“It would be awesome if one of my friends became a member of the Seven Luminaries!” you said.
You flashed your innocent smile, but my mind went blank. Me? I’d been nominated to join the top seven mages of this kingdom?
“Just because you don’t have any other friends, don’t nominate your only friend to join the highest ranks of magic!” I wanted to say.
But I managed to hold myself back. Just because you hailed from the house of a duke, that didn’t mean that you could do whatever you pleased and make unreasonable requests. You really should think about the trouble that you’ve caused for others. While my research had gained some attention, I was still a greenhorn researcher; such an honorable title would be too heavy of a burden for me, and I wanted to forfeit my nomination.
Unfortunately, I had to follow through. What other choice did I have? During that time, I heard awful rumors about you. Here are some examples:
“The daughter of Duke Rosenberg is wielding her influence at Rosewood Academy to an excessive degree.”
“She keeps harassing the saintess, who is a priceless treasure of our nation.”
“She’s so selfish that even her fiancé, the crown prince, is at a complete loss.”
There was nothing I could do since I had already graduated. I didn’t want you to have another rumor that ruined your reputation. I didn’t want people to say stuff like, “Lady Serena used nepotism and nominated her talentless friend to the Seven Luminaries.”
And so, alongside my research on creating the Record, I also experimented on finishing a spell called Reset. This new spell, Reset, activated when the spell’s target died. Time would rewind and allow that person another chance at life—as a bonus, the target would even retain memories from their previous life. Without that bonus, I feared that the person would make the same mistakes and meet the same fate, making the spell meaningless.
However, this spell came at the price of another human being, and they had to be aware that they would be sacrificed in the process. A random person wouldn’t do. That was the most efficient such a spell could possibly be—I mean, a single person would be able to change the world. To be precise, they could rewrite history. I simplified the goal of this spell and successfully convinced the world itself that a person was merely trying to redo their life.
During the few months that led to the Seven Luminaries selection process, I forgot to eat and sleep. I spent every second of every day on my research. It was worse than the time when I’d been forced to enter Rosewood Academy three years too early. My father, my friends from my academy days, and some of my colleagues from work all helped me out. They kindly offered me their assistance and pitied me for all the hardship that I was forced to go through.
Everyone knew that you and I went way back, and the nasty rumors surrounding you exacerbated my situation. I barely managed to announce the basic theory for my spell just in time for the Seven Luminaries selection process. And then, I was chosen. It was still just a theory, but the spell was groundbreaking; I think my Record was also taken into consideration. Both of my research topics would change the nature of the world. Perhaps the duke’s influence also helped, but I was so relieved.
I was able to prove to the world that you weren’t wrong—at the very least, you had a keen eye when you selected your friends. But then you were charged for your crimes at the academy’s graduation party. You were convicted of your attempts to murder the saintess. At first, I didn’t take your situation very seriously. You’re the daughter of a duke, after all—even if you were found guilty of your crimes, I didn’t think that you’d receive any serious punishment. Of course, you couldn’t be allowed to get away with what you did, either. I thought it was necessary for you to atone for your crimes.
Then you were sentenced to death.
I couldn’t understand how that had happened. Had the duke’s influence weakened? Was the saintess a more important figure than I’d thought? Or had your behavior just been utterly ghastly? No matter the case, it was clear that I had underestimated the situation. I should’ve fought against you more. Even if we got into big fights and you ended up hating me, I should’ve tried to set you on the right path. I couldn’t regret my actions enough. Those thoughts compelled me to meet with you while you were confined in prison.
When I met you, you looked unseemly, with tears streaming down your face.
“I’m not to blame!” you shrieked. “Aren’t you a member of the Seven Luminaries?! Use your magic to get me out of here! Why did everyone forsake me?”
You denied all responsibility for your crimes. You hadn’t matured since you turned three. You were still the same selfish, bratty princess in an older body. And that’s your issue, Serena. Even if a prince on a white horse came to save you, as soon as he saw your sorry state, he’d leave and search for another princess. But I was no prince on the side of justice. I was a wicked mage who had my heart stolen away by you.
There were guards watching over us, and I couldn’t say much, but I secretly collected a strand of your hair that fell to the ground. In my personal drawer were the strands of your hair that I had collected since I was a child—it was more than enough for me to make a catalyst for my ritual. All that was left was for me to conduct the ritual before you were executed.
In exchange, the world would act like I had never existed. No one would remember or know me. I needed to pay a hefty price to alter the world. You were known as a wicked princess and the daughter of the duke, but I never saw you that way. You’re not as evil as the rumors say, but perhaps I’m the only one who thinks so.
I’ve got hope for you. If you go through your life a second time, surely you’ll be a better person. Humans tend to calm down with age, you know? Please don’t harbor any resentment and try to kill the saintess, all right? Saintesses have to shoulder quite a few responsibilities to fulfill their role. I’m sacrificing my life to reset yours. I won’t tell you to become a saintess, but I want you to just be mischievous at most.
Now then, after you’re executed, I doubt that you’ll remember me. That just makes me feel a bit lonely, you know? I’ll offer you my everything, and I have no regrets about that, but I at least want you to keep me in your memories.
That’s where my Record will come into play.
Miraculously, I was able to produce this artifact—the only one that exists in the world—but I’m using it to draft a personal letter to you. I’m sure that the other researchers would be furious with me if they learned of my actions, but it only serves as proof that there was something far more important to me than this book.
Perhaps you’ll happily marry the crown prince in your second life. And that’s just fine. Very occasionally, I’d like you to remember me. I’ll never forget the books that we read together in the archive of your manor. You forced me to attend Rosewood Academy early, and you pushed me into candidacy for the Seven Luminaries. Your actions made my life a tiresome one, but thanks to you, I was able to persevere until this point.
Had you not been around, I might’ve ended my life as just an above-average mage. So, I’m a little grateful to you. I’ve got just the tiniest amount of gratitude toward you.
I guess it’s time we say farewell.
Serena, I loved you. I pray for your happiness.