I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 4

I was left wondering why this was necessary, but “Romance Academy” is set in a modern world, at least for now.

However, just a modern setting would be too dull, so from birth, a select few are given specific “jobs” that make them infinitely stronger than ordinary people.

And what if you throw in monsters emerging from Gates in this awakening-like scenario? Voilà, this is your “Romance Academy”—what the heck.

“Jisoo…”

On top of that, it’s not just South Korea, but the Unified Daehan Empire, including North Korea, is a dominant global power.

No matter how you look at it, they probably forced themselves to include royalty characters in this modern backdrop.

But honestly, there’s no need to grasp the intricacies of this setting.

Since you hardly step out of “Romance Academy” from the start to the end!

In fact, you’ll spend a full four years in this floating city!

“Is this right?”

No matter how much it is a female-oriented dating sim, can they really just throw around random setups like this?

“Female-oriented… dating sim.”

…Yeah, there’s actually something else I’ve been avoiding facing.

That’s right, “Romance Academy” indeed is a female-oriented dating sim.

Truth be told, despite having combat, various student events, and exams that give it a school-type game feel, the main genre is still dating sim.

I was watching seven students walking along the path to take their dedicated exam from the back.

“The Crown Prince, the Warlock, the Hero.”

Those annoyingly handsome fellows are what you would typically call “main targets.” There are others too, but when it comes to those with special jobs and high influence, it’s them.

With the female protagonist caught in a love web among them… what was it like again?

“I can’t remember since the female protagonist’s route only goes up to the third playthrough.”

In “Romance Academy,” the default protagonist is female, but if you want, you can also choose a male protagonist.

However, doing so brings a significant issue.

“All the romance elements get locked.”

Choosing a male protagonist doesn’t mean you can romance female characters; the favorability or relationship points won’t even increase to allow it.

Naturally, all events related to romance, confessions, and marriage disappear, which further reduces the already limited content.

“That was actually a good thing, though.”

Yeah, the advantage of a male protagonist is that “the content you have to go through shrinks, allowing you to see the ending faster!”

Though it’s questionable whether finishing the game quickly is an advantage while being a game, it was a tremendous benefit for me, as I vowed to complete the endings with every job.

Endless round plays, exceeding ten times, felt like torture.

So, for the sake of collecting event or CGs in the game, I proceeded as a female protagonist until the third playthrough and then just sped through as a male protagonist afterward.

“…Though the difference was minimal.”

They say every little bit counts; even that minimal time becomes fuel for a faster playthrough.

The developer, who is probably some crazy girl, complained about my way of playing ruining her game, but hey, she should’ve made it better.

That day too, while sitting in my chair, a pillow was thrown at my back—

“—Min?”

When I got fried rice served, she would pick out bell peppers and start nagging—

“—Namgoong Min!!”

“…Ah.”

I had been lost in thought for far too long. The memory of messing with that crazy girl was so fun, time really flew by.

Turning to my slightly tingling right side, I found a cute girl with long black hair glaring at me.

I knew exactly who she was, so before anyone could say anything, I quickly replied.

“I’m sorry, I just got a bit lost in thought.”

“Is it okay for someone with a special job to be so dazed?”

“It was concerning my job, and while I knew it was rude, I had no choice but to get absorbed in it.”

“Well, that’s that.”

Even though it was our first meeting, she dropped casual banter and snapped at me like a rebel, her playful smirk evident on her face.

She was relatively short compared to the others, with long black hair reaching her waist, adorned in luxury goods and jewelry.

People say she’s a girl blessed with luck.

The Rich Tycoon, Liu Yan.

Still not even an adult, yet she was a genuine wealthy person capable of backing a typical strong nation’s budget, looking down at me.

“Hey, you said you were a Fortuneteller, right?”

“Too undeservedly so.”

“Then you know how to tell fortunes, huh?”

“That would be a given.”

As Liu casually started a banter, soon others were turning around to look at her.

No, correction. Everyone was just looking at her.

‘Looks like they already knew her.’

First class from birth, these were the royalty, the Rich Tycoon, a scion of the oldest European aristocracy, and the grandson of a former U.S. president, all blessed by the Catholic Church.

From birth, they were the high society elite, firmly established future powers due to their “jobs”.

‘However, I wouldn’t stand out to them at all.’

But tagging along with power-bearers as just some Fortuneteller; that surely wouldn’t be looked upon favorably.

But that didn’t necessarily mean they’d outright reject me.

“…Liu. Can you show me some courtesy since it’s our first meeting?”

“Huh? Why should I show courtesy to this idiot?”

“Isn’t it true that we’re both fellow applicants taking the Romance Academy entrance exam, and even fellow examinees? Surely there’s enough reason.”

“I’m not interested.”

“…Oh, right.”

Liu Yan’s attitude drew a sigh from the Psychic, Rain Arthur, as the Saint, Raphael Martina, shook his head, and even the Royalty, Kim Sung-il, gave a look of disdain.

Sure, they might have met each other since childhood, but that doesn’t mean they all have deep connections. It’s natural that their relationships are tangled like wired earphones in a pocket.

‘And it’s up to me to untangle that.’

To return home after seeing the ending, and even to treat my sister right.

I smiled at the tension between Liu and Rain.

“Liu, you mentioned you would tell me my fortune, right?”

“…Oh, right.”

“I don’t have cards for divination, but how about a simple test?”

“A test?”

Liu showed interest. Meanwhile, Rain Arthur and Lucas Arthur also turned their attention to me.

Actually, aside from the Hero, Abel Legion, who always ignores his surroundings, everyone’s focus was on me.

‘Time to leave a first impression.’

They’re the key figures in “Romance Academy,” and first impressions carry significant weight for their future actions.

I carefully measured my words and actions, pointing at Liu’s waist.

What hung at her waist was a small pouch, worn by the wealthy girl everywhere she went.

“What do you think is inside that pouch?”

“This pouch? Hey, you can tell what’s in it?”

She gave an incredulous laugh. Right, that’s the natural reaction.

We just met today; knowing what’s in her pouch would be considered a superpower, not fortune-telling, right?

Of course, it’d be impossible to know even if I tried either. I didn’t want to gamble it all on a ten percent chance without even having tarot cards, especially with such an important first impression at stake.

All I intended was to bend the rules a little.

“What I’ll see is just about destiny or nonsense, not what some cultist fraud would…”

“It’s a Golden Toad, right?”

“—What?”

Her previously haughty demeanor turned to stone. The look of disbelief froze her face.

With just that one line, I made the proud Rich Tycoon halt.

“I see, not just one. Let’s see… two? Three? No, no, it’s four, right? If there are four Golden Toads of that size, then it’s definitely an Artifact.”

“………You.”

“The shapes are beautiful too. There are a dragon carved on the toad’s back, a tiger on its front paws, and a snake on its hind legs. The toad’s face maintains that famous expression too.”

“Hey.”

“What?”

“What the hell did you just do?”

For Liu, it must have been utterly shocking.

The reason she kept the Golden Toad in her pouch was for a childhood memory.

During a warm, happy time, the birthday gift she received from her parents and siblings was long gone. She carries it around, at least to hold onto that memory.

That might make it sound like three toads are right, but she put her own to include herself in that memory, hence it’s four.

Anyway, Liu carrying her Golden Toad represents her secret.

For one who is paranoid due to her childhood, it would leave her burning with questions on how I knew.

Of course, I only had one thing to say to her.

“I did read your fortune.”

“Ha… you sure are a nuisance to deal with.”

My answer, laced with a smile, elicited laughter from her as if she found it exceedingly amusing.

“You’re an interesting guy, huh?”

Rather than seeing me as “just a fool to toy with,” she started viewing me as a “suspicious individual.”

“Hey, can you do it again?”

“As much as you’d like.”

Liu Yan is a paranoid individual. She doubts everything in the world, questions it, and continues to do so.

Right now, being with those who lessened that suspicion is calming her, but.

Stirring that paranoia back up isn’t difficult.

She perceives people merely as either “idiots” or “suspicious folks.”

‘Liu’s character event was kind of like this.’

This issue isn’t unique to her.

Everyone who keenly watched the dialogue between Liu and me carries similar “bombs” within.

And all those “bombs” are at the brink of exploding, and only when the protagonist intervenes can they barely defuse them.

That’s the essence of a “character event.” Effectively, it’s the most crucial part of “Romance Academy.”

‘If I cure Liu’s paranoia in the game, she becomes a solid financial supporter for the protagonist.’

Resolving a character event rectifies their major issues, maximizing favorability and granting rewards.

In Liu’s case, the reward is unlimited wealth. Yeah, money.

That’s why I targeted Liu as my primary goal.

Since she made the first move, approaching was easy, and just nudging her suspicion slightly brings forth the character event quickly.

“What’s in this ring?”

“There’s a tiny jewel connected like a matryoshka.”

“What about this clothing pocket?”

“Always seems to have gold coins bouncing around.”

“What’s in this box?”

“…Liu, do you think I’m some sort of clairvoyant?”

“Why, it’s fun. Do more.”

The more I identified her issues, the bigger her suspicions grew.

Right now, her imagination must be inflating me into some “assassin masquerading as a Fortuneteller sent by a hostile faction” or “disguised Romance Academy instructor.”

As it stands, this is quite a hassle. I need her suspicion to gain her favor, but once I do, the suspicion only heightens…

Even now, the situation isn’t stellar, but I do have faith.

“Keep it coming, you bastard. What’s in this pendant──”

“──That’s enough, Liu.”

“Ah, Lucas. Why!!”

“We’ve arrived at the dedicated exam venue.”

“………….”

There was indeed a time limit on this exchange.

Since it wouldn’t go on forever, we had to reach the exam venue eventually.

Upon noticing the designated examiners set up before us, Liu gritted her teeth and glared at me.

“You, I won’t forget you.”

“I’m honored.”

That shuts down her suspicion for now. Moving forward, I could just appropriately interact and build relationships until her character event erupts.

It sounds easy, but just how challenging those events would be is beyond imagination.

Still, having cleared events 25 times, I trust I can manage this time as well.

“……We have our respective names.”

“We should enter according to our names, right?”

“Liu, calm down. The dedicated exam is about to start.”

“Do I look calm? I am certainly sure about that guy! I won’t forget!”

Liu, agitated, pointed at me as the Warlock, Lucas Arthur, worriedly tried to calm her.

Meanwhile, the Psychic, Rain Arthur, observed Lucas and Liu with a complex expression.

The Royalty, Kim Sung-il, and Kim Eun-ha had already entered their respective exam venues, and the Hero, Abel Legion, just stared at the entrance marked with his name.

The Saint, Raphael Martina, would probably be the last to enter after ensuring everyone else got in safely.

Figures I had seen 25 times before. Actions I had seen 25 times before.

Experiencing this peculiar feeling of encountering characters I had only observed from beyond the screen, I stepped into the examination room marked with “Namgoong Min.”

“Wow….”

A completely empty space devoid of decorations or instruments. Bright and warm light pulsed from the lamps installed throughout, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the area.

And in the center of that vast expanse stood just a table and two chairs.

“Sit down, Namgoong Min.”

“……Yes.”

Sitting across from me was the ever-composed Charles Teddy Bear.

And thus, the dedicated exam began.