1 year after Albert trained with Dahlis later
Albert was pacing in his room, thinking about what to do for when the game starts.
"Since Lucine is now not going to be the sadistic villainess, when the events at the academy starts, things won't go as they did in the original story, this will be troubling. When Lucine harasses the heroine, it inspired her to try and one-up her, and sometimes, some of the capture targets will intervene and stop her, increasing the relationship between them. The final boss of the game is the queen of demons, to beat her, you need to be very high-leveled, and you need to have max affection with at least 2 of the 6 capture targets in order to have a fair chance against her. If she loses to the demon queen, it's game over for the world." Albert didn't consider this problem until much more recently and he needed to figure out something quick. But then, an idea sparked his mind.
"One of the capture targets is only a few miles from here, Steven Calyx, the son of Count Calyx. If I can get Lucine to invite him here, I can explain things to him!"
"But how would you do that?" Said a voice, Albert recognized the disturbing sounds, it was the Blue Fire Embodiment, but where is the voice coming from? He knows that it's in his mind, but he heard it come from somewhere, so he looked and saw a small glowing blue lamp, the flame is fierce and has 2 small black eyes.
"How did you get there?" Albert questioned. Hoping that whatever this thing was could explain its presence.
"I am essentially temporarily creating a vessel for myself to communicate with you. Now let me ask you this... HOW are you going to explain that this world is identical to a 'game' in your previous 'life', without causing him to question existence." The spirit made a good point. How could Albert explain things to Steven? But Albert, once again, had a brilliant idea.
"I will simply become his best friend. That way, when we reach the events of Silver Feathers, I can possibly make him fall in love with the heroine. And with her natural charm and beauty, she will definitely get at least 1 other capture target by her side." The lamp simply rolled its eyes, and then the flame disappeared after a wicked flash of light, causing it to drop onto Albert's foot.
"FUCK!"
---
"Okay Albert, let me get this straight, you want me to invite the Calyx boy over so you can make an alliance with him, since in the event if you and I are in separate classes at the academy, you will have a friend to talk to?" Lucine was holding back her laughter, she didn't know why Albert is saying such an absurd thing, even if they are in seperate classes, there is still a low chance that he will be in Steven's class. After all, it's not like he knows where her, his, and Steven's classes are, but she loves his funny side, and she's willing to dote on him.
"Ok, fine, I will invite Count Calyx and his son over under the pretense of his relations with one of father's vassals." Lucine doesn't really know which vassal Count Calyx has been seen talking with on few occasions, but if it's what her precious fiancee wants, then she is happy to make an excuse.
"YES!!! WHEN CAN THEY ARRIVE?" Albert is such a cutie to Lucine, even when he uses that demented tone of voice in excitement.
"I can invite them to arrive in a week, that's when it's most convenient." Albert nodded his head as Lucine answered, and Lucine almost compared him to a dog. But he is far more loyal.
---
1 week later.
Albert is very glad, since this is the day that he will meet up with Steven Calyx, one of the capture targets. He has to be careful and precise with his words, in order for him to be willing to be his friend.
From the game, Albert knows Steven's personality and what he likes and dislikes, he won't use much from his list of knowledge, he doesn't want to be considered a stalker. But he will use just enough in order to get his way.
Albert was getting his gloves on and checking his closet, making sure Nihil is still in the main cabinet, thankfully it's still there. He even treats it like something to say good morning to, Albert has to stay positive after all.
"Good morning, Nihil, a big day is happening today, and if all goes well, we'll be safer." Nihil was an inanimate object, so it couldn't respond. Albert knew that and just wanted to personalize it. When Albert walked out, he was frightened when he saw Kuroba waiting by the door.
"Albert-sama, the carriage has arrived, Count Calyx and his son has arrived. Let me help you, since the son has a tendency to be a little temperamental according to the rumors." Kuroba is kind. But Albert already knows how to deal with him.
"Kuroba, don't worry, all you have to do is hang out with Collene."
"Thank you Albert-sama." Kuroba said, before walking out while whistling nonchalantly. Albert walked out shortly after, since he had to comb his hair since he recently noticed that it's been unkempt for the last month.
Albert walked down the stairs and sat in the dining hall with Lucine. Lucine looked up at him with a wide grin before feeding him a slice of cheese. Dahlis then suddenly walked in and cleared her throat before shouting.
"Attention lady Lucine and master Albert, I present to you, Count Deneve Calyx and Steven Calyx." And in walked the two. Steven was a boy who only looked like a slightly less mature and slightly smaller version of him in the game, but he is otherwise identical. He has curly whitw hair with a few strand of blonde, his skin is pale white, and his eyes were Purple with golden highlight. He looked nervous, while his father. A large man with bulky shoulders, short and straight blonde hair, and golden eyes.
"What's the reason why you called us, please make it quick, I don't have a lot of time, you smug-looking fucker." Count Calyx was very rude and foul-mouthed for his status. Albert wondered how and more importantly WHY did this man become s count.
But... he had other things to focus on, he needed to build up a relationship with Steven.
"I invited you here since you have been spotted conversing with one of my father's vassals, my fiancee will watch your son while we have a talk about this." Lucine's voice was quite menacing.
"Uh fine, here, take my son." Count Calyx said, pushing Steven towards Albert. Albert felt a spark of rage rage towards Count Calyx for pushing his own son like that, but that will be a problem for later for now, he needs to make a friend.
Albert led Steven to his room, Steven was in awe during the entire walk there, although he can't blame him. Since, according to the game lore, house Calyx is dirty and unkempt due to the few number of servants there. So it's perfectly logical for a dirty boy like him to enjoy a clean mansion.
"Nice to meet you Albert-sama". Steven's voice was weirdly detached, as expected. In the game, Steven appears as a detached, temperamental boy. But over time, he shows the side of him that loves flowers to the heroine. And it's that love for flowers that Albert will use to befriend him.
"Oh please, just call me Albert."
"Ok, Albert?" Steven's voice was slightly confused, but that confusion settled after he entered Albert's room and saw a beautiful array of flower pots.
"Wow, beautiful flowers!" Steven said, running over to the flower pots. Before snorting them like there's no tomorrow. Albert didn't expect this intense of a reaction, but he had to strike while the iron is hot!
"Ah, I see you have an even more intense for the beautiful flowers of Nocturne estate. I have a question for you."
"Ok, what is it?"
"I am wondering, would you like to be my friend? As we are both nobles, we will be admitted in the academy. And though it seems quite rash, I have a feeling we will be in the same class." Albert already knows where the key characters are, and a minor in-game event has a brief moment where his in-game self and Steven were sitting next to eachother in a class different from the heroine's and from Lucine's. Out of all the in-game side quests to remember, this was probably the most important part.
"I do suppose I am quite lonely! Sure, let's be best of friends." Steven's voice was more calm and excited, since from the game he didn't have any friends before the game started. Since he will be friends with the other capture targets by the time the game starts anyways, it won't have much of an effect. He genuinely did want someone to talk to, but also it would make him hooking up with the heroine easier.
"Well, why don't we shake on it? After all, I have a feeling you have a brighter future ahead of you." Steven seemed hesitant. Albert didn't have time for him to chicken out now. So he grabbed Steven's hand and they shaked.
---
"For the last time! I am just friends with Leo. I don't know why you are making such a big deal! Sure he is close to Michael, but I'm not a fool to question your father! This conversation is dead, WHERE IS MY FUCKING SON!" Viscount Calyx was getting quite angry and impatient. Lucine was starting to get bored, but she needed to endure, for Albert's sake, for her Albert's sak-
"Ok, we're back. Thank you for your son's time, I am so glad I could befriend such a kind boy." Said Albert, walking down the stairs, being followed by Steven. Steven's face was a slight grin, and Albert's face looks like he's satisfied.
Not long after that, the 2 Calyxes left, leaving only Lucine and Albert to be alone in the dining room.
"We saw the whole thing, I am so proud that Albert-sama finally made a friend " Collene said, walking out. Kuroba followed after her, giggling, a thin layer of drool(?) over her mouth.
"Master Albert, Collene and I practiced kissing." Lucine tried to hold back her laughter as Kuroba and Collene walked away.
Perhaps, she doesn't have to get rid of them after all.