{Rel's POV}
[Paris, Champs-Élysées - Dawn's Blade Arena, A-League: 2nd Stadium]
My eyes widened seeing Valencia shaking in almost what appears to be fear. I couldn't believe it... but of all people, why him?
Florian Alexandre Etienne Valois.
The current king of France, and Gerrard Freya, the leading number 1 guild in the world – the two should've been on good terms according to how the story went. But I'm sure there wasn't any fallout between the two during the whole story.
It wasn't making sense at all.
What Valencia should've been for Alessandro was a mentor who guided him on the right way of leadership... but that could only exist if she was still in her third year as a senior.
Then... I get it now.
From what I could only assume of Alessandro's superiority complex, his royal status probably made Valencia seem unimportant. This likely created a distance between the two of them.
Certainly, by seeing her actions now, it felt like this information seemed to be the case.
Obviously, if the system allowed me to me confirm these suspicions, then I'd be assured of it all.
But seeing her tremble out in the arena's awe of Alessandro's presence made me feel a little sorry for her.
...
...
...
Rel reached out a hand towards Valencia.
She was still trembling, and he wanted to help, but she abruptly stood up.
"I-I need the washroom, quick..." Valencia mumbled.
Jan looked up to her with a confused expression.
"Alright... next match isn't for another ten," he said. "Just be back before then."
"mmm..."
Valencia nodded frantically and bolted from her seat, disappearing down the tunnel.
Rel watched her go, worry biting at him.
Then Alessandro stood, leaving just as quickly. Something was off, Rel could feel it.
Leaving Valencia alone right now… it didn't sit right.
"Think I dropped something back there. Be right back," he lied smoothly.
Jan and Bazz glanced at him. "Don't be long, match starts soon!" Jan called out.
...
...
...
How the heck did she disappear so fast? And where... am I?
I surveyed the lobby, completely lost. How did I even end up here?
There were signs everywhere, arrows and symbols I didn't recognize, leading to... who knows where. Maybe Valencia got confused too.
And during that match, I knew Alessandro was somewhat following us from the beginning.
Especially when he had his seat placed across from the other side of the arena.
That was when I knew something was off.
Although he was only trying to catch a glimpse of Valencia I'd made sure he didn't catch sight of me, but I couldn't be certain about her.
Okay, focus. Find her first...
I tried following the signs, but they spun me in circles.
More lobbies, each one bigger and more confusing than the last.
Was my sense of direction always this bad?
I passed through a maze of snack bars, merchandise stalls, some kind of holographic fight simulator... the arena was gargantuan, a place of distractions.
After what felt like an eternity of wandering, something finally clicked in my brain – this was the hallway leading to the upper-level lounges! I rounded a corner, and then it happened.
Alessandro breezed past, almost a blur. My eyes widened, ready for a confrontation, for... anything.
But he didn't even look my way.
This confusion wormed its way through me.
Yesterday it seemed like he wanted my blood, and now... it was like he didn't even know me.
Before I could get my head around that, Alessandro was gone, already halfway down the corridor.
Then, it all went horribly wrong.
He reached into his pocket, his wallet tumbling to the ground.
Unfortunately for Valencia, she chose that exact moment to emerge from a nearby doorway.
Their eyes met. Time seemed to freeze as I stood there, an unwilling witness, hidden around the corner.
But... I couldn't move... every part of my body froze without a thought.
and suddenly the screen in front of me began to flash.
FWANG!
[Setting Intervention Is In Place.]
[This is a fixed event, you cannot interfere.]
"...!"
I can't?
[This is a fixed event, which means that you aren't allowed to interfere with this event Mr Axel... (·•᷄∩•᷅ )]
So, I can't interfere at all.
I have to watch everything unfold just like a reader should right?
haah...
"Will, I be able to step in after the 'fixed event' is finished?"
I asked, still holding out a sliver of hope.
[Of Course! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧]
I can. well, that's a relief.
[Fixed Eventsare a character's top priority. You as the author aren't allowed to interfere.]
[But there's an exception...]
"Like what?"
[If the fixed event revolves around you as the author, then a predetermined choice is made through an action that is supposed to happen within the novel.]
[For example, you cannot prevent Character A from acquiring a skill crucial to the story's progression.]
[However, in events involving a character's decision where you play a significant role, intervention is permitted.]
So this situation... I'm outta luck, huh?
[Unfortunately so...]
...
...
...
[Paris, Champs-Élysées - Dawn's Blade Arena, Arena Hallway]
The empty hallway echoed with silence.
Valencia froze. Alessandro stood before her, a shock rippling through her frame. She forced herself to breathe, desperately seeking composure.
Alessandro's eyes widened, and a grin broke out across his face.
"Valencia! Or Val, right? It's been ages!"
Valencia took a shaky step back as Alessandro moved closer. "Right... it's been a while," she managed to say.
"Of course! We haven't seen each other since we were kids," Alessandro replied, his grin unwavering.
Valencia gave a slight nod, her eyes fixed on the ground.
A forced shyness crept into her expression, a desperate tactic to mask her true fear.
Forced small talk felt impossible.
Her mind, however, was desperately searching for an escape.
And suddenly, a memory triggered back then, a vivid image from their childhood.
A wave of warmth, tinged with a bittersweet ache, washed over her...
[Flashback to 12 years ago...]
____________
Authors Notes:
- Florian and Gerrard were friends way before he became King Of France.