“Don’t ask any questions. Just follow me,” I said, transforming into Rodney. “Fuck are you looking at?” I demanded, punching the sentinel guarding the cathedral. Ajay, now donning a clown mask, hesitantly trailed behind me.

Stepping over his limp body, we took the teleportation array to the Federation of Beaskin.

“All hail the crown prince!” the soldiers shouted in unison.

An older noble, about to enter the teleportation array, stopped and greeted her. “Rodney! What a pleasant surprise! I didn’t expe–”

I socked him in the jaw. “Who do you think you are talking to with that attitude, huh?! Move!” I yelled, kicking his body as he lay on the floor. “And it’s Crown Prince Rodney to you!”

“S- sorry si- I mean Crown Prince Rodney! Apologies!” he said frantically.

“I have hemorrhoids so I’m in a bad mood, don’t waste my time again!” I screamed, spitting in his face.

With a quick bow, he scrambled to the teleportation array.

I turned my attention to the guards, glaring at them threateningly. “So? Aren’t you going to open the door for me? Tsk, useless bunch.”

Soon, we reached the palace doors without much difficulty, with the passersby throwing occasional glances and whispering.

The guards are confused. “Hey isn’t that Rodney? I thought he already entered the palace two hours back?’

“Hey I heard that. Are you blind? You got shit for brains? Now open the door. Next time, have the gall to say it to my face,” I said, my voice tinged with venom. “Hurry up!”

‘Might as well take the time to explore,’ I thought. “Follow me closely, attendant.”

We began to wander aimlessly. “Pick whatever you want Ajay, this is your salary for playing along with me,” I commanded.

“Really? Is it really okay? Isn’t this wrong?” he said, concerned. “What if they come after us later? What would happen then?”

Sighing, I said, “If we get caught, what are they going to do? I am literally the crown prince right now. Take whatever you want. If they find out, you will just be a random attendant coerced by me, a conniving trickster.”

I still have a few hours before the main event, so I might as well play some pranks. “Hmmm, how can I mildly inconvenience someone?” I said, tapping scratching my head. “Oh I know! Hoho this is going to be so much fun.”

Dragging Ajay along, I pranced to the men’s washroom. “First person to catch me gets promoted to captain of the royal guards!” I shouted. “You may begin immediately!”

Casting [Frozen Grasp], I motion to Ajay to cast a water spell, creating a slip and slide.

“I wish you luck!” I shouted, closing the door behind me. Giggling, I padlocked the door. Sprinting away hand in hand.

‘Now for the real fun,’ I thought. Morphing into a giant spider, I ran up on the ceiling of the dining hall. Nobles choked on their food as some began to draw their swords and staffs. As quickly as I came, I left, transforming back to Rodney while out of sight.

Nobles rushed out of the hall, frantically scanning the halls. “Where's the spider? Rodney?! Thank god you aren’t hurt, did you see the spider??” a noble asked nervously.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

I pointed down the staircase. “I think it went towards the man’s washroom. Quickly, make haste, I got more pressing matters to attend to,” I said, starting to walk towards my attendant at the other end of the dining hall.

I let out a snort as the nobles quickly thanked me and left. I touched the floor.

“[Reduce Friction].”

People started to trip over each other, forming a pile near the staircase. Manipulating wind magic, I led Ajay to the other side of the palace.

I dropped my transformation. “On a serious note, I need to talk to Yuki. You stay out of this, wait for me outside,” I ordered.

“Fine but are you out of your mind?? At the royal palace? Seriously?” he said with exasperation.

I waved my hand, entering Yuki’s private chambers, shutting the door behind. It’s just as I remembered it, lavender as usual. However, the room is very messy—-books are scattered all over the room, with Yuki sprawled in the center.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, closing her book. “Honestly, I don’t believe that you are an actual guardian deity.”

“How so?” I asked, curious. “I can read your mind. For example, you were being harassed by Rodney and his faction.”

“Well,” she began. “That’s just surface information. In addition, where were you my whole life? How can I trust you? I am so embarrassed. People gossiped about my unruly ‘guardian deity.’”

I was about to speak in protest but then I realized, she is right. I’m a terrible friend. A terrible friend.

“But,” she began, smiling.”’We share an attraction deeper than blood.’”

My eyes widened as she threw herself at me, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

“Where were you??” she said between choked sobs. “I- I missed you so much. Ru- ruling sucked I- I was alone and I-“

She began bawling even harder as I rocked her in my arms. Now morphing into my older form.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’m here now, it’s okay.”

She wiped a tear with the back of her hand.

“Sorry, I was just so caught up in my emotions,” Yuki hiccupped. “But it’s strange, isn’t it? I think it is related to the skill. I guess I really am blessed.”

She smiled at me. “So, how did you die?”

I explained to her how the church finally tracked me down, and I fell off a cliff where I met my master.

“You could’ve ask me for help!” Yuki said, pouting. “And you never responded to any of my letters…”

“It's not easy living as a fugitive,” I said, looking her in the eye. “But we have each other now. Let’s live our second life right.”

Then a thought popped into my head. ‘But how is she here?’ I thought. ‘Wait, did she die too?’

I pulled her into a tight embrace, then cried into her fur, whispering, “Thank you for being here with me. I- I wouldn’t know what I’d do without you, I’m so… Lonely here.”

I have so much I want to say but I couldn’t put my emotions into words I wipe my tears with a handkerchief. Hours flew by as we talked, laughing as we shared what we were up to. Soon, the clock approached the moment of truth.

“Well,” I said, smiling. “Let’s get going.”

She held onto my hand, and left for the dining hall.

“Oh hey there Ajay,” I smirked. “I hope you didn’t soil yourself.”

His eyes widened at the sight of us holding hands. “You- you’re friends with royalty?! But seriously though, hurry up next time, I’m famished,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. “Luckily, a servant thought I was a new hire and she showed me around.”

“Who is he?” Yuki asked, scrutinizing his face. “Your boyfriend?”

“Tsk, as if!” I snorted. “My standards aren’t that low, besides his pretty face, he’s just a loser who can’t even mend a paper cut.”

“Hey I’m not a loser!” he said in indignation. “With your attitude, no wonder you can’t find a lover.”

“I feel like I haven't been using my divine castration arts recently, I think I might need some practice, right now,” I said menacingly. “And take off that stupid mask.”

He gulped, going silent, as we made our way to the dining hall. The idle conversations between nobles filled my ears. Servers rushed back and forth, getting food and refilling wine.

King Felix clapped twice, signalling for silence.

“Tonight’s guest of honor is my daughter, Princess Yuki! Please, a round of applause before we can begin the ceremony!”

Cheers and applause erupted throughout the hall, as he motioned for them to stop.

“Now we may begin the ceremony.” He looked at Yuki lovingly. “Please, place your palm on the magic crystal.”

As expected, a disembodied voice echoed throughout the room.

“[Class : Emissary of the Goddess]”

[Bonus Class : Samsaran]”

‘A bonus class?’ I thought, inspecting my status.

[Samsaran]

Surviving the reincarnation process, death is but a status condition for you.

Unique skill [Borrowed Time] unlocked.

[Borrowed Time]

Effects trigger upon receiving a killing blow.

-Sacrifice the remainder of your mana pool

-HP fixed at one

-All status conditions cleansed

-[Invulnerability] status effect for 5 seconds

“Tick-tock. You’re on borrowed time” - unknown

‘How did I not notice this before? This is insane!’ I thought.

Gasps and hushed murmurs filled the hall as the doors slam open.

“Yuki, are you joining the battle for inheritance?” he scowled, his fur sopping wet. “If so, I challenge you to a trial by combat.”