Blood Flare: Journey Through The Twisted

A few days had passed since the assessment on the first day, and by now, the whole academy felt eerily familiar. It reminded me a lot of the college atmosphere back on Earth—students scattered in groups, chattering aimlessly between classes. There wasn't anything particularly remarkable, just the usual daily grind.

Occasionally, I'd overhear some bullying in the halls, though I paid it no mind. It wasn't my problem, and I wasn't about to get involved. Everyone had their own battles to fight, and I had mine.

Currently, though, I had to endure my theology class. This subject seemed more focused on the teachings of the Holy Land Xavier than anything else—how divinity worked, what faith truly meant, and the supposed superiority of their sacred grounds.

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I've always had an interest in theology, but this professor had a habit of droning on about how great the Holy Land Xavier was. The more he spoke, the more I felt a headache creeping in. It wasn't just boring—it was irritating. How could anyone stand to listen to this for an entire class?

"—and that's why the Holy Land Xavier is considered the greatest territory known to man!"

His voice rang in my ears, and I could already feel the resentment building in my chest.

Ringgg!!!!

The bell echoed, signaling the end of the class, and I swear I heard the collective sigh of relief from every student in the room.

"Oh! Time's up, everyone! Now, before you leave, remember everything I said today. I'll be asking questions about all of it tomorrow!"

At his words, groans filled the air. The class had long since lost any sense of engagement, and everyone just wanted to get out of there.

I joined the throng of students filing out of the room, my own thoughts drifting as I made my way to the next class.

______

Time passed at its usual sluggish pace, but eventually, it crept toward lunchtime. For most students, this was a haven—a time to mingle, chat, and build connections, whether they were popular or not. A social paradise, really.

But for someone like me? A guy with shit renown, branded as the "Bastard of the Bloomlyn line"? This place was nothing short of hell.

The cafeteria was a battlefield of reputations, alliances, and status. One wrong move could mean humiliation or worse—getting beat up. And I wasn't eager to relive the kind of torment I'd already endured from my so-called family. My father and brothers had more than perfected the art of making me feel worthless; I didn't need anyone else adding to that tally.

Standing at the entrance of the cafeteria, I felt my anxiety mounting. My feet were rooted to the spot, as if my body knew better than to step inside. Just as I was about to turn and make my escape, I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

Curious and a little startled, I turned to see who it was.

"Um... Are you hungry?"

The voice was soft, delicate, and oddly soothing. Standing before me was a girl—a stunning one at that. She was the kind of beauty that could halt conversations and draw every eye in the room. Her voice was a strange mix of childlike innocence and refined elegance, like a melody that lingered in your ears and refused to fade.

I blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, no… Actually, yeah, I am. But I don't like going in there. Feels like walking into a death trap for me."

I gestured vaguely toward the cafeteria, already taking a step back to leave. However, before I could retreat, I felt a firm grip on my wrist. It wasn't painful, but it was definitely insistent.

I looked down to see her hand holding mine, and then suddenly, she began dragging me back toward the entrance.

"I don't mind helping you," she said with a cheerful tone, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Her words caught me off guard. Suspicious, I tried to pull back slightly. "Why? I don't think anyone would agree with you helping me. Do you even know who I am?"

She tilted her head slightly, her smile unwavering. "Nope. But I'm willing to find out."

Her voice was brimming with a strange kind of glee—pure and untainted, like she genuinely found the prospect exciting. It was unnerving in a way I couldn't quite explain.

"Uh… okay?"

I had no idea what to make of her or this situation. All I knew was that I'd been swept into it without much of a choice.

For the first time in my life, I had never felt so nervous. My heart raced, my palms began to sweat, and I couldn't shake the growing weight of dread pressing down on me. At first, I had no clue who this girl was, but now, that realization hit me like a freight train.

The identity of the cheerful girl walking beside me was no longer a mystery.

I snuck a glance at her, trying to remain discreet, but even a quick look was enough to remind me of the danger. Her radiant smile and carefree demeanor masked something far more unsettling.

Adeline Lue Garthus.

Another Heroine of Daedalus Eternus. And, without a doubt, the worst one to encounter.

Adeline wasn't just any heroine; she was the epitome of a "True Yandere." In the game, she was a master of crafting the most seductive and deadly words, capable of enthralling any man who crossed her path. But her greatest flaw—and the source of much of her turmoil—was her inability to express those feelings to the one she truly loved. This paradox turned her into a ticking time bomb of obsession and despair.

The Adeline in the game had a reputation, not just among the players but within the lore itself, for her unnerving mix of charm and volatility. If you handled her well, she was a devoted and fiercely loyal companion. Handle her poorly? Well, let's just say no one wanted to see her darker side.

I couldn't help but feel like I was treading on eggshells. One wrong move, one misplaced word, and I might trigger something I wouldn't be able to undo.

It was bizarre, surreal even, to see her in real life. She didn't seem dangerous at the moment—just cheerful, kind, and maybe a little too friendly. But I knew better than to let my guard down. Her unassuming nature was the same as it had been in the game—a carefully constructed veil that concealed the storm brewing beneath.

With every step we took, I could feel the tension rising within me. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to play it cool, to act normal. The best course of action was clear: go with the flow. Don't provoke her, don't question her motives, and most importantly, don't draw unnecessary attention to myself.

If I could just survive this encounter without triggering any flags, maybe, just maybe, I'd live to see another day.