I Became the Protagonist's Best Friend in a Bishoujo Game

I was surprised to see my name on top of the individual ranking, I thought that I would be ranked fairly high because our group took the top spot, but I didn’t expect it to be first place.

I stood completely frozen on the stone steps, my eyes locked on the glowing blue letters floating in the middle of the sky.

’All I did was help the group from the back.’

I thought to myself.

I had spent most of our dungeon run focusing on crowd control and keeping our frontline vanguards from getting overwhelmed by monster swarms.

I turned to look at the others to see their reaction, but instead of surprise—

"I knew he would be on top."

Zion said that with a light laugh.

"Yeah, he was the biggest contributor in our group, he’s basically the reason why we got the top spot."

Crystal said that, her voice calm and firm as she gave a decisive nod of agreement.

"He finished both of the floor bosses easily as well."

Cindy followed, pointing out how smoothly the final blows had landed on both the Hobgoblin Champion and the Lizardman Warrior.

"Haha, congratulations, Vael."

Cordelia turned to me, a soft, graceful smile spreading across her face.

They were talking as if it was obvious! Well for me, it isn’t!

There wasn’t a single hint of doubt or astonishment in their voices, treating my place at the peak of the evaluation list like a natural fact.

"..."

I don’t know what to say. But thinking about it, I did do a lot of things in order to make the test a whole lot easier for our group.

And just like Cindy mentioned, I took the last hits on the bosses.

Landing the finishing blows on two dungeon mini boss had yielded a massive concentration of point credits toward my individual assessment score.

The other four looked at me, then they started congratulating me.

"You deserve it, Vael." - Zion

"Congrats." - Crystal

"Sis will be happy to hear this." - Cindy

"You overtook me, huh. Congratulations." - Cordelia

They closed the small gap between us on the platform, clapping their hands and offering warm words of praise.

So in the end, I just stopped thinking about the complicated stuff—

"Thanks, guys."

Then with a small smile on my face, I bashfully replied with that. I gave them a light nod, feeling a slight heat rise to my cheeks from the sudden wave of unreserved praise.

I looked around again, I can hear students asking who I was after seeing my name in the ranking... They don’t know Vael despite belonging to a renowned noble family.

Whispers were breaking out across the massive crowd below us, with lower-year students craning their necks to figure out which squad contained the individual ranker.

I can understand it though, Vael was hidden from the public since he was a child because of his body condition, and because I’m from the lower class in the academy; not much students know me.

Those who know Vael are probably just those from the noble families as well, like Cordelia.

Anyway, I looked at my name on top of the ranking again, and inside... I felt proud of myself.

Seeing the name Vael Frostguard sitting firmly above every standard freshman in the entire academy gave me a deep sense of accomplishment.

My smile widened a bit more.

I let out a quiet breath, feeling a genuine spark of confidence take root inside my chest.

*****

Moving on, after seeing our names in the ranking, our group immediately headed to the administrator building where the professors, staff, and the headmaster are.

We stepped down from the stone platform, cutting smoothly through the clearing crowds as we navigated toward the grand administrative sector.

This was the reason the five of us was determined to be in one of the top ranks of the test in the first place.

Securing a high placement wasn’t just about prestige or academic standing; everyone in the ranking from rank 1 to 5 will receive rewards from the headmaster of the academy himself!

The official directives issued prior to the expedition had guaranteed personal commendations for the top-tier performing groups.

This was announced the same tome as the test was revealed a few weeks ago.

It had been one of the primary motivations driving the competitive parties to push through the dungeon as fast as possible.

Anyway, with our group being in the first place—we were given top priority when we arrived at the facility.

The guards stationed at the heavy entrance doors immediately parted the way, recognizing our squad numbers without asking for verification.

A staff member guided us to the headmaster’s office as soon as we got there, the room was on the fifth floor.

We were led through quiet, carpeted corridors and up a wide spiral staircase that led to the uppermost administrative wing.

Tok- Tok- Tok-

"The first group is here, headmaster."

The staff even knocked on the door for us and informed the headmaster of our arrival, then from the inside—

"Oh, let them in."

We heard a calm, friendly voice of a man.

The response was smooth and melodic, carrying a natural aura of authority that filtered easily through the thick door.

The staff nodded at us after that, and then they left to greet the others who were also in the top rankings.

"I’ll leave you now, congratulations."

Our guide bowed politely before turning back down the hallway to attend to the incoming student delegations.

"Thank you."

We bowed our heads back to them before entering the headmaster’s office.

We offered a brief gesture of gratitude to the departing staff member, then pushed the heavy double doors open to step inside.

... ... ...

The office was vast and lined with towering bookshelves filled with ancient leather-bound grimoires and delicate magical artifacts.

... ... ...

A massive crystal window spanned the far wall, offering a breathtaking view of the entire academy campus stretching out below.

... ... ...

A long, comfortable set of leather sofas rested in the center of the room, arranged neatly around a polished mahogany coffee table.

"Oh, I assume you’re Group 18, right?"

The headmaster greeted us with that as soon as we got inside.

He stood behind a wide desk carved from dark timber, turning his gaze toward us with a warm, welcoming expression.

He looked like someone in his early thirties, with well-kept, vibrant blue hair that fell smoothly around his sharp jawline and striking, ocean-like eyes that seemed to glow with deep magical energy. He was clad in a tailored blue tailcoat adorned with subtle silver embroidery along the lapels, an attire that made him radiate an effortless, refined elegance.

He was really handsome too.

His immaculate appearance and gentle demeanor gave him an almost otherworldly presence that immediately caught everyone’s attention.

Of course I know him, he’s a pretty popular character in the game as well—Sebastian Desmond.

In the original game lore, he was one of the key figures guiding the central storyline, revered by players for his overwhelming combat power and casual charm.

He’s actually someone nearing a hundred years old, a scholar mage that is one of the strongest people in the world right now. Despite his youthful appearance, he was an ancient archmage whose mastery over complex magic formulas placed him at the absolute pinnacle of living casters.

"Come and sit down, don’t be tense."

The headmaster said with a smile, gesturing toward the sofas in front of us.

He motioned gently with his hand, inviting us to make ourselves comfortable before proceeding with the official proceedings.

We nodded our heads and followed his instructions.

We walked over to the seating area, taking our places on the soft leather sofas while keeping our postures respectful.

"Congratulations on taking first place, good job on the test."

He said, praising and complimenting us with a smile on his face.

He rested his hands behind his back, looking at each of us with genuine pride in our swift and flawless dungeon execution.

"Thank you, headmaster."

We thanked him, and we just kept quiet after that out of awkwardness.

We offered a collective word of thanks, sitting up straight as an expectant silence settled over the broad office.

"Now, I wouldn’t drag this conversation long, I know you’re all excited to receive your rewards."

The headmaster continued talking, then after looking at us one by one—

He chuckled softly, picking up a small wooden display case resting near the edge of his immaculate desk.

"As a reward, academy merit points will be given to all of you, of course. And along with that; the five of you are all entitled to receive one item from the first level of the academy’s armory."

He declared that energetically.

He raised his voice slightly, outlining the official institutional commendations that had been cleared for our team.

The five of us smiled. It was obvious that Crystal and Cordelia are only after the grades, they’re rich after all that can buy high grade equipment.

With their noble backgrounds and vast family fortunes, rare gear was something they could easily acquire outside the school system.

But that’s not the same for Cindy, Zion, and me.

For students without unlimited financial backing, gaining access to the armory and vaults of the academy was a massive opportunity.

So we’re really looking forward to the reward pertaining to the armory.

The chance to select a specialized weapon, defensive artifact, or spell tome from the first vault level was an incredible boost to our personal strength.

"Take these, that will be proof of your reward. Just show it to the guard in the armory, and you can claim an item of your choice at any time."

SWIIISH~

The headmaster then used magic and made five bronze plaques float into the air and in front of us, the five of us then took it.

A faint blue mana circle flashed above his palm, causing five heavy metallic tokens to lift into the air and drift smoothly toward our waiting hands.

’Wow...’

I was turning the cool bronze token over in my fingers, examining the intricate academy crest engraved onto its surface.

"Ah, and Vael--"

But just as I was admiring the plaque I received, the headmaster specifically called out my name.

"W-What it is, headmaster?"

I stuttered in surprise. I raised my head quickly, caught completely off guard by the sudden personal address.

"It seems like you also took the top spot of the individual ranking... Do you have any reward in mind?"

The headmaster asked me that.

He leaned slightly against the edge of his desk, looking down at me with an inquisitive and amused expression.

"If I can do it within my power, and your request is reasonable for your achievement, then I will help you with that."

He added with a smile.

He offered the special privilege casually, acknowledging my standout individual performance during the evaluation.

"...!"

I was taken aback, my eyes widened.

My mind raced as I processed the incredible offer being handed to me by one of the most powerful mages in the realm.

I already have something in mind. I didn’t need to ponder complex spellbooks, rare materials, or special favors from the faculty.

And so, without a single doubt in my mind—

"Can I just have as much money as I can as I reward?"

I requested for that.

I looked at the headmaster straight in the eyes and blurted out the single most practical thing my current situation desperately needed.

"...?"

And everyone in the room looked at me weirdly for that.

The headmaster froze with his hand mid-air, while Zion, Cordelia, Crystal, and Cindy all turned to stare at me in complete, stunned silence.