After leaving the training ground, Lucien proceeded to complete his day's work.
He left the office, closing the door behind him.
Lost in thought while walking towards his destination.
"I guess it's the default route afterall..."
Where Hearts Gather is a narrative-driven role-playing game in which the player guides the protagonist, Aria, through her life at a magical academy and the events that eventually shape the fate of the world.
Unlike typical choice-based games, the player cannot force the protagonist into actions that contradict her personality.
Every selectable option reflects Aria's values, moral, ethical, and aligned with her ideals.
The player does not change who she is; instead, they influence how she grows and what paths she notices.
At any moment, the player may choose from various interactions and decisions.
Some choices simply move the story forward, while others quietly determine Aria's future.
Certain paths lead to more efficient growth, stronger relationships, and better outcomes, while others slow her progress or lead to harsher consequences.
However, if the player chooses not to interfere, the game will automatically continue in Story Mode, allowing Aria to act entirely on her own judgment. This creates a natural timeline where her decisions unfold without outside guidance.
The first interactable option arrives after a few days of Aria starting her semester.
When Aria first enters the academy, she is overwhelmed by the advanced magical curriculum.
In the default route, without player intervention, she attempts to keep up with lectures that assume knowledge she does not yet possess.
Instead of returning to the basics, she pushes herself harder.
She studies advanced theory she barely understands.
She practices magic until her mana runs dry.
She sacrifices sleep trying to improve faster.
Because she exhausts herself constantly, her mana pool fails to recover or grow properly. The cycle repeats, confusion, exhaustion, and frustration .
Slowly pushing her into a spiral of self-doubt.
After nearly half a month of struggling alone, Aria eventually collapses from overexertion and despair. Only then does she reluctantly begin revisiting basic magical theory. By that time, valuable time and confidence have already been lost.
Despite Aria's struggles, the default timeline still leads to the defeat of the world's ultimate threat.
But the victory comes at an unbearable cost.
The academy is destroyed.
All supporting characters perish.
Countless citizens die as civilization collapses.
The world survives only as a devastated wasteland, with scattered survivors clinging to the hope of rebuilding.
Aria saves the world, but the experience leaves her emotionally shattered, carrying the weight of everything she failed to protect.
It is an ending of survival, not triumph.
In Where Hearts Gather, the player's role is subtle but powerful.
They cannot change Aria's heart, but they can help her see the paths that lead to a better future.
But If the player intervenes early ,around two days after arriving at the academy, a small but crucial opportunity appears.
While Aria browses the academy library in hopes of finding better books in order to catch up to advanced lectures, the player can guide her choice of books.
A knowledgeable or attentive player might select an hidden old introductory magic text perfectly suited for her level. With the right fundamentals, Aria spends two weeks mastering the basics she previously skipped.
Once the foundation is solid, her growth accelerates dramatically, allowing her to unlock her true potential far earlier.
Even inexperienced players who randomly choose a beginner-level book will still trigger this beneficial path.
In the story, Aria interprets such moments as a quiet intuition or subtle feeling guiding her toward the right decision.
"But since it doesn't exist in reality....I will have to be the one to guide and protect her.."
Lucien murmured.
"Sigh~"
Lucien exhaled softly as. He reached his destination.
Not his carriage, But the greenhouse...where he encountered Adeline.
The glass structure stood silently under the moonlight.
But something was different.
Across the entrance door, faint silver runes shimmered like a thin web stretched over the glass.
"…Sealed."
Lucien stopped in front of it.
The magic barrier pulsed gently, warning away intruders.
He stared at it for a moment.
"..."
*....*
Inside the greenhouse, the warm air smelled faintly of soil and flowers.
Moonlight filtered through the glass ceiling, illuminating the rows of plants in pale silver.
Near the center bench,
Adeline sat calmly.
One leg crossed over the other.
A cigarette rested between her fingers as thin smoke curled upward.
She didn't throw it away.
She didn't panic.
She simply watched the entrance.
Footsteps echoed softly on the stone floor.
Lucien appeared between the rows of plants.
Adeline slowly stood up.
Her expression remained calm and composed, the same mature mask she always wore in public.
She took another quiet inhale from the cigarette before speaking.
"…Professor Lucien."
Lucien stopped a few steps away.
"Good evening, Head Professor."
Adeline tilted her head slightly.
"What are you doing here?"
Lucien glanced around the greenhouse casually.
"Just roaming around."
A small pause.
Adeline lifted the cigarette again, smoke drifting lazily into the air.
"…Roaming."
Her eyes moved toward the entrance behind him.
"By breaking the seal and coming in here?"
Lucien followed her gaze to the door.
Then he scratched his cheek slightly.
"…Right."
The broken runes still flickered faintly across the glass.
Adeline watched him silently.
Unlike two nights ago, there was no nervousness in her movements.
She didn't try to hide the cigarette either.
Instead, she leaned slightly against the bench behind her.
"Professor Lucien."
"Yes?"
"Do you know why I started sealing the greenhouse...."
Lucien nodded thoughtfully.
"I assume it is to keep students out."
"And Professors."
"…"
Adeline took another slow inhale.
Her expression remained perfectly composed, but there was a faint glint of curiosity in her eyes.
"You are becoming quite bold."
Lucien raised a brow.
"Bold?"
"Entering restricted areas twice in one week."
Lucien shrugged.
"Coincidences happen."
Adeline exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
"…Twice."
Her gaze settled on him again.
"And both times you found me here."
Lucien smiled faintly.
"Maybe I have good luck."
Adeline studied him for a moment.
Then her eyes drifted to the cigarette pack in her hand.
"…Let me guess."
Lucien waited.
"You came for cigarettes again."
Lucien lifted a finger as if making an important point.
"I prefer to call it a business transaction."
Adeline stared at him.
For three long seconds.
Then she slowly exhaled.
"…Unbelievable."
Lucien extended his hand toward her again.
"Just one this time."
Adeline looked at his hand.
Then at his face.
"…You nearly died coughing last time."
Lucien nodded seriously.
"Yes, but I believe in personal growth. I already finished the ones you gave me before, I am not the same person anymore."
Lucien said seriously.
Adeline's lips twitched slightly despite herself.
For a moment she said nothing.
Then she pulled out the cigarette pack and placed it in his hand.
Lucien immediately took one and placed it between his lips.
Adeline crossed her arms lightly as she watched.
"…I am witnessing a crime against lungs."
Lucien ignored her and used a small fire spell to light it.
He inhaled carefully.
His face stiffened slightly.
Adeline waited.
One second.
Two seconds.
Lucien forced himself to keep a straight face.
Then..
"Cough—!"
He turned away coughing violently again.
Adeline covered her mouth.
Her shoulders trembled.
A small laugh slipped out before she could stop it.
"Pff—"
Lucien straightened with a red face.
"…Cold air."
Adeline looked at him.
Then at the cigarette.
Then back at him.
"…Of course."
Her lips twitched again as she fought to maintain her usual mature composure.
And in the quiet greenhouse filled with moonlight and smoke.
The supposedly terrifying Head Professor found herself once again trying not to laugh at the most suspicious man in the academy.