This party is complete trash.
I wish it were Aubry's thought giving that kind of answer, but it's me having this reaction. I mean, why not bring alcohol for young adults who are about to start their lives at a college? Hydralix isn't a place for brats, in fact, no one here should be an adolescent, especially me, who is 230 years old counting this body's life and my consciousness in the previous world.
Instead of serving wine and beer, the organizers decided to put out juices and some kind of punch made with alchemical materials, which by itself makes me afraid to touch it.
I relegated myself to the juices, only to lose the desire to drink them because Aubry's demanding palate prevented me from enjoying anything, not to mention my aversion to human food which gives me the urge to vomit just by looking at it.
Elves in this world usually hunt and cook their own food, using bows and arrows, while marching through a long forest full of mushrooms. Through this perspective, I think the reason my stomach rejects eating anything is because I haven't hunted and am not deserving of it.
I wish I understood better why elves are so fussy about what they eat, that's why they are thin as a stick and have no meat. At least, I discovered that Aubry has a respectable silhouette, her breasts are minuscule, but the firm butt and athletic muscles compensate. Look on the bright side, fewer humans will be attracted because of my shape, that alone is great!
The reception hall is swarming with people, but nothing here manages to distract me from the irritating feeling of being trapped in a body that reacts before I do.
In the distance, the set of arcane lanterns illuminates the environment with a soft glow, and every student tries to look more impressed than they really are. I lean against a marble column in the corner, trying at least to pretend I'm not bored, but the truth is I'm hating everything.
Then, in the middle of the flow of students, my gaze finds another important figure for the story: the protagonist of Magistra's Oath. He has no striking features, fitting the mold of the generic design that you don't need to try hard to imagine. I also have no idea what his name is, because at the start of the game, you could name the protagonist.
The first reaction that crosses me is immediate nausea, a slight revulsion, as if my stomach flipped just from having that guy in my field of vision.
I am certain this is Aubry's influence, because my own reaction would just be an "oh, look, the character I used to play, cool", but nooooo, this idiot reacts with instinctive disgust. Still, there is one problem with this character, which is what he is wearing.
Around his neck, visible to everyone, gleams a necklace with a blue-green crystal fastened in a metallic hoop. I know that thing very well, in fact.
It's the Amulet of Sarga'min, a mana item from the beginning of the game, only obtainable after completing one of the first dungeons, the Lamias' Lair, except... no one starts with that.
The character never starts with this item, not even in alternate routes, nor in NG+. It only appears after about four hours of gameplay, and seeing the protagonist wearing it right upon arrival at the institute is the strangest thing I've seen since I reincarnated.
I narrow my eyes, trying to analyze it better, but before I can think of any possible explanation, someone enters my field of vision.
An elf approaches, tall, with carefully braided olive-green hair and formal attire typical of forest nobility. He walks with too much confidence for someone I should know... but I have no idea who he is.
He gives a smooth bow.
"Good evening, Lady Aubry."
I need to force the memory again.
Uhh... okay, found it! Elandor Veiryn, an elf with a rank similar to a "minor noble", the son of distant relatives of the Lilaccuria clan, besides being a supporter of our political position. In the game, he was a practically irrelevant NPC, except for two useless dialogues where he struck up a conversation in an attempt to court Aubry.
"I was waiting for the opportunity to see you" he says, with that typical elven smirk of someone who thinks they're about to impress. "I imagined you'd like a little company."
My body reacts before me. Aubry's expression simply... contorts. I don't do it on purpose, it just happens.
Elandor takes a step back, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Ah, right... my bad. I should have known. Ahem. You always preferred women, I apologize for the attempt."
Wha.
WHAT?!?
Aubry likes women in this world destined for heterosexual relationships? This might explain some of the bratty behavior she had toward the other characters and also the fact that she was a mortal enemy of the protagonist, but I never imagined she was actually a lesbian!
Before I can formulate a more coherent thought, he continues:
"Anyway, the truth is I only came for another reason. Your mother asked me to let you know that a special package was left for you. The servants must have placed it in your room a little while ago."
Package? My mother in this world doesn't send gifts out of affection. Aubry didn't have that kind of family relationship in the game, they aren't even mentioned properly or have relevance when they appear.
"And what's inside?"
Elandor rubs the back of his neck, uncomfortable.
"I... I don't know. Honestly, I'd rather not know. They told me it was something too intimate, so they didn't give me details. I thought it best not to insist, considering Lady Lilaccuria's position."
He bows again.
"A good rest of the night, Lady Aubry."
And he disappears into the middle of the hall. I remain in my corner, isolated, profoundly wishing I could drink something strong to deal with this entire collection of absurdities.
The punch is too bright for me to trust, I fear suffering from spontaneous combustion if I dip a cup in there. I also have little courage to drink juice because Aubry is fussy, while the appetizers on trays are tempting me, but the complete aversion of this body prevents me from leaving my spot, grabbing a handful of snacks, and swallowing everything at once.
To make matters worse, now I have a mysterious package waiting for me, coming directly from the woman who, in the game's plot, is one of the people responsible for creating Aubry as a political tool.
Wonderful. I rest my head against the column and look up.
Is there still time to run away before destiny tries to kill me? Probably not