Chapter 95– A Fate Not Yet Sealed

Alden Blackwood's POV

Alden walked through the quiet corridors of the academy, his footsteps barely making a sound as he made his way back to his dorm. The night air was cool, the faint glow of mana-powered lanterns casting long shadows along the stone walls.

His conversation with Anneliese replayed in his mind.

She had agreed to consider his offer. That was the best outcome he could have hoped for—Elena had taken too much time, too careful and hesitant.

That wouldn't work here.

Anneliese Nocturne was a half-vampire, born from a union that was never meant to exist in noble society. Her father, a powerful vampire noble, had thrown her and her mother away the moment her existence became inconvenient.

She was left without a place in either world.

In the game, she had been relentlessly bullied by vampire students who saw her as an insult to their bloodline. No one helped her. No one protected her.

And in just a month, she took her own life.

That should have been a turning point, right? A tragedy that led to consequences for the bullies?

But nothing happened.

No punishment. No justice.

It wasn't until much later, when the protagonist unknowingly met Anneliese's mother—a woman who had built Aurora Pharmaceuticals, one of the continent's leading potion companies—that the truth came to light.

Her mother had asked for any belongings Anneliese might have left behind at the academy.

That was when the protagonist found her research notes.

She had been working on a forgotten alchemical formula, something that shouldn't have been lost to time.

A potion that enhanced growth potential.

It was a discovery that, in the game, was given to her mother—who later invited the protagonist to join Aurora Pharmaceuticals as a key ally.

Alden exhaled slowly.

That was supposed to be the timeline. But this time, things were different.

Anneliese was still alive. And if he could change things…

Then she wouldn't be a footnote in someone else's story.

She wouldn't be wasted potential.

His black eyes flickered under the dim light.

This wasn't about sympathy.

It was about opportunity.

Her talent could push the main cast further, her alchemy advancing their strength. And him?

He needed that potion.

Alden walked at a steady pace through the academy halls, his thoughts occupied with the possibilities ahead.

Anneliese's potion formula.

In the game, the protagonist had found it too late—by the time he and the rest of the main cast came across it, they were already beyond A-rank. The potion had a major limitation: it only worked on those below A-rank, increasing their growth rate by 2.5 times.

To the protagonist and his companions, it had been little more than an interesting relic—a valuable discovery, but not one that could personally benefit them.

Instead, the formula had been handed over to Aurora Pharmaceuticals, Anneliese's mother's struggling company. With that single formula, the company skyrocketed to the top of the potion industry. It became a pillar of financial and logistical support for many side characters, giving potential to those who might have otherwise been left behind.

It wasn't just about power—it was about influence.

Alden smirked slightly.

And this time, the formula would exist much earlier.

He had already invested in Aurora Pharmaceuticals from the moment he was able to, long before they had any breakthroughs. But his investment, though smart, was a long-term gamble—one that would take four or five years to fully mature.

But now?

With Anneliese alive, that success would be pushed forward by years.

The money that would have trickled in at a slow pace would now come in much faster, and a stronger Aurora Pharmaceuticals meant more access to high-quality potions and rare alchemical products.

And in this world, money was power.

His black eyes flickered with amusement as he adjusted his pace, heading toward his next class—Mana Theory.

Since the second day of the academy, he had been running dungeons every night after classes.

Dungeons were an endless resource. As long as you had the strength, you could farm mana cores, materials, and even artifacts. And while he had to be careful not to stand out too much, it was a necessary risk.

He needed mana cores.

He needed money.

And he needed investments that would secure his long-term future.

His grip on his sword tightened slightly.

"You're really treating this world like one big business plan, aren't you?"

A flickering voice echoed in his mind—the familiar, dry tone of his sword.

Alden's lips twitched. "And? You disapprove?"

"Not at all. Just curious how far ahead you're trying to play this game."

Alden didn't respond immediately. His pace remained steady, his mind focused.

"As far as I need to."

His fox companion, nestled within his coat, yawned. "So serious all the time. Just admit you like dungeons because they let you swing your sword around."

Alden chuckled, shaking his head.

As he approached the Mana Theory classroom, he exhaled slowly.

Step by step.

Piece by piece.

The board was being set. And soon…

He would make his next move.