I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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Isabella looked at Edgar with tearful eyes.

Seeing her gaze, Edgar realized one thing.

She had peered into his memories.

That she had seen every narrative where he tried to save her over dozens of cycles, but each time it concluded in tragedy.

“You saw it.”

With an expression of understanding, Edgar said to Isabella.

But she, still looking confused, replied to him.

“What memories are those…? How can memories that repeat in the same pattern happen, dozens of times… It’s not like it’s a reincarnation, why do those memories stay in the same timeframe…”

Isabella, who had viewed Edgar’s ‘Isabella route’ dozens of times.

However, without any concept of regression, it was only natural for her to feel bewildered by those memories.

How could Edgar live while holding onto so many memories?

Edgar answered.

“It’s a power called ‘regression.'”

“…Regression?”

“Yeah. It’s the ability to return to a specific point and start over upon death.”

“…….”

…The ability to return to a specific point and start over upon death.

Isabella nodded.

Though she had never heard of such an incredible spell, somehow she felt it was possible for Edgar.

After all, he was one of the most powerful figures in the Empire, and a central figure at that, despite being her age.

If it were ordinary, achieving such an accomplishment at such a young age would have been impossible.

“…I’m sorry.”

However, Isabella conveyed her honest feelings to him.

Her remorse for the many narratives where Edgar tried to save her but ultimately ended in failure due to her own selfishness.

“I was… foolish… I shouldn’t have been like that.”

Why on earth did it happen that way?

Perhaps it was because Edgar knew he could never leave her.

Even if she accepted the family’s fate and immersed herself in “building up negativity,” Edgar wouldn’t leave anyway.

She expected him to stay by her side until the end, knowing that it would happen.

With such selfish thoughts, she inflicted trials upon Edgar as if they were punishments.

“Now, just this once, let me…”

But the moment Isabella saw Edgar’s anguish after she died, she desperately realized she shouldn’t have done that.

She had tried everything she could to save herself, but ultimately, she ended in despair due to her selfish choice, witnessing that heartbreaking moment over dozens of times had shattered her heart.

“I’ll live only for you.”

So this time, Isabella decided to forget her family’s obligations.

Though she knew that as soon as she abandoned her family’s duty, Grand Duke Lilith would lead a large army south from the North to invade…

Isabella had already steeled her heart after seeing Edgar’s countless anguishes.

“…Right. But there’s no need for you to bear the family’s burdens alone. Let’s fight together this time.”

Having received the answer she wanted, Edgar replied to Isabella with a smile.

This time, they would fight together.

Since they had already decided to eradicate all demons, taking care of Lilith, who was gaining power deep in the North, was also one of their tasks.

“…Okay.”

And Isabella, who had always wished to stand alone harboring resentment, gladly took Edgar’s outstretched hand.

Even if it had been a different cycle, this Edgar was stronger than any other cycle.

‘Finally on the right track.’

With the Isabella route that had always been off course now corrected, Edgar smiled, feeling lighthearted.

At some point, it had become his goal not just to stop the demons but to save those around him as well.

It was undoubtedly great news that Isabella would no longer repeat herself with him.

‘Now we just need Enya to return.’

However, even though both he and Isabella had regained consciousness, Enya was still lost in the memories of others with her eyes closed.

This meant Enya was looking into both his and Isabella’s memories.

Because Enya wanted to glimpse his memories, but at the same time, she wanted to understand the Isabella who had changed so abruptly since age eleven.

‘Should I wait until the resonance ends…’

Thus, Edgar decided to wait for a while until the ‘resonance,’ which would strengthen their bonds by tying their memories together, was finished.

After all, not just Enya but nearly all the cadets hadn’t regained consciousness yet.

***

“Fool.”

Enya, who had peered into all of Isabella’s memories, suddenly spoke the words that came to her mind.

Indeed, Isabella was a fool who had been tossed around by her family’s fate without even realizing her true feelings, making foolish choices from beginning to end.

Why had Isabella pushed away everyone she loved so much?

‘Self-hatred.’

It was because she loathed herself.

To fulfill her family’s desires, she had to hurt everyone and ultimately embraced ‘negativity’ as her fate, therefore hating herself more than anyone else.

“I think I can finally understand you now.”

However, on the flip side, she also felt relieved.

This was because she could not understand the Isabella who had suddenly transformed.

She couldn’t comprehend how someone who had once been so kind and gentle would act as if she were someone else entirely.

She was forced to interpret the saying, “Everyone from the Graham family becomes a psychopath at a certain age,” in her own way.

‘Negativity, huh… What a pathetic thing.’

The negativity that had gnawed at Isabella.

Feelings of hatred and resentment that must be built up for the sake of saving not only the Northern territory but countless lives in the Empire.

Enya recalled the moments Isabella had endured to accumulate those feelings.

Purposefully saying hurtful things, laughing at the pained expressions she caused, and yet the one who got hurt the most from those actions was Isabella herself… she thought about that.

If it had been her, she would have gone insane from the unbearable pain long ago.

“Sigh… Stupid.”

Thus, Enya decided to forgive Isabella.

Once a cherished friend, but now, her hatred had grown too large.

She resolved to let go of her obsession with hoping to bring her back and receive an apology.

Because now she could understand Isabella.

‘…Ed.’

But Enya thought of Edgar.

Although he looked like someone else in body and face, he bore a resemblance in expression, habits, aura, and personality. In other words, he was the ‘Edgar embodied in another person’ who had shared love with her, carrying his soul.

‘We were connected.’

And within those memories, Edgar and she were perfectly intertwined.

It was the unimaginable love she had always wished for.

‘And…’

And she could have that perfect love all thanks to Edgar’s help.

Originally, when she would have faltered in the process of practicing ‘Baldos Magic’ and strayed onto the wrong path, it was Edgar who corrected her at every turn.

‘You being there is what completed me.’

Due to Max’s disgusting obsession or her own crumbling heart that had turned her into a demon’s servant.

However, everything changed when Edgar intervened in her destiny.

By his side, she stepped onto the path of light and was finally able to complete the Baldos Magic and connect with him.

And such changes in fate were the same in this cycle.

The first person to approach her, extending a hand to her when she was lost in her own talent was none other than Edgar.

‘Thank you.’

A smile naturally appeared on her face.

Edgar, who always approached her first, extending a hand.

Always despairing for the same reasons, making the same mistakes, and sharing love in the same way…

– There seems to be an issue with the sheath.

Even this time, Edgar came near her.

After repeating dozens of cycles, one might think he would be tired of connecting with her.

Yet still, he reached out to try and save her and engage in love with her.

Having confirmed that Edgar’s heart hadn’t changed, Enya was happier than anyone else in the world.

She had already peer into his memories, endlessly observing how perfect a couple they were, but nonetheless, she wanted to share love with him again.

No, rather it was even more so since she had seen those future moments already.

“Um…?”

However, there was one problem.

Through Edgar’s memories, she had seen her last dozens of lives.

She always ended up developing a crush on Edgar first, often hugging his pillow or rubbing herself against his bed, engaging in somewhat perverse territory.

In other words, she had witnessed that secret behavior through ‘Edgar’s memories.’

‘If so…’

That meant Edgar already knew about it.

About the things she had secretly done.

“Uh…”

Thus, Enya let out a hollow, empty scream.

And at that moment, radiant light erupted as Edgar’s memories began to scatter.

Returning to a hellish reality while carrying her dark past…