"Why do you ask that?"

Hearing the Guild Leader’s voice, I halted and turned to her.

"I’m just curious—how can someone like you even have a girlfriend? It’s so unfair."

"Hmm, how should I put this…"

I sat on the table, legs crossed, and gazed up at the icy ceiling.

"There’s no ‘love’ in our relationship. She always complains about my bad temper, and I can’t stand her icy attitude. As a girl, she has zero redeeming qualities—no cuteness, no housework skills, can’t cook a decent meal, and treats me with constant indifference. She puts studying first every single day, just holed up in her room after school, studying, studying, studying."

"If you’re so dissatisfied, why stay together? You’re such a weird guy."

Alicia stood beside me, poking my cheek with her fingertip. She seemed to be having way too much fun.

"Probably out of gratitude. At least with me, she won’t get bullied, won’t feel wronged, and won’t be tricked."

I shrugged helplessly and smiled bitterly.

That’s how my big brother had roped me into this mess back then.

"I don’t buy it! Don’t use outdated excuses like repaying kindness. ‘Beauty saves hero, then offers herself in marriage’? Even romance novels don’t push that trope anymore!"

Mimicking my shrug, Alicia rolled her shoulders.

"I know!"

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands.

"What do you ‘know’ this time?"

Every time I saw that look on Alicia, unease crept in. This girl spoke without thinking—no filter, no limits to her wild imagination.

"Your fiancée must be stunningly beautiful! You worked hard to win her over, slept with her, then got bored. Am I right?"

"Right my ass. Haven’t I said? I’m face-blind—I have no idea if she’s pretty or not."

"Then who’s prettier—me or the Guild Leader?"

Alicia was clearly stirring trouble.

"Obviously the Guild Leader."

"See? You confessed without being asked—hey, Guild Leader, why are you crying?"

I hadn’t noticed until now. The Guild Leader was weeping silently, wiping tears from her cheeks.

"You made the Guild Leader cry!"

"You’re the one who did it! She’s so kind—she must feel awful for your girlfriend. Just thinking about being deceived by a scumbag like you makes me want to cry too."

"Hey, don’t spread lies! When have I ever been scummy…"

Watching Alicia and the Guild Leader on the verge of tears, I felt like crying more than anyone.

Why wouldn’t anyone believe the truth I was telling?

"S-sorry. Your words reminded me of my boyfriend. I just couldn’t help crying."

"Eh? The Guild Leader has a boyfriend?! So I’m the only single dog here?!"

"Bottling things up hurts. Guild Leader, tell us about your boyfriend."

I gently pushed Alicia aside and moved to comfort the Guild Leader.

"Him? He always looks like someone owes him millions—total stone face. Skips school, lazes around all day, gets into fights. Even though he has me, he sneaks out at night to party. Comes back reeking of smoke and perfume. If we bump into each other on the street, he won’t even say hello."

As she spoke, tears began pattering onto the table again.

"You’re still with that jerk? Dump him already!"

Alicia patted the Guild Leader’s back, pulling a handkerchief from her bag to wipe her tears.

"Seriously, I agree with Alicia. Guild Leader, break up with him. He’s not worth your love."

A strange anger flared in me. I clenched my fists, recalling gossip I’d overheard at the tavern earlier.

All the good ones really do get snatched by pigs.

"I… still want to try loving him."

"Ahem, let’s drop this sad topic. This is a game world—better not drag real life into it. Everyone’s got their own struggles. Games exist to escape reality’s pain, Guild Leader. You’re not alone. Alicia and I will always be here for you."

"Yeah, forget the bad stuff. We’ll always be by your side. Please stop crying, okay?"

"Mmm… thank you. Sorry for ruining your moods."

Drying her tears, faint streaks remained on her cheeks. Already breathtakingly beautiful, she now looked even more pitiable, like a rain-drenched blossom.

I never mix reality with games—or games with reality. Otherwise, I’d beat up the Guild Leader’s boyfriend myself. Girls this gentle and kind are rare treasures. Wasting one like her is a crime.

"Alright, alright! My turn to introduce myself!"

To lighten the mood, Alicia hopped onto the table.

"I am Alicia the Blazing! Yoroshiku! But that’s just a facade. My true identity? I’m the future Emperor’s top general—Princess Alicia, second only to the throne! Kukuku… scared yet?"

Striking a pose like a debut idol, she planted one hand on her hip and thrust the other skyward.

"Black panties with lace trim? Fancy taste you’ve got there."

I peered up from under the table.

"Eh?! Is that true? I’ve never even seen my own panties!"

She lifted her skirt—revealing generic white panties, standard for all characters.

"You tricked me! Bastard—I’ll get you!"

"You’re just dumb. My bad?"

Hissing like a startled cat, she chased me around while the Guild Leader covered her mouth, giggling.

After the brief chaos, Alicia learned her lesson. She sat properly in a chair, pulled up her stat card, and displayed the translucent interface.

ID: Blazing Alicia | Level: 17

Class: Icefire Mage

Innate Skill: Meteor Shower (Active)

Summon a devastating rain of meteors with forbidden power, dealing incalculable damage.

Weapon: Irish Trial Wand (Red)

Robe: Irish Blood Robe (Red)

『Set Bonus: +10% Magic Attack, +30 Mana Regen, +30 HP Regen, +1 to all Mage skills.』

Ring: Eternal Time Ring (Green)

『10% chance to halve mana cost when casting skills. 5% chance for zero mana cost. 1% chance to reset current skill cooldown.』

All other gear: Purple rarity.

"Hey."

My eye twitched at her gear—especially that ring. A sharp pang of regret hit me.

"What’s wrong?"

"The Eternal Time Ring… it’s useless. Just a shiny trinket."

In-game, mages need to chant spells. That precious 1% skill reset? Totally pointless. By the time you cast two or three spells, cooldowns are already over.

"But it’s gorgeous! And super rare!"

"Seriously?! Over a hundred thousand bucks? You’ve got money to burn! And that robe and wand are just starter gear—why splurge like this?!"

A hundred thousand RMB, not game coins. This girl was rich and naive.

Sorry, poverty limits my imagination. I’ll never get how tycoons think.

"You should say that to the Guild Leader."

In unison, Alicia and I turned to the Guild Leader. She flinched, avoiding our eyes.