Ram looked at Kiyotaka, gritting her teeth.
Ram: [Why should I agree to that?]
Kiyotaka: [If you really want to kill me that badly, then go ahead, but I know you're not that kind of person. You have a kind side to you. You'll do me this much before exacting your "revenge" on me.]
Ram: [Then ask already. Get this over with so I can kill you.]
Kiyotaka: [What exactly is bothering you so much about the Witch's scent?]
Ram: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [What about it bothers you? I doubt it's as simple as the fact that I stink.]
Ram: [The Witches Cult. They have that scent.]
Kiyotaka: [An evil organisation, huh? I see.]
Ram: [You should know. You must be associated with them.]
Kiyotaka: [Not at all, but there must be something about it that is personal.]
Ram: [They... attacked us... they killed so many from our village.]
Kiyotaka: (But they aren't he ones that finished off your village. Your people.)
Kiyotaka: [I see. Well then, I see why you hate me so much. Let me guess those glances from Rem were because of that?]
Ram: [Don't speak my sister's name so casually!]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry. Hm... if you were to give the witches' scent a potency from 1-10, how would you rate it? 10 being unbearable.]
Kiyotaka: (In case this plan fails, I want to know.)
Ram: [Why are you asking this?]
Kiyotaka: [I just have a hunch about why the scent is coming off me.]
Ram: [What? Do you really not know?]
Kiyotaka: [I don't. Just tell me the answer.]
Ram: [About a 2.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I'm ready.]
Ram glared at him.
Ram: [I utterly despise you, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.]
Kiyotaka: [I'm sure you do.]
Ram: [Fura.]
Kiyotaka dodged and rushed at Ram as he pinned her to the ground.
Ram: [You bastard!]
Kiyotaka: [Dona.]
A stone shard hit her in the stomach as she coughed up blood. Kiyotaka got on top of her, strangling her.
Kiyotaka: (My plan worked. You let down your guard. It's a pity. I thought you and I could get along, but if it's you or me, I choose me. I'll kill you and then escape from this place.)
Ram: [Aya.... ugh!!!]
Kiyotaka: (If you can't focus on visualisation, you can't cast, so you're going to die.)
Kiyotaka didn't let up on increasing his grip. Ram then reached for Kiyotaka, but he tightened his grip.
Kiyotaka: (That's right. Use the strength you have left, and that'll make it easier to kill you.)
Kiyotaka's grip loosened.
Kiyotaka: (What am I doing? Why am I loosening my grip? Those who have power but refuse to use it for themselves are nothing but fools, so why am I acting like a fool?)
Kiyotaka let go of her neck.
Kiyotaka: (I just can't do it. Have I really become that kind of person? No, that's not right. It would never be so easy. It's Ram. She reminds me of someone. That's why I can't do it. Her confident attitude and cold exterior. Just like Horikita.)
Kiyotaka got off sitting down as Ram slowly got up.
Ram: [Ugh! Uh... why did you?]
She glared.
Kiyotaka: (Without any confirmation, I'm going to have faith in something for once. I really hope that I can come back to life after dying.)
Ram: [Fura!]
Kiyotaka saw his own body as his head had been decapitated and was sent flying.
Kiyotaka: (Any second now I'm going to...)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ Re:Birth ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka woke up to a familiar ceiling. He held his hand to his neck, feeling for it to make sure his head was attached as he gritted his teeth. He felt like vomiting, but controlled himself.
Rem: [Sister, sister. It seems our guest is unwell.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I apologise. I had a slight nightmare.]
He then felt the warmth in his hands.
Kiyotaka: (Did someone hold my hands while I was asleep? Wait, my hands felt this same way the first time I woke up at this point in time.)
Kiyotaka looked at Rem and Ram.
Kiyotaka: (Those two, huh?)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (I want to try. I want to try to help these two. Even though Ram killed me, I understand why. I am a suspicious person. Anyone would think so. Also, I think that last attack was a defensive action she made. She was scared just as much as she was angry.)
Kiyotaka was still reeling from the experience as he felt his head could fall off at any moment.
Kiyotaka: (Ugh. Anyone who would be able to withstand this isn't mentally stable. And that's saying a lot coming from me.)
Rem walked over, a bit worried.
Rem: [Are you okay, sir?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm fine, thank you. I'm still feeling drained of mana.]
Emilia knocked on the open door as she looked in.
Emilia: [Good morning, Kiyotaka.... eh!? Are you okay!?]
She was very worried and rushed to his side.
Kiyotaka: [I'm fine. Good morning, Emilia.]
Emilia bowed her head deeply.
Emilia: [I'm truly sorry about Lady Beatrice. She didn't mean for this to happen.]
Kiyotaka raised his hand.
Kiyotaka: [It's alright. I can shake it off after some rest.]
Emilia: [Are you sure?]
Kiyotaka nodded.
Kiyotaka: I just need some rest.]
Kiyotaka lay in bed and went to sleep.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka stepped out into the yard, meeting Emilia.
Emilia: [Oh Kiyotaka. You're awake.]
Kiyotaka: [Yeah, I am.]
He did some basic callisthenics.
Emilia: [What are you doing?]
Kiyotaka: [It's an exercise I do every morning. It's good for your flexibility and for your muscles. Do you want to join me? If so, then just follow my movements.]
Emilia waited a second before trying to copy Kiyotaka's movements.
Kiyotaka: (I don't really feel like explaining it to her again. Not today, at least.)
After a few minutes, they finished.
Kiyotaka: [So do you think it's okay for me to practice magic?]
Emilia: [You can use magic?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm not used to using it yet, so using it in a combat setting is a bit too much for me, I'm afraid.]
Emilia: [Oh, I see.]
Kiyotaka focused on it for a second.
Kiyotaka: [Dona!]
He fired a shard of earth at the ground.
Kiyotaka: [What the?]
Emilia: [Is something wrong?]
Kiyotaka: (All my improvement since learning magic... it's gone. I can definitely regain it faster since I understand it better, but my control over mana has gone back to square one.)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I just know I can cast spells better than this.]
Puck floated from Emilia's hair.
Puck: [Want me to help you? I don't know Earth Magic, but I should be able to help you with the basics.]
Kiyotaka: [I'd like that.]
Puck created an ice wall that was moving as they started training. Kiyotaka held his hand out like a finger gun.
Kiyotaka: [Dona!]
The shard of stone hit the moving ice wall with good precision.
Kiyotaka: (Well, until I figure out how to aim without using my hands, I'll have to work with this.)
Rem and Ram then walked over.
Emilia: [Oh? What brings you two here?]
Rem and Ram: [Emilia-Sama. Our lord Roswaal-Sama, has returned.]
Kiyotaka: (So I'll be meeting him again.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka sat with everyone.
Kiyotaka: [I think I've gathered that Emilia is likely a Royal Candidate. Am I correct?]
Emilia: [Eh? You knew?]
Kiyotaka: [I was able to deduce it from your clothing, insignia and how the Margrave refers to you.]
Emilia looked at Kiyotaka apologetically.
Emilia: [I'm sorry for not saying anything. I reaaally wasn't trying to hide it.]
Kiyotaka: [It's fine.]
Emilia smiled.
Kiyotaka: [Would it be okay to ask for something?]
Emilia: [Um, sure.
Kiyotaka: [I'd like to refer to you as just Emilia if that is okay.]
Emilia: [Huh? Um yes. That's alright.]
Kiyotaka: [I'd also like to be taught Spirit Arts in an official capacity.]
Puck: [Eh? Kiyotaka. But I was teaching you.]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry, Puck, but from what I've seen, I don't think you'd be able to teach me spells specific to my affinities. I mean no offence, but it will hinder my growth.]
Betty: [How ungrateful, I suppose. Even after Bubby put in effort for a human like you, in fact.]
Puck: [Well, I guess it's fine. I mean, I understand where you're coming from after all.]
Roswaal looked intrigued.
Roswaal: [My, my. You wish to learn Spirit Arts, is that right?]
Kiyotaka: [That's correct. In exchange for that, I'll work at this mansion to pay off my debt if that is acceptable.]
Ram sneezed for a second as Roswaal seemed amused.
Roswaal: [Very well. I will personally instruct you.]
Emilia: [Roswaal, you'll personally do it?]
Kiyotaka: (From that reaction, he must be quite a talented mage.)
Kiyotaka: [I'm honoured to be under the instruction of the honourable Margrave.]
Kiyotaka: (In order to survive, I must place my life in this man's hands.)
Roswaal: [We are in need of a butler. Perhaps you could fill that role, Kiyotaka-kuuun?]
Kiyotaka: [Of course. Would it be alright if I took a bath before I start working?]
Roswaal: [Yes, that would be fine.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka was soaking in the bath.
Kiyotaka: (My muscles are relaxing. I've never been able to relax like this before. It's nice.)
Kiyotaka closed his eyes, enjoying the time he could spend in the bath, when he heard that rhythmic voice.
Roswaal: [Oh, Kiyotaka-Kuuuun. It's good to see you.]
Kiyotaka opened his eyes to see Roswal naked.
Kiyotaka: [Given the view I have, I can say that the feeling is not mutual.]
Roswaal: [How haaarsh. But given that you are now a member of my staff, are you not my property?]
Kiyotaka: (Being the property of one psychopath to another. My life is the worst.)
Kiyotaka: [I suppose you're right, but I didn't agree to be your butler in a permanent position. Only until I've repaid the knowledge you give me through your training.]
Roswaal: [Oooof course. But until then.]
Kiyotaka sighed, closing his eyes as Roswaal got into the water.
Roswaal: [By the way, do you think you'll be able to get along with Ram and Rem?]
Kiyotaka: [That would be for the best if I could.]
Roswaal: [Indeeed.]
Kiyotaka remembered Ram from his past loop.
Kiyotaka: (Unless I figure out what caused Rem's death, that situation will repeat itself.)
Kiyotaka got out of the bath and walked into the changing room. Suddenly, Ram walked in as he quickly covered himself. There was a slight blush on Ram's face, but she then headbutted the wall as some blood dripped from her forehead.
Kiyotaka: [Are you okay?]
Ram: [Ram is just fine. Ram was only attempting to kill a bug.]
Kiyotaka: (Trying to keep your thoughts loyal to Roswal, huh? Well, it's not like I was trying to do anything.)
Kiyotaka: [And you did that with your head?]
Ram: [Ram is carrying Roswal-Sama's clothes right now. Ram's head was the only thing free.]
Kiyotaka grabbed a washcloth and wiped her forehead.
Kiyotaka: [If you're so concerned about his clothes, shouldn't you be worried about getting your blood on them?]
Ram blushed, backing off.
Ram: [You seem to be quite the womaniser, Ayanotaka.]
Kiyotaka: (She still managed to pick out that name for me despite the new loop.)
Kiyotaka: [Why are you slandering me all of a sudden?]
Kiyotaka sighed, walking past her.
Ram: [But Ram must say. The sight she saw was not bad.]
Kiyotaka: [Please don't make jokes like that. And what are you even doing here?]
Ram: [Not even flustered?]
Kiyotaka: [What would be the point? Now answer my question, Ram.]
Ram: [I'm going to help Roswaal-Sama dress himself.]
Kiyotaka: [Despite your demeanour, you're actually a very doting type, aren't you?]
Ram: [What is that supposed to mean exactly, Ayanotaka?]
Kiyotaka: [It's a compliment.]
Ram: [You're terrible at giving compliments. 0 points for delivery. 0 points for clarity.]
Kiyotaka: [Well, that's a harsh score.]
Ram smiled.
Ram: [But, Ram will give you 4 points for what you actually said.]
Kiyotaka: [Out of 5?]
Ram: [Out of 100.]
Kiyotaka: (Even Horikita wouldn't be that harsh. On second thought, Ram and her aren't that alike. Just one or two similarities. So in that moment, I was just getting sentimental. Me, of all people? Sentimental? What a bad joke.)
Kiyotaka: [Oh wow. I thought we were about to get along nicely. But never mind, I understand.]
Ram: [Don't get ahead of yourself, Ayanotaka. Get changed and wait for me outside. We have to get proper attire for you.]
Kiyotaka: [Alright. I'll be waiting for you in the hall.]
Ram nodded, walking into the bath.
Kiyotaka: (Though personally, I think she spoils Roswal too much. Who would want someone to dress them? Is it just for a sense of superiority? No. I guess some like it because they feel they're being doted on. Taken care of. Well, I don't share that sentiment at all. There's no reason to ask someone else to do something when I can do it better. Well... unless it's for that person's growth or if there is some benefit to me.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka stood in the dressing room with Rem and Ram. Ram gave him a suit to wear. He tried to put it on but couldn't, so Rem inspected the clothes closely.
Rem: [The size is a bit small. You're more muscular than you look.]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry for the inconvenience.]
Ram: [Not at all. It just means we can work you harder than I thought.]
Kiyotaka: (What a nice person.)
Kiyotaka: [How are our supplies by the way?]
Rem: [I think... that we're low on flour?]
Kiyotaka: [Are you planning to head down to the village?]
Rem nodded.
Kiyotaka: [I'll help you out, so call for me, okay?]
Rem hesitated.
Ram: [I think it's a good idea. Just let him help. Okay? Rem.]
Rem nodded.
Rem: [Yes, Sister.]
Kiyotaka: (Inferiority complex, huh? Well, now that we're heading to the village, I have my way of finding out what cursed her. Direct contact... As long as I keep note of any area she's touched, I can figure this out.)
Kiyotaka's eyes sharpened slightly.
Kiyotaka: (This is my path to survival. My『Re: Try』.)
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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