planning to ignore me until the end?"

A helpless sigh came from behind the door.

“Fine, I’ll cut this thing down and invite myself in.”

'This lunatic...'

Without giving me any chance to respond, a pitch-black sword that seemed to suck up all the surrounding light pierced the door of my private room.

The Elfante Imperial Academy's dormitories were designed to keep the students inside safe, even against large monsters.

It was not, by any means, easy to break.

However, this terrifying woman just cut through it like cardboard.

“…Isn’t this a violation of school rules?”

"The Student Council is responsible for enforcing the punishment for the rule violations. It just so happens that I'm the Student Council President.”

She literally just admitted to abusing her power.

The woman then sheathed the black sword into a similarly dark scabbard, which matched her also-dark outfit.

She wore black clothing from head to toe, contrasting the whiteness of her pale skin and long, straight hair. Her bright red eyes particularly popped in such a monochrome color scheme.

Finally, the distinctive noble air around her tied all those features together.

This unique appearance was engraved in my memory.

No, it was more so that it was impossible to forget.

“I came because I have something to say. You've been avoiding me lately.”

“...”

"That's about... the 32nd time now?"

"...Why are you even counting it?"

I bluntly replied as I collected my thoughts.

Eleanor, the Student Council President of Elfante Academy.

She was a popular belle, well-rounded in both literary and martial arts. She was also the esteemed daughter of Duke Tristan.

A character that shone blindingly bright and someone a freshman-nobody like me would never cross paths with.

At least, that was how things were meant to be if things went the way they were supposed to.

“…”

In the first place, not being involved with this woman was better for me.

More images flooded my mind.

The illustrations and CGs I saw in the original game.

A bloodied Eleanor building mountains of corpses with her black longsword. Eleanor, with her red eyes flashing fiercely, commanding an army of Devils and monsters.

Etc., etc.

What was certain though, was that she left one consistent impression regardless of where you looked.

She was a frightening villain.

Yes, that's no secret.

This woman was the Final Boss in this world known as Sera. If the protagonist didn’t stop her, she would eventually throw the whole world into a pit of fire.

A person of such caliber and significance should had just passed by an extra like me, nothing more.

“You know why I came all the way here.”

But in the end, it was all too late.

The butterfly's wings had already fluttered and blew the gust of fate that led me to this current situation.

Her red eyes coldly stared at me while her grip on the sword's handle tightened.

The heavy atmosphere became even more serious.

Her mouth parted once more.

“I’ll ask you again, Dowd Campbell.”

A storm had brewed with the flap of the butterfly's wings.

"Will you marry me?"

“…”

Really...

I still couldn't wrap my head around this simple yet dizzying question.

Dowd Campbell.

The heir to a baron of a remote region with not the slightest recognition. A freshman-nobody at the Academy. And a bottom-dwelling, unrecognized extra of this world.

And such a person was now...

...Proposed to by the woman who would eventually bring about the world's destruction within a few years.