"You're making me choose?"

Eirik froze, completely at a loss.

Before he could even understand what was happening, two pairs of eyes locked onto him.

Elvynna’s cool, serene face carried a hint of nervous tension—something rare for someone like her. There was a softness to her gaze, as though a part of her fragile emotions was exposed. She looked exactly like a girl waiting for an answer after confessing her love.

Meanwhile, Pixie beamed with a sweet smile. Her large, bright eyes sparkled like they held unspoken promises. "Pick me," they seemed to say. Her rosy cheeks glowed with just the right amount of shyness, giving off a charm that made her hard to resist—an innocent allure that could easily drive anyone mad.

**What the hell is going on here?!**

Eirik’s mind spun in confusion. Though it was bewildering, the fact that they were fighting over him wasn’t *entirely* unexpected. After all, he possessed the legendary **Eye of Divine Insight**—a fabled ability said to carry the potential to become one of the greatest magic users in the world. If nurtured properly, it could unlock unimaginable power, rendering its bearer unstoppable.

But... how did Elvynna even know about it?

And why was Pixie in on this?

Eirik hadn’t yet considered the possibility that the two girls might have participated in a simulated version of his life—something that should’ve been impossible.After all, in every story he’d ever read, only the protagonist was supposed to have a system like that!

Suddenly, Pixie leaned closer, her eyes twinkling.

“Eirik-nii~! Look over there! Just past those trees is my family estate—the **Ravenshadow Manor**.” Her voice was sweet and proud as she puffed out her chest, radiating confidence.

"In all of Aelsryel, there isn’t a single estate more impressive than ours! It’s a symbol of immense wealth and power."

Her words weren’t just empty boasts. Ravenshadow’s influence ran deep, enough that the estate's reputation alone had earned her a rare **purple tag** in the simulation. If even a fraction of their resources were available to Eirik, it would mean boundless opportunities.

"If you come with me," Pixie continued with a playful lilt, "you’ll become a high-ranking retainer in the Ravenshadow household—practically family. You’ll gain unimaginable resources. With your **Eye of Divine Insight**, only our household can help you reach your true potential!”

**Eye of Divine Insight?**

Eirik’s heart skipped a beat. **He really had that ability?**

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Even Elvynna was momentarily stunned.

**This talent is on par with my own Regal Bone of the Ancients…** she thought, her expression tightening.

Though she had an extraordinary gift herself, Elvynna knew she couldn’t match Pixie’s promises. Unlike the Ravenshadow family, Elvynna had no wealth or powerful allies to offer. She was strong, yes—but she was alone.

Her icy demeanor had made it difficult for her to form close relationships. Pixie, on the other hand, was lively, adorable, and extremely well-connected. Though they exchanged polite smiles on the surface, the tension between them was unmistakable—like sparks flying in an invisible storm.

Eirik found himself deep in thought.

Truthfully, Elvynna was exactly his type—cool and elegant, like a fallen queen gracing the mortal world with her presence. **How could anyone not fall for her?**

That was why, in the game, he had chosen Elvynna without hesitation.

But Pixie... Pixie was also tempting in her own way. She was playful, gentle, and full of life. And her figure—well, let’s just say that her *assets* were hard to ignore. She looked like someone pulled straight from the pages of a manga.

If this were about picking a wife, Eirik would have a hard time making a decision.

But this wasn’t about romance—it was about **survival**.

Eirik wasn’t arrogant enough to think that two girls had fallen in love with him at first sight. No, this was about **choosing a side**, aligning himself with a faction. **A job offer**, in essence.

As much as he adored Elvynna’s cold beauty, Pixie’s offer was too good to pass up.

Living in luxury, surrounded by the wealth and influence of the Ravenshadow family—who wouldn’t want that? And more importantly, Eirik’s newly discovered talent would need a vast amount of resources to develop properly. Without those resources, he wouldn’t stand a chance against the looming catastrophe: the **Demon Tree Uprising**.

When the Demon Tree’s corruption swept across the North in a few years, even running away wouldn’t be an option. Without power or influence, survival would be impossible.

With Ravenshadow's backing, however, Eirik could throw himself into magical studies and prepare. Whether he chose to fight the Demon Tree or flee the region, he’d have the means to do so. And if he grew powerful enough, maybe he could help Elvynna in the future.

And besides, the real Elvynna wasn’t the same as the one in the game. Whatever had happened in that simulation didn’t matter here. Reality was different—and he couldn’t let those scripted events cloud his judgment.

Eirik let out a slow breath and made his decision.

“Sorry, Elvynna… I’ve decided to go with the Ravenshadow family.”Elvynna’s breath hitched.

For a moment, she stared at him, disbelief flickering in her star-like eyes. Then, with a bittersweet smile, she whispered, “I see... I was too presumptuous.”

She turned away, her gaze distant, her voice trembling despite her efforts to remain calm. Tears welled in her eyes, reflecting the starlight above.

**Why did it have to end this way?**

Pain and frustration gnawed at her heart. She wanted to scream, to cry out—but she held herself back.

“He… he must not remember the simulation,” she thought bitterly. "To him, I’m just a stranger. How could I expect him to choose me over Pixie? The terms she offered were far too tempting."

Her hands clenched into fists, the pale skin of her knuckles turning red.

**I won’t give up!**

Elvynna returned to her empty home, her heart heavy with sorrow. The courtyard, once filled with life in the simulation, was now desolate. No peach tree. No little fox. And worst of all,

**no Eirik.**

It was so quiet. So lonely.

Hugging herself, she gazed at the pale moon hanging in the night sky, her vision blurred with unshed tears.

In the simulation, she and Eirik had planted that peach tree together. They had raised a fox as a symbol of their bond. She had thought that even without the memories, fate would somehow bring them together again.

But now...

**All of this—because of that damn Pixie!**

Had Eirik known that she retained the memories of the simulation, perhaps he would have chosen differently. After all, in that world, she had waited lifetimes for him. She had sacrificed everything to be with him again, even across lifetimes.

And yet, in this life... she was left behind.