[Name: Serena]

[Serena is the greatest mage of this era and the master of the Magic Tower. Though somewhat self-righteous, her kind and compassionate nature makes her a reliable ally for you.]

Serena was a pivotal character who marked the beginning of the game.

Although her backstory wasn’t detailed in the character description to avoid spoilers, progressing through the game revealed why she had purchased the protagonist.

Serena had survived the massacre of the reclusive Neon Clan by becoming an outcast and leaving the clan just before the incident.

Winning her trust and healing her scars as a fellow clansman was the key to her route.

Though a female character, she wasn’t a romantic rival for the protagonist but rather a protector, earning her a favorable reputation within the community. She was so popular that she even ranked second in the popularity poll, surpassing several male characters.

“Well then, we’ll be heading out.”

“Shall I see you off…?”

“No need.”

Leaving behind a flustered Tower Owner, Serena grabbed my hand and walked briskly. The cold night air brushed against my face as we emerged from the long corridor.

Finally, we were outside. I looked down at our joined hands.

“Uh, um… well, so…”

Where had her confident demeanor gone? Serena hesitated with a slightly flustered expression.

I could feel her fingers fidgeting in mine.

Ah, how cute.

Seeing Serena, who was at least a head taller than me, act awkwardly was always a rare sight.

“Would you come with me, girl?”

And then her serious expression followed.

Her intense and beautiful face, stripped of its mask, glimmered under the moonlight.

Her blue eyes, the same as mine, gazed at me gently.

In that moment, time seemed to stop.

[Whatever you wish...]
[What is your name?]
[What if I say no? Not that I have a choice!]

Three choices appeared before my eyes.

Since the options in Raison d’être varied depending on the situation, there was no fixed method.

Considering Serena’s personality, option 1 was the obvious choice without much thought.

But still...

‘How about trying a different approach this time?’

Until now, I’d always played as a typical dating sim heroine—kind but oblivious to romance.

It made sense to keep characters pleased when playing through their routes.

After some thought, I made my decision.

"What if I say no? It’s not like I have a choice anyway!"

Serena was the type to repay kindness with kindness and to retaliate tenfold against any injustice. She was also rather hot-tempered.

Knowing that, I had always chosen options that wouldn’t upset her.

It had been ages since I picked a slightly abrasive choice like this, so I couldn’t quite remember how she would react.

With a pounding heart, I watched Serena. I wasn’t particularly anxious.

Even if her affection level dropped a bit, I could always bring it back up.

But then—

[Serena’s affection level increases by 5.]

“What the—”

Wait, why did it go up?

I choked on my surprise at the incomprehensible status notification. As I coughed, Serena hesitated, then gently patted my back.

“…Are you alright?”

“…Aren’t you a mage? Do you want my eyes too?”

Even as I stammered, the dialogue from the choice continued. Observing my body, which moved on its own, I reflected calmly.

Raison d’être was notorious for how hard it was to increase affection levels.

The gameplay was incredibly long, but affection levels rarely went above 100, so it couldn’t be helped.

Serena started with an affection level of 30 because we were of the same clan, but raising it further was another matter entirely.

Even if I had chosen the first two options, the increase would have been a mere 1 or 2 points.

Could it be that Serena actually liked being treated roughly?

Despite spending countless hours with her over 99 playthroughs, I didn’t know everything about her.

After all, I only knew the parts relevant to the main storyline.

“I understand your concern, but I didn’t bring you here because I coveted your eyes.”

Since the dialogue was still playing, I couldn’t interrupt. I stared at Serena’s face with wide eyes.

“I am of the same clan as you.”

Suddenly, Serena’s blue irises glimmered with a cross-shaped emblem. They weren’t the typical blue eyes.

Only those who carried the bloodline of Neon could manifest those iconic white cross-shaped pupils. No transplant could replicate that ability.

Seeing such a clear symbol of the Neon Clan, I caught my breath.

What’s going on?

This has never happened before…

In the original game, Serena revealing her emblem to the protagonist was an event that occurred much later in the story.

It was a hidden event that only triggered after meeting specific affection and condition requirements.

It had never happened right after the prologue.