What on earth just happened?

Why did Elysia stab herself?

Selian’s sharp mind already knew the answer when Elysia pierced her own heart.

A truth he didn’t want to know, but had to know, and already did know.

The goal had been set. This wasn’t about abandoning the quest to defeat the Demon King as a Hero. It was simply that Elysia had to be in his party; therefore, he would save her. Just like he promised his friends, they would go together to defeat the Demon King.

He had no resentment towards her. Not for the first life where she sacrificed herself instead of him, nor even for the second life where she had stabbed her own heart.

Elysia had plenty of chances to assassinate him, yet she had delayed and postponed for a long time.

Even the hand that had pierced his heart was full of hesitation, and her face was filled with anguish—she must have been coerced into this assassination for some reason, like a kind of blackmail.

Elysia, who was forcibly tied to the path of an Assassin.

The only person who could save her and lead her away was himself. He was the one who understood her identity by regressing, and who knew what would happen next. Who else could save her but him? Only he could.

Thus, Selian was troubled about how to act in this life. He could get close to Elysia like in the first life to gather information about the assassination, or alternatively, he could keep his distance and watch her as he did in the second life.

Of course, his heart naturally leaned towards the former. However, was it truly the right choice? That was a different matter.

Thinking back to Elysia in the first life, the one who had aimed for his life wasn’t Elysia but another assassin. There must have been a reason why she couldn’t confess the truth about the Assassin Guild, despite sacrificing her life for him.

Moreover, getting close to her in this life risked the possibility of yet another repetition of the first life. Of course, with the strength of a Sword Master, he could protect her from a reasonable amount of danger, but he couldn’t be sure since he was unaware of the scope and risks of the Assassin Guild.

To gamble with Elysia’s life—such a thing was unthinkable.

So, he would give up on this life. Instead, he would thoroughly investigate the Assassin Guild and plan for the next life.

Everything was for the purpose of saving Elysia.

*

Having experienced it in the second life, pushing Elysia away was a painful ordeal each time, rather than something he could grow accustomed to. Yet this time, he could endure this level of suffering just because his life’s objective of saving Elysia supported him.

There was no longer any need to investigate others in the Academy, as he had already confirmed in previous lives that there were no other assassins apart from Elysia within the Academy.

Sure, another assassin had visited in the first life, but that Elysia was in a position where she had abandoned her role as an assassin, so she could be considered an exception.

Instead, he watched and meticulously investigated Elysia. However, since he hadn’t obtained the Holy Sword yet and couldn’t regain the power of the Sword Master, Elysia’s sensitive senses occasionally picked up on his hidden presence and remained cautious, but thankfully, he wasn’t caught.

He handled the Academy classes carelessly since he already knew everything, and used the rest of his time to return to his room and focus solely on Elysia.

When she practiced swinging her sword at the training grounds, he too watched her while distant, swinging his own sword without her noticing, and when she was in the library searching for books for her class assignments, he also watched her discreetly from the opposite bookshelf, pretending to read.

He didn’t have to investigate for assignments like Elysia, so reading books unrelated to them was fine. Thanks to this, he could read many books he hadn’t paid much attention to in his previous life. Surprisingly, novels that were mere figments of imagination became one of the few pleasures in this life.

He continued to keep watch even after she returned to her room, not knowing when he might come into contact with the Assassin Guild.

He observed her every action from beyond the window, careful not to miss anything suspicious, whether she was studying at her desk, enjoying the dessert she bought in the city, or even changing clothes.

Every evening, when she entered the bathroom to shower, it became a prime opportunity to search her room. Following her around to search was only possible at this time.

The first place he searched was, of course, the clothes she left in the changing room, which she had worn all day. Important items are usually kept close, so her clothes were one of the first and most thoroughly examined items.

Next was her underwear drawer. Since it’s the most private space, people often use it to hide important items. Therefore, he always checked thoroughly even if he didn’t find anything significant.

Sometimes, to think like her, he even lay down on her bed.

Of course, he made sure to return everything to its original state without a single trace of disturbance so that Elysia wouldn’t notice.

After the dormitory’s evening roll call, he snuck out through the window and continued to watch her until she fell asleep in her bed. Even if she seemed to be asleep, he would quietly observe for an hour or two just in case she might suddenly get up to contact the Assassin Guild before returning to his room to sleep.

He felt some guilt about invading her privacy, but it was an unavoidable necessary evil to save her.

Of course, he couldn’t neglect his training either. He hadn’t been chosen as a Hero yet, and thus hadn’t regained the power of the Sword Master. Even if he were to become a Hero later, there could be times when a lack of strength as a newly initiated Sword Master would become a problem.

So, he would rise before Elysia woke, training in the dark early morning before dawn to strengthen his power.

Certainly, the rigorous repeated training over days, weeks, and months exhausted him, but his determination to save her enabled him to endure it all.

Even if his health deteriorated, it didn’t matter. After all, he had no intention of living long in this life.

As time passed and he regained his strength as a Hero, he was able to grow even stronger at an unprecedented pace.

He already had talent and effort.

Moreover, with the support of the Holy Sword to aid his growth and the practice he had done thinking of himself as a Sword Master prior to regaining his former power, Selian’s skills skyrocketed inexplicably.

Ironically, the most painful moment amid this grueling schedule was when he saw her without being by her side, as she happily engaged with other friends.

And finally, that day arrived.

Just like reliving the second life, Elysia called out to Selian with a sad face.

Seeing her sad expression made Selian feel a lump in his throat and tears welling up, but he never showed it.

All preparations were complete. His investigation into her was thorough, and the plan to save her was flawless.

He had also understood why she was tied to the Assassin Guild.

Though he hadn’t uncovered her original identity, he had devised a way for her to escape the Assassin Guild and continue living under her current disguise.

So now, with a joyful heart, he was ready to receive her sword.

To ensure that Elysia wouldn’t make a mistake, he stood openly in front of her, exposing his chest for easy access for her to stab.

“I’m really… sorry… I know I can’t repay this debt… but please know that my apology is sincere.”

With the same apology as before, Elysia again pierced his heart.

Yet, he felt no pain.

On the contrary, unlike himself who was smiling, she was the one suffering as she stabbed him, just like in the second life.

‘This is the complete opposite of the first life.’

Elysia was dying with a smile, while he was saddened. However, this time it was him dying with a smile, while Elysia was the one who was sad.

That sight brought a weak smile to his lips once more.

But Elysia, please don’t be too sad. I’m sufficiently happy. I can become happy.

I’m going to find my happiness now.

I’ll go save you.

So just wait a little in that past place, in that future place.

Selian’s third life turned out to be surprisingly satisfying.