Chapter 2: The [Objective]
To change yourself.
For such a shameful individual, it's an admirable thing.
If this were really August Vale that is.
But his goal is to save a story?
It didn't make any sense to me.
There were multiple times I heard him bring up 'this story~', but is he seriously describing his life as a story?
That didn't sit right with me.
After all, the words he said to himself on the first day made it all too clear.
'Huh? I'm inside the body of the novel's forgettable scumbag, August Vale? This is awesome!'
This world, at the very least in the eyes of this imposter, was a story.
A novel, just like the ones I'd read from the school library.
It was an absurd perspective. Especially from a person living in said story.
If it weren't for the fact that I was hiding my blessing, I would've called him out on his bullshit.
However, my intentions lay elsewhere.
"To want to change, to improve, I see the potential in you, August Vale. Now, I can help you, but answer one of my questions."
August nodded his head vigorously.
"Yes! I'll answer whatever you need!"
"How do you know Princess Aurelia is endangered in the first place?"
His lips immediately shut.
Nervousness appeared on August's face, turning to a panicked expression.
'What can I say to make this guy believe me? I can't tell him about my blessing; otherwise, a penalty will be imposed. Maybe a quick excuse will do the job?'
Yeah right.
"A-ah... The goddess gave me an oracle in my darkest hour! It was a glimpse of the future and provided me with the necessary knowledge to improve myself as a person!"
This guy sucks at lying. Whatever, I'll play along.
"Okay, I'm willing to help now."
Now I know he has a blessing as well.
Most likely, it's somehow tied to his desire to save the world's story.
Why would the gods bestow such a thing?
"Follow me, Your Highness; I can explain along the way."
August tried to pull me along with him.
"Hold on."
I stopped him.
"There is one last thing I wanted out of you. You're asking me to help someone for free after all."
August was desperate as it is, so using this, I at the very least should get something out of this peculiar situation.
Also, August may have intrigued me, but this situation sounds like a threat to my life.
Up until now, my focus has been primarily on ensuring my survival.
Why would I give up that idea over the life of my sibling?
"What is it you want?"
The expression of August distanced.
His consciousness finally caught up with the reality of the situation.
I'm a prince.
Despite my weaknesses, I'm determined to secure a happy ending.
My siblings are, and will always be an opposing force to that.
"Make an oath, August Vale."
'An Everblade will always be an Everblade. I can't believe I forgot what these bastards are known for.'
His scrutinizing thoughts meant nothing to me.
"...And if I don't?"
"The fate you're afraid of will come to fruition."
August clenched his teeth.
Without even using telepathy, his thoughts were as clear as day.
'Why does this bastard have to play dirty?!'
An oath was a binding promise using magic.
In secret, my siblings have devoured hundreds of subordinates using this method.
You just had to keep up your end of the bargain.
August knew this, but he was also aware of the consequences.
He hesitated for that very reason.
However, his desperation was getting the better of him.
I could see it in his eyes as they darted around to find the solution.
It's the only reason I reached out to him now instead of earlier in the week.
He feared an oncoming fate he couldn't avoid.
The more he wasted time, the closer it got.
"I'll make the oath."
'I don't have a choice... I can break the oath later once I get in contact with that woman...'
I couldn't stop the wicked grin growing across my face.
I hastily concealed my mouth.
With a small slit to our hands, blood ran down our palms.
We firmly grasped each other's bloody hands.
I gave my conditions.
"You'll be under me, at my beck and call when I require your help."
"That's no different than a slave!"
"Fine. You don't need to be underneath me. I don't care much for that anyway. Though whenever I require your help, you will show."
"Deal."
August's conditions didn't need much thought.
"Until the objective is complete, you will do everything in your power to assist me."
"Deal."
[A nameless god has confirmed the binding oath between 'Mackenzie Everblade' and 'August Vale'.]
With the god's seal of approval, the oath was complete.
Following the oath, our search for Princess Aurelia began.
From the training grounds to the classrooms.
From the classrooms to the gardens.
From the gardens to the eating lounge, we scoured everywhere first years had access to.
The longer we searched, the more anxiety seeped out of August.
His disheveled appearance and swollen eyelids only made it worse.
Until finally, in the back of the library.
The setting sun peered through the dreary clouds, illuminating her delicate snow-white skin.
Aurelia Everblade.
Her long dark red hair and baby blue eyes were reminiscent of our father's.
It felt as though an invisible wall existed between us.
Her noble aura far outweighed mine.
When her eyes upturned towards mine, I felt pressured to speak.
But my voice wouldn't come out.
August solved that issue.
"Princess Aurelia, I apologize for taking your attention away from your book."
"This again, Viscount August?"
All of a sudden, Aurelia's serene demeanor transformed into one of annoyance.
"I understand you're annoyed by my actions, but I need you to be aware. This isn't an issue to take lightly."
"I can protect myself just fine Viscount August. And if you truly wished for such a thing, why would you bring that here."
As she spoke, I felt her eyes and words stab through me.
"Are you expecting a toothpick to be as effective as a toothbrush? Please tell me why you dragged a bag of garbage to me and claim it's meant to protect me?"
"I-I don't understand..."
"For as engaged as you are with the first-years Viscount August, I thought you would have known such information. That thing is utterly useless."
Nausea started to pool inside me.
I felt their gazes holding me hostage.
Their thoughts echoed in my head.
Ridiculing me.
I wanted to vomit.
"I-I'll s-sta- outside..."
Barely letting out a few words, I tried for the door.
However, a presence awaited me right as I opened it.
A figure shrouded in black.
I met their eyes.
Apprehension turned to dread.
A glimmer momentarily passed the corner of my vision.
A tinge of pain followed.
Warmth ran down my chest as my hand landed on my neck.
The realization caused me to fall to my knees.
As the figure pushed me aside, I saw August fearfully charging towards his death.
Wielding a blade we borrowed from the training grounds, his attempt was as impactful as my own.
The figure's dagger ran into August's abdomen, causing him to scream out in pain.
"ARGH!"
Aurelia panicked, reaching for her blade, but the figure swiftly landed their other dagger against her neck.
I wanted to cry out for help.
No.
I needed to cry out for help!
But my voice wouldn't come out.
It was getting hard to breathe.
The lack of air only made me more scared.
The pain from the wound began overtaking my thoughts.
I could barely move as my body fell into shock.
But my eyes landed on August.
Or at least the body of him.
His bloody corpse was shedding a tear.
'Because of you!'
I was angry.
My mind didn't care about the context, only lashing out at what it deemed at fault.
Everything started to go black as my eyes strained themselves to stay open.
The fear of death was overwhelming.
'I don't want to die!'
Holding on for as long as I could, I prayed to the gods for help.
[Objective failed.]
And they answered.
[Reset initiated.]
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
MERCURY
MERCURY Thank you everyone for reading!
If anyone's enjoying the story please feel free to comment or leave a like. It's always appreciated!
I'll leave it in the synopsis, but I'll be releasing 5 chapters weekly.
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