The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 320: Grab the Stomach!

“Hmmm. I think I’ll pass this time.”

After finishing my second tea party with Fiera and the others, I went on to look for Sharueina, hoping to invite her to the newly discovered dungeon, but she declined after a moment’s thought.

“Well, it’s fine since I’m not trying to force you. Can I at least ask why?”

“I’m a bit busy lately. The atmosphere at the academy isn’t great, and I can’t afford to leave it, even for a few days. Plus, I don’t know this person named Olga, and more importantly, I’m not part of the Black Lion’s Judgement clan.”

“So that’s why you’re declining?”

“Yeah. I’ve made friends that I want to protect, so I want to at least create an environment where they won’t get hurt.”

As Sharueina spoke, a flicker of anger flared in her eyes for an instant, and I quickly realized it was directed toward Fiera and Shudo’s upcoming confrontation.

“I understand you want to look out for Fiera and the others. But they’re not children; they’re not weak either. You know they’re not the type to need protection, right?”

“Of course. But while they are strong as individuals, they aren’t that skilled at wielding power in a political sense. Lady Iris, being a marquess’s daughter, probably understands that, but I want her to help Fiera and the others closely. So, keeping the outside forces at bay is my job.”

“I see.”

Since reuniting with Rogurando in Saramāju, Sharueina has changed.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say that she’s grown significantly mentally.

As a princess, she had killed parts of herself to play the role others wanted her to. But after Rogurando laid bare her heart and clarified her vague resolve, she seems to have gained the strength to distinguish between what truly matters and what doesn’t.

“You seem a lot happier nowadays.”

“Haha. Yes, thanks to my uncle, I’ve finally figured out what kind of person I am. Because of that, I’ve been able to grasp my own resolve and notice what’s truly important. So this time, I’ll work hard for those important things. And of course, that includes you as well, Is.”

“Heh. That’s unnecessary. Do I look like someone who needs protecting?”

“Not on the surface. But deep inside, you’re fragile and in shambles, sometimes it feels like you could vanish at any moment. That’s why I want to repay you, Is, for caring about me all this time and giving me the chance to grow, even when things were harsh with my uncle.”

“That’s just a figment of your imagination. I never cared about you or gave you any chance to grow. That’s all in your head.”

“Fufu. Let’s go with that then.”

Saying that, Sharueina smiled like a parent hearing a child’s excuses and slowly turned to walk away.

“Is. Just as you saved me, I’ll help you next. Whether it’s a life-threatening situation or emotional pain.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. Well then, tell me all about your adventures when you come back from the dungeon. See you!”

After Sharueina said that and walked off, I stared at her back for a moment before turning away.

“There’s nothing left for me to possess that needs saving now, neither in life nor in spirit or emotion.”

Under normal circumstances, one would have some thoughts or feelings upon hearing Sharueina’s words, but I felt nothing stirring inside me—there was simply emptiness.

“I’ve been broken for ages now, Sharueina.”

Although Sharueina claimed she would save me, my heart, marred by countless despair, suffering, and the cycles of life and death, had long since shattered and been rebuilt.

However, for her, who knows only the current me and my younger self, it likely ignited a hope that perhaps I could still be saved.

“I’m not looking to be saved by anyone, nor do I desire such a future. So, your vow will inevitably remain unfulfilled.”

As I muttered that last line, I headed toward the principal’s office, intending to discuss Fiera and the others with Mejina.

“Excuse me. Is the principal here?”

“Yeah~! Come on in!”

After parting ways with Sharueina, I arrived at the principal’s office. I knocked and called from outside, and a lethargic Mejina’s voice responded from within.

“What are you up to?”

“Hmmm? Just lazing around.”

“I see.”

When I opened the door to enter, there lay Mejina sprawled on the sofa, and apparently, she had indeed been slacking off.

“Is that all? Don’t you have anything else to say?”

“Not really. But I do have to ask, what were you expecting?”

As I replied to her words and sat on the opposite sofa, our eyes met as she glanced at me.

“Well, you know, as the principal, you should get your act together, and it’s unbecoming for an adult to be this lazy, right?”

“Unfortunately, I’m not the type of person who says things I don’t mean. So, I can’t deliver the words you wanted to hear.”

“I see… Why do you think that?”

“Well, I like to laze around too. Plus, it seems children are supposed to play and sleep, and the elderly have a lot of leisure time, right? In other words, humans are creatures that need to lounge about and rest from the moment they are born until they die.”

“Are you saying I’m an old person?”

“Not at all. Didn’t I say at the start? I like to laze around too. So, age doesn’t matter when it comes to slacking. I’ve done what I wanted up until now; I’ve lived life in my lazy times. Living freely like that is a privilege granted to the likes of us strong beings, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Fufu. That’s true. Talking with you somehow brings me peace.”

Saying that, Mejina closed her eyes and fell silent as if she had died.

“…So? What did you come for today?”

“I actually wanted to ask you for permission to go outside the academy for a while.”

“Oh? That’s fine. I said you could do as you please as long as you took the exam, so I don’t think it’s necessary to give permission at this point.”

“No, this time I need permission from someone else, not just from you.”

“Someone else? Oh, those rumor-filled friends of yours? What’s up? Planning a honeymoon or something? Should I prepare for that too?”

“That’s not it. I was just invited to check out a new dungeon discovered by an adventurer acquaintance.”

“A new dungeon, huh? It’s a shame it’s not a honeymoon, but that does sound fun. Sure, I’ll grant you permission.”

“Is it alright?”

“Yep. Since the atmosphere at the academy is bad lately, it’s good to take a break. But in return, make sure you score enough on the exam on your own.”

“Of course. But you noticed the bad atmosphere at the academy.”

“Well, I am the principal, after all. It’s kind of hard not to notice.”

“Seems like you’re not doing much about it, though.”

“Well, since you, the center of the rumor, didn’t seem to care much, I thought I wouldn’t need to involve myself deeply. But I wasn’t doing nothing! I’ve been working behind the scenes, addressing complaints from the teachers about how I’m treating you specially, and tackling any potential problems with the sane teachers, among other things.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that.”

I’ve said this countless times, but to me, it really doesn’t matter what others think about me or what they do.

That said, I was glad that Mejina was trying to uphold my freedom, as losing it would be a bit troublesome.

“Is that all for your business?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Then I’m sorry, but could you stay a little longer? I feel calm when I’m with you.”

“Alright.”

I replied to Mejina, who looked weak for the first time, then brewed some tea with the set on the table and drank it.

“By the way, why do you look so exhausted?”

“Oh, that’s because I’ve been stressed over academy matters, but also my magic power isn’t recovering fast enough.”

“Are you saying your magic power is slow to recover? If I recall, you mentioned going on an investigation in the Demon Domain. Did something happen then?”

“Kind of. It seems my magic circuit got damaged, making magic circulation difficult.”

Apparently, Mejina looked tired because she had pushed herself too hard to drain magic in the Demon Domain, resulting in her magic circuit being damaged which delayed her recovery and caused fatigue.

“Aren’t you going to get that fixed? Even though it’s tough, as principal you could ask Sephiria or some high-ranking cleric for treatment, right?”

“That’s true. Sephiria or a high-ranking cleric could probably fix it, but I can’t find the time. Plus, I personally dislike the church. Their entire ‘leave everything to God’ mentality, not trying to do things on their own— I just can’t understand it and want to stay away from them as much as possible.”

“I get that feeling, but you have to prioritize your well-being.”

If she looks this lethargic now, she must have been even worse right after waking up. Yet, she doesn’t want to rely on anyone, suggesting she has a strong aversion to church personnel.

“Well, I guess I have no choice. I’ll fix it myself.”

“Huh?”

I said that and stood up from the sofa, channeling magic into my eyes as I observed the magic circuits extending from her organs throughout her body, touching the damaged areas through her clothing with my finger, covered in recovery magic.

After repeating that several times, her damaged magic circuits finally returned to normal, and the magic leaking from the damaged areas began circulating properly within her body.

“Fufu. Amazing! I’m shocked that you can handle light magic so well!”

“I’m a genius, you know? Plus, I still owe you a debt, so I can’t have you getting weaker before I can pay that back.”

“Hehehe. You’re truly competitive. One day, I might surpass you. Or perhaps I’ve already surpassed you. Like, with space-time magic.”

Mejina said that, slightly narrowing her eyes as if she was keenly observing my little reactions.

“Space-time magic, huh? I am a magician, so I have a longing for it, but unfortunately, I can’t wield it.”

“I see. Well, thanks anyway.”

“Alright then. Well, I’ve finished what I needed to do, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Yeah. See you.”

I left the principal’s office while waving back at Mejina with a smile, walking alone down the empty hallway.

“Oh, she’s definitely picked up on something. Ugh… Well, if she doesn’t mention my presence, then I guess that’s fine.”

Having made a judgment based on Mejina’s earlier response, I decided it was best to let things be for now and just keep an eye on them.

◇◇◇

After Lewis left the room.

Mejina stood up from the sofa and gazed at Lewis’s retreating figure with a piercing intensity that was different than before.

“Honestly. You’re so careless. Well, I guess it’s natural since you wouldn’t know.”

That was what Mejina said after she returned to the academy, where she was found by a teacher after being discovered due to the sound she made when she fell to the floor and subsequently spent about a week bedridden.

Once she awakened, she immediately realized she was back in the academy, and her memories from earlier slowly began to resurface.

At that moment, while turning her awareness inward to confirm her body’s condition, she noticed a magical power within her, more specifically, around her head that didn’t belong to her.

This was actually Mejina’s little secret: she had a special constitution that allowed her to temporarily retain the magical power cast on her by others within her body.

This ability was born from her untamed desire for unknown magic; back in her youth, she conducted numerous experiments to ensure she could retain the magical power of spells placed on her in order to study them.

Thanks to this trait, she immediately recognized the magic she still had left inside her matched Lewis’s wavelength.

“Wow, you’re something else. The fact that you can use space-time magic, something I can’t even wield.”

Once she realized that, it wasn’t too hard for her, being clever, to piece together the rest of it.

First, having Lewis’s magic lingering in her head meant that he used magic to view her memories. And there was no other way to return to her room unnoticed except through teleportation magic.

That meant Lewis could use space-time magic, and he was the one who helped her.

“Ugh. Lewis-kun… I’ve genuinely developed feelings for you.”

Mejina, who never thought she would end up being saved by someone, found herself falling for Lewis, the very person who first helped her…

There was a hint of that, but more than anything, her overwhelming interest in the boundless talents of the magician Lewis Valentine led her to want to know more about him.

Whether it was the nature of a research-loving magician or the irresistible allure of the unknown potential that Lewis represented after living so long was unclear, and perhaps it was a mix of both.

Only Mejina herself could unlock the truth, but now Lewis had caught the eye of yet another troublesome person.

“Well then. I guess I should brainstorm how to win him over. He did say he doesn’t care about age, and it seems like those girls are currently unable to capture Lewis-kun, so I might have a fair chance. But considering his age, he likely wouldn’t fall easily for physical charms. I’d better think and act carefully.”

To what extent she was serious remained uncertain, but laughing cheerfully, Mejina opened the window and flew off into the city of the Empire to explore the latest cooking trends.