Garta didn't try talking to me again until our names were called for our match. He got up first and didn't wait for me to follow. I gave it a good long few seconds until he turned back and scowled at me before I made my way up behind him.

"Your five minutes to familiarize yourself with your partner begins now," the dean announced from her seat in the stands. It sounded as close as it had when she was speaking in the ring, so she must be using magic to account for the distance.

The other two students across the ring from us huddled closely. One girl looked only 15 or 16. She had blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and wore a red bandanna around her neck. She wasn't very tall and kind of skinny. The other girl was even more petite, but you couldn't call her weak looking. She was probably 19 or 20 and, if anything, she had a strong presence. Like a lioness in a field of sheep.

"In all honesty, you're pretty worthless," Garta said, catching my attention. "Is there anything you can do?"

I shrugged. "Maybe it's best if you do all of the work and I can just stand in the corner over there."

"As good as I may be, it'd be unwise to fight alone against two people I've never fought against before when we're meant to fight with a partner." He narrowed his eyes at me again. "What about any weapons? What about that [Forgotten Son] Skill?"

"I see no weapons," I said because I’d forgotten about that Skill—again. That was the nature of it, after all. Maybe I could use it, though I wasn't sure for how long.

Garta clicked his tongue. "You're at a magic academy but clearly you're not very adept at magic, so I'll make you one. If that's what it'll take to make you useful, that is. Since I take it [Forgotten Son] must be worthless, are you good with any weapon at all? Good enough that you won't hurt yourself?"

"A sword is good enough," I said. I didn't think that Skill would be worthless at all if I could time it right. I reactivated [7-Times-Returner].

[Notice] You have activated your Skill [7-Times-Returner]. What are you doing using this again so quickly? You know there's a cool-down period. Are you trying to get fucked? Anyway... It's just the weight of the entire world on your shoulders... So out of the builds you had at the time of your six deaths, which would you like to assume?

Di'at's commentary was very unnecessary. At least when he used strike through, it was easier to skim over. I chose my sixth life again. I'd only have 30 seconds this time. Next time 15 seconds. After that, 7 and a half seconds. It'd been hard to practice for that reason. It was really only useful once a day. However, did that same effect work on the Skills?

"That's right," Garta was saying. "All you Enoshian nobles learn how to sword fight, don't you? Hopefully the one I have won't be too heavy for you." He moved his hand through the air, and then suddenly there was a sword in it. I didn't think it was a spell. More like an inventory item where he could summon weapons from. It wasn't as quick as simply having it in your hands though.

[Notice] You've selected the build from the end of your [Sixth Life]. Again. Here are your current Stats...

Name

Gerard Viscoti

Primary Class

Noble Assassin

Secondary Class

Mage

Soul

F-Class (Stage 1)

Strength

18

Cunning

15

Perception

30

Energy

15

Skills

Lucky Number 7 [10.45%]

Silver Tongue [0.40%]

7-Lives-Bloodlust [5.00%]

7-Times-Returner [0.11%]

Synchronize [0.01%]

Demeot Eyes [0.01%]

[Notice] With [7-Times-Returner] activated, your temporary Stats are now...

Name

Gerard Viscoti

Class

Noble

Soul

F-Class (Stage 1)

Strength

15

Cunning

25

Perception

15

Energy

11

Skills

Forgotten Son [25.85%]

I took the sword from Garta. Although it was a bit heavy, it wasn't too heavy for me in this life.

"It'll work," I told him. "What exactly would you like me to do with it?"

Then I pulled up the description for [Forgotten Son].

[Forgotten Son] This skill works to make others forget you while activated, rendering you able to act freely without being noticed. [25.85% Mastery]

All that I remembered about it was thinking that the time limit was quite short and that I didn't need it to be forgotten. Probably been wrong about that last part in hindsight. Didn't regret using it for an easy time sneaking around, though. I wasn't sure about the time limit now but I'd find out soon enough. What I was most interested in learning was whether I could use it even after [7-Times-Returner] had run out of time.

Garta finished staring at me for a few good moments and sighed. "Just cover for me. I should be able to take them both out with a spell or two, but, again, I haven't fought them before, so I can't be sure."

At least he seemed practical. The dean had seemed pretty confident in his skills. "Aren't you supposed to be covering for me, though?"

"If there's a demon," he clarified. "And I won't be going after it just because the dean likes you a little."

[Notice] Your Skill [7-Times-Returner] has been forcibly deactivated because your Mastery of this Skill is too low. You're going to fuck this up, aren't you?

Maybe. Who cared? Garta did.

"Show me you can at least handle it," Garta said.

"Why don't you show me how you'd kill a demon?"

"I don't think that's as pressing."

"Than this mock fight with two other students that has no impact on us whatsoever? Curious priorities for an old man who's supposed to be protecting me, but that's all fine. I'll trust you to hold your own, and you can trust me to hold mine. Seems fair, right?" I smiled my best smile.

He looked to the sky. "Tiferat, give me patience."

I wanted to tell him that Tiferat was probably not listening to him. That the Shevirat didn't care about him. Or any of us. They'd let this world be ripped apart by the Demeot six times. Not to mention that somehow I was this world's last chance. But, sure, why not ask for patience?

"Your five minutes have passed," the dean announced. "When the bell rings your match begins!"

Garta shoved me behind him and faced the two girls on the other side of the ring. He looked ready for one of them to transform into a demon, which meant he was the type to take every fight seriously. He was practical. Maybe too practical.

The bell rang. One of our opponents charged at us. She had twin swords, though didn't look like she had much experience with them. Perhaps that was all her blonde partner could come up with in five minutes. The other girl seemed like she was working up some sort of long-distance spell.

I could take down the one charging us on my own perfectly fine, and I could probably overwhelm the other as long as I could dodge her attack. But that'd take an opportunity away from Garta to show everyone what he could do. I couldn't do that to my roommate and personal bodyguard. That was why I'd use [Forgotten Son].

Garta worked his magic quicker than the Mage on our opponent's side. A spell shot lightning from his hands and struck the girl who was hanging back square in the chest. She fell back with a pained noise, and one of the healers who was ringside rushed over to offer a healing potion. Not bad. Not bad at all. Maybe I'd learn that spell. Seemed useful.

The girl charging us roared, quickening her pace now that she probably realized she was a sitting duck. Garta glanced at me, and I smiled again. As charming as possible.

[Notice] You have activated your Skill [7-Times-Returner] for a third time today, so let's hope that Crown Princess Hyacinth doesn't need to Assess you again. Out of the builds you had at the time of your six deaths, which would you like to assume? [Notice] You've selected the build from the end of your [Sixth Life]. Sigh. Here are your current Stats...

Name

Gerard Viscoti

Primary Class

Noble Assassin

Secondary Class

Mage

Soul

F-Class (Stage 1)

Strength

18

Cunning

15

Perception

30

Energy

15

Skills

Lucky Number 7 [10.45%]

Silver Tongue [0.40%]

7-Lives-Bloodlust [5.00%]

7-Times-Returner [0.11%]

Synchronize [0.01%]

Demeot Eyes [0.01%]

[Notice] With [7-Times-Returner] activated once again, your temporary Stats are now...

Name

Gerard Viscoti

Class

Noble

Soul

F-Class (Stage 1)

Strength

15

Cunning

25

Perception

15

Energy

11

Skills

Forgotten Son [25.85%]

I activated [Forgotten Son].