The Transmigrator Doesn’t Dream of Being the Protagonist – Chapter 23

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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The day of the ball arrived quickly.

There was just one problem.

Formal wear was expensive.

I couldn’t justify spending a fortune on a single outfit.

Of course,

I could wear my Neydia Academy uniform…

It wasn’t uncommon to see students wearing their uniforms at social gatherings.

Being a student at Neydia Academy was a source of pride.

It was the most prestigious academy in the empire, after all.

But the issue was that Sylvia was an instructor at Neydia.

It might be awkward for her if I showed up in my uniform.

People would gossip about her bringing her student to a social event…

What should I do?

Maybe I could ask Tia for help.

She would be able to lend me a suit.

The Erze Trading Company owned numerous clothing stores in Eastvan.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Nia.”

I opened the door, and Nia stood there, holding a garment bag.

“You mentioned you were going to a social event with Sylvia today, right? She asked me to bring you this.”

Sylvia had sent a black suit.

“I can’t accept this…”

“Just take it. Don’t embarrass Sylvia.”

Nia turned to leave, as if she were a delivery person.

“Nia! Please tell her I’ll wear it with pride!”

Nia winked and placed her hand on the transfer stone.

I returned to my room and tried on the suit.

And I was impressed.

The suit fit perfectly.

I felt like I could outshine the Kingsman.

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When the appointed time arrived, Ethan met Sylvia at the designated meeting spot.

They were to meet at the plaza near the transfer stones. Ethan waited for Sylvia by the fountain.

“It suits you.”

Sylvia was also wearing a black suit, instead of her usual silver armor.

Their outfits were so similar, they almost looked like a couple.

They had purchased their suits from the same store.

The suit fit Sylvia flawlessly, as if it had been tailored specifically for her. The combination of her silver hair and the black fabric exuded an air of sophistication.

“Master, I’ll wear the suit you sent me with pride.”

“Ethan, from now on, address me as Linchester.”

“Yes, Linchester.”

“Shall we go?”

Ethan and Sylvia walked across the plaza.

Countless eyes followed them.

They waited for their turn at the transfer stones.

Lydia, the transfer stone operator, recognized Ethan.

“Ah, the Hero Candidate! Where are you heading to this weekend…”

Lydia paused, her gaze fixed on Ethan’s suit.

The last time she had seen him, he had looked like a homeless vagrant.

But now, he was unrecognizable.

He looked like the epitome of a noble young man.

“Two to Central Ward, please.”

Lydia’s gaze shifted to the woman behind Ethan.

“Ah…”

She was speechless as her eyes met the silver-haired woman’s.

‘Oh my god, she’s so beautiful… Is she his girlfriend?’

Lydia blinked, trying to process the sight.

The black-haired boy and the silver-haired woman.

She didn’t want to admit it, but they looked incredibly well-suited.

She felt a pang of envy.

“Lydia.”

“Y-yes?”

Ethan’s voice snapped her out of her daze.

“Could you activate the transfer stone to Central Ward, please?”

“Ah, y-yes.”

Lydia activated the transfer stone.

“One moment. And the lady behind you…”

Please present your identification.

That’s what she was supposed to say.

But before she could finish, Sylvia showed her Neydia Academy identification. Employees of the academy, just like the students, were granted free use of the transfer stones.

“Ah…”

Lydia was speechless again.

“Is that all?”

“Y-yes. H-have a good trip.”

The silver-haired woman and Ethan stepped onto the platform and vanished.

Lydia felt a surge of annoyance, as if a coveted item had been sold out right before she could purchase it.

‘Ugh, I need a drink after work…’

She felt a sense of distance, an invisible barrier separating her from those two.

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The ball was held in the Central Ward of the capital.

Ethan and Linchester, upon arriving in the capital, boarded a carriage.

After a thirty-minute ride,

A massive, palace-like building came into view.

Countless nobles, dressed in elegant gowns and tuxedos, filled the ballroom.

A chandelier sparkled in the center of the high ceiling.

It was opulent, beyond luxurious.

“Lady Linchester, welcome to the Central Ward Ball.”

Waiters bowed as they recognized Sylvia.

The aroma of delicious food wafted through the air.

A middle-aged man with silver hair pulled back approached Sylvia. He was handsome, a silver fox, if you will.

I recognized him.

There was only one head of the Linchester family, only one father to Sylvia.

Benek von Linchester.

“Sylvie, you actually came.”

“Sylvia von Linchester greets the head of the Linchester family, my father.”

Sylvia bowed her head slightly.

“It’s been a while since you attended a social event, Sylvie. Please stay for a while.”

Sylvia, given her personality, wouldn’t stay long. But her father, as the head of the Linchester family, would want his daughter to socialize.

“And who is this young man?”

Benek’s gaze shifted to me.

“He’s my partner.”

“Partner? Partner? What do you mean…? You see the strangest things when you live long enough…”

I bowed my head, mirroring Sylvia’s gesture.

“Greetings. I am Ethan, a Hero Candidate from Neydia Academy.”

“A Hero Candidate from Neydia Academy! Haha, and what is your relationship with Sylvia?”

“He is my disciple.”

Sylvia replied in her usual calm tone.

“Disciple? Good heavens! A disciple! Sylvie taking on a student…”

Benek looked astonished, as if the sun had risen from the west.

“Father, you’re being too loud.”

Benek chuckled.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ethan.”

I shook his hand.

The mention of “disciple” drew the attention of the other guests.

Whispers filled the air.

“Lady Sylvia has never taken on a student before, has she?”

“Indeed. He must be exceptionally talented to have caught her eye.”

“He carries himself with such grace, for a mere disciple.”

I overheard snippets of their conversations.

“You must be hungry. Shall we get something to eat, Ethan?”

“Yes, Linchester.”

We filled our plates and sat down at a table.

The murmurs continued.

People were surprised to see Sylvia at the ball, and even more surprised to see her with a partner.

Sylvia ate her food with perfect etiquette.

She looked almost unreal.

Someone approached our table as we were eating.

“Good evening, Sylvia von Linchester.”

I looked up.

It was Tia Erze, her red hair styled in an elegant braid.

She was wearing a beautiful white dress that complemented her hair. It was obviously a high-end designer gown.

“I am Tia Erze, a Hero Candidate from Neydia Academy and daughter of the Erze family.”

“Ah, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Tia Erze.”

“May I join you?”

“Of course.”

Tia bowed her head slightly and sat down beside Sylvia.

A question popped into my mind.

Why was she here?

It wasn’t unusual, of course.

She was a member of the Erze family, and she had every right to attend this social gathering.

“Ethan, what a surprise to see you here. It’s nice to meet you.”

Tia greeted me with a smile, as if we were meeting for the first time.

I knew the Erze Trading Company had extensive social connections, but I hadn’t expected to run into her here.

“Tia Erze, it’s a pleasure to meet you, too.”

“Professor Sylvia, Ethan and I are actually in the same class.”

“I see. Then you must be in Class 1.”

Tia, maintaining a composed expression, skillfully steered the conversation.

“Professor Sylvia, what is your relationship with Ethan?”

“He’s my disciple.”

“Wow, Professor Sylvia’s disciple! I’m so jealous.”

Sylvia set down her fork and knife.

“Tia, and Ethan, are you two close?”

Tia and I answered simultaneously.

“Not yet…”

“Of course we’re… close.”

The first response was mine, the second was Tia’s.

The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Tia shot me a playful glare.

What the…?

I was the one who was flustered.

Given her personality, I had expected her to say “not yet.”

“Fufu, of course we’re close. You’re being quite mischievous today, Ethan.”

Tia gracefully fanned herself.

She was so adept at navigating social situations that I wondered if the Tia I knew from the academy and this Tia were even the same person.

Her social skills were impressive, even for a first-year student.

“But Professor Sylvia, I was under the impression that you didn’t take on disciples?”

Tia’s question, though seemingly innocent, carried a subtle undertone.

She had never addressed Sylvia as “Professor” before.

Her question, though not accusatory, implied that Sylvia was showing favoritism to one of her students.

And Sylvia’s response was unexpected.

“Hmm, are you amused, Tia Erze?”

“Huh?”

“Do you treat social gatherings like a stage play?”

Tia flinched at Sylvia’s sarcastic remark.

She looked like a child who had been scolded.

The atmosphere turned icy.

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