Kayden Calloway.
Neither his appearance nor his lineage stood out as extraordinary.
There was not much known about him or his background.
The boy was quiet, preferring to keep to himself.
But he was ranked at the peak of first-year students.
As the request left my mouth, his cold eyes glanced at me from behind his square glasses.
I shuddered.
It was as if an endless ocean of mana lay deep within his being.
Gulping, I spoke again.
"I need your he-"
"I heard you the first time. And my answer is no."
Pushing up his glasses, Kayden returned his eyes to his notebook.
'That was fast.'
His quick refusal didn't come as a surprise to me.
Today was only my first attempt, after all.
'If we combine these two formulas, the hydro cannon spell should form a vortex. Trapping enemies is not attributed to Aqua magic, so it should serve as a useful spell...'
Kayden was a genius at magic.
While the rest of us first-years are still at the theoretical stage, he's already progressed to the point of being a recognized mage.
That alone would earn him a spot in class A.
But you don't get to rank one with effort alone.
With the support of his blessing, Kayden is an unbelievably terrifying talent.
Terrifying in the sense that he completely overshadows my only safety net.
My telepathy.
He possesses a blessing related to the mind just as I do.
'No, no! We need to combine torrential swirl with hydro cannon! Otherwise, the strength of the vortex will stay constant.'
'I agree! It's a much better idea to increase the strength of the vortex with a variable formula like torrential swirl!'
'You might be right, but with torrential swirl, we're limiting our range in return for a higher strength. We should keep both combinations in mind for different scenarios!'
Parallel Minds.
Just as it sounds, Kayden can think with multiple wills at once.
It indirectly counters telepathy.
With several thoughts constantly running rampant, a headache is the least of my issues.
But hearing it for the first time, Kayden's blessing really was incredible.
I thought of it more akin to a multitasking power.
However, that's only scratching the surface of its true potential.
Storing and learning several things at once.
Comparing strategies with himself.
And even casting multiple spells simultaneously.
It's precisely why August described it as a broken blessing.
Whatever that's supposed to mean.
Now, if I'm going to get the help of someone as special as Kayden, I couldn't play fair.
So, I came prepared.
"Wow! Is that the magic circle for hydro cannon and torrential swirl? I didn't know anyone among the first years was talented enough to use advanced magic. That's incredible."
From August's thoughts, with a couple of quick questions, I came across two of Kayden's weaknesses.
His brain seems to short-circuit when up against these things.
Firstly.
"H-huh?! O-oh, um. T-thank you."
He's extremely weak to compliments.
And the other...
"What do you think you're doing next to my seat?"
Her tone was as hurtful as ever.
Aurelia Everblade.
In her presence, I quickly made myself scarce.
However, a bright smile greeted Kayden as she sat down next to him.
"Good morning, Kayden."
His face buried itself even deeper into his notebook.
"G-good morning."
The voices in his head went completely silent in her presence.
Almost as if they had blown a fuse.
Leaving the classroom, I set my plan in motion for this loop.
Surprisingly, our most successful loop was our second.
That loop did lead to the death of August as he was decapitated.
But we've learned a lot since then.
The first is our location.
It's the only library in Sylvanvale Academy that permits first years.
And we're stuck with it.
August tried multiple times in many different ways to get Aurelia out of the library.
However, reading there is an activity she performs every single day.
Aurelia won't budge.
The second is Lysander.
Familiarity-wise, I had no idea who he was.
But I came to understand his position from August's passing thoughts.
He's a knight directly under my oldest sister, Thalia Everblade.
More than likely, he's her most valued vassel.
After all, Lysander holds the Nocturne elemental attribute.
And if I remember correctly from class, the Nocturne element should be quite rare.
His spells in this element were limited.
In every loop, Lysander used three different spells and only those three spells.
Shadow tag.
A spell that drags the target down with the weight of their emotions.
Umbral veil.
Lysander's trump card.
It sends a black wave in every direction, blinding everyone under a thick veil of darkness.
And then an unnamed barrier spell.
I still don't entirely understand how it works.
All I know is that we're isolated the moment Lysander casts it.
However, that barrier might also become Lysander's weakness in this battle.
His attacks are swift.
Fierce.
And consistently hit their mark, so long as someone doesn't interfere.
But he's striken for time.
Impatient.
The mysterious barrier he puts up isn't everlasting.
Our conflicts never span a minute.
If I'm right, then we might have a better chance if we intend to play on the defensive.
Stalling for time, until he flees.
Which at this point, might be our only option.
The corpses of August Vale are twice as littered as Princess Aurelia.
I'm starting to think there are two targets in need of protection.
August's intentions lie in saving Aurelia's life no matter the cost.
It's a stupid notion.
His sacrifices are always in vain.
The loop always resets upon his death, so there is no need to go through unnecessary pain if she's already going to die.
Hopefully, the addition of Kayden to this loop will be a solid means of protection.
In regards to August and Princess Aurelia that is.
For me, I still have a solid shield.
"Good afternoon, Professor Boyden! Would you perhaps be interested in a game of chess?"
The Professor flipped up his sleeping mask.
Eyes of determination met my own.
"Today won't be a repeat of yesterday. Get ready, red-headed brat."
Professor Boyden's priorities have proved the most beneficial in our battles against Lysander.
First and foremost, he directly interrupts and matches Lysander's outrageous speed.
Secondly, due to his position in the room, he will prioritize my life before the lives of the others.
It helps me out a lot.
Eliminating the pain and suffering that come with death.
"Haa..."
I felt confident about this loop.
Unconsciously, a devilish grin ran across my face.
As long as I played my part, everything will end.
This week went as well as I had hoped.
On the morning of the fifth day, I sat in the library studying.
Why studying, you may ask?
It's a pretense to meet with a potential friend.
Mr. Rank 1.
After two days of requesting help, Kayden finally caved.
With a lot of gratitude and compliments poured onto him, it was only a matter of time.
The "help", I requested of him was simple.
It was not to protect Princess Aurelia.
I have a different means to get that done.
Rather, this brief time is only to build a closer relationship with Kayden.
All for the sake of my safety.
With the knowledge from August Vale and our oath.
And the strength and talent of a magician like Kayden.
I might actually be able to stay in Sylvanvale Academy.
The bullies I've been avoiding week after week, loop after loop might finally stop.
I could freely learn all I wanted!
"Look here, a formula like this requires a long incantation."
Kayden's finger pointed to a beginner-level magic textbook.
"Although you may not hold the Flora elemental attribute, it's important to understand a variety of spells. Not being able to use it, doesn't disqualify you from understanding it."
Most of the information on magic taught by Professor Grimrose is well-known.
However, there are heaps of information hidden behind the covers of textbooks.
Which, unless you're desperate to become an officially recognized mage, had little use.
It's the same reason this room was almost always empty.
But, thankfully for me, I'm working with the most desperate mage in Sylvanvale Academy.
Although...
"..."
"..."
The lack of students around made the atmosphere between us all the more awkward.
The multiple wills in Kayden's head began to shake mine.
Without conversation, they panic.
'Is he going to say anything?'
'Did we weird Mackenzie out?'
Ugh.
His internal thoughts were louder than most.
Combine that with them all playing at once, and you had yourself a recipe for disaster.
I needed to shut them up.
"That's great advice! Thanks a lot, Kayden."
My compliment quickly cut the awkward tension.
"Ah... i-it's nothing really."
Kayden scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
Phew.
...Is this seriously the rank 1?
His initial cold demeanor had dampened to such an extent, that I began to question his position.
"H-hey, Mackenzie."
"Yes?"
"I know the elemental attribute exam takes place next week... but... would you be interested in learning it now? Y'know... your magic."
I blinked.
"Huh?"
Learning my magic?