Past life, B 10

(Maxwell) Are you sure about this? I warn you that I studied more than I should have, this time I assure you that you won't beat me.

(Leonora) Sure Max? I am so sure of my victory that I would like to double the bet again.

(Maxwell) Well... But first of all I'm a gentleman, I'll pay double in case you win, but I'm not going to force you to pay your part of the bet.

(Leonora) As you like Max, as you like.

We stood, surrounded by the other students as we waited for them to finish posting the test results.

The director of the academy stood in front of a gigantic mural, gave a loud applause and the names of the more than 500 students of all courses began to appear, while the names and averages were published, the students could not help but shout with joy or frustration, the order was ascending from the lowest average to the highest, starting with the first year and ending with the third.

Maxwell kept his cool as the averages of the first and second-years were posted, but when they started on the third-years he could barely contain his nervousness.

The names went on and on, and neither of the two appeared on the mural, during this process Maxwell went from slightly nervous to a trembling mass, the names kept being written until finally the last name appeared, according to the mural the highest average was Maxwell with a 99.5.

At the sight of his name, Maxwell could no longer contain himself and simply exploded.

(Maxwell) YES! YES! IN YOUR FACE LEO! YEEEESSS!

Everyone around turned around and many were surprised to see the man who was to become the next king behaving in such a childish manner.

Maxwell finally calmed down a bit, and held out his hand to me.

(Maxwell) no hard feelings? Ehh loser?

I just smiled and clicked my tongue several times in disapproval.

(Leonora) ohh Max, Maxi, Max tell me something, what position am I in?

(Maxwell) clearly in the... Wait...

As Maxwell desperately began to read the list of third graders looking for my name, the school principal raised his voice to calm the crowd and restore order.

(Principal) young people, I hope you are proud of your effort, I am proud to say that this year has been one of the best in terms of overall averages, and among all I would like to make a small parenthesis to talk about a specific student.

Maxwell became desperate all the more, and now it seemed that he even started looking for my name in the lower grades.

(Principal) Not only has she maintained a perfect GPA throughout her years at the academy, she has a perfect record of punctuality and attendance, and has been continually praised and recommended by her teachers.

Maxwell's desperation became such that now he even seemed to be looking for my name written on the floor stones or in the sky.

(Principal) This student of whom I speak is only one more semester away from being the fifth student in the history of our respectable institution to graduate with honors and a perfect grade point average, I want you all to give a round of applause to her classmate, Miss Leonora Monique Paulette Rousseau Claude Croiss.

As the crowd cheered me on, Maxwell fell to his knees in complete defeat.

The director asked me to go up and say a few words to my classmates, and in front of everyone, I thanked my teachers and the institution itself and gave a short speech about perseverance, I close the speech with the same words that the man who became my greatest hero had said, that as long as you have the will, there are no impossible.

When the ceremony finally ends I go back to where Maxwell was waiting for me, he looked much calmer, he holds out his hand and this time I return his greeting.

(Maxwell) great speech Leonora, there is no dishonor in losing to the best, I am very happy that...

(Leonora) Max, flattering me won't save you, you have to pay the bet~

(Maxwell) erm, Leo... I... You know I wouldn't force you to do anything if I won, right?

At that moment someone comes up behind Maxwell and places a rope around his neck with a sign with the word, "loser" written in capital letters.

(Celes) nope, no one is going to save you, you're going to have to wear that sign for a whole week.

Celes came out from behind Maxwell, and and hugged me to congratulating my victory.

(Maxwell) okay, I accept it, I've lost, I'll wear this sign the entire week.

A rather thick voice replied and a muscular giant approached us.

(Bruno) you mean 4 weeks, I heard them double the bet 2 times.

(Maxwell) Bruno, which side are you on?

(Leonora) you mean 8 weeks, we doubled it one more time before the results were published.

The three of us laughed as poor Maxwell lowered his head in acceptance of his fate.

I am not that cruel, after all technically I have cheated by having taken the tests a score of times, so I will only force him to wear the sign for 5 days at most.

(Celes) Well, now what do we do to celebrate the end of the exams?

(Leonora) I propose that we go to the usual place to celebrate.

(Maxwell) I think it's a good idea, let's go.

(Bruno) Wait, and Johan? Where is he?

We looked around for Johan until we finally found him standing in front of the mural where the grades were posted.

(Celes) Johan!!!! Hurry up!!! We are leaving!!!

Celes yelled at Johan, who turned around, grinned from ear to ear and ran toward us.

(Maxwell) ready, we are all here, we can go now.

(Celes) what were you watching so intently?

(Johan) nothing important, forget it.

I didn't like something, I had an idea what it could be, but I'd rather check it out.

(Leonora) Go ahead and order for me, I'll catch up with you later, I have to check something.

(Johan) don't take too long, or Bruno will end up eating everything again.

(Bruno) hey, that only happened once! besides, I'm in the middle of growing up.

(Celes) Bruno, you are already six feet tall, when do you want to grow?

The guys walked away as they talked, seeing them together made me happy, normally Bruno is not supposed to be in the group, he would normally be a guy who was always alone, and seemed quite intimidating, But now thanks to my effort, he and his brother have a good relationship, and he is an important part of the group, which I as the villain shouldn't be a part of either.

It was thanks to the words that Luztukru told me that I decided that I could change my destiny as long as I have the will to do it, I feel really proud that only 5 lives after my encounter with him, I have achieved so many things with the brothers, for now I just need to find a way for Hansel, the third target of capture is also part of our group of friends, but he has always been somewhat complicated, but no matter, I have the will and therefore there are no impossible, but for now, I want to focus on fixing Johan's problems.

I approached the wall where the grades were posted, and I didn't have to look long, Johan's man was first in ascending order, he had gotten the worst average of all.

🌙🌙🌙

I met up with my friends, and we spent the rest of the day together, we ate while cracking jokes, and occasionally making fun of Maxwell and his sign, he really doesn't mind wearing something like that, unlike the Maxwell of the game who is a sea of insecurities because of his fear of not being ready to become king, the Maxwell of now has good friends and a brother, who he knows will support him in everything.

It is strange, but in all my lives I have realized that the protagonist Celes, has no intention of becoming a couple with any of the capture targets, there are lives in which they are just friends and others in which they barely know each other, it still seems quite strange, but it is a relief not to have to guess in which route is the protagonist, although perhaps, without intending it the world wants to reach the true end of the game, where the protagonist does not end up with any of the capture targets and they are just friends.

For now it doesn't matter, I am very happy to be able to live with the characters of my favorite game, during one of my first lives I stupidly tried to play the role of the villain, and I hurt them all, obviously I failed as a villain, but I was very ashamed to be in front of them, that's why I avoided that my lives would lead to the academy and that way I wouldn't have to meet them, but now I believe that with your help I am poor to find a solution for my situation, besides, I don't want to lower my head again, I must face the problems with my head held high, and atone for my sins by helping all their problems, which are much more complicated to solve than they were in the game.

After the party, and everyone has gone back to their rooms, I do my best to be alone with Johan for a moment.

(Johan) by the way Leonora, I haven't congratulated you for getting a perfect average again, I am very happy for you.

Johan smiled at me, with that sincere smile that I had as wallpaper on my computer for months in my original life, he was always my favorite of the 3, and now to be able to be with him, is sometimes more stimulating than I would like to admit, but I can't be distracted by those things, I have an important mission.

(Leonora) Yes, thank you very much, I had to make a lot of effort, but tell me, how did it go for you?

His smile disappeared and his face darkened for a second, but then he smiled again.

(Johan) I don't worry about those things, besides I'm not good with complicated things.

He laughed softly for a second, and smiled at me again, and my heart almost stopped for a second, but I have to be strong, that smile won't distract me.

(Leonora) I saw that you had the worst average of all the third year students...

(Johan) Ahh yes, I didn't notice, I told you I don't worry about those things, besides, school is not that important either.

Now I just don't know what to do, if this was still the game, it would just be a matter of hitting the right answer and magically, Johan would come clean with me and confess his concerns, but now things are a lot more difficult, but I think I have a plan that will work.

(Leonora) I can't forgive that.

(Johan) ehh?

(Leonora) I said I can't forgive that, what is it that school is not important? Are you listening to yourself?

(Johan) Leonora is just that... even my parents say that I...

I grabbed Johan by the ear and dragged him after me.

(Leonora) That attitude is over now young man, we are going to study for the exams.

(Johan) but Leonora, the next exams are still 3 months away.

(Leonora) You mean we only have 3 months until the next exams, and I'm not going to rest until you improve your grades.

He dragged Johan into the academy library, and forced him to sit on one of the benches, then piled a large number of books in front of him.

He looks at them with genuine concern and replies.

(Johan) Are we really going to do this?

(Leonora) of course, I'm offended that you think otherwise, I'm not the type of person to change my mind.

(Johan) at least we could start tomorrow.

(Leonora) Sure, and tomorrow you will tell me that we start the day after tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and so on, besides, there is no better time than now.

He begins to read the titles of the books he had brought and grimaces in disgust.

(Johan) all right, let's get this over with, where do we start?

(Leonora) hmm, what matter do you eat? It's easier for you.

I was about to say that the matter is more complicated for him, I know beforehand that he has problems with all of them, and the last thing I want is for him to feel bad and become demotivated.

For now we'll look for something I'm good at, and we'll start working from there.

(Johan) hmm, I guess I didn't do too bad on the history test.

Of course history, why didn't I think of it before? he is a big fan of the heroes of the past, and practically devours all the books about heroes that he has in front of him, maybe if I find a way to pass that passion for heroes to the other subjects.

(Johan) Well, that's a start.

He dropped in front of him a gigantic encyclopedia of the entire history of the continent and the founding of the kingdoms, it also tells how the heroes helped shape the world after defeating the original witch, I think it's a good starting point.

(Leonora) start reading from chapter 4, in the meantime I will look for other reference books.

Johan makes a grimace of displeasure but obeys, I move away to look for other books and I look at him from a distance, when I turn to see him I can notice that in a moment he has already immersed himself in reading, as he is dealing with the heroes he admires so much, Johan has begun to study without realizing it.

The afternoon ends and Johan himself was born to take the book to his room to continue reading, for now I think we are on the right track, but that's only one subject I must find a way to get him interested in the others.

🌙🌙🌙

The days continue to pass slowly but inevitably, and once again the exam period is approaching, during every afternoon without exception, I have helped Johan to study, at first he was not very convinced, and more when I was not able to extrapolate his passion for heroes to other subjects, but based on constant effort, Johan gradually began to understand the content of the subjects, and the more he understood the more he wanted to learn.

By now we are back in the big library of the academy, in a quite secluded wing where nobody bothers us. We had been studying for about an hour when Johan put down the book he was reading.

(Johan) Leonora, don't you have to study yourself for the exams? I would hate myself if because of me you lose your perfect average.

(Leonora) don't worry, he studied a little when teaching you, and a little during the nights.

Johan did not return to his book, and merely stretched.

(Johan) I'm tired, let's take a break, shall we?

(Leonora) Okay, let's take 10 minutes.

I also put down the book I was reading, it talked about the different types of magic and the history of it, I still have the hope of finding a book that talks about someone in a similar situation to mine, and so I gave myself the task of reading all the books in the library, whose number was incredible, and really was more than anyone could read in a lifetime, and no one better than me to check it, it took 5 and I'm barely halfway through it.

I stretched to relax my muscles, and during that moment I could tell Johan was watching me, but he averted his gaze when he noticed I could see him.

He put on that smile that steals a heartbeat every time I make them and asked me.

(Johan) Leonora, what are you going to do when we finish school? Are you going back home?

(Leonora) no, I think I'm going to look for work in the capital, some time ago I decided with my sister Liz that she would inherit the title of Duchess of Croiss, there are many things I want to do, and the capital is the best place to start.

(Johan) good, then you won't leave, I'm glad about that.

(Leonora) Besides, I can't leave you alone, you would be a complete disaster without me, sometimes I have no idea how you survive before I arrive.

(Johan) Yes, sometimes it tells me to imagine how things were before I met you.

He was quiet for a moment, while playing with his fingers, and reached into his pocket for something.

(Johan) Leonora, there is something I would like to tell you.

Ohh my god It'....s happening, it's happening, Johan is going to confess..... to me God.... My heart is going a mile a second, I must calm down and appear calm.

(Leonora) Yes, Johan?

Johan took his hand out of his pocket, for a second I thought he had changed his mind, but then he smiled like I had never seen him before, and my heart almost exploded.

(Johan) you know, I'll tell you the day the results are delivered, I'm convinced I'll make it to the top 20, now what do you say we go back to studying.

(Leonora) Yes, let's continue, but give me a minute, I'll be right back.

That I have to go scream and wet my face to calm down.

🌙🌙🌙

The days went on, and the tests came, during those days I saw Johan with a determination that I had never seen him show, and again, the day of the results came.

I had bet against Maxwell again, but I don't care about that for now, I'm sure of my victory, but I want to know how Johan did.

The director clapped his hands again to show the results, and little by little they reappeared, when they reached the third year, I could not contain my fear and closed my eyes instinctively, when I opened them I searched desperately for Johan's name, until I finally found it, out of 120 students that make up the third year, Johan had been ranked 71, it was a huge improvement from the last time he had been ranked 120, but....

I turn from one side to the other to look for Johan, when I finally find him, I go to him, but again the principal asked me to go upstairs to talk to the rest of the student body, I want to avoid him and go with Johan, but they all ask me to go upstairs to talk.

From the top of the stage, I look for him with my eyes, and I see him leaving the ceremony hall, I do my best to finish quickly, but when I came down, everyone wanted to talk to me and congratulate me, I push them aside and ran to find Johan.

I walked halfway across campus until I finally found him in the library, in the same place where we came to study.

(Johan) Leonora? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the ceremony room?

(Leonora) I saw you leave.

(Johan) sorry, I forgot I had a book to return, and then I got distracted by some things.

(Leonora) Johan, are you okay?

(Johan) Why do you ask? Of course I'm fine, I've never been better in my life.

(Leonora) you made an effort and that's what counts.

(Johan) ohh about the exams? Is that what you mean? Don't worry, I knew I wouldn't make it, in fact, I'm surprised I made it this high.

(Leonora) Johan, it's not bad if you get angry.

(Johan) What am I going to be angry about? that's the way things have always been, I'm useless, a disappointment, a waste of time.

Johan turned around and was about to leave, but I put my hand on his shoulder to stop him, but he slapped it away.

(Johan) WILL YOU LEAVE ME ALONE !!!!???? I'm disappointed, annoyed, frustrated, THAT'S WHAT YOU WANTED TO HEAR!!!!????

At that moment, Johan broke down, no longer able to hide his frustration or conceal his tears.

(Johan) has always been like that, you don't understand!!????? I have always been the one who has no talent, the one whose parents don't expect anything, the one who can't try something because he will fail.

Johan finished removing everything that was hurting him, so he ended up falling to his knees, to which I went to hug him.

(Johan) I tried my best, I really tried my best, and I still failed.

(Leonora) You improved Johan, you really improved, you just have to keep trying.

(Johan) I wanted to do this for you Leonora.

(Leonora) for me? Why?

(Johan) why did you believe in me, I always thought that if only one person really believed in me, I... I would... I could do anything, that's why I wanted to meet your expectations, that's why I tried so hard, that's why I really tried, but I let you down, I really tried, and I still let you down.

(Leonora) you have not disappointed me Johan, you have improved, I am proud of what you have achieved, it's just a matter of moving forward.

(Johan) It's no use Leonora, it's better that I accept it.

(Leonora) no, it's not true and I know it, it's just a matter of keep trying, and one day you will see that....

(Johan) I want to be alone Leonora, please.

(Leonora) Okay, but just know that I'm not going to give up on you, I will face the root of the problem, you'll see.

I left the library leaving Johan alone, maybe it's not the best thing to do, but I don't know what else to do, if he tried so hard and still failed, I don't know how to make him feel better, for now I have a slight idea of what I have to do, confront the person who has hurt him so much.

🌙🌙🌙

I was in an elegant lounge, maids would have brought tea and sweets to make my wait more pleasant, being so well attended I could not help but compare it with the last time I came to this place, that time it took me 5 whole days before Eris agreed to receive me and she only did it so I would leave her alone, and now she agreed to receive me the day after I asked to see her.

I have really moved on since that time, I have wanted to avoid Eris as much as I can, but it is also time for me to stop running away, sooner or later I will have to find her and it is time for me to face her, not only for Johan, but also for myself.

Eris entered the room, and she looked so cheerful and jovial, completely opposite to the very dull and monotonous tone of the previous time.

(Eris) sorry for the wait honey, I had to finish some business.

(Leonora) It is not important, Marquesa Johansen, thank you for seeing me.

(Eris) ohh no need to be so formal honey, with Eris it's fine, besides I wanted to meet you, you know, I have heard about you, many people say that when Prince Maxwell ascends to the throne, you will be the person who will take my place as my trusted advisor.

(Leonora) ehh I... (Leonora) I'm sorry... I didn't mean to... I'm...

(Eris) don't worry honey, the truth is I have been in this position for many years, and I can't wait to retire, but I have never been able to find a good replacement, if what I have heard from you is correct, maybe my search is over.

Replacing Eris as the king's trusted advisor is one of my goals, from that position I could not only help everyone to prepare for the events of the sequel, but I would also have the authority to investigate whatever I want.

(Eris) But tell me honey, what brings you here today?

Well, it's the moment of truth, I have to face Eris, I'm not going to lower my head again.

(Leonora) I want to talk about Johan.

(Eris) What happened to my son?

(Leonora) he is very upset about failing the exams, he wanted to talk about it.

Eris's expression became sad, and she really looked worried.

(Eris) he really is very affected? I knew this would happen, but unfortunately it is better, now my little boy will be able to accept reality and move on with his life.

(Leonora) I don't understand her.

(Eris) yes, I knew this would happen, for the last few months I have seen Johan really worried about studying, the times we talked he only told me about how his studies were going and how you were helping him, I wanted to stop them but I let them go ahead, this was a lesson that would serve them both.

(Leonora) You knew? you saw how your son was struggling and you didn't help him?

I really wanted to help my son and forbid him to try, that way all this would have been avoided, but I knew that the best thing to do was to let him hurt himself, that way he would learn and understand how things are.

How could I forget it, the true personality of Eris, the things she had done, those words she said to me, how could I forget it....

(Leonora) Johan has improved, his effort was not in vain.

(Eris) honey, you are still young and you don't understand, when you see the things I have seen you will understand, you can't change who we are, and no matter how hard we try.

(Leonora) it's not true, he improved, he got better and he can keep improving, it's just a matter of not stopping and keep going forward.

(Eris) yes it's true, he got better, but that doesn't mean anything, sooner or later he will find a barrier that he won't be able to pass, no matter how hard he tries or tries, he will never be able to overcome that barrier and when he realizes that, and all the time he wasted trying, he will fall into the deepest despair, that's why I wanted to avoid him, so he won't suffer, but I think the best thing was to let him experience some of that pain, that will be a lesson for both of them.

(Leonora) HE'S LYING!!!!! It's not true, there are no impossibilities if you keep trying, it has to be a lie, it can't be true!!!!

(Eris) I'm so sorry honey, but that's the way it is, I also had to accept such a horrible reality, but once you accept it you will see that your life is better, even honey, I could help you to see things the same way I see them.

This woman, what was she saying, she has no right, she can't be saying these things.

(Leonora) you... You have no right to say anything, you are cruel, lying, manipulative, double faced, you have done horrible things, you have lied, stolen, murdered to achieve your goals, what you did to the king has no name, and what you have done to the people either!!!!!

For a brief moment, I felt better about shouting her truths to Eris' face, but I quickly realized my mistake.

All traces of that joy and his slightly childish tone had disappeared from his voice, and was replaced by a cold tone.

(Eris) How do you know all that?

All my fury cooled in an instant at the sound of his voice, and was gradually replaced by a terror that oppressed me from within.

(Leonora) I... Eh... I...

Eris was trying to look me straight in the eye, but I kept looking away.

(Eris) Why are you looking away?

I didn't know what to do, I'm not supposed to know these things, no one should know these things.

At that moment Eris' rising fury suddenly stopped, she took a deep breath, and sighed.

When she spoke again, she dropped that cold tone, and now her words were soft and flowed like silk.

(Eris) You know something honey, it doesn't matter, I really don't care how you know these things, that's the least of it.

Although her words were gentle, there was something in her tone that simply chilled my blood.

(Eris) You know honey, I think it's time for you to know your place.