The Transmigrator Doesn’t Dream of Being the Protagonist – Chapter 27

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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No other field of study was as heavily influenced by talent as magic.

That’s what Sepia had been told since she was a child.

To become a skilled mage, talent was a prerequisite, followed by hard work.

“Sepia, you’re going to be the head of the Logness family.”

“The head of the Logness family?”

“Yes, you will cherish and protect the Logness family and the Logness territory. You must live for them.”

Her mother often read her fairy tales.

Sepia had been receiving private tutoring in magic since she was a toddler. Her mother was her teacher.

People said her mother was a powerful mage.

“You did well in your magic lessons today. You deserve a reward, don’t you?”

Her mother folded a piece of paper in front of her. The first origami figure Sepia received was a crane.

“It’s moving?”

“Be kind to it. And this is our secret, okay?”

“A secret?”

“Yes, just between you and me.”

Sepia smiled, promising to keep their secret.

Her mother continued to fold paper figures for her. They moved as if they were alive.

Cranes, frogs, cats, giraffes…

Breathing life into inanimate objects.

It was a secret between Sepia and her mother.

The origami figures played in Sepia’s room, but the moment a maid entered, they would freeze.

The memories flowed like pages turning in a book.

“Please take care, my lady.”

“……”

“You’ll catch a cold if you stay out here.”

“……”

“My lady…”

Sepia’s eyes flew open.

Sunlight didn’t reach her room, as the curtains were drawn. She couldn’t tell what time it was, whether it was day or night.

She didn’t even remember falling asleep.

Sepia touched her forehead.

She felt feverish.

The memories of yesterday slowly returned.

‘Ethan… You’re a failure as a bodyguard and a servant.’

‘I know, Lady Sepia.’

‘What?’

‘I apologize. Thank you for everything.’

The conversation replayed in her mind.

No, Ethan wouldn’t leave. They had lived together for over seven years. He had promised. He had promised to stay by her side forever.

Sepia lowered her head, her heart heavy. Ethan had left. She didn’t want to admit it. But why? Why so suddenly?

Because she had been cruel to him?

But she was the master, and he was the servant.

Sepia buried her face in her knees, replaying all the things she had done to Ethan.

It was all within the bounds of a master’s authority.

‘When did he start planning to leave?’

The thought made her feel resentful.

Someone knocked on the door.

“My lady, it’s Vivian.”

“Come in…”

Sepia replied, her voice hoarse. Vivian entered and immediately opened the curtains. Bright sunlight flooded the room.

“You look unwell.”

“Yes… I’m not feeling well.”

Sepia felt chills. She didn’t have the energy to attend classes.

“Vivian, call Ethan.”

“……”

“Ah…”

Sepia, out of habit, had asked for Ethan. She had wanted him to take notes for her. Even Vivian, who was unaware of what had happened yesterday, knew that Sepia had taken back Ethan’s sword.

And Vivian knew what it meant. Ethan was no longer a servant of the Logness family.

“Ethan is no longer employed by the Logness family.”

“No… That can’t be true.”

Sepia refused to accept reality. She reached for her communication crystal.

“Vivian, want to make a bet? If I call him, Ethan will…”

“……”

Sepia trailed off.

But she decided to call Ethan.

The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer.

“He’s… he’s in class, that’s all…”

“…My lady.”

Vivian’s voice was filled with pity.

“That’s why he’s not answering. He’s in class.”

Each word felt like a stab to her heart.

Sepia’s frustration grew.

“What did I do wrong? Tell me, Vivian. What did I do wrong to Ethan?”

Vivian hesitated. Even she didn’t know everything about Sepia and Ethan’s relationship.

“I was so good to him! What other master would treat their servant like that? I gave him medicine when he was sick, let him choose any sword he wanted, asked him to hold my umbrella, sent him to buy cookies and then asked him to exchange them for cake… those are just minor whims! What did I do wrong?”

As she spoke, Sepia thought about those moments.

‘I wasn’t the one who was wrong… Ethan was the one who was socializing with other women…’

“Ethan’s the one who betrayed his master…”

Sepia lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes. She didn’t understand her own feelings. Her emotions were spiraling out of control.

“He’s planning to stab me in the back and join the Erze Trading Company…”

He didn’t even know how betrayed she felt.

Vivian sat down beside Sepia, placing a comforting hand on her arm.

“He’s still a citizen of the Logness territory… I can still order him to return, in the name of the Logness family…”

As she spoke, Sepia realized how wrong she was.

She wanted to imprison Ethan in a dungeon.

Anything was better than losing him to the Erze Trading Company…

“What did I do wrong? There are so many worse noblewomen out there! Right, Vivian? I know a noblewoman who whips her servants every other day.”

“My lady… I’m sorry, but that hurts.”

Sepia realized she was gripping Vivian’s shoulder tightly. Ah… She slowly loosened her grip and sighed.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, my lady.”

“Hey, Vivian, can you send Ethan a message?”

“…What should I say?”

Sepia thought for a moment.

“Tell him to come back and kneel before me, or I’ll charge him with insulting a noble and take him to court…”

“My lady, that’s blackmail.”

“…I guess that’s not a good idea?”

“It’s probably not the best approach.”

Sepia’s legs trembled anxiously. Vivian and Ethan were the two people she had relied on the most. And now she had lost one of them.

“Sigh… What am I doing…?”

“My lady, you need to rest. Let me check your temperature.”

Sepia nodded weakly. Vivian gently placed her hand on Sepia’s forehead. Sepia’s head spun. Her fever hadn’t subsided.

Normally, individuals with strong mana rarely got sick.

She realized how weak she had become, both physically and emotionally.

Suddenly, an idea came to Sepia.

“Yes, renegotiation! I’ll renegotiate. I’ll offer him better terms. That’s what he wanted, right? He must be unhappy with his salary, but he’s too proud to say anything…”

She didn’t care how much the Erze Trading Company had offered him.

The fact that they had made such a generous offer meant Ethan possessed valuable skills.

“I’ll even promise to stop hitting him.”

“My lady…”

“Vivian, quickly, message Ethan. Tell him to come see me after class.”

Sepia grabbed Vivian’s arm, her voice urgent. Vivian, with a sigh, activated her communication crystal.

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I submitted the signed club application form to the student council. They were surprised, but they stamped it and handed me an approval document.

“Congratulations on forming your club.”

“Wow! Do we get a clubroom?”

Arthur, beside me, was practically glowing with excitement.

“With Professor Sylvia’s approval, we’ll assign you a clubroom. However, if your club’s activities are deemed insufficient within six months, the room will be revoked. Please refer to these club activity guidelines.”

Arthur accepted the “Club Activity Guidelines” from the student council staff. It looked like a 100-page document.

Our protagonist would probably spend the entire night reading it.

“Here’s the key to your clubroom.”

“Thank you!”

Arthur and I headed to the clubroom. It was Room 301.

“Wow, this is our clubroom!”

Arthur looked as excited as a child on a field trip. He stood by the window, looking out at the academy grounds. It was strange. He was behaving exactly as he did in the novel when he first received the clubroom.

I felt a surge of resentment.

Why was I the one doing all the work, while the protagonist got to relax and enjoy himself?

“Let’s go out and celebrate tonight.”

My stomach churned at his suggestion.

We had been drinking all night on the weekend.

Even low-alcohol drinks would make you drunk if you consumed them all night.

Ugh, I already felt nauseous.

“Woohoo! This is it!”

Anya entered the clubroom, greeting us with her usual enthusiasm.

Tesha and Tia followed her.

“Hello, Ethan and Arthur. I’m Tesha.”

Tesha and Arthur bowed politely to each other.

“Wow, we have a clubroom! We can come here and relax during our breaks.”

As expected of Tesha, she was full of positive energy.

I turned and my eyes met Tia’s.

She quickly looked away.

“Tia, you remember what happened yesterday, right?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Tia’s expression was unchanged.

But beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

A telltale sign that she was pretending.

“I’m telling youuu, I’m not drunk!”

Tia flinched.

It was a fleeting moment, but it showed me how good she was at acting.

“W-well… I’m not sure what you mean. Ethan, did I do something wrong? I must have blacked out.”

Tia cleared her throat and smoothly continued, as if reciting a prepared script.

“You really blacked out?”

“Yes… I don’t even remember how I got back from the ball.”

If she said so…

I didn’t want to push her further and damage her pride. It was important to know when to back off.

Buzz―

My communication crystal vibrated. It was a message from Vivian.

―Hello, Ethan. It’s Vivian. Sepia is looking for you. Would you be able to stop by the cafe after class?

Even though I had been drunk yesterday, I hadn’t blacked out.

I had believed I had finally escaped the Logness family.

I had broken free.

And today, I was planning to celebrate with Arthur and discuss the future of our club.

―Vivian, I can’t today. I have a prior engagement.

I typed the message, tapping on the holographic keyboard.

“Who are you texting?”

Arthur asked.

“Vivian just sent me a message.”

“Ah… Vivian?”

“Why? Want me to introduce you?”

“W-what? What are you talking about?”

Arthur’s flustered reaction made me laugh. It was written all over his face that he had a crush on Vivian.

“You don’t want to meet her?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to…”

My communication crystal rang. It was Vivian. I excused myself and stepped into the hallway to answer the call.

“[Hello, Ethan. It’s Vivian.]”

“[Yes, Vivian, I’m listening. What is it?]”

“[Sepia would like to see you. Do you know when your engagement will end?]”

Vivian’s voice was calm and polite. I suddenly felt sorry for her. You should ditch the Sepia coin and join the Arthur coin, too.

“[I’m not sure when I’ll be free.]”

“[Ah, hold on a moment.]”

Vivian had a brief conversation with Sepia.

“[Okay, Ethan. Sepia says she’ll wait for you.]”

I felt a surge of unease.

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