Chapter 6-2:
Marius
SERENA,
If you’re reading this, I presume that you’ve successfully redone your life. Wonderful. I was successful in altering the world. I can proudly claim that I am a mage befitting of the Seven Luminaries. But Serena, I doubt that you’ll remember me.
I don’t blame you. Every spell requires something in return, and mana isn’t nearly enough to alter the world. To use this spell, one must offer their very existence in return. In other words, I had to sacrifice my existence. Do you understand what I’m saying? The Serena I know would’ve just thrown the book away in some random place, and that thought terrifies me. I hope that you’ve matured as a person as you went through your second life.
In short, your world is the one that I never existed in. Why don’t I introduce myself?
I’m Marius Ravenwood. Hmm, I guess I’m your only friend. We first met when we were around three years old. Children of similar ages were gathered at House Rosenberg, where a gathering to interact with you was hosted. Oh, it was troublesome and a nuisance unlike any other. After all, you were selfish and couldn’t be controlled—you were a horrible child. His Grace listened to your every whim while Her Grace completely neglected you. And thus, the embodiment of a nuisance—you—was born.
As more meetups were arranged, fewer and fewer people gathered. In the end, only I attended. This was quite the feat, I’ll have you know. Even with the power of a duke, your father couldn’t gather people for you. Why did I continue to attend those meetups, you ask? Because with every visit, I was allowed to read a book from the duke’s house. I guess my curiosity and thirst for knowledge were taken hostage by the manor. My house boasted an impressive library, but His Grace’s manor had even more books. At those meetups, you punched me, kicked me around, and made me into your horse. Whenever you gave me an order, I had to listen to you while I kneeled.
“Who do you think you are?” I always wondered. Also, I noticed that every time I visited, your personal attendant had changed. It must’ve been tough taking care of you, and I took pity on them. But when I became your only playmate, it seemed to bother you. After enduring your selfishness, we began to read together. At first, I hated it. This was my prize after a hard day of work, and you were still stuck by my side. Oddly enough, you remained quiet during that time.
You’d look at my book and go, “Hmph. That looks so boring.”
After insulting me, you would read your own book. When I left, apparently, you would begin to read the book I’d just finished. A servant I had gotten close with told me as much. The material I read was difficult and focused on spells, and I heard that you’d thrown a tantrum while reading. But because you hated to lose, you did your best and asked your private tutors and studied so that you could understand what I read.
And then, the next time we met, you would say, “The book you read is so easy.”
I thought that was so funny. Some of the books I read couldn’t be comprehended even by adults. With your hatred for studying, you wouldn’t possibly have read it. So your private tutor thanked me quite a bit.
“Thanks to you, my lady has begun to study!” they told me.
You were able to use basic spells and managed to just barely get passing grades at the academy thanks to me, you know. You weren’t thankful to me at all, though. Then again, I’d never seen you thank anyone. We continued to hang out, and your behavior gradually improved. You were like a crystal that took a century to grow just a tiny bit. But society viewed you as selfish and bossy, and the other nobles didn’t see you favorably.
I was fine with that, though. I began to think that all you needed was me, and that was good enough. I’ve written negatively about you so far, but I’m not any better, really. Truth be told, I didn’t actually hate meeting you. I mean, you’re really pretty. I was stunned when I first met you. Your eyes were like obsidian jewels, and your features were nothing short of a miracle. Your pale skin was soft and supple like silk. Your long, dark hair was delicate and beautiful, like a work of art. I even took home some strands of hair that fell to the ground.
I was moved to tears. I didn’t think such a gorgeous girl existed. You were like a princess who stepped straight out of a fairy tale. And yet, your personality was so horrible that your beauty couldn’t keep others near you.
I wanted to monopolize you, you see. I thought I could be your one and only friend—you didn’t need anyone else. But if we were really friends, I should’ve looked out for your best interests and scolded or warned you when you acted out.
I entered Rosewood Academy when I was thirteen. Every aspiring mage wished to be a part of the sorcery class, but normally one had to be at least sixteen to enter. I was able to join three years earlier. This might sound amazing, and yeah, I decently excelled in my field, but for me that was merely sufficient. On my thirteenth birthday, you came up to me.
“Happy birthday, Marius,” you said. “I’ve prepared the best present for you. Starting next year, you can join the sorcery class at Rosewood Academy! I begged my father! What do you think? Isn’t that amazing?”
It was amazing, all right! I thought that I was going to faint on the spot. I didn’t think that House Rosenberg had so much power that they could grant such a difficult request. I couldn’t decline, of course. I’d embarrass the duke. It was my birthday, but that night, around ten of my relatives glumly gathered at my manor. I thought someone had died or something.
My father’s brows were furrowed deeply. He said, “You have to study like your life depends on it.”
Let me be frank—my goodness, that was such an unwelcome surprise! You caused nothing but trouble! And since that day, I studied with all my might. My classmates were three years older than me, but if I couldn’t keep up with my lessons, I would just be a nuisance to the duke, and House Ravenwood’s dignity would be tarnished. Above all, everyone would insult you again.
“Ah, the daughter of House Rosenberg has caused trouble for everyone again,” people would say.
I wanted to avoid that outcome. I didn’t want people to speak ill of you because of me. So, I worked really, really hard. I did my best to be first in my class in both grades and practical skills. At the end of my first year, when you learned that I was at the top of my class, you flashed a carefree smile.
“That’s my Marius,” you said. “I expected as much from you.”
I hated you. You smiled so happily, blissfully unaware of my hardships. But even then, I wanted you to smile. I maintained the top seat in my sorcery class until graduation, and once I left, I breathed a sigh of relief. A heavy weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
Once I graduated, you entered Rosewood Academy.
“I got engaged to Crown Prince Edward!” you told me. It was right before your first day of school.
When you spoke so proudly, I felt a small sting in my chest. Just a small one. It was only natural for you to become engaged to him, since you were the daughter of a duke. I then began to work as a magical researcher. I’d always been interested in time magic, and this was my opportunity to look into it.
The research went well. You weren’t there to bother me, after all. I felt a bit lonely because of that and chose to be engrossed in my research. The fruit of my efforts took the form of this book. By fixing the axis of time in place, this artifact won’t be affected by any outside interference. Any phenomena, notions, or emotions from the beginning of time will be recorded in this book—it’ll be a stepping stone to finding the memory of the world. Of course, this is just a very small step forward.
When I showed you my amazing accomplishment, your reaction was blasé.
“What the heck?” you said. “That’s not amazing at all. That sounds meaningless.”
I couldn’t blame you. Only those who had in-depth knowledge of magic could truly understand the gravity of my creation. But a few days later, you made another outrageous claim.
“Marius, I nominated you for the Seven Luminaries!”