Acton had needed time alone to think about his current and past situation these past two days. He finally finished his first week of school and he was already drained. He was spending his weekend to laze around, feeling some dread seeing the sky slowly change colors.
He had absolutely nothing to do, as there was no internet in this world.
He couldn't comprehend how people were capable of surviving without internet as they transfer to a different world. He read some isekai his older sister would force him to read, something he found a bit boring as it had repetitive themes. It was always revenge or cliches he found to be rather uninteresting.
Ah, his older sister...
He somehow missed her nagging, the warmth in her eyes that he could only imagine now as his memory was dull, even from the very beginning. It was as if something wanted to ruin his memory in order to focus on making new ones.
Yet he seemed to refuse, still sometimes stuck in the past. How much he yearned to live his life once again, even if he had to start all over.
But he knew those wishes would never be fulfilled. He died and that was it.
His longing made him forgot momentarily how dangerous it was to be sucked in to the plot. But he knew he couldn't completely run away from being apart of the plot. He was not capable of doing so or have the determination like those main characters in isekai had. He knew it was loss hope and he wouldn't benefit too much if he ran away.
He had to admit that now he really did look like a noble, well fed and dressed. He looked like a young noble who came from a family of doting people. It made him self aware of his appearance too, something that the pervious owner of the body didn't match strangely. He believed that the pervious owner never bother to fully cater to his appearance, allowing his hair to grow over his face like a mob character with no eyes, leave his skin dull and his outfits looking like the minimum requirement of well kept.
At least that was what he saw during the cutscenes of this body during the game. But he was no longer that person, as he was now nice site for the eyes. No doubt would he be sold to slavery even if it was banned in this country, considering he was just as pretty as females. It was almost unnatural as even the male leads had a balanced of pretty and handsome while he barely had any balance at all. He still looked boyish of course but he could be mistaken as a female if he really tried hard enough like putting makeup and frilly dresses.
He hated admitting how pretty and cute he looked though, because it was a appearance he would be stuck with forever until death takes him away once again. He may not remember his last life appearance but he knows for a fact his appearance was a lot more mild compared to his now, something he wished he still had. He didn't like the stares he garnered from the hallways from both genders.
So, with this realization of what could be done to him, he had no where else to go unless he put himself in unneeded danger, not being much of a choice. He had to stay to survive.
He sighed softly, watching the families passing by the streets and kids laughing, chasing each other. He decided to take a walk himself, getting up from the bench to window shop. He brought his allowance just in case he wanted something too.
He forgot he leave the school grounds, thankful about the shopping district nearby. It was also safe from any criminal at least during the day time as there was several knights on duty roaming the streets.
Looking around he noticed a toy store that reminded him once again of his past much to his pleasure. Plushies we're showcase through the glass, reminding him of his older sister own collection for a moment. She found comfort in those childish things for some reason, even buying Acton a couple for some reason. His parents weren't that against the idea, sometimes awkwardly supporting the gifts as they gave him some too. Though the small rare gifts stopped once he grew older, expect for his older sister who would still occasionally buy him some. His parents were distant but he understood to a fraction, considering that all they did was work.
Though he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of her rants and how he played all the otome game's routes because of his big sister even though he slightly disliked the game. He found the game too strange, he didn't like the cliches nor the trauma brought upon the capture targets. It was a dark game hidden by sunshine and rainbows. But she was stubborn and refused to let him get away without playing it all.
Acton now realized how his sister and him had a slight bond. He thought that his family was mostly distance, which was true but those little moments with his only sibling showed other wise. It was their 15 year age gap that caused a strain though, his sister already an adult before he could actually hold a somewhat decent conversation as a 3 years old. It made him wonder how it would be if their ages were closer and they actually grew up together. The rare times she came to visit was just her coming over to question if Acton watched the animes she recommended.
He never noticed his soft spot for her. It made him want to return to his old life and bond with her even further even if it was through anime and otome games. Even if he had to play crappy otome games for her. His chest hurt at the sight the plushies, a strong sense of longing hitting him. Before he knew it his feet moved on his own, looking at some of the plushies that reminded him of her.
His lip twitch upwards at the thought of her weird obsession with bunnies and plushies. She would often say that her life long dream was to own a bunny and that sometimes he resembles one. She would also collect plushies because she found them cute and comforting, saying it was necessary to have her own mini collection.
Acton's gaze stopped at one of them, noticing the black plush bunny that was just as large as his torso. It reminded him of his sister having a strange obsession with one that was similar expect it was light pink. She explained it was from an anime which a character with blond hair and purple eyes, often held the bunny and said it was her favorite character. It was her favorite plush out of her collection too.
He couldn't help but let a chuckle slip, picking it up and buying it on a whim. He wanted to at least remember his older sister and awkward parents through something even if it made him look even more childish.
He felt a bit better after reminiscing, realizing he should be at the dorms getting ready to sleep. Another sigh escaped his lips, picking up his pace towards the carriage he rode away from the shopping district.
::
He didn't think about how weird it would be to bring his bunny plush to school. He simply found the object comforting. He found it a lot more real than any living breathing human he passed by.
Maybe he wanted to think that everyone was just an object of his imagination just like he thought with this plushie. To think that this was all a game, all fake like this plushie.
He slightly regretted bringing it by the looks sent towards him by fellow classmates. He just felt like taking it along with him since he'd grown slightly attached towards it. He didn't want to leave it behind, feeling bad as if he was leaving his bunny behind his adventure. But it rather soothed him knowing something was there with him as he faced his new reality. He felt like it was a piece of his big sister too.
He couldn't help but hug the bunny closer to his torso, resting his chin on it as he tried to calm himself down. He wasn't too good at being the certain of attention. The way they whispered made him self conscious.
"Isn't that one of the new council members?"
"Doesn't he seem rather girly?"
"He makes me want to protect him and be his big sister!"
"Are you sure he isn't some lost kid?"
Acton deadpan at the last comment, realizing that they weren't actually talking crap about him. It made him feel a little better but he wanted to hurry up and see Emily and Sapphire. He was slightly worried how the capture targets would act like towards them. He didn't like the thought of one of them growing an obsession with the heroine to point it makes her miserable and killing off the villainess.
After he realized what type of people he was dealing with it made him more guarded, paranoid for his friends sakes. He continued to squeeze his plushie for comfort, liking the way it felt against him. It was soft and squishy but firm, feeling as if he was hugging someone. He didn't know when buying the toy he was going to seek comfort towards it.
Finally he was in front of the council room, opening it and sighing in relief at the sight of both of his friends. Sapphire still was blushing at the sight of Emily while the girl was oblivious of the other females affectionate gaze. But Emily did notice Acton's presence, instantly grinning at the sight of him.
"Hi Acton! How was yours weekend? Cute bunny by the way! I was just talking about mine where I went horse back riding and almost fell off and died!" She explained dramatically, rambling about her weekend with a smile. Acton nodded at both of them, showing he was listening and greeting Sapphire, getting one in return.
"So I don't get a hello? How mean~" Acton tensed at the familiar voice, eyes turning towards the owner of it who had a teasing smile. If he was being honest, he felt slightly uncomfortable near Zane. As a matter of fact he felt uncomfortable near any of the male main characters. And Acton knows they also realize that.
Some of the more talkative capture targets tried to make conversation which he wasn't having none of it, cutting the conversation short and unconsciously hiding behind his female friends. "Ah...Hello...." Acton was quick to go behind Sapphire making the female notice his discomfort. She only eyed him for a second, putting her attention back on Emily as she pet his hair to relax him. The first prince only smiled while the second prince looked at him as if he was an idiot, poking his side to get him back to work.
He was grateful at her attempts to comfort, most likely copying the action Emily had done whenever he was anxious throughout the first week of school. For only a short period of time the three friends were pretty quick to get along. It only made Acton's reliance for comfort to grow towards them.
But truthfully, he was afraid.
He knows nobody in this game is sane even if he wishes they were.
The villainess had killed people for the capture targets and attempted to steal the heroine's life. The heroine was seemingly numb to death and murder, of course she had her morals but at the end if she saw someone die she could only walk away at the end. She was too quick to get over someone she cared about death, seemingly trying to ignore such dark themes.
She was oblivious and naive but she didn't completely understand what right and wrong meant. None of them did. But he only acquaintance himself with the two females because they were a lot more sane than the rest. Even clinging onto them like a child even if it made him feel slightly embarrassed at the thought.
Even his stepbrother and butler were off putting to in terms of background. He knew Alex was an orphan who at a young age fought to survive. He had often killed during his childhood in order to gain money and learned how to fight, making the grandpa of Cade's earn his interest. And that wasn't the good type of interest considering what he's done to the Addington family.
Cade was one of the people to suffer under his grandfather, abused because his grandfather found it a need in order to have the perfect heir. Acton was glad that old dude was dead before he moved in the household, seeing his actions selfish and screwed up. It was pretty obvious he was a shitty person by the fact he forced his daughter into a loveless marriage with the current king and forcefully molded his son into the perfect heir, also doing the same for the future heir too.
He found it off putting how easily Cade and Alex were to conspire together and kill off the old man. The death of course wasn't natural, the old guy too stubborn to die when he's so close to gaining a shitload of power. Cade found himself the only one to go through the murder with the help of Alex, and so that was what happened. Cade had seen his other family members too weak to go against their own abuser so he did it himself.
Cade had killed off his grandfather at age 17, something not that long ago. It made Acton slightly fearful at this knowledge, knowing what he was capable of. Well he was fearful of pretty much everyone in this room, seeing as they were capable of murder since they've done it before at a young age or at least witnessed it, being unbothered by it.
Which that reminds Acton about the possible death of his new parents. As long as they don't go towards a bad route, more specifically Cade's, his parents will be fine though. But he knew how flawed that thinking was seeing how much change has happened during his stay. It didn't matter at this point if they were going to a good or bad route, things will change. And he has no other choice but to accept it.
He could only hope nothing changed too much. His best way of facing this uncertain fate was from detaching from this new reality of his and hope he can survive while fulfilling his longings. He couldn't bare to lose someone he cared about.
He really wanted to take a nap.
::
Green.
Bright shining sun, colored glass, a room filled with greenery.
It was relaxing to Acton. He felt at peace inside the greenhouse. He was able to finally get access through it, viewing the different herds and plants in the same room. It's room was humid, light slightly dulled down by the glass and it's colors above soaking it in with the plants. Silent. The sound of humming filled it in, Acton smiling fondly at the plants before him. It was comforting, the term Mother Nature making sense to him because he truly felt like he was in a mother's presence with these plants surrounding him.
The one nearly rotting away was touched gently by the boy, tapping it as he poured a bit of his magic in the slumped and dark green leaves. It quickly and safely brightened, standing back straight with a new determination. Acton was glad he took the advice to go to the greenhouse given by Wyatt.
While he was cautious of the teacher, he still had to learn. It also made it better that he was in a room filled with other students when in his classes when he instructed.
Acton was surprised at his magic, watching as he created flowers without anything other than his magic helping him. He was basically creating life without any difficulties. He found it peculiar. His magic wasn't strong to the point he can make millions of flowers but still the realization of creating life stuck with him.
And so his first goal was to make a tree.
Acton had broke apart with the rest of the group with the permission of Wyatt, them going to the training ground while he went to the green house. He was surprised that there was no other plant users in his class but people who did inherit the power had a weak control over it, making it obvious why there wasn't any other plant user in the combat and defense section. They were usually in others, like agriculture or classes that didn't require magic.
He wasn't far from the training grounds anyways. Classes bunched up together whether they were freshmans or seniors, testing out each other. He could hear the noises of battles outside if he tried hard enough but he didn't, more focused on his own problems than theirs.
Acton currently was in the middle of the greenhouse which was quite big mind you, the middle just being a big patch of grass. Nothing was there surprisingly so he found that to be his tree's spot.
He tested the waters with his magic, putting a small amount of magic in the ground. He decided to make a Cheery Tree to reminisce his time in his other world. He always found the trees beautiful but he hasn't seen any here, feeling a bit lonely at the lack of Japanese culture he'd seen even when the game was made in Japan.
He felt the ground rumble a bit underneath his palm, pushing more magic into it slowly but surely. He realized last time the reason why he was so drained tying the monster down was because he used too much magic. His magic had spiked, his fear and thoughtless made him unable to properly use his magic. He had to be careful with the amount he used this time, his eyes shining at the sight of the tiny root coming out.
He quickly suppressed his excitement, fearing it will mess up his progress and focused on the plant growing. At one point the tree had grown taller than him, simply touching the bark to install the magic through it. Acton breathing slowly became heavier each passing minute, closing his eyes shut in order to continue on.
'Come on... Don't stop now!'
He imagined the magic flowing together the roots to the very top of the tree, imaging his magic coursing through every little branch as it became wider and taller through each moment, even through the growing pink flowers. He found it a good time to stop pushing himself, seeing as the tree is believably at his desired size and his magic reserves were almost empty.
Kneeling down he took deep breaths and wiped away the sweat coming down his forehead, opening his eyes and viewing his creation with wonder in his eyes. Craning his neck upwards, he looked with astonishment at the large cherry blossom before him, slightly grinning at the sight.
'I did it!...'
"Did you see that Mr.Fluffy!" He questioned towards his stuffed bunny who sat behind his figure quietly. He couldn't care that he was talking to a stuffed animal at the moment, he was proud for himself. It also reminded him of his favorite stuffed animal he owned before as a child, calling it Mr.Fluffy too.
Quickly grabbing Mr.Fluffy he jogged towards the trainings grounds to show Emily and Sapphire his creation so he could be praised, stopping for a minute to catch his breath. Dizziness settled in but he ignored it, watching the classes chatter, more importantly some of the council members together having a spar while the others observed.
He watched as they praised each other and had laughs together, feeling slightly off at the sight. Their backs were turned towards him, just being another bystander to their interactions. They were not within his reach.
His ears were ringing, head fuzzy at the large usage of magic. He barely heard his heavy breathing, only staring at the blurry sight of the people who were considered main characters.
And then he remembered.
'I am not one of them.'
Acton shook the thoughts away, struggling to keep himself standing as he pushed his body to the limit. He knew he shouldn't have pushed his body after overusing his magic but he didn't care at the moment. If he got a fever he could deal with it later. He took a minute, feeling some of his headache lessen. With that he stumbled towards the group.
"Emily! Sapphire! I did it! I made a tree!" The girls turned towards his voice to greet him and to also congratulate him until they noticed his state. Emily expression turned into worry, looking at his flushed face. "That's great but you should sit down for a second, you look slightly sick." Sapphire recommended, dragging him to a tree with shade as the rest followed. She knew what overusing of magic looked like, grimacing as she remembered her younger self trying desperately to replicate what her brother did in order to gain the attention of her neglectful father.
"Hey Landon can you use some of your magic to cool down his forehead?" Emily asked making Acton slightly surprised on how quick she was to be friends with him.
'But then again she was the heroine. Soon enough one of them will fall head over heels for her.' It made Acton's eyebrows furrow at the thought, concerned with how they will express their love towards Emily. He felt the need to protect Emily even though he wasn't capable of doing so as the fate of hers was saddening.
Landon nodded, placing a cold palm on his hot burning skin, making Acton jump from the contact but soon leaning into to it. The feeling of freshness settled in, his body temperature lowering. "Feels nice..." Acton muttered, placing both of his hands on Landon's own, seemingly nuzzling his cheek against it.
Cute.
The thought going through the group of males and two females, incredibly at the same time. After awhile the symptoms of overused magic lessen, still feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous but Acton still happily led his two friends towards the greenhouse, the male leads following behind, including the teacher. Wyatt had seen the scene of the group interactions, coming by during the process of making Acton feel better. Being led towards the greenhouse, it made him wonder what the boy had in store for him.
What they found was a tree. A insanely tall tree. The greenhouse was very tall but it was not expected for any plant to reach the building's height. Yet the branches stretched far enough to graze over the top, causing immense shade down bellow the large patch of grass. Luckily the tree wasn't interfering with the other plants nearby, neither taking the sunlight but the tree was still remarkable, especially with its pink leaves littering the thick branches.
"What tree is this?" Wyatt questioned in astonishment, making Acton smile at the reaction. "Cherry Blossom." Some of them held their breath subconsciously as it wasn't everyday they saw him smile so freely like that, as if he was truly at the right place surrounded by the greenery and pink. He truly looked at peace, something the rest yearned for.
While they had been in a daze, Acton was happy about his capability of creating the giant tree, trying to figure ways to use his magic to his own benefit as he could not completely figure out how to incorporate his magic into defense or attacks. He knew he couldn't do heavy attacks like the main characters but defense probably required him to act fast and he currently couldn't use his magic correctly without fully concentrating on it. He couldn't last very long either as his magic didn't allow him to do much considering he was tired from creating just a tree even if it was huge, making his smile falter for a second.
Acton figured he would need to research certain plants to get certain outcomes, making him slightly deflate at the thought of studying. "Do you have any books to recommend about plants Mr.Colvert?" Acton questioned suddenly making the teacher look towards his figure.
After pondering over it, Wyatt shook his head. "No I didn't study in any of those type of fields simply because it wasn't useful to me. But we do have a library filled with books and once you learn a good amount knowledge you can always mingle with people who specialize in medicines, herbs, and all that type of stuff that are in our school. Landon can guide you through the Library though, he knows where everything is at." He offered making the boy freeze. Turning towards Landon, Acton was praying he would say no but the male simply nodded.
"Great well you guys should go together whenever our classes are mixed again. Landon is already pretty good at combat like the rest of the council so I doubt he'll miss up on much if he misses one day." Wyatt commented, ruffling the dazed boy.
'God hates me.'
::