"Arc 3, Ophelia is visited by a cat..." I clutch at my head. It began to throb when I tried remembering the next scene. I couldn't even think of what color the cat was without a sharp pain interrupting. I rubbed my scalp. It seems that someone didn't want me to retain those memories... damn. What happens after the cat then?

"Helm... stirs up trouble." My head still hurts as I force myself to concentrate. "And so does—" I drop my pen as my headache grows worse. Shit! I thought I knew everything up to arc 5, but after arc 2, it's only puzzle pieces scattered all over the place!

"Arc 4... fangs—!" I was gasping for air as even writing one word caused the pain to intensify. 

I was tricked! I felt cheated! I wanted to vent my frustration but it was late at night and I didn't want to disturb anyone. I resorted to drawing angry emoticons on the side. I couldn't dwell on the future arcs without splitting my head open, so I'd focus on something else. I thought of the scene where Rael died.

The way that Rael had died was too suspicious. And I'm not talking about Ru framing him, I wanted to know how Ru managed to slip in and out. While the castle didn't have the tightest security, especially near Rael's room, there was no need for it. 

Because of the elder trees. They were trees that were said to be created by the gods, to maintain peace. They maintained their job well and prospered, but when the gods withdrew from the world, they were left without a role. All that's left is a fraction of what they were before. But that was enough to make Urel a powerful country once they built a whole country with them at its center. 

They lay peacefully by each side of the castle, intertwined by their ever-extending roots that reach nearly the entire country. But the trees rarely care what happens outside of the castle, and focus only on one another. They are a pair, inseparable. The reason why elder trees would ever intervene would be to protect themselves and their pair. Because if one were to die, then the other would soon follow. It would be a tragedy for strong entities such as the trees to cease existing. I knew this from the DKQ wiki, but half of the information there was only theories. 

But how did Ru get past them? His intentions were hostile, so he should've been speared and diced to pieces by the trees, so how did he manage to kill Rael in the first place? It didn't feel like a coincidence, it felt planned. The only explanation for the trees not attacking had to be...

I frown. Was it possible that one of them started dying? No... they only consumed mana and had an impenetrable defense. It would be impossible to harm the trees. Or would it...? I had a bad feeling brewing. But I had to let the speculation go because pondering about it wouldn't get me anywhere. Not when I had to plan for tomorrow. 

How will I make it through tomorrow? I start planning on a new piece of paper. During Rael's debut, two major incidents occur. I wouldn't have known about this had it not been for the blessed DKQ wiki. I spent many sleepless nights browsing through it, trying to complete Ru's cursed route. 

The first incident is Rael completely flopping his dancing. He humiliates himself and his partner and runs away. The next incident is Ru Hasselt going to the debut and collapsing out of nowhere. It was said that he had a severe fever, but a rumor started that he'd been poisoned or thought that Rael's dancing was so atrocious that he fainted. I suppress a snort. No, it's not funny! If this were to happen to me, my social life is d-e-a-d and so am I! 

I had to take this seriously. The first incident will hopefully be avoided. I'd improved enough that I only stepped on Wei's feet four times. That's a major improvement! At least I won't trip myself and my partner up. But the second incident... I wasn't quite sure I was willing to help Ru with his predicament, as I wasn't the main character.

I ponder. There was a post in the unofficial DKQ discord where someone speculated what was wrong with Ru. They went into details about Ru's incident and finally rounded up the solution— if you could even call it that. But it was all just a theory...

I twirled the pen in my hand. Should I trust the advice of some random stranger on the internet? No. Will I still do it? Yes. 

I make a note of everything I need to prepare. It was simple and I was sure that I'd be able to find it in one certain area of the castle. I took a deep breath. But that would be for later. Now that I'd tackled the issue for tomorrow, I had to plan my actions. I'd merely written down everything Ophelia would do, me being here, changed everything. But I couldn't change too much. So I had to prepare.

"How to survive a (super duper) dangerous fantasy world!" Proud of my titling skills, I started making a list. I had to plan my personality, my motives, and also my limits.

I yawned and rubbed my eyes. Now, what should my personality be? Sweet and shy? No, I wouldn't be able to keep that act up for long if I was always nice. Bold and arrogant? I wasn't trying to be a cannon fodder now...

Perhaps, mysterious and cold? That... doesn't sound too bad but I needed to socialize at least a little so that I'd get intel from my future minions— er, friends. Friendly and polite? That does sound like the best personality. It leaves enough space for me to get serious and angry at someone if need be. I nod. Perfect. I have that down. Now time for my limits.

My limits made this harder. Rael wasn't an exceptionally strong student, he was squarely in the middle, average enough for no one to notice him. Had it not been for his big brother Heath, he'd be an extra. He dabbled in elemental magic but he also knew a few illusion spells and alternative spells. He didn't have much mana nor was his control all that good. He was an average student. 

"Sigh..." I couldn't help but sink deeper into my chair. Considering how weak he is, I couldn't get involved too much or I'd die by somebody sneezing next to me. I had to be cautious. But to do so, I need to know all of my motives.

What did I want to accomplish in this world? Well, I obviously wanted to go home. But to do so, I had to find a way out. And seeing how nearly 99% of my memory had been wiped clean, I'd have to work hard for it. Should I do what I've seen other MCs trapped in another world do, take over the heroine's role and help save the world? 

Except, I was far too weak to take over Ophelia's role. She might be stupidly nice and sometimes a pain in the ass, but she was powerful. She surpasses all of the love interests and doesn't allow herself to be the damsel in distress, instead of rescuing them from danger. I couldn't compare even if I used every cheat code and artifact hidden in Lore Academy. She was a natural talent, a menace to society, really, and I was just an average Joe.

It was a fitting role. I'll be in the shadows, watching the love interests and Ophelia. If a situation escalates too much or goes a route that I don't want, I'll step in and try to help. But to do so, I had to have as little attention to myself as possible. Seeing how average Rael is, besides his tragic background, it should be easy. 

I couldn't avoid Ru, so I had to leave an impression on him. Perhaps by helping, even if temporary, I'll be in his favor? I could only hope. If that were to happen, I'd be able to sail smoothly through the plot, all while avoiding Ophelia and other major characters. I couldn't get too involved or Ru might kill me again. His personality was a bit... ruthless at times. 

I could go to a few social events and then prepare to start school. It was a good plan for the upcoming... two years. I groaned. I had to deal with the most spiteful family known to man, breathing down my neck, as I tried to survive. Fantastic.

Where there any other issues? I'm pretty sure I've gone through all of my problems these upcoming years. I wouldn't be meeting the other love interests until school started.

I stretch my arms and get up from my chair. Now that I had a loose plan of what I wanted, I needed to prepare my presentation for Ru. But how should I give it to him? I needed to create an opportunity, one where he couldn't ignore or decline me. 

I smiled. Oh. I know exactly what to do. I left the room as the door closed with a quiet click. 

I think I'm ready.