“—Nora Noz! I can no longer protect you from your repeated offenses! You’re hereby sentenced to being sealed!!”

My fiancée, His Highness, heralded the end of a girl who’d later be known as the Incorrigible Villainess.

—As for these ‘repeated offenses,’ they were nothing but false accusations.

Never did I intend to harm anyone, I just wanted to help.

All I wished for was to be useful instead of a hindrance.

But the miasma had thickened these past few years, resulting in a widespread epidemic, the radicalization of warfare, and widespread destruction.

All of that were pinned on Nora Noz—a mythical great sage who went mad with jealousy after losing in the face of true love—

—I, who wasn’t allowed to die and be reborn, was sentenced to the harshest punishment, the [Sentence of Sealing].

Thus, 800 years later…

I’m so bored~~!!

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak, either. I also couldn’t die.

I spent the last 800 years trapped in a crystal inside a dark cave. Had I not been able to use [clairvoyance] magic, I would’ve gone crazy.

…Well, that’s the whole point behind this sentencing.

There was a time when I was angry at how unreasonable, and not to mention, baseless those accusations were. But after 800 years? Ever so slowly, my thirst for revenge subsided, leaving me bored from lack of anything to do.

Over the past 800 years, I, who only had free time, watched over the world.

A civilization developed through the miraculous power of magic collapsed, yet another rose in its place; similar, yet with different technology, and prospered.

I want to be a part of it, too…

I was mesmerized by the sight of everyone joining hands to create something based on the mistakes of the past.

Sometimes, they’d laugh. At other times, they’d fight or cry. Even before my sealing, I longed for such a life. Nora Noz, having shown a talent for magic since childhood, had always lived a life apart from ordinary people.

 I never wanted to be a ‘Great Sage’…

I just wanted to enjoy my childhood, go to that place called ‘academy,’ and experience things like youth and romance…

…But now, all that has nothing to do with me, someone an inch away from death.

The crystal that confined me was a top-tier magic device that preserved life. But all tools would break someday. Over the course of 800 years, I was gradually degrading; my preserved body aged slowly but surely.

How did I know about all this?

—Well, that was because I was the one who invented said device.

In truth, the device wasn’t made with the intention of execution, but healing… So how did it turn out like this? No amount of regret could change anything, though.

It happened when I channeled my magic to oversee a certain academy—my most recent pastime…

“I want to die.”

I heard a voice.

No one had any reason to come to such a dim cave. Moreover, after a landslide that happened a long time ago, the entrance had been completely sealed. If so, I probably heard the voice through the use of [Clairvoyance].

“Enough, already… Let me die. Please, just let me die.”

The heartrending voice pierced my heart.

To me, her wanting to die sounded like a cry for help.

I want to help her…

I didn’t know who she was. Probably a student, but since I’d only ever admired the dazzling scenery of the academy, I had no idea who it was.

Even so, I heard her.

Therefore, I couldn’t possibly dismiss it.

I want to help—!!

In the next moment, I felt a floaty sensation. Before I knew it, I was looking at a slightly different scene than usual. When I turned around, I saw the [Nora Noz] who was sealed inside the crystal.

—I’m so old!!

At first glance, I looked like a 90-years-old woman. I knew I was aging, but I didn’t expect it to have progressed to such an extent… Despite having used [Clairvoyance], I never bothered to look at my own appearance. Perhaps, it was some kind of self-defense mechanism.

Where did my fine violet hair go? My hair was now pure white, frizzy, and unkempt. Both my face and hands were covered in wrinkles. Even though my body was scrawny, I was pot-bellied.

After seeing that, I immediately did the math.

From the looks of it, I only have a year left…?

After all, I didn’t only dabble in magic, but also medicine. Upon realizing that I was nearing death, I could only snort.

If I don’t do anything, it’ll surely arrive in the blink of an eye.

Compared to 800 years, a year was nothing.

Still, as long as I still retained my consciousness…

Time to go!

—To the girl who asked me for help.

Turning away from [Nora Noz], I drew the shape of a square with my fingertips. There, the scene caught by my [Clairvoyance] was soon projected.

Reflected was the figure of a girl who had been pushed down the stairs of the academy attended by many aristocrats.

Her soot-like hair was tied, yet messy. Scrawny limbs with protruding bones. Even the hem of her uniform was frayed. Was she carrying them? Numerous papers were scattered around her.

“It hurts. I want to end it all…”

As soon as I found the wondering soul, I leaped into the projection…

…My destination was the dark world of her spirit.

I reached out to the girl who curled up as she cried.

“All right, don’t cry. If you don’t stop crying, your beautiful eyes will melt?”

“Y-you are…?”

The fragile girl had long, unkempt hair and lusterless skin. However, when I peered into her eyes, I discovered that the color was emerald, and that it was as clear as jewel.

…Upon closer inspection, I also found out that she was cute.

“My name is Nora Noz. If you want to die, why don’t you entrust your body to me?”

“…The ‘Incorrigible Villainess’?”

Oh my, even after 800 years, I’m still that famous? What an honor…

Deciding to not dwell on it, I knelt down to meet her eyes.

“—I promise that in a year, I’ll return your body and you’ll soon wake up in the best environment. After all, a wonderful lover and friends are a must have, aren’t they? Along with a promising future, a warm family, and plenty of assets?”

“No way, I don’t have anything like—”

“You will, next year. In exchange, I’ll be able to live the school life of my dreams. As for you, you can recuperate for a year and then start over with all the advantages? What do you think? It isn’t a bad deal, right?”

I wished to help the crying girl in front of me.

But at the same time… I wanted to have a little more fun before I died next year.

However, my body had been rendered useless, so it was perfect for me.

Although, the girl with brilliant eyes in front of me might not necessarily understand the selfish wish of such a villainess.

“Y-you would do that for me…?”

“Of course! Here, give me your pinkie.”

I’ll never betray this innocent girl.

I swore to myself, and intertwined my pinkie around one she fearfully raised.

“This is an ancient magic that renders promises absolute.”

Her pinkie was interwoven with light. After I sealed our contact, I could hear a ringing sound, one akin to a bell. The contract is now complete. If I broke the contact, I would receive divine retribution from God.

Since I no longer had a body, I’d probably have to pay it with my soul. In that case, I wouldn’t reincarnate but would instead cease to exist. Nevertheless, it was better than being frozen in time for 800 years. No matter which way the dice fell, I had nothing to lose.

“Well then, you should rest well for now. For starters, I have to give my regards to those who who’ve treated you so nicely.”

Then, as I stood up—

—light returned to the world. Sunlight filtering through the windows. I was surrounded by a lively crowd of youths.

I was on the landing of the stairs of the immaculate school building. Apparently, I had been pushed down.

My limbs hurt…

Hehe, it hurts.

For the first time in 800 years, I felt pain, and I couldn’t help but smile.

When I looked up, I saw a shocked duo at the end of the staircase.

Heh, did I get pushed down by these kids?

I smiled at those girls, it was my first time in 800 years.

---

***T/N: Uwah somehow the first chap just fills me with that poignant sadness guys

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