Trouble Magia - Review

Genre: VN.

Developer/publisher: Otomate.
Platform: Switch.
Official Site: https://www.otomate.jp/trouble-magia/

VNDB: https://vndb.org/v47011

Release date: 12-9-2024.

 

I wasn't originally going to get this but while on my second route of Hanakare I did crave

something with a little bit of story to it as Hanakare wasn't able to give that itch.

Either that or I would be playing the kaito files... but I wanted a break from RGG studios

so I decided to get otomate's newest game, the decision was mostly based on the fact

Trouble Magia seemed funny and not as heavy which is what I wanted anyways.

 

Trouble Magia also has a long subtitle which I am not even going to bother typing itout

i'll just be referring to it as trouble magia, I mean no disrespect but its simply too long.

I kinda felt bad for the seiyuu's having to say it aloud cuz aside the first time starting

up the game I never waiting for them to finish whenever I booted it up again. 

 

Pro's

- Interesting & fun story & characters.

- Enough volume that there's enough time for plot,shenanigans & romance.

- Art, doesn't have a unique style but its good.

 

Grey area

-  Final route is significantly longer due to reasons but it did make sense of everything.

 

Con's

- Can seem a bit cliche.

- The length of this game can be a bit of a double edged sword as well.

- The long arse subtitle.

 

Honestly I don't think a lot of people got this game? I won't lie my first impressions

when I looked it up weren't positive... but that did change as I played it

and it was actually quite fun & interesting albeit very cliche at times.

I didn't really watch the OP a lot either like maybe a handful its not one of those

that I watch religiously everytime I boot it up.

 

Basic plot be like: Lucia wants to be a magic knight and gets to attend a school

however she also has a curse which makes her transform into a random animal

and it causes all sorts of problems in her life. She seeks to break it...

but also can't just tell anyone about it due to it happening abruptly.

Eir was the one who suggested attending the academy because there might be a way

there plus she could get some experience to pursue her own dreams. Two birds with one stone!

Speaking of stones Eir gave Lucia one since she can't go with her it could protect her if need be.

Due to a minor incident Lucia gets placed under supervision of the student council

and it gets even harder to hide the fact she's cursed. Luckily onii-chan lends a hand as well.

The game really follows Lucia's everyday life, it was quite entertaining.

She didn't get along with everyone at first but I really liked to see her fit into her new life

and grow closer to certain characters. Lucia is the type of heroine you wanna cheer on.

The writing was for the most part pretty good, it may not look it in the common route 

but its a good setup for everything that happens after.

I liked how in individual routes certain things that happen earlier

are still relevant chapters later. I really liked this, Matsurika did this as well.😄

On another note while it was not as repetitive as Mistonia, with each route you do

the more you will know of the overall plot which is introduced in small bits

hinting at something more, every route was interesting even if some

focused more on the characters individual problem.

I'd say each route still was relevant in some way but there naturally are ones that explained more.

I played in the order of: Lars > Rick > Alexei > Isaiah > Sion and this flowed pretty well

that I can recommend the same, Isaiah is locked and there's not much choice but to do Shion last.

Certain things will become obvious over time. This is neither good nor bad IMO

but even then it still managed me to surprise me in routes 4 and 5.

 

As for the heroine, I liked Lucia's optimistic attitude she didn't seem the type to let things get to her.

 I also liked how proactive Lucia was, there was mutual trust and she was being relied upon.

Her design, specifically her hairstyle made her stand out, I liked it. She also had multiple outfits

as did most of the other cast so this game did seem like it had a bit of a budget.

At a glance it reminded me of Wand of Fortune except that the curse felt like they took

Lagi's problem and gave it to the heroine as she turns into an animal.😂

Art was decent, it wasn't amazing but its not awful or anything, I liked the colouring.

I got used to the style & the sprites were all great, what I really liked is that at times

the POV would switch to the guys and Lucia would have her own sprite too.

Music fits the setting and mood, definitely feels like you're attending some royal acadamy

and Ricardo's theme was pretty good, I banged my head to it.

System is standard stuff and nothing to write home about, its plain and simple

imagine wand of fortune but without the scheduling or rng stuff. Bless.

 

 I'll admit the game did start out a bit randomly with Lucia entering the student council

only for us to go back to the very beginning before she enrolled and getting the how's & why.

Granted they did point out her own forgetfulness so something must have happened.

I did really like the setting in this game and the backgrounds really added to it!

the vibes were pretty great too but as you're introduced to Lucia's new life at the school

I was never really were sure what would happen or if the curse would go off

so I suppose there was an element of excitement so the common route didn't bore me

but there were a few boring moments but I think any VN or game has that really.

 Some parts were actually kind of funny! I didn't really have any problems with the

pacing of the story due to this but it did slow down a little to focus on teamwork

because the teamspirit of the student council members was not the best...

especially Lars who just sleeps whenever he wants and tends to be like whatever

and then there's Ricardo with this cocky arse the comedy writes itself.

At times the interactions could also feel very down-to-earth which imo was a plus.

 

    The common route was on the long side,  a total of 12 chapters including individual route.

I wasn't really sure what they were trying to do, there's a heavy focus on school life and

character interaction. I mostly enjoyed it. There was so much time they spend with eachother

you could see how  they grew etc. There were enough hints dropped and by chapter 3 I already

was like some of seems related to the curse. So it wasn't half bad and it kept my attention.

With the way it was written it felt like an anime, it had a structure to focus on

the characters and problems that ensued. You slowly get to find out what the curse is as well

as figure out some deeper plot while getting to know the chosen love interest.

Also god bless there's a skip to the next choice option, you use it by swiping the screen!

 

The length of the chapters varied but it was a good common route simply for the fact

I was actually able to remember events that happened in it. Really the length is no joke

there's enough time for introduction, character development, fun and romance.

Its actually refreshing for it to be so well rounded but real talk I think the final chapter

especially Sion's was a little too long? maybe its just me...

==================================================================

I suppose part of trouble magia can seem like its very cliche but I think this

was a part that made it fun, its like the writers didn't care about that and just went with it.

Trouble magia made me realize writers can make a story as cliche as they want

its how you use those cliche's is what makes an otherwise boring story interesting.

The first route I did Lars was very interesting but then I moved to Ricardo

and realized I am unable to look at certain side characters the same way again.

Certain things just caught my attention more quickly than before as well... still each route

was unique in the way it did things and brought new things to the table so I can't complain.

---

My take-away is basically even if something seems cliche and overdone

it can still turn out pretty good! I mostly looked back fondly on the routes so all in all

it was a pleasant experience! I can't gaurantee you'll the same level of enjoyment as I did .

Most of the routes were unique, you got the obvious not as relevant to the bigger picture routes

and then there's some which go into it deeper, mostly the last two routes.

Like XYZ isn't as relevant as A & B but they're still a treat, you don't want every route

to be much of the same, I have sat through games like that and it gets old fast & that sucks.

After a dozen or so VN the way Trouble Magia does it obviously feels better to me

and I quite enjoyed the more character focused routes as well as the more involved ones.

I'm glad there was no secret route in this game and for that I am glad since

I did feel a lil tired by route 5.  Also I only did the best ends and merry bad ends, I ignored the other 

bad ends except for the onein Sion's route due to Mistona PTSD, Sion's was kinda cute

but it felt like a joke end....... merry bad could range from sad to funny as well.

No fullcomp CG but the title screen is nice for a groupshot.

I'd recommend Trouble Magia to those that like their otome mostly lighthearted and don't mind

school settings or potential cliche's. This was honestly a fun otome if you let it be!

If you expect the most stellar writing and be blown away by it, or prefer it to be short&Sweet

then this game may not be for you. Let's be real; the plot was still pretty decent

and the writer really tried. Trouble Magia also felt similar to wand of fortune to me except

without the RNG bs. TBH while it won't replace WoF, trouble magia is like its little sister!

8/10

Its easy to follow the story, characters interact a lot and not a lot of monologues

which adds to the fun factor to me. The japanese didn't seem to be of high level

nor did the dialogue ever felt like it was dry  so that makes this game perfect as something

to test your japanese on but honestly I hope trouble magia gets localized. Its easy to overlook

due to a number of things but never judge a book by its cover you may just enjoy it anyway.

 

More rambles after the jump but I will be talking about the characters+digest the plot

so if you don't want spoilers don't read further. TBH its more like I am narrating some

of the events here and there with some commentary+share my fav CG's.

Not sure who would enjoy any of it because this game is pretty long and its a text dump

and I didn't write everything down either... why did I bother lmao. Enjoy that wall O text.

==================================================================

 

 

Lars Klots.

CV: Abe Atsushi.

 Seems a bit moody, Lucia first met him while he was chasing his own cat which ended

with them bumping into each other. Lucia tried to introduce herself but he just walked off

before she could finish--- mumbling something about how he hates other people.

Lars is basically the problematic member of the student council and lives by his own rules

while abiding the ones at the school, my first impression was basically me saying asshole.

I found it hilarious how Lucia transformed into a mouse got chased by HIS cat... but since he set

her free I thought maybe Lars is not so bad? unlike the cat who made a sworn enemy out of Lucia.

Lars is good with animals... but dislikes people, alright. Anise roasted him

when asking Lucia along with Grace about who the coolest student council member is.

Like sure Lars is smart and loves animals but he hates people and just sleeps whenever he wants.

Oh man this... this is a recipe for disaster and I am here for it!to my surprise the route itself

wasn't really a disaster, sureit had some funny moment but it took itself quite seriously.

I think it was funny how Lars found out the mouse was Lucia... but at the end of the

common route they all did start to suspect they just couldn't yet connect the dot.

    How Lars met Ostala (the cat) was really cute... its her who spilled the beans about his secret.

That his parents were murdered... which is why he can appear hurt at times, it affects him deeply.

Unfortunatly Lucia can only communicate with her when she's an animal else its all nya~~

so right after the information bomba she transformed back. Lars acted cute when

he had a cold, like don't you dare involve the others over this only to go whatever

when Lucia decides to stay to watch over him.😂😂😂

Colten was worried after he heard so he still came and check up on him which was nice.

Alright, Lars begins to open up to Lucia later and turns out Lars foster? parents raised him in a shitty way without regard for his well-being so if he wasn't doing it perfectly it was no good but still

he tried his best and didn't really hate them which is why he is always tired since he tries so hard.

Lars also really likes playing the flute and he's pretty good at it even if its not what he's supposed to do.

One day Ostara goes missing and they can't find her anywhere... Lars suddenly suspects

she may be with Colten. When asked he claims to not know anything about it

but its obvious he knows something. It wasn't him but it was someone else

who was interested in Lars's cat. Colten refuses to say who it is or spread any rumors...

because if he says anything then he will be turned into a frog. Lars says he will

take responsibility for anything that happens. Lars just doesn't like it how there's

someone out there taking things that belong or are precious to someone else.

Still Colten is being so evasive as if not wanting to talk bad of that person...

Lars gets depressed because Ostara is like his only family. Lucia supports him and he's glad she's there.

next day Lucia goes out in town to ask peopleif they seen such a cat and then... well thecurse

acted up and she transformed into a cat which gave her the opportunity to interact with other cats.

Which lead to one of the cats hitting on her... but she did learn something which she relays

to the other members of the student council. They find the cat in some shady building...

suppose they're doing breaking and entering but for a good cause! turns out the culprits

came back and say Ostara is some kind of treasure. Things go wrong they're really

after money, Lars greats an opening and Ostara creates a flashbang for some reason

her voice reached everyone to warn them to close their eyes for a second.

They all escape, thankfully. I don't think these kids knew what they were getting into.

Ostara is now also able to talk to everyone, Lars explains its because she's grown up

since her kind/breed of cats can speak directly to people's minds. Ostala wants

to make some kind of contract with Lars since she will be even more useful to him that way.

Lars declines... because it may make people target her again which makes Ostala love him even more.

Anyway they go through with the contract, Rick said its like a wedding of sorts, lol.

After that's over Sion notes they never knew why Ostara was taken... or why

but they should becareful from now on if shady people like that are walking around.

They also are reminded of Colten being so evasive about it...

Its also around this point Lars started to realize his feelings towards Lucia which was

really cute, he used to pretty cold and distant but now... he's really accepted and cares about her.

Unfortunately it seems Lars is to be engaged with Mayalise... his parents decided this.

of course he doesn't agree and they're all like they didn't want him anyway

and he should be happy for this outcome, they're just using him like a tool.

Lars would love nothing more than to beat them up when he found this out...

Lucia is shocked but it seems Lars believes nothing he says or does will have any effect.

She expressed her feelings of that she liked him but... Lars didn't believe him even when they kissed.

Things get sort of awkward and Grace and Anise noticed... so they try to get it out of Lucia.

Lucia is anxious but everyone is encouraging her to not let it get to her. TOO WHOLESOME.

Sometime later Lucia decides to visit his parents, she runs into Mayolise there

and when asked why she's engaged then it is because she wants to be with alex so much

and since they get along it'll be an easy pass to be near him. Also turns out due to an ilness

Mayo's magic power has been getting weaker over the years. To nobles magic prowess

mean everything and soon she may not even be able to be a noble anymore.

Then Lars's father and mother overhear who're like that can't be true right?!

this being the first they hear of it they can't believe their ears. After Mayo runs away they turn

to Lucia and say there's nothing to worry about but today's a bad time as Lars is still resting.

One of the maids still let's her see him and a good thing because Ostala says he's

stuck in dreamland and won't wake up for some reason.

Ostala says he really hates what's happening and he actually enjoyed being at school

so she wants Lucia to enter his dream, Ostala will help her do so.

Sadly the dream is not a happy one and it felt more like he was reliving through

the abuse of his foster mother who laments how he is just not good enough.

Lars just accepts it and tries to do better... after a while Lucia gets the chance

to interact with him only to be called a liar for her previous display of affection.

Lars doesn't understand why she came... the reason was that when they kissed she cried

so for that reason he thought Lucia was lying or forcing herself while infact Lucia

was overwhelmed and they were not tears of sadness. Lars really thinks tears are

a sign of something bad when it could a sign of relief. For some reason they both start laughing

at the misunderstanding and Lucia suggests to do a do-over and once more tells him her feelings.

Lars feels relieved for some reason and he gives his answer with a kiss.

 Sadly  due to the dream dive Lucia won't be able to use magic anymore but this doesn't

stop Lucia from becoming a knight still, afterwards Alex starts teasing how they've become

closer and then Lars just straight up tells em they're a thing now.😂 Most of their friends

figured it out already except Ricardo who has like one braincell.

Things get kinda sappy from then on but Lars is really commited even tho he realizes

that she may go back home one day and wants her to stay.

After the fluff's over they get back on track and Lucia remembers what Mayo said

and some odd interaction she had with the teacher who gave her a potion which relieved her

from of her symptoms which could actually help out Lucia with her current problem.

Unfortunately they end up finding a lead on something shady which relates

to what happened earlier on with Ostala being kidnapped. It was for research

and the cat's blood was a necessary ingredient. Lars can't forgive them

if they actually managed to get their hands on Ostala for this.

Anyway they decide to still visit his foster parents one more time for Matthew's sake

but in the end Lars decide this was the last time he ever visited that home.

 Back on track they all investigate the shady business at the school because Colten was

suspicious they go into the school at night and they overheard more shady shit from Elgira.

It seems they're doing some sort of research and try to recreate something

so they're doing everything to get the materials they need.

Then sometime later when thhe principal was supposed to address the students

something weird happens and everyone dropped like flies...

Ostala tried to reach them by speaking through their minds which reached Lucia

our lady cat was awfully boastful about this wake up call but it needed a few tries on Lars.

They find Mayolise a bit dazed and confused and when she comes to she reveals

she's just done a horrible thing, she put some ''medicine'' in count klotz drink

which relates to him collapsing sometime earlier. She did it all to help with some research

like this girl is so desperate in trying to prevent her magic from disappearing.

Turns out she is also working for something that's making her do all this?!

Lars doesn't mind what happened since he doesn't see his old man as his real dad anyways

and he sorta understands her predicament. If it gets found out the blame will go to Mayo too.

Then Elgira steps out of the shadows when saying she's betrayed her...

Lars suspects its her that made Mayo do those things. Lucia and Lars protect Mayo

when Elgira starts casting spells to hurl at her, who just ran away. Elgira compliments them for

figuring out her involvement in the plan, well Mayo just told us and they overheard that night.

They have to fight Elgira and she summons some pets, Lars tells Lucia to focus on

the golem while he deals with the rest. Go get em kids! cheer~

Ostala joins the fray as well and has become a proper lady in doing so. Elgira really wants her

hands on Ostala because she is that special type of breed. Lucia regains her magic power

as well in a surprising turn of events, which let to a decisive blow. Elgira doesn't quite

understand why this girl has such abilities and decides to have a last stand of sorts

ugh this woman doesn;t know when to give up does she? but Lucia's persistant. Just then

the other knights arrive, Lanbert is angry but is glad they're safe. Elgira got aprehended.

Everything goes back to normal, Lucia and Lars did try to figure out what some of Elgira's

words meant. Mayalise ends up changing for the better and befriending Lucia,Grace & Anise.

All's well that ends well! Lars even got to make up with his little brother who really looks

up to him and also decided he wants to be free to do what he wants while also telling Lars

he's always welcome to rely on him. Patty then asks Lucia to take care of his brother.

Lucia also took care of the flute Lars had that broke at some point, it surprised him

and then he starts playing it again as if to sound the beginning of a new life.

The flute did sound of pitch but Lars doesn't mind, for some reason he likes that.

In the epilogue Sion passes the baton of student council president to Alex and thanks

them all for these wonderful 3 years, he really cherishes the time spend together.

Lars had something to show Lucia so he asks her to come to the garden

and its about a rare butterfly which he wanted to show to her before she goes back home.

Its not like they're breaking up because he's gonna be the one for her.

Lars doesn't like using words because they can be lies so he's more a man of action

so to express what he wants is difficult. I think he's more than proven how much he cares

even Lucia knows that. They won't be able to be together for a while so he will focus

on his own dreams and become a researcher but he asks her if she will be at his side

when the time comes and Lucia happily accepts she will be his magic knight.

Merry bad ending: When confronting Elgira, Ostala can't seem to hold it much longer

and she uses the last of her power to bless both Lucia and Lars.

When Lucia wakes up Lars seems to be waiting, they're in his room and Ostala jokes

about the two being lovers. Lars says he had a bad dream earlier but he's glad it was just a dream.

There seems to be some inconsistencies like Lar's flute being there all fine and dandy.

Ostala seems to act like everything's fine too... but she seems to be hiding something.

She then wishes they won't think too hard about anything and act like everything's fine.

The CG was really cute though but this ending was really weird and I didn't get wtf was going on

though if I had to venture a guess based on the  last lines then its all a dream, a dream Ostala

created to keep herself away from Elgira. Ostala basically created an eternal dream

for them both with her soul. Thinking too hard would cause it to disappear.

This route was pretty well rounded? I thought Lars was pretty weird at first

but he's pretty alright when you get to know him, unfortunately he has a bucket of issues

attached to him but not necessarily of the problematic kind. His foster parents are shit tho.

I think the last otome game I played didn't have this sort of development or substance

but at times I also thought it just sorta kept going, still I appreciate all the time

we got with the characters because there are just vn's that don't do that. Also Lucia

was pretty badass?! she showed so much initiative later on I was really impressed.

The romance, early on I couldn't see it but it fell into its place slowly that it was natural.

I loved the ending credits because this is one of those games were I actually

looked back at all the time together. Even the epilogue was making constant callbacks

to things they said... i'd go as far as say its too much for my heart but... I look back fondly at it all.

However after doing more routes I realized the story in this route was rather self-contained.

Route rating: 7.5/10

~

Ricardo Sante.

CV: Oosaka Ryota.

Another moody one but not as cold as Lars he's just hotblooded maybe a bit of a tsundere?

Ricardo is actually the one who is most suspicious of the heroine... but the more

reasonable members of the council are able to rein him in.😂

Also his element is fire which is not much of a surprise there....

and he hates cats for some reason, Alexei concludes he's allergic.

Ricardo tried to drag Lucia into a contest of sorts, Ricardo really needs a buddy for it

and while Lucia may not be the best choice she was an option. Ricardo was pretty harsh so Alexei

told him to not be too harsh. I'll admit the insight on Lucia's ability may have been good. 

Anyway Ricardo is a big boi with big dreams and wants to be the best knight there ever was.

Some people got in the way... and tried to intervere with them attending which only made them closer.

Anyway as seen in another route Ricardo has like one braincell and in his unique event in the

common route its revealed he has some people against him becoming the knight he wants to be.

Elgira early on points out how both him and Lucia are like a pair of lovers which

made him spit out hisdrink and even I went lol wut we ain't that close YET.

Meanwhile I also was like bitch please I know you're SUS... you're trying to distract me

and then she did something that made me go yea she's still up to the same stunts. -_-

Sometime later Lucia and Rick were out shopping and looking at swords etc

and then an unknown voice tells them to show me what you're really capable of.

Rick immediately says hey did you hear that and I am like yea but:

Anyway its more like Rick was being teased because he's such a dork and its not a direct challenge??

They ended up investigating the school at night cuz what if the rumors about a ghost was real?

most of the guys dipped when asked to tag along. They'll just be chatting the hours away and then

Lucia gets scared cuz she saw someone or something?! the reaction isn't expected because Lucia

said she wasn't scared of such things... Rick gets embarrassed by the way she grabbed him.

Rick then wonders if Lucia likes him in some way or something. Lucia denies the allegations.

Rick says he's far too busy for things like that so he brushes it off immediately which

makes Lucia all fired up for no reason, they end up bickering like a married couple.😂 

Lucia calls him an insensitive jerk and runs off... then she runs into a little boy who goes on

a rant about true strength and weakness or something before vanishing into thin air.

Rick followed her and scolds her for running off on her own... they run into Lambert&Sion

who scolds them both and also hints at their being something going on behind the scenes.

Time passes and Rick makes it into the next tournament, this guy got all embarrased

about it and Alex ended up teasing him for it. Of course Alex knows when to stop... haha.

Aight, so one day things be so going good and the curse acts up... which made

Lucia transform into a cat however because Rick touched her during the shenanigans

as he had the bright idea to go bring her to other animals they rushed out of the school building.

After that his allergy started acting up! I literally thought it was a joke he was allergic but its serious.😨

I know this be fiction but let this be a reminder if you're allergic to cats/dogs don't go touching them.

Lucia let him rest on her lap which was cute and thankfully there seems to be no issues.

This is also the time Rick figures out that a while back the cat he met was her all along. XD

Rick seemed to have some beef with a guy named Fred so they butted heads...

this Fred is a total dick and tried to use Lucia to gain the upperhand

even going to say Rick's usual tricks won't be of any use. Alexei seems

to think this Fred is like a rival, Rick's getting annoyed nonetheless

since Fred's up next in the tournament. If that wasn't enough drama during a party

Ricardo's dad waltzes in all drunk and causes a disturbance. Rick just falls quiet.

Next day Lucia finds his dad at some cafe snoring, some attendant reveals he does

nothing but drink all day, Lucia even gets mistaken for his daughter which she had to correct.

Lucia tried to talk to him when he sobered up and he ends up prostating himself

to get a favor out of her but she has to keep it a secret from Rick cuz if he found out he'd

tell him to stop. So he asks her to stop by again and share stories of his son.

Lucia talks with Rick later and turns out the reason he's against love and marriage stuff

is because he doesn't want to end up like his dad. Because his dad ended up like that

after his mom died, Rick believes love makes you weak. The conversation ends up

turning into more what true strength is like Lucia's teacher Eir seemed to know

but then Rick says something like how Lucia is more like a boy in some ways

who then is like wut i'm a girl you know but he meant it in a friend like way guys behave.

Ah yes that is why he always has so much fun talking to her. Lucia ends up smacking

him in the middle of a sentence because he has like one braincell.

Lucia has enough of his BS and leaves him to sort out his feelings.

Ricardo actually got his shit together because of this and starts appreciating her more as she is

while Lucia continues to tell his dad about his son, dad even admits most of the situation is his fault.

Lucia and Rick end up practicing their swordplay against each other to prepare for the matchup

then some beasts show up well I guess that'll also do for some practice? Elgira shows up

along with them and starts blaming Lucia?! i'm like that's a bit early but atleast she's being consistent

in being  a villain. Elgira just wants to get rid of her since she's in the way of something.

Rick tells Lucia to take care of the beasts while he goes for the golem.

Lambert shows up just in time to help out and they needed it. They all try to take Elgira down

but she ends up taking a hike once the cavalry arrives. Lambert says to let them take care of it.

Ricardo is forced to explain why he put on such a rough display and why he didn't listen to Lambert. Because what if he died when he acted so rash? they're forced to return but then Rick

asks to train more because he wants to be stronger than this. Lambert has a few conditions

like he wants Lucia to be included and to not overdue it but for now he wants them to rest.

They bond some more during training next time and Rick mellows out once he realizes

she'll be returning home in spring, so he starts being extra nice as if to make the most of it.

They go on a date during the winter holiday on Alex's suggestion because

maybe it'll break whatever curse is going on between them.

Rick is trying his best so much because of Lucia, he doesn't want to be useless

and have something happen to her like back when Elgira attacked them.

Then he starts realizing that saying this is embarrassing and huh was she always this cute?

must be the magic's fault! hahaha! holy shit this guy is such a dumbass i'm reeling.

Then this guy starts asking if backhome she's ever ki- or is seeing someone back home

but never finishes the sentence. I don't think Rick realizes how much of a dork he is

but what he does know is that he doesn't even want to imagine Lucia with anyone else.

Needless to say Rick is getting frustrated because he thinks too much about her...

When Lucia asked what's up he gives the usual I'LL NEVER BE INTERESTED IN LOVE reply.

 Only to realize he can't bear it anymore and asks her to close her eyes because kissing

is the only way this spell is broken. B-but its my first kiss how can you ask this of me?!

LMAO these two I am just marry already like god you two are two bickering lovebirds already. 

Turns out this was all a set up by Alex and the spell has long weird off already or rather they just needed to wait no need to get all sappy, because Rick is such a dumbass he just believed it.

Rick rightfully gets upset at this clownery, needless to say the mood is ruined.

Eir drops by and informs her of the nature of the curse, its something that was

basically engraved upon her soul since birth, she's here to do something about it

because if it is allowed to continue she will transform into a terrible beast and die.

Eir doesn't know how long Lucia has left it could be weeks it could be tomorrow

that is why she is here to extract it. Eir was always looking out for it ans maybe it

would have been easier if it progressed but needless to say Lucia is upset she hid the truth.

She does say that maybe a memory of the past remains within her, like back at the lake

Lucia looked in the water right? something threw her off in that moment but she didn't know what.

Eir tells her to never forget to love people, be fearful or lose hope. That's the key to beat the curse.

Lucia ends up talking to Rick later and he was sorta worried about her, its all gucchi for now.

Later Lucia visited Rick's dad again and then he tells the story of an accident 8 years ago

which relates to his wife dying, he wishes he paid better attention to her and blames himself.

He starts saying about how they should've burned an album, it ties together their feelings of

being a family but in the end he couldn't do it. In the end he couldn't protect anything and just

drowned himself with alcohol to forget it all thus creating a troublesome situation with his son.

Eventually it is time for the next tournament match and Rick is ready to face his rival Fred

who was as cocky as ever but he doesn't know Rick has learned a few new tricks.

His dad came as well and he starts telling Lucia all sorts of stories of his own days in the ring

like saying dad you're the coolest! so now the roles are reversed and his dad is cheering on the son.

Sadly Fred ends up besting Rick but his dad offers words of comfort that he'll only grow stronger

then he says its time for him to wake from a long nightmare himself. Lucia stays with him

but it seems Rick wants to be alone for now since he doesn't want anyone see him be so pathetic.

Lucia respects his wishes and lets him be, leaving Ricardo to wonder what he did wrong

and find himself uncool. Alex comes in offering to knock some sense into him along with Lars

who noted Lucia seemed dejected when leaving the premise. Even Grace starts roasting Rick.

Later on Rick apologized for his attitude that day and next time he will definitely kick ass

he hopes it will be before she returns home, he then invites her over to a certain place.

That place being the weapon shop, the one they also visited way back, the owner even remembered!

Rick is looking for a new sword since the old one is busted, he hopes to find a good fit this time.

The owner also drops the news his dad is doing fine and he even dropped by the other day.

Turns out he got a sword and then Rick figures Lucia knows something as well.

He doesn't blame her but he apologies to her on behalf of his good for nothing dad.

Rick gives up on finding a better sword for now but Lucia encourages him and suddenly

he gets all fired up to get better that he'll be able to wield a legendary sword on display there.

There's suddenly a light coming out of his Akaldion and then a voice as well... which sounds

awfully similar to the voice they heard when they visited the shop previously.

The sword seems to accept him now unlike before and Rick gladly accepts the offer.

Then something happens and they get transported to some village... O_O;;;

turns out there's some dragon and they go need to defeat before they can go back

if they don't then they can't get out of here. WTF this is kinda troublesome and random.

Turns out the dragon made that world... so he holds the key to get out as well.

They couldn't beat it so they end up stuck there, Rick takes responsibility for it...

turns out this place is related to that sword. He also starts to realize he's so in love

with Lucia but just can't say it outright like the idiot sammich he is.

For some reason overnight Lucia's appearance starts changing and she suddenly

gets nekomimi and a horns on her forehead as well as a her haircolor changing to blue.

Her eyes change color to red as well... looks like the curse has progressed.

Rick gets extremely sweet and tries to reassure her saying it can't be helped

but ugh I wish they'd just confess already this is frustrating. Anyway they

eventually go and give it another shot to take down the dragon. They change their plan...

and do some sort of bait and switch so Rick caught the dragon by surprise.

As they're about to finish it off his old coot from the town shows up to tell them to stop

as it turns out HE was the dragon all along. My mind = blown.

Anyway since they did a great job they passed the test of sorts and will be able to leave

as well as the right to use Alkadion; the sword with the voice from the shop.

Lucia's hair/body also changed back to normal... and they hugged eachother out of sheer joy.

Life returns to normal and some of the others can't believe what happened

but all's well that ends well! Alex continues to tease them as lovebirds nonetheless.

Sometime later demon hounds run rampant in the city,  Rick & Lucia do what they can.

Looks like Elgira is behind it and the guards never catched her back then...

when they fight her Lucia realizes what Ricardo really means to her.

Elgira seems to to this because she loves someone as well and that person means a lot to her

but any more than that we don't know or who that person is. Realizing she can't win

she held some kids hostages... but then Rick's dad comes out of nowhere to help.

Eventually his dad figures out Rick's trying so hard for Lucia's sake and wonders

how was the confession? Rick just calls him stupid and hits his dad, a lot.

Like who's dad are you? you good for nothing! return to the earth. I will admit...

this was a bit much even if he really is a good for nothing dad.

They get on the topic of burning the album because he can't do it himself

Rick seems to be fine with it if that's what she wanted too and then his dad says he never looked

at it anyways so he'd like them to do so before they do anything else. They use magic

to make the memory of his dead wife Asheria* alive so she can deliver a message.

Its as if she knew and she wanted her son to get along with his dad and become a fine knight

while asking for forgiveness for leaving them and doing it in secret. Being with them was like a dream.

So she put a spell on the album so the memory of her would be kept there, while also

asking her husband to not blame himself for what happened. After that's over things

return to normal but there's been no news of the knights and Elgira.

They attend a ceremony because the year's coming to an end which means

the time approaches Lucia has to go back home for a bit. Rick is even more determined

to become a knight after recent events. His dad was a mess last time he was here

but this time he's making amends and is capable of giving a speech, which sounds like

he is here to support the knights in trainig? after it is over Lucia suddenly hugs Rick

who looked away to cry his eyes out because his father really is trying his best.

In the epilogue Rick's time has come in another tournament and this time both

his dad and Lucia come and cheer him on as well as some of his other friends.

Unfortunately its also cutting really close with Lucia's going back home

but they still managed to meet up to have a talk. Out of nowhere and rather abrupt Rick asked

Lucia to marry him! everything means a lot to him as well and he wants to know her answer.

Which was nothing but yes, of course she wants to be with him in the future.

They both confess their feelings but I think we all knew this already... still its nice to hear it.

She won't have to worry when they're apart because his heart belongs to her.

They want to stay like this but right now they have to part... so before you know it they start

bickering, anyway next time they'll meet she'll really know how much she means to him.

Rick said something like even if they're apart now their hearts are together.

Merry bad ending: When they're stuck in that world Rick suddenly thinks being here

isn't so bad and he wants to really look at her face. Then he tells her than not seeing

her as a woman was a lie. Well goodnight! he ends the conversation like that

because he got embarrassed but he wants her to wait till they get back to the real world.

They attempt to slay the dragon again but it didn't work out so they try again and again

Rick seems to enjoy the food they serve at the tavern but he wonders how everything

is going in the real world because it has been a while. Anyway when the owner says there's

nothing to worry about he treats Lucia to some ice cream she wanted and they get sappy.

This route was fun but it the plot wasn't very engaging its basically a tournament arc

with a lot of shenanigans along the way.  Rick's not very smart but I guess that makes him cute.

Lucia was pretty good as per usual. The stuff with Rick's dad gave him much needed depth.

I'd say the route overall may rank below Lars for me in terms of plot BUT the general

enjoyment was higher here because its not as heavy with its topics.

the last chapter also felt a bit random but my mind was blown a little but then it just kept

going and while some stuff absolutely felt right to have a resolution it felt like it would never end.

I'm not sure what to think of the actual romance but its fine as a rom-com.

8.5/10

~

Alexei eldiel.

CV: Uemura Yuuto.

 Alexei is THE PRINCE and most girls admire him, Lucia actually

bumped into them on her way to the acadamy-- back on the ship. Heh who knew.

Alex got the a major role in the play which was about the goddess of water

who really loved animals and couldn't choose between them.

During the common route there was a scene where she ended up as a squirrel

and he ended up kissing her as it, little did he know who it was!

There's this girl Mayalise who seems to get upset at anyone getting too close to him

but I keep misreading her name as Mayolise or Marise so I can't help but call her Mayo.

Should be obvious prince charming has a ton of fans not just her, Anise made it obvious...

Alex also loves teasing other members of the student council, ya never know with this guy.😂

His first chapter is called clown so that says a lot really, since he straight-up asked her out on a date.

He also has a distant cousing Calley that is like a brother to him, as well. They discussed

the history of his country, it was a lot but I wasn't really sure what this route would focus on at first.

Alex seems to enjoy being with Lucia but some women see him playing around with girls

as only natural because Gerard is like ''that'' or something. Lucia asked what's up with that

but Alex says he's used to it and it doesn't bother him. They continue to gossip

about Alex maybe being a bastard child or something similar. Lucia tells them they

that they're getting the wrong idea. After being told off they end up embarrased

Aleex found the whole situation amusing and thinks Lucia is amazing. 

Intially I suspected this route would have politics and it wasn't far off the thing thats off about

Alex is that he is constantly compared to his brother Gerard who is more suited for the throne.

Alexei is trying his best but a lot of people seems to think his brother is better or something

the rumors the girls were gossiping about certainly didn't help either.

Mayo seems like she is trying to do something and it may be her last chance...

Lucia talks more with Alex and he straight-up admits he has a bit of a pottymouth and likes to tease

and has pretty much earned his reputation from that. Anyway they end up practicing dancing together

buuut the cursed ended up being triggered and she transformed into a squirrel. Alex realizes

he has seen it before and it is the same one from that night he talked with Gerard yes the one

he ended up kissing. Alexei's mood suddely greatly improves guess he loves cute animals huh?

 Sadly it seems Alex has some ulterior motives and he wants Lucia to go along

with them for a little more. NGL I got kinda uneasy at this part.

Things go mostly well till one day Lucia got targeted by someone, Isaiah was quick

to warn her because she was nearby and noticed what was up. Mayo turned pale upon seeing

Lucia right after it happened so... it was likely her even if she denied doing anything.

Isaiah thinks Mayo is suspicious because she has a crush on Alex, Lucia isn't really best friends

with her or anything then Isaiah tells Lucia to becareful since Alex is a noble afterall.

They have a party which is where the dance practice was needed for and Mayo is also there

she's a bit cocky but when she hears the requirements to be a fiance to the princes she turns pale.

The dance needed magic which is something she has been declining with.

This dance is supposed to be a selection process to decide who will be the prince's fiance.

Lucia still wants to grant her a chance but Mayo knows her magic is too weak...

so she ends up helping her, Mayo accepts and the two of them make something of it.

The nobles have trouble deciding who's a good fit and Alex whispers his own disagreements

which they overheard, he really cut it close but they were quite nasty in their own way.

There seems to be some that think Gerard is a good fit yet others want Alex

and the other way around where they think the other isn't fit at all.

The king has a hard time deciding who is a better successor as well

then Alex straight-up tells him that he has no interest in the throne but it isn't that simple.

Gerard seem to want to be king more but thinks he is partially unfit. Needless to say

Alexei seems to have his brothers back and supports him in wanting to be king.

Lucia seems to continue being targeted for being close to Alexei which makes her a potential fiance.

The student council is on the case and the plot thickens crickets as they investigate a teacher.

Eir drops by and explains the nature of the curse... much like in the previous route.

While Lucia is still processing this revelation she has a talk with  Alex and it quickly

becomes obvious he just really sees her as a good friend and not as a lover.

Lucia is all like hahaha oh is that so me liking Alex that way? but then he kabedon's her

and asks her to listen to him a little longer. Alex says he has been using her

for the reason he could avoid being chosen as the next king and so rumors will spread

of Alex just being a fool and is just off having fun somewhere.

 Even if something were to happen he doesn't want to take responsibility even if it was Lucia.

For some reason Lucia still wonders if Alexei even liked her at all... then he casually

respons, sure I like you! as a friend which is different from the like of love.

Alex laments that maybe if he hadn't been a prince things could have been different

so he thinks maybe he should kiss her since it could be a good memory still since he's still a prince.

Lucia is just at a loss for words at the audacity and just runs away from him

only to bump into Rick who wonders why she's so upset.

Life goes on and while in conversation with Grace, Mayo wants to talk even if they're rivals.

Even she realized that something is odd recently about them so she wants to know what's up.

Lucia decides to spill the beans and even Mayalise can't believe it... but she doesn't like

it when Lucia is like this and wants her to cheer up because its no fun when your rival is down.

Which makes Lucia remember a time Mayo was evasive and SUS. She asks her about it

which leads her to reveal a person which looked a lot like Alexei. It threw her off.

Things remain sort of awkward with Alex but if even tho he's busy he'll make some time.

Alexei seems to have second thoughts over some small things Lucia said before the meeting

and just starts to rethink his behavior almost as if he realized he's a bad person(he is)

plus that he doesn't really know Lucia outside of school or how she was back home

this is all since she saw her interacting with onii-chan Isaiah. Alex is all like ARGH why

do I care?! i'm the one who was using Lucia even after saying those horrible things. After Alex

snaps back to reality Isaiah gets into his face and don't you bully my darling sister too much!

Isaiah's just checking in but he doesn't mind it if he calls him Isa-niii. To which Alex is like no thanks.

Later Lucia gets attacked again but Alex jumps in to shield her. SHE did get hit and the other

student council members arrive just in time. Next Lucia wakes she's in the infirmary.

The doctor says Alexei was the one who protected her and was noticable different from usual

people started to have a different impression of him as well. Suddenly Lucia realizes

there was a man with glasses who came to visit when she was out. Yes... that was Alex.

Lucia's appearance started changing to having nekomimi,horns and blue hair&red eyes

so it seems the curse is progressing. She then just runs out and into the snowy forest

wandering aimlessly being confused and depressed she suddenly hears a voice...

its Alexei who came after her as soon as he could. He's not getting through to her

and so he just decided to kiss her like he wanted her to understand something.

Alex apparently figured out his feelings while she was out and he does like her

and what made him realize that was due to a  combination of recent events.

Alex says he's been living as a prince for the sake of the people tryingto make

them happy but he couldn't do it anymore and he says that its her fault

since he realized he really did care about her enough, he doesn't want to lose her.

The curse ends up being reverted after this which really means that

if she has faith and love for humans there's nothing to worry about

anyway they end up trying to figure out what was going on. They meet some old guy

called Morin in a shed nearby and he seems to remember something

about the curse and he all but confirms the reversal is due to Alex's actions.

The curse seems to feed on neagtive emotions so if the emotions are positive then there's no issue.

This old coot seems to have more information and when Lucia asks about he just says

you two fancy each other. He even spells it out for them that its L-o-v-e

so as long as they're keep being in love the curse won't progress.

Ahaha he laughs and sends them on their way back.

Lucia ends up staying at Alexei's place because were else is safer? and because

there are people after her I suppose and they still haven't caught them.

I think its really cute how they slept together holding hands, no not

in THAT way but the normal way. Alexei also says the curse isn't a bad thing

since Lucia came to this country because of it and then he met her.

Lucia seems oddly determined in this route to find out more about the curse

so they consult Morin again about some old legends.

600years ago during a star shower, spirits beckoned the stars in the sky and summoned something

Alexei confirms that once upon a time spirits and humans lived together, he read it in a book.

That day became known as the star shower night.

Morin confirms this and their relationship was close than you might think but also not that close.

He explains he did much research on it and that there was another phenomon 300 years later

where a spirit of light blessed the stars in the sky or did some sort of ritual.

There was also something interesting going on with a neighboring country but he doesn't

have much other information as this is where his research ended.

The two conclude the ritual was a way to choose something Morin congratulates them both

as they're one step closer to the truth which may be the key they need.

Morin also says that soon there may be another star shower... which happens every 300 years.

Anyway they leave the old coot and his wife Mora and Alex muses that in that forest

there used to live a great number of spirits but 300 years ago they all but disappeared except one.

Then he points to some ruins on the map which is like a shrine for it. They bored the map

from Morin earlier who also suggested a scenic route for our two lovebirds.

The curse seemed to act up which turned Lucia into a bird, Alex suggests to take

advantage of it to get a better view of the area. Lucia ends up seeing a lake that glows

so they end up going there, Alex is most impressed by it.

 The reason it glows is because there are little orbs of light floating in the lake

Alexei thinks these orbs are the stars from the legend. He concludes there's much more to it

but realizes there's no one left to communicate with the spirits anymore.

They have to take a different approach but they seem to have hit a dead end. 

Next Lucia wakes up Calley is there to greet her, as turns out this guy just grabbed her

and knocked her out, he apologizes for this situation but there was no other way.

Calley casually reveals a bunch of incidents, Lucia immediately puts 1+2 together. 

Calley smirks as he says how she finally seems to get it. Yes he was behind the attacks.

Calley wants Alex to be the next prince so bad, he even figured out the prince was using Lucia

and now things have become so complicated, it vexes him how his attempts were hindered.

It gets so bad he smacks Lucia when she talked back. Calley says goodbye and next Alex?

walked in but there's something off about this Alex as he seems far too robotic to be real.

He then starts attacking Lucia... but she's good at dodging his attempts, thankfully the

curse acted up but instead of transforming into a mouse like she would have liked it was a sheep.

This alexei seems to be amused by her transformation because he can do it too.

For some reason this still trips him up because being nice to animals makes you a good prince

and he hasn't been ordered that he is allowed to kill any. Due to this Lucia managed to get away

and she managed to find the real Alexei! so that guy was his clone or something?!

Lucia is relieved and relays everything to him. For now they decide to leavemthe palace

and go to the school but on the way they run into the fake Alex along with Calley.

The real Alexei wants answers, so Calley reveals that the fake is a shapeshifting familiar

who then reveals his true form which isn't much really but its something.

Calley explains his plot of putting him on the throne?! which is why the fake

had been ordered to act in the real Alex's liking but its not yet good enough

and isn't able to understand how to truly act as a human so it was basically used

as a proxy to attack people from the shadows and eliminate any who're in the way.

 Alex himself doesn't understand he almost thinks that Calley thinks he is unworthy of being king.

Calley says he is merely helping him in ways that he can't. LMAO WHO ASKED.

Alex concludes that Calley doesn't give a shit about him because all he wants

is someone they can manipulate and control not see him for the person he is.

In truth Alex doesn't even want to become king and wants to pursue another dream

but his mother doesn't see it or let this happen. Anyway using such underhanded methods

Alexei has no interest in becoming the king, I mean they could just use the fake

and after meeting Lucia he's figured what's really worth living for.

Calley gets so butthurt he orders his shapeshifting puppet to kill Lucia like she's some witch.

Alexei tries to protect her... but due to his opponent being a shapeshifter he can turn into anything

even Lucia herself and it doesn't hesitate to use this to its advantage. Even Alexei thinks

the fake's cute but immediately apologizes because he can't hurt it like this.

Alexei realizes that due to it being a familiar maybe they can use the fact that its a

summoned entity against it so he asks Lucia to find the Calley while he distracts the puppet.

Lucia finds him sooner than later and goes full attack! on him. Calley gets second thoughts

but its a bit too late for that now and tries to say its all some misunderstanding. Lucia is like

but didn't you intent to kill me just now and Calley shriek's as she points her sword closer to him.

Alexei finds them and he knew Calley was bad at fighting and still tries to act like its some

misunderstanding like they just wanted what's best for him! Alexei tells him that

someones happiness is for that person to decide and not anyone else.

While also saying he is done trying to smile for other people's sake.

Anyway it seems that settles it and all's well that ends well?

Alexei decides to no longer pretend and take responsibility for the future he wants.

Lucia then says she'd like to be at his side for as long as she's able. Alexei then laughs

cuz she's a flustered mess trying to get that across. Urgh don't laugh at me like that!

Alexei too realizes he'd like the same since he feels happy being with her like this.

However there's still something they forgot about they realized the missing link

of what they were previously investigating, they rush to the library.

As turns out the pendant in the painting of the light spirit is the key, upon realizing

this there's some weird voice speaking to them and the stone of stars ends up being given to them.

This scene was really weird but it had something to do with the pose the spirit had in the painting

she was reaching out her hand and when they did it they received a stone and with it a blessing.

Turns out the king 300 years ago was generally a happy person perhaps he too gained that blessing.

Alexei realizes he too had an adventure with someone that was like an unforgettable dream

almost like everything that just happened... anyway Gerard ends up chosen as successor

Alex and his brother had a talk about it, so there seems to be no issues. Lucia is also slated

to return back home soon... Ricardo says Alexei seemed to be plotting something as well.

After Gerard is announces to have received the blessings of the light spirit. Alexei has somethin

to announce and that is who his fiance is! which is none other than Lucia Yuan

while also blatantly stating that being who he is, he wants to decide who he marries.

The king seems to have no idea what he just heard but Alex assures him he did hear it right.

The nobels also seem to just have to accept this is the type of person Alex is.

They do talk with Alex about it but Gerard fully supports him as a brother.

Alexei does admit he too is a person who is sometimes uncertain of what to do

and dwells on past mistakes but to Lucia Alex is the worlds coolest prince!

So before Lucia returns back home there's one more thing to do...

and that is to get rid of the curse. So he gentle confirms that he wants

to spend the night with her and talk a little more tomorrow since they won't

be able to see eachother for a while. Awwww.

In the epilogue Alexei invites her to the balcony and the view of the night sky is really nice.

He also reveals he's going to apply to become a researchers and has Morin's recommendation.

Alexei gives her a necklace as proof of their engagement, he's truly find what he wants

out of life and Lucia will be a part of that journey. They spent the rest of the event together.😳

 Merry bad end: They end up running away from Calley who isn't pleased by that.

Calley is desperately thinking of a new plan... sadly its not a good one and Alexei

gets framed for an assasination attempt on his brother. So they end up on the run and Alex

suggest Saharia kingdom as their next stop aka the place the woman in the painting is from.

For some reason Alexei is acting weird and jealous of her so easily chatting up men too...

but he apologizes for dragging her along with him right now. Its like a curse in itself

because if they're apart... anyway it seems Alex seems to be misunderstanding it all.

Alex laments not being able to obtain the gift of the stars... or fulfill his own dream.

He hugs Lucia but something feels off about him and this whole situation is less than desirable.

Honestly I found Alex's route to be pretty boring with all the politics

of them having to choose a fiance for the next would be king

but I did like Alex as a character, its so obvious he wants no part in it

but him using Lucia like that? the only suitable punishment for that is death! 

haha I jest of course.

There was some suspense in the route but some things like with Mayalise were nothing

new but hey atleast the writers were pretty consistent so I can't really complain

at some newer revelations, so all around this was pretty good.

I honestly wanted to see what was gonna happen next IDK who the writer

or what they had when writing this game but I am genuinely impressed.

Sadly it felt that this route was the only one so far who truly went into

what the curse is and how to get rid of it in an easy to understand manner

while others sorta glosses over things? but still made it work in its own way.

Route rating 9/10

~

 

Isaiah Klein.

CV: Maeno Tomoaki.

 Onii-chan route let's gooooo~~ uh yea I actually was surprised he was since

he has vastly different hair colour than Lucia. Prolly not related by blood, phew.

Isaiah ended up giving a dog a bath when he ran into it unbeknownst the dog was Lucia....

Lucia actually didn't like that experience and wanted to forget it ever happened.

I don't think Isaiah realized it was her? YET but looking back on it I felt slightly

weirded out by that scene even though it was supposed to be funny.

Isaiah really cares about Lucia and looks out for her, as shown in Alex's route

he won't tolerate excessive bullying! cuz he's already capable of doing ebough teasing.

During his common route scenes he really shows himself to be a reliable onii-chan too.

Many years ago he traveled to Lucia's country which is where he met her.

Near the end of the common route when they went camping, Lucia joined Isaiah

on a little fishing trip and they ended up angering some aquatic creature..........

Isaiah suddenly gets extremely interested in it but leaves it to Lucia to get the rods

it was holding, i'm not sure if I was comprehending the scene correctly but it was really random.

Apparently those rods were magic tools which're useful to fish more efficiently.

Isaiah also went on a rant about something... but the creature wasn't in the mood to listen

so it dove back wherever it came from, this was the first time Isaiah ever saw a spirit like that.

Later at the beginning of the route Isaiah laments he didn't know much sooner

Lucia was under a curse, he's very interested in learning more of it and helping her.

Lucia also visits him at his home and witnesses first hand what his sister is like

yea Isaiah has another sister Irena who's actually bloodrelated and quite a handful.

Later Anise was wondering if Lucia has ever kissed someone before which made for a scene

because of course she ***king hasn't. Oh well atleast Anise isn't the only one.

This is all because of some rumor about how it would feel or taste like.

So then comes the question of who'd most want to kiss and Lucia can't just say Isaiah

so she blurted out someone Lanbert.  Anise continues to talk about him and well

speak of the devil and he shall appear! right behind her. This was so hilarious I can't.

Lanbert says he couldn't help it since he overheard his name... ahaha Anise brushes it off.😂😂😂

Lucia remembers that time where they talked about relationships and Isaiah's just fine

being like this. Anise says its because feelings could change and such which is difficult.

The student council members end up having to watch over an audience of kids

and they all deal with it in their own way, except Lars he just took a nap.

Isaiah seems like the most level headed and mature one out of the bunch...  he seems to enjoy it

and when asked says he's happy to do it. Makes him content seeing the kids happy too.

Just then the curse acts up again... Isaiah covers for her as she turns into a wanko-chan.

The kids seem to like it and they all want to pet her... thankfully Isaiah doesn't let her get

stressed out. Later he figures the dog back then was her so he apologizes for that scene...

Alexei walked in on them confused about the dog talk. Isaiah is still embarrassed for some reason.

Isaiah also seems to have been working on some sort of magia stone and he seems proud of it

but then elsewhere someone tells Anise that they know the person who killed Kurt which is Isaiah.

Irena offers Lucia a job at her place and when Anise finds out she seems to be against it

when she left Isaiah seemed to realize something off about her. Anyway Isaiah continues

his work involving magia stones and Lucia lends a hand wherever she can.

During work Lucia suddenly asks if he has ever kissed someone which threw him off

and even wonders if something was up but now he wants to know why.

Its of course related to their discussion earlier in the game and Anise had some influence to this too

but no for some reason he won't tell her if he has ever kissed someone. Suddenly he starts

talking about how she shouldn't easily forget things that go between two people

and then ends up pinching her face but then she noticed he's actually flustered, its hilarious.😂

Irena comes in and starts trolling by dropping some cheesy line a guy might say to a girl

needless to say it was not welcomed and Isaiah gets heated. Irena apologizes but seems

to be enjoying this nonetheless. Ugh she is just a nightmare to deal with isn't she.

As turns out Lucia has a secret admirer who writers her poetic letters...

Grace says this is quite common among the student body especially the council.

Curse acted up again and she transformed into a bird, she flew right into Isaiah's home

because of brainrot, he didn't notice because he was asleep. She noticed his poetry collection.

I was going what if he wakes up and that he did! he's fine with it though but then he realizes

that she may have seen something... Isaiah gets embarrassed for some reason because his sister

always teases him for it. He does plead her not to laugh so she just says its cute

which isn't much better since Isaiah prefers to keep his cool image.

Sometime later Eir comes in and she explains the nature of the curse to Lucia like in every route

after that Isaiah notices she's a bit down so he comforts her and he won't let it get to her

after she explains what Eir told her about the curse. I expected a CG here but there was none, lame.

Sometime later Lucia runs into him in an unusual getup she wonders what's up but he tells her

its nothing much and he's just doing some favors for his dad. Isaiah is ready unsteady on his feet

so Lucia asks if he's really okay, which he tries to say he is, obviously he is not fine.

Lucia's not letting it go so Isaiah has no choice but to rest up for a bit.

She went to get a hankerchief for him, he's causing trouble for her now and she doesn't mind.

Isaiah brushes the whole thing as getting too careless and digging his own grave.

Nothing else much happens and some of the usual shenanigans with his sister happen.

Isaiah is starting to look at Lucia in a different way around this point but its very obvious

he's still sorting out his feelings towards her. They end up doing a favor for his sister

and the townsfolk think they're a couple or something as well.😅

 The CG during this part was nice, they did really look like they were on a date

they finish their errand without problems and life goes on for a bit till Anise

asks Lucia to follow her since she has something she wants to show her

but seems its a trap, except the potion didn't have the desired effect.

So as turns out Anise has joined the dark side and seems to have ill intent here.

Lucia can hold her own against her for a bit, Anise says her intent isn't to kill

but Isaiah shows up just in time before she can say or do much else.

Anise says Isaiah's true identity is that of a murderer. Lucia can't believe it

but the Klein's have always done things from the shadows. Anise can't forgive him

because Isaiah apparently has killed a friend of hers and wants Lucia to know this.

Suddenly Isaiah changes his tune and forces his hand over Lucia's mouth

threatening her to keep quiet about what she just heard. Isaiah does apologize

for keeping quiet about it, when asked why he says he can't explain but he really did enjoy

being called Isa-nii and maybe if things had been a bit different

things wouldn't be like this or something along those lines.

Lucia tries to pretend nothing happened but it obviously affects her and the other members

of the student council seems to have noticed something did happen cuz the vibes are just off.

Lucia tries to cope with everything that just happened and tries to see some good in it.

Isaiah seems to know her reaction is only natural and knew this day would've

come eventually but that doesn't make it any easier. Shion acted a bit differently as well

but he wants the members of the council to get along so he got that across atleast because he is

worried about her, Isaiah wonders what it meant but he did ruin the vibe so it is his fault.

Lucia never had many friends but since she came her things have been better so he realizes

Anise may be connected to something so he still wants to protect Lucia from the shadows.

Lucia has a do I really know this guy... but despite her doubts on him decides to

want to be with him regardless since he can't be that bad of a person right?

she spots Anise somewhere and ends up following her since she has questions

something fishy happens when they interact and there seems to be sa strange power  involved.

Anise can't seem to keep doing this as well almost as if something is too much to bear.

She says she can't do it anymore and warns Lucia to go because its dangerous here

and doesn't want to continue doing her mission if it involves her friend.

School used to be fun to Anise but now she's gotten involved with things that

makes her hate it all and its too much of a price to pay.

Some other guys show up and Isaiah ends up arriving just in time... whatever is going on?

either than that he saved the day, that's my bad boi! later he really let's Lucia know

the stuff he is involved in is no joking matter and wants to check her resolve

if she really wants to be with him as an accomplice. Isaiah says they could get

married in a way which would seal their fate together. So apparently

there was some noble guy that kidnapped kids and it was pretty nasty.

Isaiah's dad was busy trying to roll up their network.

Isaiah was still a kid back then and basically watched someone die right infront of him

who didn't know that he was doing so Isaiah reacted in self defense, the kid that died was Kurt.

Isaiah didn't know what was happening or if it was his own blood so he fainted.

The kid had some weird magic tool that influences the wielder, his dad never saw anything

like it but it seems there was some sort of contract between whoever uses it.

Ever since then Isaiah decided to prevent this from happening again, it affected him deeply

since the eyes of the kid said that they were sorry and didn't seem to have murderous intent.

Isaiah's dad group aren't murdererous but merely people that do what's right for the greater good.

Honestly Isaiah didn't want to join but it sort of just ended up that way and in the beginning

most of his missions ended up in failure. Now Anise knows the truth as well...

Isaiah still blames himself even if it wasn't his fault.

Some time passes and Lucia&Isaiah  get to enjoy the winter holidays which lead

to Lucia confessing, of course Isaiah doesn't see himself fit to be a boyfriend or anything

so he couldn't reciprocate as he still sees her like a little sister. Suddenly Lucia grabs some snow

and turns it into a big ball and she's glad he got to hear how she feels while playfully playing

with the snow almost as if she isn't bothered by the rejection, she's such a sweet girl, awww.

Isaiah calls her a fool, she did notice something off about him just now but brushes it off.

Anyway they agree on wanting to save Anise, she reveals which teacher was involved

like its no big deal. Its Vein... when Isaiah asks Lucia about it she says she never

had any problems with him, he even complimented her on a test. They decide to investigate

it at a later date, Anise seems relieved that her friends has her back and after hearing

the truth she doesn't seem to blame Isaiah as much as she used to.

Anise also doesn't want to be enemies and she too enjoyed her time there, its priceless

so if she had to give that up she'd rather die, Lucia is like no don't wish for that.

Then she wants to do a bet of who can get kissed first... hahaha.

Lucia also tells Isaiah how much he means to her which was really cute. 

Anyway they infiltrate Vein's lab at school, Isaiah sure knows how to be stealthy heh.

Turns out there's some fake stuff lying aroung but Isaiah figured out the real one.

They need to use magic so he asks Lucia and what's reflected in the mirror

is even shadier, there are people in test tubes. The moment they drop the stealth

a familiar seems to detect their presence, of course Vein wouldn't leave it unguarded.

It says that Vein created him by himself which may explain its cursed look.

Turns out this familiar likes to feed on emotions and he's really into embarrassment today.

It says there's no issue as its not like he will eat their complete emotions or memory

wait then what is the point then?! Vein sure made a lame ass familiar LMAO.

Anise already wants to rip it apart... but if they don't have to fight it that's better.

Isaiah decides to continue talking to it as if to see what else he blabs about.

For a price of course; so one of them has to tell him about their secret embarrassment...

Lucia seems to try which relates to her mother but it wasn't up to his tastes. Anise's next

and it was wardrobe malfunction related to some cool guy she was into. Even that isn't enough.

Which leaves Isaiah and it seems to make him embarrassed to talk about

some magic spell he's studying. The familiar wants a demonstration........

and it seems to enjoy seeing Isaiah so embarassed. Turns out this spell is just a poem

and as we know from his sister he loves writing them, just hates people knowing he did.

Well uhm yea I can feel the second hand embarrassment from this, Isaiah WHY.😂😂😂

The familiar seems to be more than full from this, Isaiah however wants to die

or just erase the memory of these past few minutes. Uh what was the plot about again?

Isaiah now asks the familiar to open up the secret vault but it seems unwilling

maybe another poem? but then Isaiah just loses it and makes it disappear.

Of course right after they find something Vein comes back, Isaiah uses

some wind spell to get them out of there in a jiffy. Lucia realizes once again

how much he means to her and that she really loves Isaiah so seeing him interact

with Anise made her heart hurt. Apparently the familiar wasn't really dead

and Vein realizes there were intruders, Isaiah gets name dropped, he immediately

figures who else might be with him and the familiar confirms his suspicions.

Vein disposes of the familiar because he can just make another

and it seems he has great interest in Lucia?! 

There was a hair accessory among the stuff they looted from Vein's vault

it suits Lucia very well idk if Isaiah was flirting but he did note

how it could have something to do with the goddess from the legend.

For now everything is calm and quiet almost as if a storm is waiting... Lucia gets to enjoy

 a sleepover with Anise and Isaiah who was quite respectful since it was his place.

Sadly it seems the curse has started progressing, thankfully Isaiah is there to reassure her.

They get a surprise visit from Eir this time and what she feared has come true...

Eir mentions there's something about the hair and Isaiai puts it together and

remembers the hair accessory which he plans to use like a magic tool to seal the curse

though Eir thinks it may be difficult to make it work and it might break

because its like an artifact of a divine being. Eir ask Lucia if she doesn't mind

to return with her like this to her own country. Yes that is an option as well

but for now she will not lose hope and believes in Isaiah's craftmanship

in truth she wants to see more sides of him and this is a good opportunity.

 Unfortunately the curse seems to be more intense this time and she has

vivid nightmares of being submerged in water as well as hearing a voice.

She thinks the person in the dream was the goddess of water and the person

she treasured as told in legends. The dreams are scary but thankfully Isaiah is right there

to reassure her she who she is and not some goddess. To proof Lucia's not dreaming

he tells her he's right there and soothes her, Isaiah promises to make her happy.

To finish the craft they try to use a technique called uh how you say it? Forte Tenpula?!

I remember Anise mentioning it before but its apparently a very difficult to do it.

Their hard work seemed to have paid off... just then Eir drops by again and

she can't believe they've recreated something close to the divine.

Eir recommends to use the magic tool as soon as possible due to the curse taking over

she also explains exactly how and they'll have to use a sword to do it

it sounds extremely risky so Isaiah is the one who stabs her with the sword.

There's a flash of light and then Lucia finds herself elsewhere there she is greeted by a voice

wanting to meet her. Meanwhile Isaiah hopes she wakes soon with all his heart.

its the water goddess herself, long story short realizing she loves someone she

leaves it to Lucia to do what she could not do to love and be loved.

Eir is also glad she seems to be free of the curse. Isaiah also formally

expresses his feelings and he is done watching from the shadows

and he doesn't love her like as sibling would, he really loves her.

Things just like get really sappy now it only took 48 years.

 I started to wonder what happened to itchyVein whomst I actually start calling Vayne

because I keep thinking about VEINES everytime I read his name. Sounds better too.

Anyway Vayne seems to be ready to let loose and start his experiment.

They both end up on a mission to sneak into his office because we got unfinished business

and Anise is missing.  Lookie there he's just casually waiting for this moment like he didn't know

they were in here. Isaiah basically knows he's related to a bunch of missing person incidents

and wants to know his true aim but Vayne's just like why don't you help me out with some tests here?

Vayne also found it peculiar and suprised the person who he was looking for just

arrived here but he didn't get why she didn't recognize him at all.

Then this creep goes and call her his finest sample or some shit and I am like EW.

Lucia seems to recall he said something like that when she peeked in the mirrors

but she doesn't believe she could ever have met this man like at all. Isaiah seems worried.

Turns out she's like the escaped lab rat who lived a happy unknowing life.

Isaiah tells him to shut up and just tell him wtf this shit is all about but Vayne's not having it

but he spills the deets, Forte Tenpula is to gather magic, he's looking for humans with

high aptitude of magic to kill two birds with one stone. There's another reason

to gather people for his experiments, it turns out that Vayne wasn't just doing it here

but a bunch of years ago was doing it back in Lucia's home country Sanan.

For some reason Lucia was part of that and she was one of the finest

the other kids didn't quite compare to her at all. He gets all technical but

it Lucia basically was like an egg building up all that magic. His happy days

were ruined because a bunch of knights ruined it along those was Eir

who found her and I guess this also makes Vayne Lucia's father in some way.

He apologizes for causing her pain in the past but there's nothing to worry about now

Vayne goes on how with Isaiah they could be like one of the best wizards ever

if it succeeds it'll turn Lucia into a human weapon. Isaiah thinks he's insane

to think they'd go along with his plans. He summons some familiar spirit

that he spend time creating like that other one they encountered earlier.

It looks like its in pain though once more Vayne tries to convince them and Isaiah

promptly called him an idiot for even trying  to get to just up and join him.

Its not as easy to take down as the other familiar of his though...

then Lucia dropped the Forte Tenpura they crafted together and askes if they could use it

and because it is a magic tool with a sealing effect they could seal Vayne's spirit.

Lucia is tired so she can't do it alone so Isaiah lends a hand.

It somehow works and the spirit(s) offer a word of thanks for being freed.

Isaiah tells him not to underestimate tools made and/or designed by Trevor.

The other knights bust in and arrest Vayne for real this time, they also found a key

but don't know which room it is from when they use it to free Anise who didn't realize a thing.

Lucia comforts her because she was scared she couldn't go back to a normal life.

Anyway all's well that ends well but Anise wants to know how that first kiss was like

which did happen during the sappy time a while back.😳😳😳 She was only joking but is

shocked that it actually happened. STOP no why're you answering?! Isaiah is flustered already.

Also now everyone in the student council knows they're a thing, Grace is sounded upset

Anise is now somehow a close friend to Lucia than she is. Of cours Lucia is forced

to return home for a while and after just casually chatting, he ends up giving her a gift.

Its a magic tool that'll be useful for when they're not able to be together.

Its like something so they'll be able to communicate, Lucia thinks he's very thoughtful.

Merry bad end: IDK wtf this ending was but for some reason Isaiah overdid it

during the battle in the lab and ended up as a dog. He tried to explain

but it seems like he got cursed like Lucia was. This was so random it felt like a gag end.

Isaiah thinks he's lucky for being able to talk normally with her instead going woof.

Anyway Lucia is now a newly dog owner and Isaiah makes himself comfortable.😂

The rest of the student council can't believe what a cutie he is now... Shion laments

things have become problematic once again but Isaiah will be happy to lend a paw.

Isaiah says they just have to wait till the tool is fixed... so its not permanent?!

He says it'll be troublesome if his family found out so he suggest to stay over here

and Shion immediately prepares a room. Lucia tries to repair the tool with Isaiah's help

though he laments they can't do normal things lovers do right now...

THIS END WAS SO CUTE AND FUNNY I LOVED IT.

 The drama here was lovely, never did I expect any of this to happen

so for being the poster boy route it definitely wasn't boring or anything.

If only Isaiah said I can be your bad boy cuz it would fit him so well

but he is also so reliable just as you'd think he would be. Sigh...

its been a long time since a poster boy impressed me!

Unfortunately this route makes me wonder if Lucia is truly fine in other routes

but maybe just maybe things were taken care of in the background

because here Isaiah gets personally involved whether in other routes

its just brushed off as the power of love in a cheesy way.

Real talk this route felt oddly familiar to code realize in the last stretch

because Isaiah is basically Lupin and Lucia be Cardia.

Impressive otomate! comparisons aside its not the same thing and while I can

laugh about it this I think the story was still pretty damn solid.

Sadly his merry bad end didn't feel like a bad end at all but more like a gag end or something.

Route rating 9.5/10.

~

 

Sion Caldo.

CV: Okitsu Kazuyuki.

I can't believe I sat through four routes already but here we are!

 Didn't much about him at first but he is the president of the student council.

He's good looking and level-headed, the perfect leader?! Sion also has a sister named Grace

who has no friends and Sion roasted her for this... but still Lucia befriended her!

Sion is also known to be quite scary when he's angry....... as shown when Ricardo and Lucia

got bullied during the competition; he gave the culprits a seeing-to.😅

After Isaiah's route I wondered what Shion would focus on but there was one

thing left that wasn't touched upon in all routes, the mysterious little boy who'd appear here

and there leaving cryptic comments but it was anyones guess as what it would cover in full. 

Sion's route was off to a funny start I think he got drunk because he accidently had

alcohol when he went out to eat lunch with Lucia during the outing at midday.Or maybe

he was just tired and its rare to see Sion vulnerable doesn't seem like he gets to relax much.

Anyway seems this route gets to the stuff we may be interested in right of the bat...

Not only does Sion seem interested in the curse and helping Lucia, we also

learn that Eir and Sion seem to have ties to eachother or more like he knew her.

Lucia also seems to have known a boy once, he came from a different country

and to cheer him up he showed him a secret spot with a hundred flowers

this boy turned looked like Shion. I guess this kind of comes out of left field right?

however it didn't seem like they spend a whole lot of time together and not even I

can remember every kid I once used to hang out especially if only for a day.

It seems she did gave him something before running off...  Lucia recalls his name

was death magus?! odd name but hmm maybe he was one of those kids.

There was a dumb scene where Lucia transformed into a penguin while

in a conversation with Sion which leads to them finding another anxious penguin

who has stage fright. Due Lucia being in animal form they can hear its worries.

Of course they decide to help it because the show must go on, the penguin

is like part of a show with magic and stuff. It asks Lucia to practice before the real thing.

Sion apparently found the whole thing hilarious... heh he's having fun!

Later Grace wanted to talk to Lucia since she wasn't very nice as of late

and it ends up involving a magia kaleidoscope, it seems to be able to record things

like people's feelings but those things can change. Grace had hoped she'd be

able to better understand her brother since she wanted to know how she felt about him.

She knows it may be wrong to use a tool like this... and it seems Grace knows something

about Lucia and that she may transform into a beast if she really knew and then her brother...

but then she swallows her own words. It seems she has seen something before

and her brothers emotions were overflowing or something and it scares her.

It scares her what she saw in the tool will become a reality...

Grace simply wants Lucia to consider a number of things before she ends up speaking to Sion again

because when they're together there seems to be some sort of reaction to each other.

Some time passes, Lucia transforms into a cat and gets chased by kids that want

to pet & play with her nothing unusal to see here! Sion runs into her due to this

but he seems to realize she's been avoiding him so he wants to know why that is.

They make up and there's no worries.  Grace then talks to her brother later that day, asking if

the tool is broken and he knew she talked about it with Lucia and then reassures her there's

nothing to worry about however this was a lie, its not broken and he only said

that to not worry her. Sion.......... Later on Lucia runs into a guy at school, she only

once saw him at a party and barely even remembered his name; Oliver.

 When Sion bumps into him it becomes apparent they don't like each other at all.

They seem to go way back and it seems they're rivals or that is what my intuition told me.

Later on Oliver seems to realize Sion fancies the girl so he starts being flirty when

he runs into her again. This guy is so obnoxious at it I am breathing fire. Go away.

I hate this sort of shit where some random guy tries to get between two people who get along, burn.

Oliver is so cringe at it the second hand embarrassment is real meanwhile Lucia is like okay my dude.

There was some focus on Lanbert and how he strives to live life as a knight after the 

majuu incident 8 years ago, Sion wonders if it is hard for him since Lanbert lost someone

but he wants to take that persons soul to where it belongs to atone for his own sins.

Lanbert apologizes for rambling but he encourages Sion to talk about his problems too.

Oliver keeps trying to ask Lucia out whom keeps rejecting him, he then figures

she likes some already, couldn't be Sion right? Lucia denies it as he's atm just a good friend.

Oliver then starts spouting something about Sion being a sorcerer of death. Grace then

butts in and calls him out for being a dick. He's just basically a jerk and hates Sion

for his looks and mixed ethnicity, so Oliver tries to make his life worse at every opportunity.

Oliver continues to be a nuisance and trying to get to Lucia... claiming to have information

and pressuring into having a date with him in a very manipulative way. I hate it thanks.

Lucia ends up meeting with him... because what if he really knows something

and took something important from Sion which Lucia wants to get back.

Turns out Isaiah,Rick as well as the others are keeping watchful eye because Oliver is SUS

and they gotta protect their friend just incase, omg I love you guys!

Turns out Oliver's just got scratched by Sion when they got into a fight as kids

and just got butthurt over it. Of course he tries to make himself look good here

and says Sion is a bad person OMG he is so awful he even tries to say

she's too good for Sion and should just get with him. Lucia has enough of it

even if Oliver continues to hit on her. Suddenly the mood changes, Oliver feels

someones presence that is familiar to him and runs off. Lucia's fine but everyone felt it too.

Sion is unusually quiet and runs off as well... it couldn't be him that cause a disturbance?

Maybe Oliver is right about something and there's something odd about Sion but only that.

Lucia ends up talking to Sion who figures out maybe the reason she went along with it

was to get something back. Sion looks upset and he was worried which is why they had a stake-out.

Sion urges Lucia to not do it again as it was unbearable for him to see her potentially in danger

but still he is glad she tried to get back the locket from him but he wants it to be the last time.

When he shows whats inside its the same sort of stone that Eir gave to Lucia when she left her home

but for some reason the pocket watch is broken so it seems like its a keepsake?

Which leads him to reveal he once met her and that he got the stone from her as a gift

of course he is unable to forget this since it meant so much to him.

Sion gives Oliver another seeing-to and even if he says she's just a friend

he doesn't seem to have any intent to let go. Like this guy want to make her his

to just see Sion angry. I hate this Oliver guy so much... like he's not even thinking about

what Lucia wants who should be free to choose who she likes amirite?

Oliver seems to have some bodyguards as well heh guess he is scared but it doesn't seem

he will listen, if something where to happen to Lucia it won't be pretty or so Sion thinks.

Oliver starts shaking when his guards don't stand a chance... Sion just starts laughing

anyway I think they're both terrible and should just live and let live. Sion does seem

to have trouble controlling his emotions which let to him letting loose his magic.

Oliver calls him a monster among other things as well as the name he used to go by.

Sion acknowledges it though... its as if he is fully aware of what he is.

Lucia meets the mysterious boy again who says he wants to reveal the truth...

this truth involves the mysterious tree in the beginning of the game

but he laments not being able to act so he'll try. Seems she dreamed it and since

she fell sick, Sion sure is sweet trying to feed her some medicine.

Eir drops by to tell Lucia about the curse in more detail like she always does

other thing is Sion is right there with her as she explains it. Later Lucia runs into

some priest and helps him out for the day. The young boy seems to realize someone

has become to act and decides to try to do something for once. Then Lucia randomly

faints and the priest seems to recognize her as someone he knows. Definitely not

suspicious at all and he sure came across as a bit creepy, never trust a priest eh?

She wakes up sooner than he'd have liked so after she left he realized someone intervened. 

Lucia's stuffed animal was also targeted  Sion already seems to know something as up when

she tells him she suddenly became sleepy and there was a lingering scent of flowers as well.

The student council is on the case and then there's a voice from the plushy...

said that they're on their side and that someone has used magic on them.

They all should be careful from now on... and also drops what we already may have known

that Lucia is the second coming of the goddess of water. Grace seems to find it weird

that Marianne has a guy's voice which makes the plushy flustered.😂

Alex gets blamed for trying to pull a joke on them but it wasn't him at all, lol.

Sadly it seems the priest has an unhealthy obsession with the goddess

and decides to use Vayne to cooperate with him against his will.

Sion and Lucia spend some time together in the library, at this point it was

easy to see they weren't the close friends they were before but it grew to something more.

Sion mutters how his fate looks kind of similar to hers and that she is like a light

which is different from him but he wants to see her happy and flip over the next page of life.

The scene was really cute and heartwarming, I really liked it!

Anyway they do some research on stuff and the academy as a whole but they also spend

some time in the city enjoying the holiday, its always ch10 with the most fluff isn't it?

There was another cute scene of him petting a Lucia turned rabbit totez adorbs!

 Later Grace wonders about her plushy and wants to see it when she goes to get it

she can't seem to find it. Elsewhere Sion sorts his feelings on Lucia

but then his dad walks in and wants him to inherit a grimoire. Its not someone a normal

mage can master but Sion might be different because he's different.

Perhaps he could master the dark magic, his dad also tells him of a medicine

that could cure him of some of his symptoms, Sion is thankful his dad thought on this.

Sion's dad also heard about Lucia from his mom and he'd love to meet her one day.

Lucia also runs into Oliver again he looks quite upset and still goes on

about him being the mage of death, death magus?! he doesn't really get it himself

but he has witnessed Sion almost losing control of his magic, he thought he was going to die.

Lucia decides she heard enough when he went on how she shouldn't be around him.

 Outside she runs into Vayne, nothing good can come of this... but then Marianne

seemed to have appeared nearby, or maybe Lucia imagined it. Sion ends up meeting a young

boy while Lucia is taken to Vayne's room. Lucia feels there's something off about the place

but denies it when he asks her if something's wrong Vayne offers her some tea while she waits.

The tea was drugged because of fucking course and now they have all the time to talk.

The tea also seems to have contained something to jog her memories.

Thankfully Sion busts in there but he doesn't look too friendly, Vayne recognizes him and is

Vayn's overjoyed that not only his finest sample but the mage of death are both together.

He also decides to drop his sad past of how his parents were researchers of spirits

but they died. A priest Ashely ended up taking him in and he found new family.

One day Ashley started changing, he was a completely different person almost as if possessed.

He's looking for some woman but no matter who they brought in none was right.

Ashley was the one who ordered him to do his research and create something

that can absorb a great amount of magic. Using that magic to extend his own life.

He's already been doing it which is why he's been alive for a long time.

Lucia realizes that Ashley may no longer be human. Vayne says Ashley is...

perhaps a familiar/kenzoku of the goddess of water called Forte.

Doing what he did he has cheated death using children in the process.

Sion realizes the incident 8 years ago was Ashley's doing.

Vayne is mostly free to do as he pleases as long as he gets the job done but then Vayne says

his goals are different from Ashley's which is releasing him from this world, to free him.

Then he says that everything he did even back in Sanan kingdom was for this reason.

I guess he never went to explain why he really did things so it could check out.

Vayne goes on that once Ashley laid eyes on Lucia he started to change

because he is seeing the goddess of water in her. Before he can talk more

Vayne starts coughing up blood and he says they need to hurry since he cursed him.

Vayne points to his notes, it should be the red ones but he is keeling over so Sion asks

 who else could help them to make his wish come true so he points them to Elgira.

If they can get her on their side they should be able to do it and that was the last of it.

Sion reassures Lucia that she is who she is and that she's related to some goddess

or how she was created doesn't change anything. Anyway they go and try to get

Elgira on their side, as turns out she is infatuated with Ashley but its not like

she directly works for him. They tried their best to explain the situation

she seems to be quite reasonable in this route, maybe its because its at Vayne's request

or she has yet to be ordered to do something. Hah so it may've been Ashley who made

her act which makes a lot of sense when you look back at the other routes.

Things are calm for now but there's still the matter of Lucia's feelings

the other council members can't seem to think of someone Sion would like

and Lucia gets flustered when she thinks about who she likes. Alex tried to fish it out of her.

This leads to Sion and Lucia spending time together and finally confessing

it was kind of cute but it felt like we already knew so this was just a confirmation.

It was really cute how Sion fell asleep on her it....... but atleast the tension is gone.😂

 Life goes on for a bit, Lucia did worry if Sion was okay after yesterday but all's fine

till someone reports Grace is acting strange with a stuffed animal. When they arrive

it seems she wants to destroy it but also realizes this is very dear to her friend.

It seems she is being told to burn Lucia's stuffed animal, a voice in her head tells her to

which is likely Ashley. She loses conciousness as she tries to cast a spell. Just then

Ashley appears acting as if he doesn't know what's going on and acts as anyone would.

Marianne tries to stop him and says that Ashley hasn't changed one bit.

A tree seemed to have catched fire when Grace misfired her spell before passing out...

which distracts everyone. They prioritize taking care of the situation as well as Grace

before going after Ashley. Lucia's curse seems to have progressed so they may need to hurry.

The stuffed animal explains the curse is basically their fault so they apologize

they also reveal their name which is Gio the god of animals. Sion goes over

everything and how they're working together with Elgira to resolve the situation.

Alex has his doubts but he believes everything. Same with the others.

    Gio knows Ashley or rather Forte used Grace to try and get him out of the way.

Alex lightens the mood and makes Gio seem like a pervert when he simply acted to protect Lucia

which makes Gio embarrassed. The plushy was simply the most efficient way to be near her.

Also Gio's real form is less than desired, so he'd better choose something appealing.

They all try to plan their next move and prepare themselves for the final showdown...

Alex keeps teasing Gio which he finds rude but heh I really appreciate the jokes at times.

It won't be easy since there's some complicated stuff involved but with the six of them

it may be possible and  like Isaiah said if they won't try they won't get anywhere.

Sion says they have till the next full moon before Ashley/Forte can act

and Gio really wants to make it clear Lucia is who she is not anyone else.

Lucia figures out her feelings around this time but Sion stops her because

he can't promise her anything and doesn't want her to regret anything

even saying there may be better people than him going as far as that she doesn't

know the real him. Lucia doesn't see a problem but he's so convinced they're similar.

Sion swallows the rest of his words and calls it a day, this man is so I have no words.

Gio overheard but supports her, for some reason he understands Sion quite well

but he won't say much else other than he cares a lot about her. Lucia recalls

some scenes of the past and this becomes blatantly clear.

Sadly shit happens and Sion gets manipulated to bring Lucia right into Ashley's hands

who is preparing some sort of ritual, he says he does it because he loves her but yeaaa

what Ashley really loves is the goddess and Lucia is the sacrifice or vessel.

In the past he pissed of the animal king but all he wanted was to be with his goddess

so he's been working all these years to revive her corpse by stealing peoples energy/whatever.

Sion&co busts into the shady cave after fighting some demon hounds along the way, thank god

well not this priest guy more like Gio.😅 Who actually shows up as the little boy this time

heh now it does make sense. Aight final baws time, as everyone plays there part

and spells be fired offensively and defensively but Forte is like weak! but Sion's

had enough and starts casting his dark magic which deals some decisive blows.

Still this dork is convinced they can't stand up against a god cuz they're just humans.

So everyone tries really hard once more time but they're too weak, just as it seems hopeless

Gio decides to step in which was too much for him to take and starts fading away.

Lucia has enough and realizes how much she cares about people and suddenly feels

a surge within her and retaliates against the evil priest one more time.

This gives the others and Sion enough time to gather their magic together...

which was actually really nice to see, I know its CLICHE AF but I love it.

It didn't work at first but they realized through Lucia they had to have strong feelings

and then they all combined their magic together to defeat Forte.

Gio pops back for a second but he is relieved his 1000 year struggle came to an end

he says he was just resting so he wasn't really gone or anything. The guys tease

hime so Gio joked he may just give them a little divine retribution, in jest of course.

Unfortunately it seems the curse has progressed a bit too far and when everyone noticed

she ran off in shame. Gio wishes Sion goodluck as he went after Lucia

since Sion may strangely share a similar fate to his own. Eir finds her who

says she has completely transformed. Sion tries to hurry because there's still

something he has to do and there is a way to rid her of the curse.

Sion tells Lucia he can buy her a little time... and that it is his fault

she found misfortune so he wants to make it right. Since she is his reason to live.

Its also revealed Sion knew from the start Lucia was the girl he met before

but he just kept that to himself all this time. Its revealed that something

went wrong once before and that time was turned back by a year or so, Eir

warned him that he  alone couldn't do it so he should be careful.

Sion is now given another chance and he then bids her farewell and casts a spell

believing he has saved her which in a way he did as she returned to normal.

Eir tells Lucia this is what Sion wanted to do, get rid of the curse even at the cost of himself

because he does not want to make the same mistake he did prior.

There's a lot more too it but I am tired, the goddess tears of stuff that happened

1000years ago was crystalized which she hid nearby so one day it would be found

by her would be reincarnation but the stone has caused all sort of misfortune over the years.

Sion stopping his heart was for her sake because she's reason he was living.

Lucia finally starts to remembering everything and Sion says regardless of how

you look you're still beautiful. Suddenly the Idola's start glowing, Eir says it is because

of the goddess's presence and then notices the fragment she gave Lucia in the beginning.

Then Sion regains conciousness... and finally tells her how he feels as if the lock

on his heart was removed they can both acknowledge each others feelings.

The fragment seems to have shattered and the time in his locket seems to start moving again.

Ahah... his time was stopped because he reverted time at the cost of his own I guess.

In the epilogue for some reason they went back to the shady cave but everyone

knows they're lovers now but they still have clean up the mess and pay their respects

to vessel lying there that is or was supposed to become the next goddess of water.

Sion says they're going to use it to free Ashley's soul, Gio asks Eir for help.

The goddess that is with them now is grateful but her being here is also because

of the fragment of hope and in the end Gio disappears with her.

Elgira seems up to no good though but is happy because since her beloved is with her

in animal form.😅 For some reason Vayne is alive as well, wtf I thought he died for real

anyway he is thankful Ashley has been released or so to speak nvm what Elgira thinks.💀

Of course there doesn't seem to be much time left for the remaining school year and Lucia

will have to return home soon for a bit, alot has happened but she really enjoyed her time here.

Unlike him Lucia still has 2 years to go! Sion ends up making her flustered and teased her.

Sion gives his speech when he graduates and he seems happy to do so because

there were so many friends there right beside him whom stood by him.

Of course he's sad but he wishes everyone well with their own graduation in the future.

When they're alone later Sion ends up proposing to her and wants Lucia to marry him

in the near future. Even if they can't be together now he still loves her. Lucia feels the same.

Everyone else suddenly congratulates them already even though nothing's happened YET.

Sion receives news he can be going to Sanan kingdom as well for work I believe.

Which means they can see each other more often, they both seemd very happy

all's well that finally ends well huh? god Sion you lucky bastard.

 I didn't  really want to do the bad ends but still wanted CG completion so

Merry bad end here we come! Sion goes after Lucia when she turned into a beast

and then for some reason they both wake up near the mysterious tree after Sion lost it

and a mysterious voice was heard casting a spell. It seems to be time right after she took

her medicine which Sion finds her  and escorts her back. Then he tells her an old story

of a cursed girl and a wizard of death met and they fell in love. The girl turned into a beast

which drove the guy mad to the point of destruction. The guy had made a grave error

and caused a loop even though their love was great the guy caused misfortune for all.

Lucia wonders what happened but the end is still to be decided.

The 3rd time they guy used a forbidden power and created a world just for them. Eir came

too late and the only thing she could do was put them to sleep and let's them live in

a neverending world which seems oddly similar to what Ostala did in one of Lar's bad ends.

Back in the dream world Sion will continue the story another time and confesses instead

because he wants to stay together which as of now is the only thing that's possible.

Later he says the power was that he created a world for just the two of them

Lucia did start to notice some things were off... which made this a bit eerie.

Anyway the boy and the girl could live in peace without their respective curses...

or anyone getting between them. Sigh this guy is a closet yandere isn't he? 😨

Other bad end: During the meeting with Elgira they let down their guard

and she got to test a medicine on them which turned them both into rabbits.......

they just live like rabbits too it was kinda cute but also random.

I think this route was great like everything made sense and fell into its place.

The drama was with Sion and Oliver was annoying but it got actually much better

when it finally started to focus on the mysterious boy and the heart of the matter.

Still wtf was up with that priest, I got legit creeped out by him. 😨 😨😱

The way they tried to resolve it all was actually heartwarming though

god Idk why I was just cheering those kids on.

The things I found interesting was Sion himself, there seemed to be something about him

like he carries some dark secret or something as well as the mysterious boy

which was such a red herring throughout the game that obviously was important.

Also yea you  can't ever trust a priest SMH this game is so cliche and they know it.

Every chapter in this route felt twice as long than usual.. maybe its my imagination

but it could also be true and it really was longer than most routes which is why I am

rating it lower than Isaiah because the infodumping at the end threw me off balance.

Route rating 9/10

~

 

Route enjoyment:(based on plot relevance)

Sion / Isaiah > Alexei > Rick / Lars.

I liked Lars route but I think his route was a bit too selfcontained. Rick's was

more enjoyable and in terms of plot relevance they're about even.

Alexei was interesting in a lot of ways, it had its difficult moments though but really

Isaiah and Sion was where the plot was at and it makes a lot of sense why they were locked.

 

Fav character:

Rick > Isaiah > Sion > Lars > Alex.

I think this is pointless because I liked them all a normal amount

but really Rick is such a loveable idiot he's on another level.

Lars is just a lazybones and his past was painful, he doesn't have much presence outside of his route.

Alex was the trashbando because the only suitable punishment for that is death but honestly

by the end of the route he had redeemed himself quite well, still he's just not for me.

Isaiah was the onii-chan and posterboy but not one of those, he didn't make me

uncomfortable and he was definitely BF/husbando material. I'm genuinely impressed.

Sion... he seems to be kind of in the background throughout the game but his route

really ties things together very well it was interesting and exciting right from the start.

Final Thoughts?!

Sums up how I feel about most of this game perfectly...

 Trouble Magia is truly a girl meets boy tale and unlike recent otomate titles won't do much

to make the reader uncomfortable either. They didn't try to mislead the audience at all.

They just embraced the cliche's and rolled with it.  I generally enjoyed this game but I will admit

its long as fuck. How can a story seem so cliche but still be so interesting at the same time?!

what did the writers smoke with this one like holy shit this was genuinely a good take.

They were so detailed with the setting/lore and incorperating the characters into it while still

giving it a fun spin to it. I can say this was by no means wasa bad otome game

its just some early routes are too self-contained compared to the stuff in the last route.

Its just that... the presentation can make it seem generic and a bit cliche, while in fact

the game had a wonderful story to tell. Another turn of could be the length, this game

was long and a single route took me a week. 2nd maybe 2-3 days. I wasn't full focused

on it but damn, at times it just kept going. When going through the common route I thought

this game might really be aimed towards those with little experience with the otome genre

or to a younger audience that's not to say veterans can't enjoy but they might be like i've seen it

before or get tired and I did get tired of it due to the sheer length especially in the last route, still

I looked fondly back at those kids after I was done and felt happy&relieved so its bad at all.

8/10

I can recommend the game due to just overall being a well rounded otome game

that knows how to have fun and still deliver some decent plot as well when it gets to it.

I realize it could not very mindblowing but you're likely to have a good time. 

The only thing that made me uncomfortable was that Ashley guy like damn that's creepy.😱

The heroine Lucia was SSStier, she's one of those you wanna cheer on and she was

surprisingly proactive, of course she's not perfect but I really thought she was great.

Lucia is complete opposite of Naya maybe not a girlboss like Lynette

but she's out there! maybe in a few years...😂 I also think its very cute how

she talks to her stuff animal to process/cope with the events of that day

there was even a twist related to it, honestly I think the writer really tried at times.

I liked the best ending in most routes but I could see Trouble Magia needing some sort of

FD/sequel with a future arc, not that it wasn't very definite, there's just a lot of things

a reader may want to see, however there was still a sort of after word for every guy

with an extra CG which was nice so its better than nothing.

TL;DR Trouble Magia has great worldbuilding, fun characters and a decent plot with romance

its hard not to recommend this game because of it cuz you get something with volume

and its just overall a fun, pleasant experience! if you can get passed the cliche's that is.

Time to give Kai no Kiseki my full focus! I already played a little till ch1 but this

game was just far more interesting with its last route, I had to finish it now.

7/10-24 edit: Added groupshot cg from common route since no fullcomp cg.