The NPC is aware

For the past week at the academy, Alexander has investigated to learn more about the invaders. Thanks to Alfred's efforts, it was discovered that the invaders possessed the inhabitants of this world.

He found seven invaders, all possessing the bodies of low-ranking nobles. Six of the invaders were female, and a single male, all in their freshmen year. They were discovered when they purposely intervened with the protagonist's potential interactions.

"Young master, shall I make preparations for the noble greeting?" Alfred asked.

"There's no need for that," Alexander replied as he fidgeted with a black and red marble.

The noble greeting is a tradition in the academy where the male students host a gathering for female students. It's a way to build connections and potentially find a fiancée. For high-ranking nobles like Alexander, the noble greeting is more of a way to show their status.

"Shall I prepare a more intimate reception for the young lady?" Alfred asked.

As Alexander's most trusted aide, Alfred had been informed of all the details. The day of noble greetings was the day Alexander would supposedly first meet the protagonist.

"That won't be necessary," Alexander answered. "I doubt such things would captivate her."

"Understood," Alfred bowed.

"I'll be heading out," Alexander left the room by dispersing into smoke and appearing at the rooftop of one of the campus buildings.

Looking down, Alexander observed as the protagonist wandered the street, doing her best to hand out fliers. Sygard Academy was one of the few institutions that opened their doors to commoners. Obviously, the academy couldn't provide everything for them financially, so they developed a system to help the commoners and poor nobles.

Inside the campus were many facilities and shops that could provide tasks that reward students with either money or school credit, depending on the nature of the task.

From the information that Alexander obtained, the protagonist is required to partake in many tasks to develop. However, this was no longer a game. Her need for these tasks was a necessity to survive. Alexander pondered if he should intervene in her financial situation.

Even if it has yet to happen, this woman would somehow make him fall for her, but doing so may affect whatever development she may have in the future. Nevertheless, Alexander would continue to observe her.

------

Noble greeting.

A tradition within the academy where a male student hosts a gathering for female students. It serves as a way to build connections or show off their social status.

Isabela received an invitation to lord Christoph's gathering even though she was just a commoner. Discrimination was forbidden within the academy, but it doesn't mean it won't happen. Isabela had expected to be completely ignored within the academy at best. Being invited to such an event never crossed her mind.

"What do you have there?"

Isabela was surprised when her invitation was suddenly snagged from her hands. A group of young ladies gathered around her, looking down on her.

"Don't tell me you're actually planning on attending this?" one of the young ladies spoke.

"They just sent an invitation to you as a pleasantry," another added.

"Have some common sense, commoner."

Isabela shrunk under their words, realizing just how true they were. Why would a high-ranking noble invite a commoner like her to their gathering?

One of the young ladies pushed Isabela, causing her to fall to the ground. "Know your place, commoner," her invitation was ripped to pieces and thrown over her.

As Isabela teared up, the whole scene was being watched by a woman with short red hair.

------

Michelle had been waiting for this moment for days. The fateful encounter between the protagonist and the tyrannical dragon.

"Is this necessary?" Irelia asked. "I think we should just let the story be, Michelle."

Irelia was a young lady with orange hair styled into a side ponytail. She has teal eyes and an athletic build. However, Michelle was a tall woman with short red hair and black eyes. She has a more mature figure compared to her peers.

Their goal was to prevent future disasters from happening. For that to happen, they needed the protagonist to get stronger.

"Alexander Pendragon is the strongest love target. Shouldn't we help her get together with him?" Irelia asked.

"Are you crazy? He's the bad ending maker! We can't risk it!" Michelle answered.

"But it's hard to beat the final boss without him," Irelia reasoned. "We need him more now that some of the other love targets are being poached by the other players."

"It's still a big risk, so I came up with a plan," Michelle smiled proudly. "One of us will seduce Alexander Pendragon. We will also befriend the protagonist so that we will be involved in the story events."

"If we're in a relationship with Alexander and we get involved in the events... Alexander would also be involved," Irelia figured out.

"Exactly," Michelle grinned.

"But which of us will seduce him?"

"I say we both try," Michelle answered. "Maybe we even get chosen together."

"Great plan! You go first."

When they noticed that Isabela was about to leave, Michelle prepared to run in the direction she was going first. The fateful encounter involved Isabela running into Alexander Pendragon after she got bullied.

Irelia delayed her for a moment by standing in the way as Michelle ran towards the corner. Alexander Pendragon came into view, but to Michelle's surprise, he avoided her, causing her to run into a wall instead.

"Umph!" At that moment, Isabela crashed into Alexander Pendragon, fulfilling the fateful encounter.

"Are you okay?" Alexander Pendragon offered a hand to help her.

Michelle and Irelia watched the scene in confusion. Alexander Pendragon should have lashed out at her in annoyance. Isabela would then apologize before running away crying. That would start the chain of events that attract Alexander Pendragon's interest in the protagonist.

"I'm fine. Thank you," Isabela replied with teary eyes.

"You don't look fine to me," Alexander responded as Isabela accepted his hand.

Michelle and Irelia just watched the scene in shock.

------

Alexander watched as Isabela Cloud sat nervously in the private lounge he requested from the school. As someone from the A class, he was given certain privileges. Others would use that opportunity to gain more resources, but Alexander Pendragon was already wealthy.

"You don't need to be nervous," Alexander spoke. "Enjoy the pastries," Alexander gestured to the wide selection of pastries on the table.

"Thank you," Isabela spoke nervously as she reached for one of the pastries and began nibbling on it.

Alexander wondered what about this woman would captivate him. The invader he tortured mentioned how much he would fight to protect her in the future. From what he could see, she wasn't anything special.

"Maybe the so-called villainesses have something to do with her growth," Alexander muttered.

The villainesses were the current fiancées of the love targets. With the invaders going after the other love targets, their fiancées would face them, leaving only one villainess left, Alexander's current fiancée, Heather Rohein.

"Alfred."

The butler appeared, causing Isabela to jump in her seat in surprise.

"Where's Heather?"

"She's in her quarters, young master," Alfred answered.

"She didn't go to any of the noble greetings?"

Alfred shook his head. "No, young master."

Alexander nodded. Their engagement was purely arranged by their families, so neither Alexander nor Heather have feelings for each other. Simply breaking it off would dishonor both their families, and he wasn't stupid enough to do that.

Alexander turned to Isabela. "Classes will officially start soon. Are you prepared?"

Isabela anxiously nodded. "I read everything on the syllabus provided."

"Sure," Alexander rolled a marble between his fingers. "Have you figured out what affinities you have?"

Isabela shook her head. "I couldn't afford it."

Alexander nodded in understanding, but he already knew what affinities she had. Isabela Cloud was one of the few people with an affinity for divine magic, and in the future, she'll possess a powerful creature with divine attributes.

"You'll get your chance soon. They should test our affinities during the summoning class."

Isabela's face brightened, and for a split second, Alexander saw her eyes without the constant fear in them.

"I could finally find out what kind of summoned creatures I could have," Isabela said excitedly.

Alexander raised an eyebrow at her excitement. Summoned creatures were mere solid projections made out of magic power. Any sentience they had were reflections of the summoner. Summoned creatures could not be seen as pets or companions since they were not alive.

"I want to have many of them," Isabela said with a smile.

Alexander wonders a little bit more how he would fall for this woman.