The courtyard of Priscilla Academy buzzed with excitement, students murmuring in low voices as they filled the seats, eager for the headmaster’s address. 

Aeris, however, sat  disinterested her attention only half-focused on the stage at the center of the courtyard

 Her sharp blue eyes flickered between the headmaster a middle-aged woman draped in silvery robes.

In the original Lustrous Hearts, the headmaster had been a well-known figure a former knight who commanded respect and admiration. 

But this woman, with her delicate frame and dignified smile, was nothing like the authoritative presence Aeris had expected. 

She was a scholar, perhaps a sorceress or Priestess, judging by the ornate runes embroidered into her robes.

“So, it’s true,” Aeris thought, a small smirk curling at the edge of her lips. 

This world may look like Lustrous Hearts, but it’s not bound to the same rules. Things are diverging faster and faster.

A part of her had suspected it from the moment she arrived in this world, but now it was certain. 

The characters, the events everything was subject to change.

 It wasn't just a matter of following the original game's plotline anymore. 

There was more at play, and Aeris intended to use every change to her advantage.

“Not that it matters,” she thought crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair. 

All it means is that I’ll need to adapt.

 A few extra lessons here, a bit of training there, and I’ll be stronger than any of them. 

The system will see to that.

She tapped her foot impatiently against the stone floor, barely listening as the headmaster’s voice droned on in the background.

 The address was nothing special just the usual platitudes about honor, excellence, and the rich history of Priscilla Academy. 

Her mind drifted back to the events that had led her here, the goblins, Esther, the ambush... Her power had grown, yes, but not fast enough. 

She would need to level up quickly if she hoped to survive the coming trials and unravel what led to her execution.

“I’ll need to train,” Aeris thought, her fingers tracing idle patterns on her cloak.

 “But not just my body and abilities. No, I’ll need influence, control. And allies... or pawns.” 

Her gaze flickered to Talia, seated beside her, blissfully unaware of the sinister intentions behind Aeris saccharin smile.

The headmaster’s voice finally trailed off, and the applause that followed roused Aeris from her reverie.

 She blinked, returning her focus to the stage, only to realize she’d missed most of the address. A frown tugged at her lips, but she quickly composed herself. 

The headmaster was now beckoning an upperclassman to the stage for a final speech.

Aeris straightened in her seat, her disinterest briefly replaced by curiosity. 

She wondered which student had been chosen to give the closing remarks. Perhaps it would be a familiar face , one of the game’s more notable characters. 

But as the figure stepped onto the stage, Aeris’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Mary Ashford.

The protagonist of Lustrous Hearts. Aeris’s least favorite character, and the bane of her existence.

Aeris suppressed a groan, her eyes narrowing as Mary stood at the center of the stage, her golden hair catching the light, her innocent smile practically glowing with warmth and sincerity. 

The crowd hushed as she began to speak, her voice soft yet steady, filled with the same bland, righteous optimism that Aeris remembered all too well.

Mary’s speech was everything Aeris had expected, heartfelt, inspiring, and utterly droll.

 She spoke of dreams, of ambition, of the importance of hard work and perseverance. She urged the new students to strive for greatness, to chase their goals with everything they had. 

It was the kind of speech that would have made any other audience member feel uplifted, but Aeris felt nothing but disdain.

“Of course it would be her,” Aeris whispered bitterly, crossing her arms. 

“Miss Perfect, the blank canvas for every player to project themselves onto. So pure, so righteous, so... dull.”

Aeris had always found Mary’s character woefully bland.

 She lacked depth, nuance, any real sense of personality. 

She was the quintessential “good girl" a protagonist whose sole purpose was to be likable and morally infallible.  

A goddam Mary Sue and the solitary blemish on a otherwise magnificent masterpiece of a game.

 In the game, she was meant to be a shining beacon of hope, the one who would win the hearts of all the characters around her.

But to Aeris, Mary was nothing more than an eyesore.

As Mary concluded her speech with a bright, enthusiastic smile, the audience erupted into applause. 

“I can’t wait to meet each and every one of you,” Mary declared, her voice ringing out across the courtyard. 

“And together, I know we’ll all achieve great things this coming year.”

Aeris rolled her eyes, barely containing her irritation.

 “Achieve great things,” she muttered under her breath. 

“Disgusting.”

Beside her, Talia clapped enthusiastically, her face lit up with admiration. Aeris watched her for a moment, considering her next move.

 Talia Valcrest the best friend of the game’s wretched protagonist. 

The loyal ally who always stood by Mary’s side, even should the rest of the world turn against her.

But here, things were different. Talia didn’t even seem to know Mary.

“You must be proud,” Aeris said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. 

“To see your dear friend giving such a rousing speech.”

Talia blinked in confusion, her hands falling to her lap. 

“My friend?” she repeated, her confusion evident. 

“I don’t even know her. It’s my first day at the academy" 

Aeris’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the response. 

 What? she thought, her mind racing. “But Talia’s supposed to be a second-year student. 

She and Mary are supposed to be best friends.”

A flicker of unease passed through her, but she quickly dismissed it.

 This wasn’t the first divergence from the game’s plot she’d encountered. 

It wouldn’t be the last. The world of Lustrous Hearts was still recognizable, but it wasn’t bound by the same rigid rules. Variables had changed. 

And Aeris herself was one of those variables.

A slow smile crept across her lips. 

Well then she thought, her gaze lingering on Talia,  If she’s not friends with Mary yet... that presents a devilish opportunity

The prospect tantalized her, sending a chill along the lengths of her spine.

Corrupting her and turning Mary’s bestie into something twisted was a possibility she hadn't considered 

But now that the idea had taken root in her mind, Aeris couldn’t shake it.

“Talia Valcrest,” she mused silently, watching the girl clap absently as the assembly drew to a close.

 “I’m looking forward to shaping you.”

The pieces were in motion, and Aeris was finally a player in the game.