Chapter 1: Curse in Thebes
The tale opens with a sudden awakening for Eva, a gifted student in The Romantic Club universe who navigates a dangerous path. Eva, known as a shezmu, a practitioner of dark magic, is pursued for her ability to enter others dreams and communicate with the dead—a power outlawed by local law. Her first vision is a dream featuring Anubis, a portent of looming peril for the heroine and the world around her.
The narrative distinguishes between two archetypes of Eva. The straightforward, honest heroine is direct and unafraid to use irony. The cunning version, however, leans into resourcefulness, exploiting situations to gain advantage. The moral texture of Eva’s choices shapes the story’s moral compass as well as its plot twists.
Eva awakens to the sharp sting of a slap from her partner Dia. A mentor soon arrives, scolding her for not completing a task and setting the stage for the day’s trials.
- She endures dull dreams that test her honesty.
- What she dreams contains secrets not meant for prying eyes, hinting at future cunning.
- Her awareness is heightened; she is awake even in sleep, a sign of inner clarity.
The day’s lessons unfold inside a temple dedicated to Thoth, god of knowledge and wisdom. Eva, along with two fellow students, Dia and Reims, hides under the cloak of scribes to study dangerous arts like oneiromancy and necromancy. The mentor concludes the session early, deeming it sufficient for the moment.
- What happened in Thebes? It tests Eva’s honesty.
- Are you now the one in charge? The question brims with cunning.
- Eva resolves to train independently, underscoring her honest resolve.
The trio then moves to the dining hall to refresh and catch their breath. Conversations about dark magic are kept guarded, as Dia and Reims discuss unfolding events across the realm.
Choice: Hunters…
- Let them observe to avoid sickness, signaling cunning.
- Question their purpose, signaling honesty.
- Dismiss the concern as a headache, reflecting honesty but with reluctance.
Reims notices Eva’s rising tension when the topic of fighters comes up. He challenges her, attempting to win by clinging to her every word, casting a spark into the room’s mood.
- Eva’s respondence hints at mutual fondness, while Reims contends with a looming rival.
- Respect for the gods grows as Reims becomes a potential rival or ally, depending on future choices.
Interest in Eva’s dream deepens the group’s curiosity—shelysma, a being who rarely dreams, becomes a focal point for speculation.
Choice: Reim…
- Uncover all known about the disease, investing 22 diamonds now to unlock future relevance.
- Dismiss the concern, accepting no immediate consequence.
After dinner, Dia guides Eva to Isman, a medicine student and old friend who shares in the intrigue. Isman’s return meeting is timely and reveals a common thread weaving through the city’s hidden dangers.
- Investigating motivations — a sign of cunning.
- The prospect of another meeting adds to Eva’s strategic planning — another clever play.
- Desert distances hint at ancient familiarity with Red Lands of Egypt, adding historical texture and fairness to Eva’s world.
During dialogue, one of the realm’s famed mage hunters arrives in town. Isman worries for Eva, knowing her capabilities while acknowledging his limited ability to shield her from danger.
- Is the hunter truly formidable? A sign of cunning.
- Let’s measure the threat by seeing who is scarier, testing Eva’s honesty.
- Past confrontations matter little if Eva holds her ground with fairness.
Discussions with Dia and Isman evolve into a playful yet tense tease, but Eva’s resolve remains intact as she prepares to meet a hunter who has tracked many shezmu.
Choice: …
- Bet on a new outcome in a dispute, risking diamonds but potentially reshaping the plot.
- Choose a route with no immediate effect, maintaining status quo.
Path Scene: Isman shares news about a woman who was attacked. Eva weighs her options, considering whether to offer direct help or leverage the situation to advance her own position.
- Honest approach: pledge help while recognizing the risk of exposing others to danger.
- Cunning approach: use the tragedy to negotiate terms and influence outcomes.
During an exchange, Eva contends with the moral tension between aiding others and the lure of necromancy and oneiromancy—the practices that grant control over life, death, and dreams.
Remark: Certain choices may increase necromancy or oneiromancy values, useful when fulfilling orders or solving problems through dream-work or communication with the dead.
After a heated discussion, the group disperses. Eva walks along the coast to reflect at sunset. The change of scenery does not erase the ache of the day’s trials.
Choice: A bush in the path trembles and a head pops out, determining a future companion for Episode 2 but not altering Eva’s stats.
- Dog
- Falcon
- Wild cat
Back at the temple after sundown, a mentor invites Eva to take a walk and complete one assignment, a chance to shape the coming chapters.
Choice: It’s because…
Pharaoh’s entourage rides into town with the sound of neighing. Eva decides to meet the guests, learning that the white-haired warrior Amen is a skilled fighter with a sharp instinct and piercing gaze.
- Pretend to be foolish to gain time and insight — cunning.
- Claim honesty by denying deceitful intent.
Choice: I will…
- Make a promise to endure with 22 diamonds and gain recognition; Remmao trusts Eva’s reliability.
- Try and see what happens — no explicit effect.
The city becomes Eva’s arena as she moves through dark alleys to avoid drawing too much attention. The visitors seem aligned with a mission to recruit healers; perhaps a journey to Thebes to sharpen magical skills.
- Yes, Eva is clever — cunning.
- Don’t treat everyone the same — pursue fairness.
Remark: Assisting an animal may earn the favor of a god in the future.
As Amen patrols the area, he questions Eva, instantly sensing something off. She has nothing incriminating to reveal, a quiet defense that pays off.
- Declining the body for sale — fairness.
- Falsehood — fairness compromised by deception.
- Not playing along with trappings of commerce — cunning in response.
Choice: And further…
- Meeting eyes, Amen remembers Eva’s audacious expression — 22 diamonds.
- Eva steps back with no effect.
Questions keep piling up, and Remmao seizes the moment to shepherd Eva to safety, where a series of questions begins to unfold.
- Choosing to stand up for the animal raises a sense of cruelty, cunning, and honesty in the mix of traits.
- A sudden appearance resolves in honesty or cunning depending on Eva’s next moves.
At last, Eva dons a disguise and enters the client’s house, greeted by an elderly priest who asks for help. The moment offers a turning point that could reveal hidden motives or hidden loyalties.
- Nod gently to show respect and confess; a sign of honesty.
- Stand, showing a different stance; affects recognition.
- Bow, a neutral action with no immediate effect.
Inactivity weighs heavy on Eva as she weighs her next step, while a parallel path marks honesty as a guiding light. The opening chapter closes by laying out the maximum stat points available in the first arc: 11 points in either Honesty or Cunning, two points in Necromancy or Oneiromancy, and four points in Recognition.
Source: VG Times