A week later, in the academy city of Regia, within the Holy Orthus Empire, "tap," Ard stopped right in front of the gate as he entered. He looked right and left, taking in the bustling atmosphere of the city. The reason Regia was named the Academy City was that the Knights' Academy, founded after the Demon War 1,000 years ago to train knights should demons ever attack the world again, was located there.
The city looked like a typical, busy city with markets and daily activity, except for a large building to the north: the Orthus Knights' Academy.
"Ok, now I'm going to enroll in the academy and find the Holy Orthus Imperial Princess... I hope I can figure out and prevent what tragedy is going to befall the Princess to make her the cruelest and coldest Queen in the world," Ard muttered, feeling energized.
Ard, wearing only plain clothes and carrying a small bag of clothes and necessities like someone from a village, walked toward the academy entrance examination area. His hair, which was previously red, had been dyed black using magic.
When he arrived, he saw a large crowd gathered in the academy square, the registration site. Ard immediately approached the academy official and wrote his name on the list on the table to take the entrance exam. As he was writing,
"Move it."
A large, masculine-looking young man his age, with a buzz cut and clearly from the nobility, immediately shoved him. But Ard didn't budge and continued writing calmly. When he was done, he handed the form to the official, smiling.
"You arrogant village bumpkin," the noble youth said, glaring at Ard.
Ard turned to look at the angry-looking youth, then looked back at the long line behind him, full of people from all walks of life. He then turned back to face the young man.
"Please wait your turn. Don't cut the line like this; show some respect for others," Ard said.
"Hah... you dare talk back to me? Who do you think you are? Do you know who I am?" the youth shouted, grabbing Ard by the collar, who continued to stare at him.
The atmosphere grew tense. The official stood up, intending to intervene, but seemed to recognize who the youth was. The young man raised his hand, ready to punch Ard's face, but before he could,
"Hey... stop that!"
A girl's shout and the sound of approaching footsteps were heard. Ard turned and his eyes immediately widened because the person arriving was the very one he was looking for, the person who had killed him nine times in his previous lives, even if not directly—the person who would be labeled the cruelest Queen in history and possessed tremendous power.
"Evangeline Juliana Orthus... Princess Eva... why is she here? I haven't even enrolled in the academy yet and I've already run into her," Ard muttered, watching Eva, who was already wearing the academy uniform and seemed to be the same age as him, walk closer.
Ard's hands immediately clenched and trembled. He remembered how he had died nine times at Eva's hand. Suddenly, his collar was released. Ard was startled and looked at the youth in front of him, who was now staring at Eva with a tense jaw. Eva stood between Ard and the youth.
"You are obstructing the line. Follow me," Eva said coldly.
Both immediately shifted to follow Eva. Eva then immediately turned to look at the youth, who seemed to avert his gaze to look elsewhere.
"Brylee Carlius Ordera, son of Count Ordera. Aren't you ashamed to threaten a commoner and cause a disturbance here?" Eva asked sharply.
"S-sorry, Princess," Brylee replied.
"Get in line like everyone else. Don't cut in. What he said is correct," Eva said, pointing at Ard, who was standing beside her.
Brylee looked at Ard with a furious expression, then without a word, he walked to the back of the line, though he seemed to be muttering curses as he walked. Eva turned and then faced Ard, who was frozen. She gave a faint smile.
She examined Ard's face from top to bottom, then stretched her head out to observe Ard's face even closer, while Ard moved his body back, clearly wanting to get away from the person who had traumatized him.
"Do I know you?" Eva asked.
"Um... I... I think we've only just met today... Princess," Ard replied, backing up.
"Hmm... it seems you know me, but allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Evangeline Juliana Orthus, the Second Princess of the Holy Orthus Empire, but just call me Eva. And since we are the same age, please don't be shy with me," Eva said, even though her face was expressionless.
"M-my name is Ard," Ard replied briefly. "Yes, yes... the Second Princess... but later she becomes the cruel Queen who kills her father and older brother... of course I know you, because you've killed me nine times like swatting a fly... but why is she talking to a commoner like me? I still look like a commoner, right," Ard muttered to himself.
"Pleased to meet you, Ard. See you at the arena for the entrance examination," Eva said, turning away.
"Y-yes, Princess," Ard replied.
Eva walked away. Ard immediately let out a sigh of relief. His body suddenly felt weak.
"Phew... intense... I'm still scared of her, huh, haha... but that's why I'm here. I don't want to die again at 31, and I want to live to be old, happy, and peaceful. Since I'm not sure I'll get another reset if I die in this tenth life, I have to stay close to that Princess so I can prevent the tragedy that affects her and live happily to old age... or if that's too difficult, at least I can keep a close eye on her. The key is definitely this academy," Ard muttered to himself.
Ard turned and walked toward the arena to pick up his examination number for the next day. Meanwhile, Eva stopped walking and turned back. She watched Ard's back as he walked in the opposite direction and grew further away.
"Ard, huh... not Arden Larsen Fredonia, is it? Arden has red hair because all the Fredonia royals have red hair. His face is similar to the young Arden, though. I should get close to him later to find out. I can sense a great power within him," Eva muttered to herself.
Eva then turned and continued walking toward the main academy building, which was grand and large. However, her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she looked a little pleased, though she only offered a faint smile, her blue eyes fixed forward as she walked.
***
That evening, in a room at an inn, Ard lay on his bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He reviewed the nine lives in his memory, then raised both hands to look at them in the air.
"The tenth life... I just came back to life a week ago. I've already met the Princess, but... I have to succeed. First, I need to get into the academy, and then find out about the tragedy that will befall the Princess. Okay... that's the plan," Ard muttered to himself.
Ard then got up and clasped his hands together. He got off the bed, walked to the window, and opened it. He looked out at the city, which was still bustling at night, and gazed at the stars in the sky.
"Ah... what a beautiful night. I hope this time I live to be old, peaceful, and happy," he murmured to himself.
At this moment, Ard still did not know that coming to the academy was the right step and would lead him to his true destiny and the reason why he had relived his life nine times.