There was a time in the past when I had first met Aurelia.
We were still children.
"Young Master, this young lady here is the 6th child of King Casimir. Please make your greetings to her."
The maid touring me around the main household had asked me for my greetings.
Back then, I felt in awe just looking at her.
Even at nine years old, Aurelia was a great reflection of nobility.
My introduction fumbled out.
"H-hello! M-my name is... M-Mackenzie."
She didn't think much of my introduction, sending a confused gaze to the maid.
"Young Miss, this boy is your newest sibling. The Seventh Prince."
"Oh! The one father was speaking of. I'm Princess Aurelia Everblade, you can refer to me as Aurelia."
As she shook my hand, I felt the difference in our positions.
In her eyes, it was a lighthearted greeting.
But the grip clamping down on my hand startled me.
When I pulled away, I noticed her torn and callused hands.
It was unbefitting for the elegant dress Aurelia dawned.
I brushed it off as nothing at the time.
Unknowing of the true responsibility a child of King Casimir held.
I stayed at the main household for a few days.
Nothing of interest happened as my position had yet to be announced.
King Casimir had also yet to return.
He, along with three of my oldest siblings were attending a party held by a neighboring country's king.
I believe it was The Nour Kingdom.
They reside along our western borders and are closely allied with King Casimir.
To reach them from our main household in the north was a one-month journey by magic cart.
At the time of his leaving, space transportation magic had yet to be implemented into the Nour Kingdom.
So it would take King Casimir around two months round trip.
One day, I stumbled upon the family's training grounds.
I found Aurelia training there, her wooden sword clashing with that of an older man's.
The display mystified me.
Although much weaker than her opponent, Aurelia stood her ground.
Leading each precise strike away from her torso and neck, she kept trudging on.
But a swift sweep to her right leg led to an imbalance, shortly thereafter the man's blade glided against her neck.
"That was quite impressive, Your Highness. I think it would be best to call it here for today."
"Ah! B- But I can keep going, Hemlock! I'm not finished yet!"
Aurelia protested.
The man, by the name of Hemlock, grabbed her wrist, revealing her palm.
"Your Highness, I understand your enthusiasm. However, you require rest. To train endlessly will only bring damage upon you."
The palm of her hand bled, its skin torn by the rough wooden texture of her hilt.
Aurelia scoffed at Hemlock's concern.
"Don't worry, Hemlock! Mother told me when I can't perform well anymore, the church will always be there to heal me!"
"Your Highness..."
Hemlock gently patted her head.
"...I'm talking about the damage you'll sustain in here."
At that time, I'm not certain Aurelia understood what Hemlock meant.
But his kindhearted smile left an impression on me that day.
Bandaging up her hands, Hemlock left the girl.
He told her to take some time to enjoy her interests for the day.
Which resulted in Aurelia drawing characters of the alphabet into the dirt.
Her face, unsure of what to do, became lifeless.
As a child, I wasn't aware of Aurelia's daily life or packed schedule.
Without structure imposed upon her, she fell short.
Seeing the situation take place, child me felt inclined to walk over.
"Um..."
Aurelia's eyes landed on me, life returning to her pupils.
"Oh, is something the matter, Youngest?"
"Would... you like to play a game?"
"A game?"
"Y-yes, I thought maybe it would be fun if we played it together."
Aurelia smiled.
"Sure!"
The scene before me faded.
Opening my eyes to a familiar ceiling, I disconnected myself from the memory.
It's the morning of the second day.
And my ninth loop in this eternal hell.
The number of deaths I've experienced...
One.
The number of deaths I've witnessed...
Twelve.
August met his end seven of those times.
Princess Aurelia four.
And Professor Grimrose died once.
Keeping track of their deaths helped cool my head.
With each loop and each death, we planned things differently.
But the result was always the same.
There were two outcomes we needed to avoid.
The death of Princess Aurelia.
And the death of August Vale.
Bystanders were not an issue, as I've learned with Professor Grimrose.
The loop only resets when one of the two outcomes comes to fruition.
At this point, I've tried extending myself to other students or staff to receive help.
But I'm always met with similar words.
'Why should I listen to worthless trash like you?'
'Who are you to ask for help?'
'Haven't you been around that swindler lately? Why should I trust you?'
It's getting monotonous.
So today, I'm extending my last branch.
If this plan fails, then I raise my hands in defeat.
The first-year students of class A.
They're a unique bunch.
And my last viable option.
Comprised mostly of nobility, it's the class Princess Aurelia has the privilege to attend.
Unlike classes E through B, there is no social rank separation due to its lack of students.
Since the very beginning, August has been reluctant to receive their help.
His thoughts at that time were fearful.
Fearful of permanently changing something forever.
I entered class 1-A a few minutes before afternoon classes began.
Unintentionally, my steps became quieter.
This place was unfamiliar territory for me.
Four students were here.
One of which was quietly seated up front.
Another two students were...
"Give that back, you bitch, I was eating that!"
"It's not yours! Go make your own lunches, asshole!"
...Arguing over food...
And the last one was.
...Huh?
He was gone.
I could've sworn he was there between those two a second ago.
"Hello!"
My ears caught wind of a voice from below.
A child?
The boy's fluffy brown hair and freckle-spotted cheeks were adorable.
Combine that with his short stature, and you have the perfect recipe for cuteness.
He sent a friendly smile my way.
Blinding me with an aura of innocence.
'He reminds me of a Yorkie.'
"Are you here to see Miss Aisha?"
"Huh? Oh, no, I'm not exactly..."
The boy's words caught the attention of one of the two students fighting.
It was the girl.
Placing her hand on the boy's shoulder, she asked him.
"Something wrong, Cedric?"
"This guy came here. I think to see you."
The girl's auburn eyes looked me over.
Due to her confrontation a moment ago, her uniform was left unkempt.
Her tanned skin was revealed with her sleeves rolled.
Her arms were painted with various tattoos.
"Hmm, nope. I've never seen this guy in my life. What gave you the impression that he was here for me?"
"Miss Aisha has a lot of friends."
"That's all...?"
The girl, Aisha, sighed at Cedric's conclusion.
Her eyes landed back on me again.
"So? Who are you exactly?"
'Red hair... Could her be related to her?'
Surprisingly, she wasn't aware of my existence.
Considering how thorough my older brother was with muddying my image, most people already associate my red hair with trash.
I came here prepared with a proper story and everything.
But it looks like I won't have to do that.
"My name is Mackenzie Everblade, seventh son of Casimir Everblade. It's nice to formally meet you, Princess Aisha N-"
"Yeah, I don't mean to interrupt, but formalities between nobles became null the moment your feet came through that door. I may be a Princess of Nour, but we are all equals in class A. So talk causally, please."
"Ah. I understand."
"So, Prince Mackenzie..."
Her tone shifted.
Killing intent exuded from her next words.
"Why is it that the sibling of that gorilla came here? Don't tell me you're here to pick a fight in her place."
Gorilla?
Oh.
My mind caught on as I realized what she meant.
"Nope. There's a reason Princess Aurelia is in class A, and I'm not. I couldn't dare match up to her."
"Huh?"
Aisha's killing intent disappeared in an instant.
"So then what is it?"
Before coming here, I made a list.
It was the ten students of class A.
"I came here to see him."
Just as with every other class, there was an internal ranking dividing the students of class A.
I had to be picky with who I chose.
We were up against an assassin.
If I made the wrong choice, this loop would all be for nothing.
Cedric Blackwood.
He's a country bumpkin with a powerful blessing, ranked 6th.
Aisha Nour.
She's the only princess of the Nour Kingdom and is unbelievably skilled in spearmanship, ranked 3rd.
But I didn't come here for either of them.
I had a specific person in mind from the start.
The only person more skilled than Princess Aurelia in class A.
"Kayden Calloway..."
Ranked 1st.
"...I need your help."